In Search Of Love: The Story of A Mail Order Bride (Mail Order Bride Series) (4 page)

“Dear Patrick,  Thank you for your prompt reply to my last letter.  I would like to meet you.  As I said, I feel as if I know you already, but it would be nice to be able to put a face to the name.  I have discussed this with my Papa, and it’s his opinion it would be too dangerous for a young woman to travel unescorted to a destination as far away as Oregon.  I agree with him and would be most apprehensive about such a trip.  Would you come to Columbus?

I do understand and appreciate the logic in my coming to you, since I would be seeing where you live and meet your family.  I also understand the added expense of your travel.  Such understanding does not allay my fear of the danger involved in my traveling alone.  I anxiously await your reply.  Sincerely, Katerina Hauser”

After he read the letter, Patrick thought,
I haven’t thought of any of the risks a woman traveling unescorted would encounter on a trip.  It’s asking a lot to ask a lady to leave her home and travel 2,000 miles to meet a stranger.  It makes more sense for her to come here and see everything.  I know she would love the country.  I don’t know how to answer this.  It would be expensive for me to travel there and back and her ticket. I have the money, but it would take all of my reserves.  I guess I need to talk to Mama again.

Patrick found his mother in the kitchen.  “Mama,” Patrick began, “I asked the girl I’ve been writing if she would agree to meet.  I got this answer today, and I’m not sure what to do.”  He gave her the letter.

She pulled a chair out from the table and read the letter.  “It’s a very nice letter,” she said.  “She has nice handwriting, too.”

“I know all that, what do you think,” he asked.

“I agree with what she is saying.  I wouldn’t want your sisters traveling even to Portland by themselves, let alone across the country.  She is a grown woman, though.  What did you say?  She’s 23?  Patrick, I would worry about you going that far,  She would have to be desperate to do it.”

“That’s what I think, too,” he said.  “She’s correct about the expense, too.  It would cost twice as much for me to go there as it would for her to come here.  It would cost about $150 from Chicago to Oregon City.  Double that for my round trip and the total would be nearly $500.  Mama, I can’t afford it.  I could pay her way here, but the entire thing, it simply can’t be done.  I guess it’s a bad idea all around.” 

“I don’t know what to tell you.  She sounds  like a real level headed girl.  She’s not Catholic is she?  That isn’t unusual around here, since we migrated from different parts of the country anyway.”

“We could take care of the farm if you decide to go.  We could also help some on the price.  I’d have to talk to your Papa about it,” she said.

“I’ll talk to Papa before I go back home,” he said.

“I think that’s a good idea,” his mother said.

Later…

“Papa, I’ve exchanged several letters with the lady I told you about and I suggested we meet.  When I did that, I expected she would come here, and if everything was OK, we’d get married.  She answered back that her Papa thought it was too dangerous for a lady to travel unescorted.  She suggested I come t
o Ohio, but that’s too expensive.”

“I agree with her Papa, I would never allow one of your sisters to do that,” his father said.

“I’m just going to tell her it’s too expensive for me to go there and back,” Patrick said.

“You do understand, when you tell her that, it’s the same as you telling her she’s not worth the price of a ticket,” his father said.

“But I would pay her way here,” Patrick said.

“And she says it’s too dangerous.  And it is.”

“You’re not being a lot of help here, Papa.”

“Truth hurts sometimes, son.  You have a problem.  If you think of a way we can help let us know.”

“I’m just going to tell her the truth.  I can’t afford it.

“Dear Katerina, I understand your concern about traveling alone.  It is well founded.  For what it is worth, my Papa agrees too, he said he would never let one of my sisters travel alone.

As my ad said, I’m a poor dirt farmer and I simply don’t have the money to travel to Ohio and back.  I apologize, but it is what it is.  I won’t trouble you further.  Sincerely, Patrick Murphy” 

He sealed the letter and mailed it.

A week later, it was delivered to Katerina.  When she read it, her eyes filled with tears.  She went downstairs, and handed the letter to her father, her eyes brimming with her tears.

He read the letter and handed it back.  “I’m sorry, Liebchen.  I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t something this abrupt.  I guess it’s a good thing you didn’t go out there.  If he gives up this easily, it probably would not have worked out.  I don’t like to see you hurt, though.”

“Dear Patrick, I received your letter and it is certainly not what I expected.  It is a good thing I didn’t make the trip, since things would probably not have worked out for us.  I’m sorry for that.  Thank you for your past letters.  Sincerely, Katerina Hauser”

Katerina immersed herself in her school work.  She began spending more of her time helping the students that were struggling with school.  “If I’m to teach the rest of my life, then I’m going to be the best,” she resolved.

Eight days later…

In town for
fencing material, Patrick checked and found he had received a letter from Katerina.  He had not expected an answer, but here it was. 
She was surprised by my letter and disappointed.  All I did was explain the situation, and promised I wouldn’t bother her anymore.  I was honest with her.  Why is she upset? 

