Ellen: Clover Springs Mail Order Brides

by Rachel Wesson

  “I am not so sure everyone would agree with that opinion, Ellen. Mother Superior…well you probably heard enough about her from Sorcha and Laura.”

  “Let me guess. The old witch doesn’t want them either.” Ellen almost spat the words. “After what she did to Mary and Cathy and then to Ben not to mention Laura, why do you let her anywhere near children, Father?”

  “It’s not my decision to make. I have spoken to the Archbishop but…it doesn’t matter the reasons. Suffice it to say I had to find a new home for these two. I could have put them on an orphan train but I didn’t want to do that.”

  Katie noted the exhaustion on the old priest’s face.

  “Father Molloy, why don’t you come to Sunday Services with us tomorrow. It’s Easter Sunday and...” Katie faltered as if unsure of how to proceed. “We don’t have a catholic church in Clover Springs. Reverend Timmons is a nice man. Father Cleary comes occasionally but to be honest, we prefer Rev. Tim. Father Cleary is all talk about hell and the devil. Mother Superior and he would get along well.”

  Ellen smiled. “Those two are a match made in heaven to be sure.”

  Father Molloy gave them both a disapproving look but he didn’t say anything. Katie guessed he probably shared their low opinion of the nun but didn’t want to be seen judging another person.

  “I would be glad to.” He said, his voice as tired as he looked.

  “Good. Now you rest, and I will send messages to Ben, Mary, Laura, Sorcha and Emer to let them know you are here. They will all be dying to see you.”

  “While you do that Katie, I will bathe the children and put them to bed.”

  “Thank you, Ellen.” Father Molloy turned his attention back to Katie. “I am looking forward to seeing everyone again too.”

  Chapter 11

  “Come on Rosa. You first. Get into the tub and I will wash your beautiful hair. When I am finished, it will shine.” Ellen chatted away as she bathed the little girl. Gradually, the girl relaxed, and even managed to join in the splashing game Ellen played with her. “You will like it here in Clover Springs. There are lots of children to play with.”

  “They won’t want to play with us.”

  Ellen looked at John who stared at the floor sullenly. “Of course they would, John. Why wouldn’t they?”

  “Cause we’re not black or white. We don’t fit in anywhere. Mama didn’t want us once Papa died. She said we was a bur…I can’t remember what she called it but it wasn’t anything good.”

  Ellen wasn’t sure what to say. She wanted to tell the boy his mama was wrong but she didn’t think he would react too well. She decided to ignore what he had said and remain positive. “Ella loved playing with Rosa. You had fun too sweetheart, didn’t you?”

  Rosa nodded but didn’t say anything. Ellen continued. “John, I have some friends with boys around your age. Do you like playing ball?”

  “Some.”

  “You look like you would be good at running with those long legs.” Ellen caught the boy looking at his legs before he looked up at her. She smiled. He grinned back at her and she had to fight the tears very hard. He was so beautiful and trusting. A little bit of praise had him bursting at the seams.

  “Rosa, come here and I will dry you and get you dressed for bed. John, you take your bath now. You need some privacy. I will be back in a few minutes.”

  “Please don’t leave me. Alone.” Ellen looked at his face. The smile had disappeared replaced by a look of horror.

  “John, I won’t leave you.”

  She sang as she dressed Rosa as John had his bath before drying and getting dressed in some nightclothes Ellen had taken from their satchel.

  Both children seemed to enjoy the songs asking her to sing more once they were finished. Her mind flew back to her childhood when her mam had sung for Katie, herself and her brothers. How she missed them.

  “Why don’t you two sleep in here?” She noticed how the boy stood with his arm around his little sister as they followed her to the bedroom. She patted the bed beside her indicating the children should sit. Her mind flashed back to her childhood, her older brother Liam standing with his arm around her when one of their siblings had died. She missed all of her family but most of all her older brother. She could still see his face, his eyes creased up with smiles. Where are you, Liam? Are you even alive? I should have told Daddy about those boys. He’d have stopped you getting into trouble.

  Ellen smiled though her eyes were filled with tears.

