As a last resort, he had put an ad in the papers seeking Addie, but no one had responded. It seemed so hopeless, and he eased his pain by telling stories about Addie to Mina and Lena. They called her Princess Addie, and Isaac was the handsome knight who would save her from the evil dragon. He had asked them how he could do this, and Mina had answered,“Your love will save her, Uncle Isaac. Just like God’s love saved us from sin.”
Isaac remembered how impressed he’d been with the then eight-year-old Mina. He had even commented on how her assessment was quite astute for one so young. Mina countered by telling him God had given her an old heart, and Isaac believed it. Now at age ten, Mina had quite a depth of understanding.
At three o’clock, Isaac met his students at the gate, just as instructed. They were all talking nonstop about what theyhad experienced. Most of the boys were starving because they’d used their lunch money for other things, but that was of no matter now. They would soon be home and could seek food there.
Isaac was glad when they were all finally released from his charge. He made his way home, walking up the hilly street. He reached his sister’s house with the wrought-iron fencing and massive gate. Stuart was from a moneyed family and had invested wisely. Although he taught English at the University of Washington and made very little, he was quite well off with investments. He had once joked that he had enough family money that he could afford to teach as a lifelong position. Even colleges couldn’t afford to pay all that well.
But Isaac didn’t care. He knew Addie wouldn’t either. They were both quite practical, and money wasn’t their raison d’être. Addie hadn’t been brought up to fear God as he had, but even then, she hadn’t sought riches and wealth as her goal in life. She saw how the madness affected the people around her. She pitied them and even wept when she saw them break from the strain. Addie was a girl who felt everything deeply.
Isaac had shared his faith with her, and Addie had seen the value of it but wasn’t sure she understood or could fully embrace it, given the cruelty of her own family. How could she trust a heavenly Father who seemed to ignore her situation? Isaac reminded her that God had sent Isaac into Addie’s life, and that he had pledged to always be there for her—just as God had. Gradually, Addie had softened to the idea of salvation through Jesus. Isaac had led her in a prayer and encouraged her to join him at church services on Sundays, but her family would hear nothing of it.
He wondered how she felt about God after all these years ... ten to be exact.
“Uncle Isaac!” Two little girls came bursting out the large double front doors.
Isaac scooped them both up at the same time and hugged them close. “Wait a minute,” he said, putting them down again. “Did you grow while I was gone?”
Six-year-old Lena giggled and gave an enthusiastic nod. “I did. Mama had to buy me new shoes.” She held up one foot.
“Oh, those are handsome shoes, Miss Lena. I think you chose very well.”
“I didn’t choose. Mama did.” She pranced around the porch and gave a twirl. “They’re very good for dancing.”
“Indeed, they are,” Isaac agreed. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone twirl quite as well.” She lifted her chin in pride. Isaac might have laughed, but the child was dead serious. “And what did you get, Miss Mina?”
“A new hat and gloves.”
“We both got new gloves,” Lena had to interject.
Mina frowned at her. “Yes, we both needed new gloves for church.”
“What kind of hat did you get?”
“It’s a straw hat to keep the sun off of my face so that I won’t freckle. Mama hates freckles.”
Isaac put his arm around Mina’s shoulders. “Well, I like freckles.”
“Did Princess Addie have any freckles?” she asked.
Lena danced over to join them. “Did she?”
Isaac thought back to Addie’s creamy complexion. Though slightly tanned by the sun and her outdoor work, she didn’t sport any freckles.
“No, Princess Addie didn’t have any freckles, but that doesn’t make them any less valuable to me.” He leaned down and kissed Mina’s forehead. “So if you should get any freckles, I will cherish them.”
“Mine too?” Lena asked.
“Of course.” He kissed the top of her head. “Now what say we go in and see if the cook has arranged tea for us?”
By the imposed will of the University of Washington, the expo was a dry affair. Liquor of any type was not to be allowed on the premises. Most world fairs and expositions knew the value of making alcohol available, but that was of no concern to the university. They felt it was an abomination and, as an example to their students and citizens, had refused. But that didn’t stop Hiram and Shep Bryant. After all, they hadn’t agreed to the conditions, and after all those years in prison, they weren’t about to continue to abstain.
The day after they got their exposition jobs, Hiram had managed to slip the liquor past the gate guard, telling them that his backpack was full of clothes and other needs for his employment. They hadn’t even cared. Despite it being a special turnstile for employees, the place was overrun with people, and the guards and others manning the stiles didn’t have time to worry too much about what people were bringing in.
Shep had carried what looked like a strongbox, while Hiram managed the backpack. The box was empty and easy enough to show if one of the guards did want to makea fuss. But no one did, and once they reached their room, Hiram removed the liquor from his pack and put it in the box. Afterward, he had Shep secure a padlock on the box, and then Hiram took the key.
They had divided up the clothes they’d stolen. Both were pretty much the same size. Hiram and Shep had visited several stores to acquire all that they needed. They stuffed some of the things under their shirts, while paying for other, less costly pieces. The stores were crowded, and no one ever seemed to notice.
After shopping their way, they went about seeking alcohol to take back to the exposition. Hiram and Shep had enjoyed plenty of the brew while in town, as well, but it made both of them feel a little happier knowing the stuff would be available to them whenever they wanted it.
