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.
The family was gathered
after a Sunday dinner in the living room. The three brothers were reading while
Victoria was sewing on a table cloth that she was going to send to Audra for
Christmas. The French doors were open so the sounds of birds were heard as the
wind moving the leaves and branches in the trees. Both Heath and Jarrod were
deeply into their books when Nick suddenly threw The Stockton Eagle a side and
stood up.
“Can’t believe that
people put in these things and that same people are probably going to be mad
enough to answer.” Not really knowing
why he stood up he hesitated before walking up to the liquid cart. As he stood
there looking over the bottles he felt that he really didn’t want any drink. He
sighed.
“What on earth are you
talking about Nick?” Victoria looked up from her sewing, cut the thread and
started to choose another in the basket.
“People who write to
mail order brides. Nobody in their right mind can do such a thing.”
“Well, I don’t know.”
Heath put the bookmark into the book and carefully touched Jarrod. The two
brothers shared a look behind Nick’s back and smiled. “I guess they are just lonely people and tried everything else.
How come you read them?”
“Because I have read
everything else in the paper.” Nick strode back to the arm chair and picked up
the paper from the floor. “Listen to this: ‘50 year old widow with 5 children
under 10 need help from a suitable woman. Must be used to farm work’ or ‘35
year young woman who is tired of saloons and bars. Can keep a house neat and
tide, can handle money’. Now why the paper doesn’t just send the girl’s address
to the man and everything would be solved and we didn’t need to read it.” He
held the paper with his left hand hitting it with his right. “and there are
plenty more …” He was about to continue when Victoria, without knowing it
helped Jarrod and Heath in their game, stood up and took the paper and started
to read.
“Calm down Nick. It
might be a way to meet someone if you have tried everything else. And you know
what kind of men goes to salons and bars. She might just want a decent man. And
I can understand that are you left with 5 young children you will need help if
you are a man.” She read through the column quickly. “Now Nick, I don’t think
this one sounds bad: Seeking a writing friend. I’m a school teacher in Salina,
Kansas whose pupils have got pen friends all over our country in purpose to
learn more about our beautiful country and its people. Now they seem to think that
their teacher also has to participate. Since California is still an empty spot
on our map I hope someone from this state would like to write to me.” At this
moment Victoria looked up and saw the exchange of looks between the two
brothers and she understood that something was up.
“They don’t even put
their name and addresses under.” Nick was not to admit that the last one didn’t
sound as weird as some of the others.
“I think that is to
protect who ever it is. It says here that you shall send in your answer to the
paper and mark it with what says under the ad.”
“Mother let me see the
one you read. Now she does sound nice.” Heath walked up to his mother to get
the paper. Letting his finger run over the ads he searched until he found what
he was looking. “Don’t sound bad at all.” He took the paper and walked over to
the desk, pretending to look for pen and paper.
“She can be anything
between 18 and 100. Surly you wouldn’t write Heath?” Nick looked at his brother
with disbelief.
“Why not? It’s for a
good thing. Apparently they are using the letters to learn about our country.
Who knows it might be pretty fun telling the children in Kansas about ranch
work and Stockton and perhaps I will learn a thing or two also about Kansas.”
“Perhaps I should write
a few lines too, telling them about a lawyer’s hard work so that they realize
that there are other things than just cows and crops in the world. Perhaps even
tempt them with San Francisco.” Jarrod walked over to a table and got a piece
of paper that was laying there.
“Well, boys I do think
that is a great idea no matter how old the teacher is. Beside I don’t think she
can be 100, the teaching way sound to modern. And writing letters will …”
Victoria didn’t get any further before Nick ripped the paper from Heath and
left the room mumbling.
“You are all out of your
mind“
“HEY, I hadn’t finished
writing down what the paper needs.” Heath flung out his arms but as soon as
Nick was up the stairs and they heard him slam his door they burst out in
laughter.
