Chapter 7

 

 

Rawlins, Wyoming Territory ~ July 17, 1878

T he train pulled into Rawlins in the afternoon. Shortly after they left the coach, Blythe followed Eli who offered to help her collect her valise. He loaded it and her carpetbag onto the same handcart he, Rand, and Jason used to carry their trunks. Blythe, with Eli and his two associates acting as escort, walked to the hotel.

Blythe forced herself not to gawk. She found Rawlins to be bare and dusty compared to Chicago, but there appeared to be a goodly number of businesses built up in the town. This is my new home—at least, until Sgt. McGilvey takes me to the fort. Somehow, she sensed that the fort would be less appealing to her than Rawlins.

Eli introduced Blythe to Allen and Mary Hayes. “I sent a telegram about Mrs. Greenly seeking temporary employment. I hope you received it.”

“We did.” Mary Hayes eyed Blythe. “As it turns out, we can use you, at least until the end of the month.”

“Thank you. I should have a better idea of what I’ll be doing by then.” Blythe, her valise at her feet, stood to the side while her traveling companions paid for three separate single rooms until the day after the eclipse. Then they began the process of hauling their belongings up the stairs.

As Eli offered Blythe his best wishes, and she watched him disappear carrying cases she now knew held a rifle and a telescope, she felt a sense of emptiness, as if her heart left with him. Then, realizing her new employer stood silently at her side, she forced her attention toward her. Mrs. Hayes studied Blythe in a manner that left Blythe worried the woman, who must be her senior by at least fifteen years, found her lacking.

“How is it you know Mr. Morgan?”

“Frankly, we met at the Union Depot in Omaha. Once he learned I intended to travel here to meet my fiancé, he offered the assistance of himself and his two associates. We didn’t travel together, exactly, although we all found seats in the same train coach.” Blythe ignored her quivering insides as she gave her new employer what she hoped to be a confident smile. “I do have a letter of recommendation from my previous employer. It’s in my carpetbag.” She reached for the bulky, soft-sided bag that had been her constant companion since she left Chicago.

“No hurry, Mrs. Greenly.” Mary waved her hand and shook her head. “You may show it to me later, after I get you settled. I don’t need two maids on a permanent basis. Frankly, having someone willing to accept a temporary job at this time is a God-send. I have another young woman named Nancy who is full-time. However, with the number of guests expected tomorrow, keeping this place clean and the rooms cared for is too much for her and me alone.”

“I’m pleased my arriving at this time works well for you.”

“Coming from a large city like you do, I don’t know what kind of pay you’re used to. I will pay you the same as I do Miss Howard, which includes room and board. I’m afraid our hotel is small. You and she will share a room.”

“That’s more than acceptable, Mrs. Hayes. I’m grateful for the employment.” As if a burden flowed out of her, Blythe felt her body grow lighter. With some luck, she would not need to spend what little money she still had in order to live.

“Follow me, then, Mrs. Greenly. Welcome to Rawlins.” 

Blythe picked up her carpetbag and valise and started up the stairs behind her new employer.

Partway up the first flight, Mary Hayes turned around and held out her hand. “Let me at least carry your carpetbag. I’m afraid yours and Nancy’s room is in the attic, and you’re probably not used to the altitude yet.” Carpetbag in hand, Mary continued up the stairs. “In public, please refer to me as Mrs. Hayes and introduce yourself to customers as Mrs. Greenly. Nancy is Miss Howard. I prefer to maintain a certain formality to discourage inappropriate familiarity with our male population.”

“I understand.” The last thing Blythe wanted was to be subjected to rude and suggestive remarks.

“In the kitchen, it’s a different matter. There we go by first names. If we’re fortunate, and passenger rail travel remains strong this year, we might be able to keep you on into August.” She hesitated and narrowed her gaze. “When did you plan to marry your soldier from the fort?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t had time to write to let him know I arrived.” Mindful that anything she said could turn into local gossip, Blythe briefly told Mrs. Hayes of her situation, at least, the parts she was willing for others to know. “I would have stayed in Chicago and worked longer, except my former employer, knowing I intend to marry soon, already hired someone to replace me.” She decided she had not stretched the truth too much. Her main concerns were that no one yet knew she was with child or how she came by that condition. She hoped to be married before her pregnancy showed.

“You’ll probably find this hotel rather rustic after what you’re used to.” Mary Hayes waved her hand to brush aside the issue. Then, forehead wrinkled, she studied Blythe. “I wasn’t aware of the presence of laundresses at the fort. From what I‘ve heard, water is in short supply there, and all but what they catch and store in cisterns is alkali. I suppose the alkali might be good for cleaning clothes, but I’m sure it will be hard on your hands.”

