Amish Promise Read online

  School was such a wonderful, exciting experience. He had never been to a movie, never watched television, did not have the games that the English children had and now he would be able to carry his lunch and study with other children. He planned what he would like to carry in his lunch.

  Charity continued to prepare for her trip. She had never been on such a long trip, and alone. She made sure all of her helpers knew what to do in the store, and made Matthew crazy reminding him how to care for Jeremiah.

  The time came closer and Jeremiah began begging to go with her. “Oh, precious. I need you to be the man of the house and keep an eye on our property. I will be back before you have time to miss me.”

  “But I already miss you, mamm.”

  She quoted Philippians 4:6-7 to him. “What does that mean, mamm?”

  “It means we must have faith and trust God to take care of us.”

  “I do, mamm, and I will pray for you every night. You will come back to me won’t you? I will not lose you like I did my daed.”

  “No, my darling. I’ll be back to you soon and God will take care of both of us.

  “Mamm, what will you put in my lunch that first day?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Probably a big ham and egg sandwich with a cup of potato salad and one of jello. I’ll also put in a bottle of milk and a big piece of cake. You must take care and bring the bottle back home to use again.”

  “What kind of cake, mamm?” he asked crawling in her lap and giving her a hug.

  “I don’t know yet. It is another week until the big day. I will fix something extra good for my little man. I know Deborah will fix a lot of good things for you, too.”

  “Will the other children like me? Will tante Marilyn like me as a student?”

  “The other children will like you and treat you just as you treat them. Your tante Marilyn absolutely must be called Mrs. Kime in school. She must have respect and cooperation from all of you. Oom Matthew will still be Oom Matthew. He is your uncle and deserves respect. You must be polite and kind to everyone, especially adults.”

  “I will, mamm. I promise I will.”

  She hugged him to her with the thought that he would soon consider himself too big to sit in her lap and be hugged. She held him close and enjoyed the feeling.

  Charity gathered the last of the vegetables out of the garden to cook and eat or to can. There were still some potatoes to dig. She was trying to remember to do a lot of things before time for her to leave. She made two pair of pants and two shirts for Jeremiah. These would be enough with his other clothes for school. He was growing so fast she knew she would soon be donating his clothes to another family with growing children.

  She decided to bake cookies and cakes to take over to Deborah because she knew Jeremiah’s sweet tooth -- Matthew’s, also.

  She mentally checked down a list to be sure someone would milk the cow and take care of the other animals. When she was satisfied that she had covered everything, she got her clothes, and food, ready for her trip.

  She packed a green dress, a light blue one and a black one. Two aprons, two nightgowns, two pair of shoes and two prayer kapps followed. She had just finished making herself some new bloomers, so three pair went in the suitcase with three pairs of stockings she had made. Her Bible would be the last thing she packed. The suitcase had been a gift from an English friend.

  Charity got a canvas bag from her hope chest to carry her food in. She would place the food in fresh tomorrow morning when she prepared to leave.

  As usual, she was up by five thirty. She milked the cow and fed her, then fed the horses and turned them out in the pasture near the house. The chickens were fed and the eggs gathered. She slopped the hogs and then went in to get breakfast for Jeremiah and herself.

  Jeremiah was excited. This was his second day of school and he loved it. He felt a little sad that his mamm was leaving, but he knew she would be back soon. He loved his oom Matthew and tante Deborah and knew he would enjoy living with them. Besides the Grossdawdis would be close and ready to help at any time.

  Jeremiah was excited and wanted to help his mamm pack her food while she packed his lunch. He asked for a homemade peanut butter and jelly sandwich, an apple and a piece of coconut pie. Charity laughed and told him the pie would get mashed. She put in a piece of coconut cake instead with the bottle of milk. She then packed her food of a ham sandwich and a chicken sandwich, two apples, two boiled eggs, a bottle of cider and a piece of cake.

  “Mamm, you promise you’ll come back to me. You won’t go off to be with daed and leave me, will you?” (daed - daddy)

  “Jeremiah, I promise God will take care of me and of you. Don’t forget to pray and learn your Bible verses. I will be back before you have time to miss me.”

  He jumped to hug her. “Mamm, I already miss you. I lieb you so much and don’t want to lose you.”

  “My precious little man, you won’t lose me. We will be together until we are both of a ripe old age. I promise you.”

  Jeremiah laughed. He grabbed his books tied with a strip of cloth and his lunch to run out and meet tante Marilyn. He would ride to school with her.

  Charity ran out the back door. “Danki. Matthew or Deborah will pick him up each day.”

  “I know. He will be fine. Have a safe, successful trip. Rest as much as you can and take a chance to look around at different parts of the country.” She chirped at the horse to start as Charity waved them goodbye. Charity went in the house wiping her eyes.

  At eight fifteen Jacob pulled in to take Charity to the bus. She had said she would get her neighbor to take her in the car, but Jacob wanted to see his daughter before she left. He insisted that she take some money in case she had an emergency. He also insisted that she take her English neighbor’s phone number just in case she needed to call. She laughed and hugged him, but took everything he offered.

