Mail Order Barbara
Page 5
The photographer, Ned Shanks, was anxious to use the orphans’ story, especially since he had the photos. But Sister Benedicta suggested that doing so now would interfere with the wedding feature and that it might be better to wait and take a picture of the group departing on the train which he could caption “Mail-Order Bride Adventure.” She promised that she herself would write an appropriate paragraph for the newspaper and give to him when the group departed. Satisfied, Mr. Shanks took off to have the pictures developed and returned the next morning with the prints.
~~~
Mother Evangeline had written a letter the night before and she quickly slipped in the group picture and had sent it off to the post office and on to Kansas within ten minutes of Mr. Shanks’ arrival.
There, the prospective bridegrooms now have something of substance, faces to match the brief descriptions, she thought, satisfied to have checked another item off her ever expanding list.
CHAPTER 18 – Love Letters
Billy stared at the picture that had accompanied the letter from Mother Evangeline. There were seven girls, but one, with a solemn face and abundant hair, seemed to stare straight at him, sharing his sadness. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.
She looks like an angel, he sighed. She looked just like what he imagined his mother must have looked like. She had died before he was three, and his father and older brothers had dragged him up and taught him how to ranch.
He knew about all there was to know about horses. He could practically “whisper” unbroken stock into becoming calm and powerful trail and cattle animals. It was his talent with horses that had gotten him the job with the Tri Brand. But the time he had spent learning the tricks of his trade was time he had not spent in school, so he could barely write his name or print his letters.
Reading was pretty much beyond him although he could pick out some of the words. A number of the other hands had read the accompanying letter out loud, not much better at reading than he was but they could at least sound out the words. He had made Jeff repeat the names until he had all the girls memorized.
The one who had caught his eye was called Barbara. That was a beautiful name. He knew there had to be a saint with that name. She certainly looked like a saint.
The men all knew that they didn't need to do anything, that the girls would be coming in a couple of weeks, but he didn't want to wait until they arrived to introduce himself to Barbara. So he asked Jeff to help him write a letter. It was the first letter he had ever written but Jeff had always been kind to him and didn't tease him about the fact that he didn't know his letters too well.
“Dear Barbara,” he wrote.
You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. Your face tells me you have known sadness and sorrow and might understand about missing a mother.
I never knew mine although I have witnessed the tenderness that mothers give their children. You have a face that tells me you are tender and loving. I want to get to know you so we will already be friends when you arrive here in Kansas.
Very truly yours,
B I L L Y
William Cameron Stuart
P.S. I had my good friend Jeff write this out for me because I don’t write so good. I hope that won’t make you think less of me.
Barbara had never gotten a letter before and really didn't quite understand what Billy was saying to her, but the fact that he had written and said such nice things about her made her feel she should write back. And his honesty at the end of the letter touched her heart.
Mother Evangeline had made sure she learned her letters well and had even used her to transcribe important documents during her time at the convent orphanage. She had also learned her numbers, at least well enough that she did not get cheated when she went shopping. Not all the girls had caught on right away how important numbers really were. But she had helped them so now most of the girls that were going with her to Kansas could at least read and cipher.
Sister had praised her not only for learning so quickly but for being so generous in helping others. But it only made sense to her to help. So many people had helped her along the way.
“Dear Billy,” she replied,
Thank you for your nice letter.
You did not send a photo, so I cannot tell anything about you from what you look like, but you sound like a very nice man. I look forward to meeting you.
Yours truly,
Barbara
Barbara Juliana McKevitt
~~~
Most of the other girls had gotten letters from potential suitors, as well. All were excited to be able to respond, and chatted about the possibility of a future as wives and mothers.
Until Father Flanagan had written, most of them had had little to look forward to beyond possible factory jobs or working as a scullery maid at some of the finer houses in town. Most knew, if they weren’t careful and lucky, they were likely to end up back in the tenements from which they’d come. This opportunity was a potential future of which none had dared dream.
Barbara's excitement was tempered by leaving her sister and niece behind, but she was overjoyed at the recent improvements to Emily’s health. It was as if her soul had slipped away from her for awhile and had now returned.
Emilene was a beautiful baby. Barbara had made sure to keep an eye on mother and daughter and stepped in whenever her sister seemed to be in her other world.
Emilene was more than a year old now, and had progressed from crawling to trying to stand and walk. Despite his crudeness, Barbara’s bully of a stepfather had been a handsome man in his own way, and Emilene carried the best traits of both her parents in her looks.
Fortunately, she seemed to have taken after her mother for personality and behavior. Knowing how short was the time before they would be leaving, Barbara was spending extra time with her niece and praying that her sister would continue to grow stronger.
With only a few weeks left before they were to get on the train, Barbara was surprised to get another letter from Billy.
I just want you to know how much I'm looking forward to meeting you. I hope we can get to know each other well, and maybe have a future together.
