DISCLAIMER: The Young Riders is the creation of Ed Spielman, and the property of Ogiens/Kane productions in association with MGM/UA television. This Story is created for entertainment purposes only, no infringement intended. Not to be copied without permission from the author.
July 3rd, 1863 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
He felt the bullet's impact just before the momentum dropped him from his mount. The terrified horse bolted with the other fleeing Rebel riders. Kid smelled the overpowering stench of fresh cow manure as he lost conscience. Thwarted in their attempt to break the Union back lines, the survivors retreated back toward the last held Confederate position near Seminary Ridge.
"You want to go pull that one out?" asked the Federal sergeant to the men on burial duty following the early July rout of the Southerner forces from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He pointed at the body half buried in the smelly fertilizer.
"Can't we leave him? These boys smell bad enough being out in this sun for a day let alone after rotting in a pile of crap." The private, his face swathed with a bandanna against the stench of death following the worst battle in the War's horrible history looked at his peers trying to keep from getting sick.
"Never saw him. Too bad. Some Southern lady won't know her precious boy died buried up to his eyeballs in manure." The three men laughed, driving the loaded freight wagon on toward the next unfortunate rebel.
Flies swarming around his nose and eyes pestered him and he reached a feeble hand up to chase the bugs away. Dried matter fell into his face, the smell starting a ragged coughing attack. Pain shot threw his chest but he pulled himself onto his knees. Not wanting to be discovered by another Yankee patrol, he struggled toward the woods bordering the small farm. Homesickness shot through his heart. He would give anything to be able to return to the small farm he and Louise started. The desire to finally set eyes on his young daughter drove him to fight the demons of war and survive the madness.
Meandering through the woods a small stream flowed. Kid pulled his tattered uniform off and laid down in the running water. The cool water tempered his fever and washed away the dried on dirt but the odor stuck. The cool water washed his wound and he saw where the bullet exited out his back. He walked along the water listening for sounds unnatural in the woods. He carried his uniform but didn't have the strength to put it on again.
Up ahead he saw another casualty of the slaughter, an innocent victim, probably the farmer who owned the cow lot where he was shot. The man's chest was covered in dried blood but his clothes were relatively clean. Kid dropped his Confederate gray and pulled off the dead man's pants and shirt. Panting heavily he dressed himself in the farmer's clothes and laid his wool jacket over the dead man's face. Forgetting the cloth with his name on it was pinned into his jacket, he didn't realize Lou would receive the news of his death at the Battle of Gettysburg. He took the man's shoes and socks. Few Johnny Rebs still owned shoes. Hopefully the clothes of the poor man would give him a disguise while he attempted to return to his cavalry unit. He needed to stay alive until his enlistment ended in April 1865. This far north it would take a miracle to get through enemy lines back to Virginia. Every step south was one step closer to his family until his exhausted body refused to cooperate any longer. The mud cushioned his fall but dirtied the front of his shirt, as the red stain on his back grew larger.
October13, 1864 Cedar Creek, Virginia
"Oh, my stars. Is that really you, Kid?" The sharply dressed Confederate soldier stared in amazement at the shabbily cavalry officer standing before him.
"I'm Captain McCloud, soldier. Are you suggesting we've met?"
"You must have been hit in the head, Kid. More than once we passed the mochilla between us."
"Ben? Ben Hally?" Kid stuttered, surprised to see the former express rider.
The other man pulled Kid into an embrace. "Sorry sir, but it sure is great to see a familiar face, especially one that's supposed to be dead."
"What are you talking about, Ben? I ain't been dead yet." He laughed at the thought.
"I'm sure I heard you bought it last year at Gettysburg. I know someone said your wife was a widow."
"She hasn't written to me in a long time but I figured none of the mail is getting through. I've been writing to her as often as I can."
"Well maybe I heard wrong. Do you think this plan of General Early's gonna work? Them Yanks nearly got us whooped."
"Ben, don't let any other officer hear you talkin' like that or they'll shoot you before the fight even starts."
The two men walked their separate ways each preparing for the approaching battle, a last ditch effort to rally the troops. The confederates plan to break the union lines of General Sheridan with the cavalry. Kid sat at the front of his tent and pulled a well-folded piece of paper from his shirt pocket. The conversation with the other express rider left him troubled. Did Lou really believe he died at Gettysburg? It was sheer luck escaping capture but who sent word to Lou? Suddenly he remembered exchanging clothes with the dead farmer in the woods. His name was still in the damn coat!
