Ribbons of Steel (26 page)

“Then that’s good news?”

“Yes, but I need your help letting everyone know we need to stand down ’til we see what happens, Seamus.”

“I’m not sure they’ll trust you.”

“Tell them I informed Aderley I chose sides. And it’s not the trunk lines. I know it’s coming a bit late, but it’s where my heart has been since the beginning.”

“They’ll be happy to hear you’re with them. They think you’re a good man.”

He wasn’t as good a man as his friend thought. If he was, he would have spoken up for them much sooner.

As the days wore on, Scott’s promise of a wage cut remained adamant, although he didn’t put it into effect. Charley and Seamus talked to the men; things remained calm. Aderley had been informed other trunk lines had already rescinded their cut wages and had called their men back to work. He hoped Thomas Scott would rescind their cut in wages as well.

Chapter Seventeen

July continued to be a good month for calving. Seth helped deliver three newborns toward the end of the third week. Hay was tall enough for a second cutting, and Seth enjoyed watching the long strands flow back and forth in the afternoon breeze. He took pride in the abundant crop. The potatoes were doing well despite the flood in June. He should still have a good crop for harvest in late September, early October.

After the rains, a slight beetle problem had invaded the potato fields. He’d checked with potato growers in Richford and caught the infestation in time to deal with it right away. Come fall, he would have to round up a couple of hired hands in order to get all the crops in come harvest, as well as maintaining the milking and other responsibilities of running the farm. Of course, his sister and younger brothers would pitch in, but they could only do so much. Digging potatoes was hard work needing many hands. The potatoes couldn’t be left lying in the field, or they’d end up with sunspot damage from the sunlight. He was well aware of the stench of rotten potatoes from their own family supply. Storing them underground to keep cold didn’t guard against a rotter. All it took was one decomposed potato for all the others to go bad. He couldn’t afford to lose an entire crop of stored spuds due to one rotten potato.

Seth had dug out and extended the root cellar next to the house beside the woodshed. He lined the walls with fieldstone, using the flatter stones for the floor. The cellar was deep enough so the potatoes wouldn’t freeze during the winter months. They could store other tuber vegetables and canned goods there, as well.

Seth had a ready market for the potatoes. If the trains stopped running due to the strike this far north into harvest time…well, he didn’t know what he’d do.

“I’ve telegraphed the markets as far east as New York City, north to Syracuse, and west to Buffalo along the Erie Canal,” Seth told Catherine, as they sat across from each other at the kitchen table late one night. It was the first time they’d been able to sit and talk while everyone else had gone to bed.

“People in the cities are clamoring for potatoes, as well as my goat products. If we have a good harvest this year, I figure we’ll be able to make ends meet through the winter months even if the strike continues and Pa don’t have an income.”

“What if the trains do stop? What are you going to do?” Catherine asked, wringing her hands in her lap.

“I don’t have the time, equipment, or the help to transport everything myself. How much food have you and Maggie been able to put away so far?”

With his mother west, Mrs. Flanagan and Catherine had started putting away berries, fruits, and drying vegetables in anticipation of the winter months. He built shelving along one wall in the root cellar for the processed jars. Already there were several rows of brightly colored labeled containers, with room for more. He’d hung rope outside under an overhang for drying herbs in the summer heat. The fragrance of rosemary, thyme, sage, and lemon already filled the air.

“Maggie’s been a great help,” Catherine said. “Most of our garden will be coming on at the end of August and September. There’s plenty. At least we’ll have food on the table.” Catherine hesitated a moment, closed her eyes, and then looked up at Seth. “Will we have enough money for my schooling?”

Seth nodded. “I’ve been putting some aside in case Pa doesn’t come through. The strike is hurting us all. Have you been keeping up with your studies?”

“Yes. Maggie is a big help with the boys. And Madeline loves taking care of Sarah. I don’t know what we would have done if she hadn’t come up to live with us. The good Lord is smiling down on us.”

“She has been a big help,” Seth agreed. “So are you all set for the exams tomorrow morning?”

“Yes. Are you sure you can find the time to take me in to town? I can drive the team myself.”

“I don’t want you going by yourself. The hillside can be a bit tricky. I’ve given orders to the boys, and I’m sure Maggie will make sure things go as planned around here without us for one day.”

