Johanna_Bride of Michigan

by Clara Kincaid

  Johanna went back into the kitchen, shaking. “I can’t do this. I won’t go back out there only to have them yell at me. Janna should know I’m accident-prone. It’s not my fault I can’t pour tea properly. I wasn’t taught how to wait on a group of snobs.”

  “I’ll go out next if you like, but you know your sister won’t go along with that.”

  “Fine. I’ll go out there, but I won’t promise I’ll be able to hold my temper if one of those German overstuffed peacocks says another unkind word to me.”

  She carried the plates out, her fingers under them and not over, setting them down, which took her a few trips. Before she had time to head back into the kitchen, Janna asked for more bread that was in front of Mary.

  “Mary, would you please hand my sister the bread?” Johanna said, realizing too late her mistake.

  “Oh, I would have never recognized you, Johanna,” Edgar exclaimed. “Why is your sister dressed like a maid and serving us, Janna? Surely you haven’t gone through all of my brother’s money yet.”

  Janna glared at Johanna, who hurriedly left the room. Once she was in the kitchen, she told Edna, “It seems I messed things up for my sister. Edgar recognized me.”

  Edna raised a brow as she scrubbed a pan. “Oh? I can’t imagine that went well.”

  “It’s too early to tell, but Edgar certainly didn’t sound happy. Though, I don’t know why he’s even here.”

  “He’s been coming to dinner since his brother died. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was courting Janna.”

  “I can’t see her interested in Edgar. He’s only a shoemaker, but that makes sense, I suppose, on his part. Janna is a wealthy widow.”

  “You had better find a way to make nice with Janna. I’d hate to see you asked to leave.”

  Johanna certainly hoped that wouldn’t happen. After all, she wouldn’t hear back from the man she sent the letter to for a month. She heard the bell ding that signaled Janna and her guests were done with dinner and Johanna raced into the room, clearing the plates. She then brought back bumble berry pie, since she had taken the cake to her friends, much to Edna’s displeasure.

  “Have a seat, Johanna,” Edgar said. “I’d like to hear what your plans are now that your sister told us the factory you worked in burned to the ground.”

  “I think Edna needs help in the kitchen.”

  “Don’t be rude, Johanna,” Janna said from the top of her wine glass.

  “Okay.” She went to take her seat until she was interrupted by Edgar. “You should get yourself a slice of pie first.”

  Johanna went back into the kitchen and came back with a slice of pie, sitting on the chair Edgar pulled out. “I plan to move to Michigan and get married.”

  “Get married? Who do you know who lives there?”

  “I-I…”

  “She was courted when the man was in town doing business. What did you say his name was?” Janna asked.

  “Paul.”

  “And what does this Paul do for a living? I can’t imagine there are many good ways to earn a living in Michigan.”

  “He’s into lumbering.”

  “A lumberjack?” Mary exclaimed as she clapped her hands. “You’ll be living in a cabin, for sure.”

  “It doesn’t matter to me. Money has never been a reason to marry for me.”

  Johanna ate her pie in a hurry, excusing herself. Once she was in the kitchen, it was sparking clean thanks to Edna, and Johanna washed the pie plates. She couldn’t understand why some people of means tried so hard to belittle others. It was all she could do to stomach the prying questions. At least Janna had concealed the truth of her going to Michigan to become a mail-order bride.

  When she finally came through the dining room, Janna and her guests were nowhere to be found. She climbed the stairs, wishing to go straight to bed, but her belongings weren’t in there!

  She wandered about and found her things in the bedroom she had been staying in before her sister insisted she sleep in the servants’ quarters. What made her change her mind?

  Johanna put on her nightgown, startled when there was a knock at the door. She nervously answered it, and Janna asked to speak with her for a few minutes.

  “I’m getting ready for bed.”

  “I know, but it will only take a moment.”

  She allowed her sister to come in and sank into the bed, waiting for what she had to say. “I want to apologize for insisting you wear a maid’s uniform and sleep in the servants’ quarters. The truth is I’m running low on funds and wished to save some money. I had hoped Edgar would propose to me, but now he seems distant since he discovered you were actually my sister.”

