Royals' Gift

Royal read the letter he had received. Howard, the boy he and his beloved late wife, Anna raised for sixteen yers and loved as their own, was getting married.

Royal thought back to when Howard fist came to live with them. Howard was the son of his wife’s cousin, Eliza. He had lost his father and at age six, and was sent from New York to Connecticut to live with them. 

Howard was very fond of his Papa Royal and Mama Anna. He kept in contact with them through letters, which Royal was grateful. Even more since his beloved Anna had passed. Howard told him of how things were going after he moved back to build a home for his mother and sisters in Pennsylvania. He even came back for a couple visits. 

Letters became important after Howard decided to leave the increasing growing towns and cities of Pennsylvania and move west. Howard was a Cooper by trade and not afraid of hard work. He settled in Missouri . He was able to get some land and now he was taking a wife. Royal wanted to give them a special gift.

Howard and Laura were married in December 1889 and by November of 1890 their first born son was born, Royal Carson. Named after the special man who raised Howard, Royal W. Carson A letter was penned to inform Royal of his namesake.

Royal was so pleased and so honored that they would name their son after him. He wanted to do something for them but he still had not found the right wedding gift. He thought a few minutes, most communication and connection between them was through letters. Letters. Royal knew that Laura enjoyed writing letters to family and extended family not only telling them of events but making them feel a part of the event. Royal also knew that most those letters were written at kitchen table, he learned that from a letter Howard had written “I would love to get Laura a nice desk so she wouldn’t have to always sit at the table and then find a place for the letter away to ready the table for meals."

 A desk, a desk where letters could be penned. Royal inquired of a furniture maker not far, who had had some pieces . Royal went to see and as he looked around at the various furnishings he spotted what look like combination china cabinet and cupboard. He ran his hand over inlay and pulled down the door, “It's a writing desk," said the furniture maker, “it combines a desk or secretary with a bookcase or display cabinet”. (This would be known as side by side secretary desk) “ it's perfect”, Royal said, “I’ll take it”

Royal sent a letter to Howard and Laura congratulating them on the birth of their son and how honored he was that he was named Royal. He also told them that he was planning on coming for a visit the next month, he would stay at hotel in town and was bringing a belated wedding gift. He would send a telegram with more details.

The next month Howard met his Papa Royal at train station with his team of horses and a large wagon per Royal’s request. The two men met with a handshake that instantly turned into a hug. Royal turned Howard around and led him back to the freight car. “There it is” Royal said, as the men were unloading the side by side. Howard looked at it and thought it is beautiful. Laura is going to love this.

Laura had come out to the yard with baby Royal in his pram to meet Howard and their guest. Howard greeted his wife and Royal took her hand and gave it a gentle kiss. “So pleased to finally meet you, Laura.” “Ok, Papa” Howard said, “ready to take this cover off and show Laura this lovely.” His voice traced off because Royal was not listening to him but had already laid his eyes on his namesake and was immediately enamored.

Howard cleared his throat and Royal, slightly startled turned and realized that Howard was waiting to unload the wedding gift.

Howard and Royal took the covers off the bookcase. Laura's face beamed as she saw what was given to them.

A beautiful oak side by side secretary with ornate inlays, beveled mirror, display cabinet with glass door and a drop down writing desk.

“It is absolutely beautiful Papa Royal, and because it came from you it will always remind us of you along with our little Royal. Thank you so much! Now I have a special place where I can write. I can put my mother’s china here in the display case, and look here” she said as she opened the cupboard, “ we can have books in here” Howard smiled as he said to Royal,”told you she was going to love it.”

Laura placed her mother’s floral china with dollies underneath in the china cabinet. She placed some books and keepsake boxes in the bottom cupboard but he favorite was the drop down desk. She placed some pretty paper that she would use for special letters in the desk. The first letter she wrote was a thank-you letter to Papa Royal that she gave him before he left.

The time Royal was visiting, went by quickly. He enjoyed spending time with his Howard and Laura. He so enjoyed holding Royal, when he didn’t need to be changed. On his last day visiting Howard and Laura at the house, he held Royal once more and said to the baby,”you don’t know yet how special your parents are and how special you are to me." He handed Royal back to Laura, "You are both so very special. Anna would have loved both of you” He turned to Howard, “and she would have been so pleased with you.”