Seth wouldn’t miss taking Catherine in for her exam if he could help it. For sure Anna Louise would be there to take her exam, too. He hadn’t seen her since the Fourth of July celebration, and he couldn’t get the kiss they’d shared in the church vestibule out of his mind. Even though he’d left her standing there convinced he was letting her go, he just couldn’t forget about her. Yes sir, he had big plans for tomorrow. A surprise he hoped would help change Anna Louise’s mind about him once and for all.

****

Seth and Catherine arrived at the academy the following day, along with others who rolled in on buckboards. A few walked over from the train depot across the street having come in by train. The academy’s lawn was a hive of activity with twenty or so young ladies dressed in their Sunday finest, their hair combed up in dangling ringlets and their hats tied neatly under their chins. Although they were all pretty ladies, Seth considered as how his Anna Louise had them beat by a mile.

Catherine had also put on her best dress, a lavender and lace concoction Mrs. Flanagan had helped her sew for the occasion. She looked more like a schoolmarm than a farmer’s daughter, and Seth had no doubts she’d do well on her exams today. She sure had studied hard enough.

Seth stepped down from the wagon, turned, and offered his hand to help Catherine down. He looked over his sister’s shoulder and spotted Anna Louise coming through the iron gates surrounding the academy grounds. Dressed in a bright sun-yellow dress, Anna Louise carried a matching parasol in order to keep the hot afternoon sun from her fair skin.

“Good day, Miss Anna,” Seth called as she approached. He tipped his hat slightly, then offered what he hoped was a beaming smile of welcome. “You’re looking mighty fine today.”

He was going to be a gentleman today even if his insides were tied in knots.

“Why, thank you, Seth.” Anna Louise smiled. “Catherine,” she nodded to his sister. “I hope you’re both doing well.”

Seth had made up his mind to clarify his position with Anna Louise as soon as possible. The light shade of pink on his true love’s cheeks wasn’t caused by her lovely rouge, or the reflection of the afternoon sun. He’d bank his crop of potatoes on it.

It was a very good sign, indeed.

“I wish you well on your exam,” he said. “I hope you both pass with flying colors. I would be honored to have the pleasure of your company for tea at the Spinning Wheel when you’re finished here today.”

Seth smiled at both of them, thinking as how his speech was a bit overdone, but one Anna Louise would appreciate. Anna Louise twirled her parasol and turned even pinker.

Seth took hope.

Catherine’s eyes twinkled at him. The corner of her mouth lifted a tad. He didn’t care, dang it. His relationship with Anna Louise was worth any amount of embarrassment his sister chose to lay on him.

Before Anna Louise could respond, Seth continued, least she refused. “I will stop in at the Spinning Wheel and give them our reservations. I’ll return and pick you both up later. In the meantime, I must be on my way to the telegraph office. Good day, ladies.”

Seth tipped his best Sunday-go-to-meeting hat, bowed his head slightly, and then jumped up into the wagon. Before he could click on the reins, Catherine laughed. He didn’t care. He smiled to himself as his insides danced with pleasure. The look on Anna Louise’s surprised face had been worth it. He’d been a perfect gentleman. If Anna Louise wanted manners, he’d work real hard to accommodate her. He’d work real hard to do the best he could to impress the woman he loved. Even if it meant enduring a proper tea with others watching. Like Catherine said, all he needed was a bit of patience
.

Seth’s smile broadened as he drove his team out onto the main street. He’d just left Anna Louise speechless. And by Catherine showing up to take the exam, he hoped it proved to Anna Louise he didn’t need her to help out at the farm; he was making do just fine since Mrs. Flanagan was there to help.

Seth had passed his own test. Another step in his attempt to win Anna Louise’s heart. He couldn’t wait to take them to tea.

Seth headed straight to the telegraph office across the street at the train station while he waited for the two-hour exam process to be over. He hitched his horses and buckboard to the post in front of Candor Hall across the street. With plenty of time on his hands, he walked down the street to the Spinning Wheel to set his reservations.

The afternoon was warm and sunny, and the sunlight twinkled through the leaves of the maples on both sides of the street. There hadn’t been a single raindrop in a week, and dust kicked up as several wagons rolled into town. But nothing could waylay him today. Today he was going to have tea with Anna Louise. Of course, Catherine was going to be there, too, but she was aware he was in love with Anna Louise. She understood.

After making reservations at the Spinning Wheel, Seth headed back to the telegraph office to thank Mr. Benson for sending the telegram from his father. He had picked up the family photo taken on the Fourth of July from Child’s Studios and wanted to send a copy to his mother.

