Amish Dilemma: A Novel. Sioux Dallas

I’m not the best, but I do love to work with them. It would be so nice if I could afford to open a training school and have an income doing something I really like. Maybe I could ---

      “Kumme schnell (come quickly),” Charity called excitedly.

      “Why is she so excited?” Gerry asked.

      “I don’t know, but I’d best go see. She is a good frau, and I know I’m lucky to have her.

      “Wie geht’s (How are you)?” Kyle asked Charity.

      “Gut danki, ( good thank you ) but the picks (pigs) aren’t. The hundel (pup) got into the pack (pen) and frightened the picks. They broke out and are running over the field. They’ll tear up what has been planted and will eat what has grown.” She was in a dummle (hurry) to tell them, talking so fast and excited that they could hardly understand her.

      “So the hundel got into the pack and frightened the picks,” laughed Matthew. “We’ll get them. Don’t worry schwesechder (little sister). Your big bruder is here to help.”

      The young men ran off to get the picks back in the pack with a lot of laughing and missed tackles. The picks were finally back in the pack and the sides reinforced, and the frisky hundel was tied at the side of the house.

      “Oh, danki,” Charity laughed. “I could never have done it alone. Can you stay for nachtesse (supper)?

      “Nee danki. Mamm (mom) expects me home to eat supper with her and daed (dad).” Matthew grinned. “You know how mamm is.”

      “Ja, I know. Gern gschehn.” (You’re welcome any time.)

      “Ja, I know. Come on fellows. Are you going or staying for nachtesse?”

      “I’m going. I have a koppwveh (headache) and I need to go home and lie down.” Kyle said holding his hands on both sides of his head.

      “Why do you have a headache?”

      “I landed hard once on a rock and hit my head when I dived for a pick. Besides I’m so dreckich (dirty) mamm might not even let me in the haus (house) Kyle laughed.

      “You are no dirtier than my husband,” Charity laughed. “But if you must leave, know you’re gern gschehn to come again. Give my love to our parents.” The boys laughed and ran away.

      April came in with the heat beginning to build up. Ostar (Easter) was on the next Sunndawk but the Amish do not celebrate as the Englisch do. They tell the story of Christ arising from the grave and what the promise for us is.

      Shrove Tuesday is known as Fastnacht ( Fat Tuesday)and is the day before Ash Wednesday. The Amish do not celebrate Ash Wednesday. The women make a special dough and place it in a clean cloth in a basket to rise. Later it is cut into squares and fried in deep fat, then sprinkled with confectioner sugar. They are served hot at breakfast where they are cut open and spread with honey or whatever is desired. The Amish know that days of sacrifice are ahead so they think it wise to use up fats and sugars and prepare for a special fast.

      Gruna Dunaschdawk (Green Thursday) is the day before Kaofreidawk (good Friday). On Freidawk the families have a special worship service where they are told the story of Christ’s torture and entombment. At this service the congregation says the Lord’s Prayer (or model prayer) together.

      Veter unser im Himmel. Geheiligt werde dein name. Dein Reich komme, dein wille geschehe wie im Himmel so auf Erden. Unser tagliches brot gib uns heute und vergib uns unsure schuld wie auch wir verge Ben unseren schuldigern. Und fuhre uns nicht in versuchung, sondern erlose un von dem bosen. Denn Dein ist das Reich, und die kraft und die Herrlichkeit in ewigkeit. Amen

      All through the week the children, while gathering eggs, will hide some for themselves. The ones today are allowed to color their eggs, but not to hide them and hunt. They enjoy looking at each others eggs.

      On Sunndawk there is a long service and special food for a thankful day.

      They eat well to break the fast. Moondawk (Monday) is set aside to visit and rest. Some of the young men go fishing with friends.

      Mai (May) and Juni (June) was more work and little time for leisure. Adam proudly viewed the results of his labor and Charity was pleased with the sewing and cleaning she had done. They could not express their pride and pleasure though because it would be worldly and wrong.

      Juli (July) rolled in hot, dry and miserable. Everyone worked to keep water on their crops and gardens or they would dry up and be lost. The entire property was lovely to see. Adam had planted trees and had kept some of the fruit tress that were already on the property.

      They had a stream running along the back of their property and a place not far away that held fish. Adam’s friends joined him occasionally for fishing and a picnic.

      Charity decided to invite some close friends to fish and picnic on their property. One sweltering Mittrodawk, (Wed.) four girls joined her walking to the water. Christine Zook, Rosemary Raber, Bonnie Lehman and Nadine Lapp with Charity made up a group of five. They happily walked along talking of people they knew, of couples planning weddings, new babies expected and daily living on their farms. They carefully went around the bee hives that Adam kept.

      Christine giggled, “Charity, do you wish for a buwe (boy) or a maedel (girl)?”

      “Adam and I have discussed it and we’ve decided that we don’t care as long as the boppli is healthy. We don’t want to stop with just one kinner.”

      Reaching the water, they paused to admire the clear reflection of the water glimmering like a jewel as it reflected the azure sky and willow trees along the bank.

      “Oh,” Rosemary giggled, “I don’t know about the rest of you but we’re only girls here and I’m going to take off my shoes and socks and wade in the shallow end.” Rosemary was published and planning on being married in Oktobar. She knew that once she was married she must act like a grown woman. She intended to enjoy the few months left.

      “Rosemary!” Nadine as the oldest scolded, “You would have to pull up your dress and show your legs.” As a teacher in an Amish school, she felt she should set a good example.

      “Poo with that. I’m going to join her,” Bonnie laughed. “Come on. Don’t be a snickelpuss (spoil sport).” As the youngest she was the most daring.

      Nadine sat on the bank. “This is just too beautiful to disturb the water. I love looking at it and feeling the peace it brings.”

      Christine was timid by nature, but was easily led to join them in the cool water on such a hot day. She hesitated on the bank.

      Charity hurriedly removed her shoes and socks and, pulling her dress to her knees, waded into the water. “Oooh, it feels so good. Come on all of you.”

      She laughed and kicked one foot out to spray the water toward Nadine on the bank. Soon all five girls were in the water, giggling and threatening to get each other wet.

      They were enjoying the cool water on such a hot day that they didn’t hear Amos Snader and Moses Yoder walk to the water’s edge. The girls jumped in shock and guilt when Moses, in his deep voice, yelled out.

      “Have you forgotten who you are and where you are? You should be ashamed to be in public showing your limbs. Get out of there right now and make yourselves decent. Your parents will be so ashamed when they hear of this.”

      The girls hurriedly came out of the water, dropped their dress to the ankles and put on socks and shoes. None of them looked in the face of the men.

      Charity was boiling, but was too polite to say anything to the men. Amish women were taught to not speak up and to allow the men to make decisions.

      This couldn’t keep her from thinking. This is my property and you are trespassing. Go away and leave us alone. She was a little angry that she dare not voice her feelings. The men left shaking their heads.

      After the men were out of the range