Millie took comfort in knowing that Ingrid would not be subject to the indignities she had herself suffered with regard to her own arrival. She was sure that a pleasant natured, hard working young woman like Ingrid would make someone an excellent wife. She thought of Ingrid's Nordic looks and knew right away that the local men would be nothing if not bowled over, when she finally arrived. In fact, in the looks department, she would likely give Emmaline Larson, the English wife of the Norwegian storekeeper, a run for her money.
~#~#~#~
Like Millie before her, Ingrid left the orphanage feeling that life was about to open up for her. She was looking forward very much to seeing her best friend and made her way without mishap to the coach which was waiting to take her and an assortment of other travelers, on to Atlanta. From there, she would take the train straight through to Hope Springs. It was really happening. She was on her way. God had been there for her every day of her life and this next step would be no different. Had Millie too, experienced the heady mix of excitement and apprehension she was feeling right now as she stepped into the coach?
Inside, a family was seated, taking up all the space on one side so Ingrid sat beside the other occupant of the coach, a garishly dressed young woman with hair so red if fairly took her breath away.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" She thought it would be nice to have someone to talk to as the coach ate up the miles and the family on the other side did not look as if they were particularly friendly. In fact, there was an unmistakable air of tension inside the coach.
"Please do," the young woman offered. "So long as my presence does not offend you, that is." Ingrid loved the Southern drawl that slipped over and around her words and looked forward to making a new friend.
The gentleman on the other side of the coach was not so accommodating. "Martha, please remove yourself and the children immediately. I will not travel with a woman of clearly questionable reputation and another who is just the same, like as not. Their kind recognize each other right off and I won't travel with them."
The woman ushered her two children out the door of the coach, aiming an apologetic look at Ingrid, while her husband rounded up his family and went to seek alternative transportation. Immediately their bags were unloaded, the coach moved off to the delight of both young women.
"My name is Ingrid Swenson and I'm traveling to join my friend Millie in Hope Springs. She says I won't have any trouble finding a job or a husband, but we'll soon see if she's right."
"It's alright honey. You don't need to talk to me. I won't be offended... and I'm used to being shunned by respectable folks."
"How can that be? You seem like a friendly enough person to me."
"You really don't understand do you?"
"Understand what?"
"Well, to state the obvious, I'm what is known as a soiled dove. I work in saloons and generally have a room upstairs where I can ply my trade, if you take my meaning."
Finally Ingrid understood. She looked the other woman right in the eye before speaking. "Well it makes no difference to me. You seem like a friendly enough person and I sure can use the company. I already told you I'm catching the train to Hope Springs in Atlanta and I'm happy to pass the time with you, if you feel so inclined."
The red haired young woman smiled. "I'll be damned. You really mean it. In that case, my name is Hetty Shaw and I'm pleased to meet you Ingrid. You can call me Henrietta if you want to, if it suits you better, I mean. That was my name when I was still a lady."
"You still look like a lady so far as I can tell, but you really shouldn't cuss Hetty. God doesn't like it."
"I expect he doesn't like most things I do, but with you being so friendly an' all, I won't cuss."
"Thank you Hetty, that's real considerate of you. Now tell me where you are traveling to and we can get better acquainted, if you're of a mind of course."
"Oh, I'm of a mind, but I meant what I said before and won't be offended if you don't want to know me once we get there. I'm going to Hope Springs too, to work for big Jim Olsen in his saloon. I'm not good for anything else since I was defiled back in Savannah and my family threw me out."
"Well I'm pleased you're going to the same place as me and I'd be glad for your friendship. Maybe once we both get settled, I can look out for a different job for you. My friend Millie will help too. She's married to the Sheriff..."
Hetty cut her off. "In my experience nice folks don't care to make friends with the likes of me, particularly Sheriffs. I can't see how it will be any different in Hope Springs. No, I admire your intentions Ingrid but you'll see soon enough what I mean. But while we're traveling together it's OK for us to be friends."
"So long as you understand that I will do everything I can to help you find another job and a different life. There's always hope; and aren't we going to Hope Springs? A town with a name like that is bound to be good for both of us. Just you wait and see.
~#~#~#~
The girls became firm friends and by the time the train arrived in Hope Springs, Hetty started to believe that maybe she could make a new life here. A life that didn't involve working for Big Jim Olsen. The train pulled into the station at dusk, as always, and Ingrid recognized Millie immediately. She jumped down from the train into the waiting arms of her longtime friend and never noticed when her new friend Hetty, slipped off into the darkness to make her way to the saloon. She would work off the train fare Big Jim had paid for her and then start over. That was the part she hadn't shared with Ingrid but after her debt was paid she would seek Ingrid out and ask for her forgiveness for running off.
Millie was overjoyed to see her childhood friend and even though they had corresponded regularly during the past six months, it wasn't quite the same as meeting in person. Sheriff Jake Benson, Millie's husband could see the two young women had no need of his presence and after being introduced, took his leave.
"Oh, Millie... I hope I won't be in the way."
"Trust me," she answered. "You won't. He's a man's man and the company of his deputies is more welcome to him than a gaggle of chattering women. Now let's go home and tomorrow I'll take you to see Emma so you can start your new job."
