Ellen: Clover Springs Mail Order Brides

by Rachel Wesson

  “Or m-maybe you ladies could produce food baskets and us m-men get to eat lunch with the owner of the basket we bid on.”

  “I love that idea. I would make Daniel his favorite.” Katie said loudly trying to offer her support to Samuel.

  “No offence darling, but I think I might bid on Mrs. Higgins’s basket.” The crowd dissolved in laughter as Katie pretended to pout while Tom Turner shook his fist at Daniel. “You leave Mrs. Higgins alone. She agreed to make me pies.”

  “I’ll make everyone pies if it shuts you lot up. I got to get home. It’s getting late.”

  The crowd dispersed shortly afterwards, most people laughing and talking.

  “Tonight went really well, Katie.”

  “It did, didn’t it? Wasn’t Samuel Higgins wonderful?”

  “Was he? Can’t say I noticed.”

  Katie poked Ellen in the ribs. “You best take advantage of Father Molloy being here and confess your sins. If I asked you to stick your tongue out, there would be a big black mark on it right now.”

  “Oh, Katie, stop teasing me. Okay, so I did notice but what’s the point. He didn’t even know I was here.”

  “Oh yes, he did, little sister. You might be good at book learning but when it comes to romance, you got your head in the clouds.”

  “Do you really think he likes me, Katie?”

  “Yes, Ellen, he does.”

  “He thinks I’m a child.”

  “The age gap doesn’t matter. But what about your plans to go to university? I didn’t think getting married figured into your future.”

  “It doesn’t. I promised Daddy I would go to university.”

  Ellen pick up her skirt and moved so quickly Katie couldn’t stop her leaving. She would only draw attention to her and Ellen would hate that.

  She had to think of a way to get Ellen and Samuel to spend more time together but not in an obvious way. She looked toward her friends. They’d help, although Laura would be busy looking after her friend Wilma who was due to arrive in the next few days. Her glance settled on Mary. She was perfect. There was nothing Mary liked better than matchmaking and planning weddings.

  Chapter 22

  Laura paced back and forward. The train was late. Would Wilma be on it? What if the men she had upset found her. Laura rubbed her hands up and down the side of her dress.

  “Darling, stop pacing. You heard what the doctor said.”

  “I can’t, Paul. Wilma saved my life. If it wasn’t for her, I would have given up long ago. I don’t know how many times she patched me up. Now she’s in danger and I can’t help her.”

  “She’s on her way here. The telegram said so. Come sit beside me for a while. I was thinking we would name our child, Helena or maybe Alice. Beatrice is another possibility.”

  “Why don’t you just call her Queen Victoria?” Laura teased her husband who had developed an obsession with the English monarch.

  “Victoria is a good name. Victoria Kelley.”

  The train’s whistle interrupted their naming game. Laura smiled at Paul, knowing full well he had done his best to distract her. She turned her attention to the train. She spotted Wilma almost immediately. It was hard not to, given the feathers in her hat and her purple dress. Oh no. Mrs. Kelley and Mrs. Shaw will have heart failure. Laura saw the greying temples and new lines around her friend’s eyes.

  “Laura, is that you? You look so happy. I take it you are the reason why.” Wilma stood, her hands on her hips, her eyes raking Paul from the top of his head down.

  “Wilma, this is my husband. Paul Kelley, meet Wilma…” Laura stopped. “I don’t know your surname.”

  “Neither do I, darling. I never had a need of one before.”

  Paul burst out laughing. “Pleasure is all mine, Miss Wilma. I hope your stay in Clover Springs is long and happy.”

  “Father Molloy told us you were in danger.” Laura put her arm through Wilma’s. “I was so worried.”

  “I’m fine as you can see. Father Molloy behaves like an old woman at times. I wasn’t going to help those girls by praying in some church. I had to go onto the streets and persuade them there was a different life for them.”

  “How many did you save, Wilma?”

