by Kit Morgan
“What about hair? Can you fix a young lady’s hair?”
“I … well, why do you ask?”
“Yes, why do you ask?” inquired Mercy.
Mrs. Caulder ignored her and kept her attention on Ellie. “Do you find yourself in need of any extra money, Miss Sampson?”
Ellie could only stare at her. Was she offering her a job? Was the woman crazy? But then, the more money she had, the sooner she could either leave and go back to Oregon City, or seriously think about staying on. “What are you asking, Mrs. Caulder?”
“I think it’s time Bernice had a ladies’ maid. Are you up to the task?”
Elle’s eyes darted to Julian who sat stiffly next to Bernice. Bernice, on the other hand, positively beamed. “Really, Mother? A maid of my very own?”
Mrs. Caulder gave her a broad smile. “Yes – I think you’re cultured enough now to own a servant.”
“Own?” Ellie squeaked. She saw Julian mouth something like Tennessee, but wasn’t sure what it meant.
Mrs. Smythe glared at Mrs. Caulder. “Don’t you mean ‘hire’?”
“Yes, yes, whatever,” Mrs. Caulder said with a wave of her hand. “The point is, if Bernice is to be married soon, I think she ought to have some help with her new household.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” blurted Bernice.
Mrs. Caulder’s eyes narrowed on her.
“Oh, I mean … yes, I could use the help,” Bernice quickly corrected.
Mrs. Caulder took a deep breath. “I shall speak to Miss Sampson more about this after our meeting here. In private.”
Ellie gave her a tight-lipped nod. “Will that be all, Mrs. Vander?” Help or no help, Ellie wanted nothing more than to get out of there. Couldn’t these people pick out colors on their own?
“Yes, dear, you can go now,” she said as she eyed Mrs. Caulder as well.
Ellie took one last look around the group, her eyes landing on Julian. “Very well. I’m going now.” With that, she left. If she had her way, she’d march right over to the Brocks, pack her things, and take the next stage back to Oregon City. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the money. Which was the only thing that made Mrs. Caulder’s offer attractive.
* * *
“What’s the matter with you?” Betsy asked as Ellie hurried into the kitchen.
“Nothing,” she said as she reached the worktable. She was so upset, she didn’t even notice Cecil standing at the kitchen’s side door at first. “Oh, excuse me! Hello, Mr. Winters.”
“Good afternoon, Miss Sampson. Is something wrong?”
“No, yes … no.”
“Mm-hmm. I’d say that answers your question,” Betsy told him. She turned back to Ellie. “I ain’t even gonna ask. But why don’t you take the rest of the day off?”
“Oh no, I couldn’t!”
“You can and you will. Don’t worry, I’ll see you get paid for this afternoon.”
“But I couldn’t …” Tears formed in Ellie’s eyes. She was more distraught than she’d thought.
“Go on, take a long walk or something,” Betsy advised. “You look like you need one.”
Ellie sighed. She was right, of course. She got her shawl from a peg near the closet and headed for the door. “Thank you, Betsy.”
Betsy smiled. “Don’t mention it. And don’t mention what’s got you so upset until you’re good and ready to talk about it, you hear?”
Ellie closed her eyes against the tears and nodded. Why was she so upset?!
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Betsy called after her as Ellie hurried out the door.
Once outside, she went up the side path running next to the house to the street, then headed to the main part of town. The faster she walked, the better she felt. Maybe she ought to just keep walking ...
She reached Main Street, stopped and looked around. Where would she go? She still wasn’t familiar with the area, and the only time she’d left town was the visit to the Edmonsons’ ... hmmm. Making up her mind, she took off at a furious pace and kept walking until she reached the edge of town. She stared at the empty road before her and took a deep breath. She was still too upset to go back to her room at the Brocks’, so she started off again.
It wasn’t long before she reached the Edmonsons’ farm. She stopped in the middle of the road and stared at the farmhouse. She knew she was at least a mile or more out of town and contemplated going further when she heard a small voice. “Hello, Ellie.”
She turned to see Lily Edmonson staring up at her. For Heaven’s sake, she hadn’t even heard the child approach! “Why, hello. You remembered my name.”
