I can’t believe I’m writing this, but Thomas has asked me to marry him! I am going to be Mrs. Thomas Sheridan.
Mrs. Thomas Sheridan
Gertrude Sheridan
Trudy Sheridan
In all my nineteen years, I have never been so excited.
Thomas came to visit today and asked if I would like to take a ride in the wagon. I told him I would, but he asked if I would mind waiting for a little while so he could speak with Papa, who was in the barn. I told Thomas I would be waiting for him when he finished talking to Papa.
While he was gone Margaret said, “You know what he’s doing, don’t you? He’s asking Papa for your hand.”
I scolded Margaret for saying such a silly thing, but it turned out that Margaret knew exactly what she was talking about. Before long Thomas came back to the house to fetch me. Papa accompanied him, and he was talking to Mama in the corner of the kitchen as I left with Thomas. They were looking at me in a funny way. It made me nervous because I thought I had done something wrong.
Thomas and I drove for a while. We went through town, then he told me he had a surprise to show me. He took me down the road that led out of town to the west and after quite a long time I could see a homestead in the distance. I could tell it was new because of the color of the wood, and I knew somehow that it was the house he had built. He drove right up to the front of the house, which is lovely. It has glass windows (I don’t know how he was able to afford them, but they are beautiful) and a wooden front door with a brass doorknob. There were curtains in the windows.
He reached for my hand to help me out of the wagon and he didn’t let go of my hand as we walked up the front steps. I have almost never seen a house with front steps out here in Nebraska. People simply do not use them. But since Thomas is from back east, he is used to such things.
I marveled at the inside of the house. Each room is painted a different color! We don’t even have paint on our walls at home. Mama says paint is expensive and extravagant, but it certainly is beautiful. And if Thomas has the money to buy paint, then why shouldn’t he paint the inside of his new house? I smile as I write this because soon it will be our house.
The children each have a room of their own. That is very rare. Most homes are too small for children to have their own bedrooms. The children’s rooms are quite small, but they each get some space to call their own! Lady’s room is yellow and Jesse’s is green. The bedroom where Thomas sleeps is white.
Once Thomas had given me a tour of all the rooms in the house, he stood me in front of the fireplace and told me to close my eyes. I was confused about his request, but I did as he asked. When he told me to open them, he was standing in front of me holding a beautiful ring! I must have looked very surprised, because Thomas started laughing and asked me to wear the ring because he wanted me to marry him. I said yes immediately!
We went back home and told Papa and Mama and Margaret and the boys the good news. Papa and Mama already knew, of course. Papa smiled, but while Mama and Margaret looked happy, I could tell they were a bit worried, too. I suppose they are concerned that I will not be around the house any longer to help them with chores and cooking once Thomas and I are wed. The boys simply wanted to know all about Thomas’ new house.
There are many things to do before the wedding, which will be in the spring. Mama and Margaret and I will begin sewing the things I’ll need to set up the new house: linens, a wedding quilt, and my personal things.
Thomas said he would tell Lady and Jesse about our marriage. I wish I could be there when he tells them, but I think they will be happy and excited. It has been a long time since they have had a woman in their home.
T