New Beginnings (New Beginnings Series) (30 page)

Sara quickly grabbed her journal she kept sitting near the top of her carpetbag. Before they came to a stop in the station she wanted to write down this new tidbit of interest. She had done little of her own writing on the journey so far. There were so many fascinating pieces of information she learned along the way and did not want to forget a bit of it.

Leaving the station house Sam led his wife to a horse-drawn bus which rode on runners. It would leave soon for the Windsor Hotel. The day was cold and Sara pulled her fur coat tightly around herself. The bus was warm as they entered it and they soon found a wood stove creating the heat. The seats were well padded, everything being comfortable and Sara knew immediately Sam was taking her to a rather special place. On the floor at each seat sat a warmed brick to keep the passenger’s feet cosy through the ride.

As they travelled through the streets Sara noticed how busy everything seemed to be. The sound of bells filled the air, as horse-drawn sleighs moved quickly in each direction. People were walking on the sidewalks. Often all she could see were the top half of their bodies and at times a child’s winter bonnet, above the piles of shovelled snow. Occasionally she saw fresh snowfall of the night before being flung onto the already high banks. Everyone appeared to be well-dressed in furs or heavy cloth coats for the cold but clear day.

They hadn’t travelled far when she noticed they would often pass men walking or running slowly, reins in hand, driving their teams. These pairs of heavy workhorses pulled low platforms on runners. Sara would have called them ‘stone boats’ back home, but these carried large blocks of ice. She thought it odd this early in the season so many people would be in such a hurry to stock their icehouses. On the other side of the coach she saw empty stone boats travelling in the opposite direction at a fast trot, the drivers standing quite sturdily, legs braced apart, on the wooden form.

Sam caught her look of curiosity and said, “Must be something interesting in the works.” They arrived at the hotel and the sight of it instantly pushed any thoughts out of their minds.

Before them stood a large building, which was obviously not very old. It was designed in such a way Sara knew immediately it was only for those wealthy enough to afford it. Of course, as was her character, she started to protest at the expense.

“You are too late, Sara,” Sam said, taking her gloved hand as she stepped down from the bus. “I telegraphed for reservations before we left the Niagara Falls Station. No doubt our room is waiting for us.”

Knowing her objection would meet deaf ears Sara let out a light sigh, but Sam noticed how her eyes shone with anticipation. They stood outside in the cold for a few minutes as Sara took in as much of the sight as possible in the short time. She looked up at the enormous impressive building towering at least six stories above them and displayed what looked to be nearly a hundred windows. It was hard for her to look straight up and see what this remarkable building presented to them. It could only be truly appreciated from across the way, but for now a quick glance would have to do. Across the street she saw a large park adorned with trees bare of leaves but decorated with the fresh snow of the night before. People seemed to be everywhere and children could be heard laughing as they played. Along with music from the sleigh bells, merriment filled the air.

As they were the last of the guests from the bus to enter the hotel, the doorman, adequately clad, watched them, and opened the large heavy door as they stepped toward it. The entrance was beneath the showy balcony where royalty had waved to the crowds of spectators watching from the park. Two pillars adorned each side of the entry above which the word “Windsor” announced the name of the distinguished hotel.

The doorman greeted and gave each a slight bow as they entered. In an instant, walking through that door, Sara felt the ever-present feeling of peasant girl fall away. For a moment the sensation of fairy-tale princess crept over her. Instantly bellhops met them by the door, one taking their suitcase and the two carpetbags. This left Sam’s arm free and he offered it to his wife. It was probably a good thing as she could have lost her balance trying to take in the impressive lobby they stood in. She could have easily gone quite lightheaded as she tried to take in the dream she stepped into. The entrance hall was large with pillars standing at least twenty feet high and elegant chandeliers hung from the ceiling. If the lobby was so enchanting, her imagination could not fathom what lay ahead for her.

