His Rainbow After the Rain

by Grace Clemens

  “And none of the men in Glenwood has ever mentioned to you that putting a few articles on women’s issues in the paper would be a good idea?”

  “No,” Philip replied, bluntly. “Because it probably isn’t. I don’t want to lose my readership.”

  Mary felt a little shocked. “Whatever do you mean? Women can read too. I’m sure I’m not the only one who picks up the paper hoping every day to find something interesting that would concern women instead of just men.”

  “You aren’t interested in President Harrison?” Philip questioned in an unworried voice. “You don’t want to know when the next troupe of entertainers is coming through town? You don’t want to know what new fabrics and supplies will be available in the general store?”

  Mary shook her head, feeling frustrated. “Of course those things are interesting and create knowledge for many people. But there are subjects your newspaper never covers, and I’d really like to see some of them written.”

  Philip sat back suddenly, leaving one arm outstretched on the table and the other on the armrest of his chair, which he was now grasping with his hand. “Well, little lady, why don’t you go ahead and write me an article and we’ll see if it merits publication.”

  Mary raised her eyebrows. “You’d be willing to publish an article of mine?”

  “That depends.”

  Mary didn’t like the snide look on the man’s face. She braced herself to hear something she was sure would be offensive to her sensitivities.

  “On what?” she asked, gripping the purse on her lap with both hands, waiting to hear the answer.

  “On what the subject matter is and if you’d wildly object to using only your initials.”

  Mary frowned. “You wouldn’t want anyone to know I wrote it? That’s ridiculous. Why would I want to do that? Women can write. It’s offensive that you say we can’t.”

  Philip shook his head, looking unaffected by her resentment. “I didn’t say you couldn’t write. It’s just that there are certain people in this town that would be offended by it. In our newspaper, you see.”

  Mary shook her head. “No. I don’t see. Let me guess; is one of them the mayor?”

  Philip looked amused, his brown eyebrows shooting up under the strands of hair that had fallen over his forehead when he was messing with his hair. “Now, what would make you think of him?”

  “Because he seems like that kind of man. Intolerant. Of women and of everything that doesn’t lend to his power.”

  She was surprised to see Philip nod. “Well, that is true. Tell me then, what kind of story idea do you have? Perhaps I could write something up or we could collaborate and see what we can come up with.”

  Mary felt an excitement growing in her chest. “I know a great deal about the movement. Do you?”

  Philip shook his head. “I haven’t had a chance to read up on it in any other magazines or newspapers. Since I knew there would be no reason to write about it, I didn’t bother researching it.”

  “I know a lot about it.”

  For the first time since she came in, Philip’s lips raised in a tiny grin. He was still giving her a look that she couldn’t decide was patronizing or genuinely interested. Amused… but interested.

  “As you know… or I suppose don’t know… in July, 42 years ago, Elizabeth Stanton and Lucretia Mott organized a woman’s rights convention in Seneca Falls. That’s in New York.”

  This time only one of Philip’s eyebrows shot up. “Yes, I know it’s in New York. Please continue.”

  She didn’t really like the flippant way he said it but continued on, thankful she even had his attention.

  “Elizabeth lived in Stanton. That’s why they had the convention there. More than 300 people were there and they weren’t all women. All we are asking for is better opportunities when it comes to employment and education, but I know they are going to push for the right to vote and many other things as well. Each one of them is a good article in and of itself. I know there are plenty of ladies here in Glenwood that would want to know about this.”

  Philip took in a sharp breath and let it out slowly through his nose. He gave her a thoughtful look, pausing to apparently collect his thoughts. “All right, so you do seem to know what you’re talking about. But I’ve got to warn you, there’s very little chance an article like this will pass the mayor’s scrutiny. He’s not the only one, but he carries a lot of influence in this town and if he goes against something, there are plenty that will follow him around like sheep follow a shepherd. Just warning you so you don’t get your hopes up.”

  Mary was devastated. Here she’d tried her best to convince Philip and he was already dismissing the idea that any articles on women’s rights would be published.

  “But there is so much to discuss!” she said vehemently. “For one thing, I’d love to do an article on the Declaration of Sentiments.”

  “And what, pray tell, would that be?”

  Mary tried not to rush through what she was saying. She wanted to be clear to him so he would understand all of it. “It’s a document that was crafted using the model of the Declaration of Independence. It is similar and states that all men and women are created equal, not just men. That we are entitled to the same inalienable rights as any man. That we are just as capable and deserve the same opportunity to pursue life, liberty and happiness.”

