Girl Talk With Eliza & Esther

Photo Credit: George Eastman House

Esther and Will Delaney are getting married. The best part is that now, Esther is happy about it. She took Avery's advice and talked to him. She asked him questions about his plans which would now include her. He told her what she needed to know. She didn't really want to live in town, but once he showed her the house he had bought for them, she has changed her mind on that. It is a big house and he is working on it with his father and brothers when he is off work. He told her he wants a downstairs room for an office, since he will be working for himself as soon as he passes his test to be a lawyer.

Esther and my friend, Eliza came out to visit me so Esther could tell me all about Will and her wedding. Eliza drove Father's buggy since Esther has never been comfortable driving the buggy herself. Eliza is very good at driving, almost as good as I am. She has been doing it since she was small, often driving other local women who do not like to drive horses themselves. Maybe they never learned or are afraid of the horses. Eliza's family consists of her, her father and grandfather now, since her mother died when she was born. Her brother is married and they don't see him that often. So it was nice for me to see Eliza again, this time with Esther.

As we were sitting down to a little lunch I quickly put together, Esther said, "Well, you and Avery were right about everything. Thank you for that talk you gave me the last time I was here."

"I understand that you have now formally accepted Will's proposal of marriage?" I questioned.

"Yes, I have. He had made lots of plans that didn't know about or if I would like them or not since I refused to talk to him. He said when he came out to our house for supper that night he was all set to tell me everything and see what I thought. Then when I would not talk to him, well, he didn't know what to do."

Eliza, who had been holding Benjamin on her lap, put him down on his rug on the floor and walked around the kitchen looking at everything, "Oh Rachel, you really have a nice home. I wanted to tell you that day I came with your family but you were so busy with everyone."

"Thank you. I have been working on the house a bit here and there. Avery had the house finished but it needed a woman's touch."

"I remember when we were swimming at the creek before you got married. Remember? You weren't too sure about getting married."

"Oh, that seems like centuries ago!" I laughed as I remembered that day with the girls. One of the last before my marriage.

"Are you glad now that got married? And that you married Avery?"

"I love him with all my heart. He is so good to me and our son. Yes, I am very glad."

"I will never get married." Eliza said.

"You don't know that." Esther answered.

"No, I won't. I know it. Your father is the one who found you both husbands. I have to do it all myself. And I don't dare talk to a man, unless he is someone I know already."

"You know a lot of boys from school and around town," I said trying to encourage her.

"Look Esther has just turned 16 and now she is getting married too. Your father does that for you girls and all your sisters too. I have a father who doesn't really want me to get married. He wants me to stay so I can cook, clean and sew for him and Grandpa."

"What would he say if someone came to him and ask to meet you?" Esther asked.

"He would most likely discourage him in some way."

"Oh Eliza, that is horrible!" I exclaimed thinking how I always knew I would be a wife and mother some day.

"It's not so bad. At least I can do what I want as long as I take care of the house."

Esther asked, "Would you marry a man you didn't know?"

"Without a single minute of hesitation. I'd be out of the house so fast without a word to either of them," she replied bitterly.

Later as I reflected on Esther and Eliza's visit, I thought how Esther had been so miserable at the thought of having to get married to a man she did not know. And how Eliza's situation was exactly the opposite. She would never be able to get married to anyone, so would marry the first man who asked whether she knew him or not. She wanted to leave her home. My sister, Esther did not want to leave our family home. So different.

Copyright © 2010  Kathleen G. Lupole
Updated 2016

Marriage Isn't So Bad

Photo Credit: Jon Sullivan

Esther came home with Avery and me when we came home Sunday, after dinner with my parents. Father talked to us in private. He asked us to try to talk some sense into her because she had to get married eventually. Will Delaney would be able to provide a good home for her. He is a law clerk now but training to be a lawyer, and will make a good amount money to raise a family with. Father pointed out that if she doesn't cooperate soon, Will probably will choose someone else.

Avery said to me at home, "It almost sounds like love doesn't enter into it anymore, does it?"

"Well I didn't love you when I married you. I didn't even know you."

"I guess that's right. I loved you."

"No you didn't. How could you? I never even spoke to you till we had lunch at your parents' house."

"I loved  the idea of you."

"How's that?"

