The Mystery of Kolbe Mansion: Part V

Read Part IV here.

THE MYSTERY OF KOLBE MANSION

Part V: Learning More

Uncle Bill’s face appeared a moment later.

            “We were just exploring Uncle Bill,” I said Annie came over beside me when Uncle Bill arrived.

            “Exploring huh? More like sneaking around, you guys should have stayed in your room.”

            “But you said we could go anywhere in the house we wanted except the room at the end of the hall” Annie remarked coming out from behind me. Uncle Bill sneered,

            “Supper’s ready come on downstairs.” We went back down the stairs and into a large dining room. It had a large table that sat twelve people but only Uncle Bill, Annie, and I sat at the table. Chicken was brought in along with bread, potatoes, and a variety of fruit. Uncle Bill began to eat when Annie said,

            “What about Grace?”

            “What about her?” Uncle Bill asked,

            “Don’t you say it,” Annie asked him.

            “Pray? Oh uh well you say it,” He told. She bowed her head and closed her eyes.

            “Dear Lord thank you for the delicious meal you have given us and allowing Uncle Bill to pick us up at the train station. Please help Uncle Bill to like me more he doesn’t seem to enjoy having me around, in Jesus name Amen.” Annie raised her head and began to eat not realizing Uncle Bill’s astonishment to her prayer.

            “You think I don’t like you?” question Uncle Bill awkwardly.

            “Nope you yelled at me and you don’t like my name.” Annie told him and continued eating.

            “I didn’t mean to yell at you and I do like your name I was just surprised is all. I knew some one years ago with that name, she was very special to me.”

            I looked at Annie and she looked at me. We continued eating. After supper we were sent to bed early because of our long day. There were two beds in our room separated by a night stand. Annie turned the light out and we lay in our beds.

            “Owen, where is Uncle Bill’s son?” she asked me,

            “I don’t know Annie, I don’t know.”

***

            We woke up the next morning to smell of flapjacks and bacon. We ate our breakfast in a hurry and ran out into the yard to spend our morning. We walked around the house and ended up in the garden. We saw a man, who was very old working there pulling up weeds and spreading up dirt.

            “What’s your name?” Annie asked him,

            “Oh me,” he said, “I’m Lance, the garden, and who might you two be?”

            “I am Annie,” she told him, “and this is my brother Owen.”

            “Hello Owen!” he said,

            “Hi,” I replied.

            “What are you two up to this fine day?” he asked us tugging on a root.

            “Were looking for clues,” Annie told him, “to find out what happened to Miss Anne.”

            “Is that so?” he said, “and where did ya here about her?”

            “The man at the train station told us,” I said.

            “Oh,” he replied pulling harder on the root. “It’s really a sad story about Miss Anne and her- he stopped, hoping we hadn’t heard the ‘and’.

            “And her son?” I asked. He looked at me shocked,

            “Yes,” he whispered, “did you uncle tell you about Will J.?”

            “Will J.” I said, “Was that his name? We found the birth certificate in the attic.”

            “Oh, is that where William put it?”

            “What happened to him Mr. Lance?” Annie asked him.

            “First, it’s not ‘Mr. Lance’, it’s just Lance. Second I can’t tell you what happened to Miss Anne or Will J., you’ll have to ask you Uncle that.”

            We said good-bye to Lance and Annie and I walked around to the other side of the house.

            “Well he wasn’t much help. All we know is that Uncle Bill’s son’s name was Will J..”

            “It’s a start” Annie said, “and we’re learning more!”

The Mystery of Kolbe Mansion: Part IV

View Part III here.

THE MYSTERY OF KOLBE MANSION

Part IV: The Mystery Begins

The stairs creaked as Annie and I stepped onto them. The stairs seemed to never end, going up, up, up. Annie who was small and didn’t weigh much dashed up them without another thought, but I was much bigger and heavier what if one of the beams was to give in? I took it slowly avoiding stairs I thought were unsteady. 

            “Owen you should see it up here, it’s old and dusty and… eww spider webs!” Annie called from the top.

