A Country of Our Own

by Karleen Bradford

Wednesday, October 17th, 1866

  What a pickle!

  That was a joke.

  A man was driving a great cartload of pickles down Rideau Street today and one of the cart wheels hit a stump. Over went the cart and smash, smash, smash went all the pickles! All over the road.

  Briney told me about it. We had a good laugh over it.

  But in all truth, the state of the streets in this town is not amusing. They are a disgrace. And the sidewalks — when there are any — are worse. Cook and I were shopping at the market yesterday and she nearly took a terrible tumble. There’s a place on Dalhousie Street where there’s an open drain on one side and a great hole on the other. The sidewalk there is very narrow and because it had rained earlier on, it was that slippery! I had to hang onto her for dear life, although if she had lost her footing there was not much I could have done about it. She’s a large woman, is Cook.

  And don’t talk to me about Sparks Street. With all the rain we had last week, there is mud up to the ankles and running water over the top and all around it. Cook and I saw a shop that has rigged up a canoe on the sidewalk in front of it with a great sign saying Boats or Yachts for Hire. Very funny.

  But I was that muddy by the time I got home, I would have appreciated a boat.

  Thursday, October 18th, 1866

  A travelling menagerie is coming to town! The Hanlon Brothers’ Circus.

  Briney wants me to go with him to see it. I don’t think I should spend the pennies that it would cost. I send almost all my wages home to Mam and Da every month, and a circus ticket seems like a terrible extravagance, but Briney is being very insistent. He is determined to go and to make me go with him. He even asked Missus Bradley on my part for the afternoon off on Saturday. That was a dreadful impudence, but Missus Bradley just laughed and said of course I must go.

  Saturday October 20th, 1866

  Oh, I am so glad that I went! Who could ever believe the things that I saw! I will sit here for a minute and breathe deeply, and then see if I can even begin to describe it.

  To start off with, the Hanlon Brothers themselves did the most amazing gymnastic feats. You wouldn’t think people could contort themselves or leap around the way they did. What I liked best came next, though. A man named Professor W. Tanner, who had come all the way from England, had a troupe of the most adorable dogs and monkeys that did all kinds of tricks. I could have watched them all night. The program said that they had performed for Her Majesty Queen Victoria herself. Imagine that!

  Then there was a beautiful lady who skated, dressed in a most dazzling costume, and another lady who did a kind of soldierly drill. And lots and lots of other acts. I came away with my head spinning and it has not stopped yet. Briney leaped around doing what he believed to be gymnastics, and made pretend sword thrusts, and even tried cartwheels in the mud all the way back to the house. I think people in the streets thought he had taken leave of his wits.

  Cook gave us a glass of milk, but made him drink his outside because he was so muddy.

  Wednesday, October 24th, 1866

  My head was still in the clouds today, and didn’t I go and scorch Missus Bradley’s best collar when I was ironing it. I am totally humiliated. Sometimes I despair at how clumsy I am.

  Thursday, October 25th, 1866

  Missus Bradley found me weeping this morning and made me confess that I was upset about scorching her collar and afraid she would take the cost of it out of my wages.

  She could not have been kinder and assured me that she had many more collars and she would be doing no such thing.

  Now I feel even worse.

  Wednesday, October 31st, 1866

  The babe will be born this month. Missus Bradley is terribly uncomfortable. She spends most of her time in bed.

  I wonder how Mam is doing? I’m sure Eileen is a great help, but oh how I wish I could be there. I’m sure she needs me, yet here I am so far away. I feel so useless!

  November 1866

  Friday, November 2nd, 1866

  Cook is making every kind of nourishing dish she can think of to tempt Missus Bradley’s appetite. Missus Bradley can’t seem to eat much, though.

  How I wish I could send some of this wonderful food back to Mam!

  Tuesday, November 6th, 1866

  I don’t know what is the matter with me. I cannot settle to anything, I am that worried about Mam. I am missing her and Da and the little ones more than ever.

