The Garrison Family TIMELINE: (Note: All ages are approximate to within one year to either side, since a daughter born in, oh, January 81 and one born in December 82 would be listed as one year apart when really they're two years apart, and stuff like that. Or, circumstances could change. 'Kay? 'Kay. This also assumes that in OVERTIME, when Jacob and Elizabeth marry, Elizabeth is 26 and Jacob is 39. Rancher's Daughters elements will be in GREEN. Historical elements will be in BROWN. 1878 Jacob Garrison and Benjamin Cooper partner to lead a cattle-drive--a mixed herd of approximately 2000 head of Texas longhorns--to Wyoming to establish a ranch (April). Jacob marries Elizabeth Kathleen Rhinehart in Ogallala, Nebraska (August) They establish the Circle-T Ranch (and build their 1st cabin) on the Goose River, Wyoming--what was then Johnson Co. Closest post office: Tom Creighton's ranch on the Little Goose. Jacob is 39, Elizabeth is 26 Tad (Thaddeas) is 10? 1879 Mariah Lynn Garrison is born (Spring) Benj Cooper leaves the ranch, but not the partnership (Fall) (Mar. 29, Wyoming Stock Growers Association formed). 1880 Benj Cooper returns and the partnership thrives Laurel Lee Garrison is born 1881 (Kansas enacts total prohibition; Dodge City loses a great deal of business...) 1882 Victoria Rose Garrison is born Jacob builds an extra bedroom onto the cabin for the girls. The Garrisons buy plots of land in newly platted Sheridan High Water Mark for the Cattle Boom -- INCREDIBLE Business May: Sheridan platted, incorporated, and submitted for proof of settlement July 4, Buffalo Bill's first Wild West Show, North Platte Nebraska 1883 Elizabeth Garrison files a claim adjacent to Jacob's, now that his is proved up. Jacob has a real ranch house built on it, cash down. The ranch is thriving. Benj Cooper begins to keep regular company with Lady Alexandra Stanley. Sheridan, Wyoming, is booming; 50 buildings on the townsite by fall 1884 Audra Susan Garrison is born Thaddeas may start college this year or next year 1885 Elizabeth Garrison oversees the growing and harvesting of hay as fodder--considered a crazy idea with free rangeland.... Kansas officially closes its borders to all Texas cattle, except winter months Congress prohibits fencing of public lands; WY ranchers protest 1886 Garrisons plan the in-town house for the girls' schooling Summer, dry and hot; cattlemen build irrigation ditches Late '86, the Big Die Up -- 75% of Plains cattle die in cold 1887 The Garrison Ranch survives the Die Up better than some because they grew & stocked hay. However, the Garrisons likely move into the cabin for the worst of the winter; saves fuel. They lose a baby this winter--their only boy together. Thaddeas, who is around 19 years old, likely comes home from college to help. Alexander "Alec" Cooper is born. He will inherit half the ranch. Swan Lake Cattle Company closes up; starts 10-yr depression in cow industry 1888 Garrisons finish their in-town house in Sheridan despite the depression, for school. Cattle Depression Continues Sheridan County is formed from part of Johnson County 1889 Kathryn May "Kitty" Garrison is born Cattle depression continues. Wyoming cattle barons have Averell and Watson lynched as "rustlers"--a sign that tension is building between the original cattle barons and the smaller ranchers. 1890 Wyoming achieves statehood; the first state with woman's suffrage. Cattle Depression Continues 1892 Elise Michelle Garrison is born Thaddeas gets his law degree. Ap. 3-9, Johnson County War, cattle-barons vs. small ranchers & farmers; Cattle depression continues. Burlington & Missouri Railroad comes through Sheridan! 1893 Mariah, 14, falls in love with Stuart McCallum Johnson County Case dismissed; not enough men in Wyoming impartial enough to serve on a jury. The cattlemen go free. June 27, stock market collapses. Country enters a 4-year depression. 1894 The Sheridan Inn, finest hotel between Chicago and San Francisco, is built (first building in Sheridan with electric lights & running water; $2.50/day; WF Cody, part owner) Cattle & National Depression Continues 1896 17-year-old Mariah goes to Europe with Wright family. Cattle & National Depression Continues 1897 FORGETTING HERSELF Mariah is engaged to Stuart McCallum, against her father's wishes. Evangeline Taylor starts tutoring Victoria, and taking piano lessons from Mrs. Elizabeth Garrison. Collier Ellis Pembroke is sent to the United States Cattle Depression ends, though Bonanza years are over W. G. Griffen begins independent phone company in Sheridan 1898 PROVING HERSELF Mariah Garrison marries Stuart MacCallum (February) Laurel files on her claim Laurel marries Collier Ellis Pembroke (October) 1899 EXPLAINING HERSELF Ross "Laramie" (obvious alias) rides into Sheridan, drawing Victoria's curiousity--by years end, they are engaged Elizabeth & Jacob's first grandson is born to Mariah and Stuart Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (or their associates) rob a Union Pacific train in early June at Wilcox, WY. They blow up a freight car along with the safe. A popular sheriff is killed in the manhunt, and all of Wyoming goes on alert looking for them and their accomplices. Boer War breaks out overseas--horse ranchers make a great deal of money providing mounts for the soldiers. 1900 BEHAVING HERSELF January--Audra Garrison's "scandal" with Peter Connors Summer--Victoria marries Ross Laurence. Autumn--Audra takes a teaching job in Candon, Texas (later Tarrant) to regain her reputation, and meets Jack Harwood. August: Butch Cassidy's gang robs a train in Tipton; spends part of that winter in Fort Worth, Texas 1901 Audra & Jack Harwood are engaged All of Sheridan is shocked when Thaddeas Garrison marries Evangeline Taylor. May -- Sheepmen in Sweetwater Co. WYO employ a band of well-armed men to resist attacks from cattle ranchers). July -- a 13-year-old boy, son of the man who introduced sheep to Wyoming, is shot and killed Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid leave the country. 1902 Audra Garrison marries Jack Harwood The non-fiction parts of this timeline owe a great deal of credit to: The WYO Room at the Sheridan Library; literature from the Sheridan Inn; and information from THE AMERICAN WEST: YEAR BY YEAR (ed. John S. Bowman), SHERIDAN'S FIRST STREETS (by Terrill Foster), and SHERIDAN MAIN STREET DISTRICT WALKING TOUR (by Christy Love, Molly Mooney, and Rebecca Thomson). For more bibliographic information, to to the Research Page. |
BREAKFAST WITH THE GARRISONS: (copyright Yvonne Jocks, 1998) Approx. 1892 Ten-year-old Victoria Garrison knew not to expect Kim Lee in the kitchen as she headed down to breakfast that morning. Wednesday was their Chinese housekeeper's regular day off. He usually spent it working at the laundry he owned with his wife, on the other side of Sheridan. Victoria didn't know what good it was him HAVING a day off since he worked on it anyway, but Mama once said it made all the difference in the world. Sophronia Pierce's mother said that Victoria's mother, Elizabeth Garrison, "treated her help like royalty," especially since Mama gave Kim Lee an honest-to-gosh bicycle to make the trip back and forth from the ranch in the summertime. But Vic's mother said that Sophronia Pierce's mother was a domestic dictator who needed to find a life, whatever that meant. In any case, it was Kim Lee's day off, so when the ringing on the triangle down in the kitchen woke her, Vic expected to find Mama making their breakfast. But Vic was in for a surprise. She was halfway down the back stairway of their in-town house when she heard the deep-voiced call of "Chuckaway!" that definitely did not come from Mama. PAPA! She scrambled down the rest of the stairs and straight into the kitchen, launching herself at her father's waist where he stood at the cast-iron stove. "Papa! You're here!" During the school term Vic's mama and sisters lived at the house in town, but Papa still spent much of his time out at the ranch. He was one of the most successful ranchers in the county. And as he often said, the work wouldn't do itself. But this morning he was HERE! No wonder the house was so cozy and warm this early in the morning, despite it being Kim Lee's day off, despite it being November in Wyoming! Papa always got up early to light the fires. He didn't return her hug right off. He looked way down at her all sternlike, his graying beard only adding to his resemblance to a judge. "What have I told you 'bout stoves, Victoria?" Oops. "Not to run near them. Sir." Her voice came out smaller than she would have liked. He nodded solemnly -- then relented and scooped her up with one arm as easily as if she were a calf that needed carrying, as big a girl though she was getting to be, and dropped a kiss on top of her head. He must be feeling cheerful, this morning. But he held her on his non-stove side. "Best remember that, Victoria Rose," he instructed low, giving her an extra squeeze. "Yessir." Then more interesting things than her safety lesson crowded back. "When did you come in from the ranch? When, Papa?" "I weren't here when you went to bed. I'm here now." He waited, his expression suggesting that Victoria, as her