Emily: Army Mail Order Bride

by Mercy Levy

  Her eyes began to wander around the store, and she spied some paper hanging in the corner of the room. Curious, Belinda broke out of the line and walked over to see what the sheets said.

  She had known there were ads placed in various stores, and figured this would be a good opportunity to find some other job leads. It was hard on the streets, but perhaps if she were to find an ad and take it into a business, they would be more likely to hire her.

  Belinda walked over to the corner, scanning the paper for some sort of help wanted ads.

  But what she saw took her by surprise.

  All the sheets were ads, but they weren’t for jobs; they were for brides. It looked as though men from all over the other side of the country had placed ads, which the store clerk had left posted in the corner. Belinda glanced around, wondering how many women came here in search of a husband.

  She tried to read some of the ads from where she stood, but being petite as she was, it was difficult to see what some of them said. With another glance around the store, Belinda grabbed a few of the pieces of paper off the wall and tucked them under her jacket.

  She didn’t know why she felt embarrassed grabbing them. Perhaps it was a reminder of the names her mother had called her when she found out Belinda was pregnant.

  Putting her head down, Belinda excused herself as she cut through the line once more, ignoring the protests of the people standing around her. She then pushed her way to the front of the store and headed out the door.

  With her hand tucked into her jacket holding the pieces of paper in place, Belinda hurried up the street back toward her room.

  Chapter 4 – Heading West

  Belinda quickly realized that it didn’t matter who had posted the ad in the paper; many of the men said pretty much the same thing. They came from all over the west and were all looking to get married for one reason or another.

  Some wanted a mother for their children; others were searching for someone to build a life with. Others were looking for help around the place, and still others were looking for love and were hoping that love would come to them in the form of a bride from across the country.

  Belinda didn’t know which to choose, or if choosing any would be a good idea. They all promised to treat her well, to care for her needs, and to make sure she was as happy as she could be. Some promised love, and others promised more practical things, but Belinda didn’t fully trust any.

  I’ve been promised love before, and I saw how that turned out. What’s to say one of these men isn’t going to do the same thing?

  Feeling defeated, Belinda sat back on her bed, looking up at the ceiling. She knew she had to be objective about the situation, and unless she could find some sort of income, and soon, she would be facing life on the streets in New York in the winter.

  She knew how to handle herself in many situations, but that sounded like one of the worst ideas she had done.

  Belinda finally sat up, a new idea forming in her mind. It was clear to her that no matter who she chose it was going to be a risk, but if she was smart about it, she could choose a risk that wasn’t as bad as the others.

  I don’t want to look for love. And I don’t think I could handle more than one child. I am a mother, so I guess one child could be ok, but more than that… I don’t know.

  She rifled back through the sheets of paper, trying to find someone who wasn’t looking to fall in love, and someone who wasn’t looking for a mother for their children. She finally found three separate ads that were close to what she thought she could handle.

  Sitting back, Belinda read through each one carefully. Two of the men had a child, and the third owned a large ranch out in Wyoming. She read through his first, but there was something about the tone of his ad she didn’t like. It reminded her of how she felt when Mr. Buckley was around.

  She moved on to the next ad, and enjoyed the simple way the man wrote, but again, she just didn’t get the feeling that it would be a good fit. Finally, she read the third.

  The mans’ name was Thomas Pratt, and he was a school teacher. He had one child, a daughter, but he wasn’t concerned about finding a mother to raise her. Instead, he wanted a wife to complete the family. He felt that any child ought to have a mother and father and wanted a gentle young woman to fill the place.

  He promised to provide all care for this young woman and asked that in return she managed the household chores and small work around the farm. It wasn’t a large farm, he explained, but it did have a cow and come chickens. He wanted this young woman to provide an example to his daughter and show her what it meant to be a lady in the wild west.

  Belinda scanned the letter a few times, liking what she read. She had lived on her own in New York for nearly a year, but she had been brought up a prim and proper young woman and knew how to set that example.

  Belinda pulled out her small money box and counted what she had left. There wasn’t a lot in there—only enough for a train ticket really. She grabbed a piece of paper out of her drawer and found a pen, then quickly scrawled a reply letter of her own.

  She explained that her situation was tight, and she needed to be in better circumstances quickly. Belinda assured him that she knew how to handle herself, and though she would be following the letter shortly, she could manage to find the house it need be.

  Without knowing what else to say, Belinda gave him a brief description of herself and some of the things she enjoyed in life, but she didn’t mention her dark past. She ended the letter saying she looked forward to meeting Thomas and his daughter, then sealed the envelope.

  With a glance at the clock on the wall, Belinda hurried back down to the street. It was beginning to get late, and she wanted to get the letter in the post before the final stage left for the afternoon. Again, she had to fight the slippery boardwalk as she made her way downtown, but it was better than running through the muddy and slippery streets.

  Finally, the general store came into view, and Belinda hurried up the stairs. She groaned inside as she saw a group of people standing in front of the counter once more, and wondered how this clerk ever managed to get anything done besides wrapping packages.

