by Irene Brand
“That would be helpful,” Mrs. Turner said. “I was going with Marie to show her where the schoolhouse is located, but I wouldn’t be very helpful unloading boxes. Do you have time to carry her supplies into the schoolhouse, too?”
When Daniel assured her that he had some spare time, Mrs. Turner said, “Her horse and buggy are in the barn, so please bring them around to the front of the house.”
“Oh, I don’t want to put you to that bother,” Marie protested. “I know how to harness a horse, and I’m sure I can find the school.”
“It isn’t any bother to show you the way. I intended to cut hay today, but that hard rain we had earlier in the week flattened it. I’m going to wait a day or two to see if it will straighten up before I try to stack it.”
“Really, it isn’t necessary,” Marie insisted again, determined that she wouldn’t get involved with this man. “If you point me in the right direction, I’m sure I won’t miss the schoolhouse. I understand that there’s only one school in the Cove.”
“Only one,” Daniel said, “but considering we have less than a hundred residents here, so far we haven’t needed more than one school. Not only will I load the books for you, I’ll go with you and take them into the building. It’s about two miles to the schoolhouse. I’ll tether my horse to the buggy so I can leave from there. You can find your own way home, I’m sure.”
Marie got the impression that Daniel was a person who wouldn’t take no for an answer, and knowing it would be helpful for him to carry her books and teaching supplies into the school, she didn’t press the point. However, if Daniel Watson thought she would take orders from him, he was mistaken. Albert Sinclair, a school trustee, was the one who’d contacted her about the job, and he was the one she’d depend on for assistance and advice.
Daniel carried the books from the house, placed them in the back of her buggy and rode beside her as they went to the schoolhouse. Although she had sized Daniel up as being egotistical, she was surprised that he encouraged her to talk about herself. By the time they reached the school, she didn’t know any more about him than she had when they were first introduced, but he had learned quite a lot about her.
“So why did you choose to become a teacher?” he asked.
“My parents wanted both my twin brother and me to go to college, but Earl absolutely refused to go. I didn’t particularly relish the idea of leaving home for that long, either, but I didn’t want to disappoint them, too.”
“You have a brother by the name of Earl?” he said, seemingly surprised.
“Yes, Earl Bolden. He lives in this area someplace, but he doesn’t keep in touch with the family. He’s only returned to Canaan a few times since he left home. Do you know him?”
“Well, I’m not sure,” Daniel said slowly. “There’s a hermit by the name of Earl living up in the mountains. He comes to Cades Cove once or twice a year for food supplies and ammunition. Mostly, however, he lives off the land.”
Laughing, Marie said, “That’s Earl, all right. Whatever possesses him to live like that, none of us know. I suppose there’s a streak of wanderlust in our family. My father and mother left England before we were born to become missionaries in this country. They intended to live among the Cherokee and minister to them, but they were involved in a shipwreck not far from the South Carolina coast. My father drowned, but Vance Bolden rescued my mother, and we were born a day or so later, which ended their missionary plans for the time being. Vance took all of us to his plantation and, before he moved to this area, he asked my mother to marry him. I’ve heard people refer to marriages like theirs as a ‘marriage of convenience.’ I suppose it was, to some extent, but they’re still happily married after all these years.”
Daniel looked at her intently. “I’ve only seen Earl a few times, but I think that he resembles you. It’s a small world,” he added.
They turned a slight curve and the view before them was breathtaking. “Oh, my!” Marie said, struck dumb by the beauty of the scene. They had come to the head of a hollow. The valley had given way to a heavily forested area in the background. The oval area had two buildings—a white church with a soaring steeple—and a schoolhouse with a bell tower on it. Miles away in the background was a splendid view of the Smoky Mountains.
Marie sensed that Daniel was watching her, and he halted the horses.
“I’ve never seen a more beautiful sight,” she murmured.
“I agree,” he said quietly. “I didn’t appreciate my home until I left it for about six months to fight in the Spanish-American War. That’s all the traveling I wanted. I haven’t strayed far from this area since I returned home.”
Daniel lifted the reins and the horse moved forward. He stopped in front of the schoolhouse, but he pointed to the church across the road. “There are five churches in Cades Cove,” he said, as he dismounted. “That one is the Baptist church where Granny attends.”
During the short ride, Marie had decided that Daniel Watson wasn’t nearly as bad as she’d thought on their first meeting, so she stifled her inclination to ask him if he went to church. Knowing she could learn that information from Lena, instead she said, “Well, I guess I’d better take a look at the interior of the schoolhouse. I don’t know what to expect.”
He circled the buggy and reached up to help her step down. “I don’t remember that I’ve ever been in another schoolhouse, so I’m not a good judge, however, I consider it a well-constructed building. It isn’t as old as the church. The original school burned a few years ago. Some people think the fire wasn’t an accident but was arson by a disgruntled group of men from Chestnut Flats.”
Taking a key from his pocket, Daniel climbed the steps first and opened the door. “Wait on the steps,” he suggested, “until I can get some light in here.”