  She immediately regretted asking the question as her friend’s face crumpled. But before she got a chance to comment, Wilma put a smile back on her face. “A couple. There are big problems in Boston. So many immigrants coming in every day. There aren’t enough jobs for everyone. Often the girls I met, they lost their families on the ship or at the immigration centers. They had no one.”

  “Until someone like Coleman turned up and sweet talked them into his way of life.” Paul commented.

  Wilma spat. “That man deserves to be in hell. I don’t care what Father Molloy says. There is no way he could be in heaven. He is burning for eternity along with Johnny.”

  Laura caught the dark look on her husband’s face. He hated hearing anything about Johnny or her past. Swiftly she decided to change the subject.

  “We are so glad you came to Clover Springs. The orphanage is going ahead.”

  “The townsfolk agreed to it? Father Molloy said they would but he always believes the best of people.”

  “Well, it took some persuading, but it’s a brave man or woman who argues with Father Molloy’s orphans.” Paul said, half joking.

  Wilma roared laughing. “Is that what they call you girls now? I can’t wait to meet Mary and the other ladies you spoke about.”

  “Come on then. Let’s head into town and show you around. We are currently staying on Mary’s ranch but we will have our own home soon. Paul’s business is thriving. He designed Hope House. Wait till you see it. The children will love it.”

  “How are Rosa and John?”

  “You met them already?” Laura asked.

  “Didn’t Father Molloy tell you? I was the one who brought those two little mites to him. What they been through. It ain’t right. Nobody who treats babies like that should be allowed to keep them.”

  Laura hid a smile. Wilma’s broad accent came out fighting when she was upset over something.

  “Rosa and John are fine. John has made friends with Ben, you know the crippled boy from the orphanage. And he follows Little Beaver, our deputy sheriff, everywhere any chance he gets.”

  “Little Beaver. He’s the Indian who saved you from Coleman isn’t he?”

  “With some help from my brave husband here.” Laura smiled at Paul who winked back at her.

  Ellen rode out to Mary’s house with Katie and the children in the wagon. Mary was hosting dinner to welcome Wilma to Clover Springs. Father Molloy had travelled out with Reverend and Mrs. Timmons as their buckboard was more comfortable for the older man. He was enjoying getting to know the people of Clover Springs, in particular Reverend Timmons. They engaged in long conversations about the merits, as they saw them, of their respective religions. Ellen was impressed by the way the men discussed their differences calmly not letting the fact they held different beliefs adversely affect their blossoming friendship.

  “John, you remember Wilma don’t you?” Ellen asked John as the wagon swayed from side to side.

  “Yes, ma’am. She was the one who brought us to Father Molloy. She was very kind. She looks a lot like us too, although her skin is a little darker.”

  Ellen exchanged a look with Katie. She guessed her sister was thinking along similar lines. The children were still trying to work out where they fit in. Impulsively she gave John a hug.

  “What was that for?”

  “Nothing, sweetheart. I love the way you look after your sister. You deserved a hug.”

  “Hugs are for girls.” But for all his brave words, he didn’t move away from her side. Rosa, possibly seeing how relaxed her brother was, also edged closer to Ellen. She put her arm around the little girl and didn’t comment when Rosa leaned in to her arm. All her instincts warned Ellen to take things very slowly. Rosa needed to learn to trust human beings again, both male and
female. Ellen planted a kiss on her hair.

  “Will Little Beaver be here?” John asked.

  “I think so.”

  “Do you think he would show us the horse again? Maybe it’s all better now. Little Beaver said he would teach me how to ride. Like Ben.”

  Ellen smiled at the hero worship in the boy’s voice. Then her smile faded. If the Archbishop and anyone else in the Church could only see the difference between the Ben who left the Boston orphanage and the young man he had become, they would know Father Molloy worked magic with the children he helped. How could anyone who was supposed to be working for God not see the people who needed the most help weren’t always those with the biggest wallet or the nicest house?

  It said in the Bible children were the heritage from the Lord. It didn’t say anywhere that children who were poor, orphaned, a certain color or crippled were worth less. Ellen caught Rosa looking at her, and she forced a smile on her face. Rosa didn’t need to know what she had been thinking about.