            “Annie wait for me!” I said making my pace a little faster. I reached the top to see a large room that was much warmer than the rest of the house. “Oh Annie it’s only a dusty old attic.”

            “Well look at all the stuff maybe we can figure out something by looking at it.” Annie said, I shrugged and began to look around. There were many trunks and a lot of pictures.

            “Hey Owen look at this pretty dress, and that grand tuxedo.” Annie exclaimed pointing to a bunch of old clothes.

            “The dresses must be Miss. Anne’s and the other’s Uncle Bill’s.” I continued to look around I saw a picture half covered by an old sheet. “Annie look it’s a picture of a woman.” I moved the sheet and it reveled a beautiful woman with an orchard in the background. The woman had long wavy brown hair, her face was pale and her lips a ruby red.

            “It’s Miss Anne,” Annie exclaimed.

            “It must be,” I said turning the painting over. “Look it has writing.”

           

To Mrs. Anne Kolbe of Kolbe Manor.

September 3, 1933

            “Let me see if it was painted in 1933, and its 1940….,” I thought subtracting in my head, “Seven years ago, when the man at the station said Uncle Bill and Miss Anne were married. It must have been a wedding present.” 

            “Hey look Owen old letters.” Annie said holding up a pile of letters. I went over and look at an envelope.

Mrs. Anne Kolbe

1630 Sycamore Lane

 Mayfield IW 09973

Miss Anne Layton

1630 Sycamore Lane

Mayfield IW 09973

Annie Kolbe

1630 Sycamore Lane

Mayfield IW 09973

            “There all the same, to Miss Anne.” I said wishing there was more.

            “Why don’t you read them?” Annie asked, I then opened a letter and read aloud.

Dear Annie,

I am sorry I was unable to contact you further. With rumors of war I had no time for such things. Grandfather Lee died two weeks ago and Mother asked me to write to you. How is your new home? Are you happy with William? I must visit you soon and see you again.

Farwell,

Kate

            “Who’s Kate I wonder.” I opened another letter addressed to Mrs. Kolbe.

Dear Mrs. Kolbe,

We regret to inform you that you father, Daniel Layton passed away early in the morning on September 3ed, 1933. A copy of his will has been enclosed.

            ‘Miss Anne’s Daddy died,” Annie said sadly,

            “September third the same day she was married.” I opened another letter.

Dearest Annie,

I have wondered how to start this letter many times. You mother passed away from the fever. The Doctor said she was too weak and never had a chance. She spoke of you before she died and said great things. Grieving with you in the time of hurt.

Love,

Aunt Cherrie

            “Poor Miss Anne she’s loosing all her loved ones!” I said. “Hey look at this piece of paper it’s… a birth certificate for,”

William Henry Kolbe Jr.

Born, August 8, 1934

Mother, Anne Grace Layton Kolbe

Father, William Henry Kolbe

            “Uncle Bill has a son who’s your age Annie!” I exclaimed.

            “Who’s up there?” A voice from below boomed.

The Mystery of Kolbe Mansion: Part III

Be sure to read Part I and Part II

THE MYSTERY OF KOLBE MANSION: PART III

Inside Kolbe Mansion

Uncle Bill left in rush slamming our door behind him.

            “I don’t think Uncle Bill likes me,” said Annie a bit frightened at Uncle Bill’s outrage.

            “Na, he likes you he just needs a bit cheering up. After all his must be sad and lonely after Miss Anne died.” I said trying to comfort her.

            “You know of Miss Anne?” A voice said coming from the hallway. I face appeared around the door. I woman in her mid-thirties who had blonde curly hair repeated her question, “You know of Miss Anne?”

            “Uh, well a little, the old man at the train station said she was carried off by a secret admirer five years ago.”

            “Ha that old man needs to get his facts straight.”

            I gave her a questioned look, “Then she didn’t disappear?”

            “Oh she disappeared but she wasn’t taken. You see I was there that night, Miss Anne, well better known as Annie-“

            “Annie! That’s my name,” Annie interrupted.

            “Well so it is, anyway Annie wasn’t too happy with Mr. Kolbe.”

