The Little Sparrows (38 page)

Louise kissed the top of Lizzie’s head. “That’s pretty good thinking for a four-year-old!”

Will said, “I never knew Jesus talked about sparrows till these precious children came home with us. At that time, now that I recall it, Lizzie asked if we had sparrows here on the farm. That’s what led to the children telling us that it was in the Bible.”

Bob frowned. “I take it that you and Mrs. Banton are fairly new Christians then.”

Will and Leah looked at each other, then Will said, “Mr. Marston, Leah and I have never been real churchgoers—until these little sparrows came to live with us. In order to become their foster parents, we had to promise to take them regularly to Sunday school and church services.”

“And they have, Papa,” said Mary. “Pastor Blevins preaches just like Pastor Moore. He makes it clear that if people don’t come to Jesus for salvation, trusting only Him to save them, they will go to hell when they die.”

Louise ran her gaze between Will and Leah. “Then, Mr. and Mrs. Banton, have you come to know the Lord?”

Will cleared his throat and adjusted his position on the chair. “No, we haven’t. But after every sermon, we’ve talked about it privately here in the house. And … well, last Sunday night we agreed that we would walk the aisle after the sermon next Sunday morning and tell the preacher we want to be saved.”

Louise smiled.

Bob set serious eyes on them. “What if one or both of you should die before next Sunday morning?”

Will and Leah looked at him blankly, then Will said, “We’d … ah … we’d go to hell.”

“Right. You don’t have to be in a church building to be saved. You can settle that right here and now, if you will. Proverbs 27:1 says, ‘Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.’ Every day in this world people die. You should settle this right now.”

“Will you help us?” asked Will.

“Be happy to.”

Johnny was sent to fetch a Bible, and it took only a few minutes in the Scriptures to bring Will and Leah to the place that they clearly understood how to be saved, and Bob and Louise had the joy of leading them to the Lord.

There was joy on both faces as the Bantons rejoiced in their salvation.

Will wiped tears with his handkerchief. “I know now why God let it appear that you two had drowned in the shipwreck. If He hadn’t, Leah and I wouldn’t have had these precious children to choose at the depot; we wouldn’t have been under Pastor Blevins’s preaching; and you wouldn’t be here today to lead us to Jesus. I doubt we would ever have been saved. We would have died and gone to hell.”

Louise laughed joyfully. “Well, praise the Lord for the way He works in the lives of His children!”

After several minutes of rejoicing, Bob told the Bantons they were to catch an eastbound train in Kearney the next morning. They would let the children stay the night with the Bantons. He and Louise would stay at one of Kearney’s hotels tonight and come back to pick up the children in the rented buggy in the morning.

“Well, Mr. Marston, we have a guest room,” Will said, You two are welcome to sleep there tonight.”

Bob looked at Louise. “Sounds good to me.”

Louise smiled and a sigh escaped her lips. “Oh yes! Now that we have found our children, it would be very difficult to part with them, even for the night.”

“That’s understandable,” said Leah. “And Will and I would enjoy having your company for the rest of the day. Besides, I’m sure you’re both tired from your journey. I’m sure you’ll rest better being under the same roof with your children.”

Louise nodded. “You’re right. I still tire quite easily, since we spent that time in the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Even the recovery time was an ordeal. But praise the Lord, He brought something so beautiful out of what could have been such a tragedy. He is always so faithful and good to us.”

Leah rose from her chair. “Tell you what, Louise—May I call you Louise?”

“Of course. We should be on a first-name basis. You were saying?”

“I was going to show you the washroom that goes with the guest room. Maybe you’d like to freshen up a bit.”

“I could use that, yes.”

The two women excused themselves and Leah led Louise up the stairs and down the hall. When they came to the guest room, the door stood open. “Here it is, Louise. And the washroom is right there. You’ll find everything in there you need. When you’ve refreshed yourself, you can lie down on the bed and rest for a while, if you wish. Take a little nap if you want to. You looked pretty tuckered.”

“Oh no. I’m fine, but thank you,” said Louise while looking at the bed yearningly. “I should spend more time with you.”

