by Lisa Prysock
Jenny found the whole thing rather in poor taste. It was her second disappointment of the evening. When she managed to recover from the shock of the animals joining them at the dinner table, she finally found her tongue. Perhaps it was best if she chose to disregard this flagrant display of poor manners for the moment. “D-did you happen to read about the opera by Johann Strauss premiering in Vienna last month? I can’t recall the exact name, but it translated to such a funny title, ‘The Flittermouse,’ or ‘The Bat.’”
“’Die Fledermaus!’ I heard it was very entertaining,” Zane replied before tasting some of his soup. “Vienna is where a great many composers perform. I have heard some myself, in person.” This took the conversation in an excellent direction where the doctor could share about his travels, resulting in a fascinating discussion, taking them through the second course. The soup tureen made of fine china with gold rims was whisked away from the sideboard as another footman brought in a large silver tray bearing a platter and side dishes for the main course.
“Do tell us about your favorite things in Europe,” Jenny prodded, winning a smile from their host. She ignored the chimp when he made some squeaking noises, indicating he’d finished his cheese biscuits. A servant rushed to his side to offer him a few more. Josiah intently watched the chimp, but Ella and Jenny continued to ignore the faux pas. It was the most polite thing they could do for their host, presently.
“That would be difficult to narrow down my favorites, of which were many,” Zane admitted pensively. “I would have to say I enjoyed the palaces, museums, and cathedrals, but one of my greatest joys was visiting the menageries. I enjoyed the Gardens and Menagerie of the Zoological Society of London and the Bristol Zoo in England, but my favorite was the Tiergarten Schönbrunn in Vienna, Austria, followed closely by the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes in Paris.”
“How interesting,” Ella commented. “A zoo? I don’t believe I’ve heard that term, but I have heard of zoologists.”
“Why was the Austrian menagerie your favorite?” Jenny asked as a footman offered her some of the roast beef. “I haven’t heard the term zoo before, either.”
“Perhaps because of the setting. It was constructed to serve as an imperial menagerie as part of Schönbrunn Palace by order of Francis the 1st, a Holy Roman Emperor from the 1700s,” he explained.
“A palace menagerie...how wonderful!” Jenny studied Zane. Then she realized what was different about him that evening. He was wearing round spectacles with gold rims. When had he put those on? Perhaps before the meal one of the servants had brought them to him, or maybe they’d been inside a pocket in his forest green dinner jacket and he’d slipped them on unnoticed. He hadn’t been wearing them when she arrived. He appeared almost endearing to her in them.
“The Zoological Garden of St. Petersburg in Russia in Alexander Park is another fascinating menagerie,” he remarked as a footman slid a plate of roast beef in front of Custer.
Again, she refused to pay heed to the situation going on at the other end of the table. She turned her attention back to her host. “You’ve been to Russia?” This fact surprised her about Dr. Beckham’s travels.
He nodded, looking at her. “My father has remained friends with a former Minister to Russia and statesman—someone you likely know all about, my dear Jenny—Cassius Clay. Lincoln appointed him to the position, as you may recall. He secured an invitation for us to stay at the famed Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg while we were there.”
She smiled, her eyes growing wider. “I am overcome with interest about your stay at the palace, and indeed, I do know Cassius Clay, and his family. My Pa is one of Cash’s most devoted supporters—we call him Cash in Kentucky—and one of his daughters, Laura Clay, is my dearest friend. We’re only a year or two apart in age. I met her when she went to school in Lexington through a ladies’ mission auxiliary tea. She spent time on weekends at Blue Violet with my family, and in turn invited me to spend time at her family home, White Hall, in Richmond. Laura and I determined to correspond when she went off to finishing school in New York. We have kept in close touch ever since.” She wanted to tell him more about Cassius, and Laura’s family problems, but now wasn’t the time.
Ella, smiling, looked up from her plate at Zane. “I am happy to hear you have found a mutual connection of friendship between your family and that of Miss Lindford.”
