Sarah's Heart (24 page)

 
Sarah made the walk in record time but stopped
short of entering the courthouse door. She released the knob and stepped to the
side, allowing an elderly couple access, giving a nod in response to their
friendly ‘good morning’.

Suddenly her heart
felt as though it leapt into her throat. Perspiration dampened her palms and
had nothing to do with the growing heat of the late July morning. She removed a
handkerchief from her sleeve and patted away the moisture. Did she know
everything that was expected of a teacher? Could she really convince the judge
she was the perfect person for the job? She had only to try. With a deep
breath, she walked inside, reading the signs on the wall, and searching for the
Judge’s chambers.

Stopping at one
room, she peeked around a doorjamb at a man sitting at a large mahogany desk.
Stacks of papers teetered dangerously close to the edge. When she cleared her
throat, he peered up, looking over the gold rim of the spectacles balanced on
the bridge of his nose. “May I help you?”

“Ye…yes.
I’m looking for Judge Lawson.”

 
The man stood, hooking his thumbs under his
vest. “I’m Judge Lawson. What can I do for you?” Tall and a tad pudgy, he
wasn’t nearly as intimidating as she’d expected. The sweet smell of tobacco
smoke lingered in the air.

Sarah stepped
forward, her legs shaking. “I’m Sarah Collins, and I’m here to inquire about
the teaching position.”

“Ah,
Miss Collins.
My wife
mentioned you were staying at Maggie Smith’s place and had an interest in
instructing. Please, come in and sit down.” He gestured to a floral armchair.

Judge Lawson settled
back behind his desk, pulling a pocket watch from the end of a gold chain that
spanned his chest. He glanced at the time, then back to Sarah. “I have an hour
before my next meeting, so tell me about your qualifications.”

Her heart seized.
What training could she possibly share with him? She swallowed hard and
struggled to find her voice. “Well… let’s see… I love children and I’m very
good with them. Although I lost my younger brother when he was only an infant,
I’ve always had a good relationship with the sons and daughters of my parent’s
friends. Most of them were younger than I.” She tucked the hankie she’d twisted
into knots back into her sleeve. “Oh goodness, I’m so nervous I almost forgot…
I recently spent some time at St. Mary’s Mission,
working with young Indian girls. It was such a delight to see their eyes
sparkle every time they learned something new. They particularly enjoyed the
Bible verses I read to them. Of course, they didn’t comprehend everything, but
between hand gestures and patience, they learned. They even taught me some
words in Lakota.”

When she finally
took a breath, her mouth felt dry as cotton. She fixed a pleasant smile on her
face and waited for his reaction.

“Indians?
Hmmm.
You won’t
find any of
those
in our school.” The judge leaned back in his chair and
laced his fingers atop his stomach. “We are looking for someone with patience
and good character. You know you must lead by example if you want the students
to respect you. Have you had any other teaching experience?”

She clenched and
unclenched her hands. “No, sir, I’m sorry.”

He slowly shook his
head, a pensive look on his face. “We’ve not ever had a female teacher in Independence, but it seems
that men are finding different professions.Rumor has it that some schools are
requiring new instructors to possess a license of some sort, awarded by an
institute of higher education, but our Town Council’s concern is more with a
women of small stature being able to handle discipline issues. So you see
,
this is a very important decision I’m making.” He sat
forward, leaning on his desk. “Under the circumstances…”

Anticipating his
answer, Sarah leaned forward and clasped the edge of the desk. “Please, Judge
Lawson. Before you say no, let me assure you I’m the person you need in this
job. Just let me prove it. If you hire me, you won’t be sorry. I’ll do my very
best, and… and I promise if you aren’t satisfied with my performance in one
month, you can let me go and I won’t put up a fuss.” She formed her hands in a
praying pose beneath her chin. “Please, I need this job if I’m to remain in Independence. I’m hoping
to make this my permanent home.”Finished, she stared into her lap, fire burning
beneath her cheeks at having groveled.

