THE OLD BARN (Part Three and Four) (standard:other, 4029 words) [3/4] show all parts
Author: Kenneth Nash	Added: Feb 22 2006	Views/Reads: 2500/1847	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Part three and four of THE OLD BARN

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

bank of Willow Creek, fishing and sharing the different, yet common, 
beliefs between themselves. 

It was their first December at the old McCauley place. Rachel came home
excited about the kids decorating the school room for Christmas. “We 
have a tree all decorated with popcorn we strung on a string.  We made 
a chain out of green and red paper. It is so much fun! Everyone said 
they were going to have a Christmas tree in their house.  Please, Papa 
can we have a tree too,” begged young Rachel. Jacob explained that 
Jewish people observe Hanukkah, rather than the Christian holiday of 
Christmas. “Well we will just have a Hanukkah tree then!” Rachel stated 
with determination. Arielle and her husband exchanged glances. Then 
Jacob chuckled, “Oy vey, what will that child think of next”. And they 
went out behind the old barn to search for the first “Hanukkah tree” in 
the history of the Tobias family. 

Rachel talked with her teacher, Miss Bradford, about what her father had
said about Hanukkah. Miss Bradford suggested that Rachel tell the class 
about the eight days of the Jewish holiday. 

And Rachel did just that! She knew the story well. How the small Jewish
Army defeated the much larger Greek Army and took back their temple. 
She told about the miracle of a small bottle of oil that stayed burning 
for eight days. She spoke of the latkes, (fried potato cakes), and how 
good they tasted. 

Arielle and Jacob decided to let Rachel have a “Hanukkah party” and
invite all the children that wanted to come. Arielle made latkes and 
jellied doughnuts while Jacob told the story again. He was a master 
story teller; he learned them from his father, who said the stories 
were handed down from generation to generation. 

Reverend McPherson had invited them to visit the little church on Sunday
morning and stay for “dinner on the grounds” that afternoon. It was a 
delightful time, in spite of their religious differences. The Tobias 
family found their place in the small community of Hickory Ridge. 

Young Aaron started to school when he was six. Like his older sister, he
was a good student. Aaron, a quiet, polite youngster, was well liked by 
all the boys and girls. Rachel made sure he got to school each morning 
before the bell rang. And enjoyed helping him with his homework after 
school as well. 

It was an extremely cold Friday night in January. The wind could be
heard howling through the bare limbs of the trees outside the kitchen. 
The freezing rain was slicing the air like needles. 

It was warm in the little kitchen. Logs were crackling in the fireplace.
Arielle and Rachel had prepared the “special” meal for Shabbat 
(Sabbath) dinner. The table was set and kosher wine (grape juice for 
the children) had been poured in the finest goblets reserved for this 
weekly occasion. It would be a day of rest from sundown Friday until 
sundown Saturday for the Tobias family and their animals. 

Sheriff Elliot had gone from farmhouse to farmhouse to organize the
search party. They needed every man and older boy they could get. 

The young Caldwell girl was missing! Mrs. Caldwell said she, sometimes,
stopped by her friend's house after school, but she was always home 
well before dark. Claire Caldwell was normally a responsible girl for 
being only nine years old. Something was wrong! Where was she? Luke and 
Sarah Caldwell were in a panic! 

Sometimes she walked along Willow Creek until she got to the road that
cut back to the Caldwell place. But it was freezing that afternoon... 
they were sure she would come straight home. What if she fell into the 
icy water of the creek?  Black bears and wildcats were often seen in 
the woods along Willow Creek. 

“That religious fanatic ain't gonna help,” Luke Caldwell said bitterly.
“Why, he told Will Garret that he was commanded by God to rest, on what 
he called, the Sabbath. He won't even hitch up his team and come to 
town. 

The men were just down the lane from the Tobias farmhouse. Sheriff
Elliot replied, “We need ever' man we can get. We gotta ask ‘im,” 
Reverend McPherson spoke up, “Let me ask, I know Jacob. And just as 
sure as I am a-  standin' here he will go with us!” 

Arielle, as was the custom, was just about to recite the Shabbat
blessing. There was a loud knock on the door. Jacob opened it and 
Reverend McPherson stepped in the warm kitchen. After offering his 
apologies for the intrusion, the pastor told Jacob about the missing 
Caldwell child. Without saying a word, Jacob grabbed his heavy coat and 
hat. He kissed his wife and children, lit the lantern, and headed for 
the door. 

