What you've all been waiting for...The choices of love part 7

I took it to my parents that night at dinner and they told everyone that I would be moving. Everyone had a shocked reaction, except for Ben. It was very hard to see their reactions, but I knew it was the right thing for me to do. A few days later a letter came in the mail from the superintendent. He told me a carriage would be here in two days to pick me up. I needed to have my clothes and all of my belongings ready to put in a chest that he would bring. I was so excited I told everyone immediately. Ben and Ruthie seemed the most disappointed, I knew that Ruthie would, but not Ben. That surprised me.
Finally, the day had come. I had packed all my things and was ready to go once the carriage got here. I said my goodbyes and there were many tears from my mother, father and sisters. Ben didn’t cry, but I could tell he was very disappointed. Once the carriage arrived, they loaded my things into a chest and we began the long journey to Boston.
Once we arrived, they took me to my sleeping quarters and left me to unpack my things. In the room was a bed, dresser, mirror, desk and chair. They already had my school teaching uniforms there. They were all black and I could only wear the clothes I brought when I was in my room alone. One of the other teachers came to get me for dinner that night. She took me to a large room with two long tables going down each side, this was the dining hall. The kitchen was in the back of the room behind two doors. All of the girls came in, filed in a straight line. They were all dressed in dark purple with a black ribbon in their hair and one tied around their waist. When they came in, they all sat down to eat. The kitchen workers brought them their food, and placed their napkins in their laps for them. When everyone had finished eating, the girls left the dining hall, without even clearing their dishes from the table. I went back to my room and went straight to bed, for I knew the next day would be a very long one. My parents were correct, the girls didn’t do anything for themselves.
The next morning I got dressed and headed to the dining hall to eat breakfast. My classroom was simply gorgeous. All the desks were a mahogany wood, the chalkboard was spotless, and all the books on the bookshelves looked brand new. The curtains were the same color as the girl’s dresses, a beautiful dark purple. As the young ladies walked in, they mingled with each other for a few minutes, perhaps talking some of me, but I wasn’t sure. When all of the desks were full, I decided to start class.
“Good morning, class. I am your new teacher, Miss Stanton. If you all wouldn’t mind, I would love if you would introduce yourselves.” One of the girls stood up and told me, “Of, course. My name is Emily. It is nice to meet you”
Each of the girls stood up and introduced themselves, all sounding very sophisticated. We began with writing, I talked to them about writing a paper, and how to make sure it was edited correctly. They didn’t seem very interested, which was a surprise to me, because whenever I taught back at home, the children listened intently with their eyes glued on me. When it came time for spelling, I had been told before class that they were to have a spelling bee today. I had never done a spelling bee before, but it was quite fun. After spelling we had to a grammar lesson. At the end of the day, all of the girls, I hoped, had learned a lot. When my class was over, we had lunch then I had different class that came in. We did the same thing as the last class, but these children were younger. They seemed much more interested.
When the day was through, I went back to my room and thought over the whole day. The main thing I thought of was how the girls acted. They were kind to me, and to one another, but there was something I didn’t like. They didn’t do anything for themselves. All their lives everything had been done for them, so now they didn’t do things for themselves either. I decided I would write a letter home, it said,
Dear Family, and Ben,
Life here, as you told me, is quite different. My classroom is beautiful and I have a room all to myself. The food is fine, but nowhere near as good as yours, Mama. My clothes are quite odd, all black including my shoes and stockings. The girls, however, are beautiful and wear purple dresses with a black ribbon around their waist and in their hair. I am missing you all so much, I can’t describe how much I miss you really. I am not sure when I will get to come home to visit, but it will probably be at Christmas. I love you all very much.
Hugs and Kisses,
Elizabeth
While I was writing the letter, I realized how tired I was, and fell asleep, in my school dress, shoes and stockings. The next few days went fine, I suppose, although some days I wished I was back at home with my family. Surprisingly I even missed doing chores and helping care for my family. One night, after being at the school for a little over a month, I found myself crying in my room on my bed, over the tests I was trying to proof. I had made some friends, all of them were teachers and one was a girl who was falling behind in her schooling, but none of these replaced my family. One day, while I was in the middle of teaching grammar to my afternoon class, someone came in the door. I was facing the board, so I didn’t look behind me, for I figured it was someone coming to observe my classroom. A voice half shouted across the room, “Lizzie!”
That could only be one person, only one person in all the world called me Lizzie. It was Ben! Tears came pouring down my face as I ran to the back wall, where Ben was standing.
“Ben, Ben!” I yelled as I ran. I wrapped up class rather quickly that day, so we could talk. He told me that when he read my letter, he knew I should come home. The family discussed it and decided Ben should come get me from the boarding school. We talked to the principle and he let me leave to go home with Ben, back to the farm life that I realized I loved and missed so much. He had brought the old family wagon, and old Trigger. The ride home was much better than the ride there. I knew I was going home, and was so happy about it. On the ride back, I realized something. Ben was more than just a friend to me, he was more than just a farm hand.
When we arrived home, tears were pouring down the cheeks of Ruthie, Pa, and Ma and me. Ben stood back, just watching. I went back to teaching at the old town school and felt so much happier than I had ever felt when I was in Boston.
After school one day, when I had been home about a week, I heard familiar footsteps coming up the dirt road that led to the school. It was Ben. I was still in the school room cleaning up when he walked down the center isle between the desks. I moved from behind my desk and stepped directly in front of it and he said, “Lizzie, I love you. I have since I began to work for your father.”
I didn’t respond, but my eyes began to fill with tears. Then he looked at me with his shining blue eyes, and asked me with a joyous voice, “Elizabeth Stanton, will you marry me?”
“Of course I will, Ben!” I said,wrapping my arms around his neck. Then we both rode old Trigger back home and told everyone our important news. They were all so happy for us!
A few weeks later we had our wedding. I wore mama’s old wedding dress; it was just like I had pictured it. We were married in the old church with a small congregation, but it was perfect. We built a log cabin and lived beside Mama and Papa for a year or two.”
Tucking the covers up under Ruthie’s chin, and giving her a kiss on the forehead, I concluded the story by saying, “We still live happily ever after, with 3 children! You, Samuel, and your baby sister Grace. I am going to get in trouble with your father, for you are only 5 and I let you stay up far too late. I will tell you the story of how your mother and father fell in love again another night! You must get to sleep, I love you very much, Ruthie.”
“I love you too, Mama. Thanks for the wonderful story, its my favorite!”

