Forever by Your Side (Willamette Brides #3) - Tracie Peterson Page 0,65
and Tom have any suspicions about who might be in charge among the Indians?”
“Obviously Samson Sheridan is involved, but as young as he is, I doubt he’s in charge. I keep trying to figure out who would be obvious. Joseph Sheridan was eager to leave the reservation, but so were others. Rosy’s son tried to escape, and he was shot and killed by soldiers. Many other families endured the same thing. Maybe I could ask Clint who on the reservation has been the biggest troublemaker. I could ask on the pretense of wanting to stay away from those people until he could go with Tom and me to interview them.”
“That might work. At least to narrow it down to the most likely to start a war. I wish you could come back to Portland with me next week. Helen Hunt Jackson is coming to speak there. It’s a brief stop, as she’s winding her way down to California. I’ve been corresponding with her and am just so happy that she’s agreed to do this. I’d love for you to hear her ideas. She’s amazing.”
“Where are you bound to, ladies?” Clint asked as they passed the government office. He happened to be outside smoking a cigar.
“We’re going over to our friend’s house to sew baby clothes. Want to come?” Connie smiled, knowing it was the last place he’d want to be.
“Wish I could—just for the pleasure of your company—but alas, I have too much work to do. I have to meet with the Indian Legislature in five minutes. I just figured I’d catch a few puffs on a cigar before the meeting began.”
“I hope it’s a positive meeting. Have you found what’s needed to restart the mill?”
“I got some idea of the cost when I was in Portland. I talked to a man I believe is related to you both. Gabe Armistead.”
“Yes, he’s our cousin. We hoped he and our uncle Alex would be willing to help.”
“Mr. Armistead assured me they are. Even more amazing, they don’t expect anything in return. They’re going to send down parts and a man to help make repairs. Now I just need to motivate the men here to work the mill again. They can already start work bringing the downed trees to the mill. There’s lots of other preparatory work too.” He sighed. “But motivating lazy people is never easy.”
Faith frowned, and Connie hoped she wouldn’t say anything. The last thing they needed was to fight with Clint and draw attention to themselves.
“Well, good luck. We have to get going.” Connie tugged on Faith’s arm. “Don’t we?”
Faith nodded and allowed Connie to pull her forward. Once they were out of earshot, Faith gave a growl. “I hate it when people talk like that. You’d think he’d know better, having lived with the Indians all these years.”
“I know, Faith, but it wasn’t going to serve any good purpose to argue with him. Not when Ruth needs our help right now. Tell me more about Helen . . . what was her name?”
“Helen Hunt Jackson. Though she just calls herself Helen Jackson now. She was married to an army captain named Edward Hunt. He died in a military accident. She had two sons who also died not too long afterward. Very tragic and sad.”
“Why did she take up the Indian cause?”
“She heard a lecture by Chief Standing Bear of the Ponca Indians. He spoke of his tribe’s forced removal from their lands in Nebraska and of the woes they endured at the hands of the soldiers. It moved her so much that she immediately began to research the matter, as well as other similar events. She got involved in writing and speaking in order to raise money to help the Indians. She’s working on a book about various tribes and the atrocities done to them.”
“She sounds fascinating. I would very much like to hear her. Maybe I can convince Tom that we need to go to Portland and hear her as part of our work.”
“Speaking of Tom—what’s going on with the two of you?”
Connie glanced at Faith. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“You and Tom. Are you just working together, or is it something more? It seems to be so much more.”
“So everyone says, but Tom is just a friend. A very good friend, I’ll give you that much. There’s nothing I wouldn’t tell him. I would do just about anything for him, and I believe he feels the same way about me.”