In the Valley of Hope

by Richard Weirich

  The social stigma attached to eighteen year old Marie Johnson as an unwed white girl and Mary Berry, a 37 year old unmarried black woman with a white baby, had the makings of an explosive scandal that would reek havoc on the Wissler empire.

  Fearing the devastating consequences of a scandal Frank, Sr. called for a strategy meeting of all the adults in the family. On the day after Christmas, they concocted a plan to protect Strathmore and the Wisslers from ruin.

  Although Frank, Sr. was well on the mend from his bout with pneumonia, it would be said that he remained in poor health and required seclusion and rest. There were to be no visitors to the home. Even deliveries were handled by family members. Until the storm had passed only Wisslers were allowed at Strathmore.

  Although she didn't live at Strathmore, Ada struggled with the current state of affairs more than all the rest. Her nose for news and overwhelming desire to be the first to broadcast the juiciest stories boiled inside her like hot lava on the brink of a volcanic eruption.

  Ever since that dreadful evening when John, Jr. left her out of the meeting, resulting in the hiring of Marie Johnson, she had thought that there was considerably more to the story. The family meeting confirmed her suspicions.

  It was only natural to wonder about the identity of the fathers of these babies but with Ada it became an obsession. Was, heaven forbid, John, Jr., her son, the father of Marie's baby? Junior theorized that it was likely somebody from school, but Marie had not divulged that information to him.

  Possibly more disturbing was the nagging question as to who fathered Mary Berry's baby? There were certainly enough men around to compile a list of prospects. Lonely widower, Frank, Sr.? Frank Jr. was closer to Mary's age. She wouldn't be a bit surprised if Carrie wasn't fulfilling her wifely duties to her husband.

  Also on her who-done-it list was Henry Hardie, the manager at the Strathmore Orchard Store. Every Friday he dropped off the week's earnings at Strathmore. Ada thought he had shifty eyes and just looked like he was up to something he ought not to be doing.

  Last on her ledger was her husband John, and he was only on the list because he was a man. She was greatly relieved when she saw that the baby's pug nose was nothing like John's pointed nose.

  At least Mr. and Mrs. John Wissler had the luxury of not living at Strathmore, which afforded quiet nights conducive to good sleep. However, Ada frequently interrupted the peace with long rants about who did what to who. John took it all in stride as always with his wife. Just let her fuss while pretending to listen with an occasional “yes dear” and “you're right dear” to keep her happy.

  John, Jr. occasionally checked on the well-being of his friend, Marie. After the baby was born, he showed up with a gift, and the two of them had a long talk.

  “I appreciate all that you've done for me,” she said.

  “Wouldn't have it any other way. You're a good friend. So, how's everything with you? I hear Frank, Sr. promoted you to Manager of the orchard operation.”

  “Yeah, things have been looking up for me lately. I met somebody, and I think she just might be the one.”

  “Really? Thought you weren't into serious relationships.”

  “I guess everybody feels that way till the right one comes along.”

  “What's her name?”

  “Nan Koontz. You know her uncle, Doc John Koontz.”

  “Well, I'll be. Hope she doesn't look like her uncle.”

  John laughed at the notion that the love of his life resembled the homely doctor.

  “She lives in Missouri but comes down this way once in a while with her family. She's a real beauty. Can't stop thinking about her.”

  Marie turned to look at the baby who was sleeping peacefully in a crib by her bed. “This is the man in my life. He's a beauty too.”

  “Yes, he is. Named him yet?”

  “Silas Henry.”

  “I like that.”

  “Now, John I hope you will never forget the promise you made to me.”

  “Of course. Your secret is safe with me. You know that. Do you think you'll ever be able to go back to your home?”

  “Don't expect I could ever do that. Mama didn't stand up for me. She just let that evil man she's married to have his way with me. Said there wasn't nothing she could do about it and if I told anybody it would just bring shame on the family. Me and the baby will go somewhere and start a life for ourselves. It'll be tough, but not as awful as going back home. One thing for sure, Silas Henry Johnson's mama will fight to give him a respectable life.”

  “Your stepdaddy should have to pay for what he done.”

  “Don't be surprised one day if you hear about something awful happening to a so-called respected judge in Rappahannock, Virginia.”

  Their conversation came to abrupt halt when they heard footsteps coming down the hall.

  “How's it going in here?” whispered Carrie seeing that the baby was asleep.

  “Doing fine. Fusses all night. Sleeps all day.”

  “He'll soon grow out of that. How you been doing John, Jr.?”

  “Can't complain. Doesn't do much good when I do.”

  “What do you think of that baby?”

  “He's beautiful.”

  “Why, I think he might favor you a little.”

  John didn't know how to respond to Carrie's question. He knew everybody suspected him as the child's father.

  “I don't think they look anything alike,” said Marie.

  When Carrie realized that her words had ruffled Marie's feathers, she quickly excused herself.

  “I'll leave you two to talk, and I'll check in on you and Silas later. Tell your mom and dad I said hello.”

  Marie and John sat quietly for a few moments staring at the baby.

  “Sorry about that,” said Marie.