“All right you two. What
was all that about?” Victoria took a stern look at the two brothers who stood
by the desk.
“Sorry Mother, but it’s
so fun teasing Nick, he falls for it every time.”
“Well, I should be
ashamed of myself too for joining in. But what if Nick thinks you do it and ….
No, that won’t happen, Nick would never write voluntarily and to a teacher.”
“Nah Mother, he thinks
we are nuts and you heard what he thinks about these ads.”
Later that evening Nick
picked up the newspaper again and read the lines from the school teacher.
‘Perhaps he should write and as Heath had said it was for a good course but to
a teacher …’ He walked around his room, making stops now and then, stroking his
cheek while thinking of what to do. He knew his brothers had had some fun on
his account, it wasn’t the first time and he was sure it wasn’t the last time
either but perhaps he should join in and play in their game. Grinning he went
over to his desk and found some paper.
Part two
Dear teacher in Salina,
My name is Nick Barkley and I’m a rancher in
Stockton, California. If it would do any good I can write to you.
Sincerely,
Nick Barkley
Fanny Stonewell opened
the short note, the very short note. As she got really puzzled over the non
contents she put it aside. For a few days it lay on her desk before she decided
to give it a try thinking that perhaps he was just shy and didn’t know how to
start writing a letter.
29 September 1880
Dear Mr Barkley,
I would love to know what a rancher in Stockton,
California does but first let me tell you something about myself. Perhaps that
will make it easier for you to write.
My name is Fanny Stonewell. I have worked as a
teacher for about ten years but in Salina just since the semester started. Well
the school isn’t in Salina; it’s out on the prairie, I teach children from six
years and up until they are sixteen, all in the same classroom. There are only
15 and they come from four families. I moved here from Baltimore. The writing
letter lessons started when my old class in Baltimore wanted to know about the
children I was teaching now. Some friends of mine, also teachers, liked the
idea and now we are covering seven states. The children have now put little ads
in both Girl’s Own Paper and Boy’s Own Paper and we are now all waiting for the
replies.
I’m looking forward to hear more from you.
Sincerely
Fanny
Nick read the letter
over and over. He couldn’t understand how a well educated, as it seemed, woman
would want to leave a big city like Baltimore for the prairie. He thought of
what he should write to Miss Stonewell when he was riding home after a check of
the barley fields. Surly she wouldn’t want to know about that, or would she?
12 October 1880
Dear Miss Stonewell,
I was surprised to read that you came from
Baltimore. How do you find Kansas open fields? It sounds like an interesting
way to teach English as well as spelling. If my own teacher had done so,
perhaps I would have enjoyed these lessons a little more as it is now I
couldn’t wait to finish school and start to work with my father on the ranch.
Today I work along side my younger brother while our older brother is a lawyer.
I’m not sure of what to tell you about what I do so what do you want to know?
Sincerely
Nick B
24 October 1880
Dear Mr Barkley,
I assure you I would like to know anything. Is a
ranch like a larger farm? You are right in thinking that I’m a town girl
because I am. That is also why I decided that for one year I would give this a
chance. It’s an experience I don’t want to be without, yet that is. The
children have started to prepare me for the winter storms that yet have to
come. I’m not sure what they mean sometimes but they sure do know how to scare
me.
It must be fun working with your siblings. I have
two brothers that went into shipping with our father and I have always been
jealous of them.
Please tell me more about Stockton. Is it a town or
just a village? I’m afraid that the knowledge about these parts of our large
country is very small by the east coast.
Sincerely
Fanny
Victoria got the letter
in her hand by the post office man when she had been in town seeing her
dressmaker. On the way home she wondered about who it could be. She had noticed
that Nick at least once before had received a letter that he quickly had hidden
from everybody. Arriving at the ranch she wondered if she should place it on
the table in the foyer or on the table beside his bed. She looked at it once
more, noting the female handwriting and walked up the stairs.