This time he enclosed a picture. It was hard to tell how tall he was, but he seemed to have a compact frame and a very cheerful rounded face with medium colored hair and twinkling eyes. Of course, he was dressed just like all the rest of the cowboys, but there was something to him that appealed to her. She found herself looking forward to meeting him.
CHAPTER 19 – Farewells
Despite the short time for preparations, everything was soon in order for the wedding of the season. Mother Evangeline was going to give away the bride.
Emily could not be convinced to come into the public arena. Although she still attended Mass, she did not go out of the building otherwise. Besides, someone was needed to attend to the Nursery and Sister Teresa Rose had known Gracie most of her life and should be allowed to attend.
However she did come up to Gracie with a small box which she presented with a devilish look in her eye.
“I think you will be needing this within about ten months,” she said.
Gracie opened the box to find an exquisitely embroidered christening gown.
“Oh, my, Emily,” she sighed. “This is just perfect. Although, to be honest, the whole idea makes me nervous.”
Horrified at what she had said, Gracie gasped and put her hand to her mouth.
Emily's face clouded up for a moment, but then her face cleared. “I am told it is usually quite a pleasant experience, especially if one is with someone she loves,” she replied softly.
Reaching over to grasp that hand, Emily comforted Gracie.
“Don't worry. I need to move forward. I have given far too much time to something that took far too little time to have done so much damage to me in my life. But God blessed me with a wonderful gift to show He has accepted my sacrifice. Despite my struggles, I would change nothing because I have my beautiful Emilene.”
Gracie and her attendants hustled off to get dressed. Since nearly everyone within the convent would be attending, there was a general rush to rooms to change into wedding finery.
Sister Agatha had met with Gracie in private and given the girl her personal blessing, excusing herself from attending the ceremonies as too much bustle at her age.
“Besides, someone needs to mind the place while everyone is off celebrating. Just be sure to drop by to see me now and again. You know you will always be our baby girl.”
Gracie smiled tearily as she leaned forward and kissed Sister Agatha on the cheek.
“Thank you for rescuing me and treating me like your own daughter. And we are all your daughters of the heart. You will always be my mother.”
Handkerchiefs were brought out by both women and a warm hug was exchanged before Gracie left Sister Agatha to her cup of tea.
CHAPTER 20 – Measles
Emily was the one who found the wrapped bundle set at the top of the stairs, during Gracie’s wedding. It was a newborn and had a severe rash, which Emily discovered when she bathed the child.
She recognized it as measles from when her sister had had them. No one knew why Emily hadn't broken out as well, but Barbara had caught them from the little boys next door. By the time the outbreak in her apartment building had ended, she had been the only one not to fall prey to the disease. Even one or two adults who had not had them as a child broke out in spots.
Mr. Anderson had had rather a hard time with breathing for a while but he eventually recovered as did everyone else she knew. She finished bathing the infant and swaddled it before calling over softly to Sister Anne, who had volunteered to stay behind so Sister Teresa Rose could attend.
“Don't come near me!” she said, causing Sister to stop in her tracks. “This child has measles and we don't want to infect anyone else if we can avoid it.”
Sister nodded decisively.
“You are absolutely correct. Why don't you stay where you are until I've had a chance to prepare a room for you and the child. Have you had measles?”
Emily shook her head. “Almost everyone in my building caught them, but I seem to have been immune.”
“Well just because you didn't catch them the first time doesn't mean you might not get them now. Although I have not heard of people getting them twice. I recall having measles as a child, but I don't want to come in contact with you and then expose others to the risk. So we're going to treat this with a bit of isolation. Will you be all right with that?”
Emily smiled her gentle smile. She had rather suspected that would be the case.
Sister Anne quickly arranged for a small cubicle to be cleaned and prepared for Emily and the baby.
Sister Teresa Rose, who had left the reception early to let Sister Anne enjoy some of the supper, arrived to relieve her, but was warned to stay back.
As Sister Anne explained, Sister Teresa Rosa watched as Emily tried to get the infant to accept a bottle, placing a few drops of liquid on its lips and rubbing.
“You have the honor of naming the child, Emily,” commented Sister Anne.
“I rather think Rufus would be appropriate,” she said slyly.
“Rufus?”
“Why yes, for his red coloring.”
Startled, Sister Teresa Rose laughed aloud, joined swiftly by chuckles from the other two women.
Here was an Emily she had never met, one with a sense of humor. Was she finally going to be restored to herself fully? Oh how wonderful.
The measles progressed rapidly. Emily had finally gotten Rufus to suckle and he was given plenty of fluids and bathed in calamine to reduce his discomfort, but he had been dehydrated and half-starved when he arrived and was too weak to survive the ailment. He did not live more than a day despite Emily’s careful nursing.
Emily was devastated, but also aware that her own stomach was already breaking out in a rash. This must be a rather virulent strain, she thought. She recalled the time between exposure and outbreak was usually a bit longer, but she rapidly became quite ill as well.