“Although you present
a good argument, you clearly aren’t very experienced. I have to…”

“I understand.” She
stood, shoulders sagging, and offered her hand. “It was very nice to meet you,
sir. I only…”

“Miss Collins!”
Judge Lawson barked.

His eyes widened;
she dropped back into her chair.

He pushed his
glasses farther up on his nose. “If you would let me finish a sentence, you
might be surprised to learn I’ve decided to give you that chance. Dang if you
ain’t a jabber box, girl.” His face softened. “Those kids are bound to learn
something from you. Besides, my wife tells me her best friend, Maggie, gives
you her highest praise.” He pushed a paper across the desk. “If you’ll sign
this contract, I’ll give you the key to the schoolhouse and expect you to be
there promptly at eight o’clock Monday morning. The town council insists on a
balance of reading, writing and arithmetic, but I’ll leave the how and when up
to you. You may not have a full classroom at this time of the year as some of
the older children are helping with farming. Attendance picks up after the
harvest.”

She read and signed
the paper. The contract was nothing more than affirming acceptance of the same
scant study outline already mentioned. Taking the key, she stood. “Thank you,
Judge. Now if you would be so kind as to tell me where the school is located, I
would be most appreciative.”

He turned and
pointed to the wall behind him. “From the back of the courthouse, follow the
street until it narrows. You can’t miss the small clapboard building on the
left-hand side.”

She departed,
feeling much more relieved than when she came. Her cheeks hurt from smiling.
She was the new schoolteacher and couldn’t wait to tell Maggie. If happiness
made people float, she’d be able to see the rooftops on the walk home. Sarah
reached the boarding house before she realized it.

The backdoor slipped
from Sarah’s fingers and slammed. Maggie looked up from dicing vegetables on
the sideboard, an immediate inquisitive lift to her brow. She put down the
knife. “Well?”

“I got the job!
Judge Lawson hired me and I start on Monday morning. I’m so excited.” She
gathered Maggie in a hug and danced her around the room. “Thanks to your high
praise of me to the judge’s wife, I found the perfect way to spend my days and
earn money at the same time.”

Maggie broke the
hold, stepping back and clapping her hands to the side of her head. Lordy,
girl, I’m so dizzy I can barely stand… and I only told you about the opening
for a teacher. You got it on your own merits. Sit down and tell me about it
while I finish up here.”

Sarah pulled out a
chair and plopped down. Removing her bonnet, she reenacted the entire interview
for Maggie’s benefit. “I felt certain he wasn’t going to hire me, but he did.
The first priority after I get a paycheck is to settle up with you for the room
and board and then start to repay Jonathan. I don’t want any obligation to him
hanging over my head.”

Maggie looked up,
waving the knife about while speaking with her hands as she normally did. “Then
you repay him first. Don’t you worry yourself over settlin’ with
me.
I own this place free and clear and havin’ another
female in the house to talk to has been a treat. You’ll notice most of my
boarders are men, and God knows they ain’t much for gossipin’.”She threw back
her head and laughed, jarring a lock of gray hair loose from her bun.

“You’re such a dear.
I will always be thankful to Wolf for bringing us together, but you’ll take
payment or I’ll move.” The mere mention of his name tugged at Sarah’s heart.

Maggie rolled her
eyes. “You drive a hard bargain, Sarah Collins, but if it makes you feel better
to pay, how about half of what I charge the others plus you help me out
occasionally when I need it?”

“Done!”
She rose and shook Maggie’s hand. “Now I
have two days to develop a study plan for the children. My goodness, I don’t
even know where to start.” Sarah sagged back into the chair. “What was I
thinking? I don’t know anything about being a real teacher.”

