Read all about it!

by Barkley Lady

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.

On the rail road to Stockton

It was a beautiful late October day, and the afternoon was just starting to turn into evening when Jarrod sat in his private car on the train home from San Francisco. He thought about the coming week, when he had promised to follow his brothers up to the lodge for a hunting feast, before they started the next round up and cattle drive. Leaning back into the seat he looked out of the window for a while before his eyes turned to his brief case. A sigh was left his lips. He really didn’t have time for this vacation, but he had promised, and since it was Heath’s first October hunting it had felt important to keep that promise. He stood up, went over to the trolley and poured a small brandy before he returned to the work he had with him. As he pulled the papers out he saw the Harpers Bazaar he had gotten for the female Barkleys, and he decided to have a peek into it to find out why they made such a fuss over this magazine every month. What he saw when he opened it almost made him choke on the liquor. He read the article over and over again before he burst out laughing. It was going to be a very good week at the lodge, a very good week indeed!

At the ranch

Victoria sat looking at the magazine her friend had brought to her from San Francisco. She couldn’t believe what she read, and she wondered how on earth she had not heard of this interview before. She couldn’t even remember talking to a journalist. From what she could make of it, it had to have been done when the family were at the fair in Sacramento. She, just as her oldest son was doing right then, read the article again. The author really had captured the situation, and her son right, but she wasn’t sure he would appreciate the effort!

Audra came almost running into the parlour where Victoria sat, holding another copy of the same magazine. Her eyes were glittering with pride.

In Stockton

Nick left the grocery story feeling very unsure which was unusual for him. For some reason, he thought the two girls that worked in there, and the young ones that came in while he was paying, had been looking at him, and started to giggle when they did. It was a very awkward feeling and he decided that he needed a beer to get rid of it. When he finally did reach the saloon he had checked his fly about ten times, and yes, it was still all buttoned up. He had checked his face in a window to see if he had some food on it or something else. He also had taken his vest off to see if anything was stuck on it. After checking all his clothing he had pulled the Stetson hat down as much as possible and strode as fast as possible to the safety of the saloon but as he opened the door to the it, the girls stopped what they were doing, several blew kisses towards him and as he reached the counter, Harry poured a large whisky for him before he even said anything, and told him that it was on the house. Nick felt very confused!

A Travel Along The Central Pacific Line by Mrs Theodosia Riley

So, I end this trip along the Central Pacific Line with a detour to the California state capital Sacramento. San Francisco was a lovely city and I do recommend a visit but after recommendations I went to visit the State fair that is held every year at the end of August. It was the final three days and every event of importance was supposed to happen. For a city woman like myself, experienced in the ways of the world, it was a very new and shocking experience and after the first day I had almost given up. The California men and women that I met were a large disappointment, as their manners and etiquette seemed far away from what is suitable, and the amusements were nothing to talk about. With a very low state of heart I went out for the second day and Ladies, I’m so happy I did give this fair a second chance. Now what changed my mind? Before I continue I have to remind you all, kind readers, that my husband accompanies me on this trip and is always by my side. Having said that I shall tell you about the Barkley brothers and mostly of Mr Nicholas Barkley.

Perhaps I shall start with a description of a State Fair in California. It’s large, crowded, dusty and in places very muddy, since its straight on the dirt. And you all know how earth gets when water gets on it. Among the people there are animals, stock it’s called here, horses, birds of different sorts, dogs etc, etc. Saloons are open all day and there are tents with food, entertainment, competition all mixed. At one end they have even built a large rodeo arena. There are people selling candy, liquor, food, flowers, animals, fabrics, antiques, books. I even saw an ad for the orphanage auctioning children. Most of the stalls are placed in long lines, making roads where the potential customers walk. In the thick crowds that there are you have to mind your purse or somebody might pickpocket you. It happened frequently and the police did nothing! It’s not as organized and well done as in New York.

Victoria felt a bit annoyed when she read the description of the fair. In her opinion it was the best organised fair that the state held and it got better every year. The committee who arranged it worked for a whole year with planning and preparations and this year had been no exception. As to crowded? Hmm, she guessed it might feel so if you didn’t know where to go, where the regulars always stood. As for herself she always found some lovely new fabrics for her sewing, not to mention the lace she found this year. She knew that the boys had found some good horses and stock, beside the games she knew Heath had got and the books Nick found. If her memory served her right, didn’t Jarrod find a painting for his office in San Francisco?

