by R. E. Miller
“Alright,” Rachel said slowly, “but only if you can convince Mother.”
At breakfast Tom broached the idea with Mrs. Miller. “Carrie, Rachel and I talked about this last night. If Charles Fairchild will double her wages and pay her expenses, I wouldn’t be opposed to her going.” He waited to see if Rachel’s mother would disagree. When she didn’t comment, he continued. “If Charles agrees, Rachel and I can get married soon after she returns, but Rachel won’t go until you agree.” Mrs. Miller gazed at the clock on the wall with her hand over her mouth. After what seemed like an eternity, she broke her silence, “I don’t like this idea at all. I would rather have my daughter right here with me regardless of the money.” Pointing a finger at Tom, “If that is what both of you want I will agree, but if anything happens to her, I’m holding you responsible.”
“Carrie, what could happen? They are only going to a lodge for a while and coming home,” Tom said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Mrs. Miller just gave him a long stare before she nodded assent.
A few days later, Ann was so anxious to get down to the dress shop she practically followed Rachel in the door as she arrived for work. “I know I’m here early, but I couldn’t sleep; I must know what you decided.”
“We’ve discussed it,” Rachel said. “But Tom is only willing to let me go if your father will pay.”
“Pay?” Ann’s eyes searched Rachel’s.
Taking a deep breath, Rachel continued. “If he doubles my wages and pays all my expenses.” She placed her hands on the glass case holding jewelry. “Mother also agreed even though she doesn’t like the idea, and Tom promised to marry me when I return.”
Excited that Rachel was willing to go under any circumstances, Ann promised, “I’ll talk to my father. I’m sure he’ll agree! I’ll beg him, I’ll get down on my knees and beg him if I must!”
At dinner Ann presented Rachel’s offer.
“That sounds like Tom Straub speaking,” Charles groused.
“You’re probably right, Father, but if you don’t accept, I won’t go. I’ll run away, I swear I will.”
Frowning at his daughter’s impertinence, Charles placed his hands on the shiny mahogany table. “I’m going to have to think this over.” He frowned at her. “This is your punishment, and you’re asking me to make concessions?”
For several days Charles pondered the question. He knew he had to get Ann out of Philadelphia and away from her temptations. He also realized that he didn’t know for sure if her threat to run away was real or not. Several days later he announced his decision. “I’ll double Rachel’s wages and pay her expenses.” He studied his daughter’s dancing eyes and knew he’d made the right decision. “Go tell Rachel,” he announced. “And tell her to pack plenty of warm clothing because it gets much colder at the lodge than it does here in Philadelphia.”
Sudden realization made Charles pull a sheet of white letterhead from the rollup desk and dip a quill into ink. The letter informing Mary Lentz, the lodge’s housekeeper, would get there in time for her to prepare for an extra place at the table.
The next day Ann again practically beat Rachel in the door of the dress shop, she was so excited and overjoyed at her father’s decision. She could barely contain her emotions as she hugged Rachel. “He agreed!”
“Really?” Rachel responded in surprise.
Ann gave Rachel her father’s instructions, telling her to pack lots of warm clothes. “Just bring your personal belongings, don’t worry about food. We will be leaving next Tuesday sometime around eight o’clock in the morning, and we’ll pick you up at your house.”
Rachel crossed her arms. “Ann, I told you I can’t leave on such short notice, I owe the shop owner a notice so she can fill my position.”
“I’ll beg my father to postpone for a week. I’m positive I can convince him,” Ann promised.
Still in shock, Rachel asked, “How long will it take to get to the lodge?”
“Three days,” Ann replied.
Rachel rolled her eyes.
“Please don’t be like that,” Ann begged. “I can’t wait to go! And, I’m going to find out as much as I can about the area. Maybe we can talk my father into letting us do some traveling.”
“I hope so,” Rachel replied. “It’s going to be an awfully long stay if we can’t leave the lodge.”
“I do know that there is a town – Sunbury, I think – that’s not too far from the lodge. Perhaps we can go there.”