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And that...my fellow bloggers completes the Choices of Love, I hope that you absolutely loved it! Thank you all for reading- I would love to know what you thought!
~Your author~Bailey

Finally....The Choices of Love: part 6

I didn’t think that Mama and Papa took it very well. I figured that would happen. After the children were asleep Mama and Papa helped Ben walk up to his bedroom and around the house, like they had done before. Then they told me to join them at the kitchen table.
“Elizabeth, we are very happy that you got offered this job. There is just one thing you should know before you make your decision.”
“What is it Pa?”
“We just want you to know that these people have been raised very differently than you. The way you will be living there will be very different than the way you live here. It will be a lot to get used to, then when you get home you will have to adjust to farm life all over again.”
“I know. Do you think I should take the job though?”
“What I am saying, is that in the end, it is your decision, but you must be very careful in what you decide. I think that you would enjoy the teaching, but would not care for the way you would be living or how the girls act.”
“I understand.”
“Have you prayed about it?” my mother questioned.
“Yes ma’am, but I feel like when I talk to people about leaving they are opposed to me leaving, and then I don’t know what to think.”
“That makes sense. Who all have you talked to?”
 “Ben, and Ruthie, and now you all.”
“Well I think that you should think about it for a few more days and then get back to the superintendent,” my father suggested.
“I will, thanks Ma, thanks Pa.” After saying this I went up to my room and went to bed. That Monday morning as I rode to school, I thought a lot about what mama and Papa had said the night before, but I already knew what I was going to do.
“Ben, can I come in?”
“Of course Lizzie, have you made a decision?”
“Well, I think.”
“So?”
“So, I think I am going to go.”
 “Wow, Lizzie. That is wonderful.”
“I have prayed about it and talked to Ma and Pa, and they said it would be a big cultural change but they thought I would enjoy the teaching, so I’m gonna go.”
“Lizzie, have you thought about how other people are going to feel when you move? Like your sisters?”
“I think they would be ok with it in the end, but I’m sure they would miss me at first.”
“That makes sense. Could you help me get downstairs and outside?”
“Sure, how is your leg doing?”
“It doesn’t hurt much anymore, and your Ma said that I could get back to work either tomorrow or Wednesday.”
“Thats great. I am sure Pa will love having your help again.”
We made our way down the ladder and outside and then I headed up to my room to write a very important letter. I wrote very carefully and in the end it read,