My dear husband Berthold and I went to the fair grounds during early afternoon on the 30^th August. We had read that there was to be a competition in farm products, now how exciting does that sound to you? Sorry, if I offend anyone but you have to remember that I do come from New York City and have been a part of the society there for as long as I have lived. Anyway, my husband and I walked over to the tent where the women were setting up their products and judges were walking around. For you city ladies, I shall tell you how a competition in food products is conducted, for the rest of you ladies I apologise if I understood things wrongly. The judges seem to have a paper with different grades and titles and they all taste a bit from every jar that is placed by the name of the woman who made it. If there are six jars, the judges will test all six, even if they are done at the same time. The woman that only has one jar is regarded as some thing the cat brought in, in the sense that she only managed to make one jar. After the judges, in this case five men and one woman have done their tasting they discuss with each other and then deal out the rewards. The best is the blue ribbon, then the red and last the yellow. Guess my surprise when I saw a young man standing by some pickled cucumbers! I had to stop and watch this. This dark, well-built, tall man, didn’t look too comfortable about the situation and with my professional curiosity I asked an elderly lady, Mrs Grace Stullman, that stood near me, who he was. That young man was Mr N Barkley. The elderly lady was more than happy to talk to me and let me know that his sister had taken ill. Poor thing had her appendix removed, on the train to Sacramento from Stockton and had gotten a promise from her brother to see to it her pickled cucumbers were in for the judging. What a big brother! My husband who would do anything for me said that he would never, never do such a thing, not even for me! And young ladies out there, here is a splendid unattached species of man; the only catch is that he is a rancher which apparently is the same as a farmer. Now this young man stood there patiently while the judges walked back and forth trying the cucumbers over and over again. I just had to know more and as you know I’ll do anything for you Ladies! So, after the judges were finally done and the rewards were handed out, I steered my way through the crowds to get a chance to ask him a few questions, but he was in such a hurry! For you ladies I did my best to keep up with him, which wasn’t easy as I acted like a lady at the same time, so I lost him in the crowd!

Audra’s hand went to her right side and she touched the scar under her dress. She felt so proud that Nick had kept his promises even though it had meant that he had to stand there amongst the elderly women and some, she rolled her eyes, farm girls. Jarrod had told her that Nick hadn’t even noticed the blonde girl next to him, so uncomfortable had he been, but he had done it for her. She looked up at the photo she had gotten from Jarrod that day and smiled.

Dear husband caught up with me, a bit angry over my unladylike behaviour and he wouldn’t hear about my explanation that it was for you all. To assuage his feelings I accepted his invitation to join him at the shooting target competition instead and to my joy whom did I find there if not Mr N Barkley. But before it was his turn to shoot the speaker announced a Mr Heath Barkley! Here were two brothers one dark as the night and the other light as the rye in the field. To Dear Berthold’s surprise his wife pushed her way to the front line. Those magnificent brothers, it turned out to be a competition between the two of them and I actually think it was a draw at the end. Perhaps the best result, as anyone with brothers knows how boys act when they lose. This time after the prize was given out, I had decided that I was not going to miss my chance, but this horrible drunk man tried to give me a kiss, me, a distinguished Lady from new York! If it hadn’t been for Dear Berthold’s quick acting I don’t know what would have happened. So I lost the young man again! I can tell you that I mumbled words a lady shouldn’t say.

Heath picked up the magazine when Victoria had to go and check on the dinner. He started to read the article with a crooked smile and almost grinned when he thought about the shooting contest. He had managed to persuade the judge to delay it a little and to let Nick start last. Since his big brother was the leading champion and had to help a lady in distress, Audra, it had been easy, and still Nick almost missed the whole target shooting.

My Dear husband decided that we needed a rest and led me to a restaurant tent where we had gotten a decent meal the day before. To our disappointment every table was taken but a young man and a lady offered us a couple of places at theirs. I almost fainted when we introduced ourselves and this was Mrs Victoria Barkley and her eldest son Mr Jarrod Barkley.

Now Victoria remembered the woman and as she got irritated she placed the paper on the table with a force that made Jarrod look up. Victoria felt betrayed. That woman hadn’t said that she was a journalist, she had merely said that she had seen Nick at the cucumber competition and then at the target and asked about him. Jarrod watched her leave the room.