  It is so cold today. The wind sneaks in through every crack in this drafty house. I am wrapped up in my quilt and I have Sophie on my lap. She’s not really a kitten anymore, more like a young cat, and such a comfort to me. She, at least, is contented, and purring so loudly.

  I wish I could show her to Bridget. She loves all animals and she would adore this kitten. I would have to keep her away from Paddy, though. He would probably chase her, just for the fun of it.

  Monday, November 12th, 1866

  Rained all day yesterday. The talk in the city is all about Mister Macdonald and his party going to London, and Mister Bradley is working long hours to help them prepare for it. No one else at our house cares a fig for that, though. The babe is surely due any day now and that is all we can think of.

  Thursday, November 15th, 1866

  More rain, although not so cold. When is that babe going to come? Missus Bradley keeps to her bed all the time now.

  Friday, November 16th, 1866

  The babe is here!!!! And a right lovely little boy he is. But my, what a time we all had! I don’t have a moment to write more now, but I will tell all about it when things are back to normal.

  Friday, November 23rd, 1866

  I’ve just left Missus Bradley sipping a cup of warm milk and feeding baby Jonathan. He is such a darling — I’m smitten with him. But now to write down what happened.

  Last Friday morning Mister Bradley had to go in to work because Mister Macdonald and the others were setting off for London. I knew he was uneasy about leaving Missus Bradley, but then, what can a man do to help with a birthing anyway?

  It was a truly horrible day. No snow, but freezing rain and all sleety. Cook had gone to see her sister on Thursday and wasn’t back yet, although she had only planned on going for the afternoon. She told us later that she had taken a tumble on the ice and fair knocked the senses out of herself, and her sister had insisted that she stay the night, she was that worried about her. So I was alone and just making a cup of tea for Missus Bradley when I heard her call out. I raced up the stairs and wasn’t the babe coming!

  “Fetch the doctor,” she told me, but with Cook not being back yet, and James off with Mister Bradley, I couldn’t leave her alone.

  Just at that moment, I heard Briney’s whistle outside. Truth, I was never so glad to see him in my life. I told him to run for the doctor and off he went. His da wasn’t with him that day either, so he left the water cart and the horse tied to the fence.

  I set a great pot of water on the stove to boil. That was what Missus O’Ryan did every time Mam had a babe, but truth to tell I wasn’t too sure what it was for. Missus O’Ryan had always shooed me out of the house and told me to take care of the younger ones when we had a new one coming.

  Then I went back up to sit with Missus Bradley

  “Why have you not gone for the doctor, Rosie?” she asked me in a kind of gasp.

  “Cook’s not back yet,” I told her. “I can’t leave you alone. But Briney’s gone,” I added quickly when I saw her face fall. “He’ll fetch him.”

  But didn’t it take Briney nearly all morning to find him. It seems that Missus Bradley wasn’t the only one giving birth to a babe on that day.

  I sat with her and held her hand — it was all I could do — and kept the water on the boil. When Briney finally got back with the doctor, I was weak with relief.

  “You’re a good girl, Rosie,” the doctor said to me. “You’ve done well. Now you can help me.”

  He sent me out of the room to heat quilts by the kitchen fire and keep t
he water boiling. Then there wasn’t much I could do to help but just sit and wait. Briney finished delivering the water and then came back to wait with me.

  At dinnertime Cook still hadn’t arrived so I made soup out of all the boiling water. I didn’t know what else to do with it.

  At last I heard a squalling from upstairs and the doctor appeared.

  “Tell Briney to go find Mister Bradley at the Parliament Buildings,” he said. “He’s got a fine boy and Missus Bradley is doing well. Bring those warm quilts up now, Rosie. And a bowl of that soup I can smell simmering on the stove for Missus Bradley, to help her recover her strength.”

  When Cook finally limped in, she was surprised to find it all over and done with. Mister Bradley is still beaming, he is so proud. That evening he called me up to Missus Bradley’s room.

  “Again, you were a great help,” he said, and patted me on the shoulder.

  I was looking over to where Missus Bradley lay cradling a bundle. She looked up at me and gave me a huge smile.