Zane exchanged a warm smile with Ella and then rested his gaze on Jenny. She was enveloped by the warmth emanating from his hazel eyes, rapt with attention.
“Mutual connections do make it easier and more comfortable for many marriages,” Ella added when they didn’t say anything as Zane and Jenny continued to gaze at each other.
“Uh-d-did you hear Disraeli succeeded Gladstone as Prime Minister?” Jenny finally managed to find her tongue again as the third course continued when the moment of silence began to feel too long. She hoped to find out a little more of his political views. He was obviously on the side of the Union, being from Philadelphia, but was he truly a conservative like her own family? Her father had been a devoted Whig, and then a new member of the Republican Party when Lincoln was elected.
Tolstoy mocked her from his perch on the swing. “Disraeli and Gladstone. Disraeli and Gladstone.” For a moment, she wanted to swat the bird, but he resumed eating the sunflower seeds which had been set before him on a plate. The plate rested on a tall platform before his pole with his swing. He could stab a seed with his beak whenever he had the desire for another bite. Jenny found this distracting, too.
Zane ignored the parrot as he spooned extra gravy onto his roast beef while one of the footmen held a gravy boat on a tray for him. “It is high time England’s conservatives are back in power. Dizzy will do an admirable job of turning things around for them.”
“Dizzy, Dizzy, Dizzy,” Leo Tolstoy squawked. This drew a few snickers from around the table.
“Hush, Leo,” the doctor commanded, earning another smile from everyone as he pushed his spectacles up further on his nose.
“Oh, I agree.” Jenny nodded as she sliced some of her roast beef. “Disraeli is a fine conservative. I hear the Queen prefers him to Gladstone, but I can’t remember where ‘tis that I read it.” She’d read it in the New York Tribune, but she didn’t want to reveal too much about herself too quickly. Perhaps she would share more of her views after they were married. Ma held the opinion that women should not appear too politically inclined or outspoken, at least not in public or formal gatherings. She would’ve said certainly not when one’s fiancé is forming strong opinions about one’s future spouse. However, Jenny’s favorite instructor at finishing school would have disagreed.
“You are correct. It is what they say.” Dr. Beckham glanced at her. “I read it too, in the New York Tribune.”
Jenny was glad to hear Zane held some conservative political views. Since he knew Disraeli’s nickname, he obviously paid attention to the newspapers. However, she hoped he held at least a few liberal views. It was too soon to discover this without being forward, so she clamped her mouth shut on the matter for the time being.
“Did you hear about Jesse James robbing a train in Missouri?” Josiah asked. “Some folks are saying he should be hung.”
“I did hear about it.” Zane nodded. “Hardened criminals like Jesse James should be dealt with swiftly, in my humble opinion.”
“I heard they were operating as bushwhackers in Missouri and Kansas during the war, committing atrocities against Union soldiers and civilian abolitionists.” Jenny tasted some of the roast beef. She could be thankful Zane’s cook presented outstanding skills in food preparation. Everything she tasted was delicious, but a glance at General Custer dropping a piece of roast beef from his fork onto his lap made her cringe inwardly. Clearly, if they were going to be married, a few changes were inevitable.
Josiah nodded as he poured extra gravy onto his roast beef. “I read about that, too.”
“Do you think Jesse James and his gang of outlaws will find
their way to Minnesota?” Ella asked. Her remark revealed to Jenny that nearly everyone in the nation had read something about the infamous gang. At times, they seemed almost popular. Writers had a way with words, and she was keenly aware some could inadvertently or purposely cause readers to admire bandits and murderers merely to gain a successful story.
Zane leaned back in his chair and sipped some of the refreshing apple cider from his goblet. “I suppose anything is possible, but let us hope it unlikely.”
Jenny approved of his answer, as did the others. Hope. If there was one thing the war had taught her as a young girl of barely fifteen by its end, hope was to be held onto. “At least we have a strong President to lead the nation in Grant.”
