Chapter 6
Sarah and Ben
Back on the farm, the Reid children had found a home. Ben Barton, the proprietor, had carefully checked out the story as to why the children had left their home. The day after he had picked them up on the road, he had taken Jimmie and gone back to the little cabin. After seeing the run-down shack and going to the graveyard with Jimmie to see the freshly-dug grave, he accepted their story. But now, what was to be done with the children? Anyone who knew Ben Barton, knew he would not want to care for them long. But with Sarah, it was different. She longed for the companionship of these little orphan children.
"We can't just put them out, Ben. Can't we just keep them until we can locate the man in black?" she pleaded.
"The man in black," he scoffed. "Don't we have a good description of the person they're looking for? The man in black, to be sure." He angrily turned and walked out of the room.
But in spite of his hardness, he allowed them to stay, for he discovered that Jimmie was a hard worker, and Jacky could carry his end of the load, too. It was worth what they ate, to have them take so much of the burden of the farm work off his shoulders. As time went on, he even quit complaining about Sarah preparing extra dishes for the children. He felt he was getting his money's worth.
The girls, also, were a help around the house. Aunt Sarah, as they had learned to call her, gave them regular chores to do. Mary fed and watered the chickens and the dog and the cat each day, while Katie and Sue helped wash the dishes, make the beds, and sweep the floors. Mary was also assigned to bring in kindling to start the fire in the stove.
In the beginning, there was the problem of beds for the children to sleep on, but Aunt Sarah solved that. She had the children to help her gather moss from the large oak trees on the farm. By fluffing it up a bit, it made satisfactory fillings for mattresses for them to sleep on.
For clothing, Aunt Sarah busied herself making dresses for the girls by using what material she could salvage out of some of her old dresses. These were suitable to wear around the farm. But they had one new dress each, which they saved for special occasions. This was made from the yard goods Daddy had brought home the night Mamma passed away. Since he had brought enough for Mamma to have a new dress, there was material left when Aunt Sarah finished making the girl's dresses. They insisted she make one for herself, so she complied with their suggestion.
For the boys, she used Uncle Ben's discarded trousers to make them garments suitable to wear around the farm. The children were thrilled to have a change of clothing, even though the clothes did not look as if they had come from a fashion catalog. They thought Aunt Sarah was the most wonderful person in the whole world. As for Uncle Ben, he scolded them often and was grouchy to Aunt Sarah, but they were thankful for a home, so they overlooked his conduct. They hoped they would never have to leave in spite of Uncle Ben's despicable ways. Though they loved their daddy and missed him, yet they did not want him to find them and take them away from their new home where they always had plenty to eat.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, and the leaves on the trees about the farm changed from the different shades of green to the golden hues of autumn. The wind that whistled around the corners and through the cracks of the old farm house began to feel nippy. As Aunt Sarah lighted the pine splinters to start the first fire in the fireplace for the season, the thought of coats for the children entered her mind for the first time. How would she ever be able to manage coats for five children? As the fire blazed up, sending the smoke curling up the chimney, she went to search through their meager belongings to see what she could find. Luckily, she found coats for Mary, Katie, and Jacky, and a sweater that could be darned and fixed for Sue. She took them out to clean, and when she took Mary's little coat, a small card fell to the floor. Picking it up, she said, "Rev. Jack Delaney, 2224 Peach St., Batesville."
She gasped. What did it mean? Why was this name and address in Mary's pocket?
Mary, who was close at hand, explained excitedly, "The man in black, he gave it to Daddy, but Daddy didn't want it so I put it in my coat pocket. I hoped that someday I could learn to read like Mamma, and then I would know what was on the paper. Can you read, Aunt Sarah? Do you know what's on the paper?"
Aunt Sarah nodded wordlessly. "The man in black," she mused. "So this is the man in black they're searching for."
Mary looked at her questioningly. "Will you tell me, Aunt Sarah, what's on the paper, the man in black said--"
"The man in black," Aunt Sarah repeated in amazement. "Why who would have ever dreamed that this was the man in black?"
"Do you know the man in black, Aunt Sarah?" Mary asked anxiously.
"Yes, Dear, I know him quite well."
"Do you ever see him?"
"I haven't seen him in a long, long time."
"Do you know how to find him?"
"This is his address, Mary. 2224 Peach St., Batesville. "
"We don't really want to find him now, Aunt Sarah. We're happy here with you and Uncle Ben."
