Amish Dilemma Read online

  Micah spread the word and various town people offered transportation, food, items needed for farming and best of all employment for Clint in the furniture factory in town. Neighbor boys Amish and Englisch helped with the farm work and many ways they were needed.

  Micah and Anita were sincerely thankful. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all of us, Amish and outsiders, could be together like this all of the time? I will never be able to understand where the hate and need to hurt take precedence over peaceful living. It seems to me that the guilt of doing something you know is wrong would be hard to live with.”

  Micah snorted. “The truth is they don’t think they’re doing anything wrong. Generations teach the following generations to hate or distrust because of color, nationality or religion. No, it doesn’t make sense, but we’ll have this to contend with as long as there are humans on this earth.”

  September rolled in and Charity began to wish the time would fly by. She had loved being pregnant and wanted children, but this bloated feeling, swollen feet and being tired most of the time was getting to her.

  She had canned more than eight hundred jars of vegetables, fruits, jams, jellies and gallons of cider. She has also put up dozens of jars of grapes and juice to be mixed with ginger ale for a beverage. She was looking forward to the middle of the week when the community would get together to make apple butter and can more apples with spices.

  Adam was in the process of killing hogs to make sausage, head cheese, and scrapple. The hams were to be processed and smoked, pork loins cut and ribs cut to be barbequed and shared with neighbors as they gathered for a fall festivity.

  Adam had helped Charity prepare a room for the much awaited, already loved baby which would be here in a few weeks. He had made a swinging cradle, a stroller and a bassinet. If they had known the horrors that would follow, they would not have wanted to rush through the month.

  Chapter Ten

  A couple of the town ministers called Micah to say that they thought they were on the verge of getting some talk going. One minister had gone to a teen meeting and urged the teens to take action before they might be on the receiving end of harassment.

  He told them, “If a person is mean-hearted enough to do these despicable things to an innocent person, think what they can do to you if they decide you are no longer their friend. You can’t trust people like this.”

  Two girls had come to him and ask what would happen to a person who knew what was going on and told about it. He talked to them for several minutes, but they didn’t have anything else to say.

  Eight more days passed and Rev. Barrington called Micah. “My daughter, Tiffany, would like to talk to you. She’s fifteen and mature for her age, but I want to be with her.” Micah assured him it would be fine.

  The next day, on a Tuesday, Tiffany and her father came to the station.

  “Hello, Tiffany. My, you’re getting to be a young lady. I can remember when you used to toddle by here and wave at all of us. You reminded me of a little Shirley Temple with your sweet dimples and curly hair.” Micah truly was glad to see her and tried to make her feel at ease. “Please, come into my office and have a seat. Would you like a soft drink?”

  “No, thank you Sheriff. I guess you know how nervous I am about coming here, especially when I feel I’m tattling on friends.” Tiffany spoke softly.

  “It isn’t tattling when you’re telling the truth about damage done to innocent people. Your age group probably sees it as such, but think of it as serving your country in bringing justice.”

  Rev. Barrington sat by Tiffany. “Don’t be nervous, darling. The Sheriff is our friend and is trying to protect all of us. He can only do his job when citizens cooperate.”

  Micah leaned back in his creaky leather chair and placed his hands behind his head in a relaxed manner. “Just start wherever you wish and tell me whatever you think I should know. Do you object if I have one of the ladies take notes? I want to be positive I’m remembering the facts.”

  She looked at her father and he nodded his head. “I don’t mind.”

  Micah flipped a switch on the office communicator and asked for one of the ladies to come in with a note pad and prepare to take a statement.

  Ellen Mercer came in, smiled at them and seated herself beside Micah’s desk and facing Tiffany. “I’m ready whenever you are,” she smiled.

  Tiffany took a deep breath and coughed. “I wasn’t present at any of the occurrences and was not involved, but you know how kids talk. Some times it is the truth and some times it’s bragging. Darren Kennedy didn’t have a steady girlfriend, but he did date a lot. Ashley Wilkins has been going with Trudy Morton and Trudy loves to brag and talk. She thought it was hysterically funny about the boys harassing the Amish. Abner Washington is from a prominent family and thinks he’s too good for any of us. He and Darren have apparently been the ring leaders in planning and encouraging the actions.” Here she paused and asked for a drink of water.

  “I’m sorry for what happened to Darren, but I don’t think he was murdered.”

  “He wasn’t?” Micah asked in surprise. “What do you think happened then because he’s sure dead?”

  “From what I’ve heard Ashley and Trudy say he did it to himself.”

  “How can that be?”

  I agreed to go to the movies with Liam McDonald one night. Ashley, Trudy, Denver Whitmore and Lisa Cornett were with us. After the movie we went to the Pizza Hut for pizza and soft drinks. I couldn’t be sure, but I truly think Ashley and Denver were high on something, but it wasn’t alcohol. Trudy giggled and encouraged them to tell what they were going to do next to the Amish. During the telling Denver said it was a shame that Darren had been so stubborn. I asked him how he was stubborn. He answered that Darren thought he could live through anything. He had said some religions handled poisonous snakes and drank poison and he bet the stupid Amish did and he could do the same. Liam made them shut up and got up to leave. I had to go with him so I didn’t hear any more than that. I had the feeling that Liam knew what was going on even if he wasn’t involved.”