7 November 1880
Dear Fanny,
First while I remember, I’ll be out of town for the
next four weeks. We are going on a cattle drive down to San Bernardino. I don’t
know if I have told you that we breed long horned cattle, the finest stock in
the whole of California if I may say so. We have 1000 steers to drive down so
it will be my brother and I and six of our hands on this trip. Please don’t let
that stop you from writing.
A ranch I think is the same thing as a farm. We are
just larger and have more stock I believe. Haven’t thought about the difference
until you asked.
Beside my two brothers I have two more siblings;
Audra and Eugene. Gene is studying to be doctor or a lawyer, Audra works a lot
with Stockton’s Orphanage. We all live at the house, well, Jarrod also has an
apartment in San Francisco and Eugene study’s at Berkeley but beside that.
Mother lives with us and we have Silas who looks after us all. The ranch is
about a twenty minute ride from Stockton, which is a larger town.
Please do tell more about yourself and excuse my
bad manners for asking you to do so.
Sincerely
Nick
~
22 November
1880
Dear Nick,
I hope this
letter will be waiting for you when you return from what I hope is a successful
trip. Please tell me more about a cattle drive, it sounds so fun. I get a
picture of campfires and riding, like a picnic day but harder. I guess it’s the
town girl in me.
What shall I
tell you about me? I’m the youngest of three. My family has always been in
shipping. Father wasn’t happy about me starting to work as a teacher since
girls should get married and have a family. I was engaged to get married but he
was killed during the war and after that I started as a teacher in a girls’
school in Baltimore. After ten years there I really needed a challenge and I
saw a notice that the school board in Salina were looking for a teacher for a
small prairie school.
I’m 30 years
old, enjoy embroidery, read and paint with watercolours when there is time, I
like to cook and bake, I love sunsets and sunrises over the open fields and the
smell of salty seas, I think you would find me taking part rather than stand by
and watch, I enjoy walking in the surroundings here and the parks in Baltimore,
like to watch the nature around us.
I have five
nieces and four nephews, (Don’t tell my brothers but I take every chance I can
to spoil them). If there is anything I miss from Baltimore it’s them. I guess
the children are a substitute for not having any of my own. I’m sorry for being
so personal today.
Sincerely
Fanny
~
by the
campfire 23 November 1880
Dear Fanny,
Yes, even the
boss has to stay up and keep watch but I must say I don’t mind. I love this
life and wouldn’t change it for anything. And being the only one awake gives me
a chance to write you a few lines.
Everything
has gone much better than we thought and the cattle have moved at good speed.
It looks as if we will reach San Bernardino in just a few days from today. Then
after we have got paid, rested and cleaned up we’ll turn home again.
I asked you
to tell me about yourself but I didn’t write anything about me so here comes:
I have told
you that I have four siblings. Father died about eight years ago and I took
over the ranch.
I enjoy a
good book occasionally; Alfred Tennyson is a favourite author of mine. I don’t
mind a cold beer in a saloon or a drink with my brothers, a quiet moment with
my fishing rod or a hunting trip in the forest.
Well, getting
time to get some sleep. Hope to hear from you when I get home.
Nick
Nick
carefully folded the piece of paper and put it away into his saddle bag before
waking Sam who took over the watch. He was looking forward to get into San
Bernardino remembering what happened last time he was there. Hopefully the
saloon girls were still there for the cowboys.
A few
days later they drove into the pasture with the cows. As Nick sent his men into
town to find themselves somewhere to get cleaned and have fun he finished off
the deal with the buyer. Heath waited with the horses.
"Boy
Howdy, he paid good money for the steers."
"Yep,
but then they’re good steers too."
"Off
to the hotel and then a cold beer?"
"You
go ahead, I’ll send a wire to Jarrod and wire the money. I’ll catch up with
you."
"Ok,
see you later, don’t keep the beer waiting." Nick touched the tip of his
hat and turned Coco towards the bank and then the telegraph. When that was done
he went over to the store and got himself a stamp and envelope. First when he
had posted he went to the hotel and the bath.
