YoungCompanion - CHAPTER ONE

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by acoobca

YoungCompanion - Chapter One depicts Katura Yoder preparing supper while waiting for her husband Henner to return, as the children grow hungry and worry. Andy, the oldest, carries quiet tension about responsibilities and the farm’s strain. Through domestic scenes of meals, chores, and family history, Katura reflects on marriage, the farm’s obligations, and the fear of losing their home. Henner’s delayed arrival leads to a cautious conversation about financial shortfalls and a possible shift to carpenter work.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time37 min

AccessFree to download

Chapter One

Katura waiting for Henner

The children’s hunger and Andy’s concern

Farm history and mounting payments

Henner returns and reveals the plan

# YoungCompanion | AUGUST I972 | | --- | CHAPTER ONE ILLIE,HELP AMANDA spreadthe jam on her bread and quitteasing her,"Katura Yoder admonishedrather wearily.She glanced out the kitch-en window where she could see far downthe road."No buggy in sight,"she thoughtto herself."Something must be keepingHenner.He should have been home fromtown an hour ago." "When's Daddy coming home?I wantsupper not just jam bread,"said littleAmanda. "I'm hungry,too,"spoke up eight-year-old Lillie. One after another the six Yoder childrencomplained of being hungry.The last tospeak was Andy,the oldest."I workedhard in the field and want to eat.Dad caneat when he gets back." Katura had milked the cows and fed thechickens and prepared the evening meal.She had patiently waited an hour for her -by Mollie Zook &David Luthy husband.But each time her dark eyesglanced out the kitchen window no buggywas in sight. "All right,let's eat supper,"said Ka-tura.But she could not resist stealing an-other look out the window before she satdown. The children ate rapidly.The extra hourwait had increased their appetites.Whenthey were satisfied,Katura said to Andy,"You may put the cows out to pasture andcarry water for the calves.Then if Daddyisn't home yet,I'll help you take the har-ness off the horses." Andy breathed a sigh.It was not loud butloud enough for a mother's ears to hear.Atroubled expression clouded Katura's faceas she watched Andy push his chair backfrom the table and walk toward the door."He's but a child,"she thought painfully."Ten years old—too young to carry theresponsibilities placed on him.Tired,too, following the harrow over the rough plowedfields today." Was it exhaustion she had heard in hissigh before he went to the barn?Or rebel-lion?She had noticed this before.Somehidden determination had welled up inhis blue eyes that sent a pang of fearinto her heart. "If only Henner would feel hisduties more at home,"shebreathed softly,getting upfrom the kitchen table and walking to the window to stare down the road one more time.But still it was deserted. "May I help Andy take the cows back tothe pasture?"Lillie's tugging on her moth-er's apron broke into Katura's farawaygaze. "Yes,"smiled Katura looking down intothe dark eyes of her daughter who resem-bled her so much. Lillie ran across the kitchen and out thedoor.Her black tied-up braids swung a-gainst the back of her head as she ran.Katura pushed her own black hair neatlyback under her head covering."Lillie,thegirl with all the energy,"she thought asshe watched her run."If only Andy hadmore of her bright eagerness." Katura went to the dry sink where nine-year-old Malinda had stacked the supperdishes,ready to be washed.As she washedthem she thought back over her twelveyears of marriage.Henner had been 20 andshe 25 when they married.She had livedall her life in Holmes County but now theNappanee,Indiana Amish settlement washome to her.Henner had brought her hereto his father's farm,being the youngest ofthe children he had gotten the home place. Grandpa Yoder had accepted Henner andhis bride and given them the opportunity tostart up farming."Grandpa was good tous,"thought Katura. "It took time tocare for him in his old age,but hisadvice was always helpful."Katurathought of how Grandpa had helped Hennerget started in farming,but it seemed Hen-ner never developed Grandpa's knack formaking a farm produce.She had hoped asHenner grew older and the children grew up that things would be going better on thefarm.Now Grandpa Yoder was no longerliving and the farm had been willed to allhis children.Henner was to make paymentson the place to the others.Had it not beenfor his thrifty hard-working wife,the pay-ments would not have been made this far."And now,"thought Katura as she rinsed aplatter and put it on the table,"if we don'tget more farm income this summer thanlast summer,we'll..."She hated to thinkof losing the farm.But yet she knew thatwas what would happen with time

FAQs

Why is Katura waiting for Henner to come home?

Katura is waiting because Henner has been expected home an hour earlier, but no buggy is in sight. The delay leaves the household tense and hungry.

What concern does Andy show during the evening meal?

Andy sighs and pushes his chair back with a troubled expression, suggesting he feels the weight of responsibilities despite being only ten. Katura notices hidden determination that worries her.

What does Henner tell Katura when he finally returns?

Henner says he bought tools in town and explains they are carpenter tools. He suggests working at the carpenter trade to better meet the farm payments that are currently behind.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by acoobca