A Corset and a Promise
It was finally the weekend. Allie slept in a little, but Nathan still woke at his usual time. He quietly made breakfast, ate, and left Allie's food on the stove to stay warm. Nathan went to the livery, saddled up Newton and did his morning rounds. He stopped by the jail to see if he needed to take care of anything from the previous day. He grabbed some of the documents he and Bill were reviewing and rode home to check on Allie.
"Allie, you're awake. Good morning. How did you sleep?"
"Much better. I'm sorry I slept so late. I never do that. Thank you for making breakfast. It was really good."
"I'm glad to see you smiling again, Allie. I've missed your pretty smile the last couple of months."
"I'm good, Uncle Nathan." Allie stood and hesitated a moment before she spoke. "Um, Uncle Nathan, I need to ask you something."
"Sure. Anything. You know you can ask me anything, Allie."
"I think I need to get something at the dress shop. I'm going to Angela's house this morning, and I was going to talk to Mrs. Canfield about it."
"Is it something I can help you with?"
"No. Not really. I need 75 cents. Please don't ask me why. You just have to trust me."
"I trust you, Allie. Sure. I can give you the money."
Nathan gave Allie the 75 cents, but he still had a look of concern. He knew he shouldn't ask for any details though. Allie was getting to the age where sometimes she would want to wear a dress and talk about Robert and be all dreamy eyed, and there were other times she wanted to put on her coveralls and go fishing. Nathan did know one thing: He trusted Allie.
"Thanks, Uncle Nathan. I'll be with Angela all morning. We thought we could come back here and make lunch for you today. Will you be home?"
"I will. I've got some wood to chop and stack for winter, and there's a little painting I need to do. I thought maybe tonight you and I could go to the café for dinner. How does that sound?"
"That sounds great. I'll see you back here at 1 o'clock for lunch." Allie grabbed her coat and ran out before Nathan could even say good-bye to her. He just shook his head and smiled. It was nice to see Allie happy again.
Allie walked over to the Canfield's house. Angela was going to show her how to play some basic scales and chords on the piano. Cooper was helping his father stack wood in the back of the house, and Minnie was sweeping the porch when Allie arrived.
"Good morning, Mrs. Canfield."
"Well, good morning, Allie. You're up and out early today."
"Not really. I overslept, and Uncle Nathan didn't wake me up."
"Young girls need their sleep to help them grow."
"Yeah, I suppose so. Speaking of growing, could I ask you a personal question, Mrs. Canfield?"
"Certainly, Allie. What is it?"
"Promise you won't laugh?" Minnie nodded her head in agreement and smiled. "I think I need a corset. I couldn't ask Uncle Nathan about it. I would be too embarrassed to even mention it, and I would be mortified if he came to the dress shop with me to buy one."
"I can certainly help you with that. Angela wears a corset now. We bought it at the dress shop for her in the spring, and Clara helped fit it to her. We went first thing in the morning before the shop was busy, so we were the only ones there. Would you like me to take you? I would be glad to do that."
"You don't mind?"
"I don't mind at all. Come in the house. I'll get my hat and coat, and we can walk over there now. Clara will be opening up the shop by the time we get to town."
"Thank you, Mrs. Canfield. Angela was going to teach me some scales and chords on the piano. Do you think that,"
Minnie interrupted her. "Don't you worry about that. I'll let Angela know we have an errand to do, and we'll be right back. You can learn your scales and chords after we go to the dress shop."
Allie was relieved that she wouldn't have to go to the dress shop alone. Minnie let her family know that she and Allie had an errand to do, and they would be back in less than an hour. They walked into town quietly together. Minnie was certain that Allie was nervous, and she gave her a reassuring hug. The mercantile was just opening, and Mr. Yost was outside sweeping the steps. He waved to Minnie and Angela as they walked by.
They went across the street to Dottie's Dress shop, which was also near the saloon. Fortunately, the saloon was in complete darkness. Allie looked relieved. Clara was just opening the doors to the shop as they arrived.
"Minnie, Allie. Good morning. It's so nice to see you. You came just in time. I'm just opening. Mrs. Weis is coming in for a fitting on a dress in a couple of hours, but I'm not expecting anyone until then."
Allie took a deep breath. She had always been a tom boy and had just started wearing dresses to school this year. Nathan took her to the dress shop to pick out two for school and one to save for Sunday church.
"What can I help you with today, Minnie?"
"My friend, Allie, needs to be fitted for a corset. Do you have something that would be appropriate for her?"
"We do. We have the newer style Ferris Good Sense Corsets. They are made of a nice, soft batiste fabric trimmed with a little lace, and they are corded rather than having metal stays. They're made especially for young ladies Allie's age, and they're 75 cents."
"That will do nicely. Could you fit her for one, please?"
"Yes, absolutely. Allie, could you go in the back fitting room. You can take your dress off, but leave your camisole and petticoat on. I promise it won't be painful at all. We'll get you fitted quickly, and you can get out and enjoy this beautiful day. OK?"