  “As I said, Miss Ross, I will consider it. Think about it. Write something up. And just beware that what you bring me, even if it’s the best article ever written, may not cut the mustard with the mayor and the other men in town who don’t care about women’s rights.”

  Mary left a few minutes later, frustrated and disgusted that the men in town who didn’t care about women’s rights were able to block important information from getting to the citizens of Glenwood. Especially block it getting to the ladies.

  Chapter 9

  A few minutes after Mary left, Philip was sitting at his desk contemplating what she’d said when John walked into the room. He had a curious look on his face.

  “Was that the school teacher?”

  Philip nodded as John came in and sat down.

  “Well, what did she want?”

  “She brought up something I’ve been talking to you about but for a different reason. She feels like there could be a better variety of articles in the paper. I was a little peeved. Felt like she was telling me how to do my job. But on the other hand, I agree with her. I know the paper could have better articles. But I just don’t think anyone would buy it if we didn’t stick to what we’ve been doing, what we know.”

  John looked frustrated and let out a heavy breath through his nose, turning his lips down at the ends. “Philip, you’ve got to stop thinking the way my pa does. I mean, come on, he doesn’t know everything or everyone in town. He wishes he did. And even if he did, that doesn’t mean he knows what’s best. You have to start making these decisions without being influenced by outside sources. It’s really going to be your downfall.”

  Philip shared his friend’s frustration.

  “I don’t like to think I’m letting him influence me. But I guess I am.” He shook his head, propping his chin up with one hand, his elbow on the armrest. “I really did want to put that article of mine in there. I think it’s good advertising for the general store.”

  “Well, what did the school teacher want to put in it?”

  “She wanted to add stories that focus more on women’s issues. The suffragists’ movement, you know. They want to vote and get better access to higher education and better employment offers. That kind of thing. They want more rights.”

  John was nodding as he spoke. “I know what the movement is about. So what did you tell her?”

  Philip gave him a skeptical look. “I told her to write something up and we would consider it, but not to get her hopes up.”

  John pursed his lips, his eyes narrowing. “You’re a stubborn man, Philip Jenkins. A stubborn man.”

  Philip heard the amusement in his v
oice and couldn’t help chuckling softly under his breath.

  “It’s not the worst thing I’ve been called.”

  This made John join him in laughter.

  “Tell me about this baby on the way. Emma doing okay?”

  John shrugged, a smile on his slender face. Philip could see him thinking about his wife by the gentle look in his eyes.

  “She’s doing real well, thanks for asking. We had a bit of a scare the other night. She was feeling some pain. We were worried there was something wrong with the child.”

  “You took her to the doc, I assume?”

  John nodded. “Yeah, she didn’t really want to. She said she’d discussed a lot with her ma and sometimes it wasn’t necessary to go to the doctor. She said her ma said they, women, I mean, go through a trial period before the baby is born where sometimes it seems like the baby is coming but it’s actually not.”

  “A trial period?” Philip lifted his eyebrows. He couldn’t imagine what that would be like. He shook his head. “That’s one thing I’ll never understand, that’s for sure.”

  “What about you?” John was looking directly at him. Philip was confused for a moment.

  “I’ve never been pregnant,” he responded. “So I don’t know what a trial period before you have a baby is all about.”

  John’s grin was instant and the man chuckled. “That ain’t what I’m talkin’ about and you know it. When you gonna settle down and get married?”

  “Get married?” Philip’s eyes shot up. “Do you really think I have time for something like that? A woman in my life? I don’t. I’ve got this place to take care of, plus I’ve got to feed and clothe myself. I like my freedom.”

  John shook his head, still grinning. “Nonsense. Every man needs a good woman in his life. You’re no different from anyone else. If you were interested in a woman, maybe your stress would be less. She could help you out around here and make you meals and you could have a little fun. When was the last time you had fun?”

  Philip couldn’t remember the last time he’d done something for himself, just for entertainment’s sake. He shook his head. “I can’t remember.”

  John huffed. “Pathetic. You need to find a woman.”

  Philip shook his head. “In my mind, a woman will just bring me more stress. I’d have to worry about her and take care of her, too. That would be my new job. I already have a job. And it takes up most of my brain power and time. I’m telling you, I just don’t have enough time for a woman.”

