1870 February 2nd...
It was a cold February day in Fall River. Snow began before noon, and John was away at work. Jessica was alone in the house. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain and felt something wet run down her leg: her water broke. She quickly returned to bed and lay there. She called for a maid to fetch her doctor. The contractions increased and the pain numbed her body. "Where is John?" She thought. John had decided to take an early day off from work to be at home with his wife. As he was motored across the Taunton River in the company launch, he had no idea of what was going on at home. As he stepped ashore, his thoughts were on his wife. Surely she'd be all right, and he was just overreacting. As the cab dropped him off in front of his house, he sensed things were not as they seemed. He opened the door and heard screams. He rushed upstairs to find the doctor and his wife.
"Push Mrs. DeWitt! You must push!" The doctor said in a calm manner.
Jessica was trying her damndest to do what the doctor told her. Suddenly the doctor noticed she was bleeding, and rather profusely. She was growing weaker by the passing second. There was fear that both she and the baby would die. Outside, John sat in a chair in the hallway. He heard cries: the baby was here! The doctor came out and told John the distressing news:
"I'm afraid your wife will not make it. She would like to see you however." John's heart sank. He walked into the bedroom. There was blood all over the bed.
"John?" Jessica said weakly.
"It's okay darling, I'm right here."
"Promise me you'll find another mother for Ruth. She needs to be nurtured and loved. You must be strong John. She's a little fighter, just like her father." She weakly continued.
"Don't you die on me Jessie. I won't let this happen Jessie. Jessie, can you hear me?" John pleaded.
There was nothingness. Jessica Brownell DeWitt was dead. He put his head in hands and openly wept. His sobs echoed throughout the house. His sweet, caring wife was dead.
"How am I going to go on?" John asked aloud. He heard the cries coming from the cradle near the bed. He walked over to it and gazed inside. There was his daughter Ruth, who had the looks of her mother; red hair and green eyes. The nurse came walking into the room and instructed John to leave.
"Ruth needs to be fed. I must have privacy!" she demanded. He quickly left the room to fetch a bottle of amaretto and a glass. He needed to drink this day off of his mind. How was he to raise Ruth on his own? Surely he couldn't bring her to work with him, although the workers might fall in love with her. He needed to find another woman to be Ruth's mother. He needed to do it fast, while Ruth was still an infant. If Ruth were older, then it would be more difficult. He knew of a young woman who was the daughter of one of the higher ups in the company's British division. Whenever he would meet him, he'd always complain of her not having someone to marry in England, so he sent her to the republic for education and to search for a husband. He had seen him two days prior, and she still hadn't found the one. He'd like to meet her.
He sat and drank his amaretto. The undertaker had come to fetch Jessica hours ago. He was hoping that Jessica's death would change the views of her family. His family would be sure to attend. There was the hassle of telling everyone at work the news of his daughters birth, but also of his wife's death. The sweetness filled his mouth and he gulped it down. Today was a day of a most regretful nature. The nurse had come into the parlor holding Ruth. John took Ruth from her in a most greedy way; by snatching her up like a toy. He held her close. Her fiery plume of hair was neatly covered by the blanket in which she was wrapped.
"I'm your papa Ruth. I won't let anything happen to you ever. Soon, you're going to have a new mother, and we'll be a family again." He gently said to the infant. He kissed her on the forehead and held her close. Right now nothing could come between him and Ruth, not even the death of Jessica.
Two days later, the funeral for Jessica was held. She looked so peaceful in her coffin. John's family was there. He looked everywhere for Jessica's family, and only found her oldest brother there. He seemed to be the only one who cared for Jessica at all. John eulogized his wife, and the funeral service was concluded. The next thing they all knew, they were in Oak Grove Cemetery, lowering her coffin into the ground. After everyone left his home on Oak Street, he sat back and had another glass of amaretto. He had to work the next day, so he laid off from consuming the entire bottle. He looked at the newspaper and saw the bleak headline:
"War seen as new confederacy rises in America." John couldn't believe it. Would his father also push him to join the army? He knew he had to find another wife and soon. He went to bed that night knowing what he needed to do.
The next day while at work, he saw William Hatch, the man who's daughter was looking to be married.
"I'll marry your daughter." John said.
"You have to meet her first John, she's different." Said William.
"What's her name?" John asked.
"Edith." Said William again.
Now he wanted to meet Edith. Jessica would have wanted this, she told him to do it. He asked William where Edith might be staying. He told him that Edith was most likely living in New Bedford on Smith Street. William decided to go to New Bedford after dark and retrieve his daughter. John fully explained that his wife had just died in childbirth and that he was a father. William took his words and kept them. The next day, was a Saturday. John woke up early, and around noon heard a knock on his door. He opened it to find William and Edith. Edith almost looked like Jessica, for she had red hair. Her eyes however, were blue. She was smitten with him instantaneously. She spoke with an English accent. Immediately she wanted to see Ruth. John took her to see the baby. She adored Ruth and held her. She held her for quite some time.
"It looks like she likes you Edith." John said.
They had tea, and Edith began discussing plans for the wedding. She was quite serious about getting married. John also wished to be remarried. Again, Jessica would have wanted it this way. He offered some amaretto to William. He accepted. By now it was getting quite late. Both William and Edith stayed for dinner, which consisted of roasted chicken. William offered a toast.
"To John and Edith! May you have many happy years together." He said as he raised his glass in the air. Edith smiled, as did John. Could this work? It had to. He saw that Edith didn't want to live as an old maid, all alone. She took John into her life readily. They both were ready for anything.