“The state of Minnesota requires that children ages eight to eighteen attend at least twelve weeks of school a year. We will encourage children here to attend school from eight in the morning until two in the afternoon, Monday through Friday, from the first week in September until the first of December. We will then break until the first of February and pick it up once again. We can reconsider this at any time depending on the weather and needs of the community. There will also be some apprentice programs for teaching the older children job skills for those of you who feel this is more important than book learning. Children can be trained as they work, and while they won’t be paid a salary, it will go toward their state educational requirements. Are there any questions?”
Several people raised their hands. Evie knew this must be an overwhelming ordeal for these people.
“Yes, go ahead,” Father said, pointing to one woman.
“I’ve a great deal of experience in midwifing and healing. If folks need remedies or attention during the week when we don’t have a doctor, I’d be happy to help.”
“Thank you,” Father said, nodding. “You’re Mrs. McGuire, are you not?”
“Yes, Nettie McGuire. Just call me Nettie.”
“Thank you again, Nettie. I believe you had a question, sir.” He motioned toward a tall man on the left.
“Yes, thank you. What if we’re assigned a job and it doesn’t suit us?”
“We tried to take into consideration the things that you wrote or asked us to write down on your applications, including everyone’s interests and abilities. However, if you are assigned to a job that you feel unable to do or would rather not be responsible for, you will speak with Mr. Flint. We don’t want a military unit here. It’s been our experience that if a person likes what they’re asked to do, they will do a good job and maintain a happier spirit. We only ask that everyone be willing to work to make this farm successful.
“First that will require everyone pitching in together to get buildings up and the chickens established and housed. We have a shipment of laying hens already here and more to come. Once we have a routine established for the care of the chickens, we’ll know how to better adjust things to allow for most of the women to remain at home with their children and rotate tasks with the community jobs like cooking, childcare, and gardening.”
There were a few more questions, and Father handled everything easily. Evie was proud of the way he treated the people there. So many in their society would have considered them unworthy of respect.
“Let’s head outside, then,” Father said after all the questions had been handled. “We’ll take a tour of the place and get folks established in the locations we have for each family.”
Evie and Max followed behind the group as her parents spoke about various areas of the farm and what would be needed. Most of the families would live in tents until the simple houses could be put together. The land had already been marked off just south of the main area where the chickenswould be housed. Keeping in mind the idea of forming a small town, the lots were set up with areas for streets and even a place for a communal park near the common building where the children would have school.
Several outhouses had been dug and framed up for immediate use, and a well had been installed near the housing area, while an existing well closer to the chicken building would be used for the animals and washing up. Evie hadn’t realized, but there was a small lake just over the hill on the farm property that was quite abundant with fish.
“It’s a lovely setting. Father says that they will endeavor to get some winter rye and wheat planted before it’s too late. That way, come next year they’ll have a harvest of grain. The chickens should provide money for the community throughout the winter. Father has already received several contracts for the expected egg production and says that it won’t be long until this place can fully support itself. I do hope it works out the way he and the other board members imagine it will,” Evie said.
“I do too. After losing everything, I hope these people realize the chance they’re being given,” Max replied.
“Father says there is always someone who will complain even when they’re given the biggest piece of pie.” She smiled and shrugged. “You can’t make people happy. They have to do that for themselves.”
Someone approached her father for a word, so the tour momentarily stopped. Just ahead of her, Evie spied Mr. Stubbs, the scarred man she and her mother had helped earlier in the month. She wondered how he was faring but said nothing, as he was busy conversing with several of the other men.
“This seems a real answer to prayer,” one man said. “My missus was so anxious to leave that hall where we were staying. Said some folks were thieves.”
“Yeah,” Mr. Stubbs agreed. “This ain’t a bad start for folks who’ve lost everything. I guess the fire turned out to be a blessing to more than just those rich folks who are collecting insurance money.”
Evie frowned and glanced at Max. She knew he was worried about what part his father might have played in the fire. By his expression, he’d heard the man. She reached over, took his right hand, and gave it a squeeze.
The tour continued, but Evie and Max held back. When the crowd had moved far enough away, Evie cleared her throat. “Well ... that was unexpected.”
“I wonder what role he played in the fire. He speaks like one who knows.”
“Maybe you’ll have a chance to speak with him sometime. Or maybe I will. Mother and I helped him once with some food. Maybe I’ll strike up a conversation with him.”
“Don’t.” Max surprised her with his firm tone. “He could be very dangerous. Leave it to me.”
That evening, Max settled on a stump by a large campfire. There were several tents behind him where the Turner family were staying. Max had been encouraged to stay with Evan and Andrew. They had even arranged a cot for him to sleep on, since it was hard for him to get up and down off the ground with his arm in a sling. Someone else had brought the stump for Max to sit on.
“I see you’re still up. Morning will come soon enough,” Dr. Turner said, joining Max at the fire.
“I know, but I won’t be able to help with the heavy tasks. Evie and I have planned to set up the classroom and go through the available materials. I figure from that I can create plans for the lessons.”
“Did you get the information I put together for you regarding the children?”
“Yes, there are thirty school-aged children. Most are under the age of thirteen, which means a focus on grade school materials.”
