The
Misadventures of Nicholas Barkley 6
by
Arkangel
Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program
"Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and
have been used without permission. No copyright
infringement is intended by the author.
The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.
"Now boys, I
expect you to be good in church this morning, we have a new minister and I want
you on your very best behavior. Is that understood? Victoria said firmly as she
straightened Nicholas' string tie.
"Yes,
ma'am." Jarrod and Nicholas said.
"Good
boys." Stepping back, "My don't you two look handsome?"
"Mama, what
does handsum mean?" Nicholas said with a frown.
"It means
pretty you....." Jarrod started.
"I ain't
pretty.....pretty's what girls are. I ain't no girl!"
"It means nice
looking, Nicholas. Saying someone looks handsome means they look very
nice." Victoria corrected.
"Oh....okay."
Nicholas thought a moment, "You look handsome too, mama."
Jarrod swatted
Nicholas on the arm, "Ladies are pretty, men are handsome. Don't you know
anything?" Jarrod said raising his hands in frustration.
"Boys this
stops now!" Victoria wagged her finger, "You will not bicker while we
are in church. This is the Lord's day and we will not use it to bicker."
"Sorry."
Jarrod said.
"Sorry,
mama." Nicholas agreed. "Mama, can I bring a toy?"
"No dear."
Victoria answered, wrapping a shawl around her shoulders.
"Please, I'll
be quiet." Nicholas pleaded.
"It may help to
keep him occupied. You know how restless he gets during services." Tom
added coming down the stairs.
"Oh alright.
Make it quick." Watching Nicholas run up to his room she added, "Just
one toy."
"Okay
mama." Nicholas yelled down as he turned the corner.
A few minutes later,
the Barkley family was ready and seated in the surrey. "Nicholas, did you
get your toy?" Tom asked as he snapped the reins.
"Yes papa, it's
in my pocket." Nicholas smiled nodding his head.
The ride to the
church was peaceful. The beautiful spring day glowing in the warmth of the sun
and the coolness of the light breeze. A perfect day for worship and fellowship.
Pulling up to the
church, Tom parked the surrey under the shade of a near by tree, and helped his
family down and towards the church and it waiting Minister. At the door, the
Barkley's introduced themselves and proceeded into the church.
"Mama, can we
sits in the back?" Nicholas asked.
Victoria looked to
Tom to answer, "Well, it does seems like the front pews are taken, I don't
see why we couldn't." Tom said pointing to a pew three rows from the back.
"This should be fine."
"I want to sit
on the end. Please?" Nicholas then asked. "Jarrod got to sit on the
end last time....it's my turn."
"Fine, son.
Jarrod, move over and let your brother sit there."
"Baby."
Jarrod muttered as he moved over.
"Toad."
Nicholas retorted.
"Donkey."
Jarrod fired back.
"Dope."
"Boys.....enough."
Tom whispered harshly. "Keep quiet or I'll take you outside."
As the beginning
prayer ended and the congregation was seated, Nicholas fumbled in his pocket,
hearing the rattling of the 'toy' he was allowed to bring. Turning slightly to
see if anyone was seated behind him, he pulled out a small cat's eye and held
it hidden in the palm of his hand.
"Nicholas, stop
fidgeting." Victoria scolded.
"Yes
mama." Nicholas smiled sweetly. Slowly putting his right arm over the side
of the pew, he counted to three and gave the marble a hard flick, sending it
rolling down the isle.
Clunk.
The Minister paused
for a moment then continued his lesson. Nicholas snickered and made to fetched
two more marble and repeat the process.
Clunk.......clunk.
The Minister paused
again and looked around the room. Nicholas schooled his featured and put on his
most angelic face when the eyes of the Minister feel on him. Smiling kindly at
the young boy setting quietly in the back, he went on with his teachings of
obedience.
Once again marbles
were retrieved and sent on their way to the front of the church, hitting the
wooded podium.
Clunk.....clunk....
Tom let loose a
small chuckle at the puzzled look on the Minister's face. "Seems we have a
prankster among us." He whispered to Victoria.
"Tom, church is
no place for such foolishness, whom ever it is, I'm sure their parents will
take care of them soon enough."
"I'm
sure." Tom grinned.
And so it began, the
cycle of 'clunk', silence, snickers became routine until the close of the
service and all rose for the final prayer. The Minister stepped from behind his
podium to be among the congregation as he ended the Sunday services. Feeling a
round hardness below his left shoe, he lifted his foot and noticed a marble.
Looking more closely, he realized that there was at least a dozen or more.
"Well, it seems that someone, baring gifts, is among us." He said
calmly as he bent to retrieve the marbles, "Perhaps the parishioner who
produced these would like to step forward."
Nicholas nervously
moved from one foot to the other.
Seeing no one step
forward, he continued, "Well, perhaps the Lord has sent them as a gift,
knowing how much I love to play marbles."
Still no one moved.
