Prudence

by Caroline Clemmons

  After breakfast was finished, Tillie turned to Prudence. “If you’re going with me, you’d better get moving. I’m leaving as soon as I get my hat and purse.”

  “I’ll do the same and meet you at the front door.” Prudence hurried to her room. Adjusting her old hat, she wished she had something more presentable to wear. Mrs. Harrison would just have to take her as she was. She grabbed her purse and rushed to the front door.

  When she saw Tillie, she tried to hide her surprise. Prudence was certain the other woman had rouged her cheeks and lips. Tillie’s hat was even more unsuitable than Prudence’s. She wondered whether Tillie was a lightskirt or simply had poor taste.

  No matter, Tillie had been nice to Prudence. Having a welcome in this strange city meant a lot. They ambled down the sidewalk.

  Prudence made an effort not to gawk at her surroundings. How strange this place was. Since leaving the boarding house this morning she had probably seen as many people as lived in Dry Water Crossing.

  “How far is the hotel?”

  At the corner, Tillie hailed a cab. “Too far to walk. I don’t plan to arrive looking sweaty.”

  “Good idea. I’ll pay my share.”

  Prudence had no idea how long the ride would be. She sure wouldn’t have known how to walk there. In her purse she had the money from the kitchen jar but she had no idea what a cab cost.

  Tillie called to the driver, “Grand Hotel and no detours.”

  The horse snorted and blew while she and Tillie climbed inside the cab.

  Tillie arranged her skirts. “You have to watch or these drivers take a long way around to charge extra fare. I’ll not have such.”

  “I’m glad you’re letting me come with you. I’m from a small place and don’t know city ways.”

  Tillie appraised Prudence. “I expect you’ll catch on fast enough. You’d better or you’ll be taken advantage of. I’ll be making sure this Mrs. Harrison is on the up and up.”

  “I wondered myself. That she asked for women of good character reassured me. And, that she said for the purpose of marriage.”

  “Harrumph. She could be looking for virgins for a brothel. They bring more money, you know.”

  Prudence didn’t know. Her education had been odd. While she knew a lot about medicine and healing and birthing a baby, she didn’t know much about the world. Granny had made certain she knew about literature and history, but only in a lofty way.

  Granny had explained how a woman caught a baby so that Prudence could avoid the pitfalls of men’s lure and offer advice on avoiding pregnancy to their patients. Not that any man in Dry Water Crossing was interesting enough to tempt her. She was pleased enough for the information, especially now that she was in a city where there might be a charming and handsome man who mesmerized her with his ways

  Chapter Two

  Prudence stepped from the cab and handed over half the fare requested. An outrageous amount, but she would have been lost had she tried to walk on her own. Thank goodness she’d had Tillie with her to show her how city people acted.

  The Grand Hotel certainly lived up to its name. She followed Tillie inside to the reception desk. Prudence suspected her eyes were wide as saucers even though she tried not to stare at her surroundings.

  Never had she seen such lavish furnishings. Delicious smells drifted from the dining room adjacent to the lobby. Imagine having the money to stay here and swoop into the dining room and ask for a table for dinner.

  Tillie apparently took the opulent hotel in stride. “We’re here to see Mrs. Harrison.”

  The clerk hardly bothered to glance at them. “Room 210, up the stairs.”

  Thick carpet in dark red muffled her steps on the stairs. Prudence wanted to remember everything about this experience. She memorized the wallpaper pattern, the banister, the lobby chandelier.

  Tillie paused at the top step to snap, “Stop gaping like you’re dumbstruck and hurry.”

  Embarrassed her companion had noticed, Prudence sped up the steps. Compared to the women she’d spotted in the lobby, she wondered the clerk had even allowed her access to the stairs. Perhaps he thought she was Tillie’s maid.

  Another woman waited in the hallway outside Room 210. Prudence took her place behind Tillie. Soon one woman came out of the room and the first in line went inside for her interview.

  Tillie patted her hair and adjusted her bodice. “I’ll be glad to have a trip and get away from Richmond. I would already have left if I’d had the means to go in style.”