  “You know folks are thinking that. Can't be helped,” said John.

  “Want to hold him?” asked Marie.

  “Never held a baby before. Might break him.”

  “Don't be silly. I'll hand him to you. Just be sure to keep your hand under his head.”

  Marie reached into the crib and gently removed Silas.

  “You'll wake him up.” said John.

  “He'd sleep through a thunderstorm.”

  John smiled at the tightly wrapped infant in his arms.

  “I think he likes you.”

  “How can you tell that? He's fast asleep.”

  “That's how I know. He's comfortable with you.

  John held the baby for a few moments longer and considered the injustice surrounding the child's birth. What was in store for Silas he could only imagine.

  “Your child will never want for anything,” said John.

  “What do you mean by that?”

  His only response to Marie's question was a sympathetic smile, and then he handed the baby back to her.

  “Just want you to know how much I appreciate you keeping my secret. Will never be able to thank you enough.”

  “I'll take your secret to my grave.”

  John bent over and kissed the baby.

  “Oh, what the heck. You deserve a little love too.”

  Marie was pleasantly surprised at John, Jr.'s display of affection and felt relieved to have such a loyal friend who she could trust to keep her secret, that is, the one secret she had disclosed. There was something more that she wished she could tell him but that could never be. Marie was deeply in love with John, Jr. and longed for him to feel the same way about her.

  Woman of the Year- November 5, 1909

  It was a disaster waiting to happen. Both Ada, Mrs. John Wissler, and Carrie, Mrs. Frank Wissler, Jr. had been nominated for the Women's Aid Society's Shenandoah County Woman of the Year.

  Ada was shocked, even appalled, that Carrie was in the running. After all, Ada was the proud recipient of the award three years running. In her mind, someone nominated Mrs. Frank Wissler just to get under her skin, and she wouldn't put it past Carrie to nominate herself.

  Carrie
had no interest in such trophies of societal praise and looked for every way possible to get out of attending the event. When Frank Wissler, Sr. was told about the nomination he encouraged his daughter-in-law to embrace the opportunity. Frank thought it would be a hoot to take Ada down a notch or two.

  With the Wissler brothers wrapping up the fall harvest and getting their produce to market, the women were left without chaperones for the grand event. Frank, Sr., first presented the idea at Sunday dinner. “Why don't the two of you just go together?”

  Everyone at the dining table that day knew that such an idea was laughable which is why Frank brought it up. John and Frank, Jr. just kept on eating, avoiding eye contact with their flustered wives.

  Frank just wouldn't leave it alone. “You can take my buggy, and I'll see to it that you'll get a respectable driver.”

  Carrie was the first of the women to speak. “Don't have nothing suitable to wear to such a fancy affair.”

  Ada wasted no time making good use of Carrie's lack of proper attire. “Well, we don't want to put that kind of stress on Carrie. If she doesn't want to go, she shouldn't have to.”

  Unwilling to allow Ada the upper hand Frank, Jr. had his say. “Now, Darlin', I'll be more than happy to buy you a dress befitting the occasion.”

  John just kept on eating avoiding eye contact with Ada even though she glared at him several times expecting a response from her husband.

  Then Ada dropped a bomb that shocked everyone in the room. “Well, then. I've got an elegant dress that Carrie can wear. So there's just no reason the two of us can't go together.”

  Carrie thought for a moment and chose her words carefully. “Thank you for your generous offer, Ada but I believe that I'll take Frank, Jr. up on his offer. Been awhile since he bought me a new dress.”

  As the big day approached Ada made her usual rounds to the ladies' breakfasts, church socials, and beauty parlor. She also called on anyone that might need a little extra encouragement to vote for her.

  With no political aspirations, Carrie's preparation was confined to the dress shop. She still would have preferred to miss the special night all together and would have been much happier to spend the evening by the fire with a good book.

  Both women still thought it to be important to have a proper escort for the evening. Carrie called on her thirteen-year-old son, Frank Wissler III, to be her companion. Following Carrie's lead Ada selected one of the Valley's most eligible bachelors, twenty-year-old, John, Jr.

  On this cold Friday evening in November, the Wissler carriage headed out for the home of Miss Edith Miller on Main Street in Mt. Jackson. Ada and John, Jr. sat quietly behind the driver while Carrie and Frank III engaged in conversation from the backseat.

  “Charlie Polk showed up for the fall harvest again this year,” said Frank III.

  “That's nice,” said Ada.

  “He and I have been friends for a long time. I thought it would be nice if we had him over to spend a few days at Strathmore.”

  “Oh, I don't know about that. What do you know about his family?

  “He says they're real nice except for his daddy who treats him real bad.”

  “You don't need to be associating with people like that. You and him come from different places in life. You're a Wissler...and that means something special. Your relationships need to be with people like us. Someday you might be his boss, and you can't be a boss and a friend at the same time.”

  “Charlie might be my boss someday.”

  “Don't say such a thing.”

  “He already knows more about farming than I'll ever know.”

  “But he's not special like you are. Never will be.”

  “You should see what he can do with animals...pretty doggone special.”