“Indeed,” Ella agreed as she sliced through a potato. “We are very blessed to have him. I think even the rebels respect him.”
Zane nodded. “My father wrote me the same thing when Grant became President. We need a strong leader to help us continue to reconstruct the south and bind our nation’s wounds.”
“Grant will do a fine job on both counts,” Josiah agreed as the dessert course was offered.
“What I would like to know is where that little road turning off your drive leads to on what I assume is more of your property, Dr. Beckham.” Jenny’s statement drew a raised eyebrow from nearly everyone at the table. “I saw the stables and the enormous barn next to the house, so you have drawn my curiosity.”
“Yes, I believe we are all curious cats on that count,” Ella agreed. “Do tell us, doctor.”
DR. BECKHAM LEANED forward, hoping the time was finally right to reveal his secret. Looking around the table at the faces staring at him, he smiled and pushed his glasses up further on his nose as he placed a pecan roll on his plate. “All right, after dinner, I shall take you there if you promise to keep it a secret until the time is right.”
“We do,” Ella agreed, nodding.
“We do, upon our honor.” Jenny nodded, making the sign of the cross over her heart.
“Of course,” Josiah added. “We can keep a secret. You can trust us.”
“And please, tell us about the Winter Palace. Did you meet the Czar?” Jenny sounded intrigued about his time in Russia.
“We did. We were there in September when Princess Dagmar of Denmark was presented to the public as the future bride of Alexander. It was a complicated time for the Russian Imperial family as his brother, Nicholas, had died the year before from meningitis. He had been Dagmar’s former fiancé, but the next year, Alexander traveled to Copenhagen and proposed to her after his death in accordance with the wishes of his brother.”
“How interesting!” Jenny appeared to marvel at the information he shared. “I can imagine it took her a long while to adapt to the idea, but royalty are accustomed to many arranged marriages.”
“I guess we have a sort of arranged marriage in common with royalty, then,” Zane remarked.
“I guess we do.” She laughed, recognizing a bit of similarity. Looking around the spacious dining room, and remembering the beautiful rooms she’d toured in his mansion, she did feel as if she were dining in a palace. It was hard to imagine this would all be at her command soon as the mistress of the house.
Chapter 6
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. Proverbs 12:10
WHEN DINNER WAS FINISHED, the party followed Zane on foot at a comfortable pace over a private trail through a wooded area beyond the stables. His conservatory had been fascinating, containing a number of exotic plants, flowers, shrubbery, and trees. If this was anything along those lines, Jenny was sure she’d enjoy it.
As they traversed the path, the doctor prepared them for what he was about to share. General Custer seemed to have trouble keeping up with them, but Leo Tolstoy rested on his master’s shoulder, flying only when a branch appeared that he might want to perch upon for a few seconds. Then he would return to his favorite spot on Zane’s dinner jacket.
“As I mentioned, this is a secret project. Once it is out, all of Pelican Rapids will want to see it at once,” he explained as he held a stray branch out of the way for them to pass. “Would any of you like to take a guess as to what it is?”
“I believe it is a new hospital,” Ella said.
“That’s an excellent guess, but sadly, it is not.” Zane shook his head.
“Is it an archery and shooting range with targets?” Josiah asked. “Everyone would want to see that for sure.”
Zane shook his head. “No, but you have the right idea.”
Josiah sighed with a bit of disappointment in his expression.
“I will take a guess, Dr. Beckham,” Jenny said with a coy smile as she looked at his hazel eyes through his spectacles. “I believe it is a menagerie with more animals.”
“You are correct, Miss Lindford,” Zane answered with a wide grin.
Jenny burst into laughter. “I knew it! We shall have our very own menagerie right here in Pelican Rapids!”
“Everyone will definitely want to visit,” Josiah was in the lead. He spoke by turning his head over his shoulder so they could hear him. “Once it’s fully stocked.”