“Honey, we’ll have plenty of time to talk over supper and
afterward. Now please do as I say. You have a long trip ahead of you, starting tomorrow morning.”

“All right, Leah. You win. I really am pretty tired.”

“Good girl. If you do find that you need something, just give a holler. And rest as long as you want to.”

Louise hugged her. “Thank you, my friend.”

Supper at the Banton house was a happy celebration. With help from Mary and Lizzie, Leah had prepared a virtual feast, and there was much joy and laughter around the table.

During the meal, Bob bragged to Louise about the work Johnny had been doing with Will. He explained that he was given a tour of the barn and outbuildings, and Will had pointed out the things that had been done with Johnny’s help.

Johnny also took opportunity to brag about how he always beat Papa Will when they ran their races.

Will, Bob, and Johnny retired to the front porch while Leah, Louise, and the girls washed and dried the dishes and tidied up the kitchen.

When that was done, the ladies joined the men on the porch, with Leah and Louise each carrying a tray. Leah’s tray bore a slice of apple pie for each person. Louise carried coffee for the adults and milk for the children.

When everyone had their fill, Louise leaned back in the porch swing, with Lizzie next to her mother’s side. Even though the day had been hot, there was now a cool breeze that refreshed the small group assembled on the front porch.

The sun went down and twilight spread over the Nebraska plains. Soon lulled by the gentle sway of the swing, Lizzie’s head began to droop against her mother’s arm.

Louise looked up and smiled at the others, who had become
rather quiet. “Well, this has been one very exciting, emotional day. I think we’re all about ready to make it an early night.”

Leah chuckled. “You are so right, Louise. Let’s head toward the stairs.”

The weary group trooped into the house, each seeking out their own beds, just as a huge silver moon peeped over the eastern horizon.

The next morning, there were tearful good-byes as the little sparrows climbed into the rented buggy. Lizzie was last to get in for taking extra time to tell Red good-bye.

Bob and Louise once again expressed their deep appreciation for how the Bantons had so unselfishly taken the children from the orphan train, gave them a home, and were willing to raise them as their own.

Will and Louise thanked the Marstons for leading them to the Lord, assuring them that they would walk the aisle, give their testimony of being saved in their home on Thursday, and present themselves for baptism.

The Bantons then stood with tears on their cheeks as the buggy drove away. The children turned around and waved, as did their parents. The Bantons waved back, and Red barked his farewell.

On a hot day in Wyoming that following August, Jody Claiborne sat on the front porch of the
Circle C
ranch house with her parents as they watched Josie Holden Claiborne and Betty Houston riding close by on the prairie.

Betty had also become Josie’s best friend and was teaching her to ride. Josie was riding Queenie at the moment, but Sam had
promised to buy Josie her own horse within the next few days. After a while, the girls trotted the horses up to the porch.

Sam grinned. “Josie, you’re doing all right. You’ll soon be a real horsewoman.”

“That’s for sure!” said Emma. “You’re doing great.”

Josie smiled. “That’s because I have such a good teacher.” With that, she dismounted, looked at Jody, and said, “Okay, sis, it’s your turn.”

Jody had regained much of her weight and had rosy cheeks. Sam took her by the hand, helped her down the porch steps, and walked her toward Queenie. The mare tossed her head, swished her tail, and whinnied a greeting to her mistress.

Jody stroked her long face and kissed it. “I missed you too, sweet girl. Pretty soon Josie will have her own horse, and we can ride together.”

Queenie whinnied again.

Sam lifted Jody into the saddle. As she settled on the mare’s back, she giggled and looked at Betty. “And in a few weeks, I’ll be able to race you again.”

Emma jumped out of her chair. “Jody Claiborne, haven’t you learned your lesson, yet? Your father and I told you no more racing!”

Jody giggled again. “I was just kidding, Mommy. From now on, I won’t be riding Queenie at full speed.”

“Okay. That’s better.”

Sam took the reins and led Queenie at a walk, with Betty riding her mare alongside them.

While Jody was getting her first ride since coming out of the coma—with her father leading the horse—Josie and Emma sat on the porch in the shade.

Josie took hold of Emma’s hand. “Thank you, Mama, for letting me stay and be part of the family.”

