Cora: Bride of South Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 40) (5 page)

Laurel said, “if you need help, or just want a friend, you know how to contact me.”

“But, I thought you were both applying to be a mail order bride too?” Cora was confused.

“We are but, if you send a message to the address in Lawrence, someone will contact us. Once we know where we all are, we can write directly,” Laurel said. “Now hurry or the stage will leave without you.”

The girls embraced once more and Cora hurried from the waiting room. She was assisted onto the stage and the next leg of her journey began.

***

Cora stepped off the stage in Boston and glanced around at the bustling crowds. She was stiff and her left shoulder was painful thanks to being constantly thrown against the young man who had the misfortune to be seated beside her. She rubbed at her injured muscles as she waited patiently for her trunk to be unloaded. Porters, anxious for a few extra pennies, hovered nearby.

“Miss Brown,” a man shouted through the cacophony of noise.

Cora watched as luggage continued to be set down in the street. Her large trunk was finally and, unceremoniously, dumped beside her. It was the final piece of luggage and the stage took off and disappeared down the street.

Cora stood gawking at the façade of the magnificent hotel across the road – The Parker House, a hotel with a prestigious reputation. It was located near the theater district of the city and known to host famous actors, actresses, politicians and all manner of other important people. It had an imposing façade of stone and brick but what caught her eye was the sparkling white marble which glistened in the last rays of sunlight. The hotel appeared to touch the sky and at five storeys’ tall it towered over the street and surrounding buildings. Numerous chimney stacks dotted the roof and ribbons of smoke drifted from them.

As she watched, a carriage pulled up to the front doors. A couple who appeared well to do stepped from it. Porters scurried to claim their luggage and followed the couple inside.
Must be someone important.

“Miss Rose Brown.” The shout intruded into her thoughts.

She turned her gaze to her trunk.
How will I move my trunk to the hotel?
Glancing around, she noticed a porter nearby and she approached him.

“Miss Rose Brown?” he asked.

Cora began shaking her head in disappointment, she realized he must be otherwise engaged. Then it dawned on her,
she
was Miss Rose Brown. The woman the porter had been calling for. “Yes, I do apologize for keeping you waiting. It’s my first visit to Boston and I was quite captured by the sites. I’m staying at Parker House and I have that trunk to be carried over.” She indicated her large trunk nearby.

“It was the hotel that sent me to fetch you, Miss. Boston is mighty confusin’ for a first time visitor.” He was a huge, burly young man and he hefted her trunk into his arms as if it weighed no more than a feather.

He proceeded to dodge various vehicles and crossed the road. Cora followed close on his heels.

An engraved sign above the hotel’s front doors caught her eye. It read “Parkers”. It was elegant in its simplicity. Her feet were swallowed up by thick carpet as she entered the lobby. Above and around her the ceiling and walls were intricately carved from wood. Divans were placed throughout and well-dressed couples sat chatting. The impression was one of sumptuous elegance.

She resisted the urge to further study her surroundings and padded to the desk to check in. The porter escorted her upstairs to Room 317, her piece of luxury for the night. The porter placed her trunk on the carpeted floor and awaited her instructions.

Cora paused in her perusal of the magnificently decorated room to hand the young man a coin, thanked him for his assistance and locked the door as he left.

She was feeling exhausted. Her journey had been bumpy, dusty and downright tiring. She removed the cloak from her shoulders and flopped onto the bed. “It will be like sleeping on a cloud,” she murmured.  Relaxing into the softness, she drifted off.

Chapter Five

Cora was startled awake by loud banging from the street. She glanced around the unfamiliar room and then noted her fully dressed self. She’d been exhausted after the travel and excitement of the previous day and fallen into a deep sleep. The curtains on the window opposite hadn’t been drawn and the sun poked its head over the horizon in a blaze of glory. The pinks, oranges and reds cascaded in a riot of color. It was early and the train to Chicago wasn’t due to depart until ten o’clock. She had time for a leisurely breakfast.

After twisting and stretching like a satisfied cat, she pushed herself from the bed.

A commotion erupted outside her window and she felt compelled to investigate. She’d always had a curious nature. She gazed down at the street below. Two men squared off, glaring at each other. Both were immaculately dressed in dark suits and wore matching dark colored hats. They were waving guns at each other, people nearby stepped back. Their voices weren’t clear but they appeared to be hollering insults. One man was angry about the other apparently cheating him out of some money. Fascination kept her motionless as she watched the exchange. Her whole body reacted with shock when one man fired a shot at the other’s feet. Dust puffed into a cloud where the bullet hit the ground. The startled man jumped backwards.

