A Girl Like That

by Frances Devine

  And yet, a twinge of doubt intruded into Sam’s mind. Flannigan had been angry, but who wouldn’t be under the circumstances? After all, Sam was a hostile attorney out to win the case for the other side. And he’d shown up at the Flannigans’ home uninvited. The Flannigans had appeared to be poor but decent people.

  What if his father was wrong? He’d admitted he hadn’t even been to the Patch recently. So what did he base his judgment on? Was he so involved with his wealthy clients he couldn’t see the other side at all? Or didn’t want to? Sam brushed the idea away. He knew his father was an honest man. Still, a man could be honest and shortsighted at the same time, couldn’t he? Even a man as great as his father.

  The questions plagued him as his mind replayed the scene in the Flannigans’ home, the living conditions in Conley’s Patch. He was a facts man and tried not to be ruled by emotions, so the letters of testimony by witnesses at the lumberyard should be all the evidence he needed. But something tugged at him. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

  His heart picked up rhythm as an image flashed across his mind. Would he see her again if he went back to shantytown? Regardless of the outcome of this case, there was one thing Sam knew. The lovely young Irish girl with the golden curls and shining blue eyes couldn’t possibly be lazy or shiftless. He’d bet his boots on that.

  Uncertainty stabbed him sharply. Lord, what should I do?

  Silence was his only answer. He couldn’t really expect anything else. He hadn’t spent time with God in a long time. And it had been months since he’d attended church.

  A sudden wave of loneliness washed over Sam. He pushed it down and turned to his work.

  ❧

  “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Harrigan’s, where our one desire is to entertain to your delight and satisfaction. Our production of The Golden Pipes is nearing an end. We’ve only two more weeks, but never fear. There’ll be another great production coming up before you know it.” Thomas Harrigan’s voice seemed to fade, and his frame became a blur.

  Katie’s legs felt like rubber as she stood in the wings awaiting her cue. Oh God, please don’t let me faint.

  “And now, ladies and gentlemen, I’m pleased to introduce a young lass with eyes as blue as the skies of Erin. But don’t any of you fellows be getting any ideas. Because she has a proper Irish father with fists like mountains.”

  The roar of the laughing crowd startled Katie, and she stood up straight.

  “So let’s give a true Chicago welcome to Miss Katherine O’Shannon.”

  Katie walked onto the stage, propelled by sheer emotion.

  Thomas gave her a smile and walked off, leaving her alone on the suddenly unfamiliar stage.

  As she faced the applauding audience, she could feel the brush of the curtains against her hair and she envisioned herself falling backward in a faint, ripping the curtain from the rope. Stop it. Think of Mother and Father. Make them proud.

  Her lips curved in a faint smile, and she heard murmurs of approval from the people in front of her. The opening bars of her music floated to her ears. A surge of strength encouraged her, and she opened her lips and began to sing.

  The next thing she knew, the last line of “A Little Bit of Heaven” trilled from her throat, and the audience was on its feet, applauding and cheering. Katie blushed, gave a little curtsy, and then hurried off the stage.

  She fell into her father’s arms. A wide grin split his face. “Go back, Katie girl. Sure and they’re wanting more.” He turned her and gave her a little shove.

  Rejuvenated, she almost danced onto the stage and sang the last few lines of her song again. She floated off the stage and in a daze heard her friends congratulating her.

  Katie watched the show from the wings, too excited to sit and too jittery to do any sewing. Over and over, she relived the performance and the wonderful reception the audience had given her.

  That night, she repeated her number and was received with the same enthusiasm as she had before. By the time she and the troupe got back to the boardinghouse, she was so emotionally exhausted she practically stumbled through the door to her room. She went to bed convinced she wouldn’t sleep a wink, but exhaustion won out and she quickly fell into a deep slumber.

