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Chapter Three

The next morning Charity happily got up at five thirty and went to the kitchen to get breakfast. Adam was out in the barn feeding and caring for the animals. He came in and ate a big breakfast because they had always been taught that breakfast was the most important meal of the day; it was breaking the fast. He had oatmeal, three over easy eggs, fried potatoes, four biscuits with butter and blackberry jam and two glasses of milk.

He sauntered around the table to Charity’s back where she was preparing to wash dishes. He put his arms around her and hugged her close. She lay her head back against him and then slowly turned to face him. He smiled and kissed her soundly, then grabbed his hat from a peg on the kitchen wall and almost ran out of the house to start work for the day.

Charity smiled to herself and began to dance around holding her arms out like a small child might. She suddenly realized that she was doing something worldly and stopped, asking God to forgive her. She wanted to do something special for Adam and began to gather materials for making two banana pies with thick meringue just as he loved them. She was singing to herself and busily rolling out dough so that she didn’t hear someone come in the kitchen door.

A deep voice said, “Guder mariye, dochder (Good morning, daughter).”

She whirled around so fast she shook flour powder over the table and floor.

“Ah, mi daed, (oh, my dad) I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Wie geht’s?”

“I’m fine, daed, how are you?”

“Gut, gut, although I‘m little nunnery (sad)”

“Why daed?”

“Was is letz do (What is wrong here)? Mannsleit (men) are telling stories on you. They even went to the Bishop and asked to shun you.”

“Der Herr bilf mir” (The Lord help me) she spoke loudly. I am trying not to be falsch (resentful) but ---”

Adam ran in. “Guder mariye daed Jacob (Good morning dad Jacob). I saw you come in, but had to finish a job.”

Charity turned to him and threw her arms around his neck sobbing. She finally was able to tell him what her father had come to talk about. Adam got red in the face.

“Charity is my frau and I lieb (love) her. I resent the nixnootzich (good for nothing) who spreads this manure. My wife was not nockich (naked); she was on her own property, not out in public and only had her feet and calf of her leg in the water. These men are schrooching (twisting) their story and it is shendlich (disgraceful) that they are allowed to tell greislich ligner (horrible lies).”

Adam became even angrier when he heard the men wanted the Bishop to shun Charity. “They are all ob im kopp (off in the head) and need a gut bletching (good whipping).”

By now Jacob was trying hard not to laugh out loud. “Ball wollt’s berser geb (soon it will be better). It sounds as if they missverschtch (misunderstood) and blabber maul (talked too much). It is fremt (strange) they didn’t come to me before they prattled to the Bishop. I’ll talk to him and explain what really happened and he will understand. I’m going to suggest that he bring the men before the congregation and caution them about spreading untrue talk.”

“Danki daed Jacob.” Adam smiled relieved.

“Gern gschehn (you are welcome).” It is wunderbaar (wonderful) to see a young couple doing so well and taking care of each other. Dochder, your mamm will be relieved to know the truth.”

Charity was almost skipping she was so happy and relieved. “Sitz (sit) both of you and I’ll give you a piece of pie and a cup of coffee.”

“This is so appeditlich (delicious), and I’ve enjoyed our talk, but I must go.” Jacob pushed his chair back. “By the way I hope you’re planning on joining your mamm and me tomorrow for the July 4th celebration.

“Ja,” Adam answered. “We will be there and I will have some of my wooden animals for sale and Charity has potted plants for sale. We’ll see you for sure.”

“Gut. Da Herr sei mit du (Good, the Lord is with you). Gott segeneich (God bless you) Wiederschen (Goodbye).” Jacob took his hat off the peg in the kitchen and left.

Charity laughed out loud and leaped at Adam to hug him. He returned the hug with both arms and laying his cheek against hers.

The following morning, Juli 4^th, Charity and Adam were up early. He fed the animals, gathered the eggs and completed outside work She was fixing a hearty breakfast and packing food for their midday meal and later.

She packed plenty for them and enough to share.

Driving into town was a headache. Cars, buggies and people walking everywhere. Finally Adam found a section where the buggies were being parked with a fenced-in area for the horses to rest and exercise. He found a good spot for their place to sell their items that was not far from the food booths and arts and crafts booths.

Adam unloaded twelve wooden animals he had made as well as four bird houses and two dog houses. He carefully lifted twenty-four clay pots of flowers, ten pint jars of honey, and four faceless dolls. Leaving Charity to set the booth up he drove the horse to the designated area and unhitched him.