I took the opportunity and told her I had just seen her sons compete and that I had wanted to talk to Mr Nicholas. The kind lady told me she would help me and after the meal, roast beef and baked potatoes, we all walked over to the rodeo. The kind woman explained to us, city folks as they said here, the procedures of the rodeo and Mrs Barkley kindly told me that the contents of the rodeo were almost a daily routine for all that participated. Proudly she told me that her sons were taking part. Now rodeo, Ladies, is when a so-called bronc or bull is ridden or a calf is caught and tied up. I have to admit it was very exciting even if it did look very dangerous and there were casualties. And it was not only hard on the men, the poor animals got their share of it too. Well, our boys did well and won one each. According to Mrs Barkley both men ran the family ranch so I guess they get plenty of training. I know that you now are all wondering what the eldest brother does, well he kindly informed me that he was a lawyer with a practice in both San Francisco and Stockton.

Jarrod felt a sting of envy as it seemed that he was a really dull person beside his little brothers but then he thought of his latest case and he decided that he’d rather take out the bulls in court than in the rodeo, he at least didn’t have to get all beaten up and it did pay better. A mental challenge was so much more rewarding in his mind.

When the rodeo was over Mrs Barkley kindly invited me and Berthold to a party the state governor was holding that evening. She knew this man personally and said he would be pleased to greet long travelling visitors. Needless to say we did accept and left for some rest before and to prepare us.

Since it was a private party I’ll keep it that way but I have to say that we were well taken care of. Mr Nicholas Barkley acted as our host and kept close by, seeing to it that we were having a good time. He was being the perfect gentleman and I almost thought I was back in New York or at the Royal Court in London. He saw to it that dear Berthold was a part of the discussions taking place, that he wasn’t left alone or without a cigar and whisky. He even introduced him to a gentleman that had worked as a banker and after that my husband was deeply involved in talk about money, stocks and what ever they do at a bank. As for myself the young man not only let me get a chance to interview him, he also was the perfect dance partner. I only have two regrets and they are that I don’t have a daughter to marry off to this man and since that isn’t possible, that I am way too old and married myself.

Now Nick as he prefers to call himself has run the ranch of 30 000 acres since his father’s death in 1872, only earlier this year was he joined by his brother Heath. Now Nicholas was very strict in telling me that the Barkley Holdings are owned by all family members and include mines, vineyards, orchards, cattle and property in Mexico. The only long period of time Nicholas has stayed away from his beloved San Joaquin Valley is when he did two years in the army fighting for the Northern side against slavery. He is a man with strong values if I’m to judge by the answers he gives on some of my questions. When I asked him about his interests beside the ranch he quickly answers that he does like to read, Alfred Tennyson is a favourite, a good poker game is never wrong nor is a cold beer. He loves horses and spends a lot of time with them and doesn’t see it as work. He enjoys spending time with his family and he and his brothers tend to go fishing or hunting when there is time over for them all. Now to his great honour I must say that it was very hard to get him to talk about these things at all, I gather he is a very private man.

The last day of the fair it turned out that all three brothers had promised, I guess with their Mother’s help, to judge the cake competition. I don’t think I have seen so many different cakes, not even in a very well sorted bakery, and I can grant you, the brothers didn’t have an easy situation. Afterwards the pieces of the cakes were sold so that we, the audience could get a chance to judge too. There was a Lemon Meringue Pie, a Vermont Apple Pie, a Pear Slump and Apple Blueberry Cobbler that were heavenly and I managed to get you all the recipes of these. A Chocolate Fudge Triple Layer Cake won. I even got that recipe for you.

Now it’s time to round up this trip that started three months ago in New York. My husband and I will tomorrow start the trip back but this time with no stops which means that we will be home for the September Ball. And when this old lady meets the young ladies that make their debut at the ball I think I shall have a young rancher in mind for one of them. Mr Nicholas Barkley brother, son, man, and rancher, a man with very many talents. And as I said before, Ladies, unmarried, good looking, perfect husband material. If interested drop me a note and I shall forward them to him.

Nick stood with his whiskey looking at Harry in confusion as one of the saloon girls came up to him with an copy of the October issue of Harpers Bazaar and placed it in front of him. In horror he looked at the magazine pages and the photos of him that covered them: him and Audra’s blue ribbon, at the shooting target, as he flew in the air at the rodeo, in his tuxedo and worst of all, when he was judging the cake competition. Not a picture of his brothers! and the subtitles under … A quick read got him shaking and when the girl gave him a pen to sign one of the pictures he fled the saloon only to bump into Mrs Stullman, who also held a copy.

THE END