  ❧

  The next two weeks flew by for Katie. She loved performing her songs but secretly hoped her father would allow her to take a small part in the next musical comedy. She’d read it over and over and was mesmerized by the enchanting Maggie Donovan and her crooning suitor, Sean Kelly. All the major roles had been assigned, with Emma Gallagher getting the lead female role. Katie knew she wasn’t ready for those anyway, but she had her eye on the one-line part of the housemaid, Rose. When she tried to broach the subject to her father, however, he threatened to pull her from the singing number if she brought up the subject again.

  The first official rehearsal day was bittersweet for Katie. It was exciting to see the troupe walking around the stage practicing their parts. Her father had acquired the role of Sean Kelly’s Uncle Andrew and had everyone in stitches in the boardinghouse living room as he became the bumbling Irish tavern keeper.

  Patsy Brown had gotten the part Katie coveted and let everyone know she wasn’t very happy with it. Katie felt like slapping the girl every time she heard the whining complaints. As she watched Patsy’s rather insipid characterization of the young housemaid, Katie told herself she could have done a much better job.

  They were beginning the second week of rehearsals when Rosie Riley tripped over a rope that had been left on the floor backstage. The doctor’s proclamation of a broken foot set the cast astir.

  Katie was just coming out of the ladies’ dressing room when her father found her.

  “Katie girl,” he said, “it’s against my better judgment, but the show opens next week, and someone has to take over for poor Rosie.”

  Katie’s jaw dropped open. “Me? I get to take Rosie’s part?”

  “Well, of course not. And you having never played a show in your life? Patsy steps into the role of Maggie’s cousin, Sally, and you get the part of the housemaid. But only until Rosie can walk again.” He sighed, and worry crossed his face. “It’s obvious you’ve got stars in your eyes and won’t have peace until you give the stage a try. But Katie girl, I can’t help but hope it’ll wear off and someday you’ll settle for a more normal life.”

  “Oh, but Father, I don’t understand why it worries you so. You love show business yourself. And I know Mother did, too. I can still remember how her face would glow before she stepped onto the stage.”

  “Maybe so, but I’ll always be blaming myself for taking her away from her parents’ farm and into this crazy life. Maybe she wouldn’t have gotten sick.”

  “Father, you don’t know that. Why, just last year, little Annie Samson came down with pneumonia. She was only six years old and was gone in no time. People on farms get sick and pass away, too.”

  He cleared his throat and looked away, clearly finished with the current conversation. “Well now, you better get with Patsy and see if she can give you some tips about your part. You’ll be needing a script, too.” He kissed her and walked out of the dressing room.

  Katie couldn’t help the little scream of joy that escaped. She glanced around to make sure no one heard. She wouldn’t want anyone to think she was glad Rosie broke her foot, because she certainly wasn’t. But, oh, she was in a play! At last!

  ❧

  “I’m not handing out good money to some inexperienced clerk!” The tall, burly man sitting across from Sam’s father was red-faced with anger. He leaned forward, and his eyes squinted at the elderly attorney.

  “Mr. Howard, I can assure you my son is neither inexperienced nor is he a clerk.” Sam could tell from the glint in his father’s eyes that he was fast losing patience with Jeremiah Howard. “Sam is a bright young atto
rney who is being considered for partnership. He is well qualified to represent you.”

  “That’s not good enough. I want a senior partner, and that’s all there is to it.”

  “Yes, well, I’m sorry, but neither I nor the other senior partners are available. So if you do not wish to be represented by Sam, you’re welcome to find yourself another attorney.”

  Sam, seated next to his client, almost laughed at the bevy of emotions crossing the man’s beefy face.

  Howard started to stand then dropped back into his chair and cleared his throat. “Well, all right. I suppose I can give the boy a chance.”

  Sam, in spite of his hopes that this case would win the partnership for him, was almost disappointed with Howard’s decision. Everything about the man filled Sam with distaste. From the smell of his apparently unwashed body to the spittle that sprayed from his mouth when he talked. And this character was one of the wealthiest men in Chicago.