  Ellen moved to get more comfortable but in the process she nearly knocked over the bulging wicker basket. Katie had packed enough food to feed an army. The enticing aromas were enough to make Ellen’s stomach growl. She’d been too nervous to eat breakfast.

  “We are here, look, Miss Ellen. Little Beaver is waiting for us.”

  Ellen looked in the direction John pointed but her gaze caught and held in Samuel’s. Her cheeks flushed at the look in his eyes. She looked away conscious other people may be watching.

  Katie brought the wagon to a stop as Little Beaver took the horses reins. Samuel came closer helping John to jump down from the wagon. He held his arms out to Rosa to help her but she hid her face in Ellen’s skirt. Ellen stood and he placed his hands around her waist and gently lifted her off the wagon. He set her on the ground, letting her go but not moving away. Instead he stood, staring down at her, the warmth in his eyes making her stomach turn over.

  “Miss Ellen, can you lift me down please?”

  Rosa’s request made Ellen jump.

  “Let me take the basket and you can help Rosa.” He whispered to Ellen. “I hope it isn’t going to take her too long to trust me.”

  Ellen couldn’t answer as her stomach turned over. He smelled so good.

  “Miss Ellen, please.”

  “Sorry, Rosa. Come here, darling.” Ellen swung the little girl down from the wagon and settled her on the ground. She turned to take the basket from Samuel, her skin tingling as it touched his.

  “Let me. It’s heavy.”

  She smiled but again didn’t trust herself to speak. He smiled at her.

  “You look beautiful, Ellen. Your new clothes really suit you.”

  Ellen blushed scarlet glad she had changed into her new white shirtwaist and sapphire blue skirt. She had bought them in Denver and the lady in the store had helped her find the exact shade of blue ribbon to thread through a new straw bonnet. A blue and white shawl completed the outfit. She was glad of its warmth as despite it being almost the end of April, it was a very cold afternoon.

  He turned to Rosa.

  “Did you cook this fine smelling food, Miss Rosa?”

  Rosa shook her head but she smiled slightly.

  “I think you are just being modest. Maybe my ma should let you help her in the kitchen. What do you think? Want to give up school and come work here on the ranch?”

  Rosa giggled at Samuel’s teasing although her hand was secured in Ellen’s. Still it was progress. Ellen knew Samuel had a way with scared children. Hadn’t he helped her when she first arrived in Clover Springs, a devastated young girl who had lost all those close to her.

  That’s it. Why didn’t I think of it sooner? I could bring the school children out to the ranch to see the animals. Samuel would help with them and we would get to spend time together. Why didn’t I think of it before? Mary will love the idea. She enjoys spending time with the children. Ellen’s smile grew wider causing Samuel to look at her. She bowed her head, feeling very pleased with herself.

  Chapter 23

  Samuel took the basket into the kitchen to his ma. She was enjoying herself immensely fussing over all the people who had come to Mary’s gathering.

  Ellen was here. She looked so beautiful too. The way she cared for Rosa was lovely to watch. Samuel frowned. He wished there was a way he could reach that little girl. He couldn’t bear to think of the reasons why she mistrusted adults so much.

  “You alright, Son? You look like you swallowed a wasp.”

  “Fine, Ma. I just helped the children down from the wagon. The little girl, Rosa, wouldn’t let me near her. I hate to think of what she’s been through.”

  “Your imagination wouldn’t be dark enough to know.”

  Samuel turned as Wilma came into the kitchen. He had met her briefly at Laura’s house earlier when he turned up for his lesson. He liked her immediately. Her openness and humor was evident from her sparkling eyes even though given the background she shared with Laura, she must have had a hard life too.

  “Can you give me some ideas on how to get her to trust me?” Samuel asked.

  “Start with John. Rosa idolizes her brother, so if you gain his trust, hers should follow. Be patient and don’t try to force anything. It will take time. Children are resilient. She’s young enough to learn to forget the horrors she has experienced. With the help of God and the good folk of Clover Springs.”

