Highly Commended 2 - Short Story Competition 2016
"Worth More Than Gold"
by Sheila Garwood
'Whoa,' called Ellie dragging on the wagon reins, stopping at the edge of the mining camp at Rich Bar, California, a collection of shanty huts and tents where men far outnumbered women, in late summer 1851. Setting the handbrake she gathered her skirts and climbed down, her briskness hiding the trepidation of what she was doing.
Now a lone woman with two sons, the outlook seemed daunting. She could not allow herself to weaken, but would face each day as it came. Fortunately Ellie, slim with a hidden strength from a lifetime of work, had the advantage of a quick mind allowing her to see trouble ahead.
You two go off now and find some wood,' she told her young sons. "Tommy, you be sure to keep together. Have an eye on Robbie, I've no time to go searchin' for lost boys.'
'Alright Ma.' Tommy chased his younger brother. Ellie watched anxiously, regretting her sharp tone.
Burying her husband back on the trail from fever, Ellie had no option but to stay with the other hopeful travellers. The wish of those with the wagon train was to strike gold; at least get enough for a future. Being a woman might limit her efforts but
not her hopes and ambitions. She'd viewed this venture as much as an escape from poverty for herself and boys, as a chance for her husband. She looked around and saw tired men watching her, sensing what they must be thinking: 'She's just a woman, it's hard work for men, what hope has she got? There's two kids to watch over, they will just get in the way.' The few other women on the trail had helped her, but now their duty was to their men. Sure but women were creatures of many qualities, they engineered their lives planning, teaching, nursing. She would not sit back helplessly, while she had strength, she would fight for her boys.
Married young, to escape a life of drudgery on her widowed father's homestead, she soon realised she had exchanged one tough life for another. When news came through of men striking gold and becoming rich, she had been as keen as her husband to find a better life. Robustness of mind served her well.
The returning boys called, 'Hey Ma, look here,' they carried arms full of wood and broad grins. 'Well done boys,' she said brightly, 'I knew I could rely on the men in my life.' The boys were now all she had, they needed each other.
With horses settled and a fire lit Ellie prepared the stew pot. Stores were dwindling and with little money she knew she would have to face facts. Could she see this through alone, or were plans of digging for gold scattered to the winds like dry ash? If so what of the future for her and the boys?
Stirring the pot, Ellie became aware of being watched. She tensed, trying to note the man without being obvious, also marking where the boys were. Breathing deeply to still her thumping heart she straightened up facing the man, with arms akimbo, miming a mother hen with chicks.
'S'cuse me Ma'm,' he said stepping forward, 'I was wonderin', would you be willin' to sell a bowl of that there stew to a hungry digger?'
Ellie looked from the steaming pot to the stranger. His eyes seemed friendly enough, what she could see of them shaded by his hat, he stood tall and proud, in spite of the dust that clung to him. Quickly realising how good the smell of hot food must seem to an exhausted man she spoke without thinking. 'No. No I won't, but .... you are welcome to share a bite with my family tonight. Any time after ... you can pay.' She turned away sharply, wondering whatever possessed her to be so hasty. Would she regret it?
He sank against the wagon wheel hungrily spooning the food, Ellie handed him a chunk of bread, 'Have something to soak it up, if you can hang on to it long enough.'
He nodded, 'Thanks M'am.' The boys, their own bowls filled, watched shyly from under the wagon.
Once finished he handed back the bowl. 'That was much appreciated M'am thanks.' He walked slowly round the wagon, kicked a rock wedged under the back wheel firmly into place, winked at the boys then sauntered into the dusk.
Snuggling next to the boys that night Ellie felt that the Lord had been short of favours in her direction lately. However, she'd keep trying, and asked him to look kindly on her thoughts, which were beginning to grow into a plan of action. A couple of days later her plans, fuelled by sheer determination started to develop.
Taking a gamble, she used some of her meagre savings to buy supplies, and with the help of the boys, made a makeshift table. Each evening she cooked and served increasing numbers of meals to hungry men prepared to pay, including the polite stranger who didn't seem to mind the boys sitting with him, telling them adventurous tales and giving an air of protection.
Although carried along on a swell of achievement at providing for herself and boys, Ellie knew bigger problems were looming. She couldn't keep up this pace of work with the equipment she had and, with winter approaching, had to find somewhere more substantial to live. To add to her woes the stranger she had started to trust did not appear for a couple of days. The boys seemed to miss his company and became tetchy when asked to do anything. She also missed his being there, giving a sense of security against the rowdy remarks made by some of the men.
It was true she was getting enough money to make the hot meals, but she needed to build some savings. She also sensed a feeling of resentment from some of the diggers' wives when she went to buy supplies. It wasn't a woman's place to be running a business, but she knew she had to provide for her boys.
Crawling under the blankets that night, Ellie thought perhaps she should remind the Lord where she was. Although he'd looked kindly on her for the past weeks she was going to need a few more favours. Before putting these thoughts into words she was asleep. The heavy breathing woke Ellie, she snapped her eyes open as a vice like hand clamped her mouth.
'The money, where's the money?' The hand shook her face. 'I see 'em pay yer. You aint bin ter the store for days, I bin watchin, it must be here.' A smelly body lowered onto her, 'Jus' gimme the money then I'll leave, though I could be tempted ter stay.' he sniggered.
Ellie struggled unable to breathe. Her terrified boys were soon on the man's back punching him and pulling his long, greasy hair to help their mother. The wagon shifted with someone else entering. Ellie, her heart beat pounding in her ears, was slowly losing consciousness, when the man above her was jerked back choking as the neck of his shirt tightened round his throat. His body was lifted and he was thrown effortlessly through the wagon entrance. Punches and groans followed in the clear night air, unnoticed by others indifferent to drunken brawls. Sobbing, Ellie cradled the whimpering boys to her.
After being persuaded to drink a tot of whisky for medicinal purposes, Ellie snuggled against her sons, while her first and regular customer curled up at the wagon entrance and whispered, 'Tomorrow, Ellie, we need to talk.'
Ellie woke to the smell of coffee and found Ryan Wesley, who had been keeping, an eye on her and the boys since their arrival, watching her. Taking the offered mug she was filled with sudden shyness.
'Ellie about that talk,' his serious eyes studied her, 'I'm pullin' out in a few days. I've got enough to get my own place. I've been to see it.' A tangle of mixed feelings swam over her, she let out a deep sigh, as if she had been holding her breath, fearing his next words. Ryan took her hand, still speaking his voice seemed to reach her from a distance. 'Ellie, I have grown fond of you and the youngsters. I'd like to take care of you all, would you be willing to take a chance with me? It will be hard at first but I've watched you work, I admire your doggedness. I know we'd make a good team together.'
Tears stung her eyes, as for the first time in her life, Ellie felt real love from another adult. She knew what she had found was worth more than gold.
The End