“I can remember lots of things,” Lily replied.
“I’m sure you can.”
“Have you come to visit my ma?”
Ellie glanced at the farmhouse again. “No, I was just out for a walk.”
“Kinda cold out for one, isn’t it? I bet my ma would be real happy if you came in and visited with her. She likes talking to other grown-ups.”
“She does?” Ellie asked as she tightened her shawl around her. The child was right – now that she’d stopped, she noticed how cold it was.
“Yep, on account she don’t have to look down or bend over to do it. You’re tall enough for her to look in the eye.”
Ellie laughed. “Oh, is that why? I’d never thought of that before. Where’s your mother now?”
“In the kitchen,” Lily said as she grabbed her by the hand. “Come on, I’ll take you to her.”
Ellie let the child pull her toward the farmhouse. Lily made her miss Davey, and she fought against tears. Did he wonder why she’d been gone so long? Did he miss her terribly? Had anyone other than herself explained to him why she was doing this for him, to see he had a better future?
Lily led her into the house and straight to the kitchen. “Ma! We got visitwers!” She looked up at Ellie. “Oops, make that one visitwer!
Ellie laughed and shook her head as Mrs. Edmonson looked up from peeling potatoes. “Miss Sampson?”
“Yes. I hope you don’t mind, but Lily brought me.”
“Brought you?”
“I was just passing by … taking a walk.”
Mrs. Edmonson gave Lily a stern look. “What have I told you about talking to strangers?”
“But she ain’t no stranger,” Lily protested. “She’s Ellie!”
“I know, but what if she had been?” She looked at Ellie. “She’s a friendly sort, this one. The others are more cautious.”
“Folks around here seem pretty nice. I wouldn’t worry.”
“Oh I don’t worry about folks that live around the farm or in town,” Mrs. Edmonson said. “But once in a while we get a stranger through, and you just never know…”
Ellie thought of the sort of men in Oregon City who wanted her, couldn’t wait to marry her, and shuddered. “I’m afraid I have to agree with you.”
“Well, since you’re here, why don’t ya sit a spell and have a cup of coffee with me?” Mrs. Edmonson pointed to a chair.
“Thank you, I’d like that.” The kitchen was warm and smelled of fresh bread. Hot coffee sounded good. Ellie sat and watched as Mrs. Edmonson poured them each a cup.
“I just made a pot. I like me some coffee on these cold afternoons.”
Ellie glanced around. “Where are the rest of the children?” She’d only seen Lily so far.
“The little ones are all napping, and Eldon and Gabe are straightening up the barn, marking the things that need to be moved.”
“Oh yes, of course. The dance. When are people coming out to rearrange things?”
“Tomorrow, so I heard. There’s a lot we can put up in the loft, and the rest can go out back behind the barn. Then we’ll set to cleaning it up a bit so folks won’t step in somethin’ that’ll color up their shoes.”
Ellie smiled. “Yes, I’m sure everyone attending will appreciate that. Are you excited about holding the dance here?”
“Yes, it’s real exciting. We’ve never been ones to get to
o involved in town affairs ‘til this winter. Puttin’ our wagon in the parade for the Christmas pageant was a lot of fun. Pastor Luke suggested we do that.”
“I wish I’d been here to see it.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll see us in it again this year.” Then she saw Ellie’s face fall. “What’s the matter? You don’t look so good.”
“Well, to tell you the truth … I’m not sure I’ll be here next Christmas.”
“Why not? You like it here, don’t ya? Ain’t the Vanders and the Brocks treatin’ ya well?”
“It’s not that,” Ellie said. She looked Mrs. Edmonson in the eye and gave her a half smile. “You see, I have someone back in Oregon City waiting for me.”
“Oh, is that it?” stated Mrs. Edmonson with a nod. “Well, I can’t say as I’m surprised, ya bein’ such a pretty girl and all.”
“Oh, no, you don’t understand, it’s not a beau.”
“What? No man? Well, I’m glad to hear that.”
“You are?” Ellie said, confused.
“Well, yes – the way Julian Smythe was looking at ya last week, I figured the two of ya might be sparkin’.”