  “Why are you crying? Did someone hurt you too?” John asked her quietly, leaning over to rub a tear from her face.

  “No sweetheart. I was thinking about my older brother. He used to look after me just the way you are looking after Rosa.”

  “Does he still look after you?”

  Ellen shook her head, fighting to regain her voice. “I’m all grown up now. I can look after myself.”

  “Rosa’s only little. She needs me. I won’t ever leave her.”

  “She’s a lucky girl.” Ellen looked over their heads to Katie, her older sister having stuck her head around the door. She caught a wistful look on her sister’s face. Was she thinking of home too?

  The children took a while to settle, but with stories and the promise they were only downstairs, they finally fell asleep. Ellen followed Katie back downstairs where they found Father Molloy sitting with Ma Sullivan.

  “One of the ranch hands called in to say Mary wants us all to come to her house for dinner after service tomorrow. She can’t wait to see you, Father.”

  Blood curdling screams from the room upstairs had Katie racing up the stairs, Ellen right behind her. They burst into the room to find Rosa screaming as John was trying to quieten her by putting his hand over her mouth.

  “John let your sister go. Now.” Ellen said but he made no move to comply. “Now.”

  “John, it’s alright. Rosa isn’t going to get hurt for screaming. Take your hand away. She’s still asleep and doesn’t know you are trying to protect her.”

  The little boy looked up at Katie with tears flowing down his face. “The bad man will come if she screams again. Ma said he would.”

  “Sweetheart, nobody is coming to hurt you. Katie and I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again. I promise.” Ellen pulled the boy into her arms and held him close as he sobbed his heart out.

  She held him until he fell asleep once more. She lay him back down on the pallet, covering him with the blanket before kissing his forehead and whispering, “Rosa is a lucky girl to have a brother like you.”

  She looked up as Katie tapped her on the shoulder, gesturing for them both to leave. They walked downstairs in silence. Ellen couldn’t help thinking the scene they had just witnessed was only a glimpse of the terror the kids had lived through. And she thought she had problems.

  “You made the right choice, Father.” Ellen said gulping. Clover Springs is used to different nationalities and colors. We’ll make sure those angels have a lovely home.”

  “Thank you, Ellen. I knew I was doing the right thing coming here.”

  Chapter 12

  The sun came out on Easter Sunday but it wasn’t sufficiently warm enough to melt the snow. Katie wasn’t sure if Mary and Sorcha would be able to come to church services after all. She dressed quickly before taking the children to the boarding house. They had decided to walk over with Ma, Ellen, Father Molloy and the children.

  Arriving at the church, she was delighted to see all her friends had arrived. The ladies soon clustered around Father Molloy, all talking at once.

  “Ladies please, God only gave me one set of ears.” Father Molloy joked.

  “Father Molloy, it is so good to see you. You have to come to my house for dinner. Everyone is coming. Sorcha, Emer, Laura and of course their respective husbands and children.”

  “Are you sure it won’t be too much trouble?"

  “Not at all, Father. You will meet my husband Davy then. He had to go check the animals this morning after all the snow. He ca
n't afford to lose any more steers.”

  “Spoken like a true ranchers wife. Clover Springs is agreeing with you, Mary.”

  “Father Molloy, it’s true, you are here.”

  “Ben, is that really you? Why you are almost fully grown. The outdoor life suits you, son.”

  “I have my own horse and everything. I have a new sister too. She couldn’t come today as she is too little for the cold but you will meet her later at dinner. Her name is Cathy.” Ben said excitedly. The priest looked at Mary when Ben said the child's name. “Yes, Father Molloy, named after my sister.”

  The tears glinted in Mary’s eyes prompting Katie to usher everyone inside. “Wouldn’t do for you to be late, Father Molloy. You would be setting a very bad example.” Katie smiled to show she was teasing, but Father Molloy didn’t seem a bit put out. He looked around the church as he walked in. She wondered what he made of it. It wasn’t decorated like the big church in Boston, but in Katie’s mind at least, it was much more welcoming.

