by Lisa Prysock
Ella looked to her, Lottie, Grace, and Jenny Carter, who all nodded in agreement.
Lottie said, “She speaks truth, and even in the Bible, there are many places in God’s Word where He uses a woman as a leader, or an example to inspire others. Esther, Ruth, Mary Magdalene, Rachel, Leah, Miriam, Hannah, Martha, Mary, Salome, and let’s not forget Deborah...”
“Oh, my goodness...I had no idea these ladies saw me this way,” Ella laughed as she brushed a tear away from her eye. “I am very flattered, very flattered indeed. However, I’m overjoyed that we have the real Harriett Harper here. This is an absolutely miraculous event for the women of our small town.” Ella wiped another tear away.
When she had composed herself, Ms. Milton asked, “What do you suppose we should do next for these ladies?”
“Why don’t we introduce Miss Lindford formally and ask her to say a few words?” Grace Lawrence, Reverend Lawrence’s wife, suggested. “We should also ask them to vote her in as our leader for the PRSM.”
“What’s the PRSM?” Lottie asked, her eyebrow lifting.
“The Pelican Rapids Suffragette Movement,” Grace explained, causing everyone to chuckle and nod. “Harriett Harper—I mean, Miss Lindford—will be our first President. Elizabeth Cady Stanton would be proud. These women may all be granted charter membership status by Harriett Harper herself, effective tonight.”
“Oh yes, that’s good, a solid plan.” Lottie turned to Jenny. “Your first duty after speaking of course, when you are done with your honeymoon, should be to write a letter to Elizabeth Stanton and invite her to our area,” Lottie suggested. “She’ll probably write back that she is too busy with public speaking engagements and her other travels, but at least she’ll know she is welcome if she’s ever in the area. If she’s read your articles, and good chance she has, she may accept.”
“What should I speak about this evening?” Jenny asked, nodding about all Lottie had suggested.
“Tell them what prompted you to write this article,” Ella encouraged. “Your boycott is a good idea. Look at the response you’ve had.” Ella nodded in the direction of the rest of the overflowing drawing room. “I haven’t seen my home this full in quite some time.”
Chapter 14
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:8, NIV
GRACE LAWRENCE STOOD up a while later and explained her vision for the PRSM. The women in the room clapped vigorously. Then Grace asked Ella to introduce their speaker and first President of the PRSM.
Ella smiled and began her intro. “Ladies of Pelican Rapids, we are so blessed to have Miss Jenny Lindford, err—the lady who owns the pen name of Harriett Harper—among us today. I have long been a fan of Miss Lindford’s and when she revealed her identity to me, I could not have been any happier to meet this fine writer at a time when the people of our nation need her so much to speak out on behalf of women everywhere. Please join me in giving this nationally acclaimed writer a warm welcome as she comes to share a little about what inspired her writing with you, particularly this evening’s edition of her outstanding column.”
Jenny joined Ella in the drawing room near the fireplace and they clasped hands briefly. “Thank you,” Jenny whispered. Then the agency proprietress left her standing there alone while she joined Grace and Lottie near the entrance as a hush fell over the room.
Jenny looked out into the crowd of women who’d read her newspaper article. Before she could say a word, she realized the front screen door had creaked open at some point when the women were clapping. Now she saw Zane, Josiah, Captain Brooks, Sheriff Kouch, Henry, Quimby, Reverend Lawrence, and a long string of men quietly pouring into the room. They had curious looks on their faces, but judging from the smile on Zane’s face, she had a feeling they’d been successful in capturing the tiger he’d named Miles. His presence gave her strength. God had a funny way of working things out sometimes. She realized it wasn’t the ideal way for him to find out she was Harriett Harper, but she prayed he would understand.
“Ladies, and gentlemen,” she began, causing a stir and a few gasps as women realized most of the town was now crowded into Ella’s farmhouse, spilling out into the hallway.