Later
that evening he was studying the girls. The place was busy but that didn’t keep
two of the girls from flirting with him. He remembered them from last year and
they certainly remembered him.
"Well,
cowboy, want some fun?" Nick looked at them and smiled.
"Perhaps,
perhaps not. It depends on what the house has to offer."
3 December
1880
Dear Fanny,
Finally home
again. And a lot of work waiting. Some of the men spotted some wild horses not
too far from here, a stallion with ten mares so tomorrow it’s back into the
saddle. If the stallion is just a little of what they are saying he will be a
good addition to our breeding stock. Just pray it doesn’t rain.
I also have a
small harvesting to do. A few years ago I planted some nut trees and as it
looked today I might just get enough for Christmas. Not bad since Jarrod didn’t
believe in my trees at all. Think I should let him try? Perhaps you and your
pupils might want some. Should be able to send nuts with the post.
I don’t mind
you being personal, I kind of like it. And I guess I got more curious about who
you are. I was very sorry to hear about your fiancé. I was in the war myself
.It wasn’t a nice place to be in and yet I don’t want to be without the
experience.
Now to
today’s lesson:
Stockton: a
town that lay east of the San Joaquin river at the north you will find the
Mokelumne and Calaveras Rivers and south the Stanislaus River. Stanislaus runs
through our property. Not far from here is the Sierra Nevada.
Now the
pleasure of cattle drive: yes we have campfires but that’s the end of the
picnic I would say. We rise with the sun and close the day as the sun turns in.
Between there it’s the horse and the cattle that matters. Without a good horse
you have nothing to do on a drive. It’s dusty, dirty and rough but yes, I love
it. We do about four – five larger drives every year, a few smaller in between
and then there is our trips buying up stock, round ups around the ranch. It’s a
man’s place and job.
Yours truly,
Nick
~
15 December
1880
Dear Fanny,
I haven’t
heard anything from you for a while. I read in the paper that Kansas has had
some hard snow storms but it never said where. Hope you are alright.
Nick
~
24 December
1880
Oh Nick,
I have been
through the worst experience in my whole life. The children and I got snowed in
at school. We couldn’t get out for nearly a week. Luckily for us we were
talking about different things to grow and what you can do with them so the
children had brought potatoes, carrots etc with them. We had also baked in
class. It was worse with firewood and we ended up burning up a couple of the
desks just so we could keep warm, and still we had to wear everything we had
and sit around close together. When the children’s parents had managed to dig
out themselves a few of them went for the school and we could be rescued. I
never want to see any snow again.
To add to
everything they came from the school board today for the annual check up and
they were not happy about the desks. In fact I’ll have to pay for them! They
had rather that the children had frozen, perhaps not even survived just so the
desks had been saved. Needless to say I didn’t come out my best during the
inspection and I doubt very much that I’ll be allowed to stay for much longer.
I’m sorry Nick; I just had to tell somebody about this.
Your nuts
were a success among the children. Good thing you had written what they were
because I had never seen nuts in their shell. I think we found the pistachios
best but we agreed that almonds and walnuts are more useful. Thank you again.
It was a lovely gift.
Did you catch
that horse or is he still running the fields with his ladies?
Your,
Fanny
Nick
had for days walked around getting more and more quiet which was very unusual
considering that the Christmas festivities were starting. He went to what the
family was invited to, but said no to everything else. His brothers were
teasing him as usual thinking he met a girl in San Bernardino. Victoria mused
over the situation noticing that he closely read the newspapers and the weather
reports. Finally she pinned him down one day when they were alone in the house.
"Nick,
why are you worried?"
"Worried
Mother?" Nick tried to look very at ease, failing miserably.
"Yes,
worried. You are walking around like a shadow of yourself, hardly saying
anything to anyone; frankly you only speak when you are spoken too. Who is she,
Nick?"
"She?"