            “Why not?” I asked,

            “Well Annie loved to spend money on dresses, hire servants, and host parties. And Mr. Kolbe hated it, he hated spending money, he hated lots of servants, and most of all he hated people.”

            “But he has so many servants now, and why shouldn’t he like people?” I asked her.

            “Well he has a lot of servants now because he’s not strong enough to take care of the house and he hated people because he didn’t like to talk much.”

            “Oh,” I said,

            “Why doesn’t he like me,” Annie asked her gazing into the servants brown eyes.

            “I guess because you remind him a lot of her, your name for one thing and your attitude, you’ve got a lot spunk missy.” “Well do guys have names or are you just Mr. Kolbe’s nephew and niece?”

            “I’m Owen and this is-“

            “Annie,” cried Annie giving me an angry look.

            “So it’s Owen and Annie, fine names for fine children.” She smiled, “Well now that I know your name you need to know mine, I’m Diana the maid, well one of the maids.” Suddenly the clock chimed five O’clock. ‘Oh dear here I am chattering away and I have work to do, so long.”

            Diana left the room and Annie went out the door. I wondering why Annie decided to go exploring without me called to her,

            “Hey Annie wait for me!”

            “Good gracious,” a voice rasped, “Can’t you speak in and inside voice you’re not leading in army to battle.” An old woman with chalk white hair wearing a similar uniform to Diana stood between me and where Annie used to be. Annie dashed down the stairs when she heard the old woman.

            “Well? Cat got your tongue?” she asked with her hand on her hip.

            “No M’am,” a snapped back, “my sister doesn’t her way around here and I need to stay with her so she doesn’t get lost.”

            “It’ll serve her right for wandering around places she doesn’t belong.”

            “Well maybe you think it will teach her a lesson but I think it’s just gonna scare her out of her wits.” With that I walked around the old woman and marched down the stairs in the direction Annie had gone. I could hear the old woman was quite outraged and knew I shouldn’t have talked to an elder that way.

            “It serves the old woman right, why Annie’s just a little girl she doesn’t know any better.” I thought. I reached the bottom of the large stairway, and came to a foyer similar to the one near the front door. Thinking like Annie I went towards the hallway that smelled of chicken and bread, then I realized Annie and I had eaten nothing since early morning. I heard the clamoring of dishes and the smell of bread got stronger. I heard laughing and then looked in the room, it was the kitchen, and there was Annie with a man, rather plump kneading dough.

            “Look Owen I’m making bread with Gregory!” Annie smiled punching the dough with her fists and sending flour into her hair.

            “Well you must be the brother Annie keeps talking about; I am Gregory, the chef.”

            “I am Owen, my sister and I have come to stay here for awhile.”

            “Well your welcome here. I hear you got into some trouble with Mistress Porter, huh?”

            “Oh the old woman? She doesn’t scare me.”

            “Well she should she’s just a sour old goose who doesn’t have anything better to do than complain.”

            “Owen come make bread with me!” giggled Annie covering her face with flour.

            “I don’t think so, cooking is woman’s work.” I replied in a manly manner.

            “Oh is that so, well I am a man and look I do nearly all the cooking.” Gregory told me quite upset with what I had told Annie.

            “Well where we come from only woman cook.” I told him trying to sound sorry for my remark.

            “Don’t fret, all the maids make fun of me, I’m used to it.”

            “Annie lets have a look around,” I said taking her floury hand into mine. We left the kitchen and continued down the hall, the hallway came to a dead-end but then Annie cried,

            “Look it’s a spiral staircase.” Pointing to an old wooden staircase that looked like it had dent been used in years. “Let’s go up,” Annie said slipping her hand out of mine.

            “Wait,” I yelled as she placed her feet on the first step, “It may not be safe.”

            “Are you scared?” she asked in a cooing voice, “Yes you are.”

            “I am not!” I yelled back at her, “I just don’t think its safe.”

            “It’s safe come on!” So with that she continued up the stairs with me following after. 

The Mystery of Kolbe Mansion: Part II

If you missed Part I you can read it here.


