The Wishing Star Read Online Free PDF

thoughts were full of the questions she was aching to ask. Ma said them for her. Gently her voice chided, “Now, Pa, be careful or the young’uns will think you’re encouraging them in the craft. Has it ever got you a thing?”
    Jenny watched the anger twist his face. The muscles on his neck knotted into ropes. But quickly before he could speak, Ma continued, “You know we weren’t raised that way. Good, God-fearing families we both came from. They say the Bible teaches against spells and such, against believin’ in the power.”
    Jenny’s jaw dropped. Never before had she heard Ma talk like that to her pa. Caught in astonishment, Jenny nearly lost Pa’s reply.
    Now he roared, “Woman, you don’t know what you’re a-sayin’! The craft’s been around longer than your black Book. If I haven’t succeeded, it’s ’cause you’re never willin’ to take chances, run a risk. This town’s too goody-goody. I tell you, I’m sick of it, and I intend to quit it!”
    Ma dropped her spoon and raised a troubled face. “Where’d we go?”
    He shrugged while she looked around the room lighted only by the glow of the fire. The trouble faded from her face and Jenny watched hope brighten her eyes. “If we moved to the city you’d get a job. Like in a factory. And there’d be good churches.” For a moment there was a question in her eyes. “If we could just get back in where there’s proper church, everything would be different. I hear tell of camp meetings, and I pine for . . .” her voice trailed to silence and she sighed.
    â€œI’m thinkin’ of west,” he muttered. “Farther west there’s a heap o’ land nearly for the takin’. And there ain’t no churches.” Jenny studied his face, wondering at the satisfaction in his voice.
    Jenny watched Nancy gracefully gather the dishes and stack them in the dishpan. Ma was speaking now, and Jenny knew it was talk from the store.
    â€œMrs. Taylor says Harper’s widder is recoverin’ right well. I guess I’d better get those dresses to her. Judgin’ from the looks of her, she’s gonna be a merry widder. Don’t know what’s goin’ on, but there’s talk she’s signed an agreement with some fellas and is in line to make a heap of money. Don’t sound moral to me.”
    Tom sputtered and choked. “Ma, ’tis business. She’s just a-carryin’ on a business deal her old man started.”
    Pa turned on Tom. “How come you know?”
    Tom opened his mouth, closed it, and shrugged. Ma was staring at him and Jenny watched the frown grow on her face, “There’s talk at the store about that new lad in town. If I heard right his name’s Joe. They say he’s bringin’ trouble,” Ma stated.
    Tom protested, “That’s no fair. ’Tis a busybody linkin’ him with Harper’s death.”
    â€œâ€™Tweren’t that, even though everybody knows they were in on the business deal together,” Ma answered. “It’s the talk about the diggin’ goin’ on. They’re sayin’ Stowell brung that young fella out here on some crazy notion he has about findin’ money by diggin’.”
    Tom jumped to his feet, knocking his stool aside. “He’s just a young’un. I can’t understand why people don’t accept him like they’d do another’s relation.”
    â€œHe’s nobody’s relation,” Nancy put in. “Besides, a fella that good-looking either has people pulling or pushing.” She dried a plate and put it on the table. Leaning across, she faced Tom. “Just like you,” she quipped. “How come you’re so hot for defending him?”
    There was no answer from Tom. Jenny watched him stare at his bowl. When she looked at her sister, Jenny saw the changing expression on