“Morn’n, Seth,” the man behind the ticket booth called when he entered the depot. “Come to send a telegram to your ma? I received one for you the other day. Seeing as no one was going out your way, I kept it right here for you. Figured you’d be coming in with Catherine for the school exam today. Other than a slight incident with the hoodlums and the Chinese riots out there, you’re ma’s just fine. Marybelle says your ma’s health has improved. Says she’s almost as good as new. Now, if I know Marybelle, Emily is in good hands. Always was a kind person, our Marybelle. Why she’d want to up and leave and travel way out west, I’ll never know. Heard her husband found his pot of gold out there before going up north and getting involved in the lumbering business.”

Seth smiled. No matter when Seth dropped in, Mr. Benson always had a story to tell and could recite the entire message verbatim.

“We were all surprised they didn’t go way on up farther into Alaska like everyone else to do some panning,” Seth replied, wondering when Mr. Benson was going to get around to giving him the telegram.

“Settling for a logging camp was sure a surprise to folks around here, seeing as lumbering is pretty big in these parts, too. Now, where’d I put that dang telegram. Ah, here it is. Tucked it away to keep it nice and fresh for you. I guess you’ll want to be writing back later with Catherine’s test results today.”

Seth took the telegram, and as Mr. Benson said, his mother was fine. Not much more about the rioting in San Francisco.

“Yes sir. I’m taking Catherine and Miss Mitchell to the Spinning Wheel for tea after their exams. I’ll stop by later.”

“Miss Mitchell? Well, now, Seth, she’s a right pretty little thing, our Miss Mitchell. Wasn’t she seeing Mr. Linsky from Catatonk? Hmmm...” Mr. Benson scratched his head. The telegraph contraption started clicking away, and Mr. Benson turned, he and Anna Louise already forgotten.

****

Seth grinned from ear to ear all the way home. Catherine shook her head and covered her mouth. Still, her laughter rang out. He didn’t care. He was happier than a flea on a dog’s behind. What a lark. Mr. Linsky walking into the Spinning Wheel toting another lady on his arm. His eyes had just about popped out of his face a good country mile when ol’ Linsky’d seen Anna Louise sitting next to him at a corner table. They sat so close together Seth’s arm was draped across the back of Anna Louise’s chair. The look on Anna Louise’s pretty little face had been a picture, and it warmed his heart. She and Catherine had just been discussing the fact they had both passed their exams in the top five percent of everyone taking the exam. The smiles and twinkle in their eyes were a pleasure for Seth to behold. He had just been congratulating himself on being clever enough to plan this treat for them when the bell had tinkled over the door. And Mr. Linsky walked in. For a moment Seth had been ready to do battle. But when he’d seen the shocked look on both Mr. Linsky and Anna Louise’s face, he wanted to stand up and clap and give himself a sound slap on the back. He could see Anna Louise hadn’t anticipated Mr. Linsky’s duplicity. And Mr. Linsky hadn’t expected to be found out. In all, Seth figured it had been a very successful day, indeed.

“You didn’t have to gloat so,” Catherine admonished him as they sat in the buckboard riding out of town. “Poor Anna Louise. I could see she was crushed.”

“Like a groundhog under a hay wagon wheel,” Seth chuckled.

“Seth. How could you? You confessed your love for her, and you were trying to be such a fine gentleman today.”

“Oh, hang it, Catherine. I know Anna Louise has feelings for me. I can sense it every time we’re near enough to breathe on each other she can’t take her eyes off me. I must say, I was trying to make amends and let her know that even though she didn’t accept my proposal in the beginning, I truly wanted to wed her for all the right reasons.”

Seth recalled how upset Anna Louise had been when she’d seen Mr. Linsky walk in with another woman on his arm. Seth had taken her hand in his and given it a gentle squeeze and then laid it on his lap under the tablecloth. Anna Louise hadn’t looked at him right away, and he hadn’t said anything. Without thinking, he had raised her hand to his lips and planted a tender, understanding kiss on the underside of her wrist. Thinking back, his gesture had been very romantic. Anna Louise had looked up, and he was shocked to see her dreamy blue eyes seek his in an exchange of mutual understanding. Her tender mouth quivered, her lips parted, and Seth wanted to do nothing more than to sweep her up out of the chair and out of sight of everyone in the room. He had wanted to be alone with Anna Louise. He had wanted to kiss her right properly.