by Lisa Prysock
“Of course,” Jenny nodded. “I’ve never been one to hold a grudge. I was delighted by it all, but it certainly is a surprise. When he mentioned he liked animals in his letters, I thought perhaps he had a lot of horses, or cattle, and a flock of sheep...or a herd of chickens.”
Ella laughed. “A herd of chickens...how funny you are, Miss Lindford.”
Jenny smiled. “I’m trying to maintain my sense of humor in this situation of being a mail-order bride. I think all in all, it’s kind of an adventure, and it adds some excitement and mystery to the marriage. I did ask him not to allow the chimp and the bird to the dinner table in the future. He agreed to make a concession. They may come to tea on occasion, but not the dinner table once we are married. But what if he doesn’t see it as a mysterious adventure once he discovers I’m a suffragette writer?”
“Bravo! I’m glad you discussed this matter of the animals with him. I didn’t want to say anything to offend our host at the time, but I was also a tad uncomfortable with them being at his dinner table. I think you’ve made the right decision to lay essential groundwork about how your home will operate. You’ll be bringing some refined manners and a woman’s touch to a man who has been a bachelor for longer than most. You are right to be sensitive about it, as we know these are his beloved pets. I have a feeling his mother would agree with you, too. And now that you’ve spoken to him about this, the two of you have managed to work out your first dilemma. As for the writing, well...” Ms. Milton paused and sipped some of her tea before continuing. “It has been my experience when my Peter was still here on this earth with us, one only had to find the words and the right time to talk things through. Good, healthy, honest communication is a key to a solid marriage.” Ella paused again. Then she added, “In this instance, only you can decide when, how, and where to tell Zane. If you’d like to borrow one of my horses or the buggy to go to him and share what’s on your mind, please know that they are most certainly at your disposal. I’ll even go with you if you’d find it preferable.”
“I think...” Jenny paused and turned her ear toward the front hall. “Was that a knock on the front door?”
“Indeed, I believe it was.” Ella stood up and stepped around her desk, heading toward the library door, tucking a stray lock of her brown hair back into her fashionable chignon. She looked at the timepiece pinned to her white blouse before stepping out into the hall. “I don’t know who it could be. It’s almost time to start making supper. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll just be a moment to find out who it is. Minnie usually answers our door, but I keep forgetting she’s still upstairs recovering, and I’m not expecting anyone.”
Chapter 13
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25
“OH, HELLO LADIES. WHAT a delightful surprise!” Ella held the door open for her friends to enter. “Do come inside, Ivy and Marni.”
“Thank you, Ella. I’m so glad you’re home.” Ivy led the way into Ella’s spacious hall first, Marni following. That’s when Ella noticed Mrs. Ivy Mills was carrying a portmanteau stuffed to the gills.
Ella stammered as she held onto the doorknob, curious as to the reason for their visit. Perhaps they were merely stopping by for tea. “Uh, how’s Braden, Marni? I’m sure I need to pay a visit out to your farm soon. I’ve been meaning to bring some of Minnie’s banana bread your way. Braden’s folks really seem to enjoy it. Ivy, how’s Curtis doing? I hope business is going well at the bank.”
“Business is booming at the bank,” Ivy said as she set her bag down by the staircase. “Did you say you were going to put the kettle on?”
Ella hadn’t said so, but perhaps she and Ivy were of the same mind. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I was just thinking more tea would be nice. Why don’t you ladies make yourselves comfortable in the parlor?”
Marni nodded and followed Ivy into the parlor, the two ladies chatting away about the weather as Ella hurried down the hall to the kitchen. She hadn’t been planning to put on another kettle, but rather than make a fuss, she decided it was probably best. Perhaps the nervous bride sitting in her library needed a moment to make her decision about whether or not they were driving to Zane’s that evening.
As soon as Ella finished putting the kettle on, another knock sounded on the front door. She hurried down the hall to see who it could be, briefly stopping by the parlor on her way to check in on Marni and Ivy. “I’ll just be a moment,” she said, ducking back out into the hall.
She swung the door open to find three more ladies. “Good evening, Rebecca, Nina, and Miss Flora. How are you? Please, come inside.”
