Chapter 10
The women were gathered out the front of Abigail's rowhouse the next morning, waiting for the supplies Elizabeth had brought to paint their houses. Elizabeth glanced down the road again, waiting anxiously for the supplies to arrive. He was already overdue by an hour and the clock was ticking, and fast. 'Ladies, perhaps while we're waiting for Mr. Yost to arrive we could divide up into groups so we could move from one house to the next?'
The sound of a car coming up the road made everyone look around and it was Francine who spoke out loud what everyone was wondering. 'What's Mr. Gowen doing here?'
'Good morning, ladies-' He started as Spurlock got out and carried the two paint cans over to the porch of Abigail's home. Or what was her home, as it wasn't going to be for much longer. 'Miss Thatcher, I brought the paint that you ordered from the mercantile.'
'Wait-' She frowned. 'That can't be all of it. I brought up all the paint in the store.'
'Mr. Yost forgot that most of his supply had already been spoken for.' Spurlock replied
'By whom?'
'By me. The company needs the paint.'
Abigail turned to him, wondering just what game he was playing now. 'Needs it for what?'
'Maintenance. The mine will be reopening soon. The buildings need a fresh coat.' He pulled an envelope from his pocket. 'Your refund, Miss Thatcher.' The woman stepped forward, taking the envelope. 'I should say that if it's the domain act that you were trying to invoke, that is not unknown to the company. We've had to fend it off before. But for what it's worth, well, I applaud your ingenuity. I do. It would have been a brilliant way to block the evictions.' He looked back at the women gathered around. 'Ladies, I admire your pluck. You do your families proud. Unfortunately I cannot change the terms of our agreement. That shaft must be cleared in order for you to stay in your homes. And the timetable still stands. Mr. Spurlock.' The man turned the crank, the car's engine coming to life and he got on the side as the car pulled away.
'Well-' Florence stepped forward, looking at Elizabeth as the rest of the women began to walk away. 'Now we'll be late for our shift.'
Abigail sighed wearily as she walked into her house closing the door behind her and she lent back against it. They were running out of time, they only had until tomorrow to finish clearing the shaft and they were going to be late.
'Mrs. Stanton?'
She looked down, the girl walking over to her. 'Joanna, what are you doing up? You should still be in bed.'
'I saw what happened-' She placed her arms around the woman and gave her a hug. 'We'll get the shaft cleared in time, I know we can.'
Abigail smiled, her eyes watering as she hugged the girl back, resting her chin on the girls head. Oh to have the faith of a child. 'Back to bed with you honey, I've got to head to the mine.'
'I'm coming with you-'
'You need to rest honey.'
'Mrs. Stanton-' She looked up at her. 'You need every able bodied woman on deck to get that shaft cleared in time. I'm not going to let a few bumps, scrapes and bruised ribs stop me from helping.'
She chuckled, holding the girl close as she breathed her presence in. 'What would I do without you?'
'You'd have to argue with that mule yourself.' They both chuckled for a moment then the girl pulled back. 'Standing here isn't going to get the shaft cleared. Come on, let's go get dressed for work.'
Mr Ansvile stood in front of the shaft entrance a little while later that morning, looking at the wall of rubble in disbelief. Why did this have to happen? The women had worked so hard, trying to get the shaft cleared in time so they could keep their homes. Hearing the sound of footsteps he glanced around, seeing the women turning up for their shift.
Abigail gasped, seeing the shaft blocked again. 'Oh my lord.' She stared at it in bewilderment then walked up to the Superintendent. 'What happened?'
'Roof pins in the timbers didn't hold.'
Cat sighed. 'All that work.'
'You did this-' Florence turned on him. 'Didn't you?'
'What? No!'
'Gowen had you sabotage us! This is the company's doing. They're making it impossible for us to keep our houses!'
'Florence-'
'I can't-' She broke down sobbing. 'I can't do this no more.'
'We can start over.' Abigail encouraged, trying to keep the rest of the women together. 'We can do this and still save our homes.'
'How?' We've lost over a week. We're right back to where we started.'
'You just-' Cat tried to find the right words. 'You've just got to have faith and we have to stick together.'
Abigail nodded in agreement. 'Yes.'
'Mr. Gowen was right-' She shook her head. 'This is a joke. There's no such thing as lady miners.'
'Florence-'
'We never should've tried this.' Molly interrupted as Florence walked away. 'My little Rosaleen's already suffered enough from the loss of her daddy. I should've just accepted our fate and not burned up what little time we got left.'