THE MYSTERY OF KOLBE MANSION

Part II: Uncle Bill's House

         "It all started five years ago. The Kolbe House used to be so beautiful and parties were held there. William and his wife were very wealthy and had many servants. William had married only two years before to the prettiest girl you ever saw. She had long black hair and eyes so blue it was like looking at the sea, she was small but strong and loved parties and people. William loved Anne very much, Anne was her name. As I said, they had many servants, one was my niece, Grace. Well one night after after a grand party Anne disappeared."

        "She was kidnapped?" I asked intrigued by the story.

        "Nobody knows. They say she was murdered by a secret admirer who couldn't stand to see her married to William. Of course there is no proof. But it isn't so much that, it's what happened afterwards.William was furious when Anne was found missing and went into a rage. Grace said he never returned to their room. It was never entered into again. 

       "So.. who cares if no one went back into the room." I said,

       "Well I ain't finished, keep listening. Grace needed to get a certain garment out of William and Anne's room. When she entered-"

       "Mr. Kennedy may I ask where you got such a tall tale?" A voice interpreted. The old man turned around,

       "Oh... uh... Mr. Kolbe.... I was... just helping pass the time."

       "Passing time while killing my good name, now I know where all the rumors came from."

       "Oh Mr. Kolbe-"

       "Are you my nephew?" He asked me,

       "If your Uncle Bill, then I am." I told him. He looked at me then turned to Annie.

       "Well I see my brother has very fine looking children, come follow me."

       He led Annie and I to a very expensive looking automobile. A man helped Annie and I into the back of the car, then took our trunk and put it in the rear. Uncle Bill sat in the front while Annie and I sat in the back. The man who helped us into the car, sat at the wheel and began to drive. I sat still and quiet and Annie did the same. We had never rode in an automobile, back home we walked everywhere. 

       Uncle Bill turned around and said,

       "I'm sorry I was late I had a few last things to prepare at home for the two of you."

       "That's okay, we enjoyed looking at the scenery." Uncle Bill smiled,

       "Yes, beautiful country isn't it? Well I don't even know your names!"

       "Oh, I'm Owen," I told him.

       "Owen is a fine name, and what about you little lady?" Annie slid close to me, and Uncle Bill smiled,

       "She's shy, her name is Annie." Uncle Bill's smiled wiped away, he turned around and said nothing more the whole way home. I wondered if it had anything to do with Uncle Bill's wife Anne.

       We arrived at the house within a few minutes and the old man was right, it was indeed a mansion. The house was well taken care of, and it was obvious there were a number of people working for Uncle Bill. The man who drove us opened the car door and we hopped out. Uncle Bill led us into the house and we stood in the front foyer. The floor was so shiny and clean I could see my reflection, to my left was an office; it had a desk with many filing cabinets. To the right was a parlor with red velvet carpet and glass end tables. Directly in front was a hallway and staircase. Uncle Bill led us up the stairs and pointed to a door.

        "You may sleep together in this room." He opened the door and we stood there waiting. "You may go anywhere in the house you like, except that room," he pointed to the room at the very end of the hall.

        "Why can't we go in there?" Annie asked.

        "Because," said Uncle Bill harshly, "It's private."

*Please forgive any typos/misspellings*

The Beach- Sunday Snapshot

I know I promised to post the band concert photo's... and I will. At some point, or another!

However, I wanted you guys to see the rest of the beach pictures.

I must say, it was a perfect day! High 80's with a slight breeze. It felt wonderful!

Lily ADORED the sand! She was so engrossed in the sand she hardly talked.. at all! Which is huge because she is constantly talking! 

It was the most quiet she's been in months!

All in all, it was a wonderful trip to the beach!

As you can see, there have been some changes to my blog. And there is upcoming exciting news! 

Part 2 of THE MYSTERY OF KOLBE MANSION will be posted Monday!

I see much posting the next week!

Happy Memorial Day Week-end!