  Rev. Barrington stopped his daughter to ask her some questions. “Was that the only time you heard them talking about anything?”

  “No, another time I was in the library at school and Trudy and Lisa came in and sat by me. Soon Linda Holden joined us. She has been dating Alan Barkley. Trudy started her giggling and whispered that she knew something exciting. We left before we got into trouble and went out in the courtyard.

  We sat down at a stone table and bench by some hedges and talked quietly. The others were eager to talk and share stories and I just listened, feeling guilty the whole time.” She looked at her father. “My parents have always told me to not indulge in gossip and not to repeat it, but I was curious.”

  She took a long drink from the bottle of cold water. “Trudy told us that she heard Ashley and Denver brag about stealing animals that belonged to the Amish. She also told us that Abner was bragging about his daddy running some of the crazy Amish off the road and wrecking their buggy.”

  Micah was flabbergasted. He could hardly wrap his mind around the fact that teens could be so cruel and brag about it. “Tiffany, do you really think Abner’s daddy did run the buggy and horse off the road or was he just spouting off? The man almost died. The horse was killed and the buggy damaged so badly it was of no use. The family was left destitute. Thanks to the Amish community, they are being cared for.”

  “I don’t know for sure, Sheriff. I’m just repeating what was told in my presence. Daddy said I couldn’t even swear to it on a witness stand because it was -- what did you say daddy?”

  “Hearsay. That means you don’t know it yourself, you’ve just heard others talking.”

  “Tiffany, do you have anything else to share? I can tell you, honey, you’ve been an answer to prayer. What these boys are doing is not only mischief, but dangerous and could cause them to spend years in prison. They have not only damaged property, caused emotional hurt and annoying actio
ns, but they’ve also put lives in danger. One of the horses that was stolen is a mare having a baby. She was in a lot of trauma besides being kept without food or water.”

  Tiffany began to wipe tears from he eyes. “I don’t want to get them in trouble, but it isn’t right what they’re doing.”

  “Honey, they got themselves in trouble. I feel the parents are to blame for not training them better at home and not keeping in touch with them. Did your parents raise you thinking it was okay to damage property and place lives in danger?”

  “Oh, no. My parents’ hearts would be broken if they thought I was doing such things. I have not only been taught better, but I would have a guilty conscience and not like myself if I did such things.”

  “Honey, it isn’t just because your father is a minister that you’ve been taught better, but as parents they’ve tried to raise a responsible lady.”

  Ellen stood up. “If that is all, do you mind if I go type this up and you can sign it before you leave here.”

  Rev. Barrington stood. “We’ll wait. I’m so proud of my daughter for having the courage to talk to her mother and me and then come in here. She has told the truth, but I hope the other teens will not find that she has talked. I’m sure they would cause all kinds of grief for her and for us.”

  “I can assure you nothing will go out from this office. My staff knows that if they talk out of turn, they will be fired and I can get rough with people I can’t trust.” Micah assured them.

  Ellen was soon back and handed Micah the papers. He rapidly read through them and gave them to Tiffany. “You and your dad read this and then, if you are satisfied, sign it, please.” He walked out of the room to give them privacy.

  Tiffany and her dad walked out and gave Micah the papers. “We’re satisfied and hope this will help.” Rev. Barrington said.

  “I can’t thank you enough. Tiffany, don’t be fearful. No one here will talk about your statement and no one will even tell you’ve been in. If you parked in the lot behind here, would you like to go out the back door and then you won’t be seen leaving.”

  Micah called Ellen in to take a letter. He handed her a list of names:

  Burleigh and Mary Wilkins -- son Ashley

  Thomas and Ellie Washington -- son Abner

  James and Nicole McDonald -- son Liam

  Richard and Hillary Whitmore -- son Denver

  Brad and Bonnie Barkley -- son Alan

  Marshall and Terry Morton -- daughter Trudy

  Earl and Ellen Cornett -- daughter Lisa

  Willis and Constance Holden -- daughter Linda

  Charles and Charlene Barrington -- daughter Tiffany

  “Write the same letter addressing one to each of these people. Tell them I am looking forward to meeting with them On Tuesday, September 11 at 3PM to discuss important affairs. Don’t invite and don’t leave it open for them to refuse. I want each of them here and no excuses.”

  “Do you mean to include the Barringtons? Won’t the girls be suspicious of Tiffany being here?”

  “No. It will be just the opposite. If they’re all included the rest of them will not be suspicious. They’ll just think I have something on all of them. I’ll call Rev. Barrington and explain it to him and tell him to tell Tiffany to be low key.”

  Micah very carefully made notes so that he would not forget something. He and Anita prayed about it and he hoped this would bring an end to the Amish harassment.

  The teens called each other and met wondering what the Sheriff wanted with them. None of them had an idea.

  Abner strutted around. “If I find that somebody has squealed on us, I’ll make them sorry they were born.”

  Tiffany was in tears telling her parents what was said. They assured her that none of the others knew she had talked to the Sheriff and if she kept calm and appeared as curious as the others, none of them would even consider her.

