Alford Tales -- Murder! Part 4

So far, I've made you think that my Pa was murdered.  I'm tricky that way. 

I thought about that time when Pa died.  When they found Pa, he had been shot, but the doctor said it was not normal.  Not easily done.  Looking back that was when I knew Pa had not been murdered like I had always thought, but killed by accident.

Now I have to tell all so you can understand what happened.  First, Pa left early, heading to North River, not north like he had said. Thinking back maybe that's what he meant.  That he was heading toward North River.  He had taken his musket with him, later found by Robert and Henry near the island.

First let me tell you about the day before Pa died, when Mama and I went into Harrisonburg to trade.  I stayed outside and sat down on a bench along side the post.  Staying out of the way like Mama always told me to do.  While I was sitting there, Mrs. Fulce and Mrs. Grisby had stopped nearby.  They did not see me.  But I heard them talking about Mr. and Mrs. Gwinn.  Remember my telling you about her and how she disappeared.  

Mrs. Fulce said that she had overheard Mrs. Gwinn talking to her mama about taking her children to live with her.  Mrs. Grisby gasped and said well with Mr. Gwinn and the drink you can't blame her.  I just casually listened to this concerned news.  About how Mrs. Gwinn was leaving with the Tanners, a family that lived not far from the bend in the Cook's Creek and the big lake.  They were heading west, somewhere further south then to the west.  Mrs. Gwinn and Mrs. Tanner were sisters and that made sense.  Mrs. Fulce talked more about Mr. Gwinn not being a God-fearing man and taking too much drink to take care of his own children.

The other thing I have to tell you is this.  I saw Pa talking to Mr. Gwinn who kept getting madder and madder over something about Mrs. Gwinn and her sister's talking.  I could only hear part of the conversation.  So, I'm thinking it was about Mrs. Gwinn leaving.  And when I thought about it some more, I then knew what Pa meant when he said I'll help the best I can. Saying that to Mr. Gwinn. But I knew that Pa and neither Mama for that fact would never help Mr. Gwinn.  Mama had made it clear one time that she had no interest in helping a man who takes too much drink.  And Pa felt the same way.

Now Henry and Robert had found Pa's musket in the mud near the island in North River.  They brought it home and Mama had hidden it.  One time I asked her about that and she never really told me why she wanted it hidden.  Just said no need to have it around anymore.  And added lucky for Robert and Henry to only found it and not been there sooner to see it all happen.  She never said anything else, until later before she died when she told me the whole story.

Mama told me that Pa was accidently shot when struggling with Mr. Gwinn.  Mrs. Gwinn was to meet Mr. Tanner near a road down by the North River and she would travel on with them.  Her and Mrs. Gwinn's mama would bring the children later.  And Mr. Gwinn was to found passed out from drink, thinking that he had seen Mrs. Gwinn spirited away by the old witch of the island.

Pa had gone to the spot where they were to meet, bringing Mr. Gwinn and several bottles of drink. Mama was to be with Mrs. Gwinn hiding on the island.  When Mr. Tanner drove by with his wagon. Mrs. Gwinn with the help of Mama and Mrs. Tanner was to be put into hiding in the wagon.  Mrs. Gwinn hid on the island. With Mama dressed in a cloak with her face hidden.  Pa soon came with Mr. Gwinn.  Pa carrying his musket.

*****
In today's world, Margaret Alford would either be labeled a suspense writer or possibly a drama queen for dragging out this story.  I have to admit that her twists and turns have even confused me. What happens next... well, you'll have to wait for the next Alford Tale.