  “Then I hope we’ll both be chosen. I’ve worried about being able to support myself in the city.”

  Tillie gave a toss of her head. “There’re lots of ways to manage a roof over your head.”

  The woman who’d been ahead of them exited and Tillie was summoned into the suite. Prudence wished she had Tillie’s confidence. She straightened her hat again. Maybe she should have worn her other dress.

  Tillie came out in a huff. “They didn’t choose me. No point in you even trying.”

  At that moment, a beautiful woman with dark hair smiled at her. “Won’t you come in?”

  With a glance at Tillie’s retreating figure, Prudence followed the woman inside. Her hostess’ lavender silk skirts swished as they moved toward a set of chairs where other women waited.

  “Won’t you take a seat? I’m Lydia Harrison.”

  Prudence chose the chair Mrs. Harrison had indicated. “I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs. Harrison. My name is Prudence Lynch.”

  “This is my friend, Sophie Gaston, who’s accompanied me on this trip.” She gestured to a middle-aged lady in a garnet dress. Gray strands threaded through dark hair worn a bun.

  Mrs. Harrison indicated the other women. “These next ladies have been selected to go west with us. From nearest you are Rachel Ross, Cassandra Bradford, and Lorraine Stuart.”

  They exchanged greetings then Mrs. Harrison asked, “Is Miss Marks a particular friend of yours?”

  “Who? Oh, you mean Tillie. I met her this morning when I arrived at Mrs. Purvis’ boarding house. Tillie was kind enough to show me your notice in the newspaper and allowed me to come with her.”

  Prudence saw her hostess and Sophie Gaston exchange a glance before Mrs. Harrison directed her gaze at Prudence. “Why don’t you tell us about yourself and why you’re willing to go west?”

  Prudence related Granny’s passing and their life in the little village where they’d lived. “I’ve always lived in a small place and find Richmond exciting but too large for me. I’m not certain how to get started as a midwife and herbal healer here.”

  Sophie clasped her hands to her chest. “How interesting. My son is the doctor in Tarnation.”

  “Where? Perhaps you’ll tell me where in the west you’re headed and what awaits there.”

  “Tarnation, Texas is a small but pleasant town at the foot of the Palo Pinto Mountains. We have many couples and several elderly widows, but no young women of marriageable age. My mission is to take four suitable women back with Sophie and me.”

  “And then what happens? Mrs. Harrison, you don’t appear the type to plan an auction of us.”

  The other women laughed.

  Her hostess leaned forward. “Please call me Lydia. You’re right to ask for clarification. I have a large home there and will be hostess for you women while you’re deciding which of Tarnation’s bachelors you wish to marry. I’ll host receptions and balls so you’ll have a chance to meet the men.”

  You women? Prudence noted Lydia’s wording included her. Dare she hope that meant she was chosen?

  Sophie nodded. “Lydia and I have selected sixteen bachelors who we feel are suitable. One of them is my son, Riley. Two men have moved away to towns where they can meet a woman and marry. My son had threatened to do the same. I begged Lydia to do something.”

  Lydia’s laugh tinkled like a silver bell. “Which is why Sophie is with me, even though she hates leaving Tarnation. Do you have other questions?”

  “What if th
ere isn’t a man I want to marry?”

  “You would not be pressured, I assure you. Of course I hope you’ll find a husband and then have children in the near future. If not, then you can live with me until you establish yourself in your chosen profession. We have enough young couples in the area to support you as a midwife.”

  “When are you leaving?”

  Lydia’s hand went to her cheek. “Oh, my, I forgot to tell you, didn’t I? We’re leaving just after four today to travel by private rail car to Fort Worth, Texas. There we have to change to stagecoach. I warn you that part of the journey is tortuous.”

  Prudence took a deep breath. “If I’m invited, I would like to go with you to Tarnation.”

  “Then you shall. Do you need someone to accompany you to the boarding house to collect your things?”

  The woman with jet black hair—she thought her name was Rachel—stood. “I grew up in Richmond and will go with you. Do you have much luggage?”

