Chapter 6

Morning came and there were a million things to do and only one day in which to do it all. “Good morning girls.” Good morning said the sleepy girls as they rubbed their eyes. Elwynn let them sleep in a little to give the town time to open so they could get everything done that they needed to do. “Well let’s get cleaned up and go down and see about breakfast.” Potnie asked: “Elwynn do you have enough money to buy a place?” “Oh yes I have plenty of money” said Elwynn. “Just how did you acquire so much money anyway” said Potnie. “Well that is a story in itself, I must tell you some day, perhaps later.”

They went downstairs and had breakfast and they were off. Elwynn thought it might be best to talk somebody at the bank. They would probably be the best place to go to find a nice place. Elwynn got the addresses for quite a few locations to go and check out at their leisure. First they would have to go rent a buggy which would save them quite a bit of time and energy. The search was on. They looked at several places and they were nice enough but they needed just the right place to house Betsy without any one complaining about the noise. Betsy was pretty loud when she came in for a landing and they did not want anyone getting curious as to what the noise was. It would be pretty difficult to explain ole Betsy.

After several hours they found just the right place, it was on the outskirts of town not too far and not too close, it was perfect. A nice little fixer upper, it had a pretty good sized shed in the back which would be plenty big to house Betsy. “Well girls what do you think?” “I think it’s just swell” said Kellie, “me to” said Potnie. “Well I must go to the bank to find out who owns this place and how much they want for it. Do you girls want to come with me or do you want to stay here?” “We’ll stay here if that’s ok, we want to check the place out” said Kellie. “That’s fine, are you sure you’ll be alright?” “Oh we’ll be fine” said Potnie. “Ok, I’ll be back quick as I can and then we’ll go for a little ride.” Sounds great said the girls.

After Elwynn left, the girls started to explore the house. For this time period it was probably a good sized house. It had three bedrooms upstairs and a basement below or a cellar as it was probably called and a big yard with plenty of trees and of course an out house. They weren’t too crazy about that but running water wasn’t an option yet. Potnie said “there must be an attic upstairs let’s see if we can find it and get up there and take a look around, see if there’s anything interesting up there.” “Sounds like a plan” said Kellie. Off they went, it didn’t take long to find it, there was a door upstairs in between two of the bedrooms that led up to the attic. Up the stairs they went, there were a couple of windows which gave off enough light for them to see. It was pretty dusty up there and a bit stuffy as well. They made there way over to the window and it took a while but they finally pried the window open. It was nice to smell some fresh air. There was a nice view from up here, they could see the whole yard and beyond. They could even see the nearest neighbor to them who was a good couple of hundred yards away. They decided to explore the attic but there wasn’t a whole lot up there. Just trash and what not, nothing too exiting. “Well this was a dud, let’s check out the shed” said Kellie.

So off they went, they quickly found out that wasn’t anymore exciting then the attic. They heard a bugging approaching. “Must be Elwynn” said Potnie. So they ran out to see who it was, sure enough it was Elwynn. He was with another gentleman they did not recognize. Judging by the way he was dressed it had to be a banker. “Hi El” Kellie pushed Potnie, “Potnie don’t say Elwynn, remember he’s Albert Jacobs” “oh yah I forgot”. “Let’s go and greet them” said Kellie.

Hi Albert said the girls as they came running up. “Oh girls there you are, I’d like you to meet Mr. Smith the president of the bank.” Nice to meet you said the girls in unison. “Mr. Smith this is miss Kellie and this is miss Potnie.” “Very pleases to meet you young ladies” said Mr. Smith. “Mr. Smith came here to show me some of the specifics of this fine home and then we will finish the final transaction and the house will be ours.” “Awesome” said Potnie. “We will just go and play in the back yard” said Kellie. “Thanks girls, have fun I’ll call you when we’re done. “Ok” and off they went.

After about an hour Elwynn came out into the back yard. We finalized all the papers and the house is ours. The girls jumped up and down and hugged Elwynn, this is awesome, congratulations! Well to you girls too, for as long as we stay here this is your house too. The girls screamed and jumped up and down and hugged each other. “This is so totally cool” said Potnie.
“Listen I have to drive Mr. Smith back to the bank, I’ll be back in about half an hour and then we’ll be on our way. Will you girls be alright?” Yah we’ll be fine said the girls. “Ok I’ll be back” as Elwynn turned around he very casually said: “wow look at those dark clouds it looks like it’s going to rain. I’ll be back as fast as I can” and then he was gone.