“Oh, heavens no. He has no interest in me, I’m afraid. In fact, it looks like he and Bernice Caulder are … well. I’m sure they’ll be going to the dance together.”
“Bernice Caulder?” The look on Mrs. Edmonson’s face defied description, “But why ain’t he gonna take you? Anyone can see he’s got a shine for ya.”
Ellie look at the floor. “Who can say? Besides, as I said before, I probably won’t be here for the dance anyway. I have to be getting back.”
“Who did ya leave behind?”
Ellie looked at her, tears in her eyes. “My son.”
Twelve
“Your son?” asked Mrs. Edmonson in surprise. “Ya mean ya got yourself a little boy?”
Ellie nodded. “Yes, and a beautiful boy he is, too.”
“Why ain’t he here with you?”
Ellie closed her eyes a moment and took a deep breath. “Mrs. Edmonson, I don’t want to bother you with my troubles ...”
“Ya ain’t botherin’ me none. ‘Sides, if anyone knows about troubles it’s me. Me and my husband’ve had our share over the last few years, I can tell ya that. So could anyone else in town. Ever’body knows we were strugglin’ for awhile.”
“Struggling? Oh, I don’t mean to pry.”
Mrs. Edmonson waved a dismissive hand in the air. “Ya ain’t pryin’ if I’m willin’ to tell. When little Ella came along, my poor husband was worn thin. All these mouths to feed, crops were bad, no money, no food … well, one day he just decided to up and leave. ‘Course a lot of folks don’t know that part.”
“Then … why tell me?”
“Why not? Ya ain’t told folks ya got a boy, have ya.” It wasn’t a question.
Ellie shook her head. “No, I haven’t.”
“I didn’t think so. There’s some things ya tell maybe just a few. Then there’s things that sit just between you and the Almighty. I don’t know why your boy ain’t here with ya, but if it were me, I’d go plumb crazy without one of my younguns, and I got seven! Even if just one were gone, there’d be a big hole in this house.”
Ellie sniffled and nodded in understanding. “I haven’t seen my Davey for more than two weeks.”
“Who’s takin’ care of him? Kinfolk?”
“No, some neighbors that lived a few houses down. They suggested I become a … well, never mind about that, I’m just trying to make a better life for him and me, you know?”
“So ya came here lookin’ for work? Ain’t there no jobs where you’re from?”
“Not that I would want,” Ellie told her with a shudder. At this point, thoughts of the men who wanted to marry her in Oregon City were repulsive. More and more the idea of staying in Independence grew. But then, she’d have to find another job and make more money – and the only offer she had, from Mrs. Caulder, wasn’t too appealing. Besides, she’d run out of the Vanders’ home before speaking with the woman. It was a rude thing to do, and Eunice Caulder did seem the type to take offense.
“You are plannin’ on bringin’ your boy here, ain’t ya?” asked Mrs. Edmonson.
“I’m still trying to make up my mind about staying. I just don’t see how it’s possible.”
“Well, the important thing is your boy, and the two of ya bein’ together.” She took a sip of her coffee, then gazed at Ellie a moment. “Ya know we ain’t got much, but I have a little money saved. If it’ll help ya get back to your boy, or bring him here, you’re welcome to it.”
Ellie stared at the woman in shock. “No, I couldn’t. I know how hard it is to save money.”
“Thought I’d offer. I know how heavy it’d make my heart to be apart from any of my little ones. If’n those friends of yours bring your boy here, he can always stay with us for a spell.”
Ellie’s mouth dropped open. “What?”
“Well, maybe he can stay at the Vanders’ or the Brocks’, but I don’t know how they’d feel about it. If they ain’t willin’, we are. ‘Course, you’ll have to give us a little somethin’ to feed him until ya got a place of your own. But at least he’d be close by.”
Ellie stared at her. This might be the solution she’d been searching for. “Do you mean that?”
“I’ll have to talk to Ralph, but I don’t think he’d mind. If ya don’t mind walkin’ to work, maybe you could bed down in the attic with your boy. There’s room enough up there for the two of ya. You could pay us a little for board, and your boy’d have a place to be durin’ the day while you work, not to mention plenty of other younguns to play with.”