She continued. “Thank you for such a warm welcome. I will keep my remarks short and to the point. You all know how passionate I am about women’s rights. I was particularly emboldened to call for this temporary boycott of domestic duties by a letter I received from a dear friend. The letter arrived just before I boarded a train to Pelican Rapids to meet the love of my life, Dr. Zane Beckham, the man I intend to marry tomorrow. Zane and I would like to extend an invitation to each of you to attend our ceremony.”
The women clapped vigorously again, and the men joined in, a few looks of confusion on some of their faces as they appeared to wonder why the women were boycotting domestic duty. She proceeded, disregarding their looks, encouraged by the women’s smiles, clapping, and even a few cheers coming out from the crowd. “Harriett! Harriett! We stand with Harriett!”
She paused and waited for the cheers to die down, then continued. “What I am about to divulge is about something happening to one of my dearest childhood friends and her family. You see, she is the daughter of an acclaimed abolitionist, Cassius Clay. I can see many of you know of him by the nods and looks on your faces. Growing up, I spent a lot of time at his daughter’s home in Richmond, and she spent time at my Lexington home. Her name is Laura Clay.”
She continued. “Cassius had numerous affairs with other women and now the Mother of Laura wants a divorce. After forty-five years of marriage, this news broke my heart. You must also understand, while she held down the fort at home in Richmond, Kentucky, he ran a printing press in Cincinnati across the Ohio River where crowds of dissenters wouldn’t throw bricks through the windows of his small press, steal his equipment, and send him death threats like they had in Lexington where he started out. And as you also know, he ran for office and spent years in a political career which took him away from home. While he has been a wonderful politician, I cannot blame his wife for wanting out of a marriage filled with his infidelities.”
Jenny went on. “Meanwhile, the Mother of Laura has no rights, and her daughters fear what will become of her. Her beautiful home, White Hall, belongs to her husband. Therefore, to end the marriage, she has now been put in the position of being penniless and homeless, without legal remedy. She has no rights as a woman to even half of the property.” She paused to let this sink in. “My dearest friend is heartbroken for her mother, as I am. I know Mrs. Clay, and she deserves better than this after forty-five years of marriage.”
The women in the room erupted in clapping, ayes, and whistles.
She waited for the room to quiet. “It’s hard for me to share this sad story on the eve of my wedding, because I don’t think this sort of thing should happen. I believe this must change. Spurred on by this outrage, Laura Clay and several of her sisters have joined a women’s suffrage movement in Louisville, Kentucky. I commend them for doing so. I do not blame them, nor can I find any fault in this response and cry for change.”
More cheers and clapping erupted throughout the room as the women stood to their feet, but the men remained silent and stoic. Zane was listening, and more than anything, Jenny wondered what his reaction would be as she drew her speech to a close.
“At the same time, I believe in marriage. I believe it can work. My parents have a happy marriage, and I believe Zane and I will have a happy marriage.” More clapping. “But women deserve the right to vote, to own property, and to not lose ownership of property through marriage. I believe marriage is a type of partnership, where a woman complements her husband and is a helpmate. Proverbs tells us to speak out for those who are oppressed, and speak up for those who are poor and needy. Mrs. Cassius Clay is now poor and needy, and I am speaking up for her, and for women everywhere who may—God forb
id—wake up one day to find themselves in a similar nightmare. It’s up to you and I, ladies,” she paused to look at the men, “and gentlemen, to stand up for women like Mrs. Cassius Clay, and our daughters, like Laura Clay.” The women clapped again. Some were even stomping on Ella’s floor, and she noticed a few of the men began to clap. Jenny paused to look into the back of the crowd, searching for Zane’s face, but unable to find him.
She continued, fearlessly emboldened, hoping her next words would prove true. She hoped with all her heart that her doctor would still want to marry her, and if not, she’d take the next train to New York. Her voice was no longer shaky, but inside she wondered how the story with her fiancé would end tomorrow. Would there be a wedding and a beginning to their new life together, or a closed chapter with him? There was only one way to find out. She plunged forward, hoping with all her might for the best. “Dr. Beckham and I hope to see you tomorrow at three o’clock in the conservatory at our future home where we plan to exchange our vows. You are all invited.” She searched those gathered in Ella’s drawing room once again for his face. Had he left? Was he in the hall perhaps, waiting for her? Would he be sore and angry with her for not telling him?