“They certainly will,” Ella agreed, hitching up her skirts to cross over a small puddle. Jenny did the same, not wishing to allow her coral gown with its violet lace overlay to drag through the muddy water. They hastened their steps to reach the menagerie, excitement running through all of them. None of them had seen one before, but they’d seen pictures and drawings of animals in books.
Finally, the menagerie came into their view. It was quite a distance from the mansion, Jenny supposed to give Zane privacy, but not too far, either. The building housing the menageries was hidden by more trees around a clearing with the large structure in the middle. Pelican River could be seen in the distance running parallel to it. In fact, the path they’d taken had shown them views of the river on their left, peeking through the trees at times. The sun was beginning to set in the distance, but it was still light enough outside to drink in the beauty of it all.
The building itself was a circular shape with walls of stone two-thirds up from the ground, and glass panels above forming into a rotunda. Zane led them inside through a tall arched door, and the first section they were in contained four cages filled with exotic birds. Her shoes echoed on the stone floor, as did their voices beneath the glass dome far above them.
“Oh, look! A toucan! What’s his name? Is it a he?” Jenny laughed, following Zane to the first cage where a colorful bird with a long orange and black beak stared back at them.
He nodded. “This one is named Abe Lincoln. He eats a steady diet of figs, oranges, peppers, guava, and insects.”
“My goodness, Zane. You must have to ship all kinds of special foods here,” Ella commented. “This is extraordinary. I’ve never seen a menagerie.”
“What’s this one’s name?” Josiah asked at the next cage.
“That is a cockatiel, basically an Australian parrot. My parents brought him back from their trip to Australia. He talks too, like Leo Tolstoy, but not as often. Mother named him Thomas Jefferson,” Zane explained. He appeared to be watching their faces closely for reaction, and Jenny was sure they must be among his first guests.
“What is this strange white bird? It looks like a chicken.” Jenny peered into the next cage.
“You are correct. That is an albino chicken. My brother, Andrew, found him and thought he would make a nice addition to my collection. We call him Whitey.” Zane nodded in the direction of some menagerie workers who wore long black dresses and white aprons.
Jenny noticed the two female workers kept their hair tied back beneath white frilly caps and looked very much like parlor maids. She could see they wore flat, brown walking boots since the job included traipsing about looking after the animals.
Another employee dressed in black pants, a white shirt, and black suspenders, appeared to be writing figures down in a ledger at a desk in the room besid
e the main entrance with the birds. His black jacket hung on the chair where he was seated. There was another work table and two chairs in the room, some cabinets for files, a bookshelf with animal books, and a window facing the front of the building. Zane explained that this room was the administrative office for the menagerie, and then he introduced them to the three staff members, Henry, Marla, and Ada. They hadn’t been lined up outside with the other employees when they’d arrived for dinner.
Next, the doctor pointed out the food storage room for the animals, and then he led them farther along the stone circular wall to a room where a family of rabbits nestled in a cage.
“Do these have names?” Jenny asked. “They are so sweet and furry.”
Zane nodded. “We’re having some signs made by a local carver with the animal names on them. This is Mama Clara, Baby Lou, Sister Francine, Brother Francis, and Papa Lawrence.”
Next they crossed toward the center of the circular space into a fenced area where more cages were located on a large grassy area where the stone flooring stopped. One of the workers opened the first cage, and surprisingly, General Custer left the group and went inside. He had a little bed in the cage, and he went right to it and lay down, causing them all to ‘ooo’ and ‘aww.’ His cage had a few other domestic furniture items made for him from the furniture manufacturer in town sworn to secrecy, Zane explained.
Jenny thought for a moment she could’ve enjoyed spending time in the cage with the miniature furniture and the friendly chimp. He had a table and two little chairs, a tiny wardrobe with real doors for his clothing and bed linens, a rocking chair, and a bin with wooden toys. It was almost like a little toy house. Any child would’ve been delighted to go inside. Nonetheless, she was too irritated with the fact he’d made an appearance at dinner to be moved much by Custer’s cage.