Читать книгу Amish Promise: A Sequel to Amish Dilemma - Sioux Dallas - Страница 11

Chapter Three

Charity became ashamed of herself when she realized she was standing staring around with an open mouth. She had never seen so many items in one store and so many delightful colors. She jumped when Isaiah took her arm to introduce her to some ladies.

“This is Charity Kime from Shickshinny, Pennsylvania. She has a store there and is interested in learning about this one and what she can do to improve her store. Charity this is Rebecca Berkenstroff, Naomi Eash and Purity Yoder. These ladies are basically in charge here although there is a general manager, assistant manager and bookkeeper. They can answer your questions.”

The ladies smiled and welcomed her. “We will be glad to help you any way that we can. Where would you like to start?”

“I do not know. There is so much to see and it is all so beautiful. First I would like to hear about how the store started.”

Purity smiled. “I will tell you as it was my father who was one of the original owners. They first built in May, 1945 in Topeka, Indiana. The business grew and in 1952 they moved to Shipshewana. The Yoders have several stores here in a mini mall. There is a nursery with all kinds of flowers and containers next door and after that is a hardware.”

“And your Bishop approves this?” Charity asked in surprise.

“He does not say anything against it because we give a good part of the profit to the work of the church for the needy.”

“But you have electricity and telephones and a lot of worldly equipment.”

“He knows it is necessary in a store of this size that offers so much. He also knows that those of us, who are Amish, still follow the rules and attend church. We do not act in a worldly way.”

“This is so much to learn and understand.”

“Now would you like to look over the store?”

“Ja danki.”

They started at the end where they were. Work clothing for men of all kinds were available from coveralls to flannel shirts, jeans and Amish style clothing. Next was men’s dress clothing, hats, shirts, ties for both Amish and English. The next section was clothing for women both Amish and

English. Then for children and last for babies clothing and furniture. The furniture made by Amish caused Charity to feel chocked thinking of the cradle that Adam had made Jeremiah.

She drew a deep breath of pleasure in the next department. There were tables with all kinds of covering, some Amish made and some machine made. Beautiful china, goblets and silverware were on each table. She could tell that most of the tables were Amish made.

The next section was for linens of all kinds, quilts, curtains, drapes, curtain rods, shower curtains and everything connected with bed and bath, and kitchen including pots, pans, kettles, teakettles and table grills.

Going into the next section she found all kinds of yard good, cloths, threads, yarns, needles, scissors and anything connected with sewing, knitting or crocheting. There were three quilting frames hanging from the ceiling and women around them busily quilting while laughing and talking.

The heavenly aromas told Charity where they were going next. The bakery department was manned entirely by Amish women. The display cases allowed everyone to see and drool over the products. On the shelves behind the women were cakes decorated too beautifully to cut. There were all kinds of breads and some items that Charity did not recognize. She gladly accepted their invitation to sit at a table and have some of the baked goods with a cup of coffee. She enjoyed chatting and getting to know more of the people, most of them Amish, but some of the English workers, too.

Charity was pleased to learn that they sponsored a quilting society that made quilts for babies in the hospitals or for a nursing home that the Amish had opened. She was surprised and pleased at the idea of caring for the very sick and asked if there was a home for the elderly with no relatives nearby.

“Not yet,” Naomi answered, “but I imagine we will have one before long. We do take care of our own and sometimes a person does not have a relative to care for them, or the relative is too old or sick.”

Charity then asked how she could get supplies to start expanding her own store. She was given name, address and phone number, as well as the person to contact for the Dunroven House and Saro Trading Company. She thanked them sincerely and prepared to leave.

Isaiah had waited patiently while talking to some of the men. He then took her to a store where she could buy pedal sewing machines and other items she would need. She purchased two sewing machines and left instructions how to send them to her.

She was very tired by now and her brain was spinning with all the good news and how she could improve her store.

Isaiah reminded her that he was hungry and it was the middle of the afternoon. She apologized to him and explained that she had been too excited to think of eating. He laughed and assured her that he knew the feeling. They walked to ‘Eat A Plenty’ for a light snack before they walked around more of the town and allowed Charity to see so many wondrous sights.