  “I don’t see what this has to do with me.”

  “He thinks me a shrew, I’m afraid.”

  Shrew and Janna went together. “I’m sure he doesn’t really feel that way. Perhaps if you tell him how we’re not that close, it might help.”

  “The thing is I don’t quite understand it myself. I’m the oldest, and Mother was always hard on me. I was expected to marry well, yet you were allowed to find a position that suited you. I married Frank when I was but eighteen.”

  “I hardly think working in a factory was a great position. It was filthy, smoky, and dangerous. I received a nasty gash, don’t forget.”

  “And how is that doing? Would you mind showing me?”

  That was the last thing Johanna wanted to do, show her sister how maimed she was, but she lifted her nightgown and revealed the long and jagged, mostly red scar. It had not been cared for properly and was quite wide. The doctor did tell her how fortunate she was not to have succumbed to an infection.

  Janna gasped. “Oh, I had no idea it looked that bad. However did that happen?”

  “A piece of the machine I was working on came loose, and I dodged out of the way only to take a nasty fall, another piece of metal slicing into my leg. The doctor who sewed up my wound wasn’t the most experienced, and it left me with an ugly scar. I had hoped it wouldn’t cause quite the mark, but that wasn’t the case.”

  “Did you mention this scar to the man you plan to marry?”

  “Oh, I just couldn’t. What if he didn’t want me?”

  “I can’t say I blame you, but he might be angry when he finds out.”

  “It shouldn’t matter since it’s covered with my skirts.”

  “Until you don’t have them on when you’re in the marriage bed.”

  Janna wasn’t saying anything Johanna hadn’t already thought about. She knew how bad it looked, but was hopeful it wouldn’t matter to Paul.

  “He’s getting a wife, like he wants. I can’t believe it will matter.”

  “I do hope you will write when you get to Michigan and tell me how things are. I might even have to consider it myself if Edgar won’t propose.”

  “He’s only a shoemaker, though.”

  “One of the mills is now making his shoes and if it goes well, he’ll be quite wealthy. I hope so, anyway.”

  Johanna shouldn’t have been surprised. Janna would never consider a man unless he was wealthy, and she was sure it didn’t have much to do with what their mother had to say. She knew Janna would have a hard time securing a position; she could certainly not see Janna working at a factory.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll stay out of your way.”

  Janna left and Johanna was finally able to crawl beneath the cool covers. The room was quite nice with a four-poster bed with a matching dresser and mirror. She snuggled deep under the down comforter, worrying not only about the other women from the factory, but Edna as well, if Janna wasn’t able to keep her on. She’d find a way to help Edna secure another position.

  * * *

  Johanna pulled on a pink dress with a bell skirt, tiny shell buttons decorating the sleeves. She glanced at herself in the mirror. Her dark hair made her face look very pale, so she pinched her cheeks so they would have some color, at least. She hated that she was so skinny and her bosom wasn’t worth noticing. Would Paul fin
d her an undesirable wife?

  She buttoned her shoes and was on the go downstairs, slipping into the kitchen. “Good morning,” she greeted Edna.

  “Hello, dear. I have tea on the stove.”

  “Sounds great.” She frowned. “Janna wants me to stay out of her way. She’s hoping Edgar proposes to her soon.”

  “Didn’t you tell him you were going to be a mail-order bride?”

  “Not exactly, but I did tell him I was moving to Michigan to get married. It sounds so strange to tell people what I’m intending to do. It makes me feel so desperate.”

  “You are desperate.”

  “And I’m not the only one. Janna mentioned she’d be letting you go soon. That she can’t afford to pay you.”

  “Did she now?” Edna’s full lips parted as she laughed. “She’s told me that for the last two years, even before Frank died.”

  Johanna’s hands slipped to her hips. “And here I was so worried and wanted to find a way for you to accompany me to Michigan.”

  “Whatever for?”

  “Well, I’d be going on the train by myself.”

