The following morning after breakfast, with fresh eggs from the chickens with a new cock, a doodle do times two. Things started to happen quickly with a knock on the door. There was a line of people signing their names on the dotted line. They asked to speak with Mr. Downing regarding work for the cotton fields and newsstands. The word was out as they were clamoring at the door. Sheriff Whitmore put up a table outside with rosters, one for the newsstands, one for the cotton field, and one for any youngins that want to sign up for newspaper boys and post boys.
It was a frantic but organized bunch as they all signed the job rosters. Mr. Downing handed a slip of paper to meet with Mr. Grams or Mr. Rivers for those jobs and ones for the cotton field to meet, rubbing his chin at the response for a meeting with him in an hour at the Square to get a head count and have a quick briefing. What is required of them, making sure they really want to go? After all, it is a long way to go, and he needs a firm commitment from them. Soon, the line died down to a trickle.
Sheriff Whitmore gathered the rest of the names. While Wayne headed off to the meeting, he sent the boys off to the farm to work on some projects he assigned them so they could start gathering and making a list of things they needed to sell for trade. He handed Robert a pad and pencil to count the inventory to take up to Santaquin and Payson while he held the meeting in the Square. Then, he would meet him back in two hours at the Square.
* * * *
Grandma got a note from the Doctor and the hospital and drove up to Payson Jr. "Hello, I would like to see the principal, please," she said.
"Yes, ma'am. Can I ask what's this all about, ma'am?" The principal asked.
"Yes, I need to excuse these boys from school," Grandma said, handing a list of names with the reason. Then, she handed them the note signed by the Doctor and the hospital.
"I see. The law states that only family members are excused for this," the principal said, handing the note back to her. They will be counted as absent if they don't attend school. I am sorry, ma'am," he said.
"You've got to be kidding. They were all very close, and you tell me they have to go to school regardless?" Grandma replied with a stern voice.
"Yes, ma'am, those are the rules. I don't make them. Excuse me, but I have work to do," he said, and then he showed her the door.
Grandma stares at the closed door, almost wanting to tear it down. Knowing it would do no good, leaving in a huff and returning to New Downing, before she finds Mr. Whitmore and Mr. Downing. But not before striking some deal. After picking up the rest of the week's assignments and making deals with their teachers for the boys. After all, there's more than one way to skin a cat, beat an old rug, or a principal clenching her fist in anger. If the work got done, that's all that matters. Each teacher said they would consider it and let them have the rest of the week off.
Grandma takes the homework back to the cottage. She finds Lizzy and Mary telling them what the school said, an agreement she worked out among the teachers. They said they would help them get ready, so they would keep this so-called agreement. Even though it seemed unfair, looking at the amount of work, doubling the homework looked like it to them as they shook their heads. They grumble a few words themselves as they look towards the school.
* * * *
Wayne counts the heads in the group and comes up short by four as he tells them what is expected and when they like them ready to leave. Tomorrow, or the next day at the latest, they all agreed on the next afternoon. Wayne passed around a contract, and they all signed it willingly as they headed back to pack and prepare to leave. The boys stood and waited for him as the last person signed the agreement. Wayne sighs, "Alright, boys, what's the damage?" as Robert hands him the list of inventories they can sell and things they can make.
Wayne adds them up at the bottom, then looks at his boys. "Yes, sir, we got ourselves a heap of work to do, boys," he said, looking at the total on the inventory and sighing. "Well, let's get crackin'," rubbing his hands, putting the list away, putting his arms around his boys, "let's get to work." Picking up the contracts, putting them into a folder, and placing them under his arm, they all head down to the telegram office to meet with Mr. Rivers and Mr. Grams. "Hello, boys," as they try not to look downcast, giving their notice. Wayne hands Mr. Rivers the roster for the help of the post office as the boys give their notice.
Robert said, being the oldest of all the boys. "Mr. Rivers, our Pa needs us at home right now, so we can't work for you, but he says we can work for you for the next couple of days or until you find someone to replace us, but we will be back next summer if you would like, that is if you still want us," he asked. Mr. Rivers already knows the reason and tries to brighten their day, putting his hand on each of their shoulders.
"Thanks, boys, thanks for telling me in person. Of course, you can work for me next summer," he said as he pulled out the cash they earned for the week, plus a bonus of twenty dollars, each taking the roster from Wayne. "Thanks for the help. In fact, I hired all the help I needed," looking at the roster and hanging it on the wall. "But I still need these boys to run telegrams every once in a while, and help me set up that post office," he said as he smiled, "and clerks inside to watch the store for today, at least while I get things set up," he replied.