It finally dawned on her that she was keeping Isaiah from his house and possible work. She kept apologizing, and he kept assuring her that it was all right. By now they had walked a good distance from his home. He asked her if she wanted him to rent a horse and buggy to take them home, but she said she would prefer to walk if it was all right with him.

By the time they arrived at the house, her feet were tired and she felt she needed to change clothes. She gratefully sank into a tub of hot water and enjoyed soaking in quiet with no one banging on the door and wanting her.

It was six thirty, the time Erin had said she would serve supper. Charity hurried down to the kitchen to offer help, but was refused. Erin took her into the dining room where she met a sweet, elderly English couple celebrating sixty-five years of marriage. With a catch in her throat, Charity wished them well. She also met a thirtyish English man who was on a business trip and a young Amish couple thinking of moving to Shipshewana.

After supper, Charity insisted on clearing the table and helping that much. Later she went into the parlor to hear Erin play the pump organ. She excused herself at about nine and went up to her room to yearn for a hug from Jeremiah and to see her parents.

The next morning Charity had a quick breakfast of oatmeal, thick slices of toast with butter and jam, and coffee. She decided to walk around a little more before boarding the bus at ten to go home. She thanked Erin and Isaiah and made them promise to visit her when they got a chance.

As she walked along Van Buren, she was almost even with an alley between buildings. Three young English men, obviously drinking, came walking toward her.

“Well, will y’all lookee here. A purty little gal.”

“Yeah, she’s one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen.”

“I’ve always wondered what they wear under those long dresses. Hey! Pull up your dress and let us see what you’re wearing.”

Charity, with heart fluttering wildly, turned and pretended to need to go back another way. She ignored them and hoped they would go on and leave her alone. She looked around and could only see an elderly couple on the sidewalk across the street.

One of them grabbed Charity by the left arm and swung her around.

“Now come on. You’re not going high hat on us, are you?”

“Sir, I do not even know you. I am a lady minding my own business and I would appreciate you doing the same -- minding your own business.”

“Hear that? She’s so well mannered. She’s minding her own business and she wishes I would mind mine.”

They all laughed as if it were the funniest thing they’d ever heard. The elderly couple realized what was happening. The woman leaned against a store front while the man hobbled inside and told someone what was going on with the young Amish woman.

They dragged her toward the alley and all Charity could think to do was pray out loud. “Oh, Lord, I promised Jeremiah I would be safe and come back to him. I promised him he would not lose me like he did his daddy.”

“Listen to that. Do you have a little boy and did you lose your husband?”

“Yes, an English man killed my husband with a car and my little boy is home with my family waiting for his mother. Please let me go. I have done nothing to you.”

“Aw. We’re sorry that you lost your husband. We’ll make up for that.”

“Please. No man has ever touched me but Adam.”

“Adam. Is your name Eve?” They laughed drunkenly. “If you haven’t had another man touch you we’re going to give you a thrill.”

Charity felt herself passing out from fright just as she was thrown to the ground on her back and hit her head on a rock. Her dress was yanked up as the man was hit with a tackle worthy of Joe Montana.

Two young men had run across from the store and knocked two of the men down. The one that had the most to drink tried to get into the scuffle, but could not control his balance. He fell on top of Charity. In a couple of seconds sirens were heard and police pulled up to take over. The three men were taken to jail and Charity was taken to Parkview Regional.

Word traveled quickly in the Amish community and Isaiah and Erin heard about it as they were eating brunch. They were angry and concerned. Erin insisted on going immediately to see about Charity. They realized how naive she was and unaccustomed to being handled so roughly.

It was late, supper time, when Charity woke to the clatter of carts and dishes. Her head hurt and she felt nauseated. She slowly turned her head when she heard her name whispered and was thankful and surprised to see

Erin and Isaiah by her bed.

“Where am I?” she croaked on a raspy throat.