Aunt Sarah smiled slightly as she hugged Mary to her. "I'm glad you're happy, Mary."
A change came over Aunt Sarah after this incident. She was much quieter and sometimes just sat and stared into space. Oftentimes, she slipped away alone and burst into tears. Her heart was sad and troubled. The little card she had found in Mary's coat pocket had brought back memories of long ago which she had tried to forget.
One day after Ben and the boys had gone to work and she had sent the girls out to hunt hickory nuts, she sat down at the kitchen table and buried her face in her hands. Tears coursed down her cheeks.
"Uncle Jack," she whispered, "your prayers have followed me down through the years and I'm afraid they're catching up with me." Her body shook with sobs. "Oh God," she cried brokenly, "I have closed my heart to your entreaties for so long, but I'm tired of running from You, Lord. Today I'm coming home to Father's house." She could hardly speak for the sobs that racked her body, but with much effort, she confessed her sins and rebellion to God. "If You will only forgive me and save my soul, Dear Jesus, I'll obey You whatever it costs me. I'm so sorry for my wayward life. Will you please forgive me, Father?" Her sobs subsided, and she was quieted, yet she did not feel her need was met. Arising from her chair, she went into the living room and fell on her knees by the couch. "Jesus, Jesus," she erred brokenly, "I want Your forgiveness more than anything else in the world. You promised to forgive if one would repent. I have truly repented from the depths of my heart, Dear Jesus. I believe You right now to forgive my sins." As she waited before God, a sweet rest came to her soul. She was at peace with God. He had forgiven her sins and saved her soul.
"Thank You, oh thank You, dear Jesus." She jumped to her feet and walked back and forth through the house praising the Lord for forgiveness of sins.
It was a different Aunt Sarah the girls found when they returned. She had a radiant smile and such a peaceful look on her face, that they wondered what had caused the change in her. She asked them to be seated and told them her story.
"The man in black is my own dear uncle, girls," she began.
The children gasped.
"He and Aunt Mae reared me and my little sister, Bessie, after our parents were killed in a train wreck. They had made a trip back home to attend the funeral of my grandfather. Aunt Mae offered to keep us until they got back. Well, they never did get back because the train wrecked and they were killed. Therefore, since my aunt and uncle had no children of their own, they kept us and reared us.
"Bessie is still with them. She is a sweet girl, spiritual minded, and a great blessing to Uncle Jack and Aunt Mae. With me it has been different. I was naughty and did not want to serve God. I married Ben against Uncle Jack's wishes. Ben got mad at Uncle Jack because he didn't approve of our marriage so we moved out here to get away from them. I know that was mean of us; but at the time, we didn't care how we treated dear Uncle Jack and Aunt Mae."
"The man i
n black--uh--your Uncle Jack is so good. How could you treat him mean?" asked Katie.
"I'm terribly sorry now, Katie," she answered with tears in her eyes; "but then we thought he didn't like Ben, and that's what made us treat him mean."
"Did he come to see you when you moved here so far away from him?" asked Mary.
"Yes, a few times, but I'm sure they never felt very welcome, so eventually they stopped coming altogether. Deep down inside, I always loved them, but I just didn't care to be around them. Their lives were godly since they lived for Jesus; and, therefore, that was a reproach to my sinful life, so I always felt better away from them. But now--," she sighed, "things will be different."
"You mean the man in black--uh--Uncle Jack will come see you now?" Sue inquired.
"I hope so," she replied wistfully. "We will see how Ben reacts when he hears of my conversion."
"Your what?" The children did not understand.
"My conversion. Oh, I forgot to tell you the most important thing of all. Today, girls, while you were gone, Jesus forgave all my sins and saved me. Now I'm a Christian like Uncle Jack, Aunt Mae, and Bessie. They have prayed for me for years and at last their prayers have been answered.”
"A Christian is what Mamma said she was before she died, " Sue said simply.
"Your mother was a Christian, Sue?" Aunt Sarah asked wonderingly.
"Yes, she said her grandmother told her about God--and about--Heaven--and about hell--and she asked God to make her a Christian and God did it."
"And she went to that beautiful Heaven cause I saw her--" Mary began.
"Wonderful! Wonderful!" Aunt Sarah could hardly contain herself. "Girls, your mother is waiting up in Heaven for you. Someday you can go to her if you will live for Jesus."
"I want to live for Jesus," Mary looked up into Aunt Sarah's face with tears in her eyes. "I want to be a Christian like Mamma and you and Uncle Jack."
