Lucy quickly spread out the scraps and cut the first piece for a bonnet. “This will be perfect for wearing to church.” She suddenly looked up, startled. “He does go to church doesn’t he?”
Susan exchanged a look with Elizabeth. “Yes, Ma. He said in his letter that he goes to church every Sunday.” She knew it was important to her mother that she marry a Christian, and it was important to her as well.
Lucy sighed, looking relieved. “Well at least you’re not traveling to the middle of nowhere to marry a heathen.”
Susan and Elizabeth both giggled. “I wouldn’t have agreed to marry him if he’d been a heathen.”
Lucy shrugged. “You never can tell. Marrying a man you’ve never met, heathen or not, is daring enough.” She finished the last cut on the bonnet. “Your father isn’t going to be happy, you know.”
“Pa will understand. And that’s one less mouth to feed,” Susan pointed out realistically.
“Our children are not a burden,” Lucy said with a serious look. “You don’t think you’re a burden, do you? Is that why you’re doing this?”
“No, of course not! I just think it’s time for me to have my own life. I’m finished with school, and I just watch the neighbor kids and help with my brothers and sisters all day. It’s time for me to start my own life. It was either marry or find a full time job somewhere.”
Lucy nodded. “I do think you’ll do well in marriage. I just hate the idea of you moving so far away. What if he’s not a good man?”
“Then I’ll come back home. I’m not afraid to admit when I’ve made a mistake.” Susan meant it too. She was strong enough and confident enough that if she found herself married to a bad man, she’d leave so fast he wouldn’t know what happened.
The words seemed to relieve Lucy’s fears. The three women worked together to get the sewing off the table, so they could set it for dinner.
The family straggled in over the next few minutes to wash their hands and sit down at the kitchen table for their meal. They all joined hands as their father, Norman, said a prayer over the meal. “Thank you, Lord, for the meal we’re about to eat. Amen.”
As soon as Norman picked up his spoon to eat his first bite of stew, Lucy said, “Norman, Susan has some big news to share.”
Norman looked at his eldest daughter, cautiously spooning a bite of stew into his mouth. The different cooks in the house made things very differently. Young Mary would attempt meals that had to be fed to the hogs. His lined face showed he appreciated the fact the meal was cooked by someone who know what she was doing. “What’s your news, Susan?”
Susan hadn’t expected her mother to immediately put her on the spot and used her spoon to stir her stew for a second before meeting her father’s eyes. He was so much harder to talk to than her mother. “I’m getting married and moving to Texas, Pa.” She kept her voice steady and her eyes on her father’s as she said the words.
Norman looked bewildered for a moment and all talking stopped at the table. Susan’s younger siblings stared at her in shock. After a moment, Norman said, “Who are you marrying?”
“His name is Jesse Dailey. He’s a newspaperman in Fort Worth.” Susan waited for the negative reaction, but it never came.
“When will you leave?” Norman looked resigned to the fact he’d lost his oldest daughter.
“In ten days.”
He nodded slowly. “We’ll have to get you a nice new carpet bag to take with you.”
“I’d really appreciate that, Pa.” Her eyes told him she appreciated his support.
Norman met Lucy’s eyes. “Are you helping her make new clothes? She can’t go out there to be a bride with the old clothes she has.”
Lucy nodded, her eyes shining. “We cut out her Sunday dress before supper. I’ll have Susan, Elizabeth, and Mary sew on the dress as soon as the dishes are done, and I’ll cut out the next dress. I’d like to get four dresses, bonnets, and underwear made before she goes. And a couple of new aprons, too. She’ll need aprons if she’s going to be a wife.”
Norman looked at his two oldest boys, both of whom were exhausted from helping him in the fields all day. “Michael, Henry, we’re going to be watching the children in the evenings until the sewing is done.” When Michael, who was the oldest brother at fifteen, started to protest, Norman held up a hand. “Your sister has made a lot of meals for you and made your beds more times than I can count. You’ll do this to help her out.”
Both of the boys nodded reluctantly.
Once dinner was over, everyone sprang into action. Elizabeth and Mary took care of the dinner dishes, while Susan started stitching her Sunday dress. Lucy quickly cut out into the fabric. Her daughter wasn’t going to Texas looking like a pauper.
That night set a pattern for the days to come. Every day, Susan, Lucy and Mary sewed until their fingers ached while Elizabeth helped when she could around taking care of the Jacobs’ children.
Sunday night, Susan and Lucy stayed up until the wee hours finishing up Susan’s underwear and nightgowns. It was after two in the morning when Susan snipped the thread from her last nightgown. It was a plain white gown that went all the way to her feet, but there were ruffles on the bodice to make it prettier. Lucy had convinced Susan to make the nightgowns short sleeved, because the summer weather in Texas would be stifling.
Susan held it up in front of her to show Lucy. “What do you think, Ma?”
Lucy nodded, blinking her eyes to try to stay awake as she finished the last of the underwear. “Looks good.”
Susan folded it and placed it into the mostly filled new carpet bag her parents had bought her as a wedding gift. She then went to the mantle and took the money that was left from her purchases and put it into a small string purse she’d purchased. “Do you think I have everything I need?”