“You are in Parkview Regional, a wonderful hospital, and you will get the best of care.” Erin answered as Isaiah nodded and clumsily patted her hand.

“Charity, I need to call someone and tell them about this, but I do not know who to call. I know you do not have a phone where you live.”

“In my case is a paper with the name of an English neighbor and their phone. Yes, my parents will want to know, but I do not want to worry them.”

“I will be careful how I word the message, but I know they will want to know.”

“Yes, they will. Erin, how am I? I mean what happened to me? Was I --?” She couldn’t say any more. Isaiah saw she was embarrassed and tiptoed out of the room.

Erin took her hand. “No, sweet girl, you were not raped. Two English men ran just in time and knocked the drunks down. Our mayor is angry and so embarrassed that this happened to you. Your pretty blue dress was dirty and a tiny torn. I have taken it home with me to wash and repair. Did you make your dress?”

“Yes, I make all my clothes.”

“I thought you might. It is very well done.”

“Erin, my head feels funny.”

“You hit the back of your head on a rock and have some stitches in it. You will be fine. There will not even be a scar and your hair will cover it.”

“I ache all over.”

“I guess you do. You are not accustomed to being thrown around and knocked down. I will leave you in peace. You will get the best of care.”

“Erin! I do not have insurance and I did not bring enough money with me to pay for this.”

“Do not worry, little one. Our church has a fund to cover such as this and it will. If you wish to replace it sometime in the future that will be fine.” She smiled, patted Charity’s leg and walked out.

With the help of an Amish nurse, Charity ate some chicken broth and jello. She drank a little lemon tea and fell asleep.

The next time she awakened it was the middle of the night and a nurse was checking on her.

“Do you need anything?”

“I would like to use the women’s room, but I feel so weak.”

“Don’t worry, dear. I’ll help you and I’ll get another nurse to be sure you’re fully supported.” She was out of the room only a few seconds and returned with another nurse. They got her up, one on each side, and slowly walked to the restroom and helped her. When she was ready, they placed soap and hot water on a washrag and washed her hands and then rinsed them. They used another washrag to wipe her face and make her feel refreshed.

Going back to the bed she was embarrassed for a doctor to be there to see her in the hospital gown. He assured her that everyone wore them, women and men for comfort and for the doctor to work more efficiently. He shined a light in her eyes to check and then took her blood pressure and temperature.

“You have a mild concussion, so I don’t want to give you a sleeping pill. Try to relax and get some rest. I’m going to have one of the nurses put an IV in your arm for nourishment and to help you relax. If you need anything or want to talk to me, just tell one of the nurses.” He patted her leg under the cover and left.

She found it hard to relax thinking of Jeremiah and her family. She thanked God she was not raped and wanted to know who the men were that saved her.

The next thing she knew she was being awakened for the nurse to take stats and prepare her for breakfast. She had oatmeal, a glass of milk and apple sauce. She forced herself to eat because she knew she needed to gain strength.

She was disgusted for doing so much sleeping, but she did go to sleep.

She awakened hearing the lunch carts and dishes rattling. She smiled when the nurse asked if she minded having another breakfast. No, she would love it. She ate a scrambled egg, a bowl of grits with butter, half of a banana, and a cup of tea.

Feeling much better she noticed a huge arrangement of flowers in the room. “Are those mine?” she asked in astonishment.

“Sure are,” the nurse smiled. “James Bolten and Harold Newsome sent them to you.”

“Who are they and why would they send me flowers?”

“They’re the two men who saved you day before yesterday.”

“Has it been that long?!” she exclaimed. “I must have slept enough for several days. How can I meet the men and thank them?”

“I know them. I’ll tell them you want to see them. Now rest some more.”

“Rest! Rest! That is all I have done and I feel so lazy.”

“Good. You’ll heal much quicker then.”

She didn’t turn on the TV in her room because she knew that would be worldly. She could not help some of the things happening to her, but she could control her impulses. She took a drink of water and closed her eyes.

When she awakened next she was startled to hear a rustling in the room and know someone was there.