Lou thought he was dead. His daughter didn't know she still had a father. Suddenly the battle tomorrow didn't seem as important as getting word to Nebraska.
"Ride out of here, Ben. All hell's broke loose. Most of our lines are down. Retreat!" Kid yelled at his friend before glancing back at the approaching forces. They weren't wearing gray. He spurred his horse into a gallop towards a narrow ravine when the beast screamed and bucked before going down. The Captain jumped from the saddle trying to avoid being pinned below the animals thrashing hooves. A volley of gunfire raked the area finishing the destruction of a fine army mount. The Union soldiers' orders stated every Confederate was to be flushed out and executed before the day ended. In effect all hope for the South died with the failed cavalry attack.
Beatrice, Nebraska
The young woman sat on the rock outcropping, overlooking the valley below. Horses and cattle grazed below the blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds. The lush green pasture comforted her tired eyes. The early fall day held none of the heavy summer heat but was still comfortably warm. With so much beauty surrounding her how could there be so much hate?
War tore the country and families apart. Tears streamed down her face. Would the pain never stop? She watched her younger brother and sister busily finish the afternoon chores. Each day, weather permitting, she took a break from the farm work and chores to retreat to this rock; time to read her Bible, to soak up the sunshine and try to heal the aches in her heart.
A letter, received several months earlier, dashed the hopes she longed for the future. Her cherished husband, driven to return to his homeland to fight for Virginia, died at the Battle of Gettysburg. The despair of his death added to the continuous struggle that she fought her entire life. Orphaned at a young age along with a little brother and sister, she survived by disguising her true self and led a life of a lie. She lived as a boy, doing a man's work, wearing a gun and using it in self-defense, yet always fearful of discovery, fear of rejection, of being forced to sell herself just to survive. Just when she began to hope, to create a family, to be reunited with her siblings, the man with whom she planned to spend the rest of her life died.
The daughter of an outlaw, she strived to be more but eventually her tenacity, her strength, ebbed. The war was to last a few months at most but still dragged on into the fourth year. With the help of a friend, she struggled to work the homestead. Her siblings, Jeremiah and Teresa, worked by her side to establish and maintain the small homestead raising corn and oats for the few cattle, horses and hogs. Louise looked up from her musings and smiled. Her daughter, Katie, ran across the yard eager to help Aunt Terry. The end of the child's nap signaled the end of Louise's reprieve. Sighing she picked up her Bible and returned to the duties awaiting her.
"Lou, I'll be back again in the spring to help you get the land ready." Buck, her friend for several years came twice a year to help her with the farms tasks exceeding her limited abilities. Eventually her brother took over the responsibilities but she welcomed Buck's return to see them. Never fitting well in the white world but also not accepted in his Kiowa tribe, he lived with his family further west in the sandhills. Fortunately Katilin his wife accepted his twice a year trips to help his 'sister' Louise.
Lou and Buck spent the few weeks working side by side working the ground, constructing fences, planting or harvesting, all the while reminiscing about their early days together as Pony Express riders. Originally the seven lived west of Fort Casper at the Sweetwater Station before the company moved them all to Rock Creek, near the Nebraska and Kansas border. The demise of the Express coincided with the dawn of the civil war between North and South. Two members died violently before their last run. Loyalties divided the rest. James and William stood for the North; Teaspoon, Rachel and the Kid defended the South's position leaving Louise and Buck neutral but emotionally injured the most for their friends' choices causing the dissolution of their express family.
"Tell everyone hello from us. I'll be looking for your return in next spring." she asked.
"I'll try, Lou." He pulled his friend into a tight embrace. He hated leaving her alone but neither could he live near her. Before any more emotions could emerge, he mounted his horse and turned to leave the small farmyard. It hurt to see her standing so rigid at his departure but he also knew she was too pragmatic to give into her emotionally scarred heart. Louise suffered so much but with the help of her siblings, her daughter and other neighbors he knew she would survive the struggles and emerge the victor.
December 24, 1864
"Merry Christmas, Louise and Katie. Hi Teresa and Jeremiah. We're so glad you were able to come to town and join us for church."
Louise smiled at the young woman greeting them at the door to the church. Helena's religion was expressed in her every action and word. "We wouldn't miss it, Lena."
