ORIGINALLY WRITTEN CAROL DUERKSEN & MAYNARD KNEPP
Little E.J. was going to be a year old a few days before his
great-grandfather Moses Eash had his birthday, so the family planned a
big party for the two of them. It?d be held at the home of Cris and
Rachel Eash, Sue Ann?s parents. That way, Mose, who lived in a ?Dawdi
house? (Grandpa house) next door, wouldn?t have to go out if the
weather turned nasty.
Mose was past 80 now, and he?d lost his wife to cancer a year ago.
Since then, his age seemed to be really taking a toll on him. Everyone
knew they had to TALK REAL LOUD when addressing Mose if they wanted
him to hear them, and a cataract on one of his eyes had affected his
vision considerably. Arthritis had set into his hips, and he moved
slowly with the aid of a cane.
Mose still insisted on driving his own horse and buggy, and the family
lived in fear of him having an accident. But, unlike people with a
driver?s license who could get it revoked if they didn?t pass the
test, Mose didn?t need a license to drive his buggy. He just hitched
up his trusty old horse and headed down the road.
While Mose?s body seemed to be wearing out, and his energy for life
decreasing, his mind remained brilliant and sharp. He still preached
in church, although he usually allowed himself the luxury of sitting
down for the last part of his sermon. He knew the Bible and he
understood the Ordnung better than anyone. As bishop, that was his
job. Age and experience had earned him a position of status and
respect in his community.
The evening of the birthday party, Mose sat in the rocking chair in
the corner of the living room. The men were gathered on chairs and
couches in the same room, catching up on the latest news and gossip.
The women inhabited the kitchen area, and the half-dozen
great-grandchildren played wherever they chose. At one point, E.J.
toddled his way over to Mose and stood in front of the old man,
offering him a ragged teddy bear. Mose gratefully took the bear, then
reached out his arms to the boy.
?Come here, E.J.,? he said. ?Come sit with me.?
But E.J. wasn?t in a sitting mood. Having found a babysitter for his
bear, he wandered off to other important people and places.
The evening passed quickly, and soon husbands were telling wives to
get the kids dressed while they went out to get the buggy. Jonas was
almost out the door when he heard someone calling his name. He turned
to see Mose beckoning him over to his rocker.
?If you could wait a minute, I?d be much obliged,? Mose said without
explanation. ?Until the others are gone, if you don?t mind.?
Jonas said ?sure,? and went to tell Sue Ann.
Sensing that Mose might want to speak to Jonas alone, Sue Ann and her
parents made themselves scarce as soon as everyone else had left. The
fact that Jonas would have to talk loudly for Mose?s sake meant they?d
probably hear half of the conversation anyway. Jonas sat down on the
couch close to Mose?s rocker and waited.
?Whatever happened to that black horse of yours?? Mose asked.
Jonas?s heart skipped a beat. This wasn?t just small talk. Mose had a
reason to be asking about Preacher.
?He?s up in Indiana. Getting trained.?
?It?s a long way to go to have
Preacher: part 11