Walking back to Charity he passed a booth of cakes, cookies, pies and breads run by Tobias and Meredith Retstatt who had married early in the spring before planting time. Meredith was plump and jolly and showing signs that a boppli would be with them soon.

Adam called a pleasant greeting to the young couple and appreciatively sniffed the air. “Guder mariye,” he called to them. “Webishtew? (How are you?)”

“Wunderbaar,” they answered. “Wie geht’s?”

“Gut. Gut, danki. To smell your appeditlich kichlin (delicious cookies) makes my mouth water. I’ll get some later.” He hurried back to Charity.

Charity was thrilled that she had already sold two of his animals, one of her dolls and several flowers and all the honey. Surprisingly they sold out fast to the Englisch. These were tourists buying the dolls to take home and display.

To hers and Adam’s delight, they sold out quickly.

Adam asked Charity if she felt like walking to the other booths and looking. She laughing said, “Can you keep up with me?” They had not gone far until they became aware of a disturbance. Adam was appalled to discover an unpleasant confrontation between Amish young men and town young men. As he drew near he discovered Kyle Snader, Gerry Raber, Connie Lehman and Cordero Slabough were involved. He recognized the faces of two of the townies, but didn’t know their names. He was upset to see several young men from town and several Englisch adults standing around not trying to stop the angry jeering and name calling. His heart gave a quick jump because he knew Kyle had a bad temper and could control it only so long in spite of their Amish teaching.

“Stay back here where you won’t get hurt,” he cautioned Charity. “I’m going to try to reason with them.

“Oh, Adam, should you? I’m afraid you might get hurt.”

“I need to help my friends,” he smiled walking off. As he drew near he heard two of the town boys calling out insults and shoving the Amish boys.

“Where’d ya get that funny haircut? It looks like a bowl was placed on your head and cut around it.”

“Yeah. Why do you wear such funny clothes? They look uncomfortable.”

Adam stepped in front of Kyle still smiling. “Good morning, gentlemen. Is there something I can do for you?”

“Hey, look. Here’s another funny looking one and he’s trying to be like all the rest of us.” One of the boys shoved Adam. He just stood firm and didn’t answer.

Rachael Snader, Rosemary Raber and Charity had slipped closer. Charity had heard all she could take. She hurried to Adam’s side with a determined gleam in her eyes.

“Shame on you. You’re picking on men who are taught to be peaceful and not be abusive to anyone. They are not bothering you. Why are you being so cruel? What have any of us ever done to you?”

Adam sucked in a startled and angry breath. “Charity, this concerns the men. Please go back and wait for me.”

“Hoo eee. Would you listen to this? Your women have more guts and courage than you men do. Are you going to let them stand and fight for you, too?”

Adam placed a firm arm around Charity and backed off with her. He glared at her and left her standing beside the other girls. All three girls immediately pushed forward. Rachael and Rosemary to stand by their brothers and Charity by her husband.

Luckily for them Sheriff Micah Fleming had been summoned and he arrived just as the girls stepped forward. Two deputies followed.

“What’s going on here?” his deep voice boomed out. “I have a county to take care of and you young men are not making my job any easier.” He glared at the town boys. “I know all of you and I know your parents would be upset with your actions.”

“Not mine,” Ashley Wilkins sneered. “My father thinks they should be run out of the country.”

“Why?” the sheriff asked. “What have they done to you?”

“Nothing to us, but they won’t pay taxes, or vote or take responsibility for the rules and regulations of our country.” Douglas Winthrop sneered. “My dad says so and he knows what he’s talking about.”

“You’ve been given some terribly wrong information. They DO pay taxes and they uphold law and order. They don’t draw welfare or accept food stamps; they take care of their own. Therefore, they are not a liability to our country. In fact they work hard, improve the land and teach their children to be respectful, law abiding citizens. We need more like them.” Fleming said.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just wait. With your attitude, you’ll be voted out of office next fall.” Darren Kennedy boasted.

“I’m not worrying about the election,” he said. “If I do my job and serve all citizens and protect all citizens, then my conscience is clear. Go on now and don’t cause any more trouble or I’ll have to arrest you.”

That evening the Amish banded together to sit on quilts to watch the fireworks and enjoy the music from a band and a choir.

There was a beautiful display of fireworks ending with a red rose in the sky and the American flag. They all shared the food they’d brought. When everyone stood to place their hands over their hearts and sing the National Anthem, the Amish stood respectfully and proudly participated. This ended the day’s activities.