  “I’m sure the matchmaker can send someone along if you insist, but I’d hate for you to miss your chance to find a husband.”

  “So, you think it’s fine then?”

  “Look, I know you’re worried, but you’ll be just fine. You can’t have someone there to hold your hand the entire time.”

  “I know. I’m sorry I mentioned it.” She sighed. “Can I help you with something?”

  “No. I filled a basket of goodies for your friends, though.”

  Johanna smiled as she picked up the basket and out the door she went. The streets were busy for that time of the morning, the horse-drawn buggies and wagons careening down the street. The men and women she passed spoke a variety of languages, from French to German, since immigrants had continued to flood the city hoping to find a new life. She wrinkled her nose at the sulfur smell from the smokestacks from the many mills on the Merrimack River that wafted to every corner of the city. To her, Michigan would be a welcome change.

  She hurried across the street and knocked on the door where her friends were staying. Immediately, it was flung open and she was ushered inside. “How on earth did you sneak this out of your sister’s house again?” Beth asked in shock.

  “Edna packed me a basket. Besides, Janna doesn’t want me around. She’s hoping her late husband’s brother will be proposing to her soon.”

  “Edgar?” Lenore wrinkled her nose. “How odd.”

  “That’s strange that he’d be courting your sister. It would be even stranger for them to get married so soon since Frank died,” Lottie said.

  “It’s been over a year now.”

  “How did Frank die again?” Beth asked.

  “He was shot at the house of his mistress. Apparently, she was married.”

  “Oh, my. No wonder your sister is such a shrew.”

  “She has her moments. Last night, she made me dress up like a maid and serve her and her guests. She even wanted me to sleep in the servants’ quarters.”

  Beth gasped. “What?”

  “I made a slip and once Edgar found out, he wasn’t too happy about it.”

  “He probably would rather you marry him,” Lenore hinted.

  “I already told him I was moving to Michigan to get married. If Paul is interested in me, that is.”

  “Be careful. Edgar seems like a snake to me,” Beth said. “What other man would court his brother’s widow?”

  “I don’t care just as long as they keep me out of it.”

  “Let’s see what you brought.”

  Bread was taken out of the basket, as well as fried chicken.

  The women squealed in delight. I can’t believe Edna did this. It was more than she should have risked doing. If Janna found out, there was no telling what would happen to Edna. What if she was arrested for theft? Or would her own sister put her behind bars?

  Chapter Three

  It was a long month, and Johanna anxiously awaited the letter from Paul. All of the other displaced factory workers had heard back and were en route to their perspective husbands.

  She had helped Edna keep the house clean and took to scrubbing the floors. She had reddened skin to thank for that, but Edna had given her a handmade lotion that worked wonders.

  While pacing in her room, there was a knock on the door. Johanna opened the door and Janna was waving an envelope. “I think you’ve been waiting for this a long time.”

  Johanna took the letter and thanked her sister, closing the door. However, Janna rapped on it until she finally walked over and let her sister in.

  “You can’t expect me to wait much longer. I think I’m just as excited as you.”

  Johanna sighed, sinking into the soft mattress of her bed. She ripped the end of the envelope and pulled out the paper when something dropped into her lap. She stared bemused at the train ticket and slowly opened the letter.

  Dearest Johanna,

  Thank you for answering my ad. I’ve sent you a train ticket and will anxiously be awaiting your arrival. I love the name Johanna and assure you that you’ll be treated with the utmost respect.

  Looking forward to meeting you,

  Paul

  She handed the letter off to her sister. “That’s short but sweet,” Janna said. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come along with you? What if he’s hideous?”

  “Oh, Janna. It doesn’t matter what he looks like. I need a husband, and I don’t want you to go with me. We barely get along as it is.”

  “Perhaps with you finally gone, Edgar might propose. He seems so distracted of late.”

  “If you’ll excuse me, I need to pack.”

