Tales From the Glades of Ballymore (28 page)

The Owl family arose, got dressed, and prepared a light breakfast.  At breakfast Bartholomew said to Jonathan, “My home is small but, if you like, you can stay with me until a treehouse is built for you and Oliver.”

Then, he rethought what he had just said.

“I’m sorry.  I’m being presumptuous and rushing.  What would you like to do, and how can I help?”

“Thank you, but I think it would be best to have a home built before we move,” said Jonathan.  “Moving is a complicated process and we should not hurry.  The type of home we build depends partially on what we will do here.  I have some ideas I would like to mention.”

“Of course,” responded Bartholomew.  “I am interested to hear them.”

“My two great interests are books and teaching.  I am teaching Oliver reading, writing, and basic math.  He is doing very well.  I would love to teach more.  Do you think there would be any interest here?”

Bartholomew said, “Right now, there are only two of us who can read and write.  A few can do simple math.  There is certainly a great need here for teaching the basics.  That is something I have wanted to offer for years but never seem to have the time.  I think there would be some interest, but I don’t know how much.  It is an excellent idea and worth trying.

“We have a large, open pavilion on the island, which we use for events such as picnics.  About half of it will be enclosed soon.  That will allow us to gather in bad weather.  Perhaps you could also use the new space as a classroom at times.”

“That would be fantastic,” said Jonathan enthusiastically.  “If my teaching is successful, my dream is to have a dedicated one room schoolhouse.”

“Well, it’s certainly possible.  I hope your teaching plans are very successful.  It would be a great benefit to Ballymore,” said Bartholomew.  “I will do everything I can to help.”

“Thank you very much,” responded Jonathan.  “My other interest is books.  I see you also love them.  I’m not surprised.  The love of books must run in the family.  My library is currently at one hundred and one.  When we move here, my books will be available to everybody.  They could form the beginning of a small library in the classroom.”

Bartholomew was impressed with Jonathan and his plans.  “You have some wonderful ideas, and together, I think we can bring them to life.”

“Now I’m getting very excited and want to be here yesterday,” said Jonathan as he laughed.  Bartholomew also laughed and said, “I’m ready when you are.”

Notice that Bartholomew did not offer to donate his books to the proposed library.  They were like family to him, and he wouldn’t think of parting with them.  Besides, he frequently needed them to find answers to one problem or another.

He turned to Oliver and asked, “So Oliver, what do you think you would like to do in Ballymore?”

“I would like to help my father.  I think I have learned reading well enough that I could teach the letters.”

“So, we will have a teaching family in Ballymore.  Wonderful!” said Bartholomew.

“There is one other thing, my ‘Pride and Joy’,” Jonathan said.

Oliver smiled and Bartholomew looked puzzled.

“It will be my gift to Ballymore and I would prefer that it remain a secret until it can be presented.”

“Okay,” said Bartholomew.  “Then, a secret it shall remain.  Can you give me a hint?”

“No,” said Jonathan and he winked.

Everyone smiled and finished breakfast.

After breakfast Bartholomew gave them a flying tour around Ballymore and answered many questions.  Among other things, he told them about the swans’ ambulance service.  They would be needing that to move their belongings.  Appropriately, they stopped at the swans’ cottage on the island.  Stoddard answered the door and was surprised to see not one but three owls standing on his doorstep.

“Good morning, Stoddard.  Please let me introduce you to my brother, Jonathan and my nephew Oliver,” said Bartholomew.

“Good morning, all.  Where have you been hiding this family, Bartholomew?”

Bartholomew laughed, “It’s a long story, which I will tell you later.”

“That’ll be a story I don’t want to miss.  In any event, please come in,” welcomed the swan.

“It’s nice to meet you,” said Jonathan.

“The main purpose of our visit is to introduce my family and tell you that they will be moving here soon,” said Bartholomew.  “They now reside in Cadwell.  Are you familiar with that village?”

“Oh, yes,” said Stoddard.  “Sean and I have been to that area many times.”

Looking at Jonathan, he asked, “Do you live north or south of the river?”

“North.”

“Are you in the forest on the west side?”

“Yes.”

“Birches or pines?”

“Pines.”

“There is a large strawberry field near there,” said Stoddard.

“Yes, we live next to it on the east side,” said Oliver.

“I would say that is a one hour flight in good weather,” calculated Stoddard.

“Yes, one hour and five minutes.  I think it will be difficult keeping secrets from you,” said Jonathan laughing.

Bartholomew stared at Stoddard.  “How do you know all this?” he asked.

“We get around,” said Stoddard with a wink.  “I assume you have some belongings to be transported to Ballymore.  We’ll be happy to help, and welcome to Ballymore.”

“Thank you very much.  Yes, we do,” said Jonathan.  “The most important belongings are my books and some pieces of a special machine.  It will probably take a few trips.”

“So, your ‘Pride and Joy’ is a machine?” asked Bartholomew.

“Yes, and it’s still a secret.”

Stoddard said, “That doesn’t sound like a problem as long as the weather holds.  The sooner we do it, the better.”