Sister Teresa Rose, who had been trained in nursing at the Woman’s Hospital of Philadelphia, agreed. Although the rash looked like measles, its initial location, more consistent with chicken pox, and the rapid development, seemed to indicate something else. She sent for the doctor.
CHAPTER 21 – Goodbye
Doctor Johnson was startled when he examined Emily. She seemed to be wasting away before his eyes. He concluded that the previous trauma to her body and mind had reduced her defenses against illness, although all the usual remedies were being applied. But as far as he could see this was just a severe case of measles attacking a weakened person. He shook his head and said a prayer as he left the room.
~~~
Emily had adamantly refused to allow Barbara to see her during the first few days of her illness. She would rather her sister spend the time with Emilene and didn’t want to take a chance of passing along the disease. She only allowed Judith to take care of her under condition she remain in the infirmary and not contact either Barbara or Emilene.
Barbara continued to spend a great deal of time with her niece who was otherwise thriving in the company of the other toddlers in the Nursery. Now that she was starting to walk she had to be watched closely, when not restrained in her crib.
~~~
Now Emily requested that Barbara be allowed to visit. Looking at her, Judith understood and had Barbara sent for.
Emily ask Judith to stay in the room, “because I feel you are my sister, too.” she explained before turning her gaze.
“Barbara, I know you had decided not to go on this adventure until you understood it would give you the opportunity to make a new home for all of us. Now it seems that I may not be able to join you later. You know, I might have chosen not to go anyway, as the life of quiet contemplation—when not being besieged with noisy orphans—appeals to me strongly. I cannot say that I had a vocation as a child but you know how much I've always loved the nuns.”
She smiled beatifically at Barbara.
“But that is not the important thing I brought you in to talk about. You know I made Sister Evangeline Emily's godmother. I did not mean that to be a slight to you, as I wanted to reserve for you the position of her actual mother, were anything to happen to me. And, in fact, that has come to pass. Therefore I ask that you bring Emilene with you to Kansas and treat her as your own daughter, much as you always have.”
Shifting her gaze, Emily continued.
“Judith, I know you will help my sister in any way you can because that is your nature. I hope that each of you meets someone to love you the way Papa loved Mama before he was killed. I do remember what a happy family is and I hope you both can find that in the future.”
By now tears were streaming down everyone's face.
“Please be sure Emilene knows how much I love her and that I will be watching down on her.”
Taking a few deep breaths, Emily went on.
“I have one last request to make of all of you. You are not to mourn me in any way. No black, no half-morning.” She waved her arm weakly to stop the objections spilling forth.
“I haven’t been unaware, these past two years as I selfishly cocooned myself in a total fog, that you’ve been mourning me. I’m so sorry I couldn’t find a way through the clouds in my mind to come back to you sooner. You’ve loved and protected me my entire life and I abandoned you when you were hurting, too.
“I’m sorry.
“But you need to make a new start into a new life and don’t need to be draped in weeds, casting a pall on the adventure of a lifetime on which you are setting off.”
As she talked, her breath became progressively more labored and she was now gasping for air.
“I don’t want any of you to be sad. You might as well have lost me two years ago, so you should be
out of mourning by now. I’ll be watching to be sure you follow my wishes.
“I love you both so much!”
She held up her arms first to Judith and then to Barbara for a farewell hug.
Spying Mother Evangeline and Sister Teresa Rose standing at the doorway, she beckoned to them.
“I cannot thank you enough for everything you've done for me sisters. Please give me your blessing before I go.” Tears streaming, each woman did so.
Father Michael came in a moment later.
“Emily, I understand you sent for me?”
“Yes, Father,” she smiled up at him. “I wish you to anoint me with the sacrament of the Prayers for the Sick.”
Aware of the gravity of the situation, he had already prepared himself and was wearing the ritual garb. He anointed her with holy water and sacred oils saying the blessings over her. And she breathed her last.
The weight of grief filled the room as sobs rent the air.
~~~
A private ceremony was held for Emily the next day and she was buried in a corner of the Sisters’ plot by their mutual agreement. Until she was gone, no one had realized how much a part of the fabric of the place Emily had become in her brief time with them, and how her mere presence had provided a sense of peace and love as she went quietly about her duties.
~~~
Sister Teresa Rose was absolutely devastated at losing Emily. She blamed herself.
Barbara did her best to console the forlorn sister, saying over and over again that she had been exposed from the time she picked up the infant and that no one understood why she had never caught the measles as a youngster.
“It's hard to believe she was only thirteen years old; she was so mature. But I never knew until the end that she had such a wonderful sense of humor!” cried Sister
Barbara lit up. “Oh! She finally come back to us at the end! She did have a terrific sense of humor and a great sense of fun. As she told me, I have indeed been mourning the loss of my sister for two years now and you have given her back to me. She may not be with me anymore physically, but at least I can hold her in my memory again.”