The Old Empty Barn (Short Story)

The Old Empty Barn

It was late autumn, early winter in Slainsville. A small gathering of farms were all that were left in this remote land. It was once busy, once prosperous, when the mine was operating, it seemed a long time ago now. Slainsville was a town then, it had a population, some trade and visitors then. There wasn’t much left now, a few farms worked by a few hardy souls…..

It was hard, it had always been hard, just trying to live. Living in the summer, surviving in the winter. The Egans knew it, they’d survived it all before. There was Vincent, a strong, fair man, known as Pa to all who knew him. And Mary, a warm, lovely woman who seemed too soft for her life but as gutsy as any there was. And of course, the children, Evie and William, ten and seven years young, full of fun but tough as old boots.

The Egan spread was of decent size for them, although very small compared to others, four major crop fields, the woods, a small orchard and the chickens. The family loved the chickens but not too much, they simply couldn’t afford to. The woods were thin and sparse, used up in previous years but enough left to encourage new growth…..

Then there was the Egan dwelling, a small, quaint but solid farmhouse, hand-built by Vincent and Mary and as warm as they could afford. And lastly, the barn. Stone built, as old as time itself, it stood first, long before the farmhouse and looks to outdate the very earth it stands on. It was all but empty these days. It once held the small yields from the family’s land. A few old grain sacks, basic tools and a barrel with some apples lived there now.

It was a November afternoon just approaching darkness and coldness when the front door rattled. Mary was making a broth for dinner, hot and hearty. Pa rose from his chair and opened the door. There stood an old woman, weathered, cold and hungry. She was old, real old, a century or more the children guessed.

“Come away in out of the cold” Pa beckoned. “I see the snow’s falling too.”

She hobbled in, small in frame with an old walking stick, as old as the barn, the kids laughed quietly.

“What brings you out at this time, at this time of year?” Mary asked warmly.

She took a deep breath and went on “I’m off to my sister's across the way, I’m visiting her, just visiting you see. It’s a long way for me, I started off this morning, I won’t make it tonight, and I was sure I would.”

She meant nothing to the Egans, they knew the neighbours but they hadn’t seen her before. The surrounding farms were few and far between and more successful in their gains. A few reaped enough to trade their wares and were run firmly taking no prisoners on the way. The family had a troubled past with false claims on their land. The others were out to expand and the Egans were an annoyance in the way.

“Can I trouble you for some food and a shelter for tonight?” “You see, I’ve asked the others and well……. they wouldn’t have me….they saw me off, …..beggar they called me…beggar!!” “I may be of gypsy blood but I’m no beggar!!” she blurted. “I’ve tried them all, but they don’t want me, no help at all, no kindness!!”

“Sit yourself down dear, some broth do you?” comforted Mary.

The trouble is, the family were near the end of their rations, things were tight and someone would have to do without,…. Pa would.

“We haven’t the room here, but we’ve a cosy barn, if that’ll do you, you’ll get a good nights rest in there.” urged Pa.

Tucking into her broth, she contentedly nodded.

“That’s settled then, you’re our guest for tonight.” said Mary.

There wasn’t much more from the old dear, after food and a welcomed heat at the fire, through the snow, she was guided to the barn, and with some blankets was bedded down cosily for the night.

“Strange old lady, huh” remarked Pa.

“She reminds me of the old story of the Romany woman who stayed around these parts,…… but that was years ago” said Mary.

“I know the very tale, I too had thought of it”….Pa breathed.

It was a cold November night, “I hope she’s okay out there” Mary worryingly said.

“She’ll be fine, that barn has sheltered people for years, and anyway, I’m hungry.” Pa said.

They’d forgotten about the food or rather, lack of it.

“We’ll worry it over tomorrow”……quipped Mary.

With the children tucked down for the night, Pa and Mary headed off to bed. They all slept so soundly that night, securely and warmly as if something was looking over them. They would talk about it again over the years.

As the world around awoke, the family stirred. The children were up first, making short work of the restful night. Once up and organised, Mary prepared breakfast with what she had. The final rations were used, but they had a guest, so it had to be.

“Evie, William, fetch the old woman, breakfast’s ready and….watch your footing outside. Off they went excited as can be to the barn…..

Moments passed and soon they returned, quietly shocked with faces lit.

“Ma, Pa, come quickly, she’s gone……… but she’s left something….

“Eh, what are you talking about, where is she?” said Mary.

“You must come see.” returned Evie.

They made their way to their faithful barn, walking in the childrens footprints, the snow was a foot deep! It had fallen through the night, creating a wonderland, exciting the children but not Pa. It would make the gathering so much harder and they were hardly set for winter.

The barn doors were flung open, uncovering a treasure, oh what a treasure!! The family stood silently, staring, in disbelief.

“What, where, when, how???” amazed Mary.

Supplies, rations, fruit, wheat, logs, it was all there, piled, in barrels, in sacks, in rows, everywhere, the barn was full!! Heaps of potatoes, turnip mountains, logs to burn for a whole winter, two winters!! Apples, apples galore, wheat stacked to the rafters, never had they seen so much………

“The story was true then, eh Mary?”

“Guess so Pa”

The family returned to the farmhouse following their prints.

No other footprints were found……….

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