“She’s going to Florence, same as you,” Charlie answered. “Dr. Wilshire’s going to be the new physician for the Santa Fe employees,” Charlie proudly announced to the young woman.
Tessie sat staring at him, wondering why he felt compelled to answer on her behalf.
“You been a doctor very long?” Lydia inquired.
“No,” Tessie and Charlie replied in unison.
“I believe that Mr. Banion feels qualified to speak on my behalf since he hastily read my résumé a few hours ago,” Tessie continued, with a grin on her face.
“I’m sorry. That was very rude of me, wasn’t it?”
“That’s all right. It’s just that I’ve been used to answering for myself the last several years,” Tessie remarked, causing all three of them to laugh and relieving some of the mounting tension.
“Your folks must have lots of money if they could send you for schooling to be a doctor,” Lydia stated, the sound of envy obvious in her voice.
“My parents died when I was twelve years old, Lydia,” Tessie answered. “I was very fortunate, however. My uncle Jon lived on the adjoining farm, and our grandmother lived with us also. Then a couple of years after my parents died, Uncle Jon married a wonderful woman. Nobody could have asked for a better substitute mother than Aunt Phiney. She encouraged me to use all of my God-given talents.”
“Yeah, well, my mother didn’t have a good job or good luck, so I’m stuck taking care of Addie. But it’s my turn now, and I’m not going to let her get in my way. I’m going to work at the Harvey House and meet me a man to take care of me,” Lydia retorted, flinging her head in a decisive nod.
Tessie thought the young woman looked almost triumphant—as though she had discovered the secret to a guaranteed happy life. It was obvious that Lydia thought the solution to her unhappiness was a husband to take over the burdens and responsibilities that had been thrust upon her. For now, however, she was mistakenly directing her resentment at what she considered the source of her problems—Addie.
“I hope everything will work out for both you and Addie,” Tessie stated. “If there is anything I can do to help, I hope you won’t hesitate to let me know,” Tessie offered. She didn’t know what she could do, but certainly both of these sisters needed a friend.
“Thanks,” Lydia answered. “Maybe you or your gentleman friend can help me find a way to keep Addie at the Harvey House,” she ventured.
“Do you think you could help, Charlie?” Tessie asked with a look of hopefulness.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Charlie answered, not certain he could be of much assistance but wanting to please Tessie. He watched her small smile develop more broadly and her cheeks take on a slight blush, her happiness evident at his remark. “I’m not promising anything,” he quickly continued, the remark directed more at Tessie than the two sisters.
“I understand,” Tessie interrupted. “I appreciate the fact that you are willing at least to make an attempt.”
“Well, don’t expect a miracle,” he responded.
“Why not? I’m sure that God is quite capable of a miracle for these two girls, and that may be the very reason you’re on this train,” Tessie answered in an authoritative manner.
“That may be so,” Charlie remarked, “but I had rather hoped it was because we were destined to meet and fall in love,” he said quickly before moving across the aisle and firmly squeezing her into the corner of the seat.
“Mr. Banion, just because you have agreed to assist these women does not mean I am giving you permission to make advances toward me,” Tessie retorted, attempting to put this brash man in his place.
“Now, Tessie, remember that you agreed to call me Charlie,” he replied, the humor in his voice causing Lydia to giggle.
“Looks like you’ve already got you a man,” Lydia teased. “I’ll go back up with the other women so you two lovebirds can be alone,” she said, giving them an exaggerated wink before she turned to move forward with her friends.
“Now, look what ideas you’ve put in her head,” Tessie reprimanded, giving a sharp jab with her elbow that landed in Charlie’s right side.
“Ouch! I thought you took an oath to heal, not do bodily harm to people,” Charlie complained, rubbing the spot where she had inflicted the blow.
“Oh, don’t be such a big baby,” she chided. “If that’s all it takes to turn you into a whimpering soul, you’d better never come to my office for treatment.”