mother would put it, Do the Math. "Last night?" It had been a full moon, but still! She would NEVER dare go out alone at night! "Yep." Setting her down on the kitchen floor again, he divided his attention between cutting some bacon and eyeing her thoughtfully. "You girls in the habit of runnin' 'round half dressed while I'm gone?" Victoria was wearing her nightgown, which buttoned up to her neck and down to her wrists, and which brushed her slippered feet. Over that, she was wearing a quilted robe. She supposed it WAS rather slovenly, but Mama said there was no reason for them to bathe and dress until the house was warmer. And breakfast was a kitchen meal, not a dining-room meal. It was twelve-year-old Laurel, who'd apparently heard the question on her way down the back stairs, who answered. "Yessir, Papa, that we do," she teased, claiming her own a hug and a kiss, which he easily gave. A big girl, she knew better than to run in the kitchen. "I guess you provide the moral axis of this family -- our behavior's plumb reckless without you around. If it weren't for Kim Lee working here most days, we'd likely be running around the in-town house buck naked." It occurred to Vic, not for the first time, that perhaps Laurel spent too much time in the company of chatty Uncle Benj. Papa scowled down at his second daughter, but she grinned broadly right back up at him. With her long brown braids and her heart-shaped face, she looked a lot like Mama when she did that. Laurel and their oldest sister, Mariah, weren't as intimidated by Papa as Vic sometimes was. "How's the ranch, Papa?" Laurel asked now, to break the impasse. "Have we got enough hay for the winter? How's Suncatcher? Is she all right? Has she dropped her foal yet?" "Yesterday mornin'," Papa admitted finally, and Victoria got the impression he'd just lost some kind of battle. But she wasn't sure what kind of battle ... and for as serious a man as he was, he didn't seem to mind too terribly much. "Bay colt." Laurel whooped happily. "Can I ride out this weekend and see him?" "May," Victoria corrected her older sister a little sulkily, moving to the sideboard to get down the dishes and set the bare table. Laurel, who seemed to miss being out at the ranch even more than the rest of them, sometimes used improper grammar just to sound more like a cowhand. From the look she sent Vic, Laurel was tempted to make a hand gesture more like a cowhand too. But she wouldn't dare, not around Papa, or even anywhere Papa could find out about. Even Laurel knew better than that. The one time she'd tried swearing like a cowhand, she'd regretted it. Instead she just said, "MAY I come out this weekend and see him? Please, Papa? PLEEEEEASE? I've waited so long!" Papa, incongruously enough, was cracking eggs into a frying pan on the stove, starting breakfast all by himself. "Best ask yer mother." Which suddenly made Vic's stomach feel funny. Her two-year-old sister, Kitty, was already settled at the table on her tall chair, fully dressed, chewing quietly on one of yesterday's biscuits. She'd been there the whole time. But the table HADN'T been set. "Where IS Mother? Is she sick?" Papa poked at the eggs with a wooden spoon. "Don't 'spect so." Oh. Well, if Papa said Mama wasn't sick, then Mama was fine. Jacob Garrison's word was worth cash money. Anyone in Sheridan would tell you that. Likely anyone in all of Wyoming. Laurel opened the silverware drawer and began to help Vic set the table. That's when fourteen-year-old Mariah came downstairs with their eight-year-old sister, Audra. Beneath the hems of their robes, Vic caught a glimpse of stockings; they'd put on their unmentionables before coming down to eat. Likely they were waiting on their dresses so that Audra wouldn't spill on hers. Of all five girls, Mariah looked most like Papa, her hair blond like Grandmama's, her eyes gray, her face squared like his, but without the creases. Audra, also blonde but with a reddish tinge, was a close second though. "PAPA!" cried Audra happily, lunging at him. Papa scowled at her. "Audra, what have I told you 'bout stoves?" Audra stilled and swallowed visibly. Victoria could empathize. Kitty, in her tall chair, looked up from her damp biscuit and said, "Hot!" That was enough to weaken Papa's scowl; his face creased a little, just the way Mariah's didn't, as he glanced toward the baby. "You are a bright girl, Kathryn May. It is hot." "I'm sorry, Sir," whispered Audra. And she should be. It was only last year that she'd tried to test the warning about the stove's heat by touching it, though at least she'd had the sense to use her dolly's hand, instead of her own. The dolly was made of wax and her hand melted into a horrible glob, the guilt of which made Audra cry even more than the spanking Papa had given her. Mama had wanted to make a clay mold and reform the hand, but Papa had insisted that real hands couldn't be fixed that way, and neither would the doll's. So now the wax doll was a cripple, and Audra knew better about stoves. At least, she did when her attention wasn't taken over by Papa coming home mid-week. "You run into this here fancy stove; you will be sorry," agreed Papa mildly. Yes, he was definitely in a good mood. "Try it again." Audra went to the doorway, then came back and stopped a good three feet from the stove. "Good morning, Papa." He scooped her up just like he'd scooped up Victoria. "Mornin', Audra Sue." And then he kissed her neck, tickling her with his beard until she squealed, lecture over. Mariah waited until Papa set Audra down, then moved gracefully in for her own hug. Papa stared at her a little longer than the rest of them. Vic guessed it was because Mariah, at fourteen, was as tall as Mama now; that seemed to surprise Papa a lot, lately. "Mornin', Mariah Lynn," murmured Papa, leaning his forehead against hers, and they shared a special smile. Each daughter had her own special smile. It was hard to describe, but they could recognize it when they saw it. "Good morning, Father," greeted Mariah, who currently considered herself too grown up to call him Papa anymore. For some reason, when his hand slid partway down her back, Papa's smile faded to something that looked more like confusion. Mariah's eyes widened into his, then they both blushed in the same way and turned away at the same time, Papa to the cooking, Mariah to getting the rest of them settled at the table. Vic wouldn't have had ANY idea what that was all about if Audra hadn't piped up with, "I tied Mariah's corset, all by myself. May I have a corset?" And her barely in school. Mariah blushed even brighter, and Laurel burst out laughing. "A CORSET?" Laurel teased. Victoria wasn't sure she understood the attraction, either. Mama was very clear on what she thought about corsets and the women who wore them, and it wasn't much. MARIAH HAD A CORSET? "May I?" repeated Audra. "They're so pretty!" After a minute of focusing intently on the breakfast, Papa said, "Reckon you had best ask yer mother." "Is she sleeping in, Father?" asked Mariah, apparently glad for the distraction, and she wiped Kitty's chin. "Yep." "She's not sick, though," assured Vic ... then thought about how odd it seemed, gathering for breakfast without Mama there. "Is she?" "Nope," assured Papa, still not looking at them -- and especially not looking at Mariah, it seemed. But he didn't seem angry. Mama was the only person in the whole world Victoria could imagine who could lie abed with their father's blessing. Sophronia Pierce's mother said, according to Sophronia, that Jacob Garrison spoiled Elizabeth Garrison as badly as Elizabeth Garrison spoiled her servants. Victoria had said, "Well that's because he LIKES her." Which Sophronia couldn't possibly refute. Victoria had never seen a mother and father who liked each other as much as Mama and Papa. The kitchen fell momentarily silent, except for the sizzle of the food. Then Papa said, "Done yer schoolwork?" And that let him pretty much finish cooking the eggs and bacon in peace, while they each recited their lessons for him, and told him what they would be learning today. Them getting good schooling was why they weren't out on the ranch right now, why they sometimes, in the spring and fall, had to go the larger part of a week without seeing their father. Their brother Thaddeas, who had been a grown-up as far back as Victoria could remember, had been to college and had just become a lawyer. It was partway through their recitations that Vic spotted Mama coming quietly down the backstairs too -- nobody used the front stairway for kitchen meals. She put a finger to her lips, so that Vic wouldn't give her away. Vic felt warm and special, to be sharing a secret with Mama. It made her feel better, too, despite the validity of Papa's word, that Mama didn't look sick at all. In fact, she looked right healthy, with her long brown hair loose over the shoulders of her robe, and her eyes all shiny and happy-like. Mama was about the prettiest woman Vic had ever seen, except maybe the woman in the circus that had come through town last year. Papa once commented on how, even after years of marriage and five children, she was "no bigger than a hiccough." But what Vic most loved