Tumbleweeds

[chuck j]

She sat and thought . She had some bacon simmering in her big pot waiting for Zeke to bring some greens back to cook . The new stranger Wade was kind of a mystery . He seemed polite and well spoken but also seemed guarded . They would help him and in return he might help get the corn in . Everyone could benefit from helping each other . He only carried a bedroll on his rig and was traveling light . She wondered if he may have stolen those cattle . Her and Zeke would just have to be careful . But for now she would make a good meal , it looked like Wade hadn't been eating regular to her .

[chuck j]

Zeke had brought in a sack of Polk greens and nice small cactus pads . She was cleaning both while he fileted the catfish to fry . Wade got there a little early and she asked him to sit down while she prepared the food . Zeke brought the filets in and rolled them in cornmeal to help her . They just talked about the weather and Zeke asked if the bend in the river would work for the cattle . Wade quickly said ...Oh yes ! There is plenty of graze and they are already settling in . Zeke said ...We have quite a bit of last years whole corn and if you would want to grind it into chops you can have it for your cows . We will be harvesting our cornfield very soon and will not need last years corn .


Wade said that was very generous and would grind it for feed . In a bit she put the food on the table and Wade complimented her saying ...Ma'am I have not eaten like this in a very very long time . She asked him if he would like to offer thanks . Zeke and her were taken back when he said ...I think not but one of you certainly may if you want to . Zeke quickly offered to and did . They started eating and talking .

[chuck j]

They had a good meal of fried catfish , Polk with bacon , fried cactus and she had made fried cornbread . He was very polite and thanked them for such a good meal . She told him to come for breakfast that he was welcome to eat with them as long as he was there . He thought about it a second and said … I will not take advantage of you . If I might work for my food I will but I can do well enough on my own without abusing your generosity . Which brings me to discuss what my payment through work to you I will be owing you to pasture my cattle with you providing the corn .

Zeke and her glanced at one another and Zeke said … What we have offered is with no price . We simply wanted to help you . If you would like to help us that would be your choice .

[chuck j]

Zeke worked on the new lot in the mornings and evening when it was cooler . In the heat of the day he worked in the shade of the shed , he was trying to hew boards for two gates and two water troughs . Zeke could rough hew but he had never had practice finishing lumber . He was having a hard time getting boards straight to do a good job on the troughs and it was aggravating him .

They hadn't seen Wade for two days since he had eaten with them but assumed he was still holding his cattle on the bend of the river . Zeke went to the cabin for lunch on the third day from their meal together and she had made them bacon sandwiches and fried pies .


He was talking about having trouble with getting the kind of boards he wanted to get the troughs built . He wanted them to be heavy and hold up , he wanted to do a good job . She offered to help and tried to encourage him . He told her he was determined to do it on his own . After lunch he went back and tried splitting an oak log and was frustrated with the result of his efforts in the heat . He quit mad at himself and the useless rough hewn boards piling up that were worthless to him . He told her he was going to set out the fishing poles and see if he could get a rabbit or two . She knew he was aggravated trying to build the troughs and told him to take the black mule and hunt in the shade of the river .


He took the Beck rifle , bag and horn . He saddled the black mule and rode to the river . The river was peaceful and quiet . He baited the poles left in the willows then rode west in the shade more working out his frustration over his failure with his inability to work with making lumber than hunting . He shot two cottontails and thought about going back to check the poles but kept riding west on the river . He would check and see if Wade was alright .

[chuck j]

Zeke got to the bend and the cattle were all laying in the shade chewing their cud trying to rest in the heat of the day . Zeke rode on along the tree line and finally saw Wade's bay horse standing without saddle ground tied with the bridle reins laying on the grass . Wade was sitting on a piece of deadwood in the trees by a dead campfire , a small cooking pot to the side . Wade's saddle was laying there in a heap and his bedroll laid out beside it .


Zeke dropped the mule's reins and went over smiling and asked how the cattle were doing . Wade seemed short on words and just said … They have all they need . They are fine . Zeke was just trying to be friendly and said ...The offer on the corn for them still stands , if it would be a good idea . Wade had already told them he had no money and Zeke tried to offer help when he said … You are welcome to it , we will not need it . You will have about an eighty mile trip to get them to Fort Graham . Wade never looked up and said ...I don't need anything you have to offer , I can't even pay to pasture my cows here . I'm trying to think of how to repay that but you have not taken my offer to work it out . That leaves me in your debit . Wade was getting mad .

[chuck j]

Zeke instantly took offence , he had done nothing wrong . He had only tried to offer help . He knew he needed to leave , Wade was obviously impossible to talk to right now . Zeke was trying in his mind to make sense of all his anger . Zeke said … You are angry and it's making me angry because we have done nothing but offer what we could . We have required nothing from you in return . I don't understand you ! I am leaving but if we could help you we will . GOD will help you .


Wade said ...Where I have been GOD was not there ! I am an ordained Baptist minister and I can't find GOD anywhere ! Zeke repeated … We will help you if we can . He walked to the black mule and started leaving . Wade was saddling his bay and gathering his belongings .

[chuck j]

Zeke was mad ! He couldn't understand why Wade treated him like he did . He had been friendly and offered what he could . Zeke rode back down river and checked the poles , both had a catfish on and he put them on a stringer under the willows . He stopped at the cornfield and got half a bag of ears . By this time his anger started cooling and he continued to the cabin . For the rest of the way Wade's last statement kept going through his mind …...Where I have been GOD was not there ! I am an ordained Baptist minister and I can't find GOD anywhere !

When he got to the cabin he went in , she was working on her new dress . He stepped through the doorway and said ...Ma'am I have messed up ! I think I have failed in a big way !