Marie’s first impression of the interior of the large room was positive, and she sighed deeply. The area was hot and it smelled musty, but it probably hadn’t been aired for several weeks. However, as Daniel moved from window to window raising the blinds and opening the outside shutters, she noticed that the furnishings of the room were adequate, maps hung on the walls and a bookcase held a large number of books. By the time she added the pictures she’d brought, several boxes of books and a large Bible, the room would look like a school. Her fingers tingled with anticipation to start teaching.
Daniel pointed to one desk. “That’s where I sat the last three years I was in school. One day I carved my initials on the underside of the seat and thought the teacher wouldn’t notice. He noticed, all right, and paddled me until I couldn’t sit down for a week without a cushion under me. To add insult to injury, he made me sit in the same seat the next school year. I’d grown six inches by then and weighed about ten pounds more. I was miserable most of the year.”
“Served you right,” she said mischievously.
“I can see I won’t get any sympathy from you,” he said grumpily, but the mirth gleaming from his eyes took the sting out of his words.
Marie had experienced a few nightmares about what condition the school might be in, but she was well pleased with the structure and the interior of the building. After they unloaded all of the books and placed them on the shelves and stored her teaching supplies in a large, locked walk-in closet, she felt right at home.
When they started to leave the building, Daniel handed her the key. “It’s all yours, but don’t hesitate to let me know if I can be of any help.”
“Thank you,” she said, and added gratefully, “I wouldn’t be halfway finished if you hadn’t helped me, but I want to rest now.”
Looking at her dirty hands, and the dust and grime on her dress, she said, “I’m going back to your grandmother’s home and wash off some of this dirt. She said something about roast beef and mashed potatoes for supper, and I don’t want to miss that.”
“Granny loves to cook, so I’m happy she decide
d to have you board at her house. I was somewhat distressed, thinking it might be too much for her, but after watching you work this morning, I’m sure you won’t cause her any trouble.”
Pleased at his praise, she said, “I’ve been falsely accused occasionally by people who say I’m the daughter of a rich man and don’t have to work. It’s true that my parents are well-off financially, but my mother insisted that I learn to be self-sufficient if the need to support myself should ever arise. My mother taught me to work around the house when I was growing up, and I learned to take care of myself when I was in school at Charleston. I didn’t mind, for I wasn’t content to sponge off my parents. I wanted to prove to myself, if not to others, that I’m not a spoiled brat. I figure your granny and I will be good for each other because I’ll miss my parents, and she will fill that gap.”
“We have phone service off and on here in the Cove, and Granny can usually reach me by phone. Have her try to call me if anything comes up that requires my help. I’ll plan to come in my buggy in a few days, and we can drive around Cades Cove so you can see where your students live. Parents usually expect a visit from the new teacher. I’ll probably check on you a few times until you get oriented.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that,” Marie said, and she meant it. In spite of her first impression of Daniel, she’d been content with his attitude today. Instead of telling her what to do as she’d expected him to, he waited for her to give him directions about moving the furniture and storing the books and school supplies she’d brought from home.
Daniel untied his horse from the back of the buggy and climbed gracefully into the saddle.
Marie sat down on the schoolhouse steps to eat her lunch. She waved goodbye to Daniel as he flipped the reins, and the horse trotted away. She had some time before she needed to return to Lena’s for supper, so she decided to get to know the area where she’d be spending her days.
The nearby church building was surrounded by a cemetery with many headstones. When she wasn’t so tired, she would spend some time wandering around the cemetery, but that would have to wait for another day.
Two men were cutting weeds in the cemetery, and she recognized one of them as Albert Sinclair, the man who’d interviewed her for the teaching job. Mr. Sinclair must have seen her at the same time she noticed him, for he raised his hand in greeting and walked toward her. She stood and shook hands with him.
“Did you find everything you need for the opening of school?” he asked.
“More than enough,” Marie said. “Not knowing how well stocked your school would be, I brought several crates of school supplies, as well as books, so we shouldn’t need to buy anything else for several months.”
“Good! Good!” Sinclair said. “We try to supply the best for our pupils and teachers.”
“Well, you certainly have. I pray that I won’t disappoint you and the parents.”
“I’m not expecting any problems along that line. The people I talked to in Canaan recommended you highly.”
“I’ll try my best to be the teacher this school needs, and if I should get out of line, please don’t hesitate to tell me.”
“I’ll do that, of course, but the trustees will support you. If you have any problems, don’t try to solve them on your own. Lena Turner is one of the trustees, as well as two of us men. Since you’re living with her, you won’t have to search far to get any help you need.”
* * *
When Marie drove the buggy back to Lena’s home, the landlady was sitting in her favorite rocking chair, crocheting, while visiting with a beautiful, fair-haired woman. The newcomer was dressed in a dark blue dress, which added to her lovely countenance. Groaning inwardly and comparing her appearance to the visitor’s, Marie knew that she looked like a tramp. The pump on the well at the schoolhouse needed repairing and there hadn’t been any water, so she couldn’t wash her hands after they’d finished unpacking the school supplies. Wishing she had sneaked in the back door after she’d stabled her horse, Marie recalled the advice her mother had taught her from childhood. “Remember you’re my daughter, and no matter what problems you encounter, I’m expecting you to hold up your head and say to yourself, ‘I’m Vance and Evelyn Bolden’s daughter, and I’m as good as anyone else.’”