about Mama was how she ACTED bigger than a hiccough. She handled business just like a man would, writing letters to a stockbroker all the way in New York City, and was the only woman in Sheridan to have made it quite clear to the banker -- with Papa's permission, of course -- that she could withdraw money from the Garrison account, significant money, just the same as Papa could. She might avoid groups like the Ladies' Temperance League -- and didn't Sophronia Pierce's mother have gossip to spread about that! -- but she was active in the Ladies' Missionary Society, and constantly worked to improve conditions for children, widows, and immigrants. She gave piano lessons, often for trade goods. And she took to newfangled machinery like a calf takes to spring clover. Many town ladies came by to use the sewing machine, and theirs was one of the first houses in Sheridan to be wired for electricity. Mama often declared her intention to purchase a horseless carriage and to drive it herself -- assuming the prices ever came down. But most important, Mama loved Papa. It kind of glowed out of her, even as she stood there in the doorway, leaning against the jamb, her arms wrapped around her front as if she were hugging herself, watching him cook breakfast. Victoria wondered if anybody else's papa knew how to cook breakfast, so as soon as Audra finished reciting her spelling words, she asked. "Do you suppose anyone else's papa cooks breakfast?" "Reckon you'd have to ask about," said Papa, starting around the table and putting eggs and bacon from the great iron skillet on each of their plates. Mariah had already cut slices of bread, and buttered Kitty's for her. "But they should," added Mama, since he would have seen her as he came around the table anyway, and he straightened up fast. For what seemed like an awfully long moment, he just looked at her. Then he said, "Mornin', Elizabeth," and, with the faintest smile in his eyes, went back to putting out the food, including some for her. "Good morning, Jacob," said Mama, moving to her chair while he did, and looking up at him while she sat. "Thank you for making breakfast." "Married myself a slug-a-bed; couldn't rightly let the children starve." But Papa said it with a twinkle, then turned to put down the skillet. "Thank you for letting me sleep in," Mama conceded graciously, leaning sideways to pet her hand over Kitty's hair. It had been braided poorly, with soft whisps escaping already, but Mama touched it as if it were the prettiest coif she'd ever seen. "Figured you could use the rest." Papa came around the table to sit in his own chair. "I don't know about that," teased Mama. "You're the one who did most of the work." Papa went still, and his eyes widened at her, as if she'd surprised him something terrible, and his lips parted. He glanced at Kitty and Audra, then back at Mama, his face starting to darken like a disapproving thundercloud, though Victoria didn't understand what Mama had said wrong. "Ranching," added Mama, blue eyes laughing at him, as brass as Laurel had been. "It's hard work. You didn't even get here until after dark, and I know you, you're the up-at-dawn type." Papa's eyes narrowed at her, suspicious-like. Mama simply widened her own eyes, innocent-like. "Aren't you going to say grace, Jacob?" Papa glared at her a moment longer, his eyes so narrow Vic wasn't sure he could even see out them, but then he bowed his head and led them in grace. Victoria got the impression he'd just lost some kind of battle, same as she had with him and Laurel, but she still didn't understand. She noticed that, beneath the fall of her blonde hair, Mariah was blushing. Maybe Mariah understood. But she -- Mariah -- made sure not to look up until her complexion was pale and perfect again. She seemed awfully focused on her breakfast, though. In fact, it was a fairly quiet breakfast, but not in a bad way. Vic was so happy to have Mama and Papa here both, she simply didn't worry about anything else. At one point, Laurel started asking about going back out to the ranch this weekend, but Mama said, "Audra's birthday party is on Saturday, Laurel." Papa said, "And Sunday's church." Even when the family left for the ranch on Friday afternoon, they generally came back on Sunday morning for church. Except for summers, when they left the townhouse empty and lived on the ranch for four whole months. In the summer, church was just a day trip. "But none of MY friends will be at Audra's party -- why do I have to?" Audra looked up, wide-eyed, to find she rated less than a new colt. Papa scowled. Mama said, "Because she's your sister, Laurel." "But I can see her any day. And besides, she invited the MacCALLUM girls!" "LAUREL LEE GARRISON!" When Mama took that tone of voice, not even Laurel brooked her. "You behave yourself at this table, or you may leave." Then she -- Mama -- peeked toward Papa, kind of apologetic-like, Vic thought. Papa had his thundercloud face on again. Laurel peeked his way too, and apparently decided not to take Mama's invitation to leave, and certainly not to be saucy about it. Papa only let Mama handle the discipline so far. If he stepped in, Laurel would have far more than her sister's party to bemoan. Even if she were allowed to ride out to the ranch, she might not be too happy sitting a saddle. Mariah offered, "The MacCallum girls have very good manners." Emily McCallum and her older brother Stuart were both in her level, which had necessitated Emily being invited to all of Mariah's birthday parties. "They are pleasant company." Laurel said, under her breath-like, "For sheep-herders." Mama said, "That is enough! Go get dressed and do your chores, Laurel. NOW." Laurel had the sense to say, "Yes, Ma'am," as she stood and escaped up the stairs. And she knew better than to stomp. But she looked like she wanted to. Now, when Mama looked at Papa, she had HER thundercloud face on. Victoria wasn't sure why, since Laurel was being even worse than a moment ago. Papa didn't look at all apologetic-like. The rest of them finished breakfast very quickly, after that. When Laurel came back through with her coat on, to go out back and milk the cow, she didn't say anything and nobody said anything to her. As soon as they were done, Mariah helped get Kitty down from her high chair and took her upstairs to clean her up. Audra and Vic cleared the dishes, which were their job. But when Vic started to pump water into the pot, to heat for dishes, Mama said, "I'll take care of that today, Victoria. You girls go upstairs and get dressed for school. Your father and I would like to talk." Oh. Audra was relieved to not have to do the breakfast dishes, and scurried happily up the stairs. Victoria followed more slowly, unsettled by the further break in routine. She was older, almost a big girl herself. And she was curious what Mama and Papa had to talk about, that they couldn't have talked about at the table. So before she even reached the upstairs, she turned around and very, very quietly tiptoed back down the steps. She sat down, right before the turn where they might be able to see her, and held her knees to her chest. "--glad we're doing so well," Mama was saying. "Of COURSE I'm glad we're doing so well! But I refuse to let our daughters turn into stuck-up little rich snobs. There's already at least one family in this town filling that role." Vic wondered just who she was talking about. "So yes, Jacob, even if Audra weren't friends with little Anna and Jenny MacCallum, I would have made her invite them to her party. That's my rule. All the girls from their own level, the level above them, and the level below them get invited, no matter how poorly they dress and no matter WHAT their parents do for a living." Then she made a whooshy sound, like when she was blowing hair out of her face, and her voice lost a little of its shrillness. "As many daughters as we have, pretty much every girl in school gets to come to a party here, at one point or another." The kitchen was quiet for a moment -- well, except for the sound of dishes being scraped. Then Papa asked, low, "Even the Taylor girl?" Evangeline Taylor's mother was a widow, Victoria guessed, since she hadn't heard of a Mr. Taylor for as long as she'd known of them. They lived on the poor side of town, and nobody ever talked about what Mrs. Taylor did for a living. Evangeline, who was one level under Vic, rarely spoke to the other girls in school. She usually just sat by herself in her drab, worn dresses, her head lowered so that her shoulders hunched near her ears, and she was rarely invited to parties. Sophronia Pierce wasn't even allowed to speak to her, and she wasn't the only one, and likely Evangeline knew it. But although Victoria was allowed, and even had to invite Evangeline to parties, Evangeline rarely spoke back, so that Victoria never got much in the habit of it. Speaking, that is. But Evangeline attended her birthday parties, all the same. She rarely did more than sit in the corner of the parlor, alternating her attention between her bare feet and the decorations, which were always very fine. But every year she came, and every year she whispered a thank you to Mama and Victoria when she