by Tia Siren
“We need to work, Ms. Bessie, we need the money,” Lilly said for Angelica.
Bess didn’t look at Lilly, just continued to gaze up at Angelica, who was at least 6 inches taller at 5’5. Her face melted in compassion, and she tilted her head. When she spoke, the tone of her voice had softened considerably.
“Angelica, go home. Take Lilly with you. I will give you a week of pay, and you just stay home and do what you need to do.”
“Oh, miss!” Angelica understood the words and could barely process them in her grief. Lilly was at her side immediately, thanking Bess over and over.
Bess said nothing more, just nodded, shooing them out the door. Angelica was crying softly, with Lilly guiding her by the shoulders.
Instead of going home, Lilly and Angelica walked to a small park on the corner of the street they worked on. They sat on a bench and held hands.
“We will figure out something to do with ourselves, Angelica. There must be something we can do with our lives. We can’t be housekeepers forever. We need husbands and families.”
Angelica just nodded, still quietly crying, her tears streaming down her face uncontrolled.
“Mio padre. Mio padre.” She kept shaking her head.
Lilly didn’t scold her for her grief. She let her friend cry and moan for her father. She stared out at the park around her, watching two mothers with very small babies settle a blanket on the ground for a picnic under a tree. She could hear them giggling and talking about their husbands and other children.
It made Lilly’s heart grow jealous. She looked at Angelica, whose beauty showed bright even in her grief. Her features were like the perfect doll’s, her dark brown hair braided down her back with ringlets surrounding her face, her eyes a deep blueish brown. She was so beautiful.
She herself was not bad to look at. But where were the men in their lives to give them to fulfillment these ladies had? They seemed so happy, on top of the world. There was probably nothing wrong in their lives at all. They had everything they wanted.
Lilly frowned. She didn’t want to be jealous of what other people had. It was a sin. It was one of the Ten Commandments not to covet what other people had.
But she did anyway. She couldn’t help it. She wanted to be married and have a family.
We could travel. She thought suddenly and wondered if it would be a possibility. There were no immediate chances of either of them getting married in the near future, not that she could see. There were no men in their lives at this time.
However, if they were to travel, there would be less chance to establish some kind of relationship with a man and settle down.
Her confusion made her even angrier. She didn’t realize she was gripping Angelica’s hand so tightly until her friend began to pull them away.
“Lilly, you’re hurting me,” Angelica mumbled.
Lilly released her hands, apologizing. “I’m so sorry, dear. I was just thinking.”
“Si, I could tell.”
Lilly’s ears were drawn to the conversation the women were having, and she pretended she was straightening her skirt while she listened.
“She went all the way to Nevada. And Joe says there’s another one in the newspaper today.”
“What would make a woman want to do that?”
“Joe says there are a lot more women here than there are there. So the chances of finding a husband here are a lot less.”
“I’m glad I’ve got Mark. I wouldn’t want to travel all the way across the country just to find a husband.”
“I think we got lucky. The way Joe says it, there’s so many people migrating from the other countries and just placing themselves here and in North Carolina and New York, there’s just too many of them.”
“I don’t mind that. My parents came from Britain. I think it’s beautiful here. I’m glad people are coming here for a new life.”
“I know. I don’t really mind either. But Joe says that’s why people need to go across the country so that there will be a good mix everywhere. Right now, it’s as if everyone is living here in the East and only men are in the West.”
“Only men? That’s not possible.”
“I don’t mean it quite like that. Not literally. There’s just many more of them than women there.”
“So men advertise for them to come to the West and marry them?” The woman shook her head. “I don’t think I could do it.”
“There are plenty who will.”
There certainly is. Lilly thought.
Chapter Two
Adam sat in the pew listening to Reverend Stoop. The sermon was about salvation and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Adam had heard a very similar sermon recently, here in this same church, from the same pastor.
But he didn’t mind and neither apparently did any of the other members of the small church. They knew that the Reverend often recycled his sermon topics and would forget that he had just used one very recently. He had been here preaching for the last thirty years.
Adam had known the Reverend since he first stepped foot in the church 17 years ago. He was like a second father to Adam, whose own father was living back in the East in the upper parts of New York with his mother and younger sister.
From the start, Adam had not liked the cold weather of New York. He had decided at a young age that he would travel to the West to see what he could make of himself on his own. At the tender age of 17, he’d done just that. It had taken him almost a year to get to his destination but once there, he began working at a farm and eventually took over the farm when his boss died, leaving it to him.
He enjoyed working the farm though the hours were long and things constantly needed to be done. There were tasks from the break of day to sunset and beyond. He hired a farmhand to help him with it, giving him room and board but the work seemed to be overloading him more every day. He was becoming lonely and wanted a change.
In fact, he was itching to make a change. He’d heard from a friend at the saloon that some of the men in farms nearby had been advertising for brides in newspapers in the East. He’d been praying on that and rolling it around in his mind for some time now.