Remembering this amused Marie, so despite the fact that her hands were filthy and her dress was wrinkled and dirty, she felt as if her mother was peering over her shoulder. Every bone in her body seemed to be aching, too, but she forced a smile and walked toward the porch.
Mentally, she said, “All right, Ma,” the way she addressed her mother when she wanted to annoy her. “I’m a Bolden, and I never have to apologize for the way I look.”
Still when she’d climbed the steps, she said, “Excuse my appearance. We don’t have any water at the school yet, and I’ve been rearranging the room. It’s pretty dusty.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Lena said. “Sit down and rest a spell. I want you to meet our friend and neighbor, Viola Butler.” Turning to her visitor, she introduced her, “This is our new schoolmarm, Marie Bolden.”
Marie didn’t want to sit down, but she did lean against a porch post to take the weight off her feet.
“Glad to meet you, Miss Bolden,” Viola said. “Good luck with your teaching. Our teachers don’t stay long—it’s too isolated for them. And I don’t blame them. I wish my parents would move someplace else—like Charleston. I feel as if I’m wasting my life in Cades Cove. The only way I’ll ever get away is to marry someone who lives elsewhere, but I was foolish enough to fall in love with Daniel Watson, who thinks there’s no place on earth that’s comparable to Cades Cove.”
Marie glanced toward Lena to see how she would react to this comment, but her landlady continued with her needlework, and Marie couldn’t see her eyes.
“I can’t imagine why a young, good-looking woman like you,” Viola continued, “would want to bury herself in Cades Cove for nine months of the year.”
Knowing that she’d already taken a dislike to Viola, Marie chose her words carefully.
“Actually I was delighted to have the opportunity. When I persuaded my parents to send me to college, they warned me that women schoolteachers aren’t yet readily accepted by society. I had the same advice from my college professors, and I soon learned that was the true situation when I started applying for jobs.”
“We’re so pleased that you chose to come to our school,” Lena said. “What with bootlegging, the reputation of Chestnut Flats and some parents who can’t see the value of educating their children, especially daughters, there aren’t many people willing to come to Cades Cove to teach. However, to balance the disadvantage, we do have numerous good citizens here, and many children who need to be pointed in the right direction. I prayed to God that we would find a dedicated teacher for the local school, and He answered that prayer by sending you to live among us.”
Pleased with Lena’s comment, Marie thanked her, then asked, “Where is Chestnut Flats? What’s wrong with the people?”
At that moment she couldn’t recall what she’d heard about the area, but she knew it wasn’t complimentary.
“They’re shiftless drunkards, and those of us on this side of the Cove don’t have anything to do with them,” Viola said.
“Speak for yourself, Viola,” Lena commented tersely. “I have several close friends in Chestnut Flats. I’ll never forget when my husband was dying, how kind the women were to spend hours sitting by his bedside giving me time to take care of my property, and also to check on Daniel’s workers. That was a bleak six months—my husband dying and my grandson fighting in Cuba. I know that there are a few undesirable characters in the Flats, but you’ll find that in any settlement. Residents on this side of the Cove aren’t all lily-pure.”
“But Daniel mentioned that a few children living there are eligible to attend our school,” Marie said, somew
hat distressed, “and he volunteered to take me to visit the parents. He didn’t mention that it wasn’t a safe place to go.”
“Oh, Daniel isn’t too careful in choosing his friends,” Viola said, with a toss of her blond hair.
It was on Marie’s tongue to retort, “Apparently not, or he wouldn’t have chosen you,” when she thought of her mother’s reaction to such a statement. Even though she’d just turned twenty-four years old, she wasn’t too old to have her mouth washed out with soap if she’d made such a comment. Determined that she wouldn’t become involved in a verbal battle with Viola, Marie opened the screen door into the house.
“Excuse me,” she said. “I need to bathe and put on some clean garments.”
“We won’t have supper for a couple of hours,” Lena said. “Take a nap if you want to. You’ll have time.”
* * *
Daniel’s thoughts were troubled. He wasn’t used to spending much time thinking about romantic pursuits, and he was annoyed when he thought about Marie the rest of the day. He was also disgusted with himself—he’d always been proud of his ability to control his emotions and just dwell on what he wanted to. Now that he’d met Marie Bolden, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. He’d always laughed at men who said there was only one woman in the world for them, and Daniel had scoffed at their attitude. He’d never yet known any woman whom he considered indispensable. Could this beautiful young woman be the exception?
One thing was for certain: he wanted to see more of Marie. He decided that sharing a meal was a safe way to get to know a woman without seeming too interested in her. He didn’t want to impose on his grandmother by going to her home to eat, so perhaps he could invite Granny and Marie to his home for a meal. Not one to delay, Daniel opened the front door and followed the long hall to the kitchen.
Brown Dove and her son, Matsu, had worked several years for him, and as usual he found her in the kitchen. “Hello, Dove, I’d like to invite Granny and the new schoolmarm to have a meal with me some evening, or maybe some Sunday afternoon. When would be a good time?”