Two men with shiny badges affixed to their chests raced up to the scene. They manhandled the angry men apart and led them away. The men vainly protested at their rough handling.

Cora continued watching the street for a few more minutes in case something else happened. The crowd dispersed and like them, she lost interest.

Her morning routine was attended to and she changed into a fresh dress. Leaving the trunk and travelling bag in her room, she proceeded downstairs to the dining room.

Groups of people sat at tables and while waiting to be attended to, she overheard snippets of conversation.  It was all excited chatter about what had transpired a short time ago in front of the hotel.

The elderly
maître d approached where she stood patiently waiting. Her belly growled with hunger and she felt embarrassed heart surge into her face. The man smiled knowingly.

“Table, Miss?” he asked.

Cora noted his eyes searching for her escort. “Yes, please.”

“Will there be anyone joining you?” he asked.

“No, I’m alone.”

He frowned as he said, “follow me please.”

A small table in the far corner was vacant and the man escorted her over to it. He dragged back a chair and waited for her to be seated. She daintily arranged her skirts. After unfolding and laying a crisp white napkin across her lap, he offered her a menu.

Cora waved it away. “Thank you but I don’t require a menu. May I have scrambled eggs, two biscuits and a coffee with cream, please?”

The man placed the menu under his arm. “Won’t be long, Miss.” He spun on his heel and headed towards the front of the dining room. He disappeared through a large set of double doors.

While Cora awaited her breakfast she contented herself with watching the comings and goings of waiters and other guests.
I wonder if John will take me to a grand hotel like this.
She was deep in thought when a waiter approached her table. A plate of eggs with two biscuits was set before her followed by a steaming hot mug of coffee and a small jug of cream.

“Anything else, Miss?”

“No, that will be all. Thank you.” She smiled.

The waiter nodded and scurried away.

Cora poured cream into her coffee and stirred. Taking a sip she found the coffee was strong, just as she liked it.

Her mouth watered at the sight of the food and her stomach grumbled embarrassingly loudly. Lifting her knife and fork, she began eating with gusto. It wasn’t long before the delicious meal disappeared. She dabbed at her lips with the napkin and relaxed back into her chair to enjoy the last of the coffee.   

***

Cora boarded the train for Chicago just before half past nine. Peter had booked her a berth in a Pullman car for the journey which would take almost two days. She perused her surroundings. The seats were wide, floors carpeted and there was a sleeping cot. The journey would be bearable.

The train jolted and moved away from the station. As it picked up speed, Cora took one last look at a receding Boston. She hoped to never return. After a while, the countryside blurred into sameness. Cora diverted her attention to the book which rested in her gloved hands. Only a few sentences registered before her mind drifted off.

I wonder what John is doing. What will he think of me when he first sees me? Will he be disappointed? Will he think I’m plain, too curvy?
The questions tormented her and she caught herself nibbling one finger of her glove. There was now a small hole in the previously pristine fabric. A tear sprang to her eye.
It has to work out, it just has to.
She couldn’t go back, but what would she do if he didn’t want her? The possibility of rejection terrified her. She rested her aching head against the seat. She closed her eyes hoping a short nap would alleviate the pain.

The train jerked to a stop throwing her sideways and waking her. She glanced around frantically, confused, disoriented, before realizing where she was and where she was going. The sky outside her window was ablaze with the colors of sunset. She pushed herself upright in the seat and patted at her hair. Stray tendrils were curled back behind her ears. She opened the window to peer out but her carriage was positioned too far back to see anything clearly

A guard acknowledged her with a smile and a nod as he strolled through the car.

Cora asked, “where are we, Sir?”

“Stopped for wood, Miss. Be on our way shortly,” the man answered.

No sooner had the guard finished speaking than the train jerked, shuddered and set off down the tracks. Smoke drifted in the open window along with small particles of ash. Cora closed the window immediately.

The rest of the evening was filled by taking a meal in the dining car and reading before washing, changing into a crisp cotton nightgown and crawling into her cot. The gentle sway of the train and the rhythmic clickety clack, lulled her to sleep.

***

Cora stepped onto the platform of Union Depot, Chicago and was almost knocked over by two men rushing past. As she stumbled, one man reached out to steady her. He mumbled an apology before rushing off to catch up with his friend.

“Are you alright, Miss?” a young boy in a railway uniform asked after witnessing the incident. “Do you need help?”