  “Yes, thank you, Rosie,” she said, and then she held the bundle out to me. “Would you like to hold the baby?” she asked.

  Would I? Of course I would.

  I remember holding Bridget and Paddy when they were newborn babes. I don’t remember Eileen too well as I was not much more than a babe myself when she was born. But the others … Is there anything like holding a new wee babe in your arms and looking down into those wide, wondering eyes?

  It’s a miracle, it is.

  God’s own miracle.

  Monday, November 26th, 1866

  Missus Bradley is still in bed and I am helping out with baby Jonathan. Tonight he was fussing a bit and I was able to settle him. Missus Bradley says I have a way with babes. And well I should. I helped out often enough with Bridget and Paddy.

  After the babe had finally fallen asleep, I was about to leave, but Missus Bradley bade me stay a while. Mister Bradley was working late and she did not want to be alone.

  “Can you read, Rosie?” she asked me.

  “I most certainly can,” I replied, perhaps a little too indignantly. I was quick to catch myself and add in a more respectful tone of voice, “Yes, Missus, I can. I was considered a good reader at school.”

  She asked if I missed school. I was that surprised, for a moment I couldn’t find words to answer her. Finally I mumbled, “Yes, Missus.”

  “I’m very tired tonight. Would you like to read to me?” she asked then.

  I said I would and my heart lifted. I have not touched a book since I left school, and I miss it. She handed me a small volume. It was the poems of a person named Lord Tennyson.

  “Read the one where I have the bookmark, then,” she said. “‘The Lady of Shalott’.”

  What can I say? I have never read words so beautiful in my life. Reading them was like water spilling from my mouth. When Missus Bradley saw how much I enjoyed it, she told me to take the book with me and read some more for myself. I could hardly believe it.

  The Lady of Shalott is under a curse and must stay in one room, weaving, for all of her days. She is forbidden even to look out her window, but she has found a way to see what is going on in the world outside by looking at it in her mirror.

  Here is some of what I read tonight. I think this is my favourite passage:

  But in her web she still delights

  To weave the mirror’s magic sights,

  For often thro’ the silent nights

  A funeral, with plumes and lights

  And music, went to Camelot:

  Or when the moon was overhead

  Came two young lovers lately wed;

  “I am half-sick of shadows,” said

  The Lady of Shalott.

  It is so sad. But somehow, I think I know exactly how she feels.

  Tuesday, November 27th, 1866

  They are hiring a nursemaid. It is to be expected, of course. Still, I have loved looking after wee Jonathan myself.

  Friday, November 30th, 1866

  The new nursemaid is here. Her name is Fanny and she is right bossy. She and Cook have already come to loggerheads. I have decided to keep out of her way as much as possible, but as I feared, I hardly see the babe at all. I am not needed nor wanted up in Missus Bradley’s room now. I cannot help feeling a little hurt.

  December 1866

  Sunday, December 2nd, 1866

  Stir-up Sunday. Advent starts today. Cook is mixing up the Christmas pudding. It’s made of beef suet, raisins, prunes and sugar. She packed it all in a pudding cloth, then dropped it in a pot of boiling water to cook. It will be served on Christmas Day after dinner, with a coating of brandy and a sprig of holly in the top. I’ve never seen this done before and am looking forward to a taste of it.

  The altar at Mass this morning was draped all in purple. Father Guiliard preached that we should reflect on the First Coming of Christ at Christmas at this time of year, and look forward to His Second Coming.

  I gave thanks for the blessing of this new babe, and added a special prayer for the safe arrival of my own mam’s babe.

  Thursday, December 6th, 1866

  The first snow of the season! Not very much and it is gone already, but there will probably be more.

  Saturday, December 8th, 1866

  So much for snow. It rained all day today. The kitchen reeks of boiling nappies and they are strung all over to dry. As if the smell of the drains was not bad enough!

  Wednesday, December 12th, 1866

  Missus Bradley and baby Jonathan came downstairs today. James brought in armloads of wood and we built the fire up in the parlour until it was roaring. We settled the pair of them in a chair close to the hearth and I brought Missus Bradley a cup of warm, spiced milk.

