The driver turned left down a side street, taking them one block off the main thoroughfare and came to a lurching stop in front of a small two-story home painted in an evergreen color. A pair of rocking chairs sat on one side of the large front porch. Clarissa heaved open the passenger-side door and tumbled out, groaning with relief to be out of the car.
Zylphia and Savannah followed her, exiting the backseat, nearly crashing into her. They giggled as they waited for the driver to unload their luggage. “You’ll come back the day after tomorrow to drive us to Hamilton?” Savannah asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said as he lifted out their small traveling bags. “Enjoy your stay in Darby.”
They each hefted their small bag and approached the front door. Clarissa raised her hand to knock when the front door swung open.
“Rissa!” Amelia squealed. She pushed open the screen door and launched herself into Clarissa’s arms. They rocked for a moment before Amelia released her and grasped Savannah in a tight embrace.
“Oh, it’s wonderful to see you both again.” Her eyes lit on Zylphia. “I beg your pardon. I didn’t mean to exclude you.” She frowned as she examined Zylphia, noting her McLeod coloring. She raised an eyebrow to Clarissa and Savannah as she ushered them inside.
“This is Zylphia, Aidan’s daughter,” Savannah said. “She’s come to help us canvass for the vote.”
“How wonderful,” Amelia said as she leaned forward and embraced Zylphia. “I’m delighted to finally meet you. Please, set down your cases and hang your hat and coats on the stand there.” She pointed to a rack by the front door. “If you don’t object, let’s move to the kitchen.”
Clarissa laughed. “As long as I’m not expected to cook.” She looked to Zylphia to explain. “Amelia is a wonderful cook and taught me all I know. I was her first student and most likely her worst.”
“Hush such nonsense,” Amelia said as she led them through a comfortable living area with mismatched chairs and settees, a formal dining room with the table already set for the evening meal and into the kitchen. A scarred large wooden table sat in the middle of the big bright room. The wood stove emitted much-needed warmth on this cool early September afternoon. Amelia waved to them to sit at the table. “Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
She moved toward the stove where a kettle of water sat warming and made a pot of tea. “How is the canvassing progressing?” she asked.
“It would be easier if my automobile hadn’t broken down last week.” Savannah shook her head in disgust. “We’ll have to return in October for more canvassing as we can’t travel to all the small towns and rural homes as planned without our own means of transport.”
“Other than your travel problems, how is it going?” Amelia asked with a smile.
“Well, although it is hard at times to bite our tongues at some of the ridiculous things said to us …” Zylphia began with a roll of her eyes.
Amelia frowned with curiosity.
“For example, a man yesterday told me there would be no point to marriage if his wife could vote too, because she thinks as he does in all things and couldn’t possible have a use for the vote. It would simply give two votes to the same candidate.” Zylphia huffed out a sigh of disgust.
“How are they reacting to a group of eastern women advising them how to vote?” Amelia asked, biting her lip as she fought a smile.
“Fairly well,” Clarissa said. “When I explain I’ve lived here for thirteen years and Sav for over eleven, that helps. I hate that, the moment I speak, I’m thought of as an outsider.”
“Well, everyone in Montana is an outsider of sorts, so you shouldn’t take it personally. It’s more that they’d hate to think they’re being told how to act or vote.” Amelia grinned as she looked at Zylphia. “I imagine you could be too forward thinking for many.”
“It’s no different than what I’ve heard in Boston,” Zylphia said as she shrugged her shoulders, either in resignation or agreement. “It’s all the same. Men, and women, afraid of change.”
“Well, as Sophie would say, the one constant we can rely on is change,” Clarissa said.
“Could I join you tomorrow?” Amelia asked. “I know it’s not much of a contribution, but I’d like to do something.”
“That would be wonderful. It would also help if the locals see that one of their own is supportive,” Savannah said as she took a sip of tea.
“And that you are our friend,” Clarissa murmured. “Too many times when we’ve come into a town, we’ve been seen as radical outsiders from the big city of Missoula, and it’s taken time we didn’t have to convince people to listen to us.”