Elwynn soon returned, he didn’t even have to call the girls because they heard him coming and ran to greet him. Hi Elwynn said the girls. “Hi are you girls ready?” Yes. Let’s get going we want to try and beat the storm. As they drove off they could hear the not so distant sounds of thunder. Elwynn suddenly stopped the buggy. The girls said what’s the matter? “I was just thinking, I need one of you girls to drive the buggy.” Quick as a wink Potnie blurted out. “I’ll do it!” “Is that ok Kellie?” “Yeah that’s fine, but why?” “Well I’m going to have to drive Betsy back so you girls will have to follow me.” “Oh I see, that makes sense” said Potnie.

As they were driving along soon it began to rain, light at first and then the down pour. “Of all the times for it to rain, why now!” yelled Elwynn. He cracked the whip to make the horses go a little faster, in the mean time the rain came down in sheets as thick as lead. Before too long they found the time machine. The rain continued to fall and the lightening picked up as well. Crack! The lightening hit the tree right next to the time machine. The tree split in two. The horse whinnied and jumped back. Elwynn was able to get control of the horse and jumped out of the buggy and grabbed the horses raines and went up to the horse to calm him down. “Potnie come here.” They both jumped out of the buggy. “Here take the Raines and both of you pet the horse and try to keep him calm. Crack! went another bolt of lightening. The horse jumped a little but the girls were there to calm him down. “I’ve got to get to Betsy, I’ll drive her out as soon as I get her cleared off”, he turned and ran into the group of bushes that housed Betsy; In the mean time lightening and thunder were going off all around them. “Hurry Elwynn” yelled Kellie. Soon Elwynn drove Betsy out. “Ok girls go ahead and get in the buggy.” Elwynn jumped out of Betsy as he was talking and took the raines to keep the horse calmed down.

“Potnie, are you ready?” “Yes I’m ready.” “Ok” Elwynn let go of the Raines and took a step back, he paused for a minute to make sure the horse was ok. After Elwynn was sure the horse was ok he ran over and jumped into Betsy and hit the gas. He watched in his side mirror to make sure that Potnie was able to handle the buggy alright. As it seemed like Potnie was doing well Elwynn stepped on the gas a little harder and then decided he had better stop to tell the girls he was going on ahead as fast as he could. After he stopped he jumped out and Potnie stopped the buggy. ” “Listen I am going to go as fast as I can, I have to get Betsy back as soon as possible, we can’t jeopardize our only means to get back home. “Will you girls be alright?” “Yah we’ll be fine” said Potnie. “Kellie help her all that you can, just remain calm and take it slow, I’ll be coming back on foot as soon as I get Betsy parked in the shed. I love you guys and be careful.” “Thanks Elwynn, we’ll be alright and we love you too” said Kellie. “Alright I’ll be back as quick as I can.” Crack! Went another bolt and it hit right by Elwynn and knocked Elwynn down. The girls screamed “Elwynn!” The girls were stunned, then Potnie yelled, “Kellie go see if Elwynn’s alright!” As Kellie jumped off the buggy Elwynn sat up. “Elwynn are you ok?” “Wow, I’m a little shaky but I will be ok.” Kellie helped Elwynn up. “Are you sure you’re ok?” “Yes, thank you, Elwynn bent over grasped his knees with his hands, wow.” “You sure you’re ok?” “Yes”, he stood up and said go ahead and go back to the buggy and I’ll see you back at the house in no time and Thanks Kellie.” She smiled and said, “You’re welcome.” She turned and ran back to the buggy and climbed in. “Is Elwynn ok? Said Potnie. “Yah, he’s fine, let’s get going.” Elwynn had already taken off in Betsy and was soon out of sight. “Hah!” said Potnie as she slapped the Raines, the horse took off.

Neither of them said a word as they drove along. The rain, lightening and thunder kept up as strong as ever, they were soaked to the skin. Minutes past like hours, They didn’t know how much time had past when suddenly they saw Elwynn. Elwynn! They yelled, he came running up, Potnie stopped the buggy. Elwynn jumped in, “I’ll take it from here, great job girls I’m very proud of you.” “Is everything alright? said Kellie. “Yes, I got Betsy in the shed and everything is fine, we’ll be there soon and I’ll start a nice fire and we’ll get warmed up.”