Dear Mr. Howell,
Thank you so much for coming to our small town to watch my teaching. When you asked about me moving to Boston to teach, I was so honored. When I arrived home that afternoon, I found that our farm hand had been injured. That is why it has taken me so long to get back to you. After talking about it with my family, I have decided that I will take the job. Just let me know what I need to do to be ready to go.

Sincerely,
Miss Elizabeth Stanton
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Sorry it took so long, but I hope you are enjoying it!!! I would love to know what you think so far!
~Your Author~Bailey~Philippians 4:13~

More story is coming!

For those of you who are interested, I promise I will be posting more of "The Choices of Love" tomorrow! I have had a super busy, yet super fun, week. I've been fall clothes shopping with my Aunt, cousin who is home for fall break from college, and my grandma, of course I've had school, but overall it's been a good week. And looks to be a good weekend too! Have a great Friday, don't forget to sleep in tomorrow morning! haha!

~Thanks~Bailey~Philippians 4:13~

The Choices of Love: Part 5

Sorry I haven't been posting anything else than my story, but I don't have anything to post about. So I hope that you are enjoying it!

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“Elizabeth, what is taking you so long?” called Ruthie from the kitchen.
“I’m coming. Do you need help with something?”
“Yes actually, could you help me sew up a hole in Laura?”
“Your baby doll?”
 “Yes. Who else is named Laura in this house?”
“I am coming.” As I began to sew the hole in the dolls neck, she asked me a question that I had a hard time answering, because of the thoughts that had been going through my head.
“How is Ben doing?”
“I guess he’s doing ok.”
“I almost forgot about the superintendents arrival. How did that go?”
“Good actually, he said my teaching was so good that,”
“That what?”
“That he wanted me to take a job in Boston at a girl’s boarding school.”
“What? You can’t move to Boston, you just can’t. I would miss you so much. Please don’t go, please!”
“I didn’t say I was going, its just a small possibility. I haven’t even told him if I was going yet. Don’t tell Mama, cause I haven’t told her either.”
“I won’t.” After saying that she walked away angrily with her doll in hand. I saw how me leaving would effect the lives of others. Maybe I shouldn’t go. I would just have to spend some time in prayer and thought.
It had been about a week and a half since Ben cut his leg, and he was doing much better. Thankfully it had not gotten infected, mostly because we cleaned it out every day and replaced the cloth covering his wound. As it got closer and closer to supper time, I decided I would tell mother about Boston, but there was someone I needed to talk to first.
“Ben, are you awake?” I said quietly.
“Yes, Lizzie. Do you need something?”
“Well sort of, I just wanted to talk to you about something.”
“All right, what?”
“Well, I am really considering moving to Boston to teach. Do you think I should?”
“I don’t know. It’s your decision. All I know is that lots of people would miss you an awful lot.”
“I suppose that’s true. I was thinking about telling Mama tonight at dinner.”
“Oh.”
“Oh, what?”
The saddest expression washed over his face as he replied, “Nothing, I am just really tired.”
At dinner time we talked about how Ben was doing, and mother said that his leg was doing much better and he should be able to start working again in about two days. This seemed to be a great time to ask her about Boston.
“Mama, Papa, when the superintendent came, he thought my teaching was so good that he...”
“He what?” my mother questioned.
“He asked me to move to Boston and teach at the girl’s boarding school.”
“Oh my, Elizabeth that is wonderful, but Boston is at least a full days journey.” my mother and father both said.
“Yes, I know. It would be wonderful though Ma. They provide all of your clothes and food.”
“We will continue this conversation after the children are in bed,” said Pa.
“Of course Pa.”
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The next installment will come soon! -Your Author- Bailey

