Two men with shiny badges affixed to their chests raced up to the scene. They manhandled the angry men apart and led them away. The men vainly protested at their rough handling.
Cora continued watching the street for a few more minutes in case something else happened. The crowd dispersed and like them, she lost interest.
Her morning routine was attended to and she changed into a fresh dress. Leaving the trunk and travelling bag in her room, she proceeded downstairs to the dining room.
Groups of people sat at tables and while waiting to be attended to, she overheard snippets of conversation. It was all excited chatter about what had transpired a short time ago in front of the hotel.
The elderly maître d approached where she stood patiently waiting. Her belly growled with hunger and she felt embarrassed heart surge into her face. The man smiled knowingly.
“Table, Miss?” he asked.
Cora noted his eyes searching for her escort. “Yes, please.”
“Will there be anyone joining you?” he asked.
“No, I’m alone.”
He frowned as he said, “follow me please.”
A small table in the far corner was vacant and the man escorted her over to it. He dragged back a chair and waited for her to be seated. She daintily arranged her skirts. After unfolding and laying a crisp white napkin across her lap, he offered her a menu.
Cora waved it away. “Thank you but I don’t require a menu. May I have scrambled eggs, two biscuits and a coffee with cream, please?”
The man placed the menu under his arm. “Won’t be long, Miss.” He spun on his heel and headed towards the front of the dining room. He disappeared through a large set of double doors.
While Cora awaited her breakfast she contented herself with watching the comings and goings of waiters and other guests. I wonder if John will take me to a grand hotel like this. She was deep in thought when a waiter approached her table. A plate of eggs with two biscuits was set before her followed by a steaming hot mug of coffee and a small jug of cream.
“Anything else, Miss?”
“No, that will be all. Thank you.” She smiled.
The waiter nodded and scurried away.
Cora poured cream into her coffee and stirred. Taking a sip she found the coffee was strong, just as she liked it.
Her mouth watered at the sight of the food and her stomach grumbled embarrassingly loudly. Lifting her knife and fork, she began eating with gusto. It wasn’t long before the delicious meal disappeared. She dabbed at her lips with the napkin and relaxed back into her chair to enjoy the last of the coffee.
***
Cora boarded the train for Chicago just before half past nine. Peter had booked her a berth in a Pullman car for the journey which would take almost two days. She perused her surroundings. The seats were wide, floors carpeted and there was a sleeping cot. The journey would be bearable.
The train jolted and moved away from the station. As it picked up speed, Cora took one last look at a receding Boston. She hoped to never return. After a while, the countryside blurred into sameness. Cora diverted her attention to the book which rested in her gloved hands. Only a few sentences registered before her mind drifted off.
I wonder what John is doing. What will he think of me when he first sees me? Will he be disappointed? Will he think I’m plain, too curvy? The questions tormented her and she caught herself nibbling one finger of her glove. There was now a small hole in the previously pristine fabric. A tear sprang to her eye. It has to work out, it just has to. She couldn’t go back, but what would she do if he didn’t want her? The possibility of rejection terrified her. She rested her aching head against the seat. She closed her eyes hoping a short nap would alleviate the pain.
The train jerked to a stop throwing her sideways and waking her. She glanced around frantically, confused, disoriented, before realizing where she was and where she was going. The sky outside her window was ablaze with the colors of sunset. She pushed herself upright in the seat and patted at her hair. Stray tendrils were curled back behind her ears. She opened the window to peer out but her carriage was positioned too far back to see anything clearly
A guard acknowledged her with a smile and a nod as he strolled through the car.
Cora asked, “where are we, Sir?”
“Stopped for wood, Miss. Be on our way shortly,” the man answered.
No sooner had the guard finished speaking than the train jerked, shuddered and set off down the tracks. Smoke drifted in the open window along with small particles of ash. Cora closed the window immediately.
The rest of the evening was filled by taking a meal in the dining car and reading before washing, changing into a crisp cotton nightgown and crawling into her cot. The gentle sway of the train and the rhythmic clickety clack, lulled her to sleep.
***
Cora stepped onto the platform of Union Depot, Chicago and was almost knocked over by two men rushing past. As she stumbled, one man reached out to steady her. He mumbled an apology before rushing off to catch up with his friend.
“Are you alright, Miss?” a young boy in a railway uniform asked after witnessing the incident. “Do you need help?”
Cora brushed at the creases in her skirts to lessen the wrinkles from travelling and straightened her bonnet. “I’m fine, thank you. Is there someone who can assist with my luggage?”
The boy beamed, “I can help you. Where are you staying?”
