THE CHIPPEWA FALLS DAWSONS
Chapter Eight
Jack and Rose sat quietly on the bench seat.
Jack looked at what had been his father’s land. The house was a burned out
shell, from the fire that had killed his parents. The old barn, set far back
from the house, still stood, but showed the five years of neglect. The fields
were covered with weeds. It certainly was not a place to bring a family. But
Jack was determined to provide for Rose. Jack got down, and offered his hand to
help Rose. "I want to go take a look in the house." Rose nodded. She
was trying to picture what this place had looked like before Jack left. She
walked behind Jack, and up onto the porch with him. "Stay here. I don’t
know how strong the floors will be."
Jack entered the house through the front
door, which was just an empty shell. He looked up and saw that the whole second
story was gone. If I hadn’t been staying up drawing in the study…Jack
thought. The study was where he was heading now. There sat his father’s old
desk. Jack noticed that it was only slightly damaged. He opened the drawers.
Empty. He took out the last one on the bottom, and reached inside the space
left behind. He felt around in the back, and found the envelope he was looking
for. He took it out, and went back to join Rose.
"I found it."
"What did you find, Jack?"
"The deed to the land, and my father’s
will, leaving the place to me."
"What does this mean, Jack? You’ve owned
this land the whole time?"
"Yep. But I couldn’t bear to stay. I
told you that."
"Then we can live here."
"As soon as we can rebuild the house,
and the other buildings. Then we can tackle the fields next year. I want to
find out why Michael wanted me to see the place first. By the time we get back
there it will be time for dinner."
*****
Jack and Rose waited outside the door to the
main house. He knocked, and saw the strange woman come and answer the door.
"I don’t think I know you, ma’am. I’m Jack, and this is Rose."
"My name is Katrina. I’m Thomas’ wife.
Come in, Mr. Dawson."
Katrina led then into the dining room.
Everyone was already sitting, waiting for their guests. Jack and Rose sat in
the seats that were empty, and Katrina went into the kitchen to help bring in
the food. "Well, Jack, what did you think?" Michael asked.
"It’s a bit rundown, but I think we can
fix it up. The land doesn’t look too bad, although…"
"I hate to interrupt, Jack, but a lot
has gone on since you left."
"Tell me." Jack did not like the
look in his friend’s eyes.
Michael waited until the food was served, and
then began his story. "Three years after you left, Mr. Doyle--you remember
him? He owns the farm on the other side of yours. He went to the bank to buy
your land. When he found out that the land was all paid for, no mortgages, he
was surprised. The bank told him that you held title to the land. Since no one
had even heard from you in three years, he wanted you declared dead. Then he
could buy the land. He thought he had the perfect plan. He was going to pay the
judge to waive the seven-year wait, and then buy your land. My father found out
about it, and challenged him. The judge had no choice but to declare that the
seven years had to pass, but he was able to stipulate that you have the deed
and the will, or the bank would have to sell your land, and you’d have no say.
Mr. Doyle has spent the last two years looking for you. I’m sure he was
planning on having you killed. He also has been searching the house and grounds
for the deed or will."
"Do you know where it is?" Mr.
Leary asked.
"Yes," Jack said. He was amazed by
the story he had heard. "But why did Mr. Riley say your family no longer
comes to town?"
Jack looked at each Leary, and saw that none
of them wanted to answer him. He let his eyes settle on Mr. Leary. Mr. Leary
saw, and stuffed a roll in his mouth. "You men," Mrs. Riley started.
"The town folk are mostly on Doyle’s side. Only we stepped in to defend
you. Most of them think that since you left, you lost your rights to the land.
They shun us, now."
Jack thought about what that meant to this
family, and about their loyalty. Not only to him, but also to his parents. He
was filled with warm feelings. "Thank you. It means a lot to me."
"Tomorrow you need to go to the bank,
and show them the documents. Then that damn judge will have to drop the
proceedings and let you have your land."
"Now that dinner’s done, I think it’s
time to show you two your rooms," Mrs. Leary said.
Jack and Rose were given separate rooms, and
they lay down on their beds. It would be the first time they had slept apart
since Titanic.