He watched her give Addie a quick smile when she noticed the little girl observing their sparring match.
The train whistle exploded in two long blasts, signaling that they would soon be arriving at their destination. Tessie watched Addie as another shrill whistle sounded out into the late afternoon dusk, but there was no indication the child heard a sound.
Chapter 3
Amid clouds of billowing gray smoke, the train came to a hissing, belching stop, allowing the passengers to disembark onto a wooden platform. The sturdy brick station stoically guarded the rails while passengers entered and exited the trains in a flurry of activity.
“Harvey House is just this way,” Charlie stated, taking her arm as she stepped down from the train.
The establishment still carried the name Clifton Hotel, although Charlie was quick to tell her that it bore little resemblance to the old hostelry. Most folks now referred to it as the Harvey House.
The waitresses were dressed just like those Tessie had seen in Topeka. The black-and-white uniforms, with Elsie collars, black stockings, black shoes, and white ribbons tying back their hair did little to accentuate the femininity of the young women. The waitresses seemed to weave in and out among the tables with an ease and familiarity that belied the fact that most of them had been working for Fred Harvey only a short time. It was a superb testimonial to their training.
Charlie and Tessie were seated at a small table by themselves, although most of the passengers were at larger tables visiting and enjoying the attention being lavished upon them the minute they entered the establishment.
“What do you think of your new community so far?” Charlie asked, pleased that his companion appeared impressed by the surroundings.
“I must say, I am surprised,” she exclaimed delightedly. “My expectations didn’t include dining in such elegance. Who would have expected to find English china and Irish linen on the tables of a restaurant in Florence, Kansas?”
“Not many folks, I suppose,” Charlie agreed, “but more and more people will come to expect elegance at all of the stops along the Santa Fe.”
Tessie was sure that he was right, especially if they all measured up to the bill of fare presented at the Harvey House. “Would you like another cup of tea?” Charlie inquired, hoping she would be willing to linger a few minutes longer.
“If you don’t mind, I’d rather get myself settled. It’s been a long day, and I don’t think I could hold another ounce of food or drink,” she replied with a smile.
“I guess I’m just trying to keep you with me as long as possible,” Charlie admitted. “However, I’m sure you’re tired and would like to see your new home. Let me introduce you to the chef before we leave,” he said, directing her toward the kitchen doorway.
As they approached, Tessie could hear the sound of Lydia’s voice coming from the kitchen. It was evident that an argument had ensued, and from the sound of things, Lydia had met her match. Just as Charlie opened the kitchen door, Tessie heard someone yelling at Lydia to get her brat out of the kitchen.
“What’s the problem, John?” Charlie asked, walking into the kitchen with an air of authority.
“I’m not real sure. From the sound of things, one of the new waitresses has a little sister with her. Guess she thinks Mrs. Winter should allow the kid to stay in the dormitory,” replied the chef. “You know that’s not gonna happen. Mrs. Winter won’t let anyone sleep in those rooms unless they work here. Me?—I’m just trying to stay clear of the ruckus,” he stated, shrugging his shoulders and sh
aking his head in disgust.
“Say, John, would you consider hiring the little girl as a pearl diver?” Charlie asked, hoping the chef’s agreement would cancel out Mrs. Winter’s objection to Addie’s living with her sister.
“I don’t know. That little tyke couldn’t even reach the sinks,” he replied.
“What’s a pearl diver?” Tessie inquired, wondering if Charlie had lost his senses.
“Oh, that’s just a nickname we give the dishwashers,” the chef replied, his wide grin revealing a set of uneven white teeth sitting under an inky black mustache.
“Come on, Johnny. She could do it! The kid’s probably worked harder in the last year than most of the guys we’ve got laying track,” Charlie exaggerated, hoping to make good on his promise to Tessie and Lydia.
“I suppose we could turn one of those big tubs upside down and let her stand on it,” he replied.