“Palmer House,” Cora replied.
“Come with me please. We’ll collect your belongings and I’ll show you to the hotel. It’s not far from here so we can walk unless you’d rather I waved down a cab?”
“Walking will be nice after being cooped up in the train for almost two days.” Cora followed the boy along the platform to where several men were unloading the passengers’ luggage. They located her trunk in no time and set off towards the hotel.
She had read that Chicago was a large city and a magnet for immigrants – Germans, Irish and Scandinavians in particular. American accents seemed to be overshadowed by a plethora of foreign languages. Musical to guttural accents floated on the breeze all around her. The city was alive with people rushing in all directions. Carriages competed with automobiles on the dusty street and the dinging of trolley car bells were loud enough to shatter passersby’s ear drums. Lights and lanterns flickered brightly, men stood on corners conversing and smoking cigars, piano music blared from saloons in competition with shouting and laughter. Cora had never seen or heard anything like it. She trembled. Was it fear or excitement at being alone in such a large city?
The young boy crossed the road, dodging all manner of traffic. Cora followed closely behind. At last, they climbed a flight of stairs leading into her hotel. A doorman wearing white gloves doffed his hat to her and opened the door for them to pass through. Relief washed over her as she stepped into the safety of the lobby. Her mouth dropped open as she gawked in wonder. The lobby was enormous, with magnificent gilding decorating the walls, a huge formal staircase swept upwards and the ceiling boasted a painted mural depicting what she guessed was Greek mythology. It was difficult to drag her eyes away from such spectacular beauty.
The lobby was noisy, some people played cards while seated at marble topped tables, others lounged on sumptuous velvet covered seating.
Conscious of the young boy still waiting to deliver the trunk to her room, she tore herself away and checked in. Her room was on the second floor of the seven story building –202. The boy deposited her trunk on the floor at the end of the bed. She slipped him a coin, thanked him and locked the door after he’d left. The hour was late, exhaustion settled and she prepared herself for bed. It was soft, she’d be sleeping on a cloud again tonight.
***
Cora’s head twisted and turned as she made her way back to Union Depot the following morning. Chicago by night had been daunting, by daylight it was overwhelming. People pushed and shoved at each other, anxious to get to their destinations. Roads were chok
ed with vehicles of one type or another. She was pleased to have had the chance to visit the vibrant city but equally glad to be leaving. It wasn’t disappointing when she entered the station and boarded the train. She had no qualms about putting this city behind her.
The journey from Chicago to Sioux City, her destination, was to take almost a day. This time Peter had booked her into a First Class carriage, a cot would not be needed.
Finding her seat, she rested her head against the cool window. She peered out at the countryside as the train sped towards its destination. The view was no different from previous days. Lush green farmland, gently rolling hills and an occasional mountain off in the distance. Trees and bushes set the landscape alive with their brilliant fall colors ranging from the palest yellows through to rich gold, bright oranges and dazzling reds. Against the backdrop of green fields, the effect was stunning.
Cora loved the wide open spaces, farmhouses dotted here and there, cattle grazing, horses running free. She hoped with all her heart that her wish to marry a rancher would come true.
***
Cora glanced along the platform from the top step of the carriage. She was tired, dusty, hungry and irritable. She was fed up with trains and wanted Millie to spirit her away to where she could indulge in a long, hot bath, fill her belly and fall into a deep sleep.
“Cora!” Millie’s squeal was unmistakable.
Cora watched her friend dash towards her and she stepped onto the platform. Millie wrapped her in her long arms.
The girls bounced in circles, tears dripped from their cheeks.
“I missed you,” Cora cried while holding on tightly to her best friend.
“Cora, darling. It’s so good to see you. I was worried about you travelling such a long distance by yourself.” Millie’s mum, Linda said, as she stepped forward.
The girls stepped apart and Linda folded Cora into her arms. She placed kisses on each of her cheeks before releasing her.
“Where’s your luggage, sweetheart?” Millie’s dad, Gus, asked.
Cora glanced around and pointed. “They’re unloading down there.”
The family set off to retrieve Cora’s trunk. Millie and Cora, arm in arm.
“I’m so glad I’m here, Millie. I have so much to tell you.”
“Papa said Peter helped you get away. He made Papa promise not to tell your father you were here but I’m scared he’ll guess.”
“So you haven’t heard from my father?” Cora dreaded the thought of her father coming after her. Dragging her back to Lawrence and forcing her to marry Ernest.
“Not a word. Papa said it was odd. He expected your father to turn up here before you or at the very least contact him and demand to know where you were.”