The Mystery of Kolbe Mansion: Part I

THE MYSTERY OF KOLBE MANSION

Part I: At The Station

           The air blew hard that October day when Annie and I stood on the platform of the Mayfield Train Station. We were traveling to see our Uncle Bill, and the train had dropped us off in what seemed to be the middle if nowhere. The train station was lonely and no one stood outside, they all sat in the waiting room for the next train. Annie and I were told to wait outside so Uncle Bill didn't have to come looking for us. It was fall and the air had chilled earlier this year, the leaves had turned their beautiful apple red, golden yellow, and fiery orange. The station was old and not well taken care of, there was only one man who worked here, he sold tickets and made sure the trains came in on-time. The train station had a small building attached to a long platform made of wooden beams running vertically. The platform dropped off where the railroad tracks stood. I shivered as a strong gust of wind whipped my body blowing my hair and the white tag that was tied to my lightweight jacket. Annie and I had tickets tied to us when we left the station in Holly Brooke. The woman who tied the ticket said it was in case we got lost.

      "Oh i'm cold can't we go inside Owen?" Annie cried as the wind blew fiercely again.

      "We can't Uncle Bill might come, and if we're not here he might think we didn't come at all."

      "Well it's so cold he'll check inside for us."

      "Well he might, but we might as well stay out here where he can't miss us." 

      I noticed a bench near the end of the platform, and brought Annie over and we sat down. Annie and I sat and waited. Time passed and another train came. People rushed out of the small building and climbed onto the train. The man who ran the station came out and looked at the train. As he turned around her saw Annie and me.

     "Weren't you two young-ins dropped off at the last train?"

     "Yes Sir," I told him.

     "Don't you need to get on the train?"

     "Nope, Mrs, Carter told us to stay off the train in Mayfield and wait outside.  

     The man was old, he had a white mustache and was mostly bald. He wore a black suit and often took out a gold watch the hung from a train.   

     "Well you've been here for quite awhile, who are you waiting for?

     "Uncle Bill," I told him. His eyebrows went up and his mustache wiggled.

     "Uncle Bill," he echoed and thought for a second. "Oh, you must mean William Kolbe." 

     "We're not waiting for William Kobe, we're waiting for Uncle Billy!" Annie corrected.

     "Annie! Hush!" I said, "Sorry sir, she's only six and doesn't know any better, William Kolbe is our Uncle. 

     "Well i'll be darn! I didn't know he had any family. But you wouldn't know so much if he had a dog, he never leaves that mansion of his."

     "Mansion?" I asked.

     "Why yes. Mr. Kolbe has got one of the largest estates in the countryside."

     "I thought he was poor," I muttered.

     "Ha, no surrey. It isn't a blessing from the rumors that have been spread about his house, yikes! They send shivers down my back."

     "Why?" Annie asked. The old man shook his head.

     "I think I've told you two young-ins enough. After all, I don't want to give you nightmares."

     "Oh, please sir! We may be there a long time and need to know, please tell us," I begged.

     "Okay, I see you really want to know. So I'll tell you."

     The train conductor called out,

     "All aboard!" The train whistled and slowly started. It was loud and the smoke from the train blew in my face. Then the train pulled out and I saw it no more. I turned to the old man and he began his story.

*Please forgive typos/miss-spelling, I was in a hurry!*

  

The Beach

We made it home!

And here are the pictures from the beach... or mine!

Lily absolutely LOVED the beach and sand.  

Aaron got some GIANT sunglasses.

Anna Grace and Ally playing in the sand.

Lily really did enjoy it, however her face seems to say differently.

TOMORROW: The first part of, The Mystery of Kolbe Mansion!!

I'm Off!

Here I am. About to leave.

13 hour drive ahead of me.

It ain't anything new, done it before.

I won't be able to start the story until I get back, next Monday.

Cause I have on partially written here.

But don't worry I'm gonna do my best to post in Florida!!

See ya tomorrow! 

Writing

In the past I have written A LOT of short stories. (Most uncompleted)

So, I decided, why not write for you guys? 

I've created a poll for you to vote on which type of story you like to read more.

The poll closes Tue. but try to get your answers in by Monday.

I'm planning to start writing in FLORIDA!!