  The service went by very quickly. Reverend Timmons probably knew his parishioners were anxious to check on their stock not to mention get home to their Sunday roast. She watched as Ellen kept Rosa and John close by holding their hands. Her sister was very protective. Perhaps, given some of the curious stares from their neighbors, she was right to be.

  After the service, she introduced Father Molloy to Reverend Timmons who stood shivering at the door to the church. No matter what the weather, Rev. Tim made it a point to interact with every member of the congregation.

  “Reverend Timmons, this is Father Molloy. The priest I mentioned to you.”

  “I enjoyed your sermon today, Reverend. I hope you didn’t mind my attending?”

  “Of course not, Father. I would love the opportunity to get to know you better. The ladies of Clover Springs have told me a lot about your work.”

  “Thank you, Reverend.”

  "Why don’t you come for dinner too, Reverend?”

  “I would love to, Mary, but Mrs. Timmons already made plans. We all know that the lady of the house must be obeyed.”

  Everyone laughed. Mrs. Timmons was as pleasant a lady as ever was. Nobody could imagine her putting her foot down over anything.

  Chapter 13

  Daniel drove the wagon with Father Molloy and Ma sitting on the seat beside him. Katie, Ellen and the children sat in the back. Lawrence and Emer travelled in their own wagon with Sorcha and her children in the back. Brian was already at the Sullivan ranch helping Davy. Mary was already at the door having arrived home a few minutes before them.

  “Father Molloy, welcome to our home. Come on inside. We’ll have coffee. Dinner will be a while. Children, come in and we will find Ben. He ran off as soon as we got home.

  Rosa and John were still sitting in the wagon. Katie beckoned them out.

  “Where did Ben go?” Katie asked holding onto the children’s hands. They didn’t look up at the adults preferring to stare at the ground.

  “He is out in the barn. Little Beaver brought in a wounded horse yesterday. They are nursing him back to health.”

  “I’ll take the children over to them. Mary, you take Father Molloy into the house. Ellen, will you come with me.” Katie went to take the children’s hands but Rosa clung to Ellen.

  “Children, when we get to the barn you will see Ben again. You met him at church this morning. We will also meet Little Beaver.”

  “Is Little Beaver his dog? It’s a funny name for a pet.” John wrinkled his nose causing both Ellen and Katie to laugh.

  “No darling, Little Beaver is an Indian.” At the look on the children’s faces, Katie hastened to add “He is our friend. A nicer boy you couldn’t meet. Ben, the young man who was at church with Mary, lived in the same orphanage Father Molloy brought you to.”

  “We didn’t like it there.”

  “Ben didn’t either, John.”

  They had just reached the barn when Little Beaver came outside. The children screamed running behind Ellen’s skirts. Little Beaver took a step back.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to make fear.”

  “You didn’t. They aren’t used to seeing Indians that’s all.” Katie bent down to the children’s level. “Rosa, John, there is no reason to be afraid. Little Beaver is kind and gentle.”

  “Hello little ones. Would you like to come see my new horse? He got hurt but we are making him better.”

  “How?” John asked, inching forward nearer to Little Beaver.

  “He hurt his leg. We think someone may have set a trap and he found it.” Little Beaver’s face darkened at the thought. At a cough and glance from Katie, he quickly got rid of the frown.

  “Come in to the barn. But we have to move quietly like mice. Can you do this?”

  “Yes, sir Mr. Indian.”

  “Good. My name is Little Beaver. What is yours?”

  “I’m John and this is my little sister Rosa. She don’t talk much.”

  “Nice to meet you, John. Your Indian name would be Little Raven and you little one would be Little Jewel.”

  Ellen watched astonished as John took his hand and walked with him to see the horse. “I will bring him back to the house in a while, Miss Katie. Nice to see you back, Miss Ellen.” Little Beaver greeted Ellen who smiled in return.

  “Thanks, Little Beaver.” Katie turned to walk back to the house. Rosa held onto Ellen’s skirt, her little hand fisted in its fold.

  “Do you want to come back to the house with us, Rosa?” Ellen bent down to ask the little girl.