  It was good to see her downstairs, and her with such a good colour in her cheeks. The babe is thriving. He has a powerful pair of lungs on him, but of course I do not get to pick him up and settle him now. Fanny makes certain of that. She is a right pain, is our Mistress Fanny. I suppose I should not be saying that, but she is. Thinks she’s the queen of the house. James is rather taken with her, but she cuts him dead. I am delighted to see that, but probably shouldn’t be because it just makes him meaner than ever with me.

  Thursday, December 13th, 1866

  Still no more snow but it’s freezing cold today. The house shudders in the wind and there is no keeping it warm. My little room is so cold that the water in my basin was frozen solid this morning.

  Friday, December 14th, 1866

  Missus Bradley is not receiving formally yet, of course, but Missus Forrester came by at teatime. She had been shopping, so she had Bessie with her to carry her bundles. After I served the tea, Bessie and I had a great time catching up on each other’s news in the kitchen while our mistresses chatted in the parlour. James made certain to keep the fire up in there, and it was the only warm room in the house, with the exception of the kitchen — where the fires in the stove and the hearth are kept burning full blast — and Missus Bradley’s bedroom. The rest of the house is unbearable.

  Monday, December 17th, 1866

  Cook is making the Christmas cakes. The smells of spices and good things baking have taken over from the drains and nappies. Halleluiah!

  I am kept busy from morn to night. If I am not running up and down stairs fetching clean nappies for the babe or warm milk for Missus Bradley, or building up the fire in her bedroom, I am recruited by Cook to stir and mix and watch the baking in the oven. Saints preserve me if I let anything burn, even if I am dashing madly about doing Mistress Fanny’s bidding.

  I was sent to Bates’ grocery store this morning and I had a chance to look at the shop windows on Sparks Street. I do love them, especially at this time of the year. Mr. Bates has miniature steam engines in the window driving coffee and spice grinding machines. It is a wonder! And other windows are full of snowshoes and moccasins and all manner of winter wear. I had to buy tea for Cook too.

  She loves her tea strong, does Cook. So strong you
could trot a mouse across it, she says, although that is a vision I do not much appreciate. There are mice and rats enough in this house that it’s all too likely to come to pass.

  I think the most amazing thing of all, though, is the steam-driven rotary hairbrush in the window of Miles’s Parliamentary Hairdressing Saloon. People were gawking in the window and talking about it. They say it will dry hair while the hair is being brushed.

  I cannot imagine how it works, but it looks impressive. A bit dangerous, though.

  Wednesday, December 19th, 1866

  News from home! Mam has given birth to a wee boy. Timothy, his name will be. So now Paddy will be a big brother. He must be over the moon with pride.

  I sent back a blanket that I quilted for the new babe, but oh how I wish I could deliver it and wrap it around baby Timmy myself. Still, I must content myself that all went well and Mam and babe are safe and healthy.

  Fanny had an afternoon off today and I actually got to hold baby Jonathan again. He has grown marvellously. I fancied he gave me a smile. I know it was just gas, but in my heart I felt it was a smile and I smiled right back at him.

  Friday, December 21st, 1866

  Mister and Missus Forrester are invited to share Christmas dinner and they will bring Bessie with them to help out. It will be a grand affair. Cook has me running back and forth to the market every day, sometimes twice a day, and the kitchen is in a state. Food is boiling, stewing, simmering, being chopped, being mixed — everything all at once. The smells are glorious. I should feel right tired with it all, but I don’t. It’s exciting, that’s what it is, and I love being a part of it.

  Sunday, December 23rd, 1866

  Church was lovely today, decorated with boughs of pine and holly, and the smell of incense filling every nook and cranny. I love going to Mass, and most especially at Christmas time.

  Monday, December 24th, 1866

  To our surprise, Jean-Louis turned up this morning with a basket of dried cranberries. Jean-Louis is still shy, but a sweet boy. He is learning a few more words of English and at the same time I am learning a few more words of French, so we are beginning to be able to talk to each other.