Chapter 2

October 2, 1865

Abigail POV

Henry and I have continued to write letters back forth over the past year, growing closer through our letters. He refuses to tell me what he writes in German and so in retaliation, I won’t tell him that he is my heart and I am only his. Eventually, I did tell my friends about Henry and our letters. I refused, however, to let them ready even one line. Henry and I have shared so many things that I want to keep just between us.

Mary Jane, Charlotte, Emily and I returned yesterday from Texas. Our other friend and former house mate, Hannah, had recently gotten married. The four of us traveled to meet her second husband. It seems her first husband, whom she married by proxy as a mail order bride, was a criminal. His crimes were so great and truly not worth discussing. Please believe me when I tell you he was awful. Fortunately for Hannah, he was killed during his capture which freed her to marry the ranch foreman, with whom she had fallen in love with. It was actually a beautiful story, if you think about it.

The stage arrived so late in the evening yesterday, that I went straight to bed and I failed to notice the letter sitting on my dressing table. When I awoke this morning and saw it, I was relieved. A letter from my Henry meant that he was alive. Well, he was alive five weeks ago.

As more time has passed and letters exchanged, we have begun to discuss our lives together as a couple. It seemed as though he wants to be with me as much as I want to be with him. In my last letter, I had shared with him about Hannah going to Texas as a proxy bride. I also told him that I felt it was time for me to come join him. I was nervous as to his response. With shaky hands, I unfolded the letter.

27 August 1865

To: Miss Abigail via Mrs. Sheffield

c/o St. Louis Boarding House & Orphanage for Lost Souls

Meine Liebe,

I hope that your friend finds happiness in her marriage. As for your request to join me, I am overjoyed that you have decided the time has come. While it is still dangerous here in Indian Territory, I am confident that you will be safe here at the fort. How soon would you like to join me? The journey will take close to a month because I will have you travel with a group of soldiers that are headed from Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis to Fort Gibson. They travel quickly but not as quickly as a stagecoach, due to the massive amount of supplies they will be bringing with them. Two units are scheduled to arrive at Fort Gibson by the end of November. They will no doubt plan to leave before the end of October. My desire, if acceptable to you, is for you to arrive before the snow falls.

When you go to the Jefferson Barracks, ask for Sergeant Major Levi Williams. He is an honorable young man and will be the one in charge of the units as they journey to Fort Gibson. I had the pleasure of meeting him when I stayed at Brandy Station. I have already sent a telegram to him informing him that you will be arriving to make travel arrangements to meet me. He will know you as Abigail Knight. They will send me a dispatch via the telegraph office with your answer. This will allow them to send the message without revealing your identity, just in case the message is intercepted. I will do whatever I can to keep you safe until you arrive and I can personally protect you.

As soon as you decide to travel, I will make all of the arrangements for your journey from Fort Gibson to Fort Sill. You can bring as many things as you like. I will make sure that the two units that will escort you will have reasonable accommodations for you. Only the best for the wife of the captain.

Included in this letter, is the marriage license. Please be sure to keep it with you on your travels. It, along with your military escort, should keep you safe.  I dream of you each night and cannot wait until I hold you in my arms. I love you, Abigail. I cannot wait to tell you in person.

Only Yours,

Henry

He wants to me come right away! That makes me so happy. He loves me! This is the first time he has written those words to me. Of course, it has been implied for quite some time. We have talked about our lives together often and that can only mean deep affection. But to have him actually put those words down on paper, it took my breath away.

I quickly dressed for the day and made my way downstairs. I needed to talk with Mrs. Sheffield and begin making plans to go to Henry. I walked into the dining room and found Mrs. Sheffield was already enjoying her morning coffee and breakfast. Each of us took turns in the kitchen, today being Mrs. Sheffield’s turn, so the food was ready. The rule was that if you were not at the table at the time the food was ready, you could eat it cold. Mrs. Sheffield only allowed one hour to arrive to the table once the meal was served, otherwise, you might have to go hungry until the next meal.

I smiled at her, prepared myself a plate of eggs, sausage, and toast, and poured myself a cup of coffee. I moved to the table, sat down, and said, “Good morning, Mrs. Sheffield. Thank you for placing my letter in my room. When did it arrive?”

“The same day that you telegraphed you were returning on the stage from Texas. How is our dear Hannah?” she responded cheerfully.

“Hannah is doing well. The man that she went to marry by proxy was awful from what she told us. We found out that not only did he hit her and was verbally abusive to her, he was also a murderer and thief,” I paused to sip my coffee. I had come to enjoy the robust flavor, although not many ladies enjoyed it. Setting my cup down, I continued, “But her second husband, Jamie, is a wonderful man. He compliments her very well. As you know, she is taller than most ladies. Jamie doesn’t seem to mind one bit. He dotes on her, always watching her, even when she is unaware. It’s….it’s…” I stammered unsure of how to explain.