“What did you decide about Katerina?” asked his mother.

“I need to talk to you about it,” he said.  “I told her I understood her concern about traveling alone, and I couldn’t afford a trip to Ohio and back, so I wouldn’t bother her anymore.”

“I certainly hope you didn’t say it that way,” his mother exclaimed.

“Why?” he asked.  “It was the truth.  I was being honest.”

“Don’t you understand at all?” she asked.  “You told her, not in so many words, but you told her it was all right for her to risk the dangers of traveling, but since you didn’t have the money to go to her, you were writing off any future you might have had together.  You put a price on her and on your potential relationship.  I don’t blame her for being upset.  I would consider the whole idea a mistake, just as she did.”

“That wasn’t what I meant,” he protested.

“Patrick, in a relationship, there are things you say, and things you imply.  It’s simply reading between the lines.  It’s not actually there, but in fact is understood.  This girl is educated.  I thought she sounded like a very nice girl.  What if she is really the love of your life and you just wrote her off?  Wouldn’t that be a sad thing?

“What did Papa say when you talked to him?” she asked.

Silent for a few seconds, Patrick said, “He told me about the same thing you just said.  He told me if I could think of any way you could help to let him know.”

“Have you thought of anything?” she asked.

“No, I guess I haven’t.  I tried to be honest, but in this case, I guess I was too honest,” he said. 

“You still don’t understand.  It was not a matter of being honest was wrong.  It was without thought for her feelings and just quitting.  I never thought of you as a quitter.  You went out and got your farm without any help from anyone.  You’re making it work.  You could have quit after the grasshoppers, but you didn’t.  Is having a wife not as important as overcoming the grasshoppers?  She may not be the right person for you, but then again, she may be.  If not her, who?  You haven’t had a girlfriend for many years.  Have you met any in Oregon City you would marry?  Can you continue to live alone as you have been?  You need to look at as many options as you can.  When you figure something out, talk to your Papa.   What you do is up to you, but do it right, and you didn’t do this right.”

“Thanks Mama.  I guess I really messed this up.  I don’t know whether she would welcome anything more from me, but I’m going to try.”

“Good,” she said.

After checking with a ticketing agent for the railroad, Patrick learned by traveling coach class, he could save a considerable amount.  By traveling coach and returning Pullman he would be able to make the trip for under $300, including his meals and other incidental expenses.  His next move was to see if Katerina was still willing to meet.  It was time for another letter…

“Dear Katerina,  I am writing to apologize for the tone of my last letter.  I was simply trying to explain my circumstances and to spare you further trouble.  Both my mother and father have told me what I did was unacceptable and rude.  I don’t apologize for my financial situation, that is beyond my control.  I do apologize for the way I explained it.

If you would still be agreeable to meet, I will try to work out the ways and means of my traveling to Columbus.  It may take some time, but I’m sure I can make it work.  Will you give me that chance? Sincerely, (s) Patrick Murphy”

He mailed the letter and settled back for the two week delay until he might receive an answer.

Columbus…

The carrier delivered the mail, and it was still in the box when Katerina returned from school. With no expectations, she took it in the house and laid it on the table. Glancing at the return addresses, she saw one was Oregon City.
I wonder what this is about?
she mused.

In her room, she opened the letter and read it. 
Yes!  Maybe there was hope after all. 
Wanting to share the news, but not yet willing to share it with her mother, she went downstairs to show it to her father.

“Good for him,” her father said.  “I don’t know whether he would be agreeable or not,” her father said.  “I could help cover your trip back, if you decide that’s what you want to do.”

“Papa, that would be wonderful.  I probably have enough of my own, but some reserve would be comforting,” she said.

“Would you marry there or here, Liebchen?” he asked.  “Also, I think it’s time to let your mother in on your plans, don’t you?”

“Yes, I suppose it would be proper.  She is my mother, although I’m afraid of what her reaction might be,” she said.

“She might surprise you,” he said.

“We’ll see, Papa.  I’m going to tell her and then we’ll see…”

“Mama, can we talk?” Katerina asked.

“Yes, of course, you can always talk to me.  You should know that,” her mother said.

“Mama, I’ve been writing to a man in Oregon for some time now.  He’s a farmer, and he’s asked that we meet.  I have told him it is too dangerous for a woman to travel unescorted.”

“I should hope so,” her mother replied. 

“Anyway, since I couldn’t go there, I suggested he come here.  He’s poor, but has his own farm and he says it is doing well.  He is going to try to save enough to come to Columbus.  I don’t know how long it might take, but, I’ll wait.

“Mama, when he comes, if we are compatible, we will be married and live in Oregon.  I would plan on teaching there, as I do here.  He completed school before claiming land for a homestead.  He has 640 acres and grows wheat and strawberries..”  She finally ran down after spewing forth all of the information.

“Does he go to church?”

“Yes, he does.  He completed school in a Catholic school.  He’s Irish and he’s Catholic,” Katerina said.