left. "ABSOLUTELY even the Taylor girl," said Mama now, sounding very much larger than a hiccough. Papa said nothing, but the sound of dishes being put in the pot got louder. Surely Papa wasn't helping wash up, too! "Jacob," said Mama, "you are in charge of the ranch. You are in charge of the money, generally speaking. You are in charge of keeping us safe, and keeping us moral, and you do a really super job at it. You always have." Vic had never heard anyone but Mama use the word "super." In fact, Mama disapproved of her daughters using it, either. Mama was just different. She said, "But who is in charge of the girls' social obligations?" She said it in the same way that she clued Vic in the direction of a math question she, Victoria, should have known. Of course Mama was in charge of society interests. Papa said, "This IS morals." Mama said, "No, this is having the decency to invite a poor little outcast girl to our house -- our SECOND house, no wait, our THIRD house -- once a year. This is refusing to use her mother's indiscretions as an excuse --" Papa snorted and said, "Indiscretions." "Yes, indiscretions, as an excuse not to give the child some cake and lemonade, and let her see a side of life she might not see, and she SHOULD see, if she has any hope of not following in her mother's footsteps." Papa said, "Likely she will." Mama said, "God forbid. But if she does, hopefully she'll finish out her education first, and then we won't have to worry about excluding her. Inviting a Cyprian to one of the girls' parties would, I will admit, be a gray area." There was a moment of quiet, without even the sound of dish washing. Then Papa repeated, "Gray area." Like he couldn't quite believe it. "What her mother does is, by this society's standards, immoral. Inviting her daughter to a birthday party is not. Inviting the mother to a birthday party -- I'm not so sure about that, one way or the other." Papa sighed, and Mama -- or he and Mama -- continued washing dishes. Victoria wondered if they were done; if she'd better get upstairs and get dressed. Then Papa said, sulky like, "Girls ought to dress fer breakfast." "You disapprove of our morning loungewear, do you?" "Felt like a harem." Mama giggled. "You haven't got much of an imagination, if you think we are ANYTHING like harem girls." She paused, then added, teasing-like, "Well, except maybe me." The back door opened, then shut, and Vic heard Laurel put the milk-pail down. Mama asked, "How'd she do?" Laurel said, "Fine." Then, in a rush, she said, "I'm sorry I sassed you, Mama. I didn't mean to. I just wanted to go see the new colt, and -- and anyway, I didn't mean to. I'll do better. I promise. I'll stay here for Audra's party." "Thank you, Laurel," said Mama, and there was the distinct sound of kissing, a murmur of "know your'e a good girl." Then Laurel's footsteps sounded on the stairs. Vic put her finger to her lips as Laurel came into view, the same way Mama had, and Laurel only paused a moment in wide-eyed surprise, then, ever quick-witted, went on climbing so their parents wouldn't hear. But she bent lower as she passed her little sister. "Tell me later," she hissed -- warned -- in Vic's ear. Victoria nodded a quick promise. Downstairs, the dishes were apparently being dried and put away. Papa said, "Mariah...." Mama and Victoria waited. Finally Mama said, "What about Mariah?" Victoria could hardly hear when Papa said, "Corset." That's how quietly he said it. And she was listening very carefully, too. Now Mama out and out laughed. "You poor man," she said. Victoria could imagine her soothing him with her hands, too, maybe petting his hair back. She sometimes did that, when they thought nobody was looking. "You've always bucked 'em," Papa pointed out stiffly. "Unhealthy, you said." "Have I ever! But Mariah's old enough to make her own decisions in ... in certain matters. Even possibly unhealthy ones. Her unmentionables fall under that category." Papa said, "Leave them girls unchecked, they'll run away with you." "Hold the reins too tight, they'll throw you. Besides...." Now Mama's voice got softer, like Audra's when she really wanted to coax something out of Papa. "How could they go wrong with you as their father? You're the best father I ever saw." She got no reply, which wasn't surprising, since Papa wasn't the most talkative father in the world, no matter how good he was. Nowhere near as talkative as Uncle Benj, or Sophonria Pierce's father, which was a blessing. But Vic thought she heard a chair creak. "AND right handy in the kitchen," Mama added, even more coaxing. "And in certain other rooms I could name." But she didn't mention the stables, even though Papa was particularly handy in the stables. Papa said something so low that Vic couldn't hear, even listening hard. Mama giggled softly and murmured something back, and Papa answered her. Vic stood up and took a step further down, leaning forward to try to hear more. She thought she heard the words, "under the apron." Then, clear as a June day, Mama said, "What?" "I ain't fer sure," Papa said, as if defending himself. "YOU ain't fer sure? I should know before YOU know." "Seen plenty of cows in calf," Papa reminded her. "You got that look about you." "I'm not a COW, Jacob." "Well if you were, you'd be a fine breeder." Now Papa was teasing HER. Vic couldn't be sure, but it sounded like Mama hit him. "No use cryin' over spilt milk," Papa reminded her. "Particularly when you ain't fer sure it's been spilt yet." Which didn't make any sense at all. "Oh," said Mama, tired like. "I'm NOT crying over anything. But ... ohhhhh. Golly." "You're the one what keeps that calendar of your'n," he reminded her. "And you're the one who comes home all cold and handsome and tired...." Mama sighed again. "Where I'm from, most women know to STOP when they hit forty." Then she laughed, as if at something Papa did. "No, not THAT! The babies!" Were they thinking of ordering another baby? Perhaps so. Papa said, "Ain't never seen you turn your nose up at one of my babies yet." "This is NOT a good moment to go off being RIGHT on me, Jacob." "Said just t'other day how Kitty was up and gettin' too big on you. Said yer arms felt empty." "I SAID," argued Mama, "This is not the moment to be so RIGHT. It does well for us most of the time, but there's times when it's downright obnoxious." "Yes ma'am," said Papa. Mama said, "Oh, Jacob, what if it's a girl again? Will you mind?" "Grown right fond of them," Papa pointed out. The only thing Mama said, after that, was a muffled "Mmmm." Papa wasn't saying anything at all, though Victoria thought she could hear someone breathing terribly hard, and the chair squeaked again. Even when Mama added, her words coming out in little bits and pieces, "The girls will be at school, soon. And Kim Lee has the day off. Kitty will need a nap...." Papa didn't say a thing. Vic leaned closer, to hear better -- and the step creaked under her. She froze. Mama stopped saying "Mmmm." Papa said, loudly and sternly, "That'd best be a mouse." And Vic snuck up the stairs the rest of the way, hoping to be quiet enough that he would believe it was. |
So where DO my ideas come from? In the case of the "Rancher's Daughters" series, I was already so caught up in the as-yet unpublished story of Jacob and Elizabeth Garrison that I could not let them go, despite that their own story may not be as "marketable" as it would need to be for publication at this time. I've written the first two of their four-book series, but just for fun, I decided to look in on how they were doing some years later. That was the first time I ever found out just how many daughters they would end up having--and a few other details, as well! Also, Elizabeth's choice of names (she chose all the first names, by the way) provides another hint into the secret behind her progressive attitudes.... Below is a copy of the previously unpublished scene/story in which we see more of Jacob and Elizabeth, and meet the Rancher's Daughters for the first time. After that, feel free to check out a short Christmas overview I wrote for the publication of Behaving Herself, or theTimeline I've written for my own organizational purposes.... |
So where DO my ideas come from? In the case of the "Rancher's Daughters" series, I was already so caught up in the as-yet unpublished story of Jacob and Elizabeth Garrison that I could not let them go, despite that their own story may not be as "marketable" as it would need to be for publication at this time. I've written the first two of their four-book series, but just for fun, I decided to look in on how they were doing some years later. That was the first time I ever found out just how many daughters they would end up having--and a few other details, as well! Also, Elizabeth's choice of names (she chose all the first names, by the way) provides another hint into the secret behind her progressive attitudes.... Below is a copy of the previously unpublished scene/story in which we see more of Jacob and Elizabeth, and meet the Rancher's Daughters for the first time. After that, feel free to check out a short Christmas overview I wrote for the publication of Behaving Herself, or theTimeline I've written for my own organizational purposes.... |