“Thank you, Ms. Ella. It’s so nice to see you,” Miss Flora Cunningham said, leading the other two ladies as she stepped inside the hall. “How’s the bride? I’m sure she’s been busy preparing for her wedding day.”
“Oh, she’s fine... a little jittery perhaps.” Ella smiled, wondering if she’d missed an important meeting on her calendar. She couldn’t recall any. “Why don’t you ladies go ahead and have a seat in the parlor. You’ll find Marni Prater and Ivy Mills are here, too. I’d better put on another kettle. I think we’re going to need more tea.”
“Thanks, Ella.” Miss Flora nodded and the three ladies headed toward the parlor.
“Please, make yourselves at home ladies,” Ella called after them as she scurried back to the kitchen. Had she forgotten one of her auxiliary meetings for the missions group? Perhaps it was her turn to host and it never made it onto her calendar.
Jenny wandered into the kitchen as another knock sounded on the door. “Hi, Ms. Ella. Did you know there’s a group of ladies in the parlor and there’s someone else at the door?”
“Someone else is here?” Ella finally managed to find her extra tea kettle and headed toward the kitchen pump to fill it with water. “I have no idea what’s happening, but I think I forgot to write down an important meeting or something.”
“Would you like me to answer the door?” Jenny asked.
“Oh, yes, if you don’t mind, that’d be wonderful.” Ella pumped the long red handle as quickly as she could, wondering how many loaves of apple bread and pumpkin muffins Minnie may have left on the shelves in the pantry from baking day before she was officially diagnosed. They were going to need them all. “And if you happen to see Grace Lawrence, please send her my way.”
“Certainly.” Jenny nodded and headed for the front door.
JENNY WONDERED WHERE all of the overnight travel bags strewn about the hall had come from. Did all of these ladies intend to stay the night at Ms. Milton’s farm? She stepped around one of the satchels and opened the front door, the hum of pleasant chatting and laughter rising to her ears from the parlor. “Hello, please come in.” She gave the group of ladies gathered on the porch her best smile.
“Hello. You must be one of Ella’s agency brides. I’m Molly Ferrell. Pleased to meet you,” a lady with pretty mahogany colored hair said as she stepped inside.
Jenny smiled and nodded, murmuring, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, also.”
Another lady shook her hand after slipping in the door with Molly. “Hello, I’m the blacksmith’s wife, Frances Horne. You can call me Frances.”
“Oh yes, I remember meeting Quimby on Sunday,” Jenny replied. “Nice to meet you both.” Both ladies filed down further inside the hall to make room for more to enter.
“Hello, Jenny. How are you?” Jen Carter’s voice drew her recognition.
“Oh, hello,” Jenny chuckled. “Nice to see you again.”
“You remember my mother and sister, Theodora and Amy Carter,” her friend stepped aside to reveal mother and sister standing on the front porch as more ladies behind were climbing the steps. Peeking out the door, she noticed a steady stream of wagons and buggies approaching the Milton property.
Jenny turned back to the guests while holding the screen door open and nodded, her brow furrowing in wonder. It was a good thing her wedding gown was already presse
d and ready for tomorrow. This evening looked to be busy. “I do remember your mother and sister. How nice to see you all again. Please, come in. Everyone is in the parlor, and there are more seats in the drawing room.”
“Did you know Dr. Beckham’s tiger has gotten loose and is prowling about town terrorizing everyone?” Theodora Carter asked as she stepped inside, the screen door slamming behind her. Before she swept into the parlor, she added in a loud voice to be heard above the crowd gathering there, “I would think twice about marrying a man who has a tiger for a pet.”
Amy stepped forward and said in a lower voice, “We didn’t know Dr. Beckham had a tiger, except that we saw him organizing a tiger posse with Ella’s son Josiah, Sheriff Alton Kouch, Gus the postmaster, Mayor Barton, Zachary Taylor, and Captain Brooks. I think they were still gathering a few more men to help when we left.”