It was arduous task searching the woods in the darkness of the night.
The sleet was stinging the men's faces, and their clothes were freezing 
from the wind. They split up and searched the banks and woods of Willow 
Creek. After about an hour the men heard Jacob shout, “Over here! Over 
here! I think I see her!” Before the men could get to him, Jacob, 
shedding the heavy outer coat, ran into the raging, partially frozen 
stream. About fifty feet downstream, he saw little Claire. She was 
caught in some brushwood in the middle of the creek. He swam the 
deepest part and pulled her from the brush. She appeared to be 
breathing, but very shallow. And she was almost frozen by the icy 
water. Some of the men ran into the stream to help Jacob and the child. 


Doctor Harmon, a young man just three years out of medical school, was
with the search party. He opened his bag, and began to check the girl. 
Jacob covered her with his heavy coat and looked anxiously at the 
doctor. Luke Caldwell could barely hold back his tears when Doctor 
Harmon said she was suffering from hypothermia, had a lot of scratches, 
and a large bruise on her forehead, but he was sure she would be fine. 
He demanded she be taken to his office where he and his wife could 
watch her for the night. 

The following day, on Sabbath morning, Jacob, Arielle, Rachel, and Aaron
were at the kitchen table reading the Torah. They heard the wagon as it 
pulled up next to the ol' barn and Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell headed for the 
house. Jacob answered the door and welcomed them in. “I ain't sure how 
to say this,” stuttered Luke “me and the missus here got plenty to 
thank you for. Our Claire is gonna be jest fine.” Sarah Caldwell spoke 
up, “Claire said the wind broke a big limb and it hit her on the head. 
She was unconscious for a spell. Then she didn't know how to get out of 
the woods.  She fell down and scratched herself up purty bad. She 
stumbled in th' creek and the water took her downstream. That is when 
you found her. We have a lot to thank you for Mr. Tobias!” 

Jacob started to say something when Luke interrupted. “That ain't all I
gotta say Jacob. I have to make it right for what I said to the sheriff 
about you and your Sabbath last night. It weren't right of me to judge 
you that-a-way” “I said you wouldn't look for my little girl because 
you never get out on Friday night or Saturday even to go to town to get 
groceries. I know you try to keep God's commandments and I respect you 
for that. So I am asking for you to accept my apology.” 

Jacob offered Luke his hand, and told him that God did command him to
keep the Sabbath, but he said that God, also, commands him to save a 
life if possible. He said a life to God is the most precious thing on 
this earth, and his religion teaches that. Jacob stated one of the 
teachings of his faith. “Man was not made for the Sabbath, but the 
Sabbath was made for man.” Jesus, whom your pastor teaches about in 
your Church, also said, “It is not unlawful to do good things on the 
Sabbath.” 

Arielle hugged Sarah and said “We wish you would come for supper
sometime. Please, and bring Claire with you. Rachel sits next to her in 
school. I am sure they can find things to do and things to talk about.” 


Jacob and his family visited the little church in Hickory Ridge several
times throughout the next few years. He enjoyed the fellowship of his 
neighbors, yet remained strong in the faith of his forefathers. 

(Part Four) 

After being a friend of Reverend McPherson for several years, Jacob
invited the pastor to partake of the Passover Seder in April. The 
Reverend McPherson, although a bit reluctant, said he had never been to 
one, but would be honored to attend. 

The Seder table was set, all were seated. The Yom Tov (festival) candles
were lit to signify the beginning of Passover. The bracha (blessing) 
was offered to God. 

“Why is this night different from all other nights?” asked Aaron.
Traditionally, the question is asked by the youngest child present. 

Jacob then begins to tell the story of the Passover. The return from
slavery to freedom. The Jews had been enslaved by Egypt's Pharaohs for 
over four hundred years, and now God had set them free to journey to 
the land He had promised them. 

Pastor McPherson found himself enjoying the story, the symbolic
references of the sufferings and, finally, the celebration of freedom 
for the Jewish people. He felt a sense of awe to be part of a tradition 
that dated back so many thousand years ago. And, he knew the story 
well. He had taught the account of the Exodus in his little church many 
times. 