BREAKFAST WITH THE GARRISONS: (copyright Yvonne Jocks, 1998) Approx. 1892 Ten-year-old Victoria Garrison knew not to expect Kim Lee in the kitchen as she headed down to breakfast that morning. Wednesday was their Chinese housekeeper's regular day off. He usually spent it working at the laundry he owned with his wife, on the other side of Sheridan. Victoria didn't know what good it was him HAVING a day off since he worked on it anyway, but Mama once said it made all the difference in the world. Sophronia Pierce's mother said that Victoria's mother, Elizabeth Garrison, "treated her help like royalty," especially since Mama gave Kim Lee an honest-to-gosh bicycle to make the trip back and forth from the ranch in the summertime. But Vic's mother said that Sophronia Pierce's mother was a domestic dictator who needed to find a life, whatever that meant. In any case, it was Kim Lee's day off, so when the ringing on the triangle down in the kitchen woke her, Vic expected to find Mama making their breakfast. But Vic was in for a surprise. She was halfway down the back stairway of their in-town house when she heard the deep-voiced call of "Chuckaway!" that definitely did not come from Mama. PAPA! She scrambled down the rest of the stairs and straight into the kitchen, launching herself at her father's waist where he stood at the cast-iron stove. "Papa! You're here!" During the school term Vic's mama and sisters lived at the house in town, but Papa still spent much of his time out at the ranch. He was one of the most successful ranchers in the county. And as he often said, the work wouldn't do itself. But this morning he was HERE! No wonder the house was so cozy and warm this early in the morning, despite it being Kim Lee's day off, despite it being November in Wyoming! Papa always got up early to light the fires. He didn't return her hug right off. He looked way down at her all sternlike, his graying beard only adding to his resemblance to a judge. "What have I told you 'bout stoves, Victoria?" Oops. "Not to run near them. Sir." Her voice came out smaller than she would have liked. He nodded solemnly -- then relented and scooped her up with one arm as easily as if she were a calf that needed carrying, as big a girl though she was getting to be, and dropped a kiss on top of her head. He must be feeling cheerful, this morning. But he held her on his non-stove side. "Best remember that, Victoria Rose," he instructed low, giving her an extra squeeze. "Yessir." Then more interesting things than her safety lesson crowded back. "When did you come in from the ranch? When, Papa?" "I weren't here when you went to bed. I'm here now." He waited, his expression suggesting that Victoria, as her mother would put it, Do the Math. "Last night?" It had been a full moon, but still! She would NEVER dare go out alone at night! "Yep." Setting her down on the kitchen floor again, he divided his attention between cutting some bacon and eyeing her thoughtfully. "You girls in the habit of runnin' 'round half dressed while I'm gone?" Victoria was wearing her nightgown, which buttoned up to her neck and down to her wrists, and which brushed her slippered feet. Over that, she was wearing a quilted robe. She supposed it WAS rather slovenly, but Mama said there was no reason for them to bathe and dress until the house was warmer. And breakfast was a kitchen meal, not a dining-room meal. It was twelve-year-old Laurel, who'd apparently heard the question on her way down the back stairs, who answered. "Yessir, Papa, that we do," she teased, claiming her own a hug and a kiss, which he easily gave. A big girl, she knew better than to run in the kitchen. "I guess you provide the moral axis of this family -- our behavior's plumb reckless without you around. If it weren't for Kim Lee working here most days, we'd likely be running around the in-town house buck naked." It occurred to Vic, not for the first time, that perhaps Laurel spent too much time in the company of chatty Uncle Benj. Papa scowled down at his second daughter, but she grinned broadly right back up at him. With her long brown braids and her heart-shaped face, she looked a lot like Mama when she did that. Laurel and their oldest sister, Mariah, weren't as intimidated by Papa as Vic sometimes was. "How's the ranch, Papa?" Laurel asked now, to break the impasse. "Have we got enough hay for the winter? How's Suncatcher? Is she all right? Has she dropped her foal yet?" "Yesterday mornin'," Papa admitted finally, and Victoria got the impression he'd just lost some kind of battle. But she wasn't sure what kind of battle ... and for as serious a man as he was, he didn't seem to mind too terribly much. "Bay colt." Laurel whooped happily. "Can I ride out this weekend and see him?" "May," Victoria corrected her older sister a little sulkily, moving to the sideboard to get down the dishes and set the bare table. Laurel, who seemed to miss being out at the ranch even more than the rest of them, sometimes used improper grammar just to sound more like a cowhand. From the look she sent Vic, Laurel was tempted to make a hand gesture more like a cowhand too. But she wouldn't dare, not around Papa, or even anywhere Papa could find out about. Even Laurel knew better than that. The one time she'd tried swearing like a cowhand, she'd regretted it. Instead she just said, "MAY I come out this weekend and see him? Please, Papa? PLEEEEEASE? I've waited so long!" Papa, incongruously enough, was cracking eggs into a frying pan on the stove, starting breakfast all by himself. "Best ask yer mother." Which suddenly made Vic's stomach feel funny. Her two-year-old sister, Kitty, was already settled at the table on her tall chair, fully dressed, chewing quietly on one of yesterday's biscuits. She'd been there the whole time. But the table HADN'T been set. "Where IS Mother? Is she sick?" Papa poked at the eggs with a wooden spoon. "Don't 'spect so." Oh. Well, if Papa said Mama wasn't sick, then Mama was fine. Jacob Garrison's word was worth cash money. Anyone in Sheridan would tell you that. Likely anyone in all of Wyoming. Laurel opened the silverware drawer and began to help Vic set the table. That's when fourteen-year-old Mariah came downstairs with their eight-year-old sister, Audra. Beneath the hems of their robes, Vic caught a glimpse of stockings; they'd put on their unmentionables before coming down to eat. Likely they were waiting on their dresses so that Audra wouldn't spill on hers. Of all five girls, Mariah looked most like Papa, her hair blond like Grandmama's, her eyes gray, her face squared like his, but without the creases. Audra, also blonde but with a reddish tinge, was a close second though. "PAPA!" cried Audra happily, lunging at him. Papa scowled at her. "Audra, what have I told you 'bout stoves?" Audra stilled and swallowed visibly. Victoria could empathize. Kitty, in her tall chair, looked up from her damp biscuit and said, "Hot!" That was enough to weaken Papa's scowl; his face creased a little, just the way Mariah's didn't, as he glanced toward the baby. "You are a bright girl, Kathryn May. It is hot." "I'm sorry, Sir," whispered Audra. And she should be. It was only last year that she'd tried to test the warning about the stove's heat by touching it, though at least she'd had the sense to use her dolly's hand, instead of her own. The dolly was made of wax and her hand melted into a horrible glob, the guilt of which made Audra cry even more than the spanking Papa had given her. Mama had wanted to make a clay mold and reform the hand, but Papa had insisted that real hands couldn't be fixed that way, and neither would the doll's. So now the wax doll was a cripple, and Audra knew better about stoves. At least, she did when her attention wasn't taken over by Papa coming home mid-week. "You run into this here fancy stove; you will be sorry," agreed Papa mildly. Yes, he was definitely in a good mood. "Try it again." Audra went to the doorway, then came back and stopped a good three feet from the stove. "Good morning, Papa." He scooped her up just like he'd scooped up Victoria. "Mornin', Audra Sue." And then he kissed her neck, tickling her with his beard until she squealed, lecture over. Mariah waited until Papa set Audra down, then moved gracefully in for her own hug. Papa stared at her a little longer than the rest of them. Vic guessed it was because Mariah, at fourteen, was as tall as Mama now; that seemed to surprise Papa a lot, lately. "Mornin', Mariah Lynn," murmured Papa, leaning his forehead against hers, and they shared a special smile. Each daughter had her own special smile. It was hard to describe, but they could recognize it when they saw it. "Good morning, Father," greeted Mariah, who currently considered herself too grown up to call him Papa anymore. For some reason, when his hand slid partway down her back, Papa's smile faded to something that looked more like confusion. Mariah's eyes widened into his, then they both blushed in the same way and turned away at the same time, Papa to the cooking, Mariah to getting the rest of them settled at the table. Vic wouldn't have had ANY idea what that was all about if Audra