Coming Home for Christmas (21 page)

Fort Laramie—March 15, 1878

Dear Mama and Father,

I'd have written much sooner, but a lot has happened since we returned to the garrison. First, Olympia Wharton is thriving. Second, Father, you have my deepest gratitude for your prompt intervention in the matter of Nora Powell and her two children. In the past I have sometimes resented your ability to arrange matters to grease my youthful path, but as Mama would probably remind me, you are skilled in administering, be it hospitals or politicians.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I would almost give a year's salary—it's not much—to have seen the expression on the face of the Indian agent at Camp Robinson when he received those letters from
both
of Pennsylvania's senators, demanding that Nora Powell's two Indian children be taken immediately to me at Fort Laramie. The additional note from Vice
President William Wheeler was a nice touch. Captain Hunsaker delivered the children into my darling Francie's care and there they remained for all of February while the wheels of government ground on.

The result, as those senators may have told you by now, was the arrival last week of Aunt Nellie Follensbee and Nora Powell in Cheyenne, where Francie, Olympia and I returned two lonesome children to their mother. Such a reunion! Under the stipulated terms, more properly they are in the custody of the redoubtable Miss Follensbee, who was accompanied to Cheyenne by an equally formidable attorney from Utley, Iowa. I've never been so happy to see the right thing done. Believe me, that doesn't always happen out here.

Mother, this will amuse you: Francie is in the family way. She hasn't worked up her nerve to tell me yet, but I studied medicine at Harvard, know how to read a calendar as well as the next physician, and have considerable experience in identifying the cause of a slightly green look, early in the morning. Should I just let her surprise me?

With love from your son,

Wilkie