It would be good just once to get the upper hand with old Mrs. Winter, decided John. She didn’t seem to have much of a heart, and John knew that she liked the power of her position. If the little girl had a job and was related to one of the Harvey Girls, Mrs. Winter would have to let her stay in the hotel with the rest of the hired help, he reasoned to himself. Maybe it would bring her down a peg or two if she realized the employees were going to stick together. Besides, he could use another dishwasher.
“Thanks, John. I owe you one,” Charlie responded, giving the chef a slap on the back and extending his hand.
“That’s okay, Charlie. She’s a cute little kid, and we can find something to keep her busy.”
The men had just finished their conversation when Mrs. Winter came bustling through the kitchen, obviously a woman intent on getting things settled.
“Ah, Mrs. Winter, you appear to be a bit frazzled this evening,” Charlie crooned. “I would think you’d be in good spirits with all this new help arriving,” he added.
“I’m glad to have the additional help, Mr. Banion, but not the additional problems! You can’t imagine the difficulties some of these women can create,” she stated, grabbing a dishcloth and vehemently rubbing a nonexistent spot on one of the counters.
“Perhaps I could be of assistance,” Charlie offered, hoping to entice her into a conversation regarding young Addie.
“I doubt that—not that you’re not capable, mind you. It’s just one of these new women brought a younger sister with her, expecting I’d allow her to live with the rest of us. There are rules, Mr. Banion. Some of these women, especially the new ones, just do not understand rules,” she stated, sure she had found a comrade in the personnel manager for the railroad.
“Yes, rules need to be followed. I agree,” he stated. “Isn’t it a rule that if you work in a Harvey House, you live there?”
“Of course,” she replied smugly, not realizing she had just been caught in his snare.
“Well then, you have no problem. That little girl is an employee of the House,” he retorted, watching as deep lines formed across her forehead.
“How can that be?” she asked, sure there had to be a misunderstanding.
“I hired her. She’s gonna be a pearl diver,” John answered.
“Whaaat? I don’t believe it. She’s too little to wash dishes, and you know it, Johnny,” she retorted, angry at the turn of events. The entire staff was now gathered in the kitchen listening to Mrs. Winter receive her comeuppance from the chef. They all knew that Johnny was the one person she wouldn’t upset. After all, he was one of the country’s finest chefs, and Mr. Harvey had brought him all the way from Chicago. Mrs. Winter didn’t dare cause a problem that would make Johnny unhappy. She turned on her heel and caught Lydia’s wide-eyed stare.
“She’ll have to sleep in the same bed with you,” she directed, her teeth clenched and jaw set.
“I bet you could find a cot somewhere if you tried real hard. After all, we run a hotel,” John called after the retreating matron. “I’ll see what I can do,” she retorted and marched from the room, trying to maintain an iota of dignity as her staff smiled at the back of the rigid form departing the room.
“I think I may have made an enemy,” John stated to no one in particular.
“She’ll get over it. Think she needs a few lessons in how to deal with employees,” Charlie stated.
Lydia was irritated that Addie had once again caused her trouble but realized she owed a thank-you to Mr. Banion and the chef. Not wanting to make a spectacle of herself in front of the other employees, she waited until most of them had left the room and then made her way to where John, Charlie, and Tessie were talking. As she approached the trio, she noticed Addie standing close by, Tessie’s hand resting protectively on the child’s shoulder.
“I want to thank you both,” Lydia stated, extending her hand first to Charlie and then to John. “It’s very kind of you to give my sister a job,” she said to the chef.
Pulling Addie beside her and looking directly into her eyes, she stated, “You’ll do a good job, won’t you, Addie?”
The child nodded in agreement and immediately tried to navigate back to her previous position beside Tessie. Lydia firmly gripped her arm, causing the child to grimace, but she made no sound. Tessie felt anger begin to well up inside but knew it would serve no purpose to confront Lydia. It would only make matters worse for Addie, and she certainly didn’t want that to occur.
