By Way of the Rose by Cynthia Ward Weil Read Free Book Online

then help out wherever we can. We all do more than what is expected of us but you go play.”
    “I don't call your fishing and hunting work exactly. You and Cora just sitting on the river bank isn't work at all and neither is toting a gun through the woods looking for animals to kill.”
    “At least something comes from my time off. Didn't you eat the fish I caught and the rabbit I shot? My ‘playing', as you call it, produces something around here. You know, something useful !”
    “Well, something comes from reading too. Education isn't something to take lightly. Without education we're no better than the animals you like to shoot. Why do you think Momma tried to make you learn to read?”
    “Like Poppa says, when your education puts food on the table, then I will consider it worth something. Sarah is old enough to help too. She could watch the twins some times for momma and help her out. But that injun foundling ain't worth nothing!”
    Marion slammed the knife and the potato she was peeling down on the table. “Nathan! You watch yourself, young man. It isn't your place to lay out the rules for everyone around here. Who gave you the right to talk like that? Just suppose someone outside heard you say such? You know what is expected of you when it comes to that matter. You best not let those words cross your lips again! You endanger all of our lives with your hot headed-remarks.”
    Nathan stormed out of the cabin, slamming the door hard behind him. Sarah looked up at John with her big brown eyes and tugged at his shirt sleeve.
    “What's an Injun findling?” She asked.
    “Don't you let it bother you, Sarah honey. Nathan doesn't know what he's talking about. He is a jealous nit-wit. It's best if you just forget about anything he says.”
    “Agnes, finish washing the potatoes.” Marion stood up and went out after Nathan. She didn't like to let bad feelings stir for too long. John felt bad about fussing because he knew how it upset her, but Nathan seemed to thrive on riling him.
    “You two are getting too old for this childish behavior! Y'all upset Momma all the time. You two put nothing but torment on her! You could at least try.”
    “I do try, Aggie. You know I do.”
    “I see who starts it, John. But you should ignore him. Think of Momma. I don't know what she's going to do when I'm not here to help.”
    “Where are you going?”
    “Well, Paul O'Leary and I are getting married soon. He's asking Poppa for my hand tomorrow. I want to marry him, but I hate to leave Momma. Especially if I can't count on you to keep the peace. I know I can't count on Nathan. He's hard to reach. All he sees is his own little world. But you, John, you have a deeper understanding of things. You should be able to overcome his stupidity. It is stupidity, you know?”
    “I'll try harder, Aggie. I promise. Go, get married with a clear conscience.” He hugged his sister. “Where will you two live? Doesn't he stay with his folks?”
    “We're moving west right after the wedding. There's free land out there. All we have to do is stake our claim.”
    “So far away? You will visit us, won't you?”
    “Of course I will. And I'll write too.”
    After this, John tried to work harder around the place and spend less time with Sarah. But she was always following him no matter what he was doing. She was like his shadow and even though he never minded her being there, he tried to encourage her to stay in the cabin and play with the twins and Cora.
    Agnes and Paul were to be married on May Day. So, the night before, they did the traditional leap over the broom then went to gather wild flowers for the Maypole. Agnes looked radiant as she and Paul stood before their family on that sunny day. Blossoms were woven through her dark, curly hair and she wore her best dress of green gingham. After they took their vows, the celebrations began.
    Paul's father, Jacob O'Leary, played lively reels and jigs on his little Irish bagpipe as everyone danced around