Howard took Papa Royal back to the train station and said his goodbyes. “Papa Royal, I was and am ever grateful that you and Mama Anna took me in and gave me a home, you treated me as one of your own right next to your own sons. You taught me the meaning of integrity and hard work you taught me to pray and to trust inGod you showed me what it was like to be a good husband and father. All traits that I will pass on to Royal Carson.” 

 Life for Howard and Laura and their young family was full and busy.They welcomed a daughter, Annie in 1891, of course a letter was penned at the desk and sent to Royal. 

By the fall of 1893 little Royal and his sister would love to open the cupboard door and pull out a stuff rabbit and ball and would play. Laura placed the rabbit and ball in the cupboard after the toddlers pulled out few books and upset a keepsake box. Thankfully Laura had gotten the books and keepsake items away from the kids before any damage. The toddlers learned quickly what they could or couldn’t get into.

Springtime 1894 Howard was busy in fields, Laura was busy in home with her two little ones. Then tragedy struck The family’s first born son, Royal became very ill, after a couple weeks, Royal Carson at age three and a half, died.

A week after baby Royal was laid to rest, Howard sent a telegram to Papa Royal , telling him the sad news. He came home to Laura who had more news. They were expecting their third child.

The days and weeks following Royal’s death were hard especially on Annie, Royal’s little sister. She would get in the cupboard and pull out the stuffed rabbit Royal would play with and just hug it crying “Roy L” Laura would hold her daughter on her lap and told her “it will be ok," the whole time crying inside her heart. She wanted to be happy for this new life but admittedly was afraid to be attached, what if something happens to Annie or this child? The only comfort she found was in reading God’s word that would lay open on the writing desk.

Had and Laura welcomed another son, Martin Howard in late fall.Laura fell in love with him immediately. Howard wrote a short letter to Pa pa Royal informing him of the arrival of Marin Howard.

Four months later, Howard received this telegram:

       WE ARE VERY SAD PAPA ROYAL DIED MARCH 20,1895

          WE ARE HEARTBROKEN KNOW YOU ARE TOO

FONDLY, THE ROYAL W. CARSON FAMILY.

Tears started welling in Howard’s eyes as he read the message again. He went home and shared the message with Laura. They hugged and cried together. Now the desk was even more special. It reminded them of the two Royals they loved and lost.

Life continued on and the following year a second daughter, named Janet, was born followed by their fifth child another daughter, Maggie.

Howard and Laura worked hard raising their family. Howard and Laura would tell the children about their older bother Royal. Howard would tell the story oh how he was raised by Papa Royal.

Laura would read her Bible at the pull down desk. She would write letters to the children telling them about their family's story. She and Hoard were determine to keep the memories of Papa Royal W. Carson and their brother Royal Carson alive.

When their son, Martin was twelve, Howard became very ill. He had a very difficult time working. Soon he was paralyzed due to arthritis. Laura did what she could taking in some sewing. But money was running low. Something had to be done.

Both Laura and Howard did not want to sell their land and home if they could avoid it. Howard had worked hard to build what they had.

Then they remembered some neighbors commenting that the desk they had received from Papa Royal was probably pretty expensive. Howard and Laura looked at each other, Howard with sadness nodded his head to sell the desk.

 It was hard to sell, not because there was no buyers, but for Howard, it was the last tangible connection to the man who raised him, Papa Royal and his connection to his son, Royal. He had lost his son, lost his Papa and now he was losing the last piece that reminded him of them both.

Watching Mr.Smith drive away with the desk tied in the bak of his wagon was like watching his Papa’s face as he tipped his hat toward him when the train pulled away, as Howard stood alone on the platform. It was like watching the casket of his little boy, Royal being lowered into the ground. All these memories and emotions flooded through him.

Howard looked at Laura and said, “It’s gone, the one thing that reminded us of both Papa Royal and baby Royal is gone.” Laura took her husbands hand in hers and said, “Yes, but they will never be forgotten”

The next year, 1907, when Martin was about thirteen, Howard passed. All the children grew up fast after their father died. Martin worked hard, Annie at sixteen did a lot of house chores with her mom and even helped cook at the town cafe. Janet and Maggie helped their mom with cleaning dishes and putting clothes away.