“That is certainly a lot of information to digest at once,” her mother said.

“I’ve been afraid to tell you about it until now.  But it was time.”

“It’s a sad thing that we have gotten to where you don’t feel comfortable telling me about something so big in your life,” Marta said.

“I agree.  I’d like to change that if I can,” Katerina said.

“I have always wanted you to get a good education and you have that.  You’ve made me very proud.  You have good work to do.  I will look forward to meeting this young man of yours.  When he comes, will he stay here?” her mother asked.

“Mama, could he?” she asked her mother.  “I would so appreciate it.”

“It would seem we have time enough to prepare for a guest.  You will help, of course?”

“Yes Mama, I will do all of the work.  I won’t cause you any extra work.”

“It’s a mother’s work to help her daughter prepare to be married,” her mother said.

“We may not even get along in person.  We may not be compatible or he might not even like me,” she
said.

“Then he is a fool,” her mother said firmly.

* * *

“Dear Patrick,  What a pleasant surprise to get another letter.  After the last one, I did not expect another.  I am most pleased by your efforts.  I will help in any way I can.  I have spoken with my parents about your upcoming (I hope!) visit.  My mother insists you stay with   us.  Our apartment is over Papa’s shop, but we can make arrangements.  Please keep me up to date on your plans.

Perhaps it is ill advised of me to tell you about this, but if I return with you to Oregon, you won’t have to worry about my fare.  Papa says he will cover it.  Do you think he is trying to rid himself of me?  I hope not.  As you may have surmised, I have not had the best of relationships with my mother.  I think we have resolved that now.  She is excited about your visit.  Perhaps they are both trying to get rid of me?  I think not.  They only want the best for me. 

I wish Oregon was not so far away.  Have you ever seen the ocean?  I have long dreamed of seeing one of the oceans.  When I look at the atlas, I see it is less than 100 miles to the ocean.  Do you think I might see it one day?  I hope so.  Do write back soon. Sincerely, (s) Katerina”

Waiting for a return letter was exquisite torture.  Katerina was checking the mailbox before her letter had even had a chance to travel the distance to Oregon. 

In fact, it didn’t make it at all.

Patrick waited, and waited, and waited.  No answer came.  At his parent’s farm for a Sunday dinner with the whole family, he told them, “I wrote Katerina and apologized for the previous letter, and told her I was going to attempt to visit, but didn’t know how long it would take.  I asked her if she was agreeable, then please let me know.  I guess she isn’t agreeable.  I messed up big time.”

“Messed what up, little brother?  Who is this Katerina you’re talking about?” asked James, the oldest of the boys.

“I wasn’t going to tell you yet, because I know you’ll tease me about it, but I’ve been writing to a lady from Ohio.  I’ve invited her to visit and maybe marry, but it is too dangerous for her to travel,” Patrick said.

“That’s easily solved,” John said.  “Go get her.”

“I can’t afford the tickets to go there and bring her back.  I wrote and told her I was going to try and save the money and then come.  She didn’t answer me, so I
guess she’s given up and gone on,” Patrick said.

“You don’t know that,” James said.  “Go, we’ll help, won’t we, John?”

“Of course.  He’ll never hear the end of it, but I’ll help.  If we didn’t love you, we wouldn’t tease you,” John said.

“If it works for you, I might try that route myself,” said James.

“I appreciate the offers but it appears the lady is no longer interested,” Patrick said.

“You’re a farmer.  You should know if you want a bull to do something you take it by the horns.  You need to take the bull by the horns, Patrick.  Go.  If worst comes to worst, you will at least have seen a good bit of the country.  James and I saw a good bit, but we walked.  There was no train then.  Go,” John said.

“Well said, John, well said,” James responded.

Michael, the family patriarch had said nothing the entire evening.  “I knew you boys would come through.  I wanted Patrick to see how we pull together when one of us is in need.  Your mother and I will help also.  Patrick, I want you to get a Pullman ticket so you’ll get there in good shape.”

“Papa, that’s a waste of money.  I can go coach and return Pullman,” Patrick said.

“Patrick, listen to your Papa.  He makes sense,” his mother said.

“Yes, Mama.”

* *  *

Columbus…

I wonder why, Patrick hasn’t answered my letter? 
Katerina sat by the window, her favorite spot and watched the traffic pass. 
I wonder if he even got it.  I’ll wait a few more days, and try again
. 

Meanwhile, her mother had been busy making plans on how the apartment would be arranged for the visit.  Katerina had not told her about the lack of an answer to her most recent letter, and decided to write another.

“Dear Patrick, I’m writing today to see if you have been able to make any plans regarding a visit.  Please, please write back and let me know.  As for me, I’m still teaching every day.  I have only fifteen students this term.  For the most part they are well behaved.  Most of them are quite interested in learning.  Some come to class because they are forced to by their parents.  You can’t be forced to learn, though.  That has to come from within.  Please write.  Sincerely. (s) Katerina.”

Now the wait begins…