  At a nod from his father, Sam stood. “I’ll see you to the front, Mr. Howard. Our secretary will make an appointment for you to see me later this week, and we’ll go over the case so you can see where we are in the legal process.”

  Howard hefted his form out of the chair. “An appointment won’t be necessary. Let me know when to appear in court. I expect to win this case, Nelson. See to it.”

  Sam escorted his client to the front door and said good-bye. He wished he could put his foot on the man’s backside and give a push. He neither liked nor trusted Mr. Howard. But liking his clients wasn’t part of his job. If the man was innocent of wrongdoing as evidence seemed to support, he had a right to counsel.

  As he was about to leave the office later that day, Jack hailed him. “How about a game of billiards tonight?”

  “Billiards? Where?”

  “My father just finished renovating two rooms on the third floor.” He grinned. “Mother finally rebelled against the cigar smoke and loud voices of Father’s cronies. He’s calling tonight the grand opening. Nine o’clock?”

  “Sure, I’ll be there.”

  Sam wasn’t sure what his own father would think of his plans. Isaiah Myers owned one of Chicago’s more notorious taverns featuring dancing girls and backroom gambling. But Sam didn’t see any harm in a game of billiards, especially since it was at the Myers home. Jack was a decent fellow and wouldn’t have invited him if anything wasn’t on the up-and-up.

  When Sam was ushered into the third-floor room promptly at nine, cigar smoke nearly knocked him over.

  Jack waved from across the crowded room and motioned him over.

  The sharp crack of the billiard balls assaulted his ears, and by the time he reached his friend, his eyes were watering from the smoke. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

  Jack introduced him to the men around his table, and they played a couple of games before Sam begged off.

  “You should just see the little darling. I tell you she’s a beauty and has a voice like an angel.”

  Sam turned as the voice reached his ears from the table next to them.

  Laughter greeted the man’s declaration. “Yeah, but I wouldn’t be getting any ideas if I were you. They say she’s a sweet young lady, but her father guards her with fists of steel.”

  Sam lifted his eyebrow and sent a puzzled glance at Jack.

  “I think they’re talking about the new singer at Harrigan’s,” Jack said. “Have you seen her yet?”

  Sam shook his head. “I haven’t been to a show in weeks.”

  “I hear there’s a new musical comedy starting next Friday. Maybe the girls would enjoy it, and you could get a glimpse of the gorgeous Katherine O’Shannon.” He laughed. “But don’t fall for her and break Janet’s heart. Sally would blame me.”

  “Don’t worry. I hardly think Janet would care. We’re only friends. And I’m not likely to fall for a showgirl. Even if I was so inclined, my folks would kill me.”

  “And if they didn’t, I would. Couldn’t stand by and watch you ruin your career.” He slapped Sam on the shoulder. “So, shall I invite the girls for opening night?”

  “Sure, sounds like fun. I’ll stop by Sally’s tomorrow after work and invite Janet. Shall we all ride over together?”

  “No, let’s go separately. I need to talk to Sally privately.”

  “Fine with me.”

  “Don’t you want to know why?” Jack was grinning. In fact, it seemed like he’d been doing a lot of that tonight.

  Jack glanced around, his face red with excitement. “I’m thinking about proposing marriage to Sally tonight.”

  Sam whistled and held his hand out to his beaming friend. “Congratulations!”

  “If she says yes, you mean.”

  “She will. I’m sure of it.”

  “Maybe you’ll be popping the question yourself soon. Janet’s a lovely girl.”

  “Who just happens to be nothing more than a friend,” Sam retorted. “Besides, marriage is the last thing on my mind.”

  But once more, the young woman from the Patch filled his head. He brushed the thought away and grabbed a billiard stick. “Come on. Maybe I’ll let you win this one.”

  Five

  “How can I ever be thanking you for recommending me for this job, Katie? And me being nothing to you but a poor stranger.”

  Katie frowned at Bridget, who was pushing a moistened strand of thread through the tiny eye of her sewing needle.