Amelia nodded with enthusiasm at the thought of being part of the canvassing.
“Amelia, how are your children?” Savannah asked.
“Very well. I can’t believe how quickly they are growing,” she said as her eyes lit with a mother’s pride.
“I can’t believe you have seven children!” Clarissa said.
“Seven?” Zylphia asked. “I remember someone remarking that you had quite a few, but I never thought to ask how many.”
“Yes, we’ve been quite blessed,” Amelia said with a broad smile. “Thankfully Sebastian has a good job, and I’m able to add to our income by selling sandwiches to the workers.”
“Where do you sell them?” Savannah asked.
“In a few of the local saloons.”
Clarissa choked on her tea while Zylphia’s eyes widened. “You’ve been in a saloon?” Clarissa gasped.
“Yes, numerous times.”
“Why did you never mention this in one of your letters?”
Amelia attempted to bite back a smile and failed. She nodded to Clarissa. “I know how it would upset Gabriel, and I had no desire to provoke his concern.”
“And Sebastian knows this?” Savannah asked, shaking her head in surprise.
“Yes. He’s quite supportive,” Amelia said as she laughed at her friends’ dazed expressions. “It’s not that scandalous.”
“Yes, it is,” Clarissa said as she shook her head at Amelia. “Tomorrow, are we expected to canvass in saloons?”
“Well, the majority of the men will congregate there,” Amelia said. “And, if you are with me selling sandwiches, they’ll be more apt to listen to you.”
“Oh my,” Savannah said as she sat back in her chair, shaking her head. “I’m not sure I could do that.”
“I’ll be happy to join you,” Zylphia said. “It seems like quite the adventure.” Her smile dimmed. “It would give me something interesting and exciting to write to Teddy.”
Amelia nodded, sparing Zylphia any questions when the back door burst open.
“Mama!” a blond-haired girl said as she burst into the kitchen. “Guess what I …” She broke off, her eyes going round as she beheld the visitors. “Aunt Clarissa!” she shrieked as she ran around the table to fling herself in Clarissa’s arms.
“Annie, darling,” Clarissa said as she held her close and kissed her on the side of her head. “Oh, how you’ve grown.” She shared a smile with Amelia. “I find it’s the same with Geraldine. They keep growing no matter how much I want them to remain my little angels forever.”
“How long can you stay?” Annie asked, bouncing around to give Savannah and Zylphia hugs. “Nice to meet you!” She said to Zylphia before returning to Clarissa’s side to burrow into her. Annie sighed with contentment when Clarissa gave her a soft squeeze.
“I’ve missed you, Annie,” Clarissa said before the girl raced away to wash her hands and help her mother.
Nicholas clomped into the room, wiping his boots on the rug outside before entering the kitchen. “They came,” he said with a broad smile.
Clarissa, Savannah and Zylphia had stood at this point to hug the children as they trickled in from school.
“My, how you’ve grown, Nickie,” Savannah said as she ruffled his russet-colored hair. “I can’t believe you’re almost seventeen.”
He puffed out his chest
with pride. “I’ve begun to help my father at the mill.”
“As long as you continue with your studies and don’t fall behind,” Amelia said with a hint of a warning in her voice. “I don’t mind you working at the mill, but you will complete your education.” She set down a sliced loaf of warm cinnamon bread with butter, and the children fell on the snack as though they hadn’t eaten in days.
While the children ate, Amelia introduced them to Zylphia. “You’ve met Nicholas and Annie. Mary is ten, Adam is nine,” Amelia said, stroking a hand over their shoulders. “Then there’s Shane who is seven, and David’s six.”
“I thought you had seven children,” Zylphia asked, confused.
“John is away playing with a friend this afternoon. Come. Let me show you to your room,” Amelia said. “I wish I had space for each of you to have your own room, but it’s not possible.”
“Amelia, we’re thankful to have this time with you. We know what an inconvenience it is to have us here.”