There was no time to give it more thought. She had to close her speech. “In closing, I’d like to share that my fiancé, Zane, Dr. Beckham, is a wonderful man. As a mail-order bride, I am still getting to know this amazing man, but most of my jitters dissolved when he reminded me the other day that his home will be our home. Those simple words spoke to my heart. I don’t think a man could speak so lovingly and then abandon his bride after years of marriage for another woman, breaking apart what he has already decided will be our home. And now you know the story behind the story. Thank you again so much to each of you. By being here, you are standing up for women everywhere. You are standing up for your daughters. You are standing up for Mrs. Cassius Clay and Laura Clay. You are standing up for you, and for the women of Pelican Rapids. Thank you for coming, and I now turn the meeting back over to Grace and Ella, after I do my first act as your President by granting each of you the right to become charter members of the Pelican Rapids Suffragette Movement. Please don’t forget to sign your name to the official charter membership before going home.”
This time, when she looked around as the crowd clapped, whistled, and stomped, she found Zane at her side. He was clapping as he drew near, pulling her into his arms. There, Jenny returned his embrace, a rogue tear streaming down her face. She’d never forget this night as long as she lived. All of her tension from keeping her writing a secret for months finally drained away, dissolving into nothing.
“I’m so proud of you, Harriett Harper, Miss Lindford, soon to be Mrs. Zane Beckham...” he whispered, smiling as he cupped her face and looked into her eyes before the entire room of townsfolk. “And I can’t wait to marry you tomorrow. Is this what you were trying to tell me on Sunday?”
She nodded. Then he smiled, and she could barely hear him over the loud clapping as he whispered another response, “I’m sorry I didn’t wait to listen. I guess I was so tired. I’ll try to do better in the future.” Then he pulled her close for a long kiss before all of the townsfolk, which only served to reignite their enthusiasm with more claps, whistles, and stomps. Poor Ella! Her china and precious figurines were surely rattling in her pretty curio with the glass doors.
They pulled apart briefly to smile at the crowd as she wiped away her tears. This time, it appeared as though all of the men of Pelican Rapids were clapping with the women and children, too. It had just taken one man to stand up for them. Her Zane Beckham had taken the first step, and Jenny couldn’t have been any happier and more relieved than in that moment.
“Did you catch Miles?” she asked over the cheers, holding his hand as Ella made her way through the crowd to them.
He nodded. “We did. I’ll make an announcement in a little while, or maybe tomorrow after our ceremony. I don’t want to distract from your big debut.” He winked at her, and she laughed. She guessed there were only about seventy people gathered there, but it was a great turnout for such a small town.
The crowd in the drawing room and hallway finally began to disburse as people made their way to sign the charter membership document—now laid out across the hall on the dining room table—a document which Grace Lawrence had quickly penned. She’d added a few simple notes at the top of it pertaining to the mission of the organization to see women obtain the vote, and to gain other fair and equitable rights. Members promised to vote in future elections on these and other likeminded issues in accordance with the organization goals to bring this to pass. As the crowd began to wane, Zane and Jenny couldn’t help but chuckle at overhearing Luke Ferrell asking his wife Molly to come home.
“I’m hungry, Molly. Tell me where to sign. Let’s go home,” he said, handing her a bouquet of wildflowers as a peace offering. “Please?” Apparently he’d read Molly’s note and had some idea that the women were boycotting.
“I suppose this means you’ll be wanting me to make supper then.” Molly eyed him, tapping her foot on the drawing room floor. Then she broke out into a wide smile, accepting the flowers tied with a lovely blue silk ribbon. “All right, let’s go to the dining room and get in line. If we hurry, we can be among the first members on the list. Then we have to figure out which of these satchels are mine.” She pointed to the large pile of overnight bags Minnie had organized in the hall and clasping his hand, off they went to the dining room.
Then they heard Braden Prater gingerly speaking to his wife, Marni. “I miss you, Marni. You’ve not been away from me overnight before. If I promise to sign the paper and make you dinner, will you come home with me?”