Abigail sighed as Molly followed Florence then Winnie, a couple other women leaving with them.
'Ladies-' Herbert started. 'I beg of you. Go home and use what little time you have left to say a proper goodbye.'
Joanna looked up at Abigail, around at the other women then stepped forward to the pile of rubble. Her ribs protested as she picked up a rock but she paid it no heed, carrying it to the empty cart. Abigail joined her after a moment and she smiled, catching her eye in the dim light. They could do this.
The remaining women stepped forward, following the example of the child. If she was willing to try again after what had happened yesterday then the least they could do was help. Time was running out, if they were going to save their homes they needed to use every minute they had left….
Elizabeth stared off into space as she sat at her desk the next morning, the students and her class far from her mind. If that child was going to go back and work in that mine while she was still injured then what was preventing her from going and helping too?'
'It's reading hour, Miss Thatcher.' Cassandra spoke up as the clock continued to chime but the teacher made no motion of acknowledging her exclamation. 'Miss Thatcher?'
Elizabeth was jolted out of her thoughts, turning to the girl. 'What's that?'
'It's supposed to be reading hour.'
She glanced up at the clock and sighed. 'Oh, sorry. You're right.'
Rachel stood up after a moment, walking up to the teachers desk. 'Are you okay, Miss Thatcher?'
'I'm fine Rachel. Thank you.'
'When my mama came home from the mine yesterday she said we have to leave Coal Valley.' She looked down at the piece of coal she'd been holding then placed it on the desk. 'I want you to have this. I hope it helps you love this place as much as I do.'
Elizabeth looked down at the piece of coal as the girl returned to her seat, taking it in her hand as she thought for a moment then she stood up. 'Boys and girls, you may collect your things. Until further notice, school is out.'
'I'm just saying this isn't the best idea.' Jack stood in Abigail's rowhouse, trying to talk Elizabeth out of going into the mine. He'd heard from one of the kids that school was out until further notice and had guessed what Elizabeth was up to. He was right, looking her up and down as she walked down the stairs, dressed in miners clothing.
'I don't have a choice.' She grabbed her coat off the back of the chair and placed it on. 'My first plan failed.'
'I know.'
'Look, I live here now. This is my community and the children I teach are terrified about losing their homes. I have to do something.'
'Elizabeth-' He gritted his teeth to stop himself from saying something he'd really regret from trying to make her listen to reason. 'It is too dangerous.'
'Because I'm a woman?' She asked, buttoning up her coat. 'Because right now that mine is filled with women.'
'Yes, I know, and I wish I could stop all of them. Legally, I can't.'
Elizabeth grabbed the cap and lamp off the table. 'You can't stop me either.' She picked up her lunch bucket and started for the door when it opened and two women walked in.
'My son, Bradley, said school's being canceled until further notice. Is that true?'
'Yes. I want to help the lady miners.'
'Well, you're being paid to teach, not digging coal.'
'I realize that, but-'
Dottie cut her off. 'So you need to go back to school and do your job.'
'I'm sorry you feel that way, Mrs. Ramsey, but Mr. Gowen has given these widows until tomorrow-'
'I don't think it's your place to go into the mine-' Cynthia interrupted.
'Ladies.' Jack interjected as he stopped next to Elizabeth. ''It seems to me if she's willing to put her community before her own safety, that's something to be commended. Now, As risky as it is, some of the women in this town are standing together to save their homes. Now, I'd think the other mothers would understand that, since most of them are married to men who walk into that mine everyday. There but for the grace of God, go all of you.' He turned to Elizabeth. 'I wish you weren't doing this. I understand why you are but just, be careful.'
She smiled. 'Thank you.'
Abigail was struggling to lift a timber back into position, her arms and shoulders aching from the back-breaking work and she barely managed to lift the beam a few inches before she lost hold of it. Suddenly someone was there, helping her push it up and she gasped in amazement as she saw it was Elizabeth. 'Elizabeth? What in the world?'
'I know I'm the last person you expected to see here.'
'Actually-' She chuckled as they held the timber in position. 'I think the truer statement is, you're the last person you expected to see her.'
'Maybe so, but I'm here anyway.'
Abigail motioned towards the tool box. 'Hand me a chock and mallet.'
'Got it-' A woman replied, holding them up. 'Right here.'
'Florence, your back!' Cat exclaimed in amazement as Joanna and the mule returned from dumping another load.