"After the service there's some packages under the tree. It looks to be a festive night." The lady turned to greet the next family entering the small white church, leaving the McClouds to find themselves a seat in the crowded sanctuary. The younger children of the community presented the Christmas story with songs and recitations. A little fellow's refusal to leave the front steps after singing with his class brought a round of muffled laughter. Finally his embarrassed mother came forward and picked up her son who turned to wave at everyone.
The young pastor, Lena's husband, addressed the congregation following the service. "As has been the custom, we have several presents left under our tree. As I call out your name please stand so the elders may bring you the packages." He began calling out the names of the youngsters who participated in the service who eagerly tore into their wrapped presents. Gradually the names of adult members were called. Lou was surprised when Katie's name was called. Not a member of the congregation, Louise agreed to come to the Christmas service at the urging of Helena. Katie tore open the brown wrapped package to reveal a smiling cloth doll. She hugged it tight. Lou didn't know who to thank when Teresa's and Jeremiah's names were called. Each received a pair of warm mittens and an orange from yet again an anonymous donor.
The young widow felt the warmth of kindness work its way into her heart. A quiet peace settled over her and she smiled happily. She looked up and silently prayed "Thank you Lord for all the good things you have done for us." So lost in her own thoughts she didn't hear her own name called till Katie shook her and yelled, "Mama, that's you."
Louise stood up and received the large package from the older man while her family crowded around to see her present. Wrapped in brown paper, it only had a mailing label glued to the front.
Louise McCloud
Beatrice, Nebraska Though originally wrapped carefully the package showed wear and tear from its journey. Had one of her express friends sent her a present from somewhere? Inside she found a dirty knapsack and a short note pinned to the front. "Found this on a dead horse in the woods. Yours was the only name inside. Please accept my sympathy."
Lou sat in shock as her world crumbled around her. Tears streamed down her face and her body started to shake. Lena walked by and saw Lou's distress. She knelt beside her friend and glanced at the note. 'Oh, no." She grabbed the young woman's shoulders and hugged her tightly. "I know it hurts. I know."
Helena first met Louise at the local general store, her impending arrival evident. Purchasing supplies for the upcoming winter, Lou ventured into the new store and was greeted by the storeowner's daughter. The two young women became fast friends that winter. At Lena's insistence Louise's child received Holy Baptism and she encouraged the entire family to attend the church. Louise shared Helena's happiness when the new pastor asked for Lena's hand. Lena shared Louise's pain when the letter came announcing the Kid died at Gettysburg.
Trying to speak between her sobs, Lou said, "It's s s still a bad dream. I'd hope they were wrong. That they got the the wrong name but." She looked into the cloth bag and saw the letters she'd written her husband and a daguerreotype of them taken shortly after their wedding. There was no mistake; it was her husband's few possessions. "Oh, Kid. I miss you so much." She wept until there were no more tears left.
"Jeremiah, I think your sister better stay with me tonight. Who gave her this package?"
"It was left under the tree, Mrs. Schwartz."
The honey haired woman shook her head at the cruel twist to the joyful season. Jeremiah tried to take the knapsack but his sister refused to release her grip. He looked at Lena as she gently shook her head.
"What about Katie? You want us to take her home too?" Just turning sixteen he tried to be the male head of the house but the responsibility weighed heavily.
"Do you feel safe going home too, Teresa?"
The fourteen-year-old girl nodded. "We two will be alright but I'm not so sure about taking Katie with us."
"That's fine. Let them both stay with me tonight. When you get chores finished in the morning come to town and eat dinner with us. Come on, Katie. Let's take your mother over to my house. Good night and Merry Christmas."
Early the next morning, Christmas Day, Lena knocked gently on the guestroom door. No one answered but she opened the door uninvited. The site in the room saddened her but she wasn't surprised. Lou sat on the bed surrounded by several letters as she held an open one in her hand; silent sobs shook her petite body.
"Good morning Louise. Would you like some coffee?"
Not getting a response she walked over to the bed and joined her friend.
"These are all the letters I'd written to him. At least I know he had a chance to read them and knew what we doing. He knew about Katie." She looked up her face shiny from the tears. "This one here was one he was writing to me. Even though he wrote it a year and a half ago, it’s the last thing he every said to me."
"I'm sure its private, Louise."
