Editor’s Note: This is an ongoing series which runs each Thursday morning titled the Richland Chronicles Volume 3, by author Paul Lintern. It is set in 1831 and tells the story of Richland County through the eyes of young people. This is the third in a three-book trilogy. Volume 1 was Amelia Changes Her Tune, while Volume II was Isaac and Wolf Paw Find Their Home.
“I think he’s cute.”
Autumn and Ermina glanced at each other and rolled their eyes. Emily was nonstop. She had been talking ever since they started riding Chestnut from the Oakland Inn an hour before.
They had heard about Emily’s father in the Arkansas Territory, about her sister having another baby, about some new lavender-colored material that was supposed to be in Mr. Arnold’s store, and about how smelly the square in Mansfield still is, even though a new law says farmers may not take more than four cows through it at a time.
Now she was talking about Wolf Paw, who lived in the Wyandot Reservation about 40 miles west on the Upper Sandusky River. He often came to Mansfield with his grandmother to sell wares at the market house. Wolf Paw was a good friend of Isaac Zeiters, a cousin of both Autumn and Emily. Emily Pittenger was an authority on everything, even when she didn’t know what she was talking about.
Being older by three years than Autumn or Ermina, she had a natural audience that could not really argue with her, even when they knew her to be wrong. Autumn’s mother’s father and Emily’s father’s father were brothers. That made them second cousins, if Autumn understood how that went, since her mother and Emily’s father were first cousins.
More importantly, Emily lived just a few farms past Autumn’s home, the Oakland Inn. Because of family the two saw each other a lot.
Ermina Day lived in Mansfield, on the square, next to the newspaper office and close to lawyer John May’s office. From her front room, she could see the courthouse and the Methodist Church as well as Mr. McFall’s store, Mr. Arnold’s store and Mr. Sturges’ store.
That made her very popular with friends who liked to shop, such as Autumn and Emily. As the three rode into the Square, Autumn looked toward the market house. It was empty today but would be filled with vendors tomorrow morning.
Emily was describing how tall Wolf Paw was. Autumn glanced at the new brick courthouse that everyone said showed how prosperous Richland County was becoming. She looked at the houses so close together, next to offices and stores.
Emily was telling about Wolf Paw talking to her last time Isaac and he were chopping wood at the Inn. Autumn noticed the big two-story Wiler House, a hotel that made her father’s inn look like a shed. Emily was wondering aloud whether her grandmother would approve of her talking to Wolf Paw.
Autumn saw Ermina’s mother in the front of their house waving to them as Chestnut ambled up, while Emily was suggesting that Wolf Paw should be happy to ask her to the village founders’ dance this Saturday.
“My goodness ladies, that’s quite a load for poor ol’ Chestnut,” she said. “You aren’t the little papooses you used to be, especially you, Emily.”
Autumn sensed ol’ Chestnut snorting in agreement, as the girls hopped off. She wrapped the horse’s reins around the post in front of the house, and went for a bucket to fill with water for her trusty transportation.
“Good morning, Mrs. Day,” Emily said. “It’s nice to see you. We ladies have a lot to do to get ready for the dance Saturday, don’t we?”
“Uh, yes, of course, Emily. Ermina, you and your friends may each have a muffin; don’t burn yourselves.”
“Thanks, Mama.”
The girls waited for Autumn to look after Chestnut, then all three walked into the Day home. Mr. Day was at his desk in the first room to the right, pouring over books. He’s doing that every time I’m here, Autumn thought. They greeted him as they walked by. He grunted a response, but seemed more concerned about making numbers add up.
As the girls were sitting on the back steps, eating muffins just outside the kitchen, Emily suddenly blurted out another announcement.
“I forgot to tell you the most important news I just learned. Mrs. Holstein is a witch.”
“Mrs. Holstein?” said Autumn.
“A witch?” said Ermina
“How do you know?” Autumn asked.
“I just know. I heard Mrs. Osbun talking to my sister. She said Mrs. Holstein put a spell on her farm and the butter stopped churning. She said little children have come up missing and some dogs have been meowing like cats.”
“Mrs. Holstein was at the Olivesburgh Store last time I was there,” Autumn said.
“Did she talk to you?” Ermina asked.
“No, she’s always pretty quiet,” Autumn said.
“They always are, until they get you on their own place, under their spell,” Emily said. “Next thing you know, you’re a chicken.”
“Sounds like you’re under the spell of those muffins,” came a voice from the hallway.
It was Mr. Day. The girls became quiet, as though a muffin were caught in each throat. Finally Emily spoke up.
“I’m just saying what I hear from others.”
“Of course, Miss Pittenger; just be careful about speaking truth before knowing truth, because many things disguise themselves as truth.”
Another sermon, thanks a lot, Emily, Autumn thought. The girls mumbled apologies, but Mr. Day did not seem too concerned.
He just said, “Finish your muffins, then I need you to run to Mr. Arnold’s for a pound of sugar for your mother’s pies.”
“And a piece of licorice?” Ermina asked.
“If you come right back.”
“For all of us?” Ermina persisted.
“As long as that includes Junior, who you will take with you.”
Autumn smiled at this negotiation. Mr. Day never liked to let someone talk him into something without getting the last word.
Junior was Ermina’s 7-year-old brother, a spindly, blond-haired backward sort of boy that girls didn’t mind dragging along, because he didn’t do most of the annoying things little brothers usually do, like throwing dirt clods and taunting with silly rhymes.
His name was Matthias, just like his father. That is why they called him Junior. The three girls and Junior waltzed across the square to the northwest corner, where Mr. Arnold’s “Cheap New Goods Store” welcomed the shoppers.