'Well, if little miss princess here can give it her best and Joanna too, so can the rest of us.'
Abigail frowned, trying to figure out just what exactly she was meaning. 'What do you mean, the rest of us?'
Outside the mine, the rest of the women were gathering their tools and preparing to go into the mine. Mr. Ansvile walked to the window with a happy smirk on his face, watching the women as they lined up to go into the mine. 'Oh boy. This is not going to make someone happy.'
'Sir-' Spurlock started, taking off his hat as he walked into Gowen's office. 'I'm not sure how to say this but all the women are going into the mine.'
Gowan looked up from his papers, frowning. 'You mean all the widows.'
'No. All the women.'
'What do you mean, when you say 'all the women?""
'All the women, in the entire town.' He replied. 'And they're planning on working around-the-clock shifts.'
Joanna smiled as she led the mule back into the shaft, waiting with Sweetie for the women to fill the carts again. They had two lines going back and forth, one side with empty buckets of rubble that was dumped into the carts and the other passing them back up to the front as they cleared the tracks for the carts. The mule he-hawed squeakily as she patted her, the girl chuckling as she waited for Cynthia to join her so she could hand over the mule for the next shift. Surprisingly, Cynthia had some experience with mules and she sighed with relief as the woman came to relieve her of her duty. 'See you tomorrow Sweetie.'
'You look exhausted-' Abigail exclaimed as she placed her arm around the girl, the shifts changing over. 'How are you feeling?'
'Sore. My ribs are killing me. But-' She looked around at the line of women they were passing heading to the shaft to continue clearing it. 'We're getting there.'
They lined up to put their pit-checks on the board, Elizabeth smiling as she saw Jack on his horse near the mine. He tipped his hat at her and then shook his head. She chuckled. Guess she was proving to him rather well that she wasn't 'weak' like he thought she was.
Load after load, rock after rock, the women worked through the night and into the next morning. With the deadline looming closer, dangled over their heads, the night workers stayed when the new shift arrived. They were almost there, so so close. They had almost finished.
A cheer went up as they broke through the wall to the connecting shaft on the other side, every woman working harder as excitement rippled through them all. They were so close, so close.
The last rock. Abigail and Joanna looked at each other, huge grins on their faces. 'You should have the honor, Mrs. Stanton. This was your plan, after all.'
Abigail chuckled, looking at the girl fondly. 'We. It was your talent in getting that mule to finally cooperate with us that made this possible.'
She laughed. 'I can't take all the credit, your cookies did help.' She'd managed to finally get on the good side of the mule by bribing her with some cookies Abigail had made on Sunday.
'Ready?'
'Ready to go back to fresh air and never set foot in a cold, dark, stinky mine again? You bet!'
The women erupted in cheering and clapping as Abigail and Joanna held up the last rock, carrying it to the cart to dump it. Abigail and Joanna hugged, the woman giving the girl a kiss on her forehead despite the coal dust then she turned back to the women. 'We did it ladies! We did it.'
'Let's go get cleaned up-' Cat exclaimed after the excitement had died down. 'And go pay a visit to Mr. Gowen.'
'I think I'm going to sleep for a month-' The girl exclaimed as she and Abigail walked out of the house, joining the other women who were heading into the town to settle with Gowen about their houses. 'How can someone be so tired and yet so happy at the same time?'
'I know the feeling.' Abigail chuckled as she placed her arm around the girl. 'And you didn't have to give up your stallion either.'
'You know, I would have if we didn't finish in time. Regardless of what you said.'
'Why Joanna? Why would you be willing to give up your horse for me to keep my home?''
The girl looked up at her, her brown eyes glistening. 'Mrs. Stanton, you took me in, you gave me a home, you looked after me when no one else would have. I couldn't sit by and let you lose your house if there was something I could do about it.'
'Oh honey.' She kissed the girls head, surprised that the child would have been willing to give up her horse for her. 'You really are such a special young lady.'
Joanna flicked her hair back with a giggle. 'And don't I know it.'
'Oh you-' She laughed, playfully punching the girl's shoulder. 'You're too cheeky for your own good.'
'I believe I've been told that once or twice too.' They continued on into town, the other women talking excitedly as they grouped outside Gowan's office, waiting for him to return from his inspection of the mine. 'You don't mind me being cheeky, do you?'
'Not at all.'