Soon they saw the house, it was a welcome sight. Elwynn brought the horse up to the back of the house. “You girls jump off and run into the house and get warm, I’ll tie up the horse and be there in a minute.”

Elwynn came back in just a few minutes. The girls were shivering and their lips were blue. Elwynn quickly looked around for some wood but couldn’t find any and he said “I can’t find any fire wood I think under the circumstances it would probably be better if we just went back to the boarding house for tonight. Get warmed up, something to eat and try not to catch our death of cold.” Yah, sounds like a plan said the girls. “It’s still raining pretty hard but we’ll have to go back out in the rain jump in the buggy and get to the boarding house. Fortunately it’s not very far, we’ll be there in no time. Ok give me a minute to get the horse untied and ready to go and I’ll call to you and then you come out and jump in the buggy, alright?” “Yah” said Kellie and then came the thumbs up.

Elwynn dashed out the door and ran to the buggy. “Let’s just keep thinking warm thoughts huh?” said Kellie. “Yah” Then Elwynn yelled “Ok let’s go.” The girls ran out the door and jumped in the buggy. It was still raining hard. Elwynn cracked the whip and they were of, in just a few minutes they were at the boarding house. The girls jumped off the buggy and made a mad dash for the safety of the Boarding house. The innkeeper said “Oh my dear Lord” and came running over, “are you girls alright?” “Mother run and fetch some blankets.” Elwynn came in. “What happened did you get caught in the storm?” “Yah” said Elwynn; I’ll get the girls upstairs. The innkeepers wife came in right behind the girls, turned and said “Mr. Jacobs maybe you should wait here I’ll get the girls dried off and put them in bed. Harry go and fetch the Doc just in case.” “Good idea I’ll be back in a minute.” “Warm yourself by the fire Mr. Jacobs.” “Thanks I think I will.” “Oh, he’s a blanket for you.” “Thank You.”

Elwynn sat down by the fire. He felt a little light headed; he thought to himself must be from that lightening strike. He just put his head between his knees. The door suddenly opened and the innkeeper and the doctor came in. “The girls are upstairs doc second door on the right.” The doctor started up the stairs and then stopped, “are you alright Mr. Jacobs?” “Yah, go make sure the girls are alright then you can take a look at me,” “Be back in a minute.” “I’ll be here.”

About ten minutes later the doctor came down. Mr. Jacobs the girls tell me you got struck by lightening, are you alright?” “Well I really didn’t get hit by lightening, it just struck right next to me and I lost consciousness for maybe 5 seconds or so, it wasn’t very long.” “Well lie down here on the couch and let me have a looked at you.”

The doctor examined Elwynn and he seemed to be alright as far as he could tell. “Let me give you something to help you sleep, I’m sure you’ll feel better after a good nights sleep. Take these two pills right before you’re ready to go to sleep.” “Thank you doctor, I’m sorry could I get your name?” “Why of course my name is Doc Williams.” Elwynn stuck out his hand and they shook hands. “Pleased to make your acquaintance” said Elwynn. “The pleasure is all mine Mr. Jacobs, now you get a good night’s sleep and be sure to send for me in the morning if you or the girls are not feeling well.” “I will indeed Doc and how much do I owe you sir?” “Oh a dollar will be fine.” “Here you are sir and thank you very much.” “Anytime and good night sir.” “Good night.”

The doctor left and Elwynn went upstairs and knocked on the door. “Come in: said Mrs. Sanders, the innkeeper’s wife. Elwynn opened the door, “re the girls alright?” “Yes Mr. Jacobs the girls are fine they’re resting now. Well I’ll leave you alone now, is there anything else I can do for you?” “No thank you we really appreciate all that you did.” “My pleasure Mr. Jacobs and have pleasant dreams.” “Thank you and good night sweet lady.” “You’re welcome, night.” Elwynn went over and checked on the girls they were resting comfortably. He went over to the dresser and poured himself a glass of water and took the sedative the doctor gave him and walked over to his chair and settled in. He sat there for a moment reflecting on the day and and looked up and said “thank you God for watching over us.” Soon the heaviness of slumber over took him and he was fast asleep.