Lucy thought for a moment. “I think we’ve covered everything. In the morning, we’ll pack several sandwiches for your first day on the train to save you a little money, but after that, you’ll be paying for your meals. I’ve heard a small box of candy on a train can cost as much as ten cents! Of course, I’ve never been on a train, so that could be an exaggeration.”
Susan hadn’t considered the idea she was doing something her mother had never done by taking the train. “Have you been to Texas?”
Lucy laughed. “I’ve never been out of Massachusetts. Texas sounds like a far-away land to me.”
“Maybe you and Pa could come visit me in Fort Worth sometime.” She had known she was going to miss Elizabeth, but hadn’t really thought about missing her parents. The hours and hours of constant sewing she’d spent in the past week and a half had reminded her how much she would miss her mother.
“Maybe someday.”
Susan knew Lucy could make no promises, because she would have children at home for at least another sixteen years. “I hope we can see each other again someday.”
“So do I.” Lucy bit off the thread and handed the last undergarment to Susan. “We both need to get to bed. I’ll take you into town in the wagon in the morning.”
Susan bit her lip, hating the idea of asking her mother to do more for her than she already had. “You don’t have to, Ma. It’s only a two mile walk to Mrs. Long’s house. She’s going to see me off.”
“I’ll drop you at her house then. I’ve let things slack around here the last couple of weeks, so I’ll come straight back.”
“Thanks, Ma.” Even though it was unnecessary, Susan appreciated her mother’s insistence on driving her to Harriett’s house. It made her feel like her decision to move away was supported completely by her parents.
Susan packed the last of her things into the bag and closed it. She was amazed. “I thought this was too big when Pa brought it home, but it’s completely full. I had no idea I had so many things!”
Lucy smiled. “You didn’t two weeks ago.” She eyed the carpet bag. “I think you’ll have plenty to start your marriage.”
“Thanks for all your help, Ma. I know you have reserva
tions about me marrying this way, and I appreciate you getting past them to work so hard to help me.”
“You’re my oldest daughter. I’m going to give you the best send-off I can. I hope your marriage is everything you want it to be.” Lucy pulled Susan into her arms and held her close for a minute. “It seems like just yesterday I was looking down into your face and wondering what kind of woman you’d grow up to be. I’m proud of you, Susie.”
Susan smiled at her mother’s use of the old nickname. “Thanks, Ma. That means a lot to me.”
They climbed the stairs together, each going off to their own room to sleep.
*****
It was right at seven when Lucy pulled the wagon in front of Harriett Long’s house the next morning. “Do you want me to wait and give you both a ride to the station?”
Susan shook her head. “No, I think we’d both rather walk. It’s a beautiful morning.”
“Do you have your sandwiches?”
“Yes, Ma.” She patted the lunch pail she had beside her on the wagon seat. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”
Lucy pulled her in tightly for a hug. “You be careful on that train, and don’t forget, you’re welcome to come back home if things don’t work out.”
Susan knew she’d never come home. She’d find a job if she had to, but she wouldn’t go back to living with her parents. This was goodbye. “Bye, Ma. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Susan climbed down and grabbed her things. Between her bag, purse and lunch pail, she wasn’t sure how she was going to knock on the door, but she’d be okay. She was ready to be on her way.
She set her carpet bag down and waved goodbye, before turning to walk up the sidewalk toward the Long house. Harriett must have been watching out the window, because she had the door open before Susan reached it. “Are you ready?” Harriett called.
Susan nodded and smiled. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Harriett held up a package wrapped in brown paper. “I made you some sandwiches for the trip.”
Susan laughed. “I think my Ma made me seven of them.” She held her lunch pail up for Harriett to see.
Harriett grinned taking Susan’s lunch pail from her to make her burden lighter. “We’ll add my five, and you’ll have an even dozen. You may be sharing with everyone around you to get them eaten before they go bad.”
“It’ll be easy to make friends on the train with so much food to share!”
They walked toward the station together, Susan having to move slowly to make accommodations for Harriett’s awkward gait. The station was only a fifteen minute walk from Harriett’s house, and they passed the time with Susan explaining how much sewing they’d done to get ready for her to marry. “I thought I’d just wear my new green church dress for the wedding. Do you think that’ll be okay?”
“Since you’re not having a formal wedding that will be perfect. And remember, Jesse said he’d have a sign with your name on it. That should make him easier to spot.”
“I remember.” They’d reached the station and sat down to wait for the train to be called.
“There’s one thing I like to talk to my brides about before they go,” Harriett began hesitantly.
“What’s that?”
“I want you to know that once you’re married, you can still leave if you find yourself in a bad situation. All you have to do is contact me, and I’ll send train fare for you to come home.”
Susan made a face. “My mother keeps telling me not to feel the need to stay if the situation is bad. Just come home. This is your business, and even you think it’s a bad idea for me to go?”
Harriett shook her head. “I don’t think it’s a bad idea. I think this is opening up marital choices for young women and making it possible for them to see places they never would have been able to see. I just worry I’ll send a woman to a bad situation, and she’ll need to get home and will feel stuck.”