"Well, yes parts of it are but listen to this part. You gotta remember Kid wasn't real great with writtin anything."
I pray for the day this damn war is over so I can return home to you. I try to imagine what our baby, our daughter looks like. I didn't know person could miss someone they never met. We are far from Virginia today. I ain't never been this far north and I fear for the day.
"Its almost like he knew something was going to happen." After a short pause she continued, "Lena you keep telling me about God being so gracious and understanding but how do I explain to my daughter why she never knew her father? Why he never held her in his arms? When does my family get a chance to receive some of His love?"
"Louise, God loves you, your siblings and Katie. He loved your husband too. God loved the world so much that He sent His only Son to this sinful world, to die for all our sins. Now we don't need to fear the evil, the devil or the horrible things the world does. Because of God's grace we know we too will be saved. Our sins are forgiven and someday we will be reunited with the ones we love in eternal life."
The former Pony Express rider sat in silence, confused. The dirty knapsack reminded her of what she lost but the joy of knowing Kid's love for her even at the end gave her a peace. Always a fighter, Louise looked over at her sleeping daughter and whispered, "I promise Katie. I won't give up on you or the Kid. You will know what a kind, brave man he was. You will not be a weak female either. Together we will survive."
Two weeks later a fierce blizzard ravaged the Nebraska plains enclosing the small farm in a white bubble. The temperature dropped to dangerous levels so only the most necessary chores were finished before Lou and Jeremiah returned to the small house.
"I don't think I'll ever get warm again." Jeremiah complained though a smile graced his face.
"I'll hold you to that next summer in the middle of haying, when you're begging for some of the cold of winter."
He smiled at his sister. "We make a good team don't we? Of course, Terry's the better cook."
"I couldn't agree more little brother." She loved to tease him with the nickname even though he inherited their father's height and stood a head taller than the petite older girl.
They joined Teresa and Katie sitting at the kitchen table. They were working on braiding a wool rug. Katie sat in the middle of the table holding the braided rope while Teresa plaited the wool remnants. The dark blues and blacks were spiced with specks of red.
"Looks like you're making lots of progress with that." Louise smiled at the two girls.
"Is dinner ready yet?"
"Is that all you ever think about big brother? Your stomach?"
"No. For your information I do think about other things."
"Like what?" she teased.
Embarrassed the teenage boy looked down at his boots.
Louise laughed as she said to her sister, "I'll get the table ready, Teresa. Are things about ready?" She lifted her daughter down from the table and gathered the wool pieces into a pile. Her little sister was much more domestic and would make a good settler's wife someday. She looked over at her brother reclining on the wooden chair.
"Jeremiah, I've got a question. Are you happy here?"
He looked at his sister and scowled. He wished he knew where this conversation was headed before answering. "Yah, it's ok. It's definitely better than the orphanage, sis."
"When Kid and I invited you and Teresa here, I didn't expect you to have to take over running the farm. It was our dream. I don't want you to feel trapped into staying here. You need to live your own life and if that includes going somewhere else I understand."
"You want me to leave, Louise. I thought I was handling things pretty well." The teenager was clearly confused.
"No," she said as she shook her head and reached out for her brother's hand. "That's not what I meant at all. I want you to stay. I want to keep this family together, but I understand it if you need to leave. I want you to be happy, Miah. Someday you'll want to marry and have your own family. I don't want to stand the way of your happiness."
"What about your future, Louise? What are you going to do?"
"This is my future. If Kid came back, we would be here together. Now I don't know what the future holds but it isn't a hopeless situation. Whatever the future holds Katie and I will face it together. I want you and Teresa to be a part of that future but I don't want to stop either of you from succeeding in your own dreams."
"I love you, sis. I don't know yet what I plan to do but thanks for asking me. For now I've got a farm to run."
The two hugged each other. The troubles of the past were buried and the future looked a little brighter.
March 1865
"You shouldn't be doing that, Miz McCloud."
The young woman turned around, surprised at hearing her neighbor's voice. "What is that Mr. Daily? What shouldn't I be doing?"
"When you're my wife you won't were men's attire."
"Excuse me. I'm not your wife."
"Ma'am, you must realize how inappropriate it is for your to live here alone. I'm doing you a favor offering my name for your child and an opportunity to redeem your scandalous reputation."
"My daughter's name don't need changing. I suggest you leave now Mr. Daily. There is nothing left for you to say."
