LITMIR.BIZ

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had been told that it would take the bus about twelve hours to make the trip. She figured they left at nine ten that morning, so they should be in Shipshewana by nine ten in the evening. They were half way there, so she tucked her canvas bag of food under her arm and laid her head back and closed her eyes.

      “Everyone off for Shipshewana” woke her up. They had arrived. She was excited and a little frightened since she had not been so far from home before.

      The Like Home B & B was across the street from the bus station.

      Charity timidly crossed the street and entered the home. She had not made reservations because she did not know the area. Much to her surprise and delight the B & B was owned and operated by an Amish family.

      Charity introduced herself and told them she was from Shickshinny, Pennsylvania and owned and operated a store there.

      She told them she was here to visit the big Yoder store.

      The Amish woman came from behind the desk to take Charity’s hands. “I am Erin Yoder. Welcome to Shipshewana. Do you need something to eat? It is past dinner time, but I can still get you something.”

      “Nee danki. I have food that I did not finish eating on the trip, but I would appreciate a hot drink.”

      “Please come into the kitchen. There is always coffee or tea. You can sit at the table and eat and tell me all about yourself. I am honored that you chose to stay with me.”

      Charity told her all about her life, her son and the death of Adam on the same night her son was born. Erin’s husband, Isaiah, had come into the kitchen and sat down to talk with them. He was fascinated that Adam had taught Charity to carve items from wood.

      Charity apologized and covered a yawn. “I have been up since five and did a lot of work before I left. The long trip made me very tired. Please forgive me.” She finished her tea and stood.

      They assured her there was nothing to forgive and asked her forgiveness for keeping her so long. Erin took her up the stairs after Isaiah had carried her bag up. It was nearly midnight.

      “Will you get up on your own or do you want to be awakened at a certain time?” Erin asked.

      “I have never had a real vacation. Please just let me get up when I wake up. If it is past breakfast serving, I can go to a restaurant.”

      “Oh, no,” both Erin and Isaiah both answered. “You will be fed whenever you wish.”

      “Yes,” Erin said. “I usually serve from six thirty to eight, but you can eat whenever you please. I want your stay to be a special one.”

      Erin went into a beautifully furnished room with a sleigh bed, a chest of six drawers, a low dresser with a wide mirror on it and a comfortable chair in front of it.

      A hand-quilted wedding ring quilt covered the bed with matching pillow cases. A hand-hooked rug was on the floor beside the bed. She tiptoed over to open a door and was pleasantly surprised to see a bathroom. It was going to be heavenly to soak in a real tub. She turned to admire all the handmade furniture. She felt right at home.

      After a good, hot bath and putting on her night clothes, she sank gratefully on a handmade feather bed. She read her Bible and had her prayers. Her eyes closed almost as soon as she got comfortable.

      She woke with the sun shining through sparkling, clean windows with lovely white curtains. At first she had a jump in her heart thinking she had slept too late, then remembered where she was.

      She first used the restroom and then did her Bible reading and prayer.

      Charity took her time dressing carefully in her green dress with an apron over it. She carefully brushed her hair, parted it in the middle and pulled the two sides back into a neat bun at the back. Next her white prayer kapp was placed to cover the bun.

      She checked herself in the mirror, giggling at herself because there were no real mirrors in her house. Satisfied with what she was seeing, she went out, carefully locked the door and put the key in her deep pocket and went downstairs.

      Erin was just finishing cleaning the dining room and kitchen, but was delighted to see Charity. Isaiah was at the table reading a paper.

      “Charity, guder mariye. Did you sleep well? How was the bed?”

      “Guder mariye and danki. I sleep so well I almost didn’t get up,” she laughed. “The bed is wonderful and the feather mattress is the best. Isaiah, did you make the bed?” (guder mariye-good morning)

      “Ja. Mi bruder, Emanuel, made some with me. I love to make furniture.”

      “Isaiah makes beautiful furniture and sells it to the English,” Erin proudly answered. She then looked down because they do not believe in boasting or being proud. It was obvious she loved her husband and he loved her very much. It made Charity feel good.

      “What would you like for breakfast, Charity?”

      “Please, don’t baddere yourself. I can go out to a restaurant.”

      Erin and Isaiah spoke at once. “Nee!” Isaiah grinned and then kept quiet. Erin insisted on making breakfast for Charity. “Sitz”

      She hurried around and scrambled two eggs. She put these on a plate with still hot fried apples, fried potatoes, bacon and biscuits.

      Charity ate and drank her coffee while they talked.

      Erin refused to allow Charity to wash her dishes or clean up. Isaiah stood up. “Kumme, I will go with you to the Yoder store and introduce you to the people. My daed and two of his bruders opened the first store and now it is so big that a lot of people work there, English and Amish.”

      Charity was thankful that he would accompany her since she felt a little nervous about going in and asking questions. She put her black bonnet on over her prayer kapp.

      They left with Erin wishing her to have a gut day. Her heart was beating erratically because she wanted to learn so much and be able to improve and upgrade her own store.

      As it was in the next block on Van Buren, they walked.

       Chapter Three

      Charity became ashamed of herself when she realized she was standing staring around with an open mouth. She had never seen so many items in one store and so many delightful colors. She jumped when Isaiah took her arm to introduce her to some ladies.

      “This is Charity Kime from Shickshinny, Pennsylvania. She has a store there and is interested in learning about this one and what she can do to improve her store. Charity this is Rebecca Berkenstroff, Naomi Eash and Purity Yoder. These ladies are basically in charge here although there is a general manager, assistant manager and bookkeeper. They can answer your questions.”

      The ladies smiled and welcomed her. “We will be glad to help you any way that we can. Where would you like to start?”

      “I do not know. There is so much to see and it is all so beautiful. First I would like to hear about how the store started.”

      Purity smiled. “I will tell you as it was my father who was one of the original owners. They first built in May, 1945 in Topeka, Indiana. The business grew and in 1952 they moved to Shipshewana. The Yoders have several stores here in a mini mall. There is a nursery with all kinds of flowers and containers next door and after that is a hardware.”

      “And your Bishop approves this?” Charity asked in surprise.

      “He does not say anything against it because we give a good part of the profit to the work of the church for the needy.”

      “But you have electricity and telephones and a lot of worldly equipment.”

      “He knows it is necessary in a store of this size that offers so much. He also knows that those of us, who are Amish, still follow the rules and attend church. We do not act in a worldly way.”

      “This

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