Cora brushed at the creases in her skirts to lessen the wrinkles from travelling and straightened her bonnet. “I’m fine, thank you. Is there someone who can assist with my luggage?”

The boy beamed, “I can help you. Where are you staying?”

“Palmer House,” Cora replied.

“Come with me please. We’ll collect your belongings and I’ll show you to the hotel. It’s not far from here so we can walk unless you’d rather I waved down a cab?”

“Walking will be nice after being cooped up in the train for almost two days.” Cora followed the boy along the platform to where several men were unloading the passengers’ luggage. They located her trunk in no time and set off towards the hotel.

She had read that Chicago was a large city and a magnet for immigrants – Germans, Irish and Scandinavians in particular. American accents seemed to be overshadowed by a plethora of foreign languages. Musical to guttural accents floated on the breeze all around her. The city was alive with people rushing in all directions. Carriages competed with automobiles on the dusty street and the dinging of trolley car bells were loud enough to shatter passersby’s ear drums. Lights and lanterns flickered brightly, men stood on corners conversing and smoking cigars, piano music blared from saloons in competition with shouting and laughter. Cora had never seen or heard anything like it. She trembled. Was it fear or excitement at being alone in such a large city?

The young boy crossed the road, dodging all manner of traffic. Cora followed closely behind. At last, they climbed a flight of stairs leading into her hotel. A doorman wearing white gloves doffed his hat to her and opened the door for them to pass through. Relief washed over her as she stepped into the safety of the lobby. Her mouth dropped open as she gawked in wonder. The lobby was enormous, with magnificent gilding decorating the walls, a huge formal staircase swept upwards and the ceiling boasted a painted mural depicting what she guessed was Greek mythology. It was difficult to drag her eyes away from such spectacular beauty.

The lobby was noisy, some people played cards while seated at marble topped tables, others lounged on sumptuous velvet covered seating.

Conscious of the young boy still waiting to deliver the trunk to her room, she tore herself away and checked in. Her room was on the second floor of the seven story building –202. The boy deposited her trunk on the floor at the end of the bed. She slipped him a coin, thanked him and locked the door after he’d left. The hour was late, exhaustion settled and she prepared herself for bed. It was soft, she’d be sleeping on a cloud again tonight.

***

Cora’s head twisted and turned as she made her way back to Union Depot the following morning. Chicago by night had been daunting, by daylight it was overwhelming. People pushed and shoved at each other, anxious to get to their destinations. Roads were choked with vehicles of one type or another. She was pleased to have had the chance to visit the vibrant city but equally glad to be leaving. It wasn’t disappointing when she entered the station and boarded the train. She had no qualms about putting this city behind her.

The journey from Chicago to Sioux City, her destination, was to take almost a day. This time Peter had booked her into a First Class carriage, a cot would not be needed.

Finding her seat, she rested her head against the cool window. She peered out at the countryside as the train sped towards its destination. The view was no different from previous days. Lush green farmland, gently rolling hills and an occasional mountain off in the distance. Trees and bushes set the landscape alive with their brilliant fall colors ranging from the palest yellows through to rich gold, bright oranges and dazzling reds. Against the backdrop of green fields, the effect was stunning.

Cora loved the wide open spaces, farmhouses dotted here and there, cattle grazing, horses running free. She hoped with all her heart that her wish to marry a rancher would come true.

***

Cora glanced along the platform from the top step of the carriage. She was tired, dusty, hungry and irritable. She was fed up with trains and wanted Millie to spirit her away to where she could indulge in a long, hot bath, fill her belly and fall into a deep sleep.

“Cora!” Millie’s squeal was unmistakable.

Cora watched her friend dash towards her and she stepped onto the platform. Millie wrapped her in her long arms.

The girls bounced in circles, tears dripped from their cheeks.

“I missed you,” Cora cried while holding on tightly to her best friend.

“Cora, darling. It’s so good to see you. I was worried about you travelling such a long distance by yourself.” Millie’s mum, Linda said, as she stepped forward.

The girls stepped apart and Linda folded Cora into her arms. She placed kisses on each of her cheeks before releasing her.

“Where’s your luggage, sweetheart?” Millie’s dad, Gus, asked.

Cora glanced around and pointed. “They’re unloading down there.”

The family set off to retrieve Cora’s trunk. Millie and Cora, arm in arm.

“I’m so glad I’m here, Millie. I have so much to tell you.”

“Papa said Peter helped you get away. He made Papa promise not to tell your father you were here but I’m scared he’ll guess.”