"You found me a job? Oh, you are such a wonderful friend. Where is it and what will I be doing? But wait, you must meet the friend I made on the train."
Ingrid turned around to introduce Hetty, but she was long gone and with all the excitement, Ingrid hadn't noticed.
"No matter, you can meet her tomorrow. Her name is Hetty and she wants to start a new life here too. She sure deserves it too. Poor thing... she's been used and abused and was going to work in Jim Olson's saloon. I thought I'd convinced her not to, but it seems I was wrong."
Millie frowned. "It's more likely she was embarrassed to meet me, especially if she saw Jake at the station. I could be wrong, but Jim Olson pays for the train fare, then virtually enslaves his girls. He's a bad man, but we can't help her now. I'll talk to Jake about it later tonight when he comes home. The preacher's wife used to work there too until he rescued her, so they will likely be willing to put her up at the parsonage while we find her a proper job."
"How does Jake feel about you being friends with a former woman of ill repute? I must admit that Hetty is the first one I've met and she didn't seem like a bad person. I liked her, but can understand how respectable folk could react."
Millie laughed. "So long as I don't embarrass Jake and bring the office of Sheriff into disrepute, he doesn't much mind what I do. He's a good man and tries to keep Hope Springs as a place where people can have a good life if they work hard. For the most part, he's successful, but men like Jim Olson, who abuse women, make him mad."
"We must rescue Hetty then and I'll work as hard as I can to save up the money and pay for the train fare so she can leave that saloon behind for ever."
Millie and Ingrid continued their catching up at Millie's house and while Ingrid had an early night to catch up on some sleep, Millie told Jake about Jim Olson's latest acquisition and
how Ingrid was keen to get her away from him and settled into a proper job. These things are always easier said than done, but Jake agreed to have a word with the pastor about it. The only trouble was, big Jim Olson made good money from his girls and was not likely to see things their way.
~#~#~#~
Chapter Two
The following morning, true to his word, Jake called at the parsonage to see Jeremy St. John, the pastor in Hope Springs.
"Morning Jeremy...how are things with you?"
"Couldn't be better Sheriff. Come in and have some coffee with us. Abigail's just made a fresh pot."
When they were comfortably seated at the kitchen table, Jake revealed the purpose of his visit.
"Millie's friend Ingrid arrived yesterday evening and she made a new friend it seems, on the train. A girl by the name of Hetty Shaw. I saw her hanging back while Millie was greeting Ingrid and as soon as she saw me, drifted away into the darkness. Seems Hetty is Big Jim Olson's new girl at the saloon but Ingrid got the impression Hetty didn't really want to be there and the two girls had talked about finding a proper job for Hetty."
"I'm sorry to hear that Jake. Jim has likely paid her train fare and hoodwinked her into believing she's in his service now. You know what happens if his girls try to leave. Just look what happened to Abigail. It's a pity we couldn't have put her up here last night but it's never too late to rescue a girl who wants out of that life."
Abigail was thoughtful. "I'd like to help her. That's no way for a girl to live."
"Well, I'll find out how much the traveling expenses were so we can take up a collection and pay Jim off. Then we can take the girl out. He has no right to keep her once the debt is paid and I'll lock him up for a few days if he becomes disagreeable about it. You'd think the man would learn a lesson but it seems not."
Jake rose to leave and be about his work. "Thanks for stopping by Jake. I'll start a collection right away and let's see if we can have her out of there before tonight."
"Bye Abigail and thanks for the coffee. You might want to see about some clothes too. The dress Hetty was wearing last night almost screamed lady of the night at me and she'll likely be comfortable in something more modest."
He tipped his hat before walking up the street to his office.
~#~#~#~
Ingrid fell in love with Hope Springs when she saw it in daylight. It was still summer, although there was a hint of autumn in the air and the sky was as wide and blue as she'd expected. Millie took her on a brief tour of the town and introduced her to her friends who didn't seem to care a bit that she had an accent or that her clothes were worn and clearly designed for work rather than fashion.
"I want to work hard because I have nothing and I need some money to pay for my friend Hetty's train fare so she can leave that horrible place she was going to work in. I almost had her talked around when we got off the train last night but she went off on her own while I was getting re-acquainted with Millie."
Abigail couldn't help but add to the conversation. "I'm so pleased you care enough to help her Ingrid. I used to be one of Big Jim Olson's slaves and it's the worst thing that can happen to a woman. Jake and Pastor Jeremy are going to try and get her away today and she'll come here to the parsonage for a while with me. I know how worthless she'll be feeling and the worst thing is that the situation probably wasn't her own fault in the first place."
Eventually, Millie took her to the hotel where Emma ran the domestic side of things with the efficiency of a sergeant major.
"I'm pleased to meet you Ingrid. When Millie told me you were coming I was pleased to have another girl to come and work here. With one thing and another, my helpers never seem to stay long. Women are in such short supply that they are snapped up as wives before you can say 'spit.'
"I'll work hard for you Emma, that's one thing I'm good at."