  “Two trunks and my valise. I’ll appreciate your company.”

  “We’ll hire a wagon. Shall we go?” Rachel strode with confidence toward the door.

  Prudence’s relief created euphoria and she floated out of the hotel. As usual, Granny had been right. Opening your mind to seize each opportunity had paid off. At least, she hoped it had.

  Following Rachel’s directives, Prudence hired a muscled driver and his wagon. She and Rachel rode on the seat beside him to the boarding house.

  When they were inside, she explained to Mrs. Purvis.

  The landlady folded her arms across her chest. “You’ll still owe for today and your breakfast.”

  Prudence took the lodging fare from her purse and handed it to Mrs. Purvis. “I believe breakfast is included with the room, but I’m happy to pay for its use to refresh myself and for a space here for my trunks.”

  Tillie came down the stairs and stared at the drayman. “A man is moving your trunks? Where are you going?”

  Prudence smiled at the young woman. “Thanks to you for sharing the newspaper notice, I’ve been invited to accompany Mrs. Harrison to Texas.”

  Anger colored Tillie’s otherwise pale complexion. “You? How dare you go when I wasn’t asked, you country bumpkin.”

  Prudence didn’t know how to answer Tillie without making the situation worse but she tried, “Tillie, I had no control over who was chosen and who wasn’t. I don’t know the criteria they used. For all I know they were balancing out with a blonde since they had a redhead and a brunette.”

  Tillie’s molten glare could have withered a hardy vine. “You’ll be sorry, Prudence Lynch, I promise you. No one puts something over on me.” She whirled and stomped from the room.

  Rachel put her hands on her hips. “Whew, I’m glad she won’t be going with us.”

  “I’ll say. She was so nice this morning. I can understand her being disappointed. Still, I had no idea she’d react so viciously when she was rejected.”

  The two followed the drayman to the wagon with the last of Prudence’s luggage.

  “Harrumph, you should have heard her outlandish interview, a bunch of cock and bull if you ask me.” Rachel blushed. “I apologize for my loose tongue. I despise gossip, besides the fact I had no right to reveal that.”

  The driver snapped the reins and they were on their way. Prudence didn’t glance behind her but faced forward and her future.

  ***

  They were ready to leave the hotel when two young women arrived at the door of Room 210. Before Lydia could explain they were too late, one of them passed out. When she fell, the shawl around her shoulders dropped enough for bloody lash marks to show.

  Prudence shuddered to think of the beating that caused those marks. Who would treat anyone so cruelly? Under the circumstances, Lydia invited the two women to accompany her.

  When they boarded the train, the girl who’d passed out, Ophelia Shipp, went immediately to one of the beds and pulled closed the privacy curtain.

  Josephine Nailor, the woman who’d traveled with Ophelia, said, “She has a megrim. Sleep will help.”

  Prudence took Lydia aside. “When Ophelia fell, I saw those marks on her back. Should I offer something to soothe and heal them?”

  “If you have anything that might help, please fetch it and I’ll discreetly offer it to Josephine. You heard them say they’re close as sisters.”

  As unobtrusively as possible, Prudence removed a jar of salve from her valise and concealed it in the folds of her skirt. She passed it to Lydia, who gave it to Josephine.

  Josephine glanced at her and mouthed, “Thank you” before disappearing behind Ophelia’s curtain.

  Prudence relaxed in the plush armchair. She’d never imagined travel by train could be this luxurious. She marveled the car included beds and an eating area complete with thick white tablecloths and fresh flowers in small vases. From the aromas, a meal was being prepared while they moved down the rails.

  Lydia appeared to take the grand conditions as normal, but those traveling to Tarnation for the first time acted as stunned as Prudence. The landscape gradually changed from that she knew.

  Lorraine sat beside her. “Can you believe our good fortune?”

  Prudence reluctantly pulled her gaze from the window. “Mountains or valleys make no difference to the train. I love watching the countryside change as we travel.”