  She impatiently waited her turn, and when it finally came, she hastily tossed the letter onto the counter and asked that she might also purchase a train ticket. The clerk looked from the letter to her, then back to the letter, and told her the price.

  Digging in her pocket, Belinda produced the money, ignoring the judgmental glances from other people in line. She thanked the clerk for the train ticket and bid him a good night, then turned on her heel and left.

  Once on the street, Belinda felt a mix of excitement and nerves, but she quickly shook it off.

  She had to get home and pack. Her train was leaving the day after tomorrow, and she would be headed to Montana.

  Chapter 5 – Montana Territory

  Belinda looked out of the side of the stagecoach door nervously. They were drawing near to the little town of Fort Peck, and she wasn’t at all sure what to expect.

  There had been word of trouble with the Indians in this part of Montana, but she hadn’t realized that until she was on the train talking about her adventure with one of the passengers. The man she was speaking with told her that this teacher she was going to marry likely lost his own wife to a fight with the Indians, and she would be lucky if she didn’t meet with the same fate.

  The man on the train was headed to another part of Montana, one he claimed was much safer than where Belinda was headed. He offered to allow her to come with him, but Belinda stayed firm in her resolve.

  She had told this man she was coming, and she meant it. Indians or not, she was going to marry him, settle in the little town, and try to make a life for herself. But now that she was arriving in the town, seeing the small houses that looked tiny against the broad prairie and the insignificant look of the general store, she was having her doubts.

  Perhaps it would have been a better option to go with that man going further West. Perhaps h
e would have offered to marry her instead. Perhaps the only reason he hadn’t said anything about it was because she was on her way to marry another.

  She battled these thoughts the entire time the stage drew closer to the town and jumped when the driver stomped on the roof and informed her that they were nearly to their destination.

  “Thank you!” She shouted, though she wondered why he thought she didn’t notice herself. People moved out of the way as the stage pulled into town, throwing muddy water in both directions.

  It was warm for winter, and the snow was slushy on the road. Belinda looked up and down the street, trying to spot the schoolhouse, but she was having a hard time determining which it was amidst all the little buildings. There were a number of children running back and forth on the road, indicating that school had been let out.

  Belinda wondered if this was because of her arrival, or if it was due to the time of year.

  The stage came rumbling to a stop, and she felt her stomach twist. The driver jumped down to the ground with a grunt, and within a few minutes, the door was yanked open, and he proudly presented her with the town.

  “Welcome to Montana, Miss! We are so glad you have arrived. Never mind the fact I brought you here myself.” He chuckled as he reached up and took her small bag from the top of the coach and handed it down to her. Belinda smiled and thanked him, and for the first time in a long time, felt incredibly shy.

  She glanced around at the people gathered nearby, but none of them seemed to hold any recognition for her. Suddenly, a short man pushed his way through the crowd, calling out to her.

  “Belinda! Over here. Yes. I apologize that I’m late. I was grading a few papers and thought I might have more time. Old Bill isn’t usually so prompt.” He glanced over at the driver who gave him a mischievous look, then he turned his attention back to Belinda.

  “I hope you had a fine journey? Excellent. My name is Thomas Pratt, and I must say, you look stunning.” He smiled at her, and Belinda felt herself relax a bit. She thanked him and assured him the journey wasn’t bad, then thanked him once more as she handed him her trunk.

  “I was thinking we could head over to the sheriff’s and get the wedding out of the way immediately. It would be easier without Hope present.” He offered her his arm, and she looked at him inquisitively.

  “Hope?” She asked, then realized who he must be referring to.

  “She’s staying with a good friend of mine, as she always does when I’m teaching. But now I suppose you may be able to handle her yourself. She’s not much work, really, you just need to watch her and feed her every now and then.” They were on their way to the sheriff’s office, and Belinda was beginning to wonder how old of a child Hope was.

  She wanted to ask, but they were already heading into the office, and the sheriff looked pleased.

  “Well, isn’t she real after all? I didn’t believe him when Thomas told me he was getting hitched. What girl would be crazy enough to come out here and marry an old kook like him?” He laughed at his own joke, and she could see the look of embarrassment in Thomas’s eyes.

  “Now, now, it’s not your job to comment; it’s just your job to get us married.” He said to the sheriff, who nodded as he pulled out a license.

  Their ceremony was short, and nothing like Belinda had ever thought her wedding would be, but she was glad when it was over. She just wanted to get home and get settled in, then forget about the craziness of the past few days.

  They both signed the paper, and with that, they were married. Thomas held the door open for her and once again picked up her things.

  “I live a couple of miles out of town, but this time of year I prefer to ride. I left the horses at the stable with the wagon, so if you will come this way, we’ll pick it up. Then, you can meet Hope.” He gave her a charming smile and hurried ahead to the stable.

  Though Belinda lingered for a few minutes on the street, she couldn’t help but think about how charming this man was. He wasn’t as handsome as she had envisioned, but somehow the charm he had outweighed his looks.