With that comment, Rachel who had never before traveled out of Philadelphia, gave a half-hearted smile.
“We’ll make the best of this trip, Rachel,” Ann promised. “I know it’s going to be hard for you to leave Tom and your mother, but we’ll have fun, I promise! This will be an adventure for both of us.” She turned to leave. “I’ll let you know in a few days if we’ll be leaving in two weeks.”
Rachel smiled doubtfully. She really didn’t want to go if it meant leaving Tom and her mother. Even though she was sick with worry and fear, she couldn’t bring herself to cancel the trip. Tom did his best to calm her fears, but the one thing that worked was Tom’s promise that they would get married when she came home.
The day of departure came quickly. When the carriage pulled up at her house, both Charles and Ann got out of the coach. Rachel introduced Charles to Mrs. Miller, and Ann gave her a hug. Charles told her, “We’ll have your daughter back in short order, safe and sound, Mrs. Miller. I’m just very glad she is going with us.”
Rachel hugged her mother and with tears in her eyes climbed into the coach. As Lewey put her bags in back of the coach, Rachel waved goodbye to her mother.
“Let’s go, Lewey,” said Charles.
Ann grabbed Rachel’s hands. “We’ll be back soon,” she promised.
CHAPTER 2
The ride started off quietly. Charles knew this was hard for Rachel, so for quite a distance he didn’t say anything allowing Rachel time to calm down. After what seemed like an endless amount of time, Charles began describing the journey that lay ahead. “We will travel farther and farther into the countryside, and we’ll see beautiful mountains and small towns.”
Charles knew that Ann was familiar with traveling, but he didn‘t know what Rachel’s experience was. In an effort to get Rachel’s thoughts away from home, Charles inquired, “Rachel, have you done any traveling?”
“The only traveling I’ve done was in Philadelphia,” Rachel admitted sheepishly.
Ann decided this was the perfect time to ask her father about Mary Lentz.
“You’ve talked about the housekeeper, but I’ve never met her. Is she still there?”
“Why, yes. Her name is Mary Lentz.” Charles’ eyes seemed to drift away as if he were looking at the woman he was describing. “She’s an excellent cook.”
“Is she pretty?” Ann asked, hoping to see her father’s reaction.
“Uh, well, yes, I…” Charles blinked. “You’ll just have to judge for yourself.” A flush of red had crept up his neck and was threatening his cheeks.
Ann and Rachel looked at each other.
Ann wisely changed the subject.
“So, Father, tell us about the lodge.” Ann suggested.
“Yes, of course.” Charles silently thanked his daughter for rescuing him. “I came to the area 18 or 19 years ago on a hunting trip with a friend and just fell in love with the mountains. I decided soon after that I wanted a hunting lodge there and on a return trip purchased the land where the lodge now sits. Then I went back to Philadelphia and hired a draftsman, a good friend, who drew up the plans for the lodge. I spent two months at the site during which time construction was well underway. When I left, I had all the confidence that the builders would complete the work as I had specified. When I returned to Philadelphia, your mother gave me the most wonderful news; she was pregnant, and here you are asking me how it all came about.”
“And Mrs. Lentz?” Rachel asked before thinking.
After a few moments
of silence Charles began, “I met Mary at the tavern where I was staying and she was working.” Leaning back in the seat he continued, “As I got to know her, I realized how knowledgeable she was about the local craftsmen. After a couple of trips back to the lodge, I realized I needed someone who could take care of it in my absence. I asked if she knew anyone, and Mary said she would enjoy the challenge. I already knew she could cook, so I hired her on the spot. She’s been marvelous.”
“Father, you continue to speak of only Mrs. Lentz. Is there a Mr. Lentz?”
“I learned that she became a widow early in her marriage when her husband met with a tragic hunting accident. I still know nothing about the details.”
At midday they entered Valley Forge and pulled the team to an inn with a hand-lettered sign that showed little imagination: Valley Forge Inn. The girls’ stomachs had just begun to feel pinched as Lewey pulled up the team. After the girls and Charles left the coach, Lewey pulled the team around to the back of the inn to feed and water the horses.