“Have you had any complaints?” Susan was truly startled by the conversation. It was almost as if Harriett was trying to tell her not to go.
“Well, I’ve only had the business for a few months, but so far, everyone has been happy.” Harriett paused as she studied the younger woman’s face, hoping she was listening. “I do ask that you send me a letter once you arrive to let me know you’re safe, and another a few weeks after marriage. I want to make sure you’re still happy once the first meeting excitement has passed.”
“I’ll write as soon as I get there and again a few weeks later. I’m not going to be a victim for any man.”
“Many women feel like they have no choice once they’ve married. They think they’re required to stay no matter what.” Harriett leaned forward in her seat, her face earnest. “I don’t want any woman I send out to be in a bad situation and feel like she has no option but to stay, because you always have options.”
Susan nodded. “I promise.” She wasn’t sure whether she’d promised to get Harriett to back off, or because she already knew what Harriett was telling her. She didn’t believe a woman should have to stay in an abusive relationship and never had.
Harriett looked relieved, and started to say something else, but it was cut off by the conductor’s cry of “All aboard!”
Susan hugged Harriett quickly. “Thank you for the sandwiches and all your help. I’ll write as soon as I arrive.” She figured she’d write the letter on the train to make things faster. As soon as she arrived in Fort Worth, she’d drop it at the nearest post office.
“Be safe.”
Susan grinned. “I will!” She took her things and stood in line for the train. Her first train ride. What could be more exciting?
*****
Ten days later, Susan knew that riding on a train wasn’t anything to get excited about. She was tired, dirty and ready to get off. The woman sitting across from her had two young children, and Susan had slept with one of them across her lap. She couldn’t seem to get away from children anywhere. She was ready to be married and living in a home with no small children.
She looked down at Johnny, the sleeping young boy on her lap. He was two, and had been motion sick during a lot of the trip. Susan knew she had some vomit on her shoulder. She’d been so proud of how she looked in her new pink dress when she’d left Beckham. Now she wished she could bathe before actually meeting Jesse. What would he think of how she looked when she got off the train?
“I’m sorry he threw up on you,” his mother, Sally, said softly as if she could read Susan’s mind. They’d been traveling together since St. Louis and had become fast friends.
Susan smiled. “I’m used to it.” She’d already told Sally about being the oldest of twelve children, so she knew the woman would understand.
“You certainly have a knack with him.” Sally cradled her infant daughter in her arms. “I think we’re close. Are you nervous?”
“More disgusted with myself than anything. I wish I could take a bath before meeting Jesse.”
“He’ll understand. Ten days on a train will leave anyone worse for the wear.”
“I hope so.” She’d been so sure of herself when she’d left Beckham, but every mile the trains had taken her closer to Fort Worth, she’d become more and more nervous. She prayed Harriett had been right about Jesse having a bath ready for her when she arrived, and she thought she’d try to stay downwind of her future husband until she had that bath.
The conductor walked through the train car then calling out the next stop. “Fort Worth, Texas coming up! Fort Worth, Texas!”
Susan took a deep breath. “That’s me.” She settled Johnny onto the seat beside her, careful to make him comfortable before standing up and getting her bags from where she’d stowed them under her seat.
“I hope you find every happiness with Jesse.”
“Thank you. I wish you were stopping here too!” It would have been so much easier to get off the train knowing she had a friend living close by.
“You have my address?”
Susan n
odded. “I’ll write to you soon. I promise.” She stepped into the aisle of the train and made her way out, stopping just before getting off to wave goodbye to her new friend.
She stepped off the train onto the busy platform and looked around. There was no one holding a sign with her name that she could see. She moved a little still looking. Finally, she spotted him. Oh, I wish I’d had a way to fix my appearance before meeting him!
She raised her hand and waved and made her way through the terminal. He matched the description he’d given her exactly. He was tall with dark hair and brown eyes. “Hi, Jesse! Forgive the way I look and smell. Ten days on a train is hard.”
The man smiled down at her and took her bag from her, putting one hand beneath her elbow to guide her. “Let’s find a bench to sit down and talk.” The serious look on his face had her frightened.
“Is something wrong? You didn’t find someone else to marry did you?” His face was so serious, she immediately worried something had happened.
He found a park bench a block from the train station and invited her to sit. “I’m not sure how to even start….”
Susan sighed. “Just spit it out. Please. Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it.” Susan had received bad news, and she found it easier if she just found out quickly and then was able to make the plans she needed to make. Prolonging things just drove her crazy.
“I’m not Jesse. I’m his brother, David.”
“Not Jesse? Was he delayed at work?” Why would Jesse send his brother to meet her instead of coming himself? Had he decided against marrying her?
David sucked in a breath, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he fought for control. “Jesse was killed two weeks ago in a shooting in Hell’s Half Acre.”
“Killed? Hell’s Half Acre?” Susan was stunned. She’d just traveled over a thousand miles to marry a man who was dead? She didn’t have money to get home. She had enough for a night or two at a boarding house, but then she needed to find a job and fast. Where could she find a job?
Mail Order Madness Page 3