Maggie pulled out a
chair, sat next to Sarah, and patted her hand. “Just let the students lead you.
Ask them what they were studyin’ afore you arrived; they’ll let you know where
to begin. By the way, givin’ the talk about their old teacher, I’m sure the
youngins’ will be pleased as crows in a cornfield to see you. Everyone says ol’
Elijah Woods was meaner than a snake and treated his class real bad.”

“I had a teacher
like that once. Seemed he was mad at the world and wanted to punish everyone.
Luckily, he didn’t last long, and Miss Ray replaced him. She was a wonderful
lady, and one I vowed to use as an example in life.”

“I’m sure you’ll
make her proud.” Maggie stood and crossed to the stove. She filled a cup from a
pot simmering on the back.
“Coffee?”

Sarah nodded and
accepted. “Have you seen the schoolhouse?”

“I’ve passed by but
never went inside. Why?” Balancing her own mug, Maggie returned to her chair.

“I’m trying to get
an idea of how the classroom is set up.”

 
“I believe I see a key next to you. Just a
guess, but I reckon if you try it on the lock at the school, it might open.”

“See how addlepated
I am? That never came to mind. Before it gets too hot out, I think I’ll take a
stroll over and see for myself. Would you like to go with me?”

“I’d would, but I
got word from the stage station that three overnighters are comin’ in late this
afternoon. I have to get the beds changed and ready for ‘em.”

“I’ll tell you all
about it when I get back. And… thanks again, Maggie. You’re an angel for
helping me.”

“Pshaw.” Maggie
waved off the compliment. “You just skedaddle and let me get my work done.” Her
melodic laughter faded as she ascended the stairs.

In her excitement,
Sarah dashed out the backdoor, her bonnet dangling on her arm. She paused on
the stoop, took a deep breath and willed her heart to slow. The cooler air
provided a welcome respite from the brutal summer. Fall was definitely creeping
in, but the impending season change served as a grim reminder of her previous
plans to start life over in California.
She squared her shoulders and held her head high, vowing no regrets. She might
not be where she expected, but she survived when others didn’t. Today was
definitely the beginning of something new and exciting. She bounded down the
steps, hiked her skirt over the grass, and set out for the clapboard building
beyond the town square.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Sarah stood in front
of the whitewashed building and gazed up at the pitched roof. In two days,
she’d be greeting her pupils, making another new start. She hoped this one
didn’t end on a disastrous note like her last attempt. Taking a deep breath,
she ascended the four stairs to the front door and keyed the padlock. The door
creaked open. Once inside, the stifling, musty air washed over her, making her
nose crinkle at the unpleasant smell. How long had it been since the place had
been occupied
?She
left the door ajar to vent the room.

Sun beamed through
the top panes of the large windows on the east side. Someone had sewn and hung
burlap curtain panels along the bottom half of the casements, she supposed to
keep the heat to a minimum and deflect the brightness away from the students.
Two matching windows on the opposite wall bore the same cloaking. The large one
on the far wall was bare, shaded by a large elm outside.

A pot-bellied stove
stood in the corner. Opposite was a small room lined with wall hooks. The
vision of the coats and hats hanging there during the winter months brought a
smile to her face.

She walked down the
wide aisle separating the rows of tables and chairs, and paused at the huge
desk at the head of the room. Turning, she gazed at the empty space that would
hold a passel of strange faces on Monday. Rubbing her dampened palms together,
she tried to find a comfortable posture to address her imaginary pupils. “Good
morning, class, I’m Sarah… no, I’m Miss Collins, your new teacher, I’d like you
to…”

Applause echoed in
the empty room.

Sarah’s glanced up
to see Jonathan standing in the doorway.

 
“Bravo. You sound like a natural.”

A flush crept up her
neck and burned into her cheeks. “What are you doing here?”

He removed his hat.
“Maggie told me where I could find you. I hear congratulations are in order. I
just came from the bank and wondered if you might like to join me for lunch.”

The
bank?
Had he gone there
to undermine Wolf’s purchase? She wanted to ask but feared the answer.