  “What do you mean ‘nothing,’ Bridget Thornton? You’ve become a dear friend to me, as I hope I have to you.”

  Bridget gasped. “And now I’ve gone and offended you. The one person, besides me ma, I have the most respect for.”

  Katie reached over and placed her hand momentarily on Bridget’s arm. “Not at all. I just don’t like to hear you belittling yourself. It hurts me.”

  “Then I won’t be doing it again. I promise.” The girl cast a shy smile at Katie then ducked her head over her work. “And Mr. Harrigan is a mighty good man to be paying for my room and board through the week. It’d be awfully hard to walk all the way here from the Patch and back again every day.”

  “Yes, it is nice of him to do that for the unmarried women of the cast.”

  “I thought Ma was going to stay on her knees all night, thanking the Lord for such a blessing. She said I should thank you and Mr. Harrigan for her, too. You can’t imagine the difference my wages have made in our lives.”

  Katie thought she did know. The wonderful smell of stew now wafted through the Thornton home every day, and Mrs. Thornton and Bridget’s little sister were both recovering, due to nourishment and the medicine Bridget had been able to provide. Katie and Bridget had become fast friends, and Katie had taken to dropping by to help with the endless mending when she wasn’t rehearsing.

  “Katie, I’m so excited you got the part. You must be about to burst with happiness.”

  Katie’s heart thumped at the thought of her luck. It must be the Irish in her. Although, Grandmother had always reprimanded her whenever she’d said that. “Katherine, dear,” she’d say with a worried little shake of her head, “blessings come from God. Not luck.”

  Katie shrugged. Whoever or whatever was responsible for her getting the part, she was thankful. If only some of those blessings would flow to the people of the Patch as well. “Bridget, what can we do to make things easier for your neighbors?”

  “Why, I don’t know, Katie. Most of the men are doing all they can. Wages are just so low. And most of the women have a passel of little ones to care for.”

  “Well, couldn’t some sort of child care be arranged so that the women can bring in extra money?”

  A little frown appeared on Bridget’s face. “Some of the women do take turns, but it’s not really enough to help. And when a woman has worked her own full shift, it’s mighty hard to take a turn
at running after someone else’s brood.”

  Katie nodded, but wheels began to turn in her head. “What if. . .”

  “What if what?”

  “Nothing. Let me think on it a bit.”

  “Okay, but you’d better get onstage. I think it’s almost time for you to rehearse.”

  “Oh my. You’re right.” Katie jumped up, tossed her mending in a basket, and throwing a hasty good-bye over her shoulder, headed out the door.

  She arrived onstage just as Maggie was saying the opening lines. Her heart still thumped hard every time the moment for her one line drew near. But the rest of the cast assured her she was a natural and doing a wonderful job. Tomorrow was opening night, and Katie looked forward to the dress rehearsal and the party that would be held tonight.

  After rehearsal, Katie and Bridget went back to Ma Casey’s. The troupe was pretty rowdy with the excitement of the new show, so the two friends found a quiet place to talk out on the wide front porch.

  “Okay, I have an idea,” Katie said, leaning back in one of the wicker rockers.

  “About what?”

  “The children at the Patch.”

  “Hmm. I wouldn’t be making decisions about other people’s wee children. They won’t be liking it.”

  Katie laughed. “No, no. They’ll like this. It’s to help the mothers who need to work. And it’s only a suggestion.”

  “Well, in that case. . .”

  “There’s a society here in town that has established a day care for workers’ children.”

  “We know about that. It’s too far from the Patch to do any good. And I don’t think the women there would trust outsiders to care for their children anyway.”

  “I know. But wouldn’t it be possible to create something similar at Conley’s Patch?”

  “How would you be thinking we could bring that about?”

  “Okay, first we’d need to find someone with a big enough house. Then several women can care for the children while the others work. The women who work could contribute a share of their earnings to pay the ones who care for the children. This way everyone is earning wages.”