And the two women wept on each other’s shoulders. Amazingly, Emily's and Sister’s precautions had prevented any further cases of measles in the orphanage, and certainly none of the babies had been exposed. Mother Evangeline also had to remind Sister Teresa Rose that she had done her very best and had nearly succumbed to exhaustion herself.
“You are no good to us if you if you are unwell.”
CHAPTER 22 – The Train
The traveling party boarded the train with copious farewells and promises to write. Barbara reminded her younger charges to practice their letters with care so they too could send missives.
The final boarding party consisted of Mother Evangeline, ten orphans, two gentlemen accompanying and escorting the group, and Emilene.
Mother Evangeline had embraced Emily’s last wishes and insisted that not even black armbands be worn by anyone. But she had, herself, clipped several locks of Emily’s lovely hair and asked Sister Margaret and the other nuns who’d made Gracie’s wedding lace to make mourning jewelry for Barbara, Judith, and Emilene, plus mementos for herself and Sister Teresa Rose, and any of the other Sisters who’d become especially close to the quiet, uncomplaining girl.
Ned Shanks turned up and took a number of photographs of the group in the station and boarding the train. As promised, Sister Benedicta had penned an article describing the voyage in such a manner as to give credit to the church, both orphanages, and the parishioners whose beneficence had made the trip a possibility.
While short on personal details, each girl was named, as were each of the key parishioners, especially Mrs. Arbuthnot, ensuring a strong society interest. The role of the Board of Directors was omitted, as that was an internal matter.
Not knowing the deeper background, Ned was quite pleased with the piece and feeling rather good about the pictures he had taken. The young ladies had looked like fashion plates and he knew his photographs would get full play in the rotogravure.
~~~
For more than one of the girls, this adventure had created a hope beyond what any of them had ever dreamed of in life. The train ride would have been considered tedious by many people, but for most of the Mercy group, several of whom had never been more than four blocks from Saint Francis their entire lives, everything was brand new, even the shabby, rundown shanties as they left town.
And the further they travelled, the more new things they saw. Fields and houses widespread and not crammed together; cows, horses in fields or pulling buggies or drays, sheep, and goats; and then the hills and mountains. They also passed through many cities and by nightfall had passed out from exhaustion in their seats. Even the adventure of sleeping upright in a train was something to be treasured.
Although after several days of travel, some of the inconveniences had become painfully obvious to all, nonetheless, their excitement at all the new things bombarding their senses, continued to buoy their spirits and fuel their hopes.
And, finally, they were there.
CHAPTER 23 – Kansas
The men crowded around the platform, anxious to catch a glimpse of the women traveling west to be with them as brides.
“Over there!” cried Jeff, as he saw a group of young women descend from one of the cars.
As the men hustled forward, the women gained the platform and one turned back to receive something from another. She turned around as the men approached, holding a bundle in her arms.
Billy, drawn by her thick, richly colored hair, went straight toward her. He stared at her in awe, taking in the baby in her arms and the calm expression of the woman holding it. This was the woman from the photograph. His Barbara.
She looked up into his eyes.
He was a small man, but she was even smaller and, oh, so beautiful.
“You look just like the Virgin Mary,” he said softly and worshipfully. “You are even more beautiful than your picture.
“I'm Billy,” he added shyly.
“How do you do, Billy. Yes, I'm Barbara. And this is my niece, Emilene.”
He reached out his hand ever so gently.
“May I touch her?” he asked reverently.
At her nod, he gently stroked a finger along the rosy cheek of the sleeping child. Emilene’s eyes fluttered open and gazed at him, then smiled, cooed, and dropped back off to sleep.
Barbara had been watching his hand, but now looked up. Sensing her gaze he lifted his eyes, falling into the soft depths of hers.
“I would be most honored if you would allow me the pleasure of escorting you to the wagon.”
Barbara nodded and smiled shyly as she allowed him to cup her elbow, his other hand grasping her valise.
Father Flanagan and Mother Evangeline were catching up on family news as they watched their two groups mingle and meet for the first time.
“Our nephew Frederick just presented our parents with their fifth great-grandson shortly before we left.”
“What are they calling him?”
“Pius Aloysius.”
Her brother rolled his eyes. “Poor lad hasn’t a chance. They’ll be giving him to the church at every opportunity.”
“He’ll either end up like you or run off to the gold fields like Ignatius.”
They both laughed; then Father Flanagan confided, “That’s actually where I got the idea, you know. Ignatius wrote to tell me he’d gotten a mail-order bride and it worked out splendidly after they got used to each other.”
“When did this happen and why haven’t I heard?” sputtered his sister.
“Well, he made me swear on my honor our parents wouldn’t get word of it until he was ready to break the news to them. They are now expecting a wee one and Iggy thought he might be able to share the news of his marriage that way, so he said I might mention to you in confidence how he happened to acquire a bride.”