“Well jes cuz we never ain't done it who sez we cain't do it?” shouted
Jonathan Claremore. Everett McGregor answered, “What do you think 
Aaron, do you want to help us?” The three boys, age 12, were best 
friends. Jonathan lived on the farm closest to the Tobias family. He 
had told Aaron his grandpa had helped build the ol' barn on the 
McCauley Place where Aaron now lived. His grandpa couldn't remember too 
good anymore, but he said he shore did recollect the night Grandma 
Claremore went out in the blizzard to help get that McCauley baby 
borned. Grandpa Claremore remembered the morning that the hired hand 
found ol' Mr. McCauley dead in his barn, too. 

“Well, I know we can do it! So, lets get started” exclaimed Jonathan.
And with that, the boys started cutting down the trees that would form 
the log raft for their adventure down Willow Creek. 

After several days of cutting trees and tying the logs together, the
crude log raft was ready to be launched in the stream swollen by the 
spring thaw. 

Much tugging, pushing, sweating, and short-tempered words ensued as the
boys tried to move the heavy raft towards the stream. “Wal, I tol' ya,” 
gasped Ev as he tried to catch his breath, “We should've built this 
dadgummed thang closer to the water!” He got no arguments from the 
other two boys. 

Everything was finally ready for the launch. The raft was loaded with a
couple ole quilts along with the biscuits and fatback their ma's had 
cooked that morning. Aaron had suggested they cut long poles for each 
of them so they could guide the raft down Willow Creek. 

Splash! The crudely made raft hit the water. Aaron felt the cold water
spray over him when the raft began to gain momentum as the strong 
current carried it downstream.  “Were a-goin' some faster than I 
figgered,” yelled Jonathan above the roar of the water. “Aaron, gimme 
one of them poles,” hollered Everett. “Where are the poles?”  Thought 
Aaron, “Jonathan said he put them on the raft!” The idea was to steer 
the raft closer to the bank out of the torrentential current. Then they 
saw it. The sharp bend in the stream just ahead! And, directly below it 
the waterfall! The three adventurers clung to the side of the raft will 
all their might. “She's a-goin' to hit the tree, Aaron!” cried Ev. The 
huge oak tree had fallen across the bank and was partially blocking the 
stream. 

As the heavy raft collided with the tree, the boys were catapulted into
the stream. “Hey, it ain't very deep here!” sputtered Jonathan. The 
three lads were in water that came up to their shoulders. As they swam 
back towards the capsized raft each of the boys were thinking they were 
glad the adventure was over. But none would speak of it. 

“Wal, I thank we ought to just leave the dadgummed thang right here in
the water!” Ev said defiantly. Jonathan argued, “No we ain't! We done 
spent three days cuttin' them trees.” Ain't no way we can get the 
dadgummed raft upstream, and we barely got it outta that ol' tree.” 
Retorted Everett. 

Aaron, in his quiet manner, spoke up, “Let's untie the logs, put some
boards up around them and make a place for us to come and stay all 
night and fish.” “Yeah, we can use some of them young willow limbs for 
the roof!” chimed in Ev and Jonathan almost at the same time. 

That was the beginning of the small “lean-to” that would provide
memories for the young lads far into their adult years. 

It was a hot, humid, Wednesday afternoon. “Everything seems quiet and
peaceful in Hickory Ridge for a change,” thought Sheriff Elliot, as he 
leaned back and propped his feet up on the old wooden desk. 

Occasionally, he would remove the wide brimmed hat, stained from years
riding in the rain and snow, and fan his long, lined face trying to 
stay cool in the little room called Sheriff's Office. 

Joshua Elliot was a big man, with skin the color of bronze, and dark
hair that was just slightly graying at the temples. One of the first 
things that was noticed by strangers was the steel gray eyes that 
seemed to bore right through you when Josh Elliot was suspicious of an 
injustice that had been done to someone, or something, in his town. 

Sheriff Elliot took over the job from Zeb Morgan some fifteen years ago
after Zeb got stove up and couldn't ride much. “Sheriff” Morgan, nigh 
onto seventy five years now, still made regular visits to the office. 
“Jes' to make sure this young deputy is doin' his job right!” he would 
drawl. 

“Jacob Tobias' ol' barn is on fire!” shouted Will Garrett as he limped
through the door. “Round up as many hands as you can find and tell them 
to get out to the old McCauley place as soon as they can!” ordered the 
Sheriff as he headed for his horse. 

“But Josh, let me tell you it was them Windsor boy what did it...”
Sheriff Elliot cut him off, “We will deal with that later; first we 
have to get that fire out if it ain't too late.” 