'Mrs. Stanton-' Jack tipped his hat at her as he walked up to her and the girl. 'If you have a moment to spare after you see Mr. Gowan, would you mind dropping by the office before you head home. Something arrived that you've been waiting for.'
Abigail guessed what he was talking about and nodded. 'We'll be right over.'
'We?' The girl raised her eyebrow, wondering why she was included in the equation. 'What's going on?'
'You'll find out.'
'Tell me.'
'You'll find out.'
'I'll see you later-' Jack ducked away from the conversation before the girl could start pestering him and he chuckled, wondering just what Abigail had gotten herself in for.
'Come on Mrs. Stanton, tell me-' She begged, using her sad eyes. 'Come on.'
'Nope.'
'Please-'
'You'll have to wait.' She looked at the sound of a car approaching, the women moving to make way for Gowan's car and the driver pulled up outside the office.
Henry stepped out of the car, walking up the stairs to address the women. 'I have inspected the shaft and you women kept your end of the bargain. Now, if you would all line up in an orderly fashion, I will keep mine.'
The other women waited as Henry opened his office, waiting for Abigail to take the lead.
'Go on Abigail, you first.'
'Don't keep us all waiting-' Another lady called out. 'Hurry up or he might change his mind.'
Abigail chuckled, blushing and she looked down at the girl. 'Shall we?'
'We better.' The girl giggled. 'Or like they said he might change his mind.'
The two of them stepped into the office, the other women lining up behind them as Henry wrote out the lot contract in her name then handed it to her. Abigail looked at it for a moment, almost unable to believe that the rowhouse was really hers then she looked back at Henry. 'Thank you, Mr. Gowen.'
'Now can we go see what the Constable has?' Joanna asked as they walked out of the office, Cat stepping up behind them to receive her lot contract. 'Please?'
'Alright, alright.' Abigail laughed and they headed over to the office.
Jack was sitting at his desk as they walked in, chuckling as Abigail came and sat down across from him. 'Well, that didn't take you long.'
'Well, come on-' The young girl encouraged. 'What is it?'
'Why don't you tell her, Mrs. Stanton?'
Abigail nodded then looked up at the girl. 'Joanna, a few weeks ago I asked the Constable about obtaining your guardianship-' The girl gasped in surprise but she continued. 'If you want to stay with me, he has the paperwork for me to sign that will make me your permanent guardian.' She took the girls hand gently in hers. 'Joanna Davis, would you do me the honor of allowing me to become your guardian?'
Joanna didn't know what to say, tears coming to her eyes. Abigail wanted her. She really wanted her. She nodded, finally finding her voice. 'Yes, yes.'
The woman stood up, embracing the girl warmly. 'Now, I mightn't be perfect, I might not always get it right but I promise you that I will love you and look after you as my own.' She kissed the girls head. 'Thank you for giving me this privilege.'
'Thank you so much, Mrs. Stanton.'
'I think you may call me Miss Abigail.'
'Then thank you-' The girl smiled. 'Miss Abigail.'
Jack cleared his throat, catching both of their attention. 'Now, I like paperwork as much as the next Mountie but I promised Miss Thatcher we'd go for a walk-'
'Sorry Constable-' Abigail chuckled and she sat back down again to go over the papers with him. 'We won't keep you.'
'You and Miss Thatcher finally work out your differences, hey?' The girl asked cheekily as Abigail signed where Jack showed her to. 'The handsome Mountie and the pretty school-teacher-'
'I'd watch it young lady-' He teased with a grin. 'I know where you live, I could always come and give you a spell in there-' He nodded towards the jail cell. 'To quell your mischievous streak.'
'You wouldn't.'
'Try me.'
'Alright-' Abigail chuckled, handing the Constable back the papers she'd signed and she stood up. 'I'll get this young girl out of your hair Constable so you can go on that walk. Come on Joanna, let's go home.
That is all for now folks, I had intended on continuing this story but just haven't had the time to work on it. If I get the chance, I will continue but for now, I think this is a good place to end it.
By the way, who's enjoying season 9? I've been a Heartie since way back when Season 2 was aired so I've been around here for quite a while! The show has changed so much (In a good way, but I still miss Abigail as she was my favorite character, her and Bill) but the early seasons are still my favorite.
If I do get the chance to write, I had an idea to tie this story in with When Hope Calls (did you catch what that might be?) but for the foreseeable future I don't see this continuing. If it does happen, I will of course share it here with you all.
Hope you enjoyed and don't forget to drop a review.
God bless