“Not at all,” Amelia said with a wave of her hand. “It’s our pleasure. We don’t travel to Missoula nearly as often as I’d like. It’s a major outing with all nine of us. Although I appreciate letters, it’s never the same as seeing you.” Her smile included all three women.
She walked down a long hallway and opened a door. “We fit a single bed in here along with the double that’s usually here, but it is quite cramped.”
“This is lovely,” Savannah said as she moved toward the single bed that appeared to be a cot. “This will suit us just fine.”
“I agree,” Zylphia said as she inched her way toward the double bed. “I can’t imagine needing anything more.”
“Oh, stop it!” Amelia said with a laugh. “At least we’ll be together, and that’s all that matters.”
A few hours later, Sebastian’s deep voice resonated throughout the house as he called out, “I’m home!” The squeals of delight from the children as they raced toward him provoked smiles as Clarissa and Savannah rose to greet him.
“Sebastian,” Clarissa said. “It’s wonderful to see you.”
“Clarissa,” he said as he enfolded her in a hug. “It’s been too long since we’ve seen you.” He turned to Savannah and gave her a quick hug, and then nodded to Zylphia.
“Seb, this is Zylphia, although we call her Zee. Aidan’s daughter,” Clarissa said.
“Ah, that’s why you have the look of a McLeod about you, although I detect a touch of Delia in you too,” he said as he studied her. “Around the eyes. I met your mother a few years ago when they visited.”
Zylphia smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.” He gripped her shoulder before turning to watch Amelia enter the room, his eyes lit with love and pride as he beheld her.
“How was your day?” Amelia asked, running a quick hand down one of his arms.
“Fine. The usual. No one was hurt, and we have a shipment ready to head out tomorrow on the train,” he said as he tucked a strand of hair behind one of her ears. “Dinner smells delicious.”
“It’s a roast, and we’ll eat in the dining room tonight.”
“Then I’d better wash up,” he said with a smile as he winked at their guests. He walked with a barely discernible limp.
When they sat for dinner, Clarissa turned to Sebastian. “Is there any chance you could be transferred back to run the mill in Missoula?”
“I could apply for one of the newer ones, like the one run by Mr. Polley, but I have no interest in leaving Darby. We have a good home here, and I like the men I work with. I run a good mill.”
“I never doubted you did,” Clarissa said, belatedly realizing her question could be construed as critical in some manner. “It’s just I wish you lived closer.”
“It’s not that far,” he said with a wry smile. “Although those final few miles in an automobile or carriage do seem to last an infernal distance, don’t they?”
Savannah laughed. “I thought a rib would rattle loose today as we drove here from the station in Grantsdale. Our driver took great care to land in every pothole in the road!”
“I know my father loves his automobile and encourages me to ride in it as often as possible, but I always prefer to ride in a streetcar instead,” Zylphia said.
“Well, you don’t have that option here.” Amelia laughed.
“At this point, walking doesn’t seem half bad,” Zylphia muttered.
“We should have planned better when we learned Sav’s automobile was not available and decided to canvass while riding our bicycles throughout the valley,” Clarissa said.
Amelia and Sebastian laughed at the thought.
Clarissa continued her argument. “Susan B. Anthony believed the bicycle would bring great freedom to women, and she was correct.”
“Yes, but I can’t imagine you bicycling all those miles, arriving disheveled and shrouded in dust, showing the citizens of each town that you were respectable women worthy of listening to. I think you’ve opted for the correct course of action,” Sebastian said. He winked at Amelia as he pushed away his plate. “Who’ll join Amelia as she makes her rounds through the saloons tomorrow?”
Clarissa tapped him on his arm. “I can’t believe you condone such actions!”
“Of course I do. She’s insistent in earning money for the family, and she could conceive of no other way. She can’t teach because she’s married.” Sebastian watched Amelia as she tended to their youngest child, John.
“Besides, Rissa, the majority of those men understand she’s my wife and know better than to cross her. She’s not there in the evenings. She’s there midday at the latest.” Sebastian winked at Amelia.
