Without further comment, Edward left. Marybeth paused in her work and heaved a heavy sigh. Another evening alone. Another day gone by.
“Want down pease.”
Marybeth shook off her feelings of gloom. “First, we have to wash you up.” She grabbed the porcelain bowl she used for such things. There was already room temperature water in the buckets, and with the hot water from the stove, it made a nice warm bath.
“All right. Let’s get you washed up properly.” Marybeth undid the buttons of Carrie’s little dress and slipped it down. “Goodness, how did you get cake and frosting under your collar?”
Marybeth soon had her undressed and kept Carrie in her trayed chair to contain her. It was far easier this way. Oh, for the days when she’d had a proper bathtub.
Carrie wasn’t a fan of washing up, but she endured knowing she wouldn’t be let down until the bathing was finished. Marybeth hurried the process, knowing Carrie would soon get cranky. As a final measure, Marybeth rubbed a washcloth over Carrie’s head, just in case there was some hidden frosting lurking.
Carrie looked up at Marybeth for inspection and gave her a big toothy smile. “I clean.” She held up her hands and splayed out her fingers.
“Indeed, you are.” Marybeth wiped the tray down before lifting it up so that Carrie could jump off the seat. She was such a daredevil and loved this part of the ritual.
“All right, little miss, we need to get you dressed. And then you’re going to need to play with your blocks while I start washing clothes. Can you be a good girl and stay away from the stove?”
“It hot, and I don’t touch,” she said, shaking her head in a most serious manner.
Marybeth smiled and gave her sister a nod. “That’s right. You don’t ever touch. It’s hot.”
“Ouchie.”
“Yes.” Marybeth put Carrie in a clean dress, noting that it didn’t fit quite as loosely as it once did. She was growing up. That was for sure. The thought was bittersweet. She was such a darling baby, probably the only one Marybeth would ever have.
She bit her lip as tears came to her eyes. When Mama had died, Marybeth had pledged herself to taking care of her father. When he’d married Sarah, Marybeth gave some consideration to a life of her own—of courtship and marriage. She hoped to marry and live close to Janey and Edward. But then Sarah and Janey died, changing everything.
With the two-year-old dressed, Marybeth led her to where her blocks were waiting. “I love you, baby. You are precious to me.” She knelt down by Carrie and hugged her close.
“My mama,” Carrie said, patting Marybeth’s face ever so gently. “I wuv you.”
Sunday, January 5, 1868, was a grand day in the life of Cheyenne. The newly built school was dedicated, and throngs of people turned out despite the temperatures dropping tominus twenty-three degrees. Edward insisted that Marybeth and Carrie stay home. It was much too cold for Carrie, who had taken sick. It appeared to be nothing more than sniffles, but he didn’t want it turning into something worse. He promised Marybeth he’d give her all the details later.
The school had been built on Nineteenth Street and measured twenty-four by forty. The three-man school committee had deemed that plenty big for the town’s first school. Money had been raised by Cheyenne’s citizens, and in November the ground had been broken to build despite the onset of winter weather. Now here they were with the better half of Cheyenne standing in the frigid weather to celebrate one more step toward civilized living.
The crowd was ushered into the school, and shortly thereafter, Dr. Scott quieted them so that he could open in prayer.
Afterward, Dr. GeorgeH. Russell addressed the crowd. “We’ve hired a principal and headmaster, Mr. Arnold, and I want to welcome him and his wife, who will also help with teaching since we have over one hundred students signed up for classes.”
The crowd gasped at the number as the couple came forward. Edward couldn’t help but wonder how one man or even one man and woman could manage one hundred children ranging in age from six to sixteen.
“Mr. and Mrs. Arnold, we are very glad to have you join us in Cheyenne. We know that you will do a fine job.” The couple smiled and took seats with the other speakers for the celebration.
“We are proud of our townsfolk for raising funds to build this fine school, although expenses did exceed the amount we raised. We must remember that education is critical for our children, however. We may be, nay, we will be called uponto dig deeper in our pockets to finance this institution, but it is necessary if Cheyenne is to become the great city that everyone believes it can be.”
After Dr. Russell concluded his thoughts, twenty-five-year-old WilliamW. Corlett addressed the crowd. Corlett, a lawyer now teamed up to create a law firm with another city father, J.R. Whitehead, was enthusiastic about Cheyenne’s growth and development. Edward knew the man from the newly formed court system. Corlett was a knowledgeable man who felt compelled to bring law and order to the town. He spoke to the Cheyenneites about their responsibility to civilize this area and drive the battle forward to becoming their own territory and then a state, with Cheyenne as the capital city. Cheers went up all around, and soon Rev. Allen closed the celebration in benediction.
Edward kept his eyes open for any signs of trouble despite it being his night off. Thankfully, the people seemed completely devoted to a happy spirit rather than an argumentative one.
Dr. Scott made his way to where Edward stood and shook his hand. “Good to see you, Edward. I don’t suppose it will be all that long until that little girl of yours will be joining the scholars here.”
“She just celebrated her second birthday last week, so it will be a few years.”
“By then you’ll no doubt have a few more to add to the number.”
Edward looked away lest the doctor see the truth in his eyes. There wouldn’t be any more children in the Vogel family.
“Dr. Scott,” another man said, coming to join them.