"I will make the arrangements for the upcoming nuptials, Louise. May I call you that now that we are engaged? It will be best to complete this task before the upcoming planting season. Tell your hired help they are fired and to remove themselves from the premises in a weeks time. Good day." The insolent neighbor turned away preparing to leave when Lou grabbed him from behind. "I will never marry you. Get off my land and never step on it again. I wore a revolver once and I used it to kill the last man attempting to force his attentions. Don't think for a minute I won't use it again. No one, man or woman tells me what to do."
"Woman, I do not tolerate liars. The Lord will punish you for your wicked ways. I've offered you a chance at redemption."
"Stop your pious sermon. I know the Lord has forgiven me for my previous sins. You are the one needing forgiveness, mister. Now get off my land before I need to beg the Lord to forgive me for shooting you."
She twisted his arm behind his back and pushed him into the side of his buggy. "Now while you still are intact, get off my land. If I ever see you on this land again I will shoot first and find out what you wanted later. I have great aim and I hit what I aim at." She looked down his heavy frame and lingered below his belt. "Give you something to think about. Now git!"
The man quickly climbed into his vehicle and snapped out the lines. Living with this woman would be a dangerous proposition at best. His horse galloped off the small farmyard and disappeared up the muddy lane.
Lou shook her head and sighed. The small wall surrounding her heart built a little higher and the spring sunshine dimmed a little more. She could not submit to the hopelessness squeezing her heart. She was a survivor; she would show the narrow-minded people she would not submit to their prejudices but be strong to the end.
"Buck am I ever glad to see you. How is everyone?" Lou hugged her Indian friend tightly and the embrace was returned. The March afternoon sky was gray with the threat of rain.
"We're fine for now. Heard the South isn't doing too well?"
Lou lost her smile and said softly, "I got his knapsack during the winter. Some farmer in Pennsylvania found it on a dead horse. It had his stuff in it. There is no more hope, Buck."
The Kiowa never left his hold on the petite woman. "Don't give up hope, Lou. Every time you look at little Katie, there's hope. He laid his hand on her chest over her heart "And here. The situation is never hopeless. You will always have his love in your heart. Till the day you die, Kid's love will always be here." He kissed her cheek tenderly and wiped away her tears. They joined hands and walked into the small farmhouse before beginning the spring work.
"We should be able to work this field on Monday, Lou. Jeremiah and I think the south pasture needs some repairs before we move any livestock down there."
"Sounds great, Buck. Thanks for letting Miah make some of the decisions."
"He's got a good head on his shoulders. Thinks things out before charging into them, not like some people around here."
The two friends laughed. Family, nothing more sacred. Weren't those Teaspoon's words when he discovered Lou's true identity? The early spring weather continued ideally, warm days and no rain, but Buck couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The hairs on the back of his neck tingled. He scouted the area around the farmstead but found no footprints. Not ready to alarm the McClouds, Buck continued his vigil yet unable to shake the feeling. It wasn't one of danger as much as one of being watched.
"Will you come to church with us tomorrow, Buck? It is Easter." He shook his head no. Even though he spent time in the Catholic mission his Kiowa beliefs were his guidance. "Not this year, Lou. You four go and don't worry about me. I've got some things to do."
Easter Sunday April 16, 1865
"He is arisen! He is arisen indeed! Hallelujah!" The small congregation joined together proclaiming the joy of the Christian faith.
"God's Son will bear the pain of the cross for us and remove the power of the devil. We need to give thanks for our Lord's Passion that we may receive remission of sins and redemption from everlasting death. No situation is hopeless; all things are possible with God. We have an Easter Hope! Hallelujah!"
"We have great civil news to celebrate this most holy of days. One week ago the Confederate States of America's General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Grant. May God preserve the United States of America!"
The parishioners greeted one another following the happy service. Louise found her friend Lena and the two spent a few minutes catching up on each other's lives. Soon the parsonage would be blessed with a new life. The news of Lee's surrender was on the lips of most of the men. Could their country heal from the years of destruction of family and property?
Buck found the small camp northwest of the McCloud's barn. Pulling his knife he approached the sleeping man and grabbed his dirty shirt. "Better start explaining fast mister, before I run this knife through you." He looked down into sad, cloudy blue-gray eyes yet eyes that seemed familiar. The man didn't resist but sat still when the Kiowa released his grip.