“Romantic? Makes you have butterflies in your tummy? Makes you want that for yourself?” she asked me, watching me carefully.

“Yes, to all of that,” I smiled shyly, lowering my gaze. I took a deep breath, exhaled, and then told her, “Henry wants me to come to Indian Territory to marry him. I want to go. What do you think?”

“I like him. I have often thought that you would be perfect together. He reminds me of my late husband, William, God rest his soul. So strong, but gentle. The day I met him, I could tell after our conversation that while he had seen and done things that would destroy most men, he was stronger because of those experiences. Those experiences would allow him to protect, care for, and nurture those he loved. And you, my dear, remind me of myself. I don’t often share that with any of the girls who come to me. So, let’s keep that between us, shall we? But you have spirit and determination. The willingness to make a change when you decide that something isn’t right. I think, of all the girls here, you would be the best fit for him. Besides, his last missive also included a letter to me. He has asked for my blessing to marry you, since I might as well be your current guardian. How could I refuse such a gesture?” she said as she smiled at me.

I smiled back and said quietly, “Thank you, Matilda.” I paused and looked her in the eyes, waiting for her to admonish me for using her given name. When none came, I continued in a more normal tone. “It means the world to me that you approve. I am hopeful that I will arrive to Fort Sill before my father finds me. I can only hope at this point that he has given up on locating me.”

“Let us hope so, dear. Now then, when do you want to go to the barracks?”

“When is Mr. Knight returning to the boarding house?” I asked. Mr. Knight was Mrs. Sheffield’s brother.

“He is scheduled to arrive today, why?”

I took a bite of my eggs and toast before continuing, “I think I will ask him to escort me to the barracks. I am not sure exactly where they are and I do not want to get lost. Also, with Mr. Knight at my side, I am less likely to be accosted.”

Mrs. Sheffield only nodded in agreement. Soon after, Emily, Charlotte, and Mary Jane joined us at the table. We all enjoyed our meal and lightly chatted about plans for the day, that is, until Mary Jane, being her nosy self, asked, “So, Abigail, any word from your captain?”

Inwardly I groaned. I did NOT want to have this conversation right now. However, I decided that it might be best to let three of my closest friends know sooner rather than later. I took a deep breath and said, “Captain Spertzel has asked me to become his mail order bride.”

“What!”

“How wonderful!”

“When will you leave?”

They all three spoke at the same time and I had to put my hands up in an attempt to cease their questions and to try to get them to be silent. Once they were quiet, I explained, “As you know, he and I have been writing back and forth for quite some time. While we were in Texas for Hannah’s wedding, a letter arrived. He has asked me to join him in Indian Territory before the snow falls. I will be leaving as soon as arrangements can be made for my travel. He wants me to journey with the two units of soldiers that are leaving Jefferson Barracks later this month. I have a lot to prepare in a very short time,” I paused thinking aloud, “I will need to inquire how I will travel, hopefully they will have a carriage or a wagon of some sort.”

Charlotte spoke up, “I would hope so. I can’t imagine sitting on a horse for over a month!”

We continued to make plans but didn’t accomplish much because I didn’t have any details at the moment. We finished our meal and then cleaned up the dishes. Shortly after, Mr. Knight arrived at the boarding house and he and his sister went into her office. Anytime he came by, they would talk about finances and other important matters concerning the boarding house and orphanage.

It was my turn to work in the orphanage today but I spoke with Charlotte and asked if she would trade with me for tomorrow. When I explained to her that I wanted to go to the barracks to send word to Henry, she quickly agreed, saying, “I think it’s so romantic. You have been writing for over a year and now he wants to marry you. I can only hope that I will find someone as sweet.” She blushed as she said it. Being the oldest of all of us, she was by far the most romantic. I gave her a quick hug and she left to go to the orphanage and I strode into the parlor to wait for Mr. Knight to be available to escort me across town.

Later that morning, Mrs. Sheffield and her brother emerged from her office. Seeing me in the parlor, she asked questioningly, “Oh, Abigail. I thought you would be at the orphanage this morning?” She didn’t like us to shirk our duties in helping with the orphanage.

“Charlotte is there for me today and I will go over tomorrow for her,” I replied sweetly. “George, are you able to escort me to the Jefferson Barracks?” I asked, hoping he would say yes.

“Yes. I was just coming to find you. My sister has told me that you are to travel to Indian Territory to marry your Captain Henry. Congratulations. Are you ready to leave?” he asked as he smiled at me. He acted like a big brother to all of us and was always willing to aid when he could.

“Let me grab my wrap. I’ll be just a moment,” I said as I hurried from the room.