The children continued to grow. Annie got married. Martin served in WWI. Janet and Maggie still helped at home and worked where they could. Each of them stayed as close las they could to each other and their mother whose eyesight was beginning to fail.

 Martin was marred 1937 and in 1938 Martin and wife and baby boy lived next door to Mrs. Jones, a widow.

One morning Martin notices Mrs. Jones had a piece of furniture out by the curb. Martin asked Mrs. Jones abut it. She said she was throwing it away. She said he could have it if he wanted it. Martin did not want to take a family heirloom, if that was what it was, even if she was throwing it out.He inquired more about it. Mrs. Jones explained the she had bought it from the Frank Smith estate sale about ten yers prior.

Martin studies it, he realizes that this may be the secretary desk that was in his family’s home. After he cleans it, he brings it in the house. He tells his wife Mary, that this may be the desk that was in his house.Mary tells him to go see his mom and see if she wants come and check it out.

Martin talks to his mom, she wats to come”see” it, Laura is basically blind by now. Laura says yes, absolutely, trying not to show too much enthusiasm or getting her hoes up. Martin brings her to house 

She can see the outline of the desk. She runs her hands over the front and sides of the pice of furniture, she feels the glass knob, feels the ornate design detail or the top the fan inlay on the desk. She runs her hand over the mirror and then , pulls down writing desk and opens cupboard below 

She feels underneath the shelf in the cupboard and gasps “This is it! Oh Howie, Royal is home.”

Martin looks at desk it does seem familiar, he asks his mom “are you sure?” “ Yes," she replies, “ feel this” She guides his hand over the surface of the underside of the shelf. “Do you feel those etchings?”

 “Your father found the etchings when I thought the shelf was loose. He took the shelf out to fix it. Your father found the dates and initials carved by Papa Royal, 1889 HG + LG , our initials and year we were married; 1890, the year you r brother was born , RWC and a heart shape and initials RCG. Meaning Royal W. Carson loves Royal Carson Gaines: Then after your brother Royal passed away your dad carved in 1890-1894 RCG. He later carved the dates 1823-1898 RWC ,then a heart and “our Royals” After we lost his Papa Royal.”

“It was devastating to lose this desk it was to be our family heirloom. I told your father before he died, "Rest easy, Howard, I now you will see your Royals again. And I know the desk will come home.” Laura turned her face toward Martin, “Tell me, where did you find this ? How did you get this?”

Martin explained the neighbor was going to toss it and gave to him. Matin said that the neighbor said she bought it from Frank Smith estate 

“Smith?” Laura said, “That is the name of the man who bought the desk from us.” 

“It is God's timing. Of all the people who could have bought this from the Smith estate,  it was your neighbor, and of all the places you and Mary could be living, you lived here, and of all the times you would be outside, was when she had the desk at the curbdside to be hauled away.”

 Laura continued, “I believe there are no coincidences only divine providences.” “You need to take that shelf out and carve the dates 1941 MG +MG and carve a house, for the desk in now home. 1941because is the year the desk came back to the Gaines family. I am so glad you and Mary now have it”

 “As you tell your children and others about this desk you will be able to share the stories of Royal, your father Howard, and your brother Royal. Their legacy lives on.Thank you”

The side by side became more than just a piece of furniture, it became a integral part of his ongoing family’s history.

.

In 1942 Laura Gaines passed away. Martin carefully refinished the desk. Sanding off the old stain. He took out shelves and sanded them, he was careful not to sand off any of the etchings. He finished with the bookcase and had all the shelves except the one with etchings in place.

Martin ran his hand over the etchings, remembering the stories and thinking back to his own memories of the stories of loved ones. He took out his pocket knife and carved L. G. 1942 R.I.P. flowed by a heart. Martin ran his hand over the etchings one more time , then placed the shelf back into its place.

The desk has held stationary, pens china , books, small toys, marriage license, birth certificates, military records. Family photos have been on the shelves and stuffed in the frame of the door. The desk has held many memories for over one hundred and thirty yers.

The side by side secretary desk began as a lovely wedding present for Howard and Laura Gaines from a special relative, Royal W. Carson and even after being gone for thirty years has become a physical piece of history of the Gaines family.