"Well, you know, I met your father at Corbin's store and he talked about you training the horses. Then he mentioned how you made him apple pies and they were so delicious."

"And that made you fall in love with me?"

"Nope."

"Well, then what?"

"It was when the Corbin kid told me how beautiful you were, and I was smitten."

"He did? Which one? Not Sid!"

"Yeah, that's the one. Sid. He told me you were beautiful and he was right."

"I can't believe Sid Corbin thought I was beautiful."

"Well, after that I had to have you and I met your Father again and asked him. He told me you were too young."

"He did? Was this after you came to our house for supper? You never spoke to me."

"He told me I had to get my house built. He also told me that your horses come with you. He said I had to promise him, that I would allow you to do what you want with horses because you had a way with them."

"What did you say then?"

"Well, I told him that was something that I liked about you. Your love for horses, since they are the center of my business."

"Were you disappointed to see I wasn't beautiful?"

"No, I saw you were beautiful. And you still are."

"You never said why you didn't talk to me."

"I didn't know what to say."

"We talk now."

"It is different now. We know each other. I did not know you at all. You seemed childlike and sometimes I felt like I was too old for you."

"And now?"

"You are catching up to me." Avery laughed.

I laughed as he gathered me in his arms. "Oh Rachel, my life is unbelievable since you came into it. I love you with every breath in my body. I want to grow old with you. I want to watch our children grow up and have their families, our grandchildren."

"Our children?"

""I want lots!"

I laughed again, but just then Esther appeared at the door carrying Benjamin.

"Oh excuse me." She started to close the kitchen door.

"No, Esther, you are not interrupting. Come here and bring our little Benjamin here." I stretched out my arms to take my son.

Esther handed him to me and seemed quiet, then she spoke, "You two seem so happy. I know I am not supposed to, but I envy you."

Avery looked her in the eyes and took her hands in his and said, "Esther, marriage is what you make it. If you go into a marriage with a chip on your shoulder and resenting a man because he wanted to marry you. Well, then you will get a miserable husband and you will be miserable as well. If you go into it with expectations of making a life together, having a family and sharing the sorrows and joys to come, then you too, will have happy marriage and a man who loves you."

"But you and Will Delaney are two different men. Rachel is lucky. I will not be."

"Esther," I spoke then, "Avery would not have been a man you would have wanted either. You do not like horses. You would not have liked a man who left you at home while he was away for weeks, like when we first got married. That is why Father felt he was the man for me."

She looked at us both, holding back her tears, "I don't know Will Delaney. What if he doesn't like me?"

Avery said, "Get to know him. Talk to him. Find out what his plans are. Then you can see if it is worth getting so upset over. Might be, that you will like his plans. You won't know unless you talk to him."

She smiled a sheepish grin, "That does make sense. I don't know what he wants to do except be a lawyer."

I said, "Talk to him. Invite him to dinner again. This time sit next to him and talk to him!"

"Okay, I will."

Copyright © 2010  Kathleen G. Lupole
Updated 2016

Starting Out My Life As Mrs. Avery Longworth

Photo Credit: George Eastman House Collection

I have been married for a a week now. It is so strange. I had a whole other life and with one day of celebration everything has changed. Now Mother had explained the "facts of life" to me. In fact, when you live on a farm and raise animals, you learn what goes on between two beings pretty fast. It still does not prepare you for what is actually going to happen when it is YOU it is happening to. I remembered Mother's words about not wanting me to leave Avery on my wedding night. I did want to though.

Our wedding was beautiful and he was very attentive to me. I felt like the belle of the ball. It was fun. I knew that I was going to have more to contend with than just a wedding celebration. In fact, I did not want to leave with Avery when they told me it was time for us to go home. Mother and Father and my sisters and brothers all hugged and kissed me and told me they would see me soon. It has been a week and I have not seen or heard from any of them.

I must say after that first night with Avery, my husband, I felt different. Not at all like a girl, but a woman. I am a woman now......a married woman with a husband. My husband. Avery Longworth was not someone I would have ever thought of being married to. He is different from any of the other boys I knew from town or school. He is older of course, and he has his own business so that makes him seem so smart and mature. I forgot to say that he is a VERY handsome man. Very confident and sure of himself. He treats me kindly and gently. I think I will be very happy with him. I am happy now except for missing my family.