The Choices of Love: Part 3

If you didn't read the fist 2 parts, click here: The choices of love part 1, and here: the choices of love part 2
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When I arrived at school, I hung some of the old, but nice, curtains above the window and put some of the student’s art work on the walls. I also put some flowers on my desk that I had picked on my way there. The students began to arrive one by one then two by two and then a big group of children ran up the road just before I rang the bell. We began with arithmetic, then continued on with spelling and reading. In the midst of all of the students reading aloud, I heard a loud knock on the sturdy wooden door. My heart began to pound as I walked towards the door, I straightened my skirt and made sure my ribbon was still in my hair and my bun had no stray hairs. Right before I answered the door, I said in a calm but commanding voice, “Children, please be on your best behavior for our guest.”
Then I answered the door. At the door was a man dressed in a button-down shirt with pin-striped pants and black dress shoes. He greeted me very kindly by saying, “Good morning Miss Stanton. My name is Mr. Howell, I am the superintendent of the schools in this area and I have come to observe your teaching. It looks as if you have a very nice classroom here.”
“Why thank you, Mr. Howell, you may call me Elizabeth if you wish.”
“No thank you. I prefer to call you Miss Stanton, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. We are in the middle of reading. Do you mind if they finish reading before we break for lunch?”
“No, I am here just to observe so continue on as if I was not here.”
I thanked him and went back to the front of the room and told the children to continue on reading. The rest of the day was a blur except when Mr. Howell told me at the end of the day, “Your class was superb ma’am, I enjoyed it thoroughly. I will be back in the morning to observe arithmetic and spelling.”
“That will be wonderful, thank you Mr. Howell.” we said our goodbyes and when I arrived home I told everyone about the whole day and the arrival of the superintendent. They listened intently as I told the stories and how he was to return the next day. Papa played on the fiddle for a few minutes before we all went to bed.
The next day went very well in my eyes. The superintendent arrived very early that morning just as I got there. He looked very intrigued as I taught like he was thinking about something. After school that day, I found out that he had been thinking of something, and it had been about me! When school ended, he asked if he could take me out for a cup of coffee. I did not deny, because he was the superintendent and I was honored that he would ask. When I arrived at the hotel restaurant, he kindly brought me in and pulled out my chair motioning for me to sit down. After we each ordered our coffee and talked about school and teaching for a few minutes he asked me question that shocked me so much I thought I would fall out of my chair and onto the floor, “Miss Stanton, I believe you are too great of a teacher to be teaching at such a small country school. If you are not interested, I understand, but at the Girl’s Boarding School of Boston we have a fine teaching opening. You would be teaching a writing, spelling and grammar class. The school is very nice, all of your clothes will be provided, along with food and housing. If you would like to stay here I understand, but I will need to know in the next three weeks if you would like to take the job. I will be leaving tomorrow so you can just send me a letter at this address.” after saying this he slid a piece of paper across the table with his name and address.
“Oh, my. That is quite an offer, I am honored that you would ask me Mr. Howell. I will discuss it with my family and get back to you, if that is all right?” I responded, trying not to sound surprised.
“That would be great, I am glad you are considering it. I must be going though, I have to rest for my trip home tomorrow. Thank you so much for letting me visit. It was a pleasure.”

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Come back in a few days for the next part, it starts to get REALLY good....you won't want to miss it!
~Your Author~ Bailey