"Nicholas,
I have noticed that you during the autumn have received several letters written
by a female and I have also noticed that you have been writing too. I don’t
think your brothers have done so and I have wanted you to tell us. Who is she?
Is it the teacher?" Nick looked at his Mother with a shy look in his eyes.
He tried to avoid eye contact as he nodded. "Oh, how lovely, why don’t you
tell me more?"
"Mother
I haven’t heard anything for a long time and there have been some bad snowstorms
and I just don’t know what to do. I feel so helpless." Victoria walked up
to him and put her hand on his cheek and smiled at him.
"I
have read the papers too. Just wait another month. I’m sure that she has
written, you just haven’t got it yet. I don’t think you can do anything right
now, Son but perhaps keep on writing to her. She’ll get them when the roads can
be used again." She reached up, kissed him and left him standing in his
room. Nick walked over to his desk, sat down and pulled out a piece of paper.
24 December
1880
Dearest
Fanny,
Tomorrow it’s
Christmas and I hope you are Ok. I keep on reading about the storms and snow in
your area and up in the mountains. I hope you are all right.
I told Mother
today that I was writing to you, well, that is not entirely the truth. She had
already guessed it from seeing the letters from you.
Your,
Nick
~
15 January
1881
My dearest
Fanny,
What a relief
to get your letter and what horror to read about you and the children. I wish I
could have been there to dig you out earlier. I’m sure everything went well
with the board, how could they refuse someone who did everything right and kept
the children alive. I’m sure they will realize this when the shock of seeing
the burned desks has calmed. What have the parents said? I’m sure they think
you did the right thing, I do.
About the
stallion, he is still running free to my great frustration. Right now it’s a
bit too muddy for a good chase but just wait until it has dried up a bit, then
he is mine. A couple of his mares didn’t look bad either.
Pleased the
kids liked the nuts. Jarrod has agreed that it was a good idea to plant the
trees and I have decided to plant more. I might not have many more pistachios
as I don’t think they will sell very well. Mother came today and asked if we
couldn’t plant a few cherry trees too. I must be getting soft because I
promised her I would. This ranch is turning out to be a fruit garden.
Now, Fanny, I
hope to hear from you very soon. You have a few letters of catching up.
Your
Nick
~
16 January
1881
Dearest Nick,
I got a note
from the school board today. I can only teach the children to Easter, then it’s
finished. I'll have to tell them tomorrow. A couple of the parents are still
angry with me for the desks, meaning I could have killed the children by
causing a fire.
Your
Fanny
~
29 January
1881
My dearest
Nick,
I’m sorry for
not writing to you sooner. Everything has been a mess here the past weeks so to
come home to your letters today was a joy. You really know how to cheer me up.
I think your
Mother is right. Of cause you need a few cherry trees. They are so beautiful
when they blossom. My grandparents had a garden filled with fruit trees and
when spring came it was the world’s most beautiful place. Besides all the
wonderful colours, there was the scent from the flowers. I wish I could send
you some of that.
I have
decided that I shall write to my former school in Baltimore. Perhaps I can have
my old work back. Frankly I don’t know what else to do. I got a letter from my
father telling me that he wasn’t going to help me. If I have been so stupid and
done something so badly that they fired me I would have to sort things out for
myself . I have found myself even longing to go shopping, if it’s just in a
food store. The store here is out of stock of most things and don’t expect to
get anything in for sometime. Luckily I’m not running out of material so that I
can keep sewing in the evening. The store did have a wonderful cloth that I got
even if I’m not very talented when it comes to dressmaking.
Your
Fanny
PS be careful
when you are chasing the stallion. DS
~
14 February
1881
My dearest
Fanny,
I talked to
Mother as soon as I read your letter, which was nice to come home to. She
agrees with me in this, in fact I think she is writing to you too about it.
Hope you don’t mind that I gave her your address.
Fanny, I want
you to come to Stockton. This so that we can get to know each other in person.