When the service was over, he approached Reverend Stoop with the intention of getting the man’s advice. The Reverend had been married to the same woman for about thirty years, so he had to know something about it. Adam was nervous about the prospect of bringing a woman into his life when he had been a bachelor for so long. What if they weren’t compatible? What if she was not a Christian and they were unequally yoked?
These questions weighed heavily on him.
“If I could talk to you for a moment, pastor.”
The pastor looked at him and smiled. “Adam! Good to see you today.” He stepped down from the small platform to shake Adam’s hand.
“That was a good sermon today, John.”
“Thank you very much. I used the same topic about a month ago, according to the wife, but it was on my heart, so I used it again.”
“We can always use more words about the sacrifice of our Lord.” Adam nodded. “But I have something else I wanted to talk to you about if you have a moment.”
“I do. Let’s go for a walk.” He gestured with one hand, and Adam led the way down the aisle and through the front doors. He put his hat on once they were outdoors and they strolled over the grass around the side of the building. There was a cemetery very close by, and they walked along the side of it.
“I have been feeling very lonely lately. I am thinking about bringing a woman from the East to marry.”
The Reverend nodded. “I have heard of others doing that. Have placed a few ads myself. Not for me. For others in the congregation.”
Adam looked at him, surprised. “You have? I had not heard of that.”
John shook his head. “You wouldn’t have. It’s not something that is advertised here. And the men typically feel as you do, they are nervous and unsure of the future. Most of them request that the arrangement be kept private. Only those
closest to them know what’s happening.”
“It seems to be my only option at this point. No women are traveling here just because they feel like it.”
“No, it seems there are only a few females here, other than very small children.”
“Do you know the success rate of other men sending for women from the East? Have they had successful marriages?”
“As far as I have seen, yes, they have. But I have not kept close track of their lives.”
“Do you think it would be a good idea for me?”
John stopped and turned to him. “Adam, that is a decision you have to make for yourself, but I will say this. I have watched you grow from a young man into a strong Christian adult. You have come far in your life, relying on yourself and the strength God has given you. If you have prayed about this and you have come to me about it, which I commend you for, I think you know what direction is right for you. It sounds like you have already made up your mind.”
“I believe I have. I will do it.”
John nodded and clapped a hand on his shoulder. “I pray for you, my brother. God will provide and protect.”
Adam nodded.
An hour later, he was sitting on the comfortable couch he’d purchased just the year before. He held his Bible in one hand, staring down at the table in front of him, where a blank piece of paper sat waiting for him to write.
What would he say? He began to list the traits and characteristics he desired in a woman in his mind. Beauty, intelligence, compassion, a strong love for God.
How would he put those things in an advertisement? Should he even mention beauty, as it was not good to judge by someone’s looks? He would feel bad if he ended up with someone he was not attracted to, however.
He picked up the charcoal pencil he always used to write and pressed it to the paper. So far he had successfully made a black dot on the paper.
He chuckled and began to write. The ad didn’t need to be long. But if it was too short, would it get the attention he wanted?
“What are you doing, Adam?”
He jumped when he heard the voice of his farmhand, Cody. He looked up at the young man as he came through the room and sat in a chair nearby, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees and clasp his hands in front of him.
“Nothing. What are you doing?”
“Just finished putting that fence back together where that ol’ bull broke it. It should be good for a while now. We gotta do something about him, Adam. He’s gettin’ worse every day.”
“I know.” Adam nodded, looking back down at the paper in front of him. He’d managed two sentences. He wondered if he needed more. Satisfied, he folded the paper and tucked it in his shirt pocket.
“What’s that? You signin’ the farm over to me? I can’t handle all this work by myself.” Cody’s voice was teasing. He grinned wide.
“No, I’m gettin’ a woman sent from the East to marry.”
Cody’s eyebrows shot up. “What’s that, boss? What are you gonna do?”
“You heard right. I need the companionship of a woman. You’re a good farmhand, but you ain’t got the right parts.”
Cody laughed. “I’m glad to hear you say that, but I’m pretty surprised by this. You didn’t mention you’d been thinkin’ about somethin’ like that.”
Adam shook his head. When he stood, so did Cody. They both walked to the kitchen, where Adam poured himself a cup of coffee. He offered it to Cody, who shook his head.
“Stuff gives me the jitters,” he said. “Can’t concentrate.”
Adam stood with one hand wrapped around the coffee cup and the other in his jeans pocket. “I’ve been lonely a long time, Cody, since before you got here.”
“That is a long time, boss. I’ve been here going on three years now. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen you in the companionship of a woman.”
“I always thought the bachelor life was what I wanted. But now I’m reconsidering.”
“You need a woman, boss.” Cody agreed, nodding. “You deserve to have a family if that’s what you want. You thinkin’ maybe I should find a loft or another place to live?”
Adam shook his head, running one hand through his dark hair as he took a drink of coffee. “No, you can stay on here. There’s plenty of room.”