  “Poor little mite. Some people in this world just don’t deserve to have children.” Ma said, the lumps in her potato mash getting an extra hard pounding.

  “Isn’t that the truth.” Wilma said as she put on one of Ma’s spare aprons. “Right, Mrs. H. Tell me what you need doing? And you, young man, are you going to stay and help or get out from under our feet?” Wilma’s teeth shone as she grinned up at him.

  “I can take a hint, Miss Wilma. See you later, Ma.”

  He left the kitchen with his mother arguing about Wilma being a guest and Wilma arguing back just as strongly that she wasn’t made for siting around on her fat behind. Samuel laughed, wondering what Father Molloy made of Wilma’s rather coarse language. She didn’t speak like any of the women he was used to but then she wasn’t like them was she?

  “Thank you for hosting such a lovely meal, Mary.”

  “You are very welcome, Father Molloy.”

  “When do you think work will start on the orphanage?” Wilma asked causing the men to laugh. “What?”

  “Laura told us you were a hard task master and would get the whip out. We thought you might take a day or two to settle in though.” Davy drawled, his arm around the back of the chair Mary was sitting in, his baby on his knee.

  “I got settled in today. Tomorrow is Sunday but there’s no reason we can’t start work on Monday, is there?”

  “We? Since when do women folk cut down trees and build houses? Your job is to stay home and keep house.” Davy winked at the others but Wilma didn’t see him.

  “Now you listen to me, Mr. Sullivan. I ain’t nobody’s house slave.”

  At that the whole table burst out laughing causing Wilma to look around and shake her head.

  “Sit yourself down, Wilma, before you burst something. Davy is only teasing you.” Laura patted her friend on the shoulder. “Work can’t start on the orphanage for another week or so. Paul has to go over the plans with Davy and the others. Daniel had to order in some new materials, glass for the windows and such. So we need to have some patience.”

  “Aw shucks, Miss Laura, you know I ain’t never had much patience.” Wilma sat back down. “Sorry, Mr. Sullivan, I didn’t mean to forget my manners. I just ain’t used to sitting around. I get nervous when I got nothing to do.”

  The table laughed again causing Wilma to grin wildly.

  “Why don’t you come help me at the school?” Ellen said.

  “I ain’t got no education, Miss Ellen. What use would I be to an educated lady like you?”

  Samuel swallowed hard, Wilma’s words echoing his own do
ubts about his suitability to court Ellen.

  “Stop putting yourself down, Wilma. You have life experience and a genuine love for people. The children can learn a lot from you and so can I. I would love if you could come and help me. With the summer holidays coming, the children are a little boisterous and need a firm hand.”

  “I got a firm hand when it’s needed.” Wilma said nodding.

  “Laura may have mentioned that.” Ellen joked back causing more laughter.

  “I think it’s a wonderful idea. I can drop you to town some days, Miss Wilma.”

  “I ain’t no lady, Samuel Higgins, so don’t you start calling me Miss. My name is Wilma. Just plain old Wilma.”

  “Nothing plain about you, Wilma, and that’s the truth. I think God sent you to us.”

  “God sent me? I doubt that very much Father, but thank you kindly for saying so.”

  Samuel took another bite of the pie his ma had made but if you had asked him what flavor he was eating, he wouldn’t have been able to tell you. He knew he was staring but he couldn’t take his eyes off of Ellen. He had to tell her how he felt and soon. Otherwise, someone else in town would beat him to it. It wasn’t like Clover Springs was overflowing with beautiful young single women.

  Chapter 24

  Ellen wore her divided navy skirt with a pale blue shirtwaist. She had braided her hair but left it down in one long plait. It was easier to wear a cowboy hat when your hair wasn’t curled up on top of your head. She was grateful for the shade offered by the hat. Although early, the sun was already high in the sky.

  “Where we going, Miss O’Callaghan?”

  “We are going out to the Sullivan ranch, Bertram. Little Beaver has kindly agreed to introduce us to his new horse. He saved it after the poor animal caught his hoof in a trap.”

  “What have horses to do with learning? My ma says we need to read and write in order to be successful.”