  Janna left the room and Johanna pulled out her suitcase, packing her meager belongings. She never had much in the way of clothing. All the dresses she owned were either brown or gray. It was no wonder Janna didn’t want her to mingle with her friends. She didn’t let it bother her, though. She was a working-class woman and was fine with it before a fire altered the direction of her life. But she wouldn’t be sad about leaving. She only hoped that what she found in Michigan was better than what she’d leave behind.

  With her suitcase in hand, Johanna walked down the stairs with as much dignity as she could muster. Edgar and her sister were at the bottom, waiting on her from the looks they shot her.

  “Goodbye, Janna. Thank you for allowing me to stay.”

  “Not so fast. I think we should escort you to the train,” Edgar insisted. “You’ll never make it there in time on foot.”

  Drats! She had no other choice than to suffer with their company a bit longer. “Very well then.”

  The black buggy was waiting outside. Edgar helped Johanna up first and then Janna, joining them in the leather backseat. The servant took his place in the front, and with a click of his tongue and gentle pull of the reins, the horses were off to a trot.

  Johanna gripped the handle of her suitcase firmly. She felt very uncomfortable in Edgar’s presence. Why did he insist on coming along? She barely knew him.

  “It’s too bad you’re leaving so abruptly. I had hoped to get to know you better, Johanna. Where did you meet your intended?”

  “Oh, I-I—”

  After an uncomfortable pause, Janna admitted, “She’s never met him, Edgar. She’s going to Michigan to be a mail-order bride.”

  “What? If I had known you intended to do such a thing, I’d have proposed to you, dear.”

  “Thank you, Edgar, but I think you and Janna are more suited.”

  “Janna?” Edgar exclaimed. “You naughty girl. I had no idea you felt that way about me.”

  “I thought you were courting Janna?”

  Edgar tucked Janna’s arm through his. “I was not, but I will be now.” He laughed loudly. “If you still want me to.”

  “Yes, Edgar. I’d very much like that.”

  Johanna was able to relax once Edgar and Janna were staring googly-eyed at
one another. Apparently, Janna didn’t mind that he had just told her he’d have proposed to her sister! Besides, Johanna had an idea that Edgar might just be after her sister’s money. They would make the perfect couple, each of them wanting something out of the other.

  Johanna was on the edge of her seat as they approached the train station. The buggy came to a stop and she was helped down, standing there with her suitcase. The black engine was sleek and magnificent, with a huge smoke stack. Besides the engine, there were five other cars, two of which she expected would be sleeping cars.

  She walked to the ticket booth and showed the man working there her ticket. “I was wondering when my train will be leaving.”

  “You had better get moving, it’s loading now.”

  Johanna hurried toward the train, searching for Janna and Edgar to say goodbye, but they had already left. Her shoulders slumped. She was positive Janna detested her for sure by that point. It was no secret that she harbored ill feeling toward her. Johanna was the youngest and even as a child, Janna was very unkind to her. She felt that Johanna was their mother’s favorite, but Johanna didn’t think so. Janna, on the other hand, was an unruly child and threw tantrums, taunting her sister regularly. Johanna was good at coming up with excuses for the bruises her sister gave her. She knew if she told her mother, Janna would find another way to make her life difficult.

  “All aboard!” the conductor with a red and black uniform called out.

  Johanna rushed over to him, handing over her ticket with a shaky hand. He gave it back to her and assisted her up the steps. She stumbled up the aisle, staring with wonder at the burgundy, velvety fabric on the seats with gold buttons. The walls were the same color as the seats, but the ceiling was gold.

  “Find yourself a seat, Miss,” the man said.

  “Am I in the right car?”

  “Yes, first class, just like your ticket says.”

  Johanna shuffled past families holding their children close, single men, and then women. An older woman with impressive blue eyes said, “Please, have a seat with me.”

  Johanna sat across from the woman, sliding her suitcase under the seat just as the heavy doors slammed closed and the conductor took a seat. The train jerked to a start, the wheels screeching as they turned until the train coasted faster. Luckily, the woman she sat with wore her perfume heavily, which helped overshadow the oily machine smell that wafted over to her as smoke billowed from the smoke stack, viewable through the window.