"OK. Thank you, Mrs. Flynn."
"Please call me Clara. I don't think I'm old enough to be called Mrs. Flynn yet. Besides, I thought we were friends, Allie."
"We are. Thank you, Clara."
Allie went in the dressing room, and Clara picked out a corset in just the right size. She and Minnie fitted it to her, and it was perfect. "Do you want to wear it home, Allie?" asked Clara.
"No. Do you think you could just wrap it for me, please? I have the money."
"Oh, I was going to charge it to your uncle and have him settle the bill later, but if you have the money with you, that's even better."
Allie thanked Clara, and she and Minnie walked back home together.
"That wasn't too bad, was it, Allie?"
"No. I'm glad no one else was there. It's so embarrassing. I thought it was going to feel like I was in a vice. I've seen pictures in catalogs at the mercantile. Corsets look painful to wear."
"Not anymore. Corsets were like that fifty years ago, but not now. Do you know that in the 1860s, women used to have their lowest ribs broken intentionally to make their waist look smaller? They cinched corsets so tight it's a wonder those women could even breathe. It seems ridiculous now, doesn't it?" Both Minnie and Allie laughed about how silly it sounded, and they talked about other fashions that seem archaic now.
"I'm glad I didn't live in the 1860s. I never would have survived those corsets."
"Me either. Look at that. Here we are back at the house already. I'll be glad to hold your package for you until you go home. Go inside and have your piano lesson with Angela. I'll make some tea for the three of us."
Allie gave Minnie a hug and went in the house. Angela was at the piano warming up by practicing scales and humming the notes.
"Hi Angela. I'm sorry I'm late. I asked your mother if she could help me with something. Promise not to tell?"
"Of course I promise."
"We went to the dress shop so I could get fitted for a corset," Allie whispered.
"Oh, Allie. I was afraid of getting a corset. Mama took me in the spring, and it's really not bad at all. It actually helps me to sit up straight. Come sit with me, and we'll start with some basic scales."
Allie and Angela took turns practicing scales, and Angela taught Allie a couple of basic chords. Minnie had tea ready, and the three of them sat at the table and talked about school, the piano, the oddities of fashion, the secrets of catching fish and making good tea scones.
"Well girls, we didn't solve the problems of the world this morning, but we certainly have discussed a lot of things. It's so nice having tea with you both. Allie, I can't tell you how happy I am that you and Angela are bosom friends. I think you're good for each other. I had a close friend when I was your age. Of course, no one had heard of bosom friends back then."
Mama, who was she? Please tell us."
"Yes, Mrs. Canfield, please tell us about your own bosom friend."
"Alright. Her name was Martha. She and her family, like mine, lived on a tenant farm in Ontario. It was a hard life. It's difficult to grow enough crops to live on for the winter, sell some for cash and pay the landowner. Martha would come to my house whenever she could. My mama would teach both of us. My mama's family were farmers too, but they used as much of their money as they possibly could to buy books. They were self-educated, and they taught my mama. They always told mama that it was important for their generation to make things better for the next generation. So, Mama taught Martha and I to read. We also learned mathematics, history and geography. We had a large collection of books that had been handed down in the family. Now it's my turn to keep that promise. Both Angela and Cooper are going to a proper school. I hope when they finish at the Jack Thornton School, they will both go on to college. That's Joseph's and my dream for them, and that's my promise to my parents and grandparents.
"Oh, mama. I had no idea. What happened to Martha?"
"Well, after my grandparents passed, my parents moved us to Alberta. Martha and I wrote to each other for many years. I'm so glad you girls asked about her. I can't remember when the last time was that I wrote to Martha, but I'll sit and write her a letter this afternoon. Her family lived in that house all those years. Maybe there's a chance she's still there. Thank you for reminding me about her."
"Thank you for telling us, mama. Allie, if we're going to make lunch for your Uncle Nathan, maybe we'd better get over to your house."
"You girls just ate a healthy serving of my tea scones, and you're talking about lunch already?"
"I promised Uncle Nathan I'd make lunch for him. I'm going to try chicken and dumplings."
"Allie, that sounds delicious. Why don't I wrap the rest of these scones. Your uncle can have them after his lunch."
"That would be great. Thank you, Mrs. Canfield. Thank you for the scones and the help with the, you know, the corset."
"It was my pleasure, Allie. Now, you girls go make lunch. If you need help with anything, I'll be right here writing to Martha."
Allie and Angela walked over to Allie's house. It was almost noon, so they had an hour to get lunch prepared. Allie had the chicken already cut up, and she and Angela peeled potatoes, carrots and onions. They simmered the chicken in water and added herbs and seasoning. After the chicken was cooked, they boned it and set it aside. They added the vegetables to the chicken stock and let them cook. When they were soft, they added the cooked chicken and just a bit of cream to enrich the stock. Allie measured the ingredients for the dumplings, and Angela stirred everything with a long, wooden spoon. As soon as the stew came to a low boil, Allie dropped the dumplings on the top and covered the pot. The kitchen smelled heavenly.
