Eleanor Tatum

“Yes ma’am, it’s about another mile just down there. The Coffman brothers bought the old Jackson farm last winter. He’s been to our house asking Papa if he needed work.”

“Ah good, well then, we’ll lift him into the wagon and take him to his brother.” She directed two girls to each limb and she supported his head and shoulders. Together the ladies got the victim resting between sixteen feet, and Dianna convinced the team of horses to get them to the old Jackson farm.

****

“Be careful. Don’t drop him. Back up slowly.” Dianna directed the girls and two farm hands, who had been resting on the porch, to place the man on the hastily made bed in the small farm house. “Thank you everyone. Now, where are the medical supplies? Maybe they’re in a box in the kitchen? Bring in fresh water for the….where is his pitcher and bowl, the commode? Mr….um”

“Molesley, ma’am, and this here is my brother, Herman. We’ve been working for Mr. Coffman for a few months now, but we’ve never seen a commode. There’s a bowl in the kitchen. Want me to fetch it?”

“Yes please.” Much to her surprise both men went out of the room. “Girls, every one of you, help each other to water and feed the horses and then wait outside.” They went as a group and Dianna took in a fortified breath.

Molesley and Herman returned with water and bowl. “Sorry ma’am, no box for medicines. Maybe we could tear that sheet he’s on. You know, for the blood.”

That word had Dianna twisting her head back to her patient. Thankfully, there was little evidence of open wounds, just rapid bruising, but she knew there might be painful things happening internally. “There’s no more sheets? Are there any towels?”

“None that we’ve seen.”

Or used, evidently. Oh, try to be nice, Dianna sighed. “We need a doctor and the sheriff. Molesley, you get them and Herman….”

“Sorry ma’am,” Molesley interrupted, “but, we don’t….”

“Oh, let me guess.” She tried not to be mean, but damn, she was frustrated. “If you go you go together.” They simultaneously hung their heads and Dianna didn’t laugh, but she wanted to. She made a decision.