  Rosa looked indecisive as her gaze shifted between Ellen and her brother. After a couple of seconds, she nodded to Ellen. Ellen loosened the child’s grip on her skirt, taking her hand in hers instead.

  Ellen allowed Katie to take her arm and lead her and Rosa back to the house.

  “Ah Katie, we thought we might have to send out a search team for ye.” Father Molloy chuckled. He was sitting in one of the two wooden chairs placed at either side of the large fireplace. Rosa let Ellen’s hand go and ran to the priest. Chuckling, he picked her up and sat her on his knee. She relaxed back into his arms although her eyes roamed the room.

  Ellen loved this room, despite its large size, it was very comfortable and homey. At first glance, it seemed every available seat was occupied. Laura had joined the group having missed service this morning. Ellen noted her pale face. She looked tired. Katie had mentioned Laura’s pregnancy wasn’t progressing as well as it could be.

  Mary, Katie and Emer were sitting on the two large sofas facing each other. The rectangular coffee table was covered in cups, plates and surprisingly some delicious smelling cakes and slices of pie.

  Mary must have seen her glance at the food. “Seems Ma told Mrs. H about Father Molloy’s sweet tooth. Dinner won’t be until later, so we are having this treat to keep the hunger pangs at bay.”

  “I knew coming to Clover Springs was a good plan.” Father Molloy said reaching for some pie. Everyone laughed.

  “Ellen, get some coffee and sit down. The babies are all in the den. Jenny is looking after them, helped by Meggie and Ella. She will call us if she needs us.”

  Ellen took a seat in one of the main chairs decorated with an embroidered piece, a testament to Mary’s education at the hands of the nuns back in Ireland. There hadn’t been much chance for embroidery in Boston. Mother Superior forced them to concentrate on what she considered more useful pursuits such as mending and making alterations to the rags the orphans wore.

  Ellen closed her eyes trying to wipe the images of those children from her mind.

  Father Molloy coughed. “Are you away with the fairies, young Ellen? Did you meet someone special on your walk with Katie?”

  Everyone laughed causing Ellen to blush furiously.

  “We weren’t that long, Father.” Ellen helped herself to a cup of hot coffee. “Little Beaver took John to see his horse. Ben will bring him back in a while.”

  “John went without you? See, Clover Springs is working i
ts magic already. Speaking of magic, tell me, Ellen. What’s this I hear about you going to university?”

  “It’s nothing, Father.”

  “Don’t mind Ellen. She’s a bit shy. She got top grades in all her classes so Miss Freeman, our old school teacher, wrote to her friend in Boulder. Miss Rippon, one of the first female university lecturers, wrote back and said she would be delighted to welcome Ellen to her classes.”

  “Mary Ryan you haven’t changed a bit. You could still talk for Ireland.”

  Ellen smiled as Mary flushed at the priest’s teasing. She didn’t mind Mary talking, it took the pressure off her.

  “Sorry, Father, you know what I am like. Anyway, Ellen only came back a few days ago. This is the first time we’ve had a chance to chat, and we are all dying to know what it was like.”

  All eyes turned to Ellen. She wished she could make a run for the door but young ladies didn’t do that.

  “Ellen, your daddy must be very proud of you. What a clever girl you are. Not many young ladies from Galway head to university. Nor many young men for that matter.”

  “Yes, Father. It’s a wonderful opportunity. Miss Rippon has travelled extensively to some of the same places Cathy has been too.” Ellen said in a desperate attempt to change the topic of conversation.

  “Ah yes, young Cathy. How is she getting on, Mary?”

  Guilt flooded Ellen as Mary’s eyes filled with tears. She knew better than to talk about Cathy who hardly ever wrote to her sister. Mary has only ever been kind to you and now you use her to get away from talking about university. You are a thankless brat Ellen O’Callaghan.

  “Father, why did you come to Clover Springs?” Laura changed the subject quickly. Almost at the same time, everyone turned to look at the priest. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a couple of seconds as if praying before saying.

  “Actually Laura, it’s partly your fault.”