The Choices of Love: Part 2

As I got closer to the small house we lived in, I heard Caroline yell, “Elizabeth! Could it have taken you any longer to get home?” I didn’t respond to her but just rubbed her head, messing up her tangly hair, which she had gotten from playing outside all day, I assumed.
“You must wear your best dress when the superintendent comes, so he will think wonderful things about you,” Mama half yelled as she stirred the delicious smelling soup she was brewing.
“I will Mother, don’t you worry about me! I will be just fine.” After dinner, we all sat around a warm fire, while father played on his fiddle. We all sang until it was time for bed. Since Ruthie and I shared a room, we both talked about the superintendent coming and all of the things that I would have to do to get ready for his arrival. We talked for at least an hour, then finally Ruthie just didn’t answer me and I drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
The next two days were spent in anticipation of the superintendent coming and his arrival. After school each day, I spent two hours cleaning the school room from top to bottom, enjoying an excuse to be away from home, and not doing all of the chores my mother had for me. Since I was the oldest, it was a big job, even if Ben was around to help Pa with the farm chores. When I got home, Ben greeted me with my hated nick-name by saying, “Hello, Lizzie. Have you had a good day?”
“Fine thank you. I’m not kidding you, don’t call me that name.”
“Oh my, I almost forgot. Your father went into town again today to see if they had received any news about the superintendent coming, and they heard that he would be here mid-day tomorrow.”
“How exciting! It’s a good thing I stayed to clean today.” as I said this mama yelled, “Elizabeth, Ben, Pa, come on inside, it’s time for supper.”
When I walked in mama informed me, “I made your favorite: chicken pie and green beans! I made it to celebrate the arrival of the superintendent.”
“Why, thank you, Mama. I was just cleaning up the school house. Sorry I got back so late. I wanted it to be nice for when the superintendent came.”
“That’s fine, I understand. Just please, be home on time tomorrow. I could really use your help around the house.”
“I will,” I was abruptly stopped with the entrance of my father and Ben. After they came in, we all sat down to eat and Papa said the blessing, “Dear Father, thank you for the food you have so graciously placed in front of us. Please bless this food and our time together tonight and keep us all safe. In your name, amen.”
Our meal, as promised by my mother, was delicious, and our conversation was centered around the arrival of the superintendent. I was so excited, I barely said anything, but just listened to the conversation of the others at our table. Time for bed came quickly that night for everyone was tired from the hard work that day so they all went to bed shortly after dinner. When I crawled into bed, Ruthie fell asleep quickly, but I couldn’t go to sleep for the knots in my stomach were keeping me awake. I finally did go to sleep, and was quite refreshed when I awoke. I put on my best school dress and tied a ribbon around the neat bun on the back of my head.

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Come back soon if you want to read more! -Bailey

The Choices of Love: Part 1

This is the story that I had to write last semester for school. I will be posting it in portions here on my blog! Enjoy-
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“Elizabeth,” yelled Mama, “Hurry up and sweep the floor!”
“Mama, I must go, I can’t be late for school. I have told the children not be late numerous times, yet I arrive late to class and set a bad example. Can I do it when I get home?” I replied hurriedly.
“Well I suppose, but be home in time to help Ruthie and me with dinner, do you understand?”
“Yes, Mama,” I yelled and ran out the door, after I kissed my baby brother on the forehead. I hopped up on old Trigger and rode off to school, thankful to leave the chores of the farm for at least a few hours. When I arrived, I was relieved that none of the students had gotten there. I walked in to the school, set my things down and began to welcome the students as they hurried into the classroom.
“Good morning Laura, good morning Sammy. How are you all doing this morning?”
“Fine, thank you.” they both replied. As more and more students came in, the room filled with noise faster and faster. Finally, it was 8:30, time for school to begin.
Before I could catch my breath, lunch time had come and gone and all of the students were walking home. The girls talked of dolls and the new dress their mothers were making them, and the boys talking of sneaking by their favorite fishing spot on their way home. When I rode up to the house, the first thing I heard was the voice of Ben, our farm hand, “Lizzie, you’re finally home,”
“Ben, you know how I hate that name.”
“Forget that, your Pa was in town today and he heard that the superintendent is observing teachers in this area and he is coming here, to our little town!”
“You are pulling my leg Ben.”
“No, I’m not, go ask your father. He’ll tell you the same thing.”
“Fine then. I will!”
I galloped over to the barn where I saw Ruthie helping Jacob, who was just three, feed the chickens and get their eggs. Both of them came running up to me, giving me a big hug.
“Elizabeth, you’re home!” yelled Ruthie, as she ran up.
“How’s you’re day going, sweet girl?” I asked her.
“Great, how was school? Was Joseph acting up again?”
“Thankfully, no. But Sammy took his turn picking on all of the girls,” We both laughed as I walked away to go see Pa.
“Pa, is it true that the superintendent is coming here?” I asked him with a questioning voice.
“Yes, my sunshine, he is.” he replied.
“Wow, I guess Ben was telling the truth!” I whispered under by breath, with a smile on my face, as I walked away to help Mama with dinner.
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I would love your feedback- I will post more in a few days! Thanks for reading~Bailey