After our first night together, I got up early and lit the fire in the hearth and started breakfast. By the time Avery came downstairs I had our breakfast ready to set on the table. Avery was very appreciative. He stayed with me the whole day showing me around our house..........always reminding me it was my house and to do what I wanted with it. Change anything I think needs changing. He said the house was my responsibility and the barn and the business is his. I am satisfied with that.

I went out to the barn to see Tater and Spud. They seemed comfortable and was getting along with all the other horses and cows. They were used to being in a stand in stall. Now they are in big box stalls. They look small next to a couple of the work horses. They didn't seem to mind. They comfort me because they are from home. I stayed out there with them for awhile and when I went in the house, there to greet me on the kitchen floor was a tiny little puppy! Avery came around the corner, "Rachel, I thought you'd need some company when I am working. Some nights I won't be home and I want you to have some protection," he smiled at me.

"Oh, he's so cute! He's mine?" I squealed with delight. Then I remembered I was supposed to act grown up now. So I said, "Why thank you Avery. I will take good care of him."

Avery stood looking at me for a minute, then grabbed my hand and pulled me to him, "Rachel, I just want you to be happy here with me. If there is anything you need or want, just ask."

"What is his name?" I asked looking down at the puppy now exploring the kitchen floor.

"Whatever you want. He has no name."

"He looks like a little peanut. I think I will call him Peanut. Okay?"

"Perfect. Just like you." Avery looked down at me, and held onto me looking into my eyes. Soon he was kissing me, and I was responding to his kiss. Marriage is a lot different than I thought.

Copyright © 2010  Kathleen G. Lupole
Updated 2016

A Note

Photo Source

Today is Saturday. We had a busy morning preparing for Sunday dinner. Our Sunday meal is always prepared on Saturday so after church there is not much work to do. I cut up the vegetables for a beef stew. Mother cut up the meat in pieces and added the seasonings. She told me that this is a good meal to prepare often for a working man as it gives him a whole meal in one dish. Easy when you are just starting out cooking for a husband. She told me to find a number of dishes I can prepare easily and do them often until they are perfected the way he likes them. Then move on to others. I hope I can remember that. I know she is trying to help me. Sometimes it makes me sick to my stomach since I have no idea of what a man will expect from his wife.

Leah told me that she heard that Avery Longworth is coming to see me soon. I asked her how she knew that and she just smiled and shook her head. Now where did she hear that and I have not heard anything about that? I am the one who should be told these things! What if he stopped by and I was not home? Or what if I was in the middle of cleaning the chicken house or  mixing dough? I would not be prepared to meet my husband to be under those circumstances! This has me worried. I cannot waste the time worrying about it. I have so many things to do.

Father came in and brought me a envelope that had been opened. I looked at the address and it was addressed to Father but bore the name Avery Longworth in the corner! Oh my! My hands started shaking. I said a quick prayer to the Lord asking him to make this bear good news to my liking. Leah stared at me anxiously, "Open it!" I slowly took the letter from the envelope and unfolded the thin paper and started reading,

Mr. Kennedy,

If it suits you and your family, I would like to come to your house two weeks from now. Need to discuss future arrangements regarding your daughter, Rachel. If I do not hear back by next week I will assume I would be welcome. 

Sincerely,

Avery Longworth 

It was dated a week ago! That means he will be coming in a week. What can I do to prepare? I must tell Mother.

Copyright © 2010 Kathleen G. Lupole
Updated 2016

A Gift

Photo Credit: Mrs. L.G. Abell

Today I received a message to come to the store to pick up a box that has arrived for me! For me! I have never received a box that came throught the mail before. I hitched up the buckboard to my horses, Tatar and Spud and took off slow while I was still within eyesight of Mother. Soon as I got around the curve I took off at a trot. When I got to Schriff's General Store everyone there knew I had received a package from my beau, Avery Longworth! It was a big box and quite heavy. Matt Schriff put it in my buckboard with a smile. He was disappointed that I did not open it right there.

When I got home, Mother had my brother Teddy carry the box into the kitchen and cut it open with his pocket knife. It was a beautiful wood jewelry box on legs. It had a place for necklaces to hang. And little drawers that open and close that would hold treasures and protect them from the dust. When I opened the top music played. When I closed it the music stopped. It contained a message written on plain white paper that read; To Rachel in appreciation of becoming my wife in a few months. Avery Longworth. That was it. Very simple, but nice. It made me feel better about this marriage thing.