Jen pushed her glasses up on her nose. “Pay Ma no mind. I’m sure they’ll catch the tiger, and I think it’s kind of exciting. I saw the tiger as he was coming down the street. My what an exotic animal, and it was so exciting!”
“Zane’s tiger has escaped?” Jenny looked from one sister to the other, worry lines creasing her forehead. “Th-thank you for letting me know. I do hope they catch him.” She wondered what on earth had happened that the tiger had escaped, and she feared for the safety of everyone, and especially her fiancé.
Ella returned to the front door. “Did I hear someone say Josiah is in a tiger posse?”
Before Jenny or the others could answer Ella, Lottie Brooks and Grace Lawrence appeared at the front door next. Since it was open, they stepped inside, having heard the exchange.
Lottie patted Ella’s arm. “Don’t worry, Ella. I was with Captain Brooks when Zane asked Josiah and a few others to be part of the tiger posse. The doctor has some kind of special medicine to temporarily make the tiger tranquil and calm. They’ll shoot it into the tiger’s rump with an arrow. ‘Tis perfectly safe.”
Seeing the look of alarm on Jenny’s face, Lottie patted her arm, too. “Don’t worry, Miss Lindford. I have a message from Dr. Beckham for you. You see, I was in town today buying some yard goods to make Cora a new dress, and we’d just witnessed the tiger prance through town, his tail flicking as he went. He is such a beautiful, frightening, but magnificent animal. Sadly, he got away before Zane and Henry could catch up with him to administer the special medicine. That’s when they decided to organize a posse. As Zane was gathering the men, he asked me if I knew where all the women were going. I told him, and he said not to worry, he’ll catch the tiger. He also said to tell you he’ll be at the wedding even if he is out all night hunting. And there is one more thing...” Lottie paused for a breath. “He mentioned since half the town is here tonight, you should consider inviting them to the conservatory for tomorrow, if it pleases you.”
“Oh, my goodness, such news!” Jenny nodded, remembering the size of the tiger and his sharp, pointy teeth. Then she added, “Thank you, Lottie. I’ll be praying for the tiger posse, and I’ll give that some thought as the evening progresses.” The information Lottie had shared did give her and Ella some small measure of relief. At least the men had a plan for the capture of the animal. She and Ella stood near the door digesting the information.
Then Minnie Jacobs appeared at the bottom of the staircase in the hall a few feet away. She was wearing one of her best housekeeping dresses and an apron. “Dr. Beckham is a miracle worker indeed. If anyone knows what to do about the tiger on the loose, he will. I’m living proof. My cough is completely gone and I feel like a new woman.”
“But he wanted you to rest for another week,” Ella said as the tea kettle began to whistle from the kitchen, her eyes wide with amazement to see a fully recovered Minnie standing before them. A few more ladies slipped inside with children on their hips and in their arms. They went to join the women in the now crowded, noisy parlor, greeting them as they shuffled past.
“Nonsense,” Minnie replied. “I feel perfectly fine. I’ll get the tea kettle. You tend to your guests, and I’ll be out with a tray of tea and some other refreshments momentarily. I did a ton of baking last week, so we’re ready. I’m not getting any rest upstairs with all this noise anyhow. It’s like listening to a bunch of cackling hens. Besides that, I can’t miss Jenny’s wedding tomorrow. Dr. Beckham said I’m invited if I feel up to it.”
“What would I do without you, Minnie?” Ella shook her head as her cook turned toward the kitchen.
Jenny couldn’t help but smile at Minnie’s sweet and determined intentions as the cook bustled down the hall to stop the whistling tea kettle. Lottie, Grace, Ella, and the Carter sisters stood with her in the main hall while the others cackled and chattered in the parlor. More ladies entered at the front door and this time, the pastor’s wife greeted the group coming in the farmhouse. They’d taken to leaving the front door open except for the screen door. Grace steered them toward the parlor as more satchels and portmanteaux joined the pile in the hall around them.
Turning to the pastor’s wife when she returned, Ella remarked, “Grace, I have no idea how it happened, but I forgot it was my turn to host this month’s missions meeting. I’m completely lost and unprepared. Can you please help me?”