Ellie’s shoulders shook as she fought against tears. “Mrs. Edmonson … I don’t know what to say!”
“Well, think on it, then tell me what you’d like to do. In the meantime I’ll talk to Ralph and we’ll see what he says. Then I’ll let ya know. How’s that sound?”
Ellie nodded, and gave up holding back the tears. The thought of having Davey with her again and not having to return to Oregon City was an answer to prayer. And if she stayed at the Edmonsons’, she’d see Julian and Bernice less often. She’d get over him in time, she was sure, but for now every moment she saw him with Bernice hurt. And there was only one reason it would …
“C’mon with me, and I’ll show ya the attic room. I’m sure you’ll want to see it before ya take me up on my offer – providin’ Ralph says it’s okay.”
Ellie nodded. “You won’t mention to anyone about my boy, will you? I don’t want anyone to know yet. If Mr. Edmonson says it’s all right that we stay here, and Mrs. Brock and Mrs. Vander don’t mind that I’m a mother, then we have ourselves a deal. But if they don’t like the idea, I’m afraid I’ll have to go back.”
Mrs. Edmonson got up and gave her a hug. “I understand. Did you … lose your husband? You were married, weren’t ya?”
Ellie sniffed back her tears. “Yes, I’m a widow.”
“Such a shame, a thing like that happenin’ to a pretty young girl like you. But don’t worry – ya stick around Independence, you’ll be married soon enough.”
“Somehow I doubt that.”
“Oh, it may not look like it, but there’s a few young bucks around. And there’ll be more a-comin’ – Oregon’s growin’, ya know.”
“Mrs. Edmonson, the only young man I’m interested in right now is a four-year-old boy back in Oregon City.
The other woman smiled. “I understand. Now c’mon and I’ll show ya that room.”
* * *
Julian sat and cringed repeatedly as he listened to the women discuss decorations for the Valentine’s celebration.
How he’d gotten roped into this, he had no idea. He’d only offered to escort Bernice to the meeting after her dancing lesson with the Professor. Professor Hamilton knew quite a few dances, and had offered to teach some of the more popular ones to whoever was interested before the big night. Bernice was the first to take him up on his
offer; Julian had been dragooned into it because he happened to be passing by. Thus, today he was also stuck escorting Bernice to the Vanders’ for her committee meeting with the other women.
He had been hoping to get Ellie alone so he could explain where he’d been all week, but apparently that wasn’t going to happen. Once she’d disappeared back into the kitchen, she’d remained there and hadn’t so much as poked her head out. Instead, Betsy took care of any of their needs.
“Well, I think that about wraps it up,” announced Mercy. “Does anyone have anything else to discuss?”
“Yes,” Eunice Caulder said. “I’d like to discuss Miss Sampson with you, if I may. You don’t mind sharing her, do you? Surely she can handle three households.”
Mercy grimaced. “Isn’t two enough?”
“Really, Mother, if it’s going to tax the girl then forget about it,” Bernice said. “I suppose I can do my own hair. I’ve been doing it for years by myself anyway.”
“Nonsense – you’re old enough to have a ladies’ maid, and after you’re married, you’ll need one.”
Julian flinched.
“But who says I’m getting married?
Mrs. Caulder stared at her. “I say. And I say you’ll have a maid.”
“And what about Ellie?” Mercy asked. “Doesn’t she have any say?”
“What can she say?” asked Mrs. Caulder haughtily. “What girl of her station would turn down the chance to make more money? It beats the alternative.”
Julian leaned toward her on the settee. “What alternative is that?”
She turned to him. “Surely you know. Why, a maid is only a step above the other kind of serving girl.”
Julian’s eyes narrowed. “Just what are you implying?”
“Really, Maude,” she said in a chastising tone as she turned to his mother. “Tell me your son is not that daft.”
“Good gracious, Eunice!” Maude exclaimed. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“Yes, I am. A servant in a house is only a step above a servant in the street. If she weren’t working here she’d no doubt be in some brothel.”
Gasps around the room. “How uncouth,” Mercy Vander muttered, staring daggers at Eunice Caulder