Most of the shop keepers gathered at the Valley Forge Inn for lunch. The front of the inn was nothing fancy; there was no trim and it was plain green, a color all too often seen. The main entrance went directly into a large dining hall, which was filled with patrons. To the right of the dining area was the saloon where the single men gathered. The inn did its best business during the day, and today was no exception.
As they entered the dining hall, many eyes followed the girls, and the Inn went silent until they were seated. Charles knew his daughter was beautiful and with Rachel along it made for an even greater entrance. He couldn’t help but feel proud.
While seated Rachel remarked, “Do you think we’re being watched?”
With that, Charles knew Rachel was beginning to relax.
Their stop was an enjoyable break in the long, boring trip. They enjoyed a nice meal before continuing to their evening destination. When they boarded the coach, Rachel thanked Charles for the wonderful meal. Despite the length of the journey, Rachel realized she was enjoying herself. She was seeing countryside she had no hopes of viewing before, and she didn’t have to go to work.
“Father, did you know upon Rachel’s return she will be getting married?”
In surprise, Charles leaned back muttering, “I knew Tom had something to do with your decision.”
Ann knew about society weddings but was curious about Rachel’s plans. “Are you planning on having many guests?”
“We’re planning to invite the entire neighborhood, including you and Mr. Fairchild to the celebration following the small ceremony in our church.”
“Rachel, I feel I’ve known you long enough and well enough for you to call me Charles. Please from now on call me Charles.”
Rachel hesitated for a moment, then looking directly at him, “Okay, Charles.”
As their conversation continued on and on about wedding plans, Charles had enough, so he knocked on the coach signaling Lewey to stop. He climbed into the cab with Lewey and explained that he had to get away from the girl talk.
They would travel several more hours before arriving in Warwick to spend the night. Rachel couldn’t help but think of her mother and Tom.
The first night’s accommodations were above an inn, the nicest one in town. This inn was always the first stop on Charles’s journey. The owner of the establishment was a relative of one of his dock foremen.
When they arrived Mrs. Webber, who always delighted in seeing Charles, greeted them with a big hug and showed them to their rooms so they could relax before dining. Lewey and Mrs. Webber’s nephew helped carry in their baggage. Mrs. Webber was a tall, slightly overweight, jolly woman who was getting up in years. She had to hang on to the handrail and pull herself up the steps. Although the rooms were plain, they were very well kept, very clean. Ann and Rachel’s room had two nice size dressers beside each bed and a closet. They could smell the fresh linens; there were plenty of towels, lotions and soaps. The dry sink had two large decorative porcelain bowls for washing. With the weather turning colder, each bed had a heavy comforter neatly folded at the bottom. Each room had a vent in the floor to allow heat to enter from the fireplace in the dining room below.
The beds were comfortable. “This feels so good,” said Rachel as she flopped onto the soft mattress.
Ann collapsed on her bed and both girls giggled. “This is so nice after sitting on those coach seats all day!” Ann agreed.
When Rachel undressed down to her under garments, Ann didn’t know quite what to do or say, never having seen her best friend without clothes. For just a moment she saw Rachel as a seductive young woman with a beautiful body. Rachel turned around, naked except for her underwear. “Do you think my breasts sag?” She smiled to show Ann she was joking.
Ann broke into peals of laughter at Rachel’s expression. Soon both girls were laughing. A knock at the door sent Rachel scurrying for the covers. Still laughing, Ann went to the door. “Yes?”
“I have the hot water you requested,” a man replied. Ann opened the door and a man with two buckets of hot water went over to the dry sink. He set one bucket down and poured the other. When he set the empty one down, he saw Rachel’s clothing lying on the floor and Rachel in bed with the covers up to her neck. He looked a little bewildered. After he left, Ann burst into laughter again.