“Ain’t you gonna want some privacy?” Cody asked, tipping his hat back on his head.
“If you want to stay somewhere else, I won’t stop you,” Adam replied.
Cody shook his head. “I’d rather not leave, boss. I was jus’ sayin’ if you want privacy, I can.”
“No need for you to leave. We’ll build you a cottage of your own on the property if we have trouble with the privacy topic. But Lord willing, I’ll get a good woman who will make a fine wife and…”
Cody smiled. “You want some kids runnin’ around, do ya?” He laughed. “I like kids. I got four little nieces and nephews, as you know.”
Adam nodded, smiling with him. “Yes, they are very rambunctious, aren’t they? Perhaps I will not have that many children.”
“Is that even up to you?”
They both laughed.
“I’m about to go send this ad to Virginia. Do you want to ride along? I wanted to talk to you about the eggs.”
“The eggs?” Cody looked at him confused.
“Yes, come along with me and I’ll explain.”
When they got to the post building, Adam was disappointed to see that it was not open. He thought it was always open. Cody slid from his horse and approached the door to read a piece of paper someone had stuck there. He came back to the horses, looking up at Adam.
“Sister died,” he said simply.
“Well, is there only one person who works at this place?” He frowned. He wanted to send the ad immediately.
“Sorry, boss. Looks like you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to put in your ad. You look like you’re getting’ pretty anxious about it. You really want to do this, don’t you?”
“I feel that this is what God’s put on my heart, yes.”
“I reckon you talked to Reverend John about it.”
“I sure did. Just today.”
Cody nodded. “That’s why you’re so anxious. You got confirmation from someone you trust.”
Adam gave his farmhand a narrow look. “You’re pretty smart when you wanna be, Cody.”
Cody laughed. “Jus’ cause my words are lazy doesn’t mean my brain is.”
Adam laughed with him. It was a good point.
“I guess we gotta go back and take care of the eggs then.” Adam sighed with resignation. He turned his horse around and headed home.
Chapter Three
Lilly was more nervous than she had ever been in her life. She was hurrying back from the post office with a letter for Angelica that she knew her friend was not going to expect. And Lilly was terribly afraid she would reject it completely and be angry at Lilly for what she’d done behind her back.
The letter was from Adam Burrows in Elko, Nevada. Lilly had found his ad in the newspaper and responded, signing Angelica’s name instead of her own. It was the only way she knew of to ensure that Angelica would be taken care of first. She would travel with her, with her own money that she had been saving, and hope for the best.
But Lilly hadn’t mentioned a few things about Angelica when she’d responded. She’d used perfect English – or as near it as she could come – and hadn’t mentioned the death of Angelica’s father. Nor had she said how stunningly beautiful Angelica was.
Her heart beat hardest at the thought of the final blow in her deception. She had signed the letter as “Angela Davenport” rather than Angelica DiAntonio. The last name in itself would give the whole thing up.
Lilly’s sense of guilt washed over her as she berated herself for the entire scam. How would Angelica react? Would she even go through with it? It had been three weeks since the death of her father. She was back to working but was only doing that – living, existing. She had no vibrancy left, other th
an her outer beauty. It never reflected her inner sorrow, except when she was crying.
She had stopped crying about a week ago and was now just moving around, doing her work, eating, sleeping and the like.
Lilly wanted it to stop. She’d answered the ad the day after Mr. DiAntonio’s death. The letter of response had just arrived. She opened it immediately and was thrilled to read he was interested and had even sent a ticket for “Angela” to take, dated five days hence.
She stopped at the door of their boarding house and looked up at the windows that belonged to Angelica’s rooms. Her friend was not in the window and could not be seen from where Lilly was standing.
Lilly’s heart pounded. Regret washed over and then a sense of determination filled her. Her mixed up feelings continued to battle each other as she pushed open the door and went through. By the time she reached the second floor and was standing in front of Angelica’s door, she was out of breath. Her anxiety was making her feel faint. She knocked on the door and then opened it, putting her head through.
“Angel? Where are you?”
“In here. Come on in, Lilly.”
Lilly closed the door behind her and hurried into her friend’s bedroom, where it appeared Angelica was going through her clothes to see what she wanted and what she didn’t. She’d been given all of her sisters clothes that had not burned in the fire but where kept in a separate building. These were all clothes meant for the wintertime, and they were of very fine quality.
“These are beautiful!” Lilly said. “What do you plan to do with them?”
“I am giving them to some of the women in town who have very little.”
“But you should sell them. You don’t have to give them away. You need money.”
“I do not want to sell them, amica mia. I want the women to have them. I do not want the money they have.”
Lilly understood. These were women who made their money with the men in town, and they never seemed to have enough money. Angelica didn’t want to take what little they had, nor did she want the money they made that way.
“I want to talk to you, Angelica.” Lilly dropped herself on the bed and reached out for Angelica’s hand. Angelica took it, pulled herself from her sitting position on the floor and joined Lilly sitting on the bed.