Grace and Lottie looked at each other, and then back at Ella before Grace said, “Ella, we’re not here for the missions meeting.”
“You’re not? Why is everyone here then?” Ella asked.
“Because of this,” Lottie said, handing her a newspaper. “Harriett Harper is calling for a boycott of all domestic activities until the men in our nation give us the right to vote, and furthermore, the right to possess what is rightfully ours regardless of marital status. We decided to come to your house, Ella.”
Jenny gasped and clamped a hand over her mouth as she stepped closer to view the news article with the agency proprietress, remembering she’d sent it to her publisher. “Oh, dear! I forgot all about this month’s publication.” She and Ella exchanged a knowing glance.
“Wait a minute...are you telling us that you are Harriett Harper?” Amy asked, her voice as loud as her mother’s was previously. She stared at Jenny Lindford with her hands on her hips, a curious look on her face, waiting for a response. The entire house grew quiet for about three seconds as all eyes turned toward her.
Jenny nodded slowly. “I am.” There was no use hiding it. They’d all heard the truth. She could not deny it. “Harriett Harper is my pen name.”
“Oh my goodness, that’s fantastic!” Lottie threw her arms around Jenny as the women began cheering, having overheard the discussion. Turning to Jenny, Lottie continued. “They love you and everything you stand for! You must greet your fans.” The women had risen to their feet. They were clapping and chanting, “We stand with Harriett! We stand with Harriett!”
“M-my fans?” Jenny’s teeth seemed to chatter and her throat went dry.
“You mustn’t disappoint them,” Lottie said as the others in the hallway near the door nodded, encouraging her. Before she could fully react, Lottie stepped forward, pulling Jenny with her. She raised her hands to quiet the overcrowded parlor and then proceeded to make an announcement. “Look everyone! We have the real Harriett Harper right here in our very midst. Harriett Harper is Miss Jenny Lindford’s pen name. Let’s give her a warm welcome to Pelican Rapids!” She thrust Jenny forward into the center of the parlor where the ladies clapped and then gathered around her. They cackled even more, enthusiastic about this discovery. They chattered on about how wonderful it was to have Harriett in their midst and how women should have the right to vote.
Squeezing past a few of the ladies, Lottie managed to reach her side as they thronged Jenny for autographs on anything they could find. Many of them produced their copies of the newspaper article and waved it toward her. Others found letters, envelopes, and any other scrap of paper for her to sign. Someone handed Jenny a pen and led her to a writing desk in Ella’s parlor. Two ladies turned the small writing desk away from the window t
o face the middle of the parlor. They positioned the wooden chair and held it open for her to take a seat at the desk. Consequently, Jenny had no time to be nervous. She began busying herself at once with signing her signature and chatting to each reader while Lottie organized the excited ladies into a line. Some of them even asked for one of her favorite Scriptures, so she gave them Acts 16:31, writing the reference along with her pen name.
While the autographs were being finished, Minnie finished setting up several pots of steeped tea with platters of apple bread and pumpkin muffins in the spacious drawing room. Ella invited everyone to enjoy refreshments, and soon the group was chatting again, this time in the drawing room. Minnie had organized a children’s table for the women who’d turned up with their little ones in tow. Then she began organizing the satchels out in the hall. Jenny, Ella, Grace, Lottie, and Miss Jen Carter gathered in a private corner of the drawing room to discuss what should happen next, overcome with the excitement of the unplanned event.
“Why do you suppose the ladies decided to come to my house for this boycott?” Ella asked them as Lottie handed Jenny a cup of refreshing tea. She’d joined them after signing the very last autograph for a sweet, elderly widow, Mrs. Tillie Arkwright.
Jenny smiled as she clasped her cup of tea. “That’s easy to answer, Ms. Milton. They came here because you’re a successful, independent, female business owner who is a shining example to us. You’re doing it all without a man, yet you have the full support of your son. The men in the community respect your work too, from everything I’ve heard, or they wouldn’t keep coming to you for help in finding brides. They see your strength and determination, and they admire it. Your agency and your farm show that when a woman is needed or required to be a leader or a business woman, she can be an effective one.”