Blythe gulped. Well-aware of how drying to her hands washing the small amount of personal laundry she had done over the years had been, she dreaded the thought of spending most of her days devoted to the task. “I’m afraid I’m relying on my intended’s word. I find it strange there is a shortage of water. I recall crossing the bridge over the North Platte River as we passed the fort. Although the landscape appeared rather desolate, I would think the river supplies enough water for the fort.”

Mrs. Hayes lifted a shoulder. “I suppose you’ll discover the truth of the matter once you move there. From what I’ve heard, you want to be careful about walking about outside after dark. We do have wolves in the region, and I understand they have been a serious problem at the fort. The livestock there probably attracts them. I’m sure the river does, too.”

“I see.” Blythe involuntarily swallowed. She looked off to the side. Sgt. McGilvey wrote nothing about a wolf problem.

“I hope you enjoy living at Fort Steele. It’s…isolated.”

“I do, too, ma’am. I was surprised to learn there is no town by the fort.”

Blythe recalled studying Fort Fred Steele from the passenger coach window. She saw one two-story house that looked like it was built of stone. All the rest were mostly single story and made of wood. When the train stopped at the small station there, she had commented to Eli that perhaps she should have tried to find work in the community next to the fort.

At that point, Jason Sewell sat in front of where Eli and Blythe continued to share the bench. He turned in his seat to face Blythe. “From what I learned about the region, what you see is not a true town. Those are mostly shacks for the contract workers at the fort. I found an earlier reference to a community that tried to build up here, but both vigilantes and the fort’s commander put a stop to it. I gather it was because it’s hard enough to keep order in a fort stationed this far away from civilization without providing easy access to saloons and hog ranches to tempt the men away from their duties.”

Eli had cleared his throat and given his friend a pointed look. “Thank you, Prof. Sewell. I’m sure Mrs. Greenly is not interested in that topic.”

As they reached the landing on the second floor, Blythe recalled pondering the professor’s statement and Eli’s subtle warning not to discuss it. The saloons she could understand. However, she thought hog ranches would be an asset. The butchered animals could provide meat for the men without having to transport it great distances. Then again, the wolves probably are a threat to the hogs.

Mary opened the door to the attic room and swept her upraised palm in an arc. “Here it is. It’s not much, but this hotel was not built for large crowds. I was tempted to temporarily move Nancy to a corner of the kitchen until the crowd chasing the eclipse leaves town. At least, with two of you occupying the room, I can justify leaving her here.” She shook her head and muttered under her breath. “With that girl, it’s just as well. Never seen anyone so man-crazy as that one.”

Blythe resisted the temptation to visibly react to her new employer’s statement. With what sort of person will I share a room? She stepped inside and looked around. The floor space was generous, but with the steep roof, the usable part of the room was limited. A double bed dominated the center of the floor. Hooks on the far side of the wall held clothing. She saw no chest of drawers. A small dressing table with a bowl and ewer was shoved against the corner farthest from the window. Other than the walls being bare wood, darkened with age rather than whitewashed, the room was not too far different than what she was used to at the Stapletons’.

“I probably need not say anything, but I will warn you to keep your door shut and locked at all times.” Mary handed her a key. “The other attic room is usually vacant, but starting tonight and in the morning, Mr. Hayes and I will move into it so we can make all the remaining rooms on the first two floors available for the Draper Expedition due here tomorrow afternoon. I don’t want our customers coming into your room for any reason.” Mary shook her head and sighed. “Another reason your presence will be helpful. Nancy is so taken with the attention men shower on her, I’d rather she not stay alone.” She waved at the bare wall opposite the one that held Nancy’s clothes. “I’ll ask my husband to put up some pegs for your clothes. However, anything you don’t want to get dusty, I’d leave packed.”

“Thank you.” Blythe set her valise and carpetbag at the foot of the bed. I haven’t shared a bed with anyone since before Mama died. She reached up to pull the pin from her hat. Once off, she carefully wove the pin in the hatband.

“That is a wicked-looking hatpin, if I do say so myself.” Humor laced Mary Hayes’s voice. “Especially on weekends, when men have a tendency to visit the saloon more, you might want to keep that thing handy.”

Blythe jerked her gaze to her employer and offered a faint smile. “I’ve been known to carry a hatpin woven inside my clothing when I’ve gone into the more questionable parts of Chicago.” She dropped her smile and wrinkled her brow. “It is that dangerous here?”

Mary shook her head. “As long as you avoid certain areas, no more than any place else. Most men appreciate the relatively few women there are in town. Stay away from the two saloons and our…” Mary cleared her throat. “We do have a house of ill repute you should avoid. I’ll point it out when we get a few minutes.”