  John gave him a sardonic look. “I’m tellin’ you, that’s nonsense. We’re not meant to be alone in this world. You need a woman.”

  “You are just bound and determined to make me a married man, aren’t you? There aren’t any single women in town I’m interested in. As far as I know, there aren’t any that are interested in me. I think most of them don’t even know I exist.”

  “There have got to be at least a thousand women in this town and three quarters of them are single. How about the schoolteacher? Miss Ross is a pretty woman and obviously intelligent. She wants you to write bout women’s rights or let her write about it. Just get to know her a little. I’ll just bet she’s a great lady. And she knows you’re alive. You already know that. So, there’s one thing.”

  Philip snorted. “So I’m supposed to court the first woman who notices I’m alive? I don’t think I’m that desperate.” He paused. “In fact, I know I’m not that desperate. Not desperate at all.”

  “I know you aren’t desperate. I only mention Miss Ross because she has everything a man would want. I don’t know why she’s still single.”

  Philip replied in a stern voice, “Miss Ross is twenty years old. I am 32. I don’t think anyone would approve of such a large age gap.”

  It was John’s turn to snort. “No one cares about that. It’s not like you’re 20 and she’s 32. And even if she was, that’s not such a great difference. It shouldn’t matter at all. You’re just making excuses.”

  Philip wondered if his friend and employee was right. Was he just making excuses? He couldn’t imagine himself with a woman in any capacity other than business. He wouldn’t even know how to break the ice. He’d never had feelings for a woman, none that came to any fruition. Nothing more than puppy love.

  Those feelings were usually dispelled the moment the woman opened her mouth.

  Philip didn’t object to Miss Ross opening her mouth. She had a nice way of speaking, calm and smooth like a schoolteacher should have, but he didn’t get the impression she thought she was talking to a man with the brain of a child. She was gentle and kind but obviously gave him the respect his position deserved.

  He’d been amused to see her at first, then impressed with her courage and bravery. She didn’t know him and the topic she was interested in discussing was sensitive to some men. He knew of plenty in town that didn’t feel women were capable of making good decisions, and who feared their being given the right to vote and attend school with the same job opportunities as the men.

  He also knew there were men in town who would surely lose their jobs if a more intelligent female came along and was allowed to apply for his position. They would do whatever they could to keep the suffragists’ movement under the table where no one could see it. If he was to put a spotlight on it, he knew he would receive a backlash. And some of those people – like the mayor – were very influential.

  “Don’t count her out,” John said, after giving Philip a few minutes to think. “I can see you’re pondering this. I know you don’t want to be alone the rest of your life. Haven’t you ever thought about marriage and a family? I didn’t think anyone went through their life not thinking about it.”

  “I used to think about it a lot when I was younger. But I lost interest when I took over this printing press and the Glenwood Beacon. I don’t have time for a woman.”

  “You aren’t here all night, are you?”

  Philip realized his friend wasn’t going to stop talking about it. He was going to have to appease him somehow.

  “No, I’m not,” he replied. “But I have to help my parents at their house almost every evening. I have work to do at home, taking care of my cottage. Repairs that need to be made. I’m trying to get everything in place so I can live a comfortable life.”

  “Alone.” The one word fell from John’s mouth like a chunk of ice. He didn’t say anything more, just stared at Philip with a questioning expression.

  Philip pulled in a deep breath. “I don’t know, John. It’s obvious you’re going to make it your life’s mission to see me married off. Isn’t that right?”

  John’s grin was gentle. “No, Philip, your life is yours. I just want to see you smile more. You’re my friend. I hate to think you’re always alone.”

  “I’m not alone. I have my parents and lots of friends.” He lifted his hand and gestured at John. “I’ve got you and Emma! I’ll live vicariously through you two.”

  “Oh no you won’t,” John said quickly. “You have to have your own adventures. I don’t want anyone stealing mine.”

  They both laughed.

  Chapter 10

  Later that night Philip was leaving the press office, locking up behind himself. The street was dark, other than the gas lamps lighting the way. There was no one else on the streets, which was unusual for the early time of night. He stepped out onto the road to get to his horse, looking around him with wonder.

  The lamps in the restaurant were on, beaming through the front windows. He could hear music and laughter coming from the Broken Gun Saloon. He considered for a moment whether he wanted to stop for a shot and decided it wouldn’t hurt to do so.