  By eight fifty they were at the bus station. There were other horse and buggies in line. Jacob got down and took her suitcase into the station for her and waited until she had purchased her ticket. He then did something that surprised her. He hugged her and kissed her cheek.

  “I am so proud of you my precious dochder. You have a good business head and I know you will do well, but I must be honest and say I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

  “Oh, daed,” she laughed, “you are just worried because your chick is going where she has never been. I have never been parted from my precious zoon (son) more than a few hours, but I am going because I am trying to improve the future for him.”

  “Think of it as a vader (father) who loves you and wants to keep you safe and happy. Call me if you need anything.”

  “Daed, I lieb you, and I will be safe. I promise. Take care of Mamm and yourself and the family.”

  They said a final good bye and she boarded the bus. Jacob saw that her suitcase was placed in the space underneath the bus. She waved from the window as the bus pulled out. She didn’t want her dad to see her anxiety, but she was naerfich (nervous). This was a big step to go to another state and travel alone.

  The trip was uneventful. They stopped once at a little country convenience store to pick up passengers. They stopped next in Cleveland, Ohio.

  “Folks,” the big, burly bus driver announced, “we’ll be stopped for about twenty minutes. There’s restrooms inside and food if any of you are interested.”

  Charity timidly followed two older women out to use the restroom. She marveled at the mirrors and clean fixtures, but quickly took care of her business, washed her hands and grabbed her lunch bag to hurry back to the bus. She decided to eat half of a sandwich and drank some cider while they were stopped. She tried not to be bothered when people stared at her.

  She had been told that it would take the bus about twelve hours to make the trip. She figured they left at nine ten that morning, so they should be in Shipshewana by nine ten in the evening. They were half way there, so she tucked her canvas bag of food under her arm and laid her head back and cl
osed her eyes.

  “Everyone off for Shipshewana” woke her up. They had arrived. She was excited and a little frightened since she had not been so far from home before.

  The Like Home B & B was across the street from the bus station.

  Charity timidly crossed the street and entered the home. She had not made reservations because she did not know the area. Much to her surprise and delight the B & B was owned and operated by an Amish family.

  Charity introduced herself and told them she was from Shickshinny, Pennsylvania and owned and operated a store there.

  She told them she was here to visit the big Yoder store.

  The Amish woman came from behind the desk to take Charity’s hands. “I am Erin Yoder. Welcome to Shipshewana. Do you need something to eat? It is past dinner time, but I can still get you something.”

  “Nee danki. I have food that I did not finish eating on the trip, but I would appreciate a hot drink.”

  “Please come into the kitchen. There is always coffee or tea. You can sit at the table and eat and tell me all about yourself. I am honored that you chose to stay with me.”

  Charity told her all about her life, her son and the death of Adam on the same night her son was born. Erin’s husband, Isaiah, had come into the kitchen and sat down to talk with them. He was fascinated that Adam had taught Charity to carve items from wood.

  Charity apologized and covered a yawn. “I have been up since five and did a lot of work before I left. The long trip made me very tired. Please forgive me.” She finished her tea and stood.

  They assured her there was nothing to forgive and asked her forgiveness for keeping her so long. Erin took her up the stairs after Isaiah had carried her bag up. It was nearly midnight.

  “Will you get up on your own or do you want to be awakened at a certain time?” Erin asked.

  “I have never had a real vacation. Please just let me get up when I wake up. If it is past breakfast serving, I can go to a restaurant.”

  “Oh, no,” both Erin and Isaiah both answered. “You will be fed whenever you wish.”

  “Yes,” Erin said. “I usually serve from six thirty to eight, but you can eat whenever you please. I want your stay to be a special one.”

  Erin went into a beautifully furnished room with a sleigh bed, a chest of six drawers, a low dresser with a wide mirror on it and a comfortable chair in front of it.

  A hand-quilted wedding ring quilt covered the bed with matching pillow cases. A hand-hooked rug was on the floor beside the bed. She tiptoed over to open a door and was pleasantly surprised to see a bathroom. It was going to be heavenly to soak in a real tub. She turned to admire all the handmade furniture. She felt right at home.

  After a good, hot bath and putting on her night clothes, she sank gratefully on a handmade feather bed. She read her Bible and had her prayers. Her eyes closed almost as soon as she got comfortable.

  She woke with the sun shining through sparkling, clean windows with lovely white curtains. At first she had a jump in her heart thinking she had slept too late, then remembered where she was.

  She first used the restroom and then did her Bible reading and prayer.

  Charity took her time dressing carefully in her green dress with an apron over it. She carefully brushed her hair, parted it in the middle and pulled the two sides back into a neat bun at the back. Next her white prayer kapp was placed to cover the bun.

  She checked herself in the mirror, giggling at herself because there were no real mirrors in her house. Satisfied with what she was seeing, she went out, carefully locked the door and put the key in her deep pocket and went downstairs.

  Erin was just finishing cleaning the dining room and kitchen, but was delighted to see Charity. Isaiah was at the table reading a paper.

  “Charity, guder mariye. Did you sleep well? How was the bed?”