“That’s comforting.”

“Avoid walking alone beyond our property after dark. We share the alley with other businesses. You’ll be safer if you’re with someone else and take a lantern with you.”

“Of course.” Already feeling the perspiration forming in rivulets under her gown in the heat of the attic bedroom, Blythe turned her gaze to the single double sash window. Once she arrived in Rawlins, she had noticed that, in addition to the heat, the wind blew. Inside the upstairs bedroom, the walls blocked most of it. She wondered if the wind continued to blow at night. If so, would the window allow in enough of a breeze to cool the room? With no humidity coming off a large lake like she was used to in Chicago, she had no idea what to expect as far as the weather.

“Nancy’s down in back doing laundry. Perhaps you could help her. You’ll become acquainted that way.”

Blythe blinked and snapped her attention to Mary once more. She had barely arrived, and already Mrs. Hayes put her to work. “Certainly. If it’s acceptable, I would prefer to change clothes first.”

“That would be fine. If you have an apron with you, I suggest you wear it. If not, I’ll find something.” She eyed Blythe’s rumpled gown speckled with charcoal. “You might want to take the gown on down, just in case she still has wash water that’s not too filthy. If not, you can wash it next time.”

After Mary left, Blythe quickly donned her gray maid’s dress and her large apron. With the blue gown in hand, she descended the two flights of stairs.

Mary walked out of a room toward the rear of the building. She studied the maid’s uniform. “You certainly look the part. Follow me.” She returned to the room which was the kitchen and turned to a door set in the back wall.

“Do you offer a restaurant menu to your guests?” Blythe turned in a circle to view the kitchen with its large table in the center.

Mary shook her head. “Not usually, but we will for the next few weeks. For one thing, I don’t have a cook, and I have enough to do without adding that task to my duties on a regular basis.”

“I’m a little rusty on my cooking skills, and I never cooked for a large crowd, but I’m happy to help in the kitchen.”

“I’m counting on it.” Mary caught her gaze and grinned. “With both you and Nancy here, I can manage a breakfast menu and supper. However, you will leave and marry soon. Nancy is here for now, but young women don’t stay unmarried long in these parts. Along with all the drifters and ne’er-do-wells, there are plenty of good men looking for wives.”

“Oh.” Blythe raised her eyebrows. Such was not the case in Chicago. Especially with the hours and days she worked, the prospects for her finding decent men to consider for marriage had been limited. “I suppose, for those young women looking for husbands, that’s a good thing.”

“Perhaps, but it makes them unreliable for long-term employment. Truth be told, I think Nancy has already found a man who is interested in her.” She rolled her eyes skyward and shook her head. “Every time the son of the Walker Sheep Ranch’s owner and some of their men come to town and rent rooms, she makes herself scarce around here those afternoons and evenings.”

Mary opened the door leading outside. She paused and turned to face Blythe once more. “You’re a prime example. You’ve come to marry, so will only need work for a short time.”

“Yes, that is the case.” At least, I hope it will be a short time. It won’t be long until I look less like a woman carrying extra weight and more like one carrying a baby.

Mary pointed at the wall opposite the door. “We do have a room next to the kitchen and behind the lobby we’ll open as a dining room. I’ll offer meals boardinghouse style—those who eat will take what’s offered or go to the U. P. restaurant a few doors down. Let’s go outside and I’ll introduce you to Nancy.”

Blythe stepped out into a dismal dirt yard ringed by clusters of dried-looking sage plants. The wind brushing past her felt like it came from a furnace. Her gaze followed the faint billows of dust on the breeze to the sheets flapping on a clothesline. How can they stay clean with all this dirt blowing on them?

A young woman with dark curls peeking out from beneath a sunbonnet lifted her face above the muslin kitchen towel she was folding. As she watched Blythe, at Mary’s side, approach, her face spread a welcoming smile. “Hello. You must be the Mrs. Greenly that Mrs. Hayes told me about. You’re a lot younger than I thought you’d be.”

Mary, her lips pursed as if holding back a smile, shook her head. “Nancy, dear, I don’t think that was the most polite way you could have greeted your new roommate and fellow worker. But, yes, this is Mrs. Greenly. She has come to see if she can help you.” Mary turned to Blythe. “This is Miss Howard. Like I said earlier, I’m sure you’ll decide to be on a first-name basis when you two are alone. Just remember…” Mary turned to Nancy and gave her a pointed look. “In the hotel, you address each other as miss and missus.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Nancy bobbed her head to Mary. “The sheets are almost dry, Mrs. Hayes. I think they’ll be ready to come off the line in another half hour or so.”