Giggling, Rachel slid out from under the covers and removed her remaining underwear. Standing over the sink to wash, she turned to chide Ann, “Are you going to dinner smelly? Get undressed; since when did you become so shy? I know how a woman looks.”
Ann hesitated but then quickly undressed.
Soon they were both naked standing at the sink laughing and joking as they bathed.
Charles’s room was next to the girls and he could hear their laughter. As the four of them ate dinner he had to inquire, “I couldn’t help but overhear the laughter coming from your room. What was so humorous?”
Looking at each other they again started laughing. “I guess, Father, it was relief from a long day.”
Charles just shook his head and grinned. The dining room was small but quaint, and everyone commented on the quality of the food.
“We will be traveling longer hours tomorrow and through increasingly rural areas to cover more miles to reach our next destination before dark,” Charles informed the girls. He continued, “There will be no midday stops except necessary breaks. I will have Mrs. Webber prepare a basket of food for the long journey.”
Ann and Rachel both frowned at the thought of a longer day in the coach.
The girls and Charles retired to their rooms immediately after dinner. While enjoying a drink, Lewey sat planning the next day’s journey. He knew Charles would only buy one drink. He had to be alert for any kind of trouble, especially with two beautiful young ladies riding in the coach.
The girls awoke to the sound of Charles pounding on the door: “Ladies it’s time to get up.” They could hear Mrs. Webber in the kitchen below preparing breakfast. They could hardly wait to eat when the smell of fresh baked rolls and bacon drifted into their room. They dressed and packed all of their belongings, being careful not to leave anything behind. Charles was already downstairs eating, and Lewey had the coach hitched and ready to go. When the party was ready to leave, Mrs. Webber handed Charles a huge basket with enough food to last through the day.
The second day of the journey was ready to begin. The sun was shining bright, but the air was cold; they wrapped in blankets to keep warm. As they traveled through the farmland, they saw farmers out with teams of horses harvesting corn and other crops. Noticing some of the barren fields and wanting to break the silence, Rachel inquired, “Charles, do you know anything about farming?”
Charles, who was knowledgeable, went into depth, “They only have a few weeks before the first snow to pick the corn and put it into the barn so the animals have food for the winter.” He went into lessons on types of crops grown each season and when they had to be picked, what food farmers grew for
their families and what was needed to feed animals.
As Charles pointed, “Ladies, if you look out the window you see that farmer putting alfalfa in the barn that is for his cattle and milking cows.”
“What’s the difference?” Rachel wanted to know, but Ann’s glance immediately told her she should have never asked.
“You really don’t know?” Looking dismayed Charles continued, “Cattle are raised for their meat, and milking cows are raised of course for milk to drink and to make butter and cheese.”
Ann really didn’t care about any of this.
His dissertation consumed most of the morning’s travel; it was definitely more than Ann and Rachel cared to know.
Before they realized it, Lewey pulled the coach over in a nice area for their midday break. It felt good to be out of the coach walking and stretching; it also allowed the horses a break. They ate and rested for half an hour before continuing their journey.
The afternoon ride was not very pleasant. The road became bumpy and dusty and the sky turned overcast with a threat of rain. The girls slept as much as they could, but Charles never slept. They were traveling further into the countryside. It was almost dark before arriving in the small village of Schaefferstown. Lewey helped the ladies down as Charles entered the Franklin House, the town’s quaint little tavern. The ladies followed, brushing themselves off and fixing their hair. As Ann looked around the small tavern, she felt they were far removed from the civilized people of Philadelphia. Standing around the saloon, she saw some very rugged-looking individuals. A few commented to Charles about his beautiful daughters. He didn’t explain otherwise, for they were only spending the night, and he wanted little conversation with any of the locals.
Since Charles’s last visit before Elizabeth’s death, the tavern had changed ownership, and he didn’t recognize anyone; it was a different clientele. He was quite sure his name and power meant nothing to these people, so he wouldn’t receive any special favors or treatment.
As they went upstairs, Ann admitted, “Father, this is not at all like Mrs. Webber’s. I’m glad Rachel is sharing my room.”