“Father was desperate for me to marry to further his political career but, Peter found something that could destroy father and he is going to warn him to leave me alone.”
“Do you think he will leave you alone?” Millie asked.
“Maybe.” Cora couldn’t shake the feeling of doom that caused the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end. She worried that all was not as it seemed.
“Come on. Forget about your father. We’re going to have so much fun.” Millie held Cora’s hand tightly.
The girls approached the Reynold’s carriage, acknowledged the waiting driver and jumped inside.
Gus secured Cora’s trunk to the rear of the carriage before assisting his wife inside. He climbed aboard, the driver flicked the reins and they were on their way.
Chapter Six
One Week Later
“Whatever do you do to occupy your time out here?” Cora asked Millie as they ambled across a vacant paddock. A cow glanced up from her munching as if to ensure the intruders weren’t a threat to her meal. Obviously satisfied there was no danger, she lowered her head back to the luscious green grass.
“I take long walks, read, sew and contemplate my future. Sometimes I help Papa with the harvest.”
“Have you met any men, someone tall, dark and handsome, suitable for marriage?
Millie snorted with laughter. “I’ll probably end up being a mail order bride like you. Heaven knows, there’s no-one suitable around these parts. They’re either too young, only interested in drinking and those kinds of women or, they’re old enough to be my grandfather.”
“You’re parents weren’t very happy about me going to South Dakota to marry a stranger, imagine how they would feel if you did.”
“I may not have a choice now we live here. I won’t be left on the shelf and become an old maid. I want a home of my own, a husband and children.” Millie insisted. “Are you scared about meeting him?”
“Not so much scared as nervous. He sounds nice in his letter and even with his scar he has a handsome face.” But, what if he isn’t nice? What if he’s cruel like Papa?
“Cora!” Millie shouted as she grabbed at her friends arm and wrenched her backwards.
Cora screamed when she glanced down and saw a snake slither past.
“It’s alright. It’s harmless but I didn’t want you to step on it. Welcome to country life.”
Cora placed her hand to her chest, her heart beat rapidly. “Sorry,” she mumbled.
They continued their walk back to the house in silence. This was what made the girls such good friends, they could chatter for hours or they were equally comfortable in silence. Merely being together made them happy.
Linda heard the kitchen door click as it closed after the girls stepped inside. They were hanging their coats on pegs by the door when she approached. She waved a white envelope in the air as she addressed Cora. “This came for you.”
With trembling fingers, Cora accepted the letter. This was it, her future. She prayed he was still interested and had enclosed the references she had requested. Please let him be everything he said he is.
She opened the envelope and removed three sheets of paper. The first was a letter from a Banker. He extolled John’s virtuous character and assured her he had excellent means with which to provide both her and their family with everything they required and desired. He detailed some of John’s acts of kindness towards those in the community who were less fortunate. He was adamant she would be hard pressed to find a better man.
Cora smiled as she refolded the paper and slipped it back into the envelope.
She proceeded to read the next reference from the Postmaster. It was every bit as glowing. John was obviously a man of good standing who was well respected by those who knew him. Her heart flip flopped with happiness. She was feeling more confident by the minute.
The final letter was from John himself. She frowned when she read he was both concerned and reassured by her age. Not too set in my ways? We’ll see. He also expressed concern about how she would adapt to such an isolated life but trusted that she would adjust. John assured her of his willingness to proceed with the marriage on her arrival. He explained that he refused to have her made the subject of town gossip by taking her as a single lady to his ranch with four single men.
“He’s considerate,” she mumbled.
“What?” Millie and Linda asked.
“Is something wrong? You know you’re more than welcome to stay here. You don’t have to marry.” Linda assured her.
“Cora clutched the envelope to her breast. “Nothing’s wrong, it’s perfect. The references are even better than I could have hoped for and he sounds like a very considerate gentleman.” She handed the envelope to Millie.
Linda hung over her daughter’s shoulder as she read the letter and references.
“He sounds heavenly,” Millie sighed.
“I must admit, he does sound like excellent husband material.” Linda admitted. “You do know, if anything worries you or you feel unsafe you can telegraph us and we’ll come and get you.”
“I know and it sets my mind at ease. I have a feeling everything will be fine. I’d like to go into town, make travel arrangements and send Mr. Franklin a wire. I’m anxious to meet him. I don
’t want to wait for him to send the funds and I want to explain in person why I’m travelling under a false name.”
“I’ll ask Brent to accompany you tomorrow. I’m sure Millie will go with you too.” Linda said.
Cora felt like jumping for joy but settled for Millie and Linda hugging her close.
Cora: Bride of South Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 40) Page 5