hadn't piped up with, "I tied Mariah's corset, all by myself. May I have a corset?" And her barely in school. Mariah blushed even brighter, and Laurel burst out laughing. "A CORSET?" Laurel teased. Victoria wasn't sure she understood the attraction, either. Mama was very clear on what she thought about corsets and the women who wore them, and it wasn't much. MARIAH HAD A CORSET? "May I?" repeated Audra. "They're so pretty!" After a minute of focusing intently on the breakfast, Papa said, "Reckon you had best ask yer mother." "Is she sleeping in, Father?" asked Mariah, apparently glad for the distraction, and she wiped Kitty's chin. "Yep." "She's not sick, though," assured Vic ... then thought about how odd it seemed, gathering for breakfast without Mama there. "Is she?" "Nope," assured Papa, still not looking at them -- and especially not looking at Mariah, it seemed. But he didn't seem angry. Mama was the only person in the whole world Victoria could imagine who could lie abed with their father's blessing. Sophronia Pierce's mother said, according to Sophronia, that Jacob Garrison spoiled Elizabeth Garrison as badly as Elizabeth Garrison spoiled her servants. Victoria had said, "Well that's because he LIKES her." Which Sophronia couldn't possibly refute. Victoria had never seen a mother and father who liked each other as much as Mama and Papa. The kitchen fell momentarily silent, except for the sizzle of the food. Then Papa said, "Done yer schoolwork?" And that let him pretty much finish cooking the eggs and bacon in peace, while they each recited their lessons for him, and told him what they would be learning today. Them getting good schooling was why they weren't out on the ranch right now, why they sometimes, in the spring and fall, had to go the larger part of a week without seeing their father. Their brother Thaddeas, who had been a grown-up as far back as Victoria could remember, had been to college and had just become a lawyer. It was partway through their recitations that Vic spotted Mama coming quietly down the backstairs too -- nobody used the front stairway for kitchen meals. She put a finger to her lips, so that Vic wouldn't give her away. Vic felt warm and special, to be sharing a secret with Mama. It made her feel better, too, despite the validity of Papa's word, that Mama didn't look sick at all. In fact, she looked right healthy, with her long brown hair loose over the shoulders of her robe, and her eyes all shiny and happy-like. Mama was about the prettiest woman Vic had ever seen, except maybe the woman in the circus that had come through town last year. Papa once commented on how, even after years of marriage and five children, she was "no bigger than a hiccough." But what Vic most loved about Mama was how she ACTED bigger than a hiccough. She handled business just like a man would, writing letters to a stockbroker all the way in New York City, and was the only woman in Sheridan to have made it quite clear to the banker -- with Papa's permission, of course -- that she could withdraw money from the Garrison account, significant money, just the same as Papa could. She might avoid groups like the Ladies' Temperance League -- and didn't Sophronia Pierce's mother have gossip to spread about that! -- but she was active in the Ladies' Missionary Society, and constantly worked to improve conditions for children, widows, and immigrants. She gave piano lessons, often for trade goods. And she took to newfangled machinery like a calf takes to spring clover. Many town ladies came by to use the sewing machine, and theirs was one of the first houses in Sheridan to be wired for electricity. Mama often declared her intention to purchase a horseless carriage and to drive it herself -- assuming the prices ever came down. But most important, Mama loved Papa. It kind of glowed out of her, even as she stood there in the doorway, leaning against the jamb, her arms wrapped around her front as if she were hugging herself, watching him cook breakfast. Victoria wondered if anybody else's papa knew how to cook breakfast, so as soon as Audra finished reciting her spelling words, she asked. "Do you suppose anyone else's papa cooks breakfast?" "Reckon you'd have to ask about," said Papa, starting around the table and putting eggs and bacon from the great iron skillet on each of their plates. Mariah had already cut slices of bread, and buttered Kitty's for her. "But they should," added Mama, since he would have seen her as he came around the table anyway, and he straightened up fast. For what seemed like an awfully long moment, he just looked at her. Then he said, "Mornin', Elizabeth," and, with the faintest smile in his eyes, went back to putting out the food, including some for her. "Good morning, Jacob," said Mama, moving to her chair while he did, and looking up at him while she sat. "Thank you for making breakfast." "Married myself a slug-a-bed; couldn't rightly let the children starve." But Papa said it with a twinkle, then turned to put down the skillet. "Thank you for letting me sleep in," Mama conceded graciously, leaning sideways to pet her hand over Kitty's hair. It had been braided poorly, with soft whisps escaping already, but Mama touched it as if it were the prettiest coif she'd ever seen. "Figured you could use the rest." Papa came around the table to sit in his own chair. "I don't know about that," teased Mama. "You're the one who did most of the work." Papa went still, and his eyes widened at her, as if she'd surprised him something terrible, and his lips parted. He glanced at Kitty and Audra, then back at Mama, his face starting to darken like a disapproving thundercloud, though Victoria didn't understand what Mama had said wrong. "Ranching," added Mama, blue eyes laughing at him, as brass as Laurel had been. "It's hard work. You didn't even get here until after dark, and I know you, you're the up-at-dawn type." Papa's eyes narrowed at her, suspicious-like. Mama simply widened her own eyes, innocent-like. "Aren't you going to say grace, Jacob?" Papa glared at her a moment longer, his eyes so narrow Vic wasn't sure he could even see out them, but then he bowed his head and led them in grace. Victoria got the impression he'd just lost some kind of battle, same as she had with him and Laurel, but she still didn't understand. She noticed that, beneath the fall of her blonde hair, Mariah was blushing. Maybe Mariah understood. But she -- Mariah -- made sure not to look up until her complexion was pale and perfect again. She seemed awfully focused on her breakfast, though. In fact, it was a fairly quiet breakfast, but not in a bad way. Vic was so happy to have Mama and Papa here both, she simply didn't worry about anything else. At one point, Laurel started asking about going back out to the ranch this weekend, but Mama said, "Audra's birthday party is on Saturday, Laurel." Papa said, "And Sunday's church." Even when the family left for the ranch on Friday afternoon, they generally came back on Sunday morning for church. Except for summers, when they left the townhouse empty and lived on the ranch for four whole months. In the summer, church was just a day trip. "But none of MY friends will be at Audra's party -- why do I have to?" Audra looked up, wide-eyed, to find she rated less than a new colt. Papa scowled. Mama said, "Because she's your sister, Laurel." "But I can see her any day. And besides, she invited the MacCALLUM girls!" "LAUREL LEE GARRISON!" When Mama took that tone of voice, not even Laurel brooked her. "You behave yourself at this table, or you may leave." Then she -- Mama -- peeked toward Papa, kind of apologetic-like, Vic thought. Papa had his thundercloud face on again. Laurel peeked his way too, and apparently decided not to take Mama's invitation to leave, and certainly not to be saucy about it. Papa only let Mama handle the discipline so far. If he stepped in, Laurel would have far more than her sister's party to bemoan. Even if she were allowed to ride out to the ranch, she might not be too happy sitting a saddle. Mariah offered, "The MacCallum girls have very good manners." Emily McCallum and her older brother Stuart were both in her level, which had necessitated Emily being invited to all of Mariah's birthday parties. "They are pleasant company." Laurel said, under her breath-like, "For sheep-herders." Mama said, "That is enough! Go get dressed and do your chores, Laurel. NOW." Laurel had the sense to say, "Yes, Ma'am," as she stood and escaped up the stairs. And she knew better than to stomp. But she looked like she wanted to. Now, when Mama looked at Papa, she had HER thundercloud face on. Victoria wasn't sure why, since Laurel was being even worse than a moment ago. Papa didn't look at all apologetic-like. The rest of them finished breakfast very quickly, after that. When Laurel came back through with her coat on, to go out back and milk the cow, she didn't say anything and nobody said anything to her. As soon as they were done, Mariah helped get Kitty down from her high chair and took her upstairs to clean her up. Audra and Vic cleared the dishes, which were their job. But when Vic started to pump water into the pot, to heat for dishes, Mama