By the time the Sheriff, and several other men, got to the old McCauley
place, Luke Caldwell was already there. While Jacob and Luke were 
pouring water on the flames from the well, with the wooden buckets, 
Arielle and the children were getting the livestock out of the barn. 

The men formed a line and began to pass buckets of water from the well
to the barn. When the fire was extinguished Jacob discovered that the 
damage to the ol' barn wall wasn't so bad. A few planks would fix it. 
He was tired, but relieved as Jacob expressed his appreciation to each 
man that had come to help in this time of need. 

“Pa, Jonathan and me seen them Windsor boys running into the woods just
as we saw the smoke at the barn.” Said Aaron.  “I know they's the ones 
that done it, they was down at the creek making fun of Aaron. Said they 
was gonna fix the Jew boy and his Jew Pa, too!” shouted Jonathan. “I 
had a feeling we might have problems with Jonas Windsor and his two 
hell-raisin' youngsters,” thought Sheriff Elliot as he rode off towards 
the little shack the Windsor family called home. 

Jonas and his two teenage sons had moved to Hickory Ridge about a year
ago. Jonas never mentioned anything about the absence of his wife. And, 
it is not a thing you go asking a man about. The boys enrolled in 
school, but caused so much trouble that Miss Bradford told their Pa 
that they had to stop coming until they behaved properly. 

“Wal, my boys don't need no learnin' no how. They's done got too ol' for
that, and, I need ‘em to help me ‘round the farm.” Replied Jonas. 

The folks at Hickory Ridge tried to befriend Jonas and his sons. Mr.
Windsor a tall, lanky, man, usually, didn't talk to anyone. Except when 
he had too much to drink in Big Ed's saloon, which to most peoples 
thinking, was much too often. 

Rachel was seventeen when she started working for Doctor Harmon. Mrs.
Harmon was expecting their second child and Rachel was glad to help 
with the duties of the office. She learned a lot in the few months she 
was there. Recognizing that she was bright, dedicated, and eager to 
learn, Doctor Harmon suggested that she try to go to medical school. 

“How could I ever afford to go to college, much less medical school?”
pondered Rachel as she walked up the lane to the Tobias home. 

Rabbi Isadore Tobias was nearing seventy-five now. He had taught at the
Jewish School in Pittsburgh for over 40 years.  There had been a couple 
trips to visit his son and family after they moved away. Since his wife 
died he felt the need to visit Jacob, Arielle, Rachel, and Aaron before 
he got too old to travel. It was hard enough on him as it was. 

Traveling by rail and stagecoach Saba (grandfather) Tobias arrived in
Hickory Ridge to be greeted by his family. It had been too many years. 

“Jacob and Arielle have done well since they settled here. I have saved
money for my grandchildren; have lived a full life teaching and being 
married to my beloved Anna, who has now departed this world. This will 
be my last visit, so I must make the proposal to my son Jacob, now.” 
Thought Rabbi Tobias as rode the buckboard over the dusty, bumpy road 
with his children. 

“Papa! I can't believe that Saba Tobias is paying for all my college,
and medical school expenses!” exclaimed Rachel. “I have the best Papa, 
and Grandfather, in the whole world! I promise I will study hard and be 
the best doctor I can be.” 

Rachel began to make arrangements to enter a women's college in
Missouri, and then to Philadelphia to complete her medical training. 

With mixed emotions Rachel sat on the corral fence by the old barn. She
remembered how excited she was the first day she entered the little 
schoolhouse in Hickory Ridge. But, she could come back home at the end 
of the school day. Now, for the first time, she was leaving Ma, Pa, and 
Aaron.  “I am going to miss my family, this old barn, walking along 
Willow Creek and watching the squirrels play. I may even miss getting 
up at dawn and milking that stubborn milk cow. But I am not going to 
miss that mean old rooster that ma loves so much!” she mused as she 
watched the golden-red sun slowly sink into the horizon. 

Yes, tomorrow is another day. It would be a big day in the life of young
Rachel Tobias. 

Arielle lay next to her sleeping husband thinking “I have tossed and
turned all night, I hope my fretful movements haven't disturbed him.” 
“But all I can think about is Rachel leaving for college in the 
morning. I always knew the day would come but I didn't know I would be 
so unprepared for it. She is such a good girl, I am proud of her, and 
just know she will make a wonderful doctor.” 

Arielle prayed that God would watch over her firstborn. 


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