She looked thoughtful for a moment and then gave her head a decided nod. “You two have always been thick as thieves. He still hasn’t written me since he left home. And I’m never sure any of my letters reach him, he’s moved about so.”
“Well I think he’s staying put now. He’s homesteading in Texas.
“That’s two of you in the west now!”
“The country’s growing, Amelia, and city crowds are not for all.
“And I think we’ve given our youngsters enough time to get to know one another for now. Shall we gather the luggage and take your young ladies to their new home?”
Most of the young folk had already congregated, cowboys spiriting the bags and boxes into the wagon, which had been outfitted with benches.
CHAPTER 24 – Welcome to Green River
It was all so strange, the wide open spaces, the towering trees, the ranch buildings. There were no tall narrow buildings crowding the streets; no traffic of people, and carriages, and carts, covered wagons and drays and other equipages racing along to the hazard of any pedestrians and other vehicles and horses.
And the smells were so different. Not the animal waste; that stayed the same, although generally not so concentrated and intense. But there was no overlying odor of rotten garbage. The breeze held a hint of green smells and flowers and even cooking, but not the spoiled and sour smells so often coming from the tenements. These were mouth-watering aromas of meats and pies.
It wasn't the same kind of noise, either. No yelling and screaming or shrill sounds of mother's calling their children. Except for the very youngest, the children all seemed to be helping with chores around the ranch.
Reverend Richardson had made arrangements for lodging at the Tri Brand. A dance was planned for Saturday night, the day after everyone arrived, to give other young men in town the opportunity to meet the young ladies, as well, and to introduce them to the rest of the townsfolk.
The rancher, Charles Barnett, and his beautiful wife Mary, had made them all feel at home. It had been decided that the women should stay together at first, so the men had vacated their bunkhouse and set up tents in the next field so they could all get to know one another and th
e ladies might not feel so strange and alone. Mother Evangeline had been invited to stay at the ranch house so she’d be near her charges.
These people are really thoughtful of others, thought Barbara. This will be a nice place to live.
~~~
On their first full day they were treated as guests and permitted to sleep in and recover from the rigors of travel. Emilene was a happy toddler and had been a good traveler—better than some of the others, thought Barbara. Poor Judith had suffered from motion sickness on the train to the dismay of others in their car.
The men had been as quiet as possible attending to the morning chores but had been permitted to share a late breakfast with the ladies. A tub had been provided and fellows took turns bringing water from the well to the cauldron throughout the morning until everyone had had a chance to bathe and wash clothes.
It was good that the girls were given a chance to rest and relax after the train trip, because they were meeting the whole town this evening at the dance. And it's a very good thing, thought Mother Evangeline, that we gave the girls some dancing lessons.
Some had thought it frivolous to be teaching working class girls about the waltz, quadrille, and polka, but besides being good exercise for them, it also gave them grace and poise, fundamentals for almost any situation. The round and square dancing were even popular with the male orphans being cared for by the Franciscan Brothers, who relished the chance to get out, some to see their sisters, once a month.
But, even before the dance, the orphans had been invited to a tea party. Nervousness warred with excitement as preparations were made.
CHAPTER 25 – Afternoon Tea
Knowing the potential for jealousy toward the new girls, who might be resented as interlopers despite the rather overwhelming majority of men over women, both Father Francis and Reverend Joe had made a point of inviting the most popular young ladies at their churches to get together with the newcomers prior to the dance, to make friends and serve as personal ambassadors.
Francis gave credit to Joe for coming up with the idea but both men had used their own wiles to make the girls think it was their idea to be the first to greet the new girls as companions instead of rivals. After all, they were here from back east and (the rumor had already spread widely) wearing the latest fashions. Perhaps they’d share a few of the newest techniques!
So just after lunch, wagons departed from the Barnett ranch house, St. Mary’s on the Hill, and Green River Church, laden with females dressed for tea, on their way to the Grange Hall, which was already decorated for the evening’s dance. Both sets of church ladies had placed rather elegant tea services (donated by these hostesses for the occasion) at four tables set for eight women each, plus one table for themselves.
Breaking the Ice
As the wagons arrived, and their occupants disembarked, excited chatter diminished to nervous glances at the other groups, until Charlie Sue broke the ice by striding over to Judith and exclaiming over the needlework on her dress.
“Most of us were taught to make lace,” Judith was explaining, “but very few have the skill to keep the stitches even.” She fingered her cuffs. “Sister Agatha made me these to remember her by.”
Then she reached toward Charlie Sue’s sleeves which featured equally exquisite cuffs. “But this is a totally different style of lace. Did you inherit these?”
“Oh, how perceptive of you! Yes, they are old-fashioned, but I made them myself to match the collar my mother made me. But it didn’t quite work with the neckline of this dress,” she drawled, as another of the ladies narrowly avoided whooping with laughter.
“Oh, be still, Gladys! Just because you managed to get Mrs. Cooper to sew you that beautiful number you are wearing, with the new neckline, doesn’t mean the collar would have worked with that, either.”