Later, that afternoon, I had concluded my business at Jefferson Barracks. The military dispatch would be sent this afternoon, so it was perfect timing. I met with Sergeant Major Williams, Levi he said I could call him, and he seemed indeed to be a trustworthy young man. Only a year or two my senior, he was tall and had a solid frame. He would be intimidating at first introduction if I hadn’t known from Henry that he was honorable. I asked Levi if I could write a short note to be included in the wire. He agreed and gave me a slip of paper, on which I wrote: Meine Leibe is traveling, Seulement les tiens. Levi had looked over the paper and he grinned. “Ahhh. A code.”

“Yes, Captain Spertzel will understand. Please do not use my name in any correspondence,” I smiled at him.

“Yes. I’m sure he will. Do not fret Miss Abigail. We will see you safely to Fort Gibson,” he replied with the confidence of his position.

Levi told me that he would make sure to have a wagon for me to ride on and that he would come to collect me at the orphanage on the twenty-fifth of the month, early in the morning. That gave me barely three weeks to prepare to leave. He suggested that I have several quilts to wrap up in since we were leaving so late in the year.

After telling Levi that I would be ready to go when the group leaves, George and I were emerged from the barracks and made our way to the carriage. As George helped me into the carriage, I had a feeling of being watched. I had the same feeling during the last few days of the stagecoach ride from Texas. Then yesterday, as we made our way to the boarding house, I felt it again. I couldn’t see anyone that appeared to be watching us. I carefully looked around, trying not to be suspicious, but once again, I couldn’t see anyone watching me.

George must have noticed my hesitation because when he climbed into the carriage, he asked me, “Is everything alright, dear?” He knew of my need for privacy and never called me by name in the public streets.

I smiled at him and quietly said, “I’m not sure. I feel like we are being watched,” then while reaching out to pat his hand, I said a little more loudly, “I’m fine, George. Shall we go?”

He nodded and we took off for the boarding house. Once the feeling of being watched passed, I shivered, not so much from the cool October air as from the fear of not knowing if I was in danger. Once we arrived back at the boarding house, he and I found Mrs. Sheffield sitting in the parlor and she immediately noticed that something was wrong.

“Abigail, dear. What has happened?” she asked, quickly rising to meet me and then she led me to the settee and sat beside me.

“I didn’t say anything before, but on the journey back from Texas, I had this feeling of being watched. I didn’t want to worry the girls so I remained silent, thinking maybe it was just my imagination. But today, as we were leaving the barracks, I had the feeling again. The hair on the back of my neck stood up and I couldn’t shake the feeling. I didn’t want to make it obvious that I felt them looking, so I just casually glanced around but I couldn’t see anything,” I hurried to explain to her.

“I looked around as well, but didn’t see anyone suspicious,” George told her. Then he looked my direction and continued, “Abigail, I think it would be in your best interest to remain here in the house until you leave with the soldiers. The only persons who would possibly be watching you would be your father and his business partner. I will go to the barracks again tomorrow and ask that any news be brought here to you at the house by Sergeant Major Levi himself. Will that be alright with you?”

Fear gripped me when he mentioned the idea that my father and his business partner may have found me. I had managed to stay hidden for almost two years! What had I done wrong? Tears began to fall from my eyes and I put my head in my hands and I sobbed, “Why now?”

Mrs. Sheffield pulled me into her arms and held me while I cried. “My dear, it’s not your fault. We knew that it was possible that they might find you. We must find out whether or not they are here.”

“I will go and see if I can find out if anyone new has been in town. There are only a couple of hotels in town, so it should be easy to track down anyone strange who might have been inquiring about you,” George said. I assumed he was leaving as I could hear his footsteps move across the room.

I sat up and looked over at him, and he smiled at me, “Abigail, for now, please stay inside. I don’t think you should even go to the orphanage for a few days, until we know for sure.”

Mrs. Sheffield nodded her head in agreement, “we’ll tell the girls. They can help cover things at the orphanage in the meantime. Now, you go on upstairs and rest. I will have supper prepared in just a short while and we can chat with the girls at that time.”

She helped me to my feet and I made my way to George who was still standing in the doorway of the parlor. “Thank you,” I whispered quietly. “I never wanted to cause any trouble.”

“Oh posh! Never you mind about that! That is the mission of our boarding house. This is what we do! We protect the innocent,” Mrs. Sheffield exclaimed and then shooed me to the stairs. I didn’t hesitate and fled to my room. As I closed the door to my room, the dam broke and I sobbed as I slid to the floor leaning against the door.

A few hours later, I washed my face and straightened my hair and my dress as I readied myself for dinner. When I felt I was presentable enough, I made my way downstairs to the dining room. Mrs. Sheffield was just setting the food on the table. I followed her back to the kitchen and asked, “May I help carry anything to the other room?”