  “Guder mariye and danki. I sleep so well I almost didn’t get up,” she laughed. “The bed is wonderful and the feather mattress is the best. Isaiah, did you make the bed?” (guder mariye-good morning)

  “Ja. Mi bruder, Emanuel, made some with me. I love to make furniture.”

  “Isaiah makes beautiful furniture and sells it to the English,” Erin proudly answered. She then looked down because they do not believe in boasting or being proud. It was obvious she loved her husband and he loved her very much. It made Charity feel good.

  “What would you like for breakfast, Charity?”

  “Please, don’t baddere yourself. I can go out to a restaurant.”

  Erin and Isaiah spoke at once. “Nee!” Isaiah grinned and then kept quiet. Erin insisted on making breakfast for Charity. “Sitz”

  She hurried around and scrambled two eggs. She put these on a plate with still hot fried apples, fried potatoes, bacon and biscuits.

  Charity ate and drank her coffee while they talked.

  Erin refused to allow Charity to wash her dishes or clean up. Isaiah stood up. “Kumme, I will go with you to the Yoder store and introduce you to the people. My daed and two of his bruders opened the first store and now it is so big that a lot of people work there, English and Amish.”

  Charity was thankful that he would accompany her since she felt a little nervous about going in and asking questions. She put her black bonnet on over her prayer kapp.

  They left with Erin wishing her to have a gut day. Her heart was beating erratically because she wanted to learn so much and be able to improve and upgrade her own store.

  As it was in the next block on Van Buren, they walked.

  Chapter Three

  Charity became ashamed of herself when she realized she was standing staring around with an open mouth. She had never seen so many items in one store and so many delightful colors. She jumped when Isaiah took her arm to introduce her to some ladies.

  “This is Charity Kime from Shickshinny, Pennsylvania. She has a store there and is interested in learning about this one and what she can do to improve her store. Charity this is Rebecca Berkenstroff, Naomi Eash and Purity Yoder. These ladies are basically in charge here although there is a general manager, assistant manager and bookkeeper. They can answer your questions.”

  The ladies smiled and welcomed her. “We will be glad to help you any way that we can. Where would you like to start?”

  “I do not know. There is so much to see and it is all so beautiful. First I would like to hear about how the store started.”

  Purity smiled. “I will tell you as it was my father who was one of the original owners. They first built in May, 1945 in Topeka, Indiana. The business grew and in 1952 they moved to Shipshewana. The Yoders have several stores here in a mini mall. There is a nursery with all kinds of flowers and containers next door and after that is a hardware.”

  “And your Bishop approves this?” Charity asked in surprise.

  “He does not say anything against it because we give a good part of the profit to the work of the church for the needy.”

  “But you have electricity and telephones and a lot of worldly equipment.”

  “He knows it is necessary in a store of this size that offers so much. He also knows that those of us, who are Amish, still follow the rules and attend church. We do not act in a worldly way.”

  “This is so much to learn and understand.”

  “Now would you like to look over the store?”

  “Ja danki.”

  They started at the end where they were. Work clothing for men of all kinds were available from coveralls to flannel shirts, jeans and Amish style clothing. Next was men’s dress clothing, hats, shirts, ties for both Amish and English. The next section was clothing for women both Amish and

  English. Then for children and last for babies clothing and furniture. The furniture made by Amish caused Charity to feel chocked thinking of the cradle that Adam had made Jeremiah.

  She drew a deep breath of pleasure in the next department. There were tables with all kinds of covering, some Amish made and some machine made. Beautiful china, goblets and silv
erware were on each table. She could tell that most of the tables were Amish made.

  The next section was for linens of all kinds, quilts, curtains, drapes, curtain rods, shower curtains and everything connected with bed and bath, and kitchen including pots, pans, kettles, teakettles and table grills.

  Going into the next section she found all kinds of yard good, cloths, threads, yarns, needles, scissors and anything connected with sewing, knitting or crocheting. There were three quilting frames hanging from the ceiling and women around them busily quilting while laughing and talking.

  The heavenly aromas told Charity where they were going next. The bakery department was manned entirely by Amish women. The display cases allowed everyone to see and drool over the products. On the shelves behind the women were cakes decorated too beautifully to cut. There were all kinds of breads and some items that Charity did not recognize. She gladly accepted their invitation to sit at a table and have some of the baked goods with a cup of coffee. She enjoyed chatting and getting to know more of the people, most of them Amish, but some of the English workers, too.

  Charity was pleased to learn that they sponsored a quilting society that made quilts for babies in the hospitals or for a nursing home that the Amish had opened. She was surprised and pleased at the idea of caring for the very sick and asked if there was a home for the elderly with no relatives nearby.

  “Not yet,” Naomi answered, “but I imagine we will have one before long. We do take care of our own and sometimes a person does not have a relative to care for them, or the relative is too old or sick.”

  Charity then asked how she could get supplies to start expanding her own store. She was given name, address and phone number, as well as the person to contact for the Dunroven House and Saro Trading Company. She thanked them sincerely and prepared to leave.