  “Me, too. I’ve never traveled before other than a few miles to visit a relative. So far, this is exciting.”

  Prudence asked, “What kind of man are you hoping for?”

  Lorraine considered briefly. “One who likes to read and who has an open mind about a woman’s place in the world.” She squared her jaw and her hands in her lap fisted. “What’s more important is what I don’t want, which is why I left home. I refused to link myself to the odious man my father chose.”

  “Oh, my, I understand that. I don’t expect love, but I intend to at least like and harbor a fondness for the man I wed.”

  “My father was adamant that I marry a man who’d worked two wives to death. He was inconsiderate and I couldn’t abide being in the same room with man. My father said I had to marry the man or leave.”

  Prudence chuckled. “So you left. Good for you. Many people consider my herbs and healing a sham—some even see it as evil. My granny taught me all her knowledge of healing, as well as acting as midwife. I plan to continue even if I marry.”

  “Being able to help ease pain and sickness is a wonderful gift, Prudence. I’m sure you’ll find your skills welcome.”

  She wondered, but hope filled her heart. “That’s not always the case, you know. Many consider my kind of healing as no more than witchcraft. I can’t heal everyone, but I’ve helped many people.”

  “No one could heal whoever asked for help. That would make you God. Bringing new life into the world is almost like that, isn’t it?”

  Prudence shook her head. “Birthing a baby is humbling. Each time is different and I’m amazed that humans arrive in pain and almost immediately the mother forgets that and rejoices in the child. That is, unless she already has too many mouths to feed and the new child brings more hardship.”

  Lorraine’s expression became solemn. “Have you seen that often?”

  Prudence immediately thought of the Jensen family. “Too many times. I don’t mean to sound crude, but I’ve suggested ways to prevent another child. Some people don’t pay me any heed and a few are even offended. Most are happy to have the information.”

  Lorraine’s eyes widened. “I didn’t realize there were ways to avoid creating a baby when a couple… you know.”

  “There are several ways.” She nudged her new friend and grinned. “If you wish, I’ll explain them when you marry.”

  With a sigh, she continued, “One problem with those I knew is that you have to be sober. Some men in the little village where I lived were unwilling to give up their moonshine.”

  “I suppose that’s a problem everywhere. I hope Tarnation citizens are kind peo
ple.”

  “Isn’t that a strange name for a town?”

  Lorraine giggled like a schoolgirl. “You missed hearing how the town was named. Lydia’s husband was much older than her and one of the first ranchers in that area back before the war. He arrived to find a livery, a saloon, and a small store. He asked, ‘Where in tarnation am I?’ When he came back to the little place, they’d painted Tarnation on the signs of all three businesses.”

  Prudence laughed. “What a funny way to name a town. I hope there are more businesses there now, but there must be for there to be sixteen bachelors.”

  “There are more than sixteen, but those are men who Lydia and Sophie agreed would make a suitable husband.”

  “I suppose she’s judging from income and social standing, but I’m more interested in the man’s honor and principles.”

  Lydia walked by in time to hear Prudence. “We took that into account. I assure you there are more than sixteen nice bachelors in Tarnation and the surrounding area. Sophie and I tried to narrow the number to one we could invite to a reception and allow you to become acquainted without being overwhelmed. Plus, we wanted to include a range of occupations and personalities. When we have a ball, everyone is invited.”

  Prudence was relieved to learn more. “I admit I’m curious about the town and the bachelors there.”

  “I warn you that after the stagecoach ride, you’ll be happy to see Tarnation appear in sight. You’ll feel you’ve earned the best husband in the world for your trouble.” Lydia’s expression changed to wistful. “But if you’re in love, you feel yours is the best husband in the world. I certainly did.”

  When Lydia had moved on to speak to Sophie, Prudence confided in Lorraine. “How sad that she’s a widow at her age.”

  “Perhaps she’ll choose one of the bachelors for herself. Then we’ll have eight weddings.”

  Prudence couldn’t prevent eagerness creeping into her heart. In spite of that, she tried to control her enthusiasm. “You’re presuming each of us finds our man.”