“No, you’re right, Charlie Sue. Your mama’s collar is about the prettiest piece of lace in Green River, and the lace you are making is getting to be just as nice.”
Blushing at the compliment, Charlie gave Gladys a quick hug, and then turned back to Judith.
“And look at me not minding my manners. I just barged over and didn’t even introduce myself.” She started to offer her hand to shake and then saw Judith’s eyebrows twitch just a smidge, and instead dropped a hasty curtsey.
“Howdy! My name is Charlotte Susan Monroe, although I go by Charlie Sue, and this is my good friend Miss Gladys McKnight. She goes to your church but we are all good friends from school.”
Gladys also curtsied, startled that Charlie had introduced her properly.
Judith returned the curtsies with one of her own. “I’m so pleased to meet you both! This is my good friend Miss Barbara McKevitt and I am Judith Müller. Yes, we are both Catholics, but a number of us are not and will be joining you at the Green River Church tomorrow.”
Mrs. Henderson, the town’s school mistress, who had taught nearly all the local ladies present, came over just then and asked them to find seats. Raising her voice she asked that not more than four girls from back east sit at any one table, so they could meet and mingle more easily, and then went over to where the chaperones were sitting.
Still standing, she addressed the group. “I would like to start by welcoming the ladies of Our Lady of Mercy to Green River. It is a great pleasure to have you join our community to help us cope with our excess of masculine companionship.”
This sally was greeted with appreciative titters.
“While the tea is steeping, I would like each person to please stand up, introduce yourself and say a few words about your hobbies and interests.”
Introductions
“I’ll start by saying that I’m Mrs. Cornelius Henderson, Rachel to my friends, and the local school teacher. I also put on the annual Christmas pageant which is held over at the Green River Church but features every child in town.
“Since Charlotte so nicely started introductions with the ladies at her table, I will let her speak next and then the lady to her right can speak until you have gone around the table.”
All eyes turned to Charlie, whose face had reddened at being singled out. You think I’d be used to it, she thought. Her willowy frame was a good six inches taller than any of the other women present.
She managed to stand without knocking over her chair and, taking a deep breath, smiled at everyone around each of the tables.
They are either already friends or soon will be, she reminded herself, and managed to flash a smile at each person as she gave her name. She paused, gathering courage to share with the strangers.
“I work with my father building houses and barns and I like to do fine needlework in my spare time. But I have to admit I cannot sew a straight seam.”
This last drew a laugh but quite a number of commiserating nods from others who were not terribly fond of sewing.
“Oh, also, now that Charlie Barnett gave those long-promised baking lessons, I make a pretty tasty pie.” She quickly sat down amid general laughter and looked to her right where Barbara was seated.
Barbara rose gracefully and also smiled at all assembled. Knowing brevity was best, she spoke in her low, melodious voice.
“Since I am the first to speak from our group I’d like to start by thanking each of you here for our warm welcome to Green River. To quote a phrase I’ve heard a few times now, we’re just a bunch of city slickers who don’t know one end of a cow from another.”
She had to pause for the laughter to die down. “Well, for the most part that’s true. And I’ve never seen such a big sky as you have here, nor so many stars.”
She watched as appreciative smiles lit faces, then proceeded to introduce herself.
“I am Miss Barbara Juliana McKevitt and my passion is dress design. It is my hope that I may set up a dress shop here to support myself and my orphaned niece.” Having casually dropped that little bombshell, she sat quickly and turned to her right, aware of whispers and glances. She had been startled to learn earlier in the day there was rampant spe
culation about Emilene, not all of it kind.
Gladys had seated herself next to Barbara, fascinated with her fashion sense and hoping to glean some pointers. The elegant day dress she wore had some interesting tucks that made her tiny waist seem even narrower. Introducing herself, she added, “I’m going to be saving my butter and egg money for one of Miss McKevitt’s dresses! Oh, and I like to quilt.”
Giving Thanks
It took awhile for all two dozen or so attendees to share a word or two, during which time the chaperones had been seeing to tea and placing platters of finger sandwiches and cakes on each table. Once the food had been distributed, Mrs. Henderson had broken into the introductions to ask Mother Evangeline to offer a blessing. She spoke simply and from the heart.
“Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You for the warmth and friendship being offered to strangers by this generous community of Green River. Thank You for guiding our path to this oasis and for all the blessings You have shared. Please make these gifts of food as nourishing to our bodies as this fellowship is to our hearts. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen!”
As the Catholics in the group made the sign of the cross, a hearty “Amen” came from each pair of lips.
The few remaining introductions were offered hurriedly and general conversation broke out as platters were passed.
Making Friends
“I’m not sure how I’m going to remember everyone’s name!” exclaimed Clara, seated further along the table. There was general agreement that there had been a lot of information shared.
Mail Order Barbara Page 6