"Let us kneel here by the couch and ask Jesus to come into your heart, Mary."
They knelt together and Mary sobbed out her heart to God and was soon rejoicing in sins forgiven.
Aunt Sarah looked at Katie and Sue. "How about it, girls? Do you want Jesus to come into your hearts, too?"
They looked at each other and smiled timidly, but neither spoke. Aunt Sarah did not persist. She thought it best to let the Spirit lead and convict them of sin in His own time.
That evening, they gathered around the table for supper, and as soon as they were seated, Ben reached for the roast, as was his usual practice.
"Ben," Sarah said meekly, "Do you mind if I thank God for the food? You see God saved me today."
Ben stopped, his hand in mid-air, and stared at Sarah in unbelief. Before he could give her an answer, she led out in a simple prayer, thanking God for saving her soul and then thanking Him for the food. There wasn't much conversation around the table after this and not as much food consumed as usual.
After the dishes were cleared away, Aunt Sarah and the children gathered together in the living room, as was their usual custom, but Uncle Ben was nowhere to be seen.
"Where did Ben go?" Aunt Sarah asked. "It's cold outside." No one knew his whereabouts.
Since no one seemed to be very talkative, Aunt Sarah suggested, "Let us have prayer and go to bed. As soon as I can, I want to buy a Bible. Then we can read it for devotions at night."
Shyly, the children glanced at one another and smiled before getting on their knees. This was something altogether new to them. As Aunt Sarah led in prayer, the sweet Holy Spirit settled down. She thanked God for salvation. She thanked Him for Uncle Jack, Aunt Mae, and Bessie's prayers that had followed her until they caught up with her. Then she thanked God for getting to Mary's heart, and prayed for the other children and for Ben.
Long after all were in bed and Sarah lay quietly wondering about Ben, he came in, dressed for bed in the dark, and slipped in beside her. She longed to talk to him about her new-found experience but refrained from doing so, because she sensed that he did not want to hear about it. Where had he been? Why didn't he want to talk to her? Long after she heard his even breathing and knew he was asleep, she lay awake praying that somehow God would get to his heart.
The next morning, she awoke early to prepare breakfast for Ben and the boys. Perhaps this morning there would be an opportunity to talk to him, but when he came into the kitchen, Jimmie was with him. Had he got him up earlier than usual on purpose to keep from being alone with her? This thought troubled her.
"Hurry with the breakfast, Sarah," he barked; "we've got a big day today."
For several nights, Ben did his disappearing act. Sarah could not understand why he was evading her. One night, she decided to sit up and wait for him after the children had gone to bed. She blew out the lamp and waited in the dark. After what seemed an hour or so, the front door was eased open and Ben came in quietly.
"Ben," she called.
He jumped when his name was called, and then asked gruffly, "What do you want?"
Sarah shivered. She hated for Ben to be ill-tempered with her. "I'd like very much to talk to you, Ben."
"About what?" His voice was still rough.
"Lots of things, Ben. Will you sit here on the couch with me so we can talk awhile?"
"I'm tired, Sarah, I've worked hard today and I don't feel like sitting up half the night gabbing."
"If you're so tired," Sarah thought, "why haven't you gone to bed much earlier?" But aloud, she said, "I realize you're tired, Ben, but we haven't had any time to talk since—since".
"Since you went religious on me. Is that what you're tring to say, Sarah?"
"Ben, aren't you glad my life is changed? Aren't you glad God has been merciful to me? Aren't you glad I've found peace after all those troubled years? Ben, Dear, don't you want this peace that Jesus can give you?"
But he had left the room and gone into the bedroom. Sarah followed.
"Ben, I don't want to be a pest, but you're acting so peculiar. What's wrong?"
"Sh-h-h. The walls are thin. Don't wake up the children. Good-night."
"Good-night, Ben," she answered feeling frustrated. For long hours after bidding him good-night, she prayed silently for God to get to his heart.
The next morning as she prepared breakfast, she heard someone come into the kitchen. Turning, she was face to face with Ben, this time alone. He looked pale and his hand shook when he reached for his coffee.
"Ben, are you sick?" she asked anxiously.
"Not really."
"Then what's wrong?"
"I didn't sleep well last night."
"Why?"
"Every time I dozed off, I had bad dreams."
"What kind of dreams, Ben?"
"Oh, different kinds."
Sarah washed the biscuit dough off her hands, dried her hands on her apron, and pulled up a chair close to Ben. It filled her heart with compassion to see him so subdued. Something was wrong and she wanted to help him if she could.