They continued ahead to the rotunda where Sam left his wife’s side for only a moment to check in. The bellhop stood attentively beside her as she continued to admire the elegance of the large circular area which was symmetrical in every way. The floor was made entirely of black and white marble and the walls beautifully done in an artistic fresco. Above her the large domed roof held several skylights and behind the office were impressive stained-glass windows. Several shops were situated around the area. Before she hardly began to take the details into her mind Sam was back by her side.

“We are ready to go to our room.”

“Are you certain we can afford all of this?”

“Quite certain.”

Sara looked back at him, really questioning the possibility, so he answered her again. “Six dollars a night for a room overlooking the park.” In turn he looked for his wife’s approval, but all she could do was look back at the elegance surrounding them.

Another man joined them holding the key to their room. He introduced himself as Pierre and was there to escort them to their temporary accommodations. Near the rotunda they came to the grand staircase. Sara could hardly keep moving there was so much to admire. On each side of the lower steps, on top of two high pillars, two huge bronze Iroquois figures stood. Each held a long staff which supported shining light fixtures. They proceeded to the steps made of white slabs of marble. Sara ran her hand along the balustrades of beautifully-carved black walnut, her other arm still held by her husband.

Pierre leaned to Sara, as if to speak so others would not hear him. “Princess Louise, Mark Twain and Sarah Bernhardt, herself, have walked up these stairs and run their hands over the banister.”

Sara looked at her fingers touching the railing. “Mark Twain?” she whispered back to the valet.

He nodded back and continued up the steps. Once on the landing they followed him to a strange room with something resembling the face of half a clock over the entrance. The clock had one hand on it which was pointing to the number two. As they stepped inside, another uniformed man greeted the new guests. It was a rather small room, having only enough space to hold themselves and possibly two others if they stood close together. As the others did, they turned around to face the entrance. The gentleman they met inside the room pulled an expandable gate across the front, latched it and repeated with another gate on the inside. Sara could see through the gateway and watched as business continued as usual before them. Sam felt her hold more tightly onto his arm.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Sara,” he said quite sincerely. “This is one of those newfangled elevators. I have never been on one before either, but I have read how they work.”

The man who held the key stated, “Six, please.”

The operator spoke, understanding someone who had never been in such a device before could find it frightening. “It is safe, really,” he assured Mrs. Fielding, “Otherwise I wouldn’t be in here and I am assured these young fellows wouldn’t be either.” They smiled back at him. “This lever determines the direction we will go, either up or down.” He moved the handle gently ahead to the word marked “up” and the small room gave a slight pull upward and Sara’s knees almost gave way for a second, but Sam held her arm firmly. She glanced at him and saw his smiling eyes and as he showed no hint of concern, she relaxed a little. As they travelled upwards they could see the top of the doorway moving downward as the wall through the one gate kept them safely inside. A number announced the next floor, then another gate through which a hallway, carpeted in red, could be seen. But they continued higher, passing similar hallways two more times until they came to the sixth floor. The attendant was a friendly fellow and eager to tell them how the elevator worked, stating it was powered by steam. He stopped the car a few inches above the adjoining floor, pulled the two gates open and instructed the couple to “Watch your step and have a nice day.” The gates closed and the elevator lowered itself out of sight.

The Fieldings followed Pierre as he led them to their room five doors down from the elevator, the bellhop following with their luggage. The valet stepped inside, holding the door for them. Sara stood spellbound as she saw the impressive room, unable to say anything. The bellboy set their luggage near the bed and left after Sam presented him with a tip, as he had with the elevator operator. Pierre showed them the conveniences the suite held. A pushbutton bell was available if they wanted, at any time, to call the chambermaid. The room contained a porcelain sink, but unlike the ones at home a turn of the tap on the faucet, the valet called it, brought water to their command … cold and hot. They were told down the hall was one of several washrooms on each floor. Later upon their inspection they found it came complete with a large porcelain bathtub and one of the innovative toilets Sam told her about. It held the water in a tank high above on the wall and gushed through the bowl with the pull of a chain.