“Is there a place we can store everything until our home is built?” asked Jonathan.

Bartholomew answered, “Some of your things can be stored in my home.  I will find other places for the rest.”

Looking at Stoddard, Bartholomew said, “I will let you know when they are ready.  I hope we can move almost everything within two weeks.”

Jonathan agreed that was likely.

Stoddard invited them to stay for tea.  During the tea Jonathan told Stoddard a bit about himself and Oliver.  After the tea Jonathan asked if they could see the pavilion.

“Of course.  I was saving that until last,” said his brother.

So the three owls said goodbye and walked there.  It was right next door.  Bartholomew pointed out which part was to be enclosed.  After studying the pavilion briefly, he said, “I think we could easily make a larger enclosure and divide it into two rooms.  You could use the second room as a classroom and library.”

“You think it is possible?” asked Jonathan excitedly.

“Yes, I believe so.  Let me talk to our chief builder, Burton Beaver, about it.  I will let you know.”

“That would be incredible!  Thank you very much,” said Jonathan.

They continued to talk about possibilities for a while and then returned to the treehouse.  After a light lunch it was time for Bartholomew’s new family to return to Cadwell.  They had a lot of planning and packing to do.

Bartholomew hugged them and said, “I am so happy you came to me and that you are moving to Ballymore.  It will be wonderful to help you with your plans.  I wish you a safe trip back.”

Jonathan and Oliver said their goodbyes and left.  Bartholomew watched them until they disappeared over the trees at the east end of the pond.

Over the next week, he found two storage locations for his brother’s belongings.  He also met with Burton Beaver and told him of the design changes to the pavilion enclosure.  Burton agreed to create two rooms instead of one.  He said the additional effort would be minimal.  Bartholomew didn’t mention the reason for the changes, and Burton didn’t ask.  Construction was scheduled to begin soon.  The new meeting hall and Jonathan’s special room would be finished in time for the Winter Solstice Eve celebration.

Shortly after his brother and nephew left, Bartholomew reached in his shoulder bag and took out the latest faded, yellow envelope.  He removed its note and read it again.

Two miles west of the west end of the pond, an abandoned well, at the bottom: a box
.

Cyrus Owl,

Midsummer’s Eve, 1801

He was familiar with the well but had not been in that area for a couple of years.  The well was deep in the woods and, indeed, abandoned.  Apparently, it had not been used even earlier than 1801.  He wondered when it last had any water in it, and who built it.  How deep was it?  

Cyrus had certainly chosen some clever and unique hiding places for the puzzle pieces.  He and his fellow 1801 residents put a lot of effort into this gift for the current Ballymore residents.  Bartholomew appreciated that and also saw the worth in their efforts.

This trip should take only two days as the well was fairly close to Ballymore.  There was one minor problem; it was located deep in the woods.  If they wanted a tent, the swans would have to land somewhere in order to deliver it.  Another survey flight was needed.  

The only special skill required for the retrieval of the box was the ability to climb down into the well and return.  He thought for while as to whom was best suited.  As he pondered, he realized the task could be made much more simple.  They would take a rope and small bucket with them.  Then, an animal could be easily lowered into the well.  

After some additional thought, Finn Frog was his choice.  Finn was adventurous and didn’t weigh much.  Perfect!  He would also include the weasels and Branna Bluebird.  Five team members were enough for this short trip.  The group had experience, and everyone worked well together.  The weasels would be the leaders again.  He sent out invitations for a meeting Wednesday evening, in two days.

Early the next morning, he visited the swans.  He told them about the next puzzle trip and about the tent location issue.  Stoddard said he had flown over the area many times and thought he knew of a clearing not too far from the well.  Since it was only a ten minute flight, they decided to go there immediately.  Stoddard led and flew to the well, briefly circling it.  He then flew to a small clearing about five hundred feet to the Ballymore side of the well.  They landed there and determined that it would make a fine camping location.  Bartholomew was pleased that this problem had been so easily solved.  There was one less thing to worry about.  

He was always impressed by the swans’ knowledge of the surrounding lands.  Another idea for a project popped into his head.  He and the swans could create a large, detailed map of the area.  He chuckled to himself and knew it was an idea to be filed with the many others for which he had no time.  Hmmm, there’s another reason to have an apprentice, he thought.  The swans flew back to the island, and Bartholomew returned to his treehouse, just in time to make dinner.

Wednesday evening, the invitees arrived and were eager to hear about the upcoming trip.  Bartholomew told them what he had planned so far and then turned the meeting over to the weasels.  Wilde and Wilder were pleased, but not surprised, that they would lead a mission again.  They were obviously gaining self confidence.  Finn and Branna were also very comfortable with the weasels as leaders.

Wilde spoke, “You are all very qualified, and we look forward to accomplishing this mission with you.  It will be a short trip but with some unique challenges due to the well.  The weather is colder, and it could rain, so dress appropriately.  Don’t forget a good pair of shoes.  We will take extra food.  Let’s plan to leave Saturday morning at 7 bongs.  If all goes well, we’ll return Sunday afternoon.”

No one had any problems or questions, and the brief meeting ended.