  Chapter Eleven

  Tuesday morning of September 11 opened with a cool rain which had ceased by noon. The air was chilly but the sun was out.

  Everyone came on time except the Washingtons. They came in seven minutes late. Thomas walked into the conference room demanding, in a loud voice, to know what the *#^* was so important to call them out on a working day. No one answered him. He fumed for a few minutes and finally sat down. Ellie looked embarrassed, but said nothing.

  Micah let them stew for a few minutes and then walked slowly in followed by Deputies Roy Braun and Glenn Woodward and Ellen Mercer. Ellen quietly took a seat near the back of the room and prepared to take notes. Roy and Glenn spoke to everyone and then sat near the door.

  Thomas Washington loudly demanded to know why they were being inconvenienced in this manner. Micah ignored the outburst and stood in front of the group leaning against a stand.

  “I want to first welcome all of you and thank you for being so prompt to respond. This is your home county and I know you’re all concerned about the safety of all citizens which includes all of you.”

  Thomas started to spout off again, but Ellie put a hand on his arm and shook her head. From the expression of his face, Micah knew she would pay for her action when they returned home.

  “As all of you know, I’m sorry and sad to say, we have some cowards living among us. These cruel, evil persons will not operate as an individual, but must have a group to support them and give them courage to do their evil deeds.” There was silence.

  Micah continued. “I’m talking about the evil cowards who harass innocent people and do damage to property. They also steal from people and were just short of committing murder. I’m talking about the horse and buggy that were run off the road. The horse lost his life and the buggy was damaged. The man was in critical condition almost leaving a wife and three little children, and I mean little children.”

  Burleigh Wilkins looked up from where he had dropped his head. “That was some of our people?”

  “It was our people who elected to try to kill an innocent family rather than live and let live.”

  “What makes you think he intended to kill them?” Thomas spoke belligerently.

  “I didn’t say it was a man driving. It could have been a woman.”

  Thomas dropped his shoulders and settled back in his chair.

  “We do have some clues pointing to that guilty party. I’m hoping he will come forward on his own and make it easier on himself. He will be facing a prison term and maybe a considerable fine. That will be up to the judge.”

  “Why would he be sent to prison for getting rid of someone that none of us want around?”

  “Why would you, Mr. Washington?”

  There was a deadly silence. Brad Barkley looked around. “If it is one of us, please tell us. We don’t approve the methods at all. I don’t particularly care to deal with the Amish, not because they have done anything I don’t approve of. Taking a good look at myself, I probably feel threatened by them because they live such a good, clean spiritual life and make the rest of us feel guilty.”

  “Guilty!” Richard Whitmore said. “Why would you feel guilty? I sure don’t. I’ve done nothing to feel guilty about.” He looked at Micah. “Oh, I guess I have. Even though I haven’t done anything directly against them, I haven’t tried to talk others into leaving them alone. But I will. As of this day I promise that I will endeavor to be friendly and helpful.”

  Thomas clapped his hands sarcastically. “Rah for you. Do you think that’s going to get you into Heaven?”

  “No. I know what will get me into Heaven. I’m thankful for the life I’ve been privileged to live and all the blessings I have.”

  “Such as?”

  “I have a wonderful wife, children who would make any parent proud, a good job, shelter, food and all necessities. I can truthfully say I have never done anything deliberately against anyone that would be hurtful.”

  James McDonald had been listening closely. “This is all interesting, but why are we here Micah? I have a feeling you haven’t touched the surface yet.”

>   Micah looked sternly around the group. “I have it by good authority that these boys and girls have been involved in the skullduggery going on. Some of you stole the animals and put their lives and health in danger. Some of you have harassed the Amish and made life miserable for them. All of those make you subject to a fine and could mean a jail term.”

  Mary Wilkins gave a little gasp. “Well my son is not involved. He’s been taught better at home.”

  “I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, Mrs. Wilkins. But it is my understanding that Ashley and Darren Kennedy have been the ringleaders. They have made the plans and urged others to get involved.”

  “That’s a lie!” Ashley yelled. “Anyone who says I was involved in any of it is a liar.”

  Trudy Morton moaned and placed her hand over her mouth.

  “Trudy, has your big mouth been at work. Did you tell lies on me?”

  She shook her head still covering her mouth and then tears started rolling down her cheeks.

  Terry Morton quickly hugged her daughter. “Trudy, if you know anything about what’s been going on, please tell us. Oh, it would break my heart if I knew you had done any of these cruel things.”

  Trudy sobbed. “No, mom. I haven’t been involved, but I know who has and I’ve laughed with them and haven’t tried to stop them.”

  “Shut up, b----,” Abner yelled standing and making fists at his sides.

  “Young man, you will not use language like that here and you will never talk to a young lady like that. After listening to your father this morning, I’m not surprised at your reaction. Why would you assume she was talking about you? She didn’t name anyone.”

  “Are you saying I’m a bad person?” Thomas stood belligerently and walked toward Micah with his hands made into fists. Both deputies stood and moved closer. Micah motioned with one hand for them to wait.