Sam generously tipped the valet as he left their suite. “Makes for good service if you treat them right,” he told her.

Their room was obviously designed for complete comfort with luxurious plush carpets, velvet furnishings and striking marble mantels. The walls were elegantly decorated in an unusual pink with suffused colour washed over. On the ceiling small cupids looked to be wishing them well as they looked down upon them.

Sam answered her unasked question of the unusual design. “I asked for a bridal chamber.”

She quickly hugged him close, her whole face smiling. “I can’t imagine all those tiny eyes watching us.”

“Thank goodness for darkness,” he answered with the same look of satisfaction.

Going to the window, Sara opened it for a moment to admire the view. Sam followed, wrapping his arms around her, as it was still cold, even dressed in their winter outerwear. They were high enough from the ground the breeze was stronger than when they were standing on the street. They looked out onto the park across the way where children were playing and dogs were running after balls or sticks. As they both looked to the south they could see the stone-boats going into the park loaded with the blocks of ice and empty ones leaving. This city seemed to contain a feeling of joy. Laughter and sleigh bells filled the air and the mood was quite contagious.

Feeling the cold, they stepped back and closed the window to enjoy their lavish, temporary home.

Crossing the street to start their afternoon of sightseeing, Sam and Sara walked through the park where the blocks of ice were being left. A lot of construction noise was coming from the area and their curiosity got the better of them. One gentleman, who the others called Hutchison, walked around carrying a large paper rolled up under his arm. He looked to be the supervisor and was directing the others as to how to cut the blocks of ice and where they were to be placed. Being quite interested, Sam asked a worker, as he was walking by, what was going on.

“This here architect, Hutchison, has designed a large ice palace for the upcoming carnival in February. It is going to take a lot of work to get this thing done by then. It is supposed to be at least ninety feet high.” He excused himself and continued on his way to retrieve something for the work crew.

Already the structure was several feet high and covered a large area of the park they learned was called Dominion Square. Sara came to a standstill when she let her gaze pass the soon-to-be palace and saw a beautiful building, built of materials safe from melting when the year started to warm.

Near the far side of the park was an enormous cut stone and brick building. It had eight large pillars at the front appearing to hold up the overhead awning. On the flat roof another storey above the other were thirteen large bronze statues, looking to be scenes depicted from the Bible. Set further back, a big domed roof held a spire and cross on top. The covering shone a copper colour, but was already starting to show the greenish tinge such roofs eventually turned.

“It looks like a picture I saw once of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. I never imagined there would be such a beautiful cathedral to see on our travels,” Sara said starting to walk toward the church.

“The valet told me of sights to see while we are here and called this St. James Cathedral, built a little over ten years ago. He did say it was fashioned after such a building in Rome, but is smaller.” Sam offered Sara his arm and they walked together toward the building.

It was really quite magnificent and they felt rather minuscule as they walked through the enormous doors. The inside was beautiful and displayed an elegance neither had seen before. They looked at the beautiful stations of the church and the intricate design and fine craftsmanship it all contained.

“A lot of love and faith went into everything designed for this place,” Sara whispered to her husband as they sat for a spell admiring the sight.

“It seems to bring it closer to home,” Sam answered her, but Sara remained silent, not agreeing or disagreeing.

At the moment few people were inside the vast room. Some were like the Fieldings, admiring the structure and others were knelt near the front, their hands clasped together as they were deep in prayer. Occasionally steps trying to be quiet, or the rustling of clothing could be heard as the echo in the room seemed to magnify each minute sound. A woman several benches ahead of them covered her mouth to try to stifle a deep, raucous cough which seemed to intensify with the resonance. Sara felt a shudder go through Sam and looked into his face. Without saying anything he gave a slight smile and shrugged, not understanding why it startled him.