The boys smile. "Yes, sir."
Pa said. "Well, boys, it sounds like you've got work to do this afternoon," he said, shaking his hand. I'll have them ready by two o'clock. Now then, I have a telegram of my own to send," he smiled.
Aunty M. Stop
Help is on its way. Stop.
Eleven good men and wives. Stop.
We will leave for Salt Lake City on Wednesday midday. Stop.
Wayne. Stop― End of telegram.
He gives him the address on the telegram where he wants it to go, thanks Mr. Rivers, and shakes his hand, placing a five-dollar bill on the counter. "Wayne, you know your money is no good here," he passes it back. Wayne shakes his head, taking the boys next door to see Mr. Grams with the same results as before. "Well, see you boys at two o'clock; you can help me print and stock the new stands, boys." Mr. Grams pays them twenty dollars each for the week, plus a ten-dollar bonus.
Mr. Downing pulls out his list, checks off what he needs to do for the day, and puts a checkmark on what has been done. "Alright, boys, let's say we go get some work done, head back to the cottage to pick up the wagon from the stable, and find the aunts to watch Sam and Ted."
When the boys return, they find Grandma leaving on her way to find them with a sort of discouraged look. "Wayne, boys, I was just coming to find you," Grandma said, looking downcast. "It wasn't easy," shaking her head, looking towards the school. "I made a deal, you might say, with the Devil, you would say," pointing to Lizzy and Mary at the pile of homework in her hands. Tell them what the school said and the deal she made with the teachers; they understood and were not happy about the work either.
"Not to worry, boys, we'll help you through it," Aunt Lizzy said. The boys nodded and thanked them for their kindness, giving each a big hug and kiss. "Wayne, I want these boys home at two o'clock every day so we can get started," pointing at the homework. Wayne tells them they can't today and will be working for Mr. Grams and Mr. Rivers. "Alright, then, eight o'clock every morning, every day, right after breakfast." Folding their arms, staring him down, daring him to say no.
The boys and Pa shake on the deal and make a promise they will be ready and won't let them down. Wayne asks the aunts to watch the boys while he and the boys head to the farm to load up the pick-up for trade. Leaving Robert at the farm, the Whitmore boys and Richard headed to the sheep farm with the wagon.
With the Whitmore boys, they will load up the fleece to take over to Mr. Stringham's Hardware and Goods in New Downing to trade while leaving Robert to work on projects, finishing them up to trade. Mr. Whitmore was busy himself, making the funeral arrangements for Peter's grandmother and down at the courthouse filling out documents for Peter and land agreement transfers legal mumble jumble, according to Judge Parker and his boys. Mr. Whitmore made sure things went smoothly and stamped and signed this document. "Now then, have you told Renee yet because you must also have her signature?" The judge pointed to the line on the document.
"Not yet; she's out of town now, Judge; why?" He asked.
"According to the law, you have three days after the funeral before child services get involved," he said.
"I see, but she's clear out in Arizona," Kollie replies.
"Then I suggest you hurry then, son," he said, putting the last stamp and date on the document, then making a copy for himself and placing them in a folder, handing him a copy to have signed by his wife.
Mr. Whitmore heads back to the cottage, hoping to find Mr. Downing to solve his problem, but he does not see anyone there except a note. Be back soon. I'm going to town to trade. The boys are at the sheep farm, Wayne, and the boys.
* * * *
Pa, Will, and EJ were on their way to Santaquin to trade when the telegrams reached Aunty M. at the cotton field.
Aunty M. Stop
Help is on its way. Stop.
Eleven good men and wives. Stop.
We will leave for Salt Lake City on Wednesday midday. Stop.
Wayne. Stop―End of telegram.
Aunty M. sighs with relief when she opens the telegram and reads it to her son Reggie as they both do a jig on the porch steps, singing and dancing right in front of the telegram boy. Reggie pulls out a tipped hand to him and sends him on his way. "Son, it looks like we have company coming," his Ma said with a smile. "Let's have ourselves a home ho-down and another when they get here to welcome them," as she kicks up her heels and grabs the jug for a quick swallow.
Martha and the girls laugh. Things around the place started to happen fast. Aunty M. is on the phone calling up her kids and grandchildren, and Reggie is making arrangements at the airport for a co-pilot, setting up a plane to be ready when he lands. Ladies of the house prepare rooms for their new guests. Make a list of the inventory they will need from the store. Reggie gassed up the vans and the trucks; yes, sir, work was being made ready when they got there. The place was swept and scrubbed clean. After the list of goods they needed and put away, plus the day's work, was over, they had their own private ho-down with friends and neighbors.