Belle of Batoche Read Free

true, but my family does other things for the church. Last fall, my father and brother reshingled the roof so we wouldn’t be leaked on for the Christmas pageant.” Everyone murmured agreement with Belle.
    Sarah came back, both guns blazing. “So what? When we moved here, my mother donated two silver candlesticks for the altar. Real ones, from England,” she added, pointing to the east as though she couldsee the store where the candlesticks had been bought. The crowd, nodding their heads, jumped back onto Sarah’s side.
    Belle pursed her lips trying to think of something to top the silver candlesticks, something that would stop Sarah in her tracks. Then she remembered a very important fact that no one had mentioned. “Hey Sarah. Aren’t you forgetting something about the person who will be named the bell ringer? Something that has nothing to do with money?”
    Everyone turned to Sarah. A hush fell over the crowd. This was unexpected. Sarah was silent, waiting to hear what could possibly be more important than money.
    Belle screwed up her face in concentration. “If I remember correctly, the person named to be the official bell ringer is going to be chosen from the church choir. Last time I was at practice, I don’t remember seeing you there.” This was true. Father Moulin had clearly said only choir members were being considered for the important job. She smiled sweetly at Sarah whose face was now an ugly shade of red with purple blotches on her neck.
    Sarah’s eyes narrowed. “Oh really?” she hissed. “Well, I will be by Sunday! And I’m going to win this contest, so there!”
    Belle glanced beyond Sarah to the dirt path that ran in front of the school. From the evidence left behind, she now knew where Madame Carriere’s cow had gone after it had eaten the tulips.
    Before Belle could warn her, Sarah turned with a whirl that made her full skirt flare out around her and stepped onto the path. There was a wet squishing sound, then a gasp from Bertha.
    Looking down at her shoes, which were now covered with fresh cow manure, Sarah let out a wail that could be heard all the way to Regina. The other children laughed and pointed at the disgusting mess on Sarah’s patent leather shoes, no longer so new or so shiny.
    As Miss Dorval rushed out of the schoolhouse to see what the noise was about, Belle stuck her hands in her pockets, strolled past the shrieking Sarah and headed for home. No matter what, she was not going to let Sarah beat her.

3
Beautiful Bells and Stinky Smells
    That night, Belle had to be told three times to bring hot water from the stove for the dishes. Finally, her mother put her hands on her hips and gave her daughter a knowing look.
    â€œWhat is it, ma petite Belle? You don’t seem very interested in getting these dishes clean.”
    Belle looked at her mother, not wanting to tell her about Sarah, but finally relenting. “Someone else wants the job of bell ringer.” She poured hot water from a bucket onto the waiting dishes in the sink. Clouds of steam rose, blurring her vision.
    â€œOh really! Who?” her mother asked, scrubbing at the dishes, her hands turning red in the hot water.
    â€œSarah Johnson.” Belle tried to sound calm, but her mother gave her a sidelong glance.
    â€œAnd this has you worried? Belle, you have the best voice in the choir and have been going to this church since you were born. Father Moulin will make the right choice. He’s a fair man.”
    Belle smiled. “And Sarah isn’t even a member of the choir, which is one of the rules.” Her mother was right. Of course, she would be chosen. As fragrant coffee brewed on the stove, they finished the dishes in silence.
    Belle helped her mother take the coffee, cups, milk and sugar into the living room where her father and Patrice were visiting with Jean Caron. Monsieur Caron had been one of the first settlers in the Batoche area and