"You married to her, Buck?"
"Who the hell are you?"
"I always hoped it would be you rather than Jimmy."
Realizing who was sitting on the ground before him, Buck queried, "Kid?"
Slightly nodding the emancipated man looked up at his former bunkmate. "She married to that other fellow?"
Still reeling from the shock, Buck laughed. "Kid she never gave up hope on you. I just come in the spring and fall to help her and Jeremiah with the planting and harvesting."
"That tall one is Jeremiah?"
"You've been gone a long time, Kid. The boy's grown up. Did you see your daughter?"
"Not up close. I was afraid of what I'd find. I heard Lou'd been told I was killed at Gettysburg. I couldn't just stomp back into her life."
"Kid you need to do just that."
"Mrs. McCloud," Etta the postmistress called. "I'm so glad to catch you before you went home. I'm so sorry about putting that package under the tree last Christmas. It was my fault. I thought someone sent you a present. Please forgive me."
"That's all right ma'am. I know you meant well."
"I," she paused, "I have another package for you. I don't want to cause any more sadness but I've got to deliver the mail."
Lou laughed at the thought. How many letters did she carry for the Express that contained bad news? "I know I don't get to town very often to check on my mail."
"But this isn't just any mail. These came from." She looked around before whispering "the South. Richmond. I didn't want to upset you again." She handed the small bundle to Lou.
Looking down at the one on top Lou gasped. The postmark was from last October but the handwriting was his. How could it be? He was killed in 1863. She looked through the rest of the letters addressed to her. All were posted in the last year. She started to shake and her face paled. No she couldn't go through this again. Looking around at her friends she felt disorientated, the conversations a garbled roar.
Pastor Schwartz joined his wife Lena just as their friend Louise fainted, dropping the letters. "Louise," Teresa screamed, "What's the matter?" She wiped the dirt from her sister's face. Another woman appeared with a cup of water and a wet towel.
"They'll be back from church soon. Let's get you cleaned up before they do." He helped the weak man, a shadow of his former self, break camp.
"I'm scared Buck. I got here a couple of weeks ago and saw them doing chores. If Lou believed I was gone then she should remarry but if that was the case I didn't want to ruin her happiness."
"I knew someone was around yet it wasn't a danger to us. Kid you've got to believe me. Lou will not die of shock when she sees you. She's too stubborn to do that. She probably won't let you out of her sight for a long time. Course as thin as you are, turning sideways you'd probably disappear. Good thing your sister-in-law is a great cook except Jeremiah usually eats the greater share of whatever's being served."
The former soldier smiled as his friend's attempt at a joke. "Kind of like another fellow we know?"
Quickly revived, Lou felt embarrassed creating such a scene in front of the church. Lena held the few letters and realized what the dates meant. "Hope has returned Louise. Since the war is over he should be coming back real soon." The three women cried and Jeremiah and Pastor Schwartz eyes watered, '
"It is truly an Easter miracle."
"Will you stay and join us for dinner?" Lena offered.
"No, this time we're going home to wait."
"Mama, why are you sitting in the dirt? You'll get your dress dirty."
Lou reached out and hugged her young daughter close, soaking the child's dress with her tears. The Easter morning was sunny and warm; birds sang in the trees and Lou's heart rejoiced.
The young woman jumped out of the surrey and ran toward her friend standing on the porch. "Buck, you'll never believe what happened after church this morning!"
"Lou, there is someone waiting for you inside. Here give me Katie. We'll all be in shortly. Go on." Watching his 'sister' cautiously enter her own kitchen he turned to the other two and asked. "How did she get her dress so dirty?"
"Hey. Lou," came a weak voice.
She stopped in amazement as she felt like Mary at Jesus' open tomb. "You're not dead," she whispered as she reached out to touch his freshly shaved cheek. The force of love between them pulled them into a tight embrace as the reality soaked in to both of their minds. Neither heard the door open or the four witnesses to their reunion. Katie squirmed out of her Uncle Buck's arms and ran to join her mother. Safely in her arms the little girl looked at the man whose arm was around her mother's waist. She leaned over and kissed his wet cheek. Papa was home just like Mama said. It was the best Easter ever!
"Christ is arisen!
From death's gloomy prison.
So let us now rejoice and sing
Christ doth us salvation bring."
From the German Easter hymn of the 14th century
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