said, "I'll take care of that today, Victoria. You girls go upstairs and get dressed for school. Your father and I would like to talk." Oh. Audra was relieved to not have to do the breakfast dishes, and scurried happily up the stairs. Victoria followed more slowly, unsettled by the further break in routine. She was older, almost a big girl herself. And she was curious what Mama and Papa had to talk about, that they couldn't have talked about at the table. So before she even reached the upstairs, she turned around and very, very quietly tiptoed back down the steps. She sat down, right before the turn where they might be able to see her, and held her knees to her chest. "--glad we're doing so well," Mama was saying. "Of COURSE I'm glad we're doing so well! But I refuse to let our daughters turn into stuck-up little rich snobs. There's already at least one family in this town filling that role." Vic wondered just who she was talking about. "So yes, Jacob, even if Audra weren't friends with little Anna and Jenny MacCallum, I would have made her invite them to her party. That's my rule. All the girls from their own level, the level above them, and the level below them get invited, no matter how poorly they dress and no matter WHAT their parents do for a living." Then she made a whooshy sound, like when she was blowing hair out of her face, and her voice lost a little of its shrillness. "As many daughters as we have, pretty much every girl in school gets to come to a party here, at one point or another." The kitchen was quiet for a moment -- well, except for the sound of dishes being scraped. Then Papa asked, low, "Even the Taylor girl?" Evangeline Taylor's mother was a widow, Victoria guessed, since she hadn't heard of a Mr. Taylor for as long as she'd known of them. They lived on the poor side of town, and nobody ever talked about what Mrs. Taylor did for a living. Evangeline, who was one level under Vic, rarely spoke to the other girls in school. She usually just sat by herself in her drab, worn dresses, her head lowered so that her shoulders hunched near her ears, and she was rarely invited to parties. Sophronia Pierce wasn't even allowed to speak to her, and she wasn't the only one, and likely Evangeline knew it. But although Victoria was allowed, and even had to invite Evangeline to parties, Evangeline rarely spoke back, so that Victoria never got much in the habit of it. Speaking, that is. But Evangeline attended her birthday parties, all the same. She rarely did more than sit in the corner of the parlor, alternating her attention between her bare feet and the decorations, which were always very fine. But every year she came, and every year she whispered a thank you to Mama and Victoria when she left. "ABSOLUTELY even the Taylor girl," said Mama now, sounding very much larger than a hiccough. Papa said nothing, but the sound of dishes being put in the pot got louder. Surely Papa wasn't helping wash up, too! "Jacob," said Mama, "you are in charge of the ranch. You are in charge of the money, generally speaking. You are in charge of keeping us safe, and keeping us moral, and you do a really super job at it. You always have." Vic had never heard anyone but Mama use the word "super." In fact, Mama disapproved of her daughters using it, either. Mama was just different. She said, "But who is in charge of the girls' social obligations?" She said it in the same way that she clued Vic in the direction of a math question she, Victoria, should have known. Of course Mama was in charge of society interests. Papa said, "This IS morals." Mama said, "No, this is having the decency to invite a poor little outcast girl to our house -- our SECOND house, no wait, our THIRD house -- once a year. This is refusing to use her mother's indiscretions as an excuse --" Papa snorted and said, "Indiscretions." "Yes, indiscretions, as an excuse not to give the child some cake and lemonade, and let her see a side of life she might not see, and she SHOULD see, if she has any hope of not following in her mother's footsteps." Papa said, "Likely she will." Mama said, "God forbid. But if she does, hopefully she'll finish out her education first, and then we won't have to worry about excluding her. Inviting a Cyprian to one of the girls' parties would, I will admit, be a gray area." There was a moment of quiet, without even the sound of dish washing. Then Papa repeated, "Gray area." Like he couldn't quite believe it. "What her mother does is, by this society's standards, immoral. Inviting her daughter to a birthday party is not. Inviting the mother to a birthday party -- I'm not so sure about that, one way or the other." Papa sighed, and Mama -- or he and Mama -- continued washing dishes. Victoria wondered if they were done; if she'd better get upstairs and get dressed. Then Papa said, sulky like, "Girls ought to dress fer breakfast." "You disapprove of our morning loungewear, do you?" "Felt like a harem." Mama giggled. "You haven't got much of an imagination, if you think we are ANYTHING like harem girls." She paused, then added, teasing-like, "Well, except maybe me." The back door opened, then shut, and Vic heard Laurel put the milk-pail down. Mama asked, "How'd she do?" Laurel said, "Fine." Then, in a rush, she said, "I'm sorry I sassed you, Mama. I didn't mean to. I just wanted to go see the new colt, and -- and anyway, I didn't mean to. I'll do better. I promise. I'll stay here for Audra's party." "Thank you, Laurel," said Mama, and there was the distinct sound of kissing, a murmur of "know your'e a good girl." Then Laurel's footsteps sounded on the stairs. Vic put her finger to her lips as Laurel came into view, the same way Mama had, and Laurel only paused a moment in wide-eyed surprise, then, ever quick-witted, went on climbing so their parents wouldn't hear. But she bent lower as she passed her little sister. "Tell me later," she hissed -- warned -- in Vic's ear. Victoria nodded a quick promise. Downstairs, the dishes were apparently being dried and put away. Papa said, "Mariah...." Mama and Victoria waited. Finally Mama said, "What about Mariah?" Victoria could hardly hear when Papa said, "Corset." That's how quietly he said it. And she was listening very carefully, too. Now Mama out and out laughed. "You poor man," she said. Victoria could imagine her soothing him with her hands, too, maybe petting his hair back. She sometimes did that, when they thought nobody was looking. "You've always bucked 'em," Papa pointed out stiffly. "Unhealthy, you said." "Have I ever! But Mariah's old enough to make her own decisions in ... in certain matters. Even possibly unhealthy ones. Her unmentionables fall under that category." Papa said, "Leave them girls unchecked, they'll run away with you." "Hold the reins too tight, they'll throw you. Besides...." Now Mama's voice got softer, like Audra's when she really wanted to coax something out of Papa. "How could they go wrong with you as their father? You're the best father I ever saw." She got no reply, which wasn't surprising, since Papa wasn't the most talkative father in the world, no matter how good he was. Nowhere near as talkative as Uncle Benj, or Sophonria Pierce's father, which was a blessing. But Vic thought she heard a chair creak. "AND right handy in the kitchen," Mama added, even more coaxing. "And in certain other rooms I could name." But she didn't mention the stables, even though Papa was particularly handy in the stables. Papa said something so low that Vic couldn't hear, even listening hard. Mama giggled softly and murmured something back, and Papa answered her. Vic stood up and took a step further down, leaning forward to try to hear more. She thought she heard the words, "under the apron." Then, clear as a June day, Mama said, "What?" "I ain't fer sure," Papa said, as if defending himself. "YOU ain't fer sure? I should know before YOU know." "Seen plenty of cows in calf," Papa reminded her. "You got that look about you." "I'm not a COW, Jacob." "Well if you were, you'd be a fine breeder." Now Papa was teasing HER. Vic couldn't be sure, but it sounded like Mama hit him. "No use cryin' over spilt milk," Papa reminded her. "Particularly when you ain't fer sure it's been spilt yet." Which didn't make any sense at all. "Oh," said Mama, tired like. "I'm NOT crying over anything. But ... ohhhhh. Golly." "You're the one what keeps that calendar of your'n," he reminded her. "And you're the one who comes home all cold and handsome and tired...." Mama sighed again. "Where I'm from, most women know to STOP when they hit forty." Then she laughed, as if at something Papa did. "No, not THAT! The babies!" Were they thinking of ordering another baby? Perhaps so. Papa said, "Ain't never seen you turn your nose up at one of my babies yet." "This is NOT a good moment to go off being RIGHT on me, Jacob." "Said just t'other day how Kitty was up and gettin' too big on you. Said yer arms felt empty." "I SAID," argued Mama, "This is not the moment to be so RIGHT. It does well for us most of the time, but there's times when it's downright obnoxious." "Yes ma'am," said Papa. Mama said, "Oh, Jacob, what if it's a girl again? Will you mind?" "Grown right fond of them," Papa pointed out. The only thing Mama said, after that, was a muffled "Mmmm." Papa wasn't saying anything at all, though Victoria thought she could hear someone breathing terribly hard, and the chair squeaked again. Even when Mama added, her words coming out in little bits and pieces, "The girls will be at school, soon. And Kim Lee has the day off. Kitty will need a nap...." Papa didn't say a thing. Vic leaned closer, to hear better -- and the step creaked under her. She froze. Mama stopped saying "Mmmm." Papa said, loudly and sternly, "That'd best be a mouse." And Vic snuck up the stairs the rest of the way, hoping to be quiet enough that he would believe it was. |