“Yes, dear. Thank you. Please grab the potatoes,” she told me as she pointed to the bowl on the side board.

I picked up the bowl and carried it to the table. Mrs. Sheffield brought the gravy bowl and sat it on the table as well. “That is everything,” she said with a grin, “those girls better get down here or the food will be cold.”

Just as she said that, Charlotte, Emily, and Mary Jane all made their way into the room and took a seat at the table. I took my seat as well and took in the food before me. Mrs. Sheffield had prepared ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, snap beans, fresh bread, and I saw a cherry pie in the kitchen. She would bring it out after we had finished our meal.

“Everything looks wonderful.”

“It smells great.”

“MMMM.”

Each of my friends complimented Mrs. Sheffield. She really was the best cook out of all of us. Mary Jane offered up the blessing before the meal and we all dug in after the amen’s were said.

About halfway through our meal, Charlotte asked me, “Abigail, I was passing by your room earlier and I thought I heard you crying. Is everything alright?”

“Yes….No….I don’t know….Maybe….” I stammered unsure how to answer the question. I looked to Mrs. Sheffield for assistance.

“Ladies, you each have been told the reason why Abigial is here. The need for utmost secrecy concerning her true name,” she paused and waited for each of them to nod their understanding. But not only did they nod, they all three stopped eating and put their silverware down on the table.

Looking from Mrs. Sheffield to me and back to Mrs. Sheffield, Emily asked, “What happened?”

I nodded at Mrs. Sheffield to continue; I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to speak. “Today, as you know, my brother escorted Abigail to the barracks to make arrangements to go to Indian Territory. As they were leaving the barracks, Abigail felt as though she was being watched.”

The girls all gasped and Mary Jane, on my right grabbed my hand.

Mrs. Sheffield raised her hand in a calming manner, “now before you panic. Let me tell you that my brother is asking around town about any newcomers who might have been inquiring about our boarding house or about Abigail directly. I do not think we have anything to worry about. However, to be sure that Abigail remains safe, I do not want her to the leave the house until George returns with news. Therefore, the three of you need to take over Abigail’s shifts at the orphanage. At least for a few days.”

I turned to Charlotte, who was seated opposite me, “Charlotte, I’m sorry. I know I was to take your shift tomorrow. Can you forgive me?” I begged her. I didn’t want to be weak, but my father and his business partner were cruel. I had no doubt that if they found me alone, they would force me to return to New Orleans.

“Abigail, do not worry! We’ll take care of it. For now, you must focus on packing for your journey to meet Henry. George, I mean, Mr. Knight,” Charlotte started to say and then looked at Mrs. Sheffield as she faltered over her informality of Mrs. Sheffield’s brother, “Mr. Knight will bring word that all is well and you will be able to journey to Henry without concern.”

“Yes, and in the meantime, we have a wedding quilt to make!” Mary Jane squealed. “Our Abigail is the next to be married! It’s so exciting. Oh, we will need fabric. Abigail, if you tell me what colors you would like, I can go to the mercantile for you.”

I thought for just a moment and said, “Blue and green. Henry once wrote to me that his favorite color was blue. I love green, emerald green to be exact. So, yes, I think those two colors would be perfect together.” I wouldn’t tell them that green was my favorite because I remembered the first time we met, I wanted to drown in Henry’s beautiful emerald green eyes.

“Abigail, those colors will be wonderful together. In fact, I think I will try to find a shade close to the color of your eyes. Their such a lovely color,” Mary Jane responded.

We continued to chat about fabric and other things I would need for my journey as we ate the cherry pie that Mrs. Sheffield had prepared. Soon we had quite a list of things for the girls to pick up for me at the mercantile.

As I readied myself for bed, I once again prayed for Henry. Dear Lord above, please keep Henry safe. It won’t be long and we will be together. I feel as though he is part of my soul, my other half. I pray that being with him is your plan for my life and that the two of us will do everything we can to honor you and to obey as you have instructed us in the Good Book. I pray for George, also. Keep him safe as he asks questions. If my father or Mr. Rossi are in town, please keep me hidden from them. I do not want to return to New Orleans. Not now. Not when my Henry is waiting for me to come. Give me a sweet rest this night. Amen.

As I closed my eyes, I thought over our conversation at supper. The girls were right, I had much to do and I couldn’t sulk and cry. I needed to get things ready to go and meet my Henry.

Unknown POV

I found her. It wasn’t until I heard her speak that I knew for sure. She didn’t know me, had never met me. So, she wouldn’t know that I had been sent to take her back to New Orleans. I had to notify my benefactor. I hurried to the telegraph office and sent the following telegram:

She has been found. Headed to Indian Territory. Will meet in Springfield on November 4, 1865

Now to make sure that I kept track of her until Springfield.