“Pleased to meet you, Miss Howard.” Blythe had heard of the expression of someone’s eyes dancing with laughter or excitement. She felt like she witnessed that now on Nancy’s face.

“Do you still have wash water so Mrs. Greenly can clean her gown?”

“No…” Nancy eyed the gown draped over Blythe’s arm. “I’d want to heat fresh water to wash something like that, anyway.” Her gaze met Blythe’s. “Do you need it right away? If not, we can wash it in the morning. There’s bound to be towels and a few sheets to launder, since we have a couple of customers leaving in the morning and that big group of scientists is due to arrive.” She turned back to Mary. “Didn’t you say tomorrow is when that special rail car is coming in?”

Mary grimaced. “Yes, the Draper Expedition. There will be fourteen of them staying here tomorrow night. Some of them might go over to Creston, but I doubt they’ll stay. There’s even less housing to offer travelers in Creston than here. Mr. Draper assured me this hotel will be their headquarters. Along with our trio of astronomers who arrived today, we’ll have every room full by tomorrow night.”

“So, we’ll want to make sure all the laundry is caught up before they get here.” Nancy bobbed her head. Her gaze met Blythe’s. “We can wash your gown then and cover it with a sheet as it dries so it won’t fade. Oh, and you can bring along any unmentionables you need washed, too. I’ll fix it so no one will see anything they shouldn’t.”

“Thank you, I will.” Clean unmentionables were something Blythe could definitely use. “I’ll return this gown to our room, and then you can show me what I can do to help now.”

“Don’t you have a sunbonnet?” Nancy canted her head and scrunched her brow as she studied Blythe. “With your red hair, your skin will turn red and blister in this sun.”

“I used to wear a small maid’s hat, but it didn’t cover much of my hair.” Blythe shook her head. “Since I worked indoors, I didn’t have need of a sunbonnet. I only have my straw hat I wear for shopping and church. However, it doesn’t have enough of a brim to shade my face.” She smiled and lowered her voice. “Don’t worry. I’m not a true redhead like someone whose ancestors came from Ireland or Scotland. My auburn hair color is more English.” She made a half-turn so Nancy could see the back of her head where she had twisted her hair into a basic bun. “My mother told me it came from the Danes who invaded the British Isles centuries ago.”

“Danes, huh?” Nancy raised her eyebrows and shrugged. “I guess it does have more brown in it.”

“Yes. As you can see, I do freckle some, but my skin tends to tan, not burn.”

“Humph!” Nancy slapped the folded towel in the basket full of other folded clothes and jammed her fists against her waist. “If I remember my geography right, the British Isles are way far north. I don’t think those English have any idea what the sun is like out here on the Wyoming prairie. You need a sunbonnet. I’d wear gloves outside as much as possible, too.” She turned to Mary. “Do we have time to go to the mercantile to see if they have a readymade she can buy?”

“Yes, Nancy, as long as you aren’t gone too long.” Her voice impatient, Mary rolled her eyes.

“We’ll be back by the time the sheets are dry. Oops!” Nancy slapped her fingertips to her lips and returned her gaze to Blythe. “Maybe I should have asked if you can afford a sunbonnet before you get paid.”

As Blythe watched Nancy’s antics, she covered her mouth with the side of her fist to hide her smile. “Yes, I have a little bit. Hopefully, it’s enough for a sunbonnet.” She turned her gaze to her employer. “Thank you.”

Mary made a shooing motion with the back of her hands. “Go ahead. Just be sure to get these off the line as soon as they’re dry. I have three rooms I need swept and dusted before we put sheets on the mattresses. I want it done before supper. And, starting tomorrow night, Nancy, we all will be helping in the kitchen to put a supper on the table in our dining room.”

“We’re really going to do it, then?” Nancy’s eyes rounded as she stared at her employer. Next, she turned to Blythe. “You have no idea how happy I am you’re here.”

Blythe returned to the room with Nancy long enough for the two of them to claim their reticules. Blythe, once again, put on her straw hat. After they left the hotel, she and Nancy walked to the Hugus Mercantile where Nancy introduced Blythe to the owner. The business, which filled two buildings joined by a common wall, held a surprising amount of merchandise. They left shortly with the new owner of a light green sunbonnet with a yellow floral design.

Once they reached their room again and Blythe changed her straw hat for the sunbonnet, she felt like she had made the transition from Chicago maid to Wyoming washer woman. What will Eli think of me now? Only later in the evening, as she prepared for bed, did it occur to her she should have been more concerned about what Sgt. McGilvey thought of her clothing.