The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
AND THEN ALONG COMES MARY*
“Papa, where’s Baby Abigail?” asked four-year old George.
Despite his success in business, Colonel Zadock Pratt had little success in marriage.
After a few months, his first love, Beda had succombed to consumption. He’d then found solace in the arms of her sister Esther, only to lose her two years later.
Zadock sat his son and two-year-old daughter Julia on his lap.
Seven years with their mother (Abigail Sr.) had not been long enough. She had passed away three months before, ten days after giving birth.
Heaving a tearful sigh, Zadock whispered, “Baby Abigail’s gone to heaven to be with your Mama.”
*Note: A year later he married Abigail’s sister Mary. 😉
There’s so much out there about Zadock Pratt’s life that boiling any part of it down to only one hundred words was quite the challenge. CLICK HERE for more.
***********
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Nicely written. Bringing history to life as always!
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Thank you Mr. B.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Did I misunderstand this, or did he marry his daughter?
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Dear Neil,
Apparently you misunderstood. Sorry if it was confusing. The infant who died was named for her mother, Zadock’s third wife Abigail.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Got you
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PS I’ve unapologetically added Abigail Sr. in parentheses. Thank you for pointing out the confusion.
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Not an encouraging prospect for a would-be wife. But there are some people in this life for whom there seems to be an unconscionable trail of personal tragedy. Well written.
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Dear Sandra,
He did seem to have a cloud hanging over his head where wives were concerned, didn’t he? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sad story. Reality for some.
Three times unlucky.
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Dear Anita,
I fear he was four times unlucky. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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wow. What a career this man had. Thanks for the story and the link about his history. For all his accomplishments, I don’t understand why I never knew about him.
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Dear Whoever you Are,
Always happy to share when I find ’em. Thank you for coming along for the ride.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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One tragedy after another. I learned from the link that he married five times in all, at least the final one outlived him. Really interesting.
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Dear Keith
I’m glad you followed the link. There’s so much about him out there. I targetted one part of his life. 😉 thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Poor man, I hope he did better with Mary! But it’s amazing that he didn’t allow his many losses to keep him from some rather amazing accomplishments!
By the way, I finished read “From Silt to Ashes” on our flight to South Dakota. Now I want to read the next book to see how everything turned out. Really good stories!
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Dear Linda,
As i said, there was so much about this man, it was difficult to know where to start or end. So I went for romance for 100, Art. 😉
It pleases me to no end that you’re reading my trilogy. I spent at least 15 years dancing with Havah and her friends. Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Zadock was surrounded by death, wasn’t he, not only in marriage but in his tannery business. Interesting story, Rochelle.
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Dear Lisa,
Zadock was no stranger to tragedy, that’s for certain. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Well lworth the long journey out for inet. What a tear-jerker. So hard, sometimes, the questions of little ones. Reminds me of a recent visit from my nephew. He is home from war, but the war followed him. His mind and soul forever changed. One night, after a series of nightmares, he was curled in my arms and he asked a similiar question about his buddy who was KIA. Some minister or chaplain along the way told him that they were all condemned to Helle for what they’d done in war. Ohhhh, it’s so hard to try to convince him that God still loves him just as much and that it’s okay to live. He’s back in hospital now… that’s where he seems to do best these days. Pray for him, and others in his situation. Shalom, Bear
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Dear Bear,
Thank you for sharing that. I hope that minister is having nightmares of his own. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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P.S. This week’s pic is really cool!
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Wow, what a tale of personal tragedy and how amazing of Mary to become wife #4 and a mother to those little ones.
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Dear Jen,
I imagine with Mary being the children’s auntie, she was already considered family. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting story, Rochelle. Gone to read the rest of it!
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Thank you, Rosemary.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, his personal life seems to be distraught with unfortunate illnesses for his wives. A strong man with fortitude who over came all his difficulties. Thank you Rochelle, this was very interesting.
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Dear Anonymous,
While leading a productive life, he also suffered a lot of hardship. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Pretty convenient to find a second wife within the family… twice!
I was a tad confused with the two Abigails there for a second 😉
I love how you bring history to life and so glad I gave you something to dig into 😉
Shalom and lotsa familial love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Neil nailed me on the confusion so I’ll admit to adding Abigail Sr. in the parentheses…so what’s a couple of extra words? Thanks to your skill as a photo editor 😉 I was able to come up with another historical piece. Thank you. Glad you liked my story.
Shalom and lotsa historical hugs,
Rochelle
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I actually ended up Googling him to understand 😉 And you are most welcome. It wasn’t perfect but gave you what you needed so that’s a win, eh?
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It certainly beat the alternative 😉 I appreicate the effort.
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I shudder to think how the stories would have gone had the original be used sans covering up 😉
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OOOH dontcha know it!!!
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Uh huh! Uh huh!
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An incredible story, Rochelle, yours and the one the link revealed. Such a sad time and so many deaths. Seems like someone should have stopped along the way to read the signs!
This one jumped off the page and sprang to life for me. Amazing read!
Shalom, my dear
🕊️
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Dear Nancy,
If anyone would pick up on my title, it would definitely be you. 😀 (Guilt by Association) It just seemed so right. Thank you for your kind comments on my story, too.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Always a pleasure, Rochelle!
🕊️
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What an amazing person, though his life was filled with so much tragedy. Thank you for introducing him to us, Rochelle!
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Dear Brenda,
He was pretty amazing. It seems that nothing kept him down for long. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You are right about Zadock’s life being eventful. Thanks for that fascinating article, and for successfully and engagingly encapsulating his life in your 100 words. Quite a challenge, as you say.
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Dear Margaret,
It’s amazing what can be found on the internet. We can only hope that the accounts are accurate. 😉 Of course my little time capsule is fiction. But I’d like to think of him as a loving father. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I went down that rabbit hole with Zadock Pratt and knew you would be able to distill it down to 100 words. I didn’t attempt to write about Pratt as I wouldn’t know where to begin. As usual, you chipped off a piece of biography and brought it to life quite masterfully.
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Dear Whoever you are,
Yes, it was a challenge. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Was foul play never expected?
Hmmm…
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Not to my knowledge, Dawn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow, what a story! Makes me appreciate the tenacity and heart that keeps families moving forward despite tragedy.
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Dear Angela,
No doubting his tenacity. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, what a proliferating balagan … but then again, it was, in some times, how it was done … oy. He sure was up to the task …
(okay, I’ll show myself out…)
Managed to get something in just under the wire. It’s been a while! Life’s been a mess that outpaced any story telling. Sigh. But, maybe there’d be a bit of coming up for air from time to time … Hugs, Na’ama
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Na’ama ykarah,
Thank you for identifying yourself. Although with the word balagan, I probably could’ve figured it out. 😉 And I’m sorry that’s describing your life right now.
Up to the task. Yeah, I giggled. So good to see you back in the K’far Segohl.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, now that’s an… interesting life. You have a way of bringing history to life and giving people real depth. A true skill.
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Dear Laurie,
Very sweet of you to say so. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I do enjoy these snippets of history, Rochelle!
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