[chuck j]

She pushed her work to the end of the table and looked and listened to Zeke . Zeke just kept blaming himself for failing . He kept saying he didn't listen . He didn't listen .He was not making sense . She got up and poured him a glass of tea and said ... Sit down beside me . He did and she said ...Now tell me how you failed . I have never seen you like this .


Zeke took two long drinks of tea and started telling what happened after he left for the river . She didn't interrupt and sat quietly listening . Zeke said at the end ...GOD put me in his path . GOD put me in his path and I just got mad and left . I could see he was in pain ma'am . I don't think he's eatin or sleepin by the looks of his camp spot . When I left it looked like he was gonna saddle up and just leave ! GOD sent me to him ! I was angry when I left here with myself and it didn't take much for me to walk away ! I failed ma'am . I ought go try to find him , the mule is outside .


She was quiet for a few min . Then she looked up at him and said ...NO . This might be his time to 'find' GOD . You and I know GOD is right in front of him . He is looking for himself ...not GOD . God is not lost ...he is lost. We will be here to help him when the time comes or if it comes . Lets both pray for him . Zeke offered his hand and she took it . They both started praying out loud for Wade and for guidance .


They prayed a long time . They both felt tired . She squeezed Zeke's hand and said … Clean those rabbits , we will have supper and pray again before we go to bed . Zeke got up and started to go out and clean the rabbits . She sat there looking at the table . When Zeke took his hat off the nail to walk out the door she said ...Zeke ! He turned around and she was looking at him . She said ...Do you know how much I love you ? He walked back and hugged her then kissed her on top of her head . He went to clean the rabbits .

[chuck j]

They had cottontail and dumplings for supper . There were fried pies left , Zeke mentioned that next year they must put up more dried plums . He had meant to try and find her some wild mustang grapes to make jelly but just hadn't taken the time . She told him there were big possum plum trees down river and he needed to find them before first frost which would be when they ripened .


They prayed together for Wade . Neither speculated about his situation but gained strength in that they would help as directed . They went to bed .

[chuck j]

Zeke woke early and staked out the stock . The grass was used up behind the cabin so he started moving them east on the prairie . He kept the black mule closest to the cabin in case they needed him . Pie was walking and getting along just fine but he was giving him plenty of time to heal . Pie was about eleven years old now and Zeke was glad his hard days of traveling were over but he and Pie might make one more long trip ….it was just a thought in the back of his mind .

Zeke picked out some rounds to split into rails , heck he could do the simple part of the pen building first .



She was heating the leftover rabbit and dumplings for breakfast bringing it to a boil and making frybread . Nate was laying on her bed waving his arms around looking at them and breaking into laughter . She knew that wade would be on both her and Zeke's mind this morning . They both were concerned and wanted to help him but she knew Wade had to help himself first .


Zeke came in and hung his hat on it's nail by the door . He poured himself and her a cup of coffee and sat down as she set the food on the table .

[chuck j]

They sat and ate , both knew the other was thinking about Wade . They also knew that the other was clueless as to having a remedy for the trouble Wade was having . Zeke just looked at her and said … The Holy Spirit will lead us ma'am . We don't even know Wade's trouble and guessing will only muddy the situation . GOD will guide us ma'am ! We are not to worry , it shows a lack of faith ! Let us keep praying for guidance to help Wade . Hold your personal testimonial in your hand ma'am .


She agreed by nodding her head .

[chuck j]

Evening came . Zeke had almost split enough rails for the lot and he had trimmed them and laid them out . It would be a five rail fence , he wanted it to be stout and last . He planned on having an inner gate to connect the two pens and two outside gates on the south and east . There would be a lot of room for much more stock than what they had now . He laughed to himself ...now he was thinking of expanding the shed !

He thought about his living in the shed . It was going to get too cold to live there in the winter weather when the north wind started blowing . He needed to talk to her , they would figure it out . He hadn't talked to her since lunch . He walked toward the cabin , it would be time to eat soon .


She had worked on her dress . She had the bodice finished and was working on the skirt . She made it double layer to help it wear well plus winter would be here and she needed to make Nate some winter clothes . She thought about making him a rabbit skin coat , she could not have him get sick . She laid aside her sewing and got the last rabbit out of the lard can to fry . She cleaned it again and rolled it in flour while the grease was heating up then started frying it slowly to have it tender . They still had frybread and she would make coffee .

[chuck j]

Zeke walked in the door of the cabin and hung his hat on it's nail by the frame . She was plating the rabbit to set on the table . He got them both a cup of coffee and sat down with Nate to get out of her way as she moved around picking up getting ready to eat . She sat down wiping her brow having been in front of the fireplace . Zeke gave her a moment to cool off and said ...Would you give thanks ? She said ...Yes !

They bowed their heads and she said ...Heavenly father thank you for all you have given . Thank you for the many blessings . And then the black mule brayed ! They both stood up , Zeke put Nate on his pallet , she was at the door looking out as Wade's bay gelding walked in the yard saddled with the rifle in the boot and bedroll tied on the back of the saddle and stood under the mesquite tree dragging his reins to the side .


Zeke said ...I'm getting the mule saddled !

[chuck j]

Zeke had the mule saddled , swung through the yard and ducked as he went under the mesquite grabbing the bay's reins quicker than she ever would have imagined . He hollered to her ...Shut the pen gate ! And he kicked the mule headed to the bend in the river with the bay in tow .

[chuck j]

She stood on the porch watching them lope to the southwest through the prairie grass . She walked quickly to the pen to shut the gate , the cow was just standing outside the gate and she shooed her back in . The cow was never a problem , she was like a spoiled dog .


She went in and picked up Nate . She sat down and fed him as she prayed for Zeke and Wade's safety and return . Waiting was so hard !