“I guess it’s about time I get you over to your new home,” Charlie stated. “It’s been a long day, and I’m sure you’re tired.”
“I’m sure we all are. Nice to meet you, John. Good night, Lydia—Addie,” Tessie said, her smile directed at the child.
The little girl looked totally bewildered by the events that had taken place in her midst. I wonder just how much she understood of all that occurred, Tessie thought as they left the restaurant and walked down the brick sidewalk.
“Your house is nearby. Makes it convenient for you to be close to the station, although it’s a little noisy when the trains are coming through,” Charlie commented.
“I’m sure I’ll get used to it. I may have to bury my head under a pillow for the first few nights,” she joked.
The night air was warm, and they sauntered down the street until Charlie stopped in front of a white frame house with a picket fence and large porch. There were rosebushes on either side of the gate, and the honeysuckle was in full bloom, its sweet fragrance wafting in the breeze.
“This is it!” Charlie announced, pushing open the gate for his companion.
He watched closely for her reaction, not sure why it was so important to him that she like the dwelling. Her shoulders held erect, he couldn’t detect a single wrinkle in her navy traveling suit as she walked toward the house. Tiny wisps of coppery hair escaped the blue wool hat that she had carefully secured when they disembarked the train. He continued his observation as she peeked around the side of the house and turned to him with a look of delighted expectation.
“It’s wonderful, Charlie. If it’s only half as splendid inside, I’m going to be extremely pleased,” she stated, walking up the front steps, her hips swaying slightly beneath the wool skirt.
“Let me unlock the door for you,” he offered, withdrawing a silver skeleton key from his pocket. With a click, the door unlatched, and bowing in a grand sweep, Charlie stepped aside to allow her entrance.
“It’s completely furnished, but if you want to bring your own things, we can remove any of the furniture,” he said in a rush, not sure she would be pleased with the decor.
Charlie bent down and ignited the lamp just inside the front door. The illumination from the frosted globe mingled with the etched mirror hanging in the hallway, giving the room a scintillating luminescence. Everything from the overstuffed floral divan to the cream-colored armchairs were to her taste. The large oak mirror hanging over the fireplace was flanked on either side by wood-framed paintings of the countryside. The kitchen was large enough for a small table and two chairs. There were more shelves than she would ever be
able to fill, and the pump over the kitchen sink gave her an unimaginable thrill. A home where she wouldn’t have to fetch water from the well. What more could anyone wish for? she thought, until Charlie escorted her into the fully equipped treatment room and office! It was grand beyond her expectations. There were doctors who had been in practice for years but had not enjoyed an office the likes of this.
“Well, what do you think? Sorry you signed that contract?” Charlie asked, feeling assured of her answer.
Not even aware that he remained in the room, Tessie moved through the office in a calculated manner, touching and checking each drawer and cabinet, running her fingers over the instruments while taking a mental inventory. Occasionally she would stop and examine some particular item more closely and then continue. Reaching the bookcase, she opened the oak-and-glass door and removed the books one by one, almost caressing them as she turned the pages.
“It would appear that someone knows how to equip a doctor’s office,” Tessie commented when she had concluded surveying the rooms.
“I was beginning to think you had forgotten I exist,” Charlie replied. “I take it you’re willing to remain an employee of the Santa Fe, and you’re not going to beg me to tear up your contract?” he teased.
“I think I just may be able to force myself to practice medicine here,” she answered with a grin that made her appear much younger than her twenty-eight years.
“If you think you know your way around the place well enough, I’d better get back to the train station. I’ve got some paperwork to take care of before going back to the hotel,” he told her, not wanting to leave but realizing that she was weary.
“I’ll be just fine. I plan to make an early night of it,” she said while she walked with him toward the front door.
“Please say you’ll have breakfast with me,” he requested as they reached the porch, not wanting to leave her until he was sure when he would see her again.
“Since I’ve nothing here to eat, how could I turn down such an invitation?” she answered, though regretting immediately how coquettish she sounded.
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