"It would be a
shame to not be able to thank the one who bestowed such a gift." Walking
slowly up the isle, the Minister stopped at each of the young men seated at the
ends of the pews, "I would like to, perhaps, partake in a game once
services are over." He grinned at a young, blond headed boy around seven
years old.
The young boy smiled
and shook his head, stating that it was not he who threw the marbles. The
kindly Minister smiled and went on. Soon he was standing next to young Nicholas
Barkley. "Do you like to play marbles, young Nicholas?"
Nicholas raised his
head, feeling the first beads of sweat begin to form, "Huh....ah...yes
sir?"
"Then perhaps
you would like these back?" He added holding out his hand.
Knowing that, if he
took them, his mother and father would know it was him that had thrown them, he
worried about what to do. Turning to the slightly frowning faces of his parents
then looking at the smirking grin of his older brother, he meekly took the
marbles and placed them in his pocket. "Sorry Sir." Nicholas said
bowing his head.
The Minister knelt
on one knee next to Nicholas, "I really do like to play marbles, I've been
playing for years." Placing a gentle hand on Nicholas' shoulder, "But
I think that it would be best if, next time, we waited till after services to
play......don't you agree?"
"Yes sir."
Nicholas said with a sigh.
The minister rose
and looked to Tom and Victoria, both sporting looks of embarrassment and
aggravation, "He's young, Mr. and Mrs. Barkley. I can remember very
clearly the mischief I would get into during Church services." The
Minister said with a wink.
"I'm sorry,
Minister. I can assure you that Nicholas will be punished for such an
act." Tom answered with a withering look to Nicholas.
"Sorry
papa."
"If I may
borrow young Nicholas, I think an apology to the congregation is in
order." The Minister asked.
"Of
course." Turning to Nicholas, Tom added, "I want you to go up there
and apologize to these fine people."
"But
papa....."
"Now, young
man."
"Yes sir."
Nicholas took the
Minister's hand and let himself be led to the front of the church. The Minister
then cleared his throat to address those among his congregation, "My dear
friends, this young man would like to say something to you and I feel that you,
as kind and gentle members of this church, will listen with an open mind and
remember the joys of being a child."
Nicholas stood, head
bowed. He was truly sorry for disrupting services, but felt that he could not
put his regret into words. Feeling a hand on his shoulder, he looked up into
the smiling face of the kind Minister. "I.......I'm sorry......for what I
done. It was just a......little fun cause I get........." Crooking a
finger to the Minister motioning him to bend down, Nicholas whispered in ear,
"Can I say I was bored?"
The Minister
chuckled good naturedly, "Yes, Nicholas. I do not believe the Lord will
fault you for telling the truth." He whispered back.
"Good."
Nicholas grinned. Turning back to the congregation he said, "I was gettin'
kinda bored. Mama says I get.......fudgity during services, so her and papa let
me bringed a toy."
Many in the
congregation laughed at the innocence of the young Barkley.
Nicholas smiled
brightly at the laughter, "I promise I won't ever do it again."
"Very good,
Nicholas. You may sit down." The Minister said.
"Sir?" Nicholas
started as he made to head back to his seat.
"Yes?"
"Does the Lord
frown on wooden spoons?"
"Why do you
ask?"
"Cause I think
mama's gonna tan my britches with one when I gets home."
Victoria groaned
loudly at the not so soft statement from her youngest child. Tom laid a
comforting hand on his wife's back and whispered, "Don't worry,
Vic.......he won't be five forever."
"Thank
goodness." Was all Victoria could say.
The Minister made as
if he were thinking about Nicholas' question, then answered slowly, "Well,
Nicholas, do you think you deserve to be punished for what you did?"
"Yes sir."
"And do you
trust your mother and father to do what's best for you?"
"Yes sir."
"Do you believe
that God with give them the wisdom to do the right thing in regards to this
incident?"
"Yes sir."
"Then I believe
that you should just wait and see, I'm sure that they will do what they feel is
necessary."
"Okay, but I
sure do hate that spoon. Smarts sumthin' awful." Nicholas stated as he walked
back to his seat rubbing his backside with his hands.
Those that weren't
laughing before, guffawed at the show from the young Barkley. Tom meet Nicholas
part way down the isle and escorted him back to his seat. "You, young man,
are grounded......again. You keep this up and you may never ride your pony
again."
Jarrod grinned at
Nicholas as he took his seat, "Boy are you in trouble."
"They was your
marbles."
"What! Why I
otta......"
"Boys, I will
not call you down again, now please, for pities sake, be quiet." Victoria
scolded.
"Yes
ma'am." They answered.
"You know dear,
I know that children are a blessing, and I dearly love mine, but
sometimes........."
"Well Tom, you
better get use to these two, because we are going to be blessed again."
Victoria quietly whispered in Tom's ear.
Tom's wide eyed
stare was mixed with love and happiness. Then it began to sink in, "You
mean...."
"Yes,
Tom."
"Oh dear
Lord." Tom groaned rubbing a hand on his face.
"Exactly."
Victoria giggled.
THE END