Lucinda's Story Part II

George had been pacing around the parlor most of the night. Gus and Katie, good friends from the neighboring farm had arrived earlier in the evening to help out as needed. Katie had her baby boy, William, with her and when she arrived she took Clinton to his room and tucked both boys into bed. Since the kitchen was nearby she could listen for the boys while keeping a good supply on boiling water on the wood stove. Gus and George were assigned the task of bringing wood for the stove. It gave George something to do besides pace.

The Doctor had help from Mary's sister and mother, both women had considerable experience in helping to deliver babies. Occasionally one woman or the other would emerge from the bedroom to get fresh linen's or water.

George had been through all of this before just two years ago with Clinton's birth but that didn't make things any easier. It had been a very long night for everyone. Just after midnight George realized Mary wasn't crying out. It was quiet, too quiet. Suddenly, a baby's cry. The door opened and Ann came into the room. "George, you have a daughter."

Mary Lucinda was born in the early morning hours the day after Thanksgiving. She was a beautiful baby with delicate features and playful eyes.

Lucinda's childhood was typical of any child raised on a farm. She had her parents and an older brother who adored her. A few years later when she was old enough Clinton would hold her hand as they walked to school. Both were happy and healthy children and life in Westphalia, Kansas was good.

Mary's only concern about her daughter as she grew up was that Lucinda liked to play with her brother and the other boys. Mary was always afraid that Lucinda would get hurt as the boys, being boys, could play very rough at times. One day as she sat on the porch watching the children play her fears were realized.

The boys were playing ball, running and throwing it to each other. Of course there was Lucinda trying to keep up with them. One of the boys was trying to catch the ball that was coming his way and did not see Lucinda until he had backed over her. Lucinda fell to the ground. But before Mary could rise from her chair, the neighbor's son, William, ran over and helped her up, asking her if she was hurt. "Well, Miss Lucinda", Mary thought to herself, " looks like you have a knight in shinning armor."

About a year later Mary saw Lucinda coming home from school and as her daughter approached she saw something in her tiny hand. "Lucinda, what a beautiful little flower, where did you get it?" Lucinda hesitated for a moment as she held the flower for her mother to see, and, with a shy smile she said " William gave it to me."

To be continued . . .