Yvonne Jocks Von Jocks EvelynVaughn |
The Garrison Family TIMELINE: (Note: All ages are approximate to within one year to either side, since a daughter born in, oh, January 81 and one born in December 82 would be listed as one year apart when really they're two years apart, and stuff like that. Or, circumstances could change. 'Kay? 'Kay. This also assumes that in OVERTIME, when Jacob and Elizabeth marry, Elizabeth is 26 and Jacob is 39. Rancher's Daughters elements will be in GREEN. Historical elements will be in BROWN. 1878 Jacob Garrison and Benjamin Cooper partner to lead a cattle-drive--a mixed herd of approximately 2000 head of Texas longhorns--to Wyoming to establish a ranch (April). Jacob marries Elizabeth Kathleen Rhinehart in Ogallala, Nebraska (August) They establish the Circle-T Ranch (and build their 1st cabin) on the Goose River, Wyoming--what was then Johnson Co. Closest post office: Tom Creighton's ranch on the Little Goose. Jacob is 39, Elizabeth is 26 Tad (Thaddeas) is 10? 1879 Mariah Lynn Garrison is born (Spring) Benj Cooper leaves the ranch, but not the partnership (Fall) (Mar. 29, Wyoming Stock Growers Association formed). 1880 Benj Cooper returns and the partnership thrives Laurel Lee Garrison is born 1881 (Kansas enacts total prohibition; Dodge City loses a great deal of business...) 1882 Victoria Rose Garrison is born Jacob builds an extra bedroom onto the cabin for the girls. The Garrisons buy plots of land in newly platted Sheridan High Water Mark for the Cattle Boom -- INCREDIBLE Business May: Sheridan platted, incorporated, and submitted for proof of settlement July 4, Buffalo Bill's first Wild West Show, North Platte Nebraska 1883 Elizabeth Garrison files a claim adjacent to Jacob's, now that his is proved up. Jacob has a real ranch house built on it, cash down. The ranch is thriving. Benj Cooper begins to keep regular company with Lady Alexandra Stanley. Sheridan, Wyoming, is booming; 50 buildings on the townsite by fall 1884 Audra Susan Garrison is born Thaddeas may start college this year or next year 1885 Elizabeth Garrison oversees the growing and harvesting of hay as fodder--considered a crazy idea with free rangeland.... Kansas officially closes its borders to all Texas cattle, except winter months Congress prohibits fencing of public lands; WY ranchers protest 1886 Garrisons plan the in-town house for the girls' schooling Summer, dry and hot; cattlemen build irrigation ditches Late '86, the Big Die Up -- 75% of Plains cattle die in cold 1887 The Garrison Ranch survives the Die Up better than some because they grew & stocked hay. However, the Garrisons likely move into the cabin for the worst of the winter; saves fuel. They lose a baby this winter--their only boy together. Thaddeas, who is around 19 years old, likely comes home from college to help. Alexander "Alec" Cooper is born. He will inherit half the ranch. Swan Lake Cattle Company closes up; starts 10-yr depression in cow industry 1888 Garrisons finish their in-town house in Sheridan despite the depression, for school. Cattle Depression Continues Sheridan County is formed from part of Johnson County 1889 Kathryn May "Kitty" Garrison is born Cattle depression continues. Wyoming cattle barons have Averell and Watson lynched as "rustlers"--a sign that tension is building between the original cattle barons and the smaller ranchers. 1890 Wyoming achieves statehood; the first state with woman's suffrage. Cattle Depression Continues 1892 Elise Michelle Garrison is born Thaddeas gets his law degree. Ap. 3-9, Johnson County War, cattle-barons vs. small ranchers & farmers; Cattle depression continues. Burlington & Missouri Railroad comes through Sheridan! 1893 Mariah, 14, falls in love with Stuart McCallum Johnson County Case dismissed; not enough men in Wyoming impartial enough to serve on a jury. The cattlemen go free. June 27, stock market collapses. Country enters a 4-year depression. 1894 The Sheridan Inn, finest hotel between Chicago and San Francisco, is built (first building in Sheridan with electric lights & running water; $2.50/day; WF Cody, part owner) Cattle & National Depression Continues 1896 17-year-old Mariah goes to Europe with Wright family. Cattle & National Depression Continues 1897 FORGETTING HERSELF Mariah is engaged to Stuart McCallum, against her father's wishes. Evangeline Taylor starts tutoring Victoria, and taking piano lessons from Mrs. Elizabeth Garrison. Collier Ellis Pembroke is sent to the United States Cattle Depression ends, though Bonanza years are over W. G. Griffen begins independent phone company in Sheridan 1898 PROVING HERSELF Mariah Garrison marries Stuart MacCallum (February) Laurel files on her claim Laurel marries Collier Ellis Pembroke (October) 1899 EXPLAINING HERSELF Ross "Laramie" (obvious alias) rides into Sheridan, drawing Victoria's curiousity--by years end, they are engaged Elizabeth & Jacob's first grandson is born to Mariah and Stuart Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (or their associates) rob a Union Pacific train in early June at Wilcox, WY. They blow up a freight car along with the safe. A popular sheriff is killed in the manhunt, and all of Wyoming goes on alert looking for them and their accomplices. Boer War breaks out overseas--horse ranchers make a great deal of money providing mounts for the soldiers. 1900 BEHAVING HERSELF January--Audra Garrison's "scandal" with Peter Connors Summer--Victoria marries Ross Laurence. Autumn--Audra takes a teaching job in Candon, Texas (later Tarrant) to regain her reputation, and meets Jack Harwood. August: Butch Cassidy's gang robs a train in Tipton; spends part of that winter in Fort Worth, Texas 1901 Audra & Jack Harwood are engaged All of Sheridan is shocked when Thaddeas Garrison marries Evangeline Taylor. May -- Sheepmen in Sweetwater Co. WYO employ a band of well-armed men to resist attacks from cattle ranchers). July -- a 13-year-old boy, son of the man who introduced sheep to Wyoming, is shot and killed Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid leave the country. 1902 Audra Garrison marries Jack Harwood The non-fiction parts of this timeline owe a great deal of credit to: The WYO Room at the Sheridan Library; literature from the Sheridan Inn; and information from THE AMERICAN WEST: YEAR BY YEAR (ed. John S. Bowman), SHERIDAN'S FIRST STREETS (by Terrill Foster), and SHERIDAN MAIN STREET DISTRICT WALKING TOUR (by Christy Love, Molly Mooney, and Rebecca Thomson). For more bibliographic information, to to the Research Page. |
Audra: A Christmas Background It snowed when, in January of 1884, Audra Susan Garrison was born to Wyoming rancher Jacob Garrison and his second wife, Elizabeth. She was their fourth daughter, the first to be born in their new ranch house. Her mother often said she was like a late Christmas gift. Snow fell for every Christmas in Audra's memory--and every Christmas brought magic. Santa Claus always came, because Audra always made a point to behave herself... though that did not explain why her sister Laurel kept getting gifts too. Their family always had a tree, even for the Christmas of '86, the year of the blizzards and the Big Die-Up. (Audra's older siblings told her that although the family moved back to their rough-hewn claim cabin that year, to save on fuel, and although Papa's cows died in droves, he'd silently dragged a tree in and leave it for the children to decorate). Her beloved older brother Thaddeas--half-brother, really--usually managed to be home for Christmas, even after going to college... though sometimes travel delayed him until Audra's birthday. In 1888, the Garrisons built a fine town house in the Sheridan to spend their winters, so the girls could more safely attend school, but they still had snow and Christmas. In the following years they got two more baby sisters, and Audra decided to become a teacher. In 1897, her big sister Mariah nearly ruined Christmas by keeping company with the worst possible man, but somehow, Christmas pulled through. Later, it survived her sisters Laurel and Victoria making equally unreasonable choices in love--but just barely. Although she knew the truth about Santa Claus by then, Audra vowed to choose her beaus more carefully. She'd always been the good girl of the family. She intended to behave herself. And yet somehow, the winter of 1899 would find Audra teaching school in Texas, with no snow at all. Somehow, it would be her most magic Christmas yet. And somehow, it had far too much to do with a charming gambler.... |