  “Are you coming?” His voice came from within the darkness, and Belinda looked around.

  Finally, she shrugged and walked into the stable after him.

  Chapter 6 – Hope Pratt

  Belinda held onto the side of the seat, at a complete loss for words. She expected to meet a child who was at least three or four years old, but this baby was young. Very young.

  She had waited in the wagon for Thomas to run into the house to pick her up. She wouldn’t have minded going in as well, but the woman who watched Hope during the day wasn’t too pleased with Thomas’s decision to marry a woman from across the country, and she had no interest in meeting Belinda.

  Though Thomas had sought to spare her the details of the matter, Belinda was smart, and she knew what he was really trying to say. But when he appeared at the door with a small bundle in his arms, she felt her heart skip a beat.

  Thomas had walked over to the side of the wagon to show her the child, then gently laid the baby in a basket on the floor between their feet. Belinda wondered how he had been able to bring a child so young into town with him nearly every day, and now wondered how safe it was for the child to be on the floor.

  But she said nothing, and now as they rode through the fading afternoon, she looked out across the prairie. Belinda had heard a lot about the landscape in the west, but she had always pictured it to look a lot tamer than this did.

  Her thoughts briefly wandered to what the man on the train had said, but she pushed those thoughts out of her mind again quickly. She didn’t want to fear her life out here, but looking down at the child and how small she was, she couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to her mother or Thomas’s wife.

  Thomas explained how the house was set up and assured her she was welcome to do as she pleased within the house.

  “There are three bedrooms in the place. One was always used for storage, but I don’t mind taking it myself. I put a bed in there last night after I received your letter, and I think it only needs a few more things before it’s as good as new. Your room should be completely ready.” He smiled at her, and Belinda apologized for the short notice.

  “I was in a hard way and needed a place to stay. It was very kind of you to allow me to come so quickly.” She felt her voice quiver as she spoke and tried not to look nervous. He laughed and assured her it really was no problem, and that the pleasure was all his.

  Belinda couldn’t help but smile to herself as they rode along, though she turned her attention back across the prairie to hide her smile from Thomas. There was something about this man that was simply likable, regardless of the circumstances of their coming together.

  She had to admit that he was charming, but part of her wondered at his marrying again so shortly after his wife had passed. He seemed sincere, and she couldn’t imagine him loving a woman halfheartedly.

  “There it is!” He said suddenly, pointing across the field to a house in the distance. Belinda was pleasantly surprised. She had expected something a lot smaller after seeing what was in town, but this looked as though it had some real time and effort put into it.

  A porch wrapped around the front of the house, and there was smoke rising from the chimney.

  “I put a lot of wood into the fire before I left this morning. Normally the house is rather chilly in the afternoon. But it should be warm enough for your liking. And yours, too!” He looked down at the floor at Hope, who giggled and kicked her legs.

  She seemed perfectly comfortable in the basket and smiled at the two of them.

  “I think she’s warming up to you.” He said as he looked from Hope up to Belinda. Belinda felt her heart twinge, but a cold ice rushed back over it as she looked away.

  “I don’t know. Children are funny little beings.”

  Thomas gave her a sidelong glance, but said nothing. He slapped the reigns on the backs of the horses, and they picked up the pace.

  “It’s getting
cold out here, whether it’s warm in the house or not. Come on there. Pick up the pace, Charlie!” He shouted to one of the horses, and Belinda sneaked another glance down at the baby in the basket.

  The child smiled up at her, a few teeth dotting her mouth. Belinda felt that warm rush fill her heart again. It was almost like the day her own daughter had been born, and she had heard that it was a girl. But then, the reality of what had happened crept back in, and in spite of fighting it, Belinda felt an iciness once again.

  “Do you like kids, Belinda?” Thomas’s voice broke into her thoughts, and Belinda looked up at him. She nodded, explaining it took her a little while to get used to meeting a little one, but assuring him that she warmed up quickly.

  He seemed satisfied with the answer and turned his attention on bringing the wagon in front of the house, but Belinda was lost in her thoughts. She hadn’t expected a child so young, and she wasn’t at all prepared for the effect this child was having on her. With another glance down into the wagon, her attention was then turned to Thomas who jumped onto the ground and walked around to help her get out as well.

  She grabbed her own trunk and carried it into the house, letting Thomas bring Hope. No matter how hard she tried to ignore it, she could feel her emotions running wild.

  Chapter 7 – Life on Pratt Farm

  Belinda settled into her new life rather quickly. She liked Thomas well enough, but she didn’t see him much with his job in town. He would leave for the school early in the morning, insisting that he get there in time to start the fire and warm the schoolhouse before the children started arriving.

  He would then stay after, grading papers and preparing lessons for the next day.

  Belinda was worried about caring for Hope at first, but she found that even childcare was easier than she imagined it would be. She told herself it must be instinct, and since she had a child in her past, it was coming to her as second nature.