"Oh, what smells so good in here?"
"Uncle Nathan, you're home just in time. Angela and I just finished making lunch and setting the table. Where were you? I thought you would be home all morning."
"I was out behind the school. There were some trees that had been cut down. I was able to get more wood for the winter. Hello, Angela. I hope Allie hasn't worked you too hard."
"Oh, no, Constable Grant. We played the piano and had tea at my house. Then we came here to make lunch for you. Allie told me everything she did, so I'll be able to make it for mama, papa and Cooper."
"Well, I could smell it from outside. I'm hungry. Let's see what you made."
"It's chicken and dumplings, Uncle Nathan."
"Now, you know that's one of my favorites."
Allie and Angela had big smiles on their faces. The three of them enjoyed their lunch and told Nathan about their assignment for school for next week.
"Uncle Nathan, Angela and I have to look for as many different kinds of leaves as we can find and identify them. We thought we could walk over to the woods by Angela's old cabin. There are a lot of different trees in that area."
"Oh, Allie. Mr. Walden bought the Canfield's place. I don't think he'd be too happy for you to be wandering around there. I'd prefer you look for leaves somewhere else."
"But Uncle Nathan, the best specimens are near the cabin. We'd have to walk a lot further to find anything even close to what's there."
"I'd rather that you do that. I'd be glad to take you out and help look if you like."
"No, we'll just find another spot. It will be fine I guess."
"Allie, didn't you say there were some good trees behind the school? Let's go there."
"OK. Come on. We probably should get going so we can be back before dark."
"I'll clean up the dishes, girls. You go ahead. Remember, we're having dinner at the café tonight. Be home before 5 o'clock, please, and be careful."
Allie and Angela left arm-in-arm to find their leaves. "Allie, it feels like we're going the wrong way. I should be feeling the sun on the other side of my face."
"We're not going the wrong way. We're going to the cabin."
"But, Allie, your uncle said not to. Mr. Spurlock and Mr. Walden scare me. Please can we just turn around and go behind the school."
"We'll be fine. There are a lot of trees there. We'll be able to get all our specimens and be back to town in a couple of hours."
The girls walked to the cabin arm-in-arm. They laughed about corsets and talked about how they would present their project at school. They were quiet for the remainder of their trip and just enjoyed the sounds and smells of nature. They heard knocking, followed by men's voices.
"Spurlock, is that you? Get in here and shut the door. What took you so long? You were supposed to bring those papers to the boss and get back here right away. I expected you first thing this morning."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Walden. I ran into some bad weather coming back and waited out the storm."
"I don't pay you to sit around on my time. I expected you back this morning. Did anyone see you?"
"No, Mr. Walden. No one. I brought the papers to the boss directly. He was in his office. He asked me to give you this."
Spurlock handed Walden a large leather wallet. Inside was $100 in cash.
"The boss said it was a down payment.
"Down payment? I was expecting a bank draft for the entire amount."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Walden. That's all he gave me. He said he'd be in Hope Valley next week to discuss the deal with you."
"Well, that's not what we agreed to. I think it's best to just sit tight though. We don't want to upset the likes of him. I'm none too happy though."
Allie and Angela were behind some thick brush and heard the entire conversation.
Angela whispered, "Allie, we have to get out of here. Come on. Please take my arm. We need to go. Quickly now."
Allie whispered back to Angela, "OK. Go slow, Angela. They don't know we're here. Just take big steps, but be very quiet."
Allie's plan worked fine until she got the toe of her boot caught in a tree root, and she stumbled, taking Angela down with her. They quickly got back up, but they couldn't move.
"Hey, who's out there? Let me see you, right now."
"Oh, hello Mr. Spurlock," said Angela. I was just bringing Allie to show her where we lived when we first came to Hope Valley. I hope we didn't disturb you."
"Did you just get here?"
"Yes. We have to find different kinds of leaves for a school project. I told Allie we should come here, because there are so many different kinds of trees. We didn't mean any harm. We were just going to take some leaves."
"This is private property. Your family doesn't own this place now. Both of you git home, and don't come back here." Allie and Angela grabbed each other's hands, but couldn't move. "I'm not telling you again. Git. Now. I'm warning you. Don't come back."
Allie and Angela turned and walked quickly. Neither of them said a word until they got back to town.
"Allie, will you please walk me home? I want to go home now, please."
"Sure, Angela. I think I'll go home too. Are you alright?"
"No, I just want to go home. I think we need to tell mama and papa and your Uncle Nathan what happened," said Angela.
"No, Angela. We can't tell anyone. Promise me you won't say anything. Uncle Nathan told me not to go there. I will be in so much trouble if you tell. Promise me, please."
"Alright, Allie. I promise. I won't tell."
Author's Note: Thank you to the guest reader who corrected my spelling of cord as actually being chord. I apologize for the error.