  Ada joined the conversation and on this rare occasion agreed with Carrie. “You're mother's right. You are known by the company you keep. Where we're going tonight, you'll see people more like you. They're the ones you need to get to know.”

  Frank III still didn't understand why he couldn't hang out with his friend, Charlie. However, he was eager to meet these people like him that Ada was talking about and wondered what they did that made them so special. Maybe they do magic tricks or something, he thought.

  The Wissler carriage took its turn on Main Street waiting for other party goers to be dropped off. Edith Miller's lawn was decorated with colorful Japanese lanterns, and the attendees were raising their voices to be heard over the music of the string quartet on the lawn.

  “There's Edith,” said Ada. “Hey, Edith. I'm over here.”

  Ada and her entourage navigated the crowd to be greeted by the host.

  “Ada, how are you? You must be so excited about this evening. You look especially lovely. I see you brought that handsome John, Jr. There are some very attractive eligible ladies here today, John.”

  Carrie was beginning to wonder if she was invisible, yet another reason she hated these affairs.

  “Oh, pardon my manners. Ada, please introduce your guests.”

  “This is Mrs. Frank Wissler, Jr. and her escort for the evening, Frank Wissler III.”

  “Please to meet the two of you. I suppose you're here to see Ada win the Woman of the Year award. Four years in a row, right Ada?”

  Frank III looked around for some special people, but he didn't see any. Maybe they were all inside the house.

  “You all go on in and take your seats.”

  It didn't take long for Ada to corner her friend, Birdie Smith, president of the Shenandoah County Ladies Aid Society. John, Jr. met up with his girlfriend, Nan Koontz, who had arrived at the affair with her uncle, Dr. John Koontz. Carrie and Frank III were left to fend for themselves.

  Ada pulled Birdie aside for a private talk. “Have you seen the vote tally?”

  “Now Ada, don't go asking me that. You know that's a secret.”

  “I've done a lot of favors for you and helped you get elected president of the Society. You owe it to me.”

  “Oh, Ada. I'm afraid you didn't make it this year.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, somebody got a few more votes. It was surprisingly close.”

  Ada was devastated by the news. “Who beat me?”

  “You'll be happy to know the award stays in your family.”

  You might as well have struck Ada in the head with a two by four. Instantly she turned pale and could barely breathe.

  “Might need to recount those votes. Some of them might have been intended for me.”

  “That's what I thought. So I counted them twice more myself. Still comes out the same. Now I need to start the meeting.”

  “Birdie, wait. As I said, you owe me a favor.”

  “Are you suggesting I change the outcome of the vote? I'll do no such thing.”

  “Don't make me have to tell that secret I've been keeping since we were young women.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “How do you think your husband would take to hearing about that night you and Lester McDonald went skinny dipping in the pond at the Orkney Springs Hotel. Don't suppose it would do much for your re-election as president either.”

  “Ada Wissler, are you blackmailing me?”

  “Just see that you do the right thing.”

  Now deeply troubled Birdie Smith walked into the house and made her way to the podium. Meanwhile, Ada gathered her traveling companions and led them to a table near the front.

  “By the way, Carrie, I didn't tell you how lovely you look this evening. That gown fits your gorgeous figure just fine.”

  Carrie was unaccustomed to such kind words from her family rival and reasoned that Ada must be up to something.

  “When do we get to see the special people, Mama?” said Frank III.

  Getting no response from his mother who appeared deep in thought Frank scanned the room for his answer only to be distracted when John, Jr. sneaked a kiss with his girlfriend. The couple looked around to make certain no one w
as looking and dove into another kiss, and another. When they saw that Frank was watching, they just smiled at each other and pretended as if nothing was going on.

  Maybe that's what Aunt Ada was talking about, thought the young teen with a growing appreciation for the opposite sex. Kind of special. Special indeed. Then he winked approvingly at John, Jr., who responded with a frown.

  “Ladies and gentlemen. May I have your attention? May I have your attention?”

  A very nervous Birdie Smith knocked a stack of papers off the stand while trying to start the meeting.

  “Oh, my. One moment please while I gather my notes.”

  Several ladies rushed to her rescue helping Birdie pick up her evening message scattered about the floor.

  “Go ahead and enjoy your meal. Be with you in a moment.”

  Ada filled the lull in the action with small talk.

  “Little Frank, are you having a good time?”

  “Yes, mam.”

  “How about you, Junior? Are you and your friend having a good time?”

  Frank III blurted out a laugh that caught everyone at the table off guard. Embarrassed by his overly zealous outburst, Frank returned quickly to eating his meal.

  “Now we're ready to get started. So sorry for the delay.”

  The president was ready, and so was Ada, who was sure that Birdie would do the right thing.

  “As you all know every year we vote for a Woman of the Year who has distinguished herself by rendering aid to those less fortunate. It gives me great pleasure again this year to announce the recipient.”

  Carrie never even entertained the possibility that she would win the award. For one thing, she just didn't see herself having accomplished anything for the less fortunate worthy of note. More importantly, she believed as did everyone else, that Ada was a lock to win it again.