I really hope I will get to see him in person soon. Wouldn't it be nice to get to know each other first? Or for our families to spend a day together or something? Now I am really paying attention to married couples we know. Noticing things I never paid attention to before. Like Father opening doors for Mother. Or the way he lights the lamps for her so she doesn't have to walk through the house in the dark. My brother always harnesses his wife's horse up for her when she is going to town. I have always done that myself. Especially since I have always had my own buggy horses, as well as our two riding horses and a small work horse I use to plow our kitchen garden. Will I be able to keep my own horses when I marry and move from here? These are the thoughts that are filling my head day and night.

Copyright © 2010 Kathleen G. Lupole
Updated 2016

New Year's Eve 1830

Tonight is New Year's Eve. I like to reflect on things I might be looking forward to in the coming year. Now I know that by this time next year I will be a married women. All I can do is to pray to God to make Avery Longworth a nice man who will treat his new wife well. I have seen men hit their wives, right in front of other people. Or married men who go into the saloon and stay there for hours with the saloon women. I close my eyes tightly and try to picture what he looked like when he was here last year. I would have paid more attention to him if I had known why he had visited us.

My parents poured glasses of grape juice for us tonight before we went to bed. My father, offered a prayer to the Lord thanking him for our many blessings that we had this past year. Then he thanked the Lord for the blessings that would be bestowed on us, including Rachel's (me) upcoming marriage in the coming year. I took a sip of the tart, but sweet grape juice, remembering Mother and the girls and me working deligently picking the grapes and turning it into this tasty drink that we only drink on special occasions. Would I be planting my own grape vines this coming year?

We have always known the Longworth family. But not Avery's family that well. It is his cousins, Rebecca, Edna, Lauren, Nathan and Betsy we knew the best. They have always come to our family gatherings even though they are not really family. Our mothers were friends in school and Mrs. Longworth's family had moved away when she and Mother were about thirteen. Then when Mrs. Longworth married Dixon Longworth they moved here to Norwich. Mother was already married and living with Father outside of Norwich. Since then we have moved to our farm in East Smithville. So we aren't real close, but close enough. Avery's family lives on the other side of Norwich. I don't know what his plans are or where I will be living. This worries me as I'd like to know what I will be doing in my future.

Copyright © 2009 Kathleen G. Lupole
Updated 2016

A Surprise

Photo Credit: George Eastman House

My name is Rachel and I am fifteen years old going on sixteen in four months. Today my parents have told me that I will be getting married to Avery Longworth in six months. He is considered a good catch though I have only seen him twice. The first time was at a house party when I was about ten and he, nineteen. He did not talk to me because he was with the men and I was still considered a child. I only remember him because I dropped my cake and he told his sister to pick it up for me and get another piece for me.

The next time was when he came to town to talk to my father last year. I didn't know what they were discussing and nobody told me. Not even my mother! He ate supper with us and we used our best dishes during the week. I should have known something funny was going on becasue we never use our good dishes during the week. Only at Sunday dinner or holidays. He told us good bye and I didn't think anything more of his visit. That is until yesterday.

Mother took me to town and we went to Scriff's General Store. They had a new shipment of cloth come in and Mrs. Scriff told Mother she had the cloth she ordered. It was a beautiful satin white brocade. Mother said she'd take it and then she chose a red and white gingham, a yellow with white flowers cotton, a white silk for underclothes and a beautiful robin egg blue cotton. She also bought enough cloth for handkerchiefs and scarves.

On the way home, I finally got up enough nerve to ask Mother who the cloth was for. She looked at me as she clucked to our horses, "Why you of course, Rachel. You are getting married in six months. Gotta send you off with some nice duds."

I gulped, "Married?" I knew better than to tell Mother that I wasn't ready to get married or to tell her that I always hoped that Kent Osbourne would be the one asking for my hand in marriage. Mother always told us what we would be doing and we did it. No questions asked. So that is how I found out about my upcoming marriage to a man I did not know.

Copyright © 2009 Kathleen G. Lupole
Updated 2016