“What are you saving money for?” Clarissa asked.
“Well, if the children wish to attend the university, I want them to have the opportunity. With seven children, I need to look at all options. Nicholas is almost of age to attend.”
“He’d always have a place to stay in Missoula,” Clarissa said as Savannah nodded.
“I can’t bear the thought of him away from home, but I know he must leave at some point. Knowing he’d have the support of … family would ease my mind.”
“Simply let us know what you need, and we’ll help in any way,” Clarissa said.
“Seb, are you and Amelia traveling to Helena in a few weeks for the parade?” Savannah asked. “It’s remarkable to have a woman’s day and suffragist parade planned during the state fair in Helena this year.”
“I was hoping Amelia, Annie and the younger children could travel to Missoula and make the journey with you,” Sebastian said. “Nicholas and I will rough it while they are away.” He winked at Nicholas.
“We plan on traveling to Helena on Tuesday to be settled before the parade on Friday,” Savannah said. She smiled slyly as she watched Zylphia. “Anna Howard Shaw is coming to speak to those gathered on Friday after the parade.”
Zylphia sighed with disgust, pushing the remnants of her meal around on her plate.
“What don’t you like about her, Zee? I think she’s a remarkable woman,” Amelia said.
“If you like antiquated tactics destined to yield no result, then I’d recommend listening to what she has to say.” Zylphia shook her head.
Amelia squinted as she studied Zylphia. “Do those from the East, who sent you out thinking you were a faithful member of NAWSA, realize you’re really an ardent supporter of Alice Paul?”
Zylphia grinned. “No. Sophie thinks it best to keep them on their toes. She also thinks it best to understand what both groups are doing. She doesn’t really care who has the more successful tactic, as long as she has the opportunity to vote before she dies.”
Clarissa shivered. “Don’t even mention that. Although I only receive her guidance through her weekly letters, I couldn’t imagine life without Sophie.”
“Well, last I saw her, she was feisty and reigning over her fiefdom with her usual vigor. I wouldn’t be concerned,” Zylphia said with a smile.
Sebastian frowned. “Alice Paul.
Isn’t she the one advocating that we vote against Democrats because Wilson is a Democrat and has failed to vocally support universal enfranchisement?”
Zylphia nodded.
“Seems a crackbrained policy to me, especially as many of those are your most ardent supporters.”
“She wants to show the president that his intransigence will lead to instability in Congress and his party. That universal enfranchisement is a policy that must be supported and advocated for by the president.”
Sebastian shook his head. “She didn’t change his mind after the disgraceful way you were treated at that march in Washington, DC, so I doubt this will change his mind.”
“Then we’ll have to increase our tactics until he does,” Zylphia retorted, her cheeks flushed and blue eyes flashing.
Sebastian watched her and shook his head. “If you don’t look like Gabe when he’s angered. Listen, Zee. Fight for universal suffrage. But don’t turn to violence.”
“I promise. I won’t.”
Sebastian studied her a moment before grinning. “Speaking of radical places, how is your brother faring in Butte under martial law?” he asked Clarissa, holding up the Missoulian and the editorial written by Joseph Dixon. A bold quote by Dixon proclaimed There does not seem to be any reason but the desires of Amalgamated for martial law and the troops in Butte.
“Patrick wrote me that, when the troops arrived, they thought they’d be feted with a heroes’ welcome. Instead everyone watched them with distrust and anger. There’s no need for them there, except to promote Amalgamated’s agenda.”
“That’s the way of this state,” Sebastian said. “Who do you think purchases the majority of my lumber?” He raised his hands as though in defeat. “There’s little we can do to fight them.”
“Write your politicians. Write articles in your newspapers,” Zylphia argued.
Everyone around the table laughed, but Zylphia was perplexed.
“They have bribed every politician here and own every newspaper,” Amelia explained. “There’s no way for a resident of Montana to have freedom of knowledge as everything we read is filtered through them.”
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