You have become an important part on my life since we started to write and your
letters are very precious. I think I understood how I felt when I didn’t hear
from you in such long time. Just let me know which train you are coming on.
Your rancher,
Nick
P.S: sorry my
dear, I almost forgot. Thank you for the beautiful painting and photo that came
today. D.S,
~
14 February
1881
Miss
Stonewell ,
My name is
Victoria Barkley and I’m Nick’s Mother. He told me about what had happened
during the winter storms and I must tell you, you did the right thing and what
I would have done too. I know he is writing to invite you here and I would like
to add to that invitation.
You are very
welcome and I’ll have a guest room ready the day you come. If it would make
things easier I could write to your parents too, assuring them of Nick’s
honourable attentions.
Sincerely
Victoria
Barkley
~
10 March 1881
Mrs Barkley,
I thank you
for your invitation and look forward to seeing you in April.
Sincerely,
Fanny
Stonewell
~
10 March 1881
Dearest
Sweetheart,
Thank you for
the lovely gifts. You truly do spoil me. I have written to your Mother and to
my own parents. I end my work here 12 April and I checked the trains right away
after I got your letter. There is a train leaving Denver the 20th
and I have talked to one of the parents. He will give me a lift into Salina so
from there I can get a coach to Denver. If everything works out well, my dear,
I’ll be in Stockton around the 23rd. I’ll send you a wire just
before I step up on that train.
I feel I have
so much to do and so little time.
Yours for
ever
Fanny
~
26 March 1881
Beloved
Fanny,
I count the
days until you come. Your room is ready.
Your Nick.
25th March, Stockton Railway Station
Nick
paced the platform since the train was late. He had been there yesterday just
to find out that it was over twenty four hours late. It should according to the
staff at the railway have come in about an hour before. He thought about going
to the saloon but it would mean that he might miss the train so he continued
his walk up and down the platform. Suddenly he heard a sound, a sound that
sounded like a whistle and it was coming from the right direction. He stopped,
peering towards the horizon and there, there he could see the steam of the
engine. He felt like he could take the whole world into his arms.
One
by one the passengers emerged from the train wagons. He stood searching for
someone in a red wool coat and bonnet hoping she hadn’t decided to suddenly
change on the train. Her wire from Denver was still in his vest pocket. As the
last person to get off, followed by the conductor was the woman he was waiting
for. With a smile he pushed himself towards her and lifted her up in the air.
Her arms flung around his neck for safety before he set her down gently. A
smile, a stroke on the cheek and he helped the conductor with her belongings. A
couple of boys came running hoping to earn a bit or two and he let them carry
everything to the wagon he had waiting. As he helped her up in the wagon, he
kissed her hand softly.
Jarrod
and Heath sat in the living room, waiting for dinner with their drinks close
by. As Victoria walked in they both rose and kissed her.
"Mother,
have you seen Nick? He and I were supposed to go over some papers today but he
had left a note for me that it had to wait until tomorrow and Heath says he had
been gone this afternoon."
"Nick
is meeting someone at the station. The train has been delayed so I guess he
stayed there waiting instead of travelling back and forth." Victoria took
the glass of sherry that Heath brought her. "Thank you, dear."
"That
explains why you got the corner room ready for a guest. Someone special? Anyone
we know?"
"Oh,
she is special. More than that I will not say." She heard the front door
open and quickly rose to greet them coming through the door. Nick showed a very
beautiful young woman in. Her eyes were shining towards him as he smiled warmly
towards her. Victoria could almost hear her other two son’s breath behind her
as they were taken by the natural beauty of the woman.
"Well,
brother Nick. Don’t you think you should prepare us before you bring home such
a lovely lady?" Jarrod had put his glass down and followed Victoria with
Heath close behind. Nick smiled even more broadly.
"Fanny,
let me introduce you to my family. Mother, Jarrod and Heath. I want you to meet
a very special teacher from Salina, Kansas.”