An Appalachian Story

Chapter 2

On a cold Sunday morning, a bit after sunrise, Mary, Hannah and Albert went out in the woods to collect additional cedar branches so they could decorate the cabin for a church meal the Maxfields held once a month for the parishioners of their small village church, which was also used as a schoolhouse when school was in session. December had already progressed into the 21st day, Winter Solstice and the shortest day of the year. The sky was pure white with big patches of grey to the West of the cabin, which could only mean one thing weather-wise: snow. Bitter cold had arrived earlier that week and appeared to be sticking around for the long haul as the wind blew the tall, bare trees to and fro.

"There's some fallen branches right ahead, Al. Won't you run and round those up for mama, want to?" Mary instructed her youngest as they walked carefully, trying to stay upright against the forceful wind; the mother, clad in a pair of snow boots Frank bought her several years ago, after a particularly good year of hog selling. She looked like Mama Bear, leading her pack of cubs, as was expected of the robust matriarch.

"Here you go, Mama, fresh branches for the table," shouted a proud Albert as he hurried down a hill towards his mother and sister, hands full of fragrant greenery that would soon adorn the walls and fireplace hearth.

"We'll be able to put these at the center of the harvest table, so it can look good for the dinner, too. I think they'll look right nice lyin' long ways down on it, don't you, mama?" questioned Hannah, hoping Mary would like her decorating idea.

"I agree, Hannah. Them will look right nice and smell good, too. We need to make the dinner a bit more festive today since it's so close to Christmastime," Mary replied as she walked a few steps ahead of her two children, extending her arms up to the heavens in gratitude for not merely another day above the ground, but for all of the blessings which have been bestowed upon her family by the Almighty that year.

"Whatcha doin', mama? You look like you're at the church house, a-standin' there like that. I thought we was going to church later this morning," asked Albert, inquisitively.

"Oh, Albert, I'm just thankin' the good Lord for another beautiful day and this bountiful land that's made all our food this year. And, I'm thanking Him for all of our family bein' healthy and that we have a roof over our heads, and a fire to keep us all warm on these blistery days and nights, which I don't think are going anywhere anytime soon," Mary replied, wrapping her dark wool shawl around her body as a strong gust arose. She raised it up to cover her head, brown strands of hair coming unpinned from a low-neck chignon and getting tousled by the wind.

Albert watched his mother in amazement as she recounted all the things for which she was thankful at that very moment. Mary looked at Albert's wide eyes and swept his dark blonde bangs to the side with her hand, as she began to speak again, "but, mostly, I'm thankful to the Lord for workin' through me and showin' me how to take care of you when you're the sickest. I'm thankful He's led me to use the herbs that grow right here in the woods and in our healing garden to help you with your breathin' problems."

Tears began to well up in Mary's eyes as she spoke of such personal things to her youngest child, "but we better go back and find your sister now. My, it's getting mighty windy out here. We need to be a-headin' back to the house so we can start getting ready for church and set out the dishes so they're ready when everyone comes over later."

***

Frank was sitting at the kitchen table when Joseph walked into the house, finished helping Sam Mulroney inspect one of his boardinghouses in town. The men would not usually work on a Sunday, but they had to make a quick check on some recently vacated rooms of a townhouse on Pearl Street. Even though his main objective was helping Frank on the farm, during the winter months, Joseph took on the extra job of working for Mulroney at the age of 15, when he was deemed old enough to ride a horse alone from the Maxfield cabin to town. During cold spurts, Frank was able to take care of the livestock himself and did not venture out to the planting field he owned half a mile away from the homestead. Since Joseph had finished his schooling at the age of 14, as the 7th grade was the highest the loud school, a nickname given to the place by the locals because all 7 grades were housed in one room, his parents determined him a responsible adult, capable of keeping himself safe.