Yankee Mail Order Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

to influence you so I won’t tell you what I think. Would you read the letter and give me your opinion? Do I wait, to see what, if other responses come in or do I respond to this one.” He handed the letter to the doctor.
     
    The doctor took the letter, and sat in his squeaky office chair. He opened a drawer in the desk and propped his feet up. He read the letter, then put it on the desk. He glanced at Josiah with a questioning look, picked up the letter and read it again. Once more, he laid it on the desk. “I like this girl. Her letter has a ring of truth to it and she mentions Mrs Barnhurst is with her, so undoubtedly she had input to the content. This girl is ready to give up known security for the unknown, rather than marry some old fart She has enough propriety not to speak badly of the intended other than comment on his age.”
     
    “I picked up on that, Doc. What about Rebecca? She doesn’t mention any experience with children and I did specifically say I had a small child,” said Josiah.
     
    “She did say she thinks she is good with children. I think she has the grit to make it in a life on the frontier, and the Diablo Ranch is not as tough as most of the others. And, you have Beulah.”
     
    “What you say is all true and I appreciate your opinion. I’m going to wire the money for her to travel,” Josiah said.
     
    “If this is the direction you want to go, I would say jump on it,” Doc said. “I think you need a wife that will provide direction and she seems strong willed enough to stand up to you and speak her mind.”
     
    “Thanks, Doc. I’m going back to Western Union and send the money.”
     
    “Good move. You take care of the nose. If it starts bleeding, have Beulah cram some of this gauze in it and get back in to see me immediately.”
     
    “You got it, Doc. Thanks again.”
     
    He left and went back to the Western Union at the depot. He found out the price of Pullman tickets, added a liberal amount for enroute expenses and wired the money, along with a message that said, “Am looking forward to meeting you. Please advise schedule. Respectfully, Josiah Moore.” Josiah made arrangements with Western Union to have them deliver the reply directly to the ranch. He paid the clerk the estimated amount for the return message plus a generous payment in advance for the delivery.
     
    He pulled the his wagon up in front of the general store, went in and gathered the supplies Beulah and Jud had asked him to get while he was in town. Once they were loaded, he went back into the store and got some peppermint candy for Rebecca and chocolate for Beulah. Satisfied he had everything, he climbed onto the seat, flicked the reins and headed home.

Chapter 7: A Telegram Arrives
     
    The rider tied his horse to the hitching post and went to the front door. He rapped sharply on the door and heard the sound of footsteps. The door was opened by a large black woman, wearing a blue dress and a white apron dotted with traces of flour. She had a red scarf on her head, with the knot on top.
     
    “Yes sir,” she said when she opened the door.
     
    The man said, “I have a telegram for Josiah Moore.”
     
    Never having heard of a telegram Beulah had no clue just what it was. If it was for Mr Josiah, it must be important. “Mr Josiah is down to the corral. Just go on down there,” she said.
     
    Leading his horse, he walked to the corral where he found several cowboys sitting on a fence watching the cowboy astride a bucking horse in the corral. He stood watching the action in the arena. And thought,  “Who ever that was, he sits a good saddle. ” He called out, “Josiah Moore”?
     
    A couple of the onlookers nodded and pointed to the man riding the bucking horse. He would have to wait until the ride was finished. When the horse stopped bucking and stood in the middle of the corral, the rider nudged the flank with his boot heel and the horse began walking around the arena.
     
    One of the fence sitters