Emma chuckled. "That's what they all say. Why, even Millie here came and worked for me for a short time until she married the Sheriff. You heard what happened, didn't you? Jake went to collect Millie from the train and couldn't find her. Turns out Millie lost her luggage and looked like something the cat dragged in when the Sheriff found her, thought she was a lady of the night and locked her up."
"It wasn't funny at the time, I can assure you," quipped Millie, "but I guess we'll never live it down."
Ingrid couldn't help but laugh. "Millie, you should have told me."
"Well I hope you can understand why I didn't. Just when I think I've learned the fitting way to behave for a Sheriff's wife, that story pops out and shoots it full of holes."
"Sheriff's wife or not, it doesn't hurt to keep your sense of humor intact out here. Now off you go Millie and I'll get Ingrid settled in and show her around so she can find everything she needs."
"Alright, I'll see you both later then. Bye, Emma... Ingrid."
"Right then Ingrid, let's take your bag up and I'll show you your room. Then we can take a walk around the corridor where the customers rooms are."
"Do you mean to say I'm to have a room to myself? Asked Ingrid when Emma showed her the room.
"Well yes, of course. Is that a problem?"
"No, it's just that I've never had a room to myself before. It wasn't an option at the orphanage."
"I remember now Millie saying something similar. You'll soon get used to it, I assure you."
"I think it's just beautiful Emma... and thank you for taking me in. I meant it when I said I'd work hard for you."
"I'm sure you will dear. Now we don't want to wear you out but I'll let you know what you need to do each day. It's mostly cleaning and tidying the guests rooms after they check out, so the rooms are ready for the next guests. Linen is changed when they leave, unless they are staying more than a week. Washing is probably the most arduous task of all but I have a boiler set up and it seems to do the job. Then there is the kitchen. I'll need you to wash and dry dishes as well as chop up whatever I need for cooking. And if you wanted to lend a hand with the bread, I'd be most grateful."
Ingrid blinked a couple of times. It seemed like a lot of work for one person, but nevertheless, she would do it.
"Now you don't need to do everything by yourself of course," continued Emma. "I just need someone to help me do it. My husband doesn't lift a finger except man the front desk, but it at least frees me up to run a good, clean hotel that serves hearty home cooked meals. Now is that going to be alright with you?"
Ingrid fairly bubbled with excitement. "When can I start?"
~#~#~#~
Hetty didn't have such a good introduction to Hope Springs and by the time she'd met Big Jim Olsen and the usual clientele, found herself wishing she'd waited at the station with Ingrid. The young woman was genuine when she'd offered to help Hetty leave her unsuitable profession behind. But she'd been embarrassed and certainly didn't want to impose on Millie who was apparently married to the local Sheriff.
She'd seen the way Sheriff Jake had looked at her and it was as if he knew exactly what she was and did for a living. The last thing she wanted was to make difficulties for these good hearted folks. So she slipped away while Ingrid and Millie got reacquainted. She was sure the Sheriff noticed her leave though and hoped he wouldn't cause trouble for her with Big Jim.
It took all of two minutes to take the measure of Jim Olson after which he marched her upstairs to her room. The saloon was disreputable looking when compared to its rival close to the center of town. She supposed there was a reason for Big Jim's place to be located at the far end of town, away from the more respectable business premises and hoped she wasn't walking towards danger. How wrong she'd been.
"Don't get any ideas about running away, girlie because I'll have you hunted down and whipped when you are returned to me. I own you now. Do you understand? You are my property and I'll do to you whatever I choose. You accepted my money to bring you here and from now on, you'll do as I say."
"But surely I can leave after I've paid my traveling debt to you?"
"No,
you can't. I'll be accommodating, feeding and clothing you... not to mention whiskey. All my girls end up on the whiskey sooner or later. There is no way your debt will ever be paid off so don't even think about leaving." Just to make his point stick, he slashed at her a few times with the whip in his hand. She remained quiet after that.
"Now make yourself comfortable because I'll be sending up your first customer in thirty minutes."
Hetty couldn't believe how she'd been fooled. She placed her bag on the floor and sat on the bed, willing herself not to cry.
A soft female voice called out to her. " Can I come in Hetty? I've brought you some food."
The door opened and a girl who looked to be barely fifteen, came in with a tray. "I'm Sophie. Here, you need to eat something to keep your strength up. The best way to get by is to take one day at a time and if you've any sense at all, stay clear of the whiskey. You never know when someone might come and rescue you and it's best if you're not drunk when they do."
"I'm Hetty and I surely wasn't expecting a place like this when I agreed to come here."
"It surely is terrible but there is always hope. You know, a few months ago Abigail, another girl who worked here, ran away again and the new pastor rescued her and then married her. They help girls get away from here and find them a proper job. I'll never give up hope because of them."
"I met a girl on the train called Ingrid who was coming to stay with her friend Millie. She offered to take me too but I saw the Sheriff there at the train station and thought it would be embarrassing for nice folks to be saddled with the likes of me."
"You should have gone while you had the chance. They are good people and the Sheriff works with the pastor to free the girls in here. If your friend tells Millie about you, her friends will try and get you out of here."
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