Marni’s eyes looked a little surprised. “You’ll make dinner for me? That’s an offer that sounds too good to pass up, Braden Prater.” She smiled and batted her eyelashes, then tucked her hands around his elbow as they made their way toward the line forming in the dining room.
Ella approached the bride and groom with a happy grin on her face. “It looks like you’ll be able to have some peace and quiet here this evening after all, Jenny. Couples are beginning to sign the membership charter and then they’re heading home.”
“That’s the best news ever,” Jenny replied, leaning against Zane for support. Her knees felt a little weak from all of the excitement. They hadn’t had dinner yet, but she wasn’t hungry. She only wanted to climb in bed and fall right to sleep. “I’m ready to turn in.”
“Yes it is, since tomorrow is our big day. I think I see the owner of the bakery. I’d better go put in a request for a larger cake, and then I’ll be on my way home to let the bride get her beauty rest.” Zane smiled and squeezed her hand.
“Before you do that, Josiah just told me you managed to capture your tiger before he damaged anything or hurt anyone, Dr. Beckham. May I say, well done. Well done!” Ella beamed with happiness as Sheriff Kouch joined them. “I’m glad no one was hurt. I wouldn’t want anything to hinder your menagerie from opening so everyone may enjoy it.”
Zane smiled, nodding. “Thank you and yes, that’s what we were hoping for. I did a lot of praying out there on my horse.”
“It may have helped some that I told Dr. Beckham here that I wouldn’t have to lock him up in jail for endangering the good people of Pelican Rapids if we succeeded,” the Sheriff chuckled, patting Zane on the back.
“That, and our wedding day starting in about twelve hours,” Zane agreed as he looked at his pocket watch. “I couldn’t stay out all night tiger hunting. We’ve got a wedding to do!” He moved a stray curl from Jenny’s eyes, reminding her how much he already cared for her.
“Indeed! You two had better get in line to sign the membership document, or you’re going to have a long wait before you can get some sleep,” Ella advised. “I’ve already signed, so I’ll go speak to the bakery owner on your behalf.”
“Thanks, Ms. Milton. That’s a wonderful plan.” Jenny yawned and placed her hand in Zane’s larger one, p
ulling him toward the dining room. “We better hurry. I can barely keep my eyes open.”
Chapter 15
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
Proverbs 31:10, ESV
TUESDAY AT THREE O’CLOCK finally arrived, and a blue sky with no clouds and warm sunshine made the day perfect. Her wedding day. Their wedding day. Jenny stood in the center of the conservatory holding hands with Zane, exchanging their vows as they repeated the words of Reverend Lawrence, their gazes locked on each other. They were surrounded by friends and townsfolk from all around Pelican Rapids. General Custer was close by with a servant to tend him, and Leo Tolstoy balanced on his stand nearby.
Ella and Josiah Milton, Lottie and Caleb Brooks, their children Harry and Cora, Miss Dash, Minnie Jacobs, Grace Lawrence, Marni and Braden Prater, Luke and Molly Ferrell, the Carter family, Ivy and Curtis Mills, Hank and Rebecca Abernathy, Miss Flora Cunningham, and many others gathered around the happy couple to show their love and support. Gus was there, closing the post office a little early. Quimby and Frances Horne, Mayor Barton, and Sheriff Kouch were there, too. All of Zane’s staff were there, and Jenny was sure most of the children from the local school were in attendance. She was surprised how quickly their friends had grown. It made the day even more beautiful.
She wore a white satin, empire-waisted gown with a violet colored sash, white afternoon gloves, and a veil which traveled to her elbows. The gown had a small, three-foot train, a square neckline, and puffy short sleeves. Ella had pronounced her “angelic.”
Josiah escorted her down the center brick path of the conservatory to meet her groom. When she reached Zane’s side, he smiled and whispered, “You look amazing.” She clutched her bouquet of purple flowers he’d gathered for her from his own garden, happy to be marrying the man she had begun to fall in love with, knowing their love would only grow from that day forth.