Emma squeezed the girl’s hand. “Honey, you’ve probably thanked us a thousand times already. Papa and I know you’re very appreciative, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We love having you as our daughter.”

Some twenty minutes later, the girls returned on horseback at their walking pace, with Sam still leading Queenie. When they drew up to the porch, Betty said, “I have to be heading for home now. I’ll see all of you in church on Sunday.”

Josie thanked her for the riding lesson, and Betty said there would be more to follow.

As Betty rode away, Sam helped Jody down from the saddle, then led the mare around the corner of the house toward the barn.

Josie hurried off the porch to help Jody climb the steps.

Emma looked at them and smiled to herself. The more Jody’s health returned to her, the more she and Josie looked alike. Even though they were born and raised in totally different parts of the country, Josie had taken to ranch life as if she had been born in Wyoming. Emma knew she still missed her father terribly, but Josie had made it clear that she loved her new family very much. Josie had commented a few days ago that her natural father would be so pleased if he knew how well everything in her life had turned out.

Josie still read the letter that had come from Barry Chandler in July, every day. She often talked about how she was praying that someday the Lord would let her see Barry again.

When Josie drew up to her, Jody put her arms around her. “Josie, I’m so glad Mommy and Daddy decided to adopt you. I know Daddy is superbly happy to have two tomboys! But I don’t even think of you as an adopted sister. As far as I’m concerned, since some people say we could almost be twins, you are my
real
sister!”

S
ome seven years passed. It was Saturday, June 11, 1881.

At Wyoming’s leading Bible-believing church, a large crowd was gathering in the auditorium while the pump organ played various hymns.

In a Sunday school room just off the vestibule, Josie Holden Claiborne was in a lovely white wedding dress. Emma Claiborne was doing a last-minute touch-up on Josie’s long dark hair while two young women, dressed in pink gowns, looked on. Jody Claiborne was Josie’s maid of honor and Betty Houston Williams was her matron of honor.

Satisfied with Josie’s hair, Emma took a step back and looked her up and down. “My, what a beautiful bride!”

Josie and Emma had spent many happy hours in the evenings for the past two months, sewing on her wedding dress. As the years had passed, Josie had lost some of her tomboy traits, and she now was a lovely, feminine young woman. Jody still would rather ride her horse and help her father mend fence and work around the barn, but things were slowly changing there too.

Emma slipped up and kissed Josie’s cheek. “All right, honey, it’s time.”

Josie kissed Emma’s cheek. “Yes, Mama, it’s time. I love you.”

“I love you too, precious girl.”

Jody and Betty were all smiles as they moved to the door ahead of Josie, holding their small bouquets. Emma moved away hurriedly through the classroom’s back door.

When Betty opened the door and she and Jody stepped out into the vestibule, Sam Claiborne stood there, smiling. Jody and Betty smiled at him, moved a few steps past him, and stopped.

One of the ushers stood at the auditorium door, ready to open it.

Sam set admiring eyes on his adopted daughter. Josie presented a beautiful picture in her white gown of delicate organdy, trimmed with lace and pink rosebuds. “Well, honey, are you ready?”

“Yes, Papa,” she said, slipping her hand into the crook of his arm.

She paused, took a deep breath, and looked up at him through the tears that misted her eyes. “Thank you for being my papa all of these years. I love you so very much.”

“I’m honored to be your papa,” he replied. “Thank you for all that you are to your mama, to me, and to Jody.”

Josie rose up on her tiptoes and kissed Sam’s cheek, then squeezed his arm tightly.

Sam nodded at the usher, and he swung the door open. At the same instant, the organist moved into the wedding march. Sitting in the second row of pews at the front of the auditorium, Emma rose to her feet, and the wedding guests followed suit.

Josie closed her eyes and silently told her dead parents and little brother she loved them.

Jody started slowly down the aisle first, with Betty close behind.

Sam and Josie followed, and the bride let her eyes go first to
the handsome young man who stood near the steps that led up to the platform, where the pastor waited with a Bible in his hand.

Josie looked at the faces on both sides of the aisle, then let her gaze go to Emma, at the second row of pews. Emma was smiling through her tears.