Joachim Books

 

  Welcome! This week we have another episode of "Josiah's Destiny." I hope you enjoy it. When you're done reading, hop on over and read the excellent stories from the other Tuesday Tales writers. Find them HERE. 

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When Josiah got home, he loaded up the wagon with freshly-cut boards, hitched up his ox, Tails, and headed to the Edwards house.   

Malachi Edwards came out from the house, followed by the rest of his family, to greet Josiah.

“This is my wife, Ruth. These are my sons: Gideon and Harry, and my daughters: Mary, Lucy, and Caroline.”

Josiah did a little bow and tipped his hat. “Pleasure to meet y’all,” he said, making eye contact with Caroline before addressing himself to Malachai.  “Where do you want the wood?”

“This way. Gideon, Harry, give a hand,” Malachi said, leading Josiah to a small shed behind his house. “I been meanin’ to talk to Mr. Fitch about building a workshop by the mill. Malachi said.

“Good. Then I don’t have to cart all this here wood down to you,” Josiah said.

“I’ll speak to Fitch about it after church,” Malachi said.

After the men unloaded the wood, Ruth, stepped over, raised her hand and whispered something in Edwards’ ear.

“Oh, yes. Fine, Ruth,” Malachi said. “Won’t you stay and take supper with us, Josiah?”

“I’d be mighty obliged,” Josiah said, removing his hat.

“Pump’s out back,” Malachi said, going inside.

Josiah strode out back and washed his head, face, and hands under the icy water from the pump. All the while, he wondered how he could wangle a seat next to Caroline. When he finished, he pulled his shirt from his pants and dried his face with it, tucked it back in, combed his hair with his fingers, then went into the house.

There was a fine, long wooden table, with hand-carved scrolls adorning each corner. His luck held, the one empty seat was next to Caroline.

“You make this, Mr. Edwards?” Josiah asked, running his palm over the smooth finished wood before taking a piece of bread as the basket was passed to him.

“Darn tootin’. Call me Mal. Everybody does.”

“Mighty fine, Mal,” Josiah said, spreading butter on his bread.

“I’m training my boys to cabinet-making, too. It’s a nice steady living. People will always need tables, chairs, and bureaus,” Mal said.

Josiah nodded. The aroma of hot food caused his stomach to rumble. A large chafing dish was placed before him. He lifted the lid and saw rabbit stew with potatoes, onions, turnips, and carrots. As there seemed to be plenty to go around, Josiah filled his bowl. Although not quite as good as Martha Chesney’s stew, he enjoyed Mrs. Edwards dish and ate with relish.

As they ate, the grown children voiced their opinions on everything from the flowers Caroline had picked to the state of the main road in Fitch’s Eddy. When they finished, Caroline rose to clear the table. She brought a large pie, overflowing with berries, from the kitchen.  When the meal was finished, Caroline took the dishes to the washtub. The others left the table, wandered into the main room, and sat down. 

That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by!