|
Jul. 8, 2009
Stories!
Here is the stories of the winners of my story contest! Enjoy, and thanks again to the girls that entered!
You can click on who it is by, to see who wrote them - if you don't know them already!
--By Blue:jane!--
An old work horse ambled across a field over grown with cheat grass and thistles. He had been munching on some of the soft shoots of grass he could find underneath the weeds when he heard his girls voice. He had grown to love that voice more then any other, it provided food, and water, love and attention.
When he reached the fence she was waiting there. Her light cotton dress that would normally reach to right below her knees was blowing easily in the wind. Her bare legs were bright against the sun and lead down to two bare feet, toes wiggling in the dirt.
"Oh Ransom, today has been the worst of days." She reached up and fed him the carrot slice she held in her hand, then leaned her head on his shoulder. When she started to cry he didn't move, but stood solid and firm for his little girl.
Several minutes passed before she lifted her head, whipped her eyes free of the moisture, and patted him. "Good boy, I feel better already."
Smoothing out some of the many wrinkles on her dress she turned and headed back for the small log cabin not far from the field.
Ransom watched her until she opened the door and entered the cabin before turning and heading back to the grass patch he had been snacking on. He sighed as he settled back to his grazing. Another days work done.
Spring, the time that is my favorite season. But this spring I had to do something that I have never done before and it would change my life forever. My name is Charger and this is the story of my trip to the california mines, during the time of the California Gold Rush.
The Gold Rush was all I heard of for the one hundrenth time. Today was the last day to pack and all that was left in the house were the pots and pans for cooking, the mats on the floor for everyones make shift bed, and a little food that my family would use for breakfast. The night before everyone had slept in there traviling clothes and I was left in the stable to be quickley harnesed up for the long journey ahead the next day. Well now was the day that I would leavce behind all that I knew and if it was hard on the family it was harder on me, this was because all the horses were counting on me to give them the news about what has been happening in the town. I learn a lot because Jim, my master, is one of the leading farmer and he gets to go places and learn new things all the time ; so naturely he rides me and I get news from some horses that have been on the trail all the way from california or oregon.
We set out at four in the morning and all the family was there to wish us well and to say their goodbyes, when suddenly uncle todd and his family said that they were going along with us. Of course miss julie My masters wife was asking if they were ready and if they really meant it. They said that they did mean it and have been planning on surprising us for a long time. I was so excited because mary my sister who had been sold to uncle todd when she was a colt would be coming along for the trip to california.
As we set out on the trail the days were long and hot and our masters had to get two more horses to help us. They knew this at the beginning but all the good horses had been taken months ago at the livery stable in St. Louis. I didn't like the new horse that I had to work with she was grouchy and made me do most of the work. She also ate almost all our food at night and always snorted at me when I tried to ask for a little more help on pulling the wagon. Most of the time I would see little mary or peter walking along side their mother picking up stick and wood for the evening fire if they were not playing nearby in the tall grass. I was content apart from having to pull the heavy load almost all by myself, then the sickness came. Cholera swepted into camp and many people died within days of the sickness. Even some of the animals died including my partner, this I thought was far worse than pulling most of the load now I would have to pul all the load until we got another good horse.
My little sister died along with her horse that she was pulling with. Uncle todd went to get another persons horses. All the family had died and the woman had said that when she dies that anyone can take the children ( There are inly good family people in our wagon train ) and to take whatever we needed. Sad to say but the children died an hour after the mom. No one knew that they were sick and it struck quite suddenly. We buried them and set out again. Now Uncle todd is giving one of the horses to us every other day so that I won't get so tired and he is very good company and pulls his own load, unlike the other one I had to work with, and we are one day away from california.
We have come to the boarder line of Nevada and California the line is where a steep cliff is and we will have to use the chains to get down. My only hope is that I will not get crushed by the wagon on the way down. This time I get to work with the other horse that uncle todd owns and he is also nice. He is the strongest so he will be able to handle both the loads, I passed safe and sound with him and all is well in another day or two we will be in Sacramento. We rested that night and all was well we will arrive in Sacramento tomorrow and most of my work will be done. I can only thank the Lord that all of us are safe and sound here and soon will be starting a new life. And so my story ends the life of me, the journey into the unknown.
15 year old Karen Wagner sat silently by the fire gazing moodily over the expanse of the prairie. She was sick of the endless journey to the new home out in the west. She looked at her hands and sighed. They were hopelessly covered with soot from the fire. Being too tired and cold to move from the blaze, she just had to hope that she wouldn’t become too dirty. She missed the cleanliness that had presided in her old home.
Turning to her father she said, “Papa, will we ever get to our new home?”
“Be patient, me gel,” he said slowly. “We should be getting there soon.”
“Papa, why did we have to leave home?”
He knelt beside her and looked directly into her eyes. “Listen Karen, I need you to try to understand. When your Mama died I just couldn’t stay there. It was too hard.”
Karen could see that he was trying to help her but she was feeling angry and rebellious. “I still don’t see why you had to drag me and the baby out to this place. And why do you have to start a horse ranch? I hate horses! All I do all day long is cook and look at those horrid animals.”
Pain entered her father’s eyes and he said, “Karen, go to bed, please. You need your strength for tomorrow.”
Karen rose from her seat and left without saying goodnight.
The next morning Karen awoke to the sound of her baby sister screaming. She rose wearily and proceeded to begin the duties of the day. After feeding the baby she put her back to sleep and went out to cook breakfast.
Suddenly she heard her father call her. “Karen, could you come here for a moment. I want to show you something.”
His voice was accompanied by a soft whinny that made Karen roll her eyes. “He probably wants to show me some new horse or something. I don’t understand why he likes those things.”
She walked toward the herd and halted abruptly when she saw her father. He was holding a halter rope and it was attached to the most beautiful mare that Karen had ever seen. Karen caught her breath as she took in the sight, admiring the golden coat and the long cream mane.
Karen drew closer and reached out to touch the horse. But, frightened by the sudden movement, it drew away quickly.
“I just bought her this morning,” her father said quietly. “The man I bought her from was abusing her. She is very skittish.”
Karen nodded and slowly moved her hand up towards the horse’s head, while calmly talking to her, like she had seen her father do. The horse allowed Karen to touch her neck and Karen slowly moved up towards her head, still sweet-talking her.
The horse relaxed and leaned her head down close to Karen’s face. Karen laughed happily and ran her hands across the velvety nose.
“Her name is Sunshine,” Karen said decidedly.
“She is yours,” Karen’s father said.
Karen turned to him. “Oh, papa,” she said. She ran and threw herself into his arms. “Papa, I have been so horrid lately. Please forgive me.”
“Yes, sweetheart. I forgive you. I think that you had better go ba-.” Suddenly he stopped and his eyes grew wide.
“Karen,” he exclaimed. “There it is! The stream that marks the beginning of our property. We are home, Karen!”
Karen smiled at him as he knelt down beside the water. He turned back to look at her, “You know, Karen, you chose the right name for that horse. Sunshine is what I got in my heart.”
“Mine too,” Karen replied, smiling through her tears of joy.
|
| •
Post A Comment! •
Send to a Friend!
|
Comments
|
|
|
|
About Me
Hi my name is Sarah. I am 16 years old and love horses. I don't have any horses but like to study and ride them! All of the entries on my blog are things I have read in books or magazines. I hope you enjoy all the information!
I have also published a book during the 2009 school year, "Skylark." Here is the blog to see more about it!
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Skylark/
|
|