"Ben," she laid her hand on his, "what's wrong? Do you think that perhaps--that maybe--uh--that God is trying to--uh--trying to get to your heart?" It took all the grace she had to deal with Ben.
"Oh, Sarah," he dropped his head onto his arms on the table. "I've been so miserable for days--maybe I should change that to years. I would give anything in this world to find peace as you have found. I'm so mean, so wretched, so hateful to everybody. It just seems I was born with a hateful streak." Looking up at her, he asked, "Do you think I could ever find peace of mind and heart? I can't explain it, but it just seems that for days now, I've felt somebody's prayers. Even before you found peace, I felt it. Do you suppose your preacher uncle and family are praying for us? Do you think we could locate him and tell him I'm ready to surrender?"
Sarah was amazed at Ben's confession. She answered, "Ben, Uncle Jack is the man in black the children were hunting when you found them. I found his name and address in Mary's coat pocket. Maybe we can go
today and look him up if you think your old truck will make it. Jimmie and Jacky can take care of the pressing duties."
"I can't believe it, Sarah," Ben said in astonishment. "Jack, the man in black! Can you imagine?" He smiled at her and squeezed her hand. "The old truck will make it all right. You just get everything ready. I'm not hungry. The children will be fine until we get back."
Several hours later the old hay truck stopped at 2224 Peach St. in Batesville. Sarah and Ben got out and walked together up the walk and knocked at the door. Bessie came to the door, but was speechless when she saw who it was.
"Bessie," Sarah explained with tears in her eyes, "God has saved me. And Ben, also, wants to get saved. May we come in?"
Bessie threw her arms around her sister and they wept together for joy. Then she greeted Ben warmly and welcomed them in.
"Uncle Jack," she called excitedly, "Come see who's here."
Uncle Jack entered the room with a questioning look. When he caught sight of his visitors, a special smile lit up his face.
"Sarah, Ben, how glad I am to see you." He walked toward them and Sarah threw herself in his arms, weeping unrestrainedly .
"What's wrong, Sarah?" he asked tenderly.
Bessie could not wait until Sarah could regain her composure to break the news. "Sarah has been saved, Uncle Jack. Isn't it wonderful?"
"Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!" he exclaimed joyfully.
"And Ben wants you to pray for him," Sarah managed to tell him.
"Wonderful! Wonderful! he cried. "Oh, how marvelous are the workings of the Spirit."
"Where is Aunt Mae?" Sarah asked anxiously.
"She's visiting a sick lady. She'll be back soon." As he talked, Uncle Jack reached for his Bible.
Turning to Proverbs 28:13, he read, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Then he read John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
"You see, Ben," Uncle Jack explained, "We're to confess and believe. When you uncover all your sins and ask God's forgiveness, then He will enable you to believe Him to save you. He says in Isaiah 1:18 that though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Would you like to pray?"
"Yes, Jack, but first I want to ask your forgiveness for the way I've treated you and your family all these years. Will you forgive me?" The tears trickled down his cheeks.
"Of course, Ben."
"How about you, Bessie? Will you forgive me for my coolness and unkindness to you?"
"Certainly, Ben."
"And you, Sarah. Will you forgive me for being such a poor husband? So hateful and mean."
"Of course you're forgiven, Ben." All were crying.
As they knelt together in prayer, Ben repented in humble contrition. He did not spare himself, but told God all his meanness and asked His forgiveness. In mercy, God granted him full pardon and gave him the wonderful peace within for which he sought. He arose from his knees, a new creature in Christ Jesus. What a time of rejoicing they were having when Aunt Mae opened the door a little later. She could not believe her eyes. Such a divine presence was felt inside the little parsonage. And there were Sarah and Ben rejoicing with sins forgiven. What a blessed time of fellowship they had together.
"We must get back," Sarah announced a little later.
"Why the rush?" Aunt Mae asked. "Stay for dinner."
"We'd love to, Auntie, but we've made a home for some orphan children and we must get back."
"Of all things," she said in amusement. "Did you adopt them from an orphanage?"
"Well, not exactly." Ben and Sarah looked at each other and laughed. "But we would sure like to adopt them."
Ben looked at Jack. "Jack, I want you to come see us. Why don't you three come next week one day and spend the day? How about Wednesday?"
"Wednesday is prayer meeting night, Ben. How about Friday?"
"That's fine. See you then."
"Bye for now."