asked, “Where are you staying so that we can reach you?”
“The Amberly Inn, right now, but I plan to look elsewhere this afternoon.”
The man penned out the name on her paper. “Let me know if you switch,” he told her. “So we can find you.”
Margaret nodded and waited for more instructions.
Jack smiled at the young woman. “I thank you for coming in, Miss Roe. We will contact you as soon as possible.”
Margaret was astonished. “You mean that’s it?”
Simon nodded. “Yes. Unless you have any questions.”
“I can’t think of any right now.”
“Then good day to you.” He accepted the paper and returned to his work.
Margaret walked out into the blinding sunshine. She could hardly believe it was that simple. All she could do now was wait, cross her fingers, and pray. The town clock struck ten. It was still so early. Maybe she would just wander around town today, taking in all the sights. She would look for a boarding house too.
Margaret strolled aimlessly down one street to another. Occasionally she entered a store to look over the merchandise. There was so much to see. Everywhere she looked, there were people. All the stores were busy. Every street was continuously full of people, horses, wagons and carts going to some destination.
She strolled through the market, surveying the fresh produce and livestock. Margaret had never seen so much food in her life. She kept walking and spied a booth full of tasty sweets. Her favorite! She bought two fruit-filled tarts. Icing swirled in spirals over the top. Remembering the price of breakfast in the restaurant, Margaret retraced her steps through the market, purchasing fresh fruit, bread and cheese along the way. If she bought food here, it would save money.
Margaret decided to return to the hotel with her food. It was too heavy to carry all over town. She ate some bread and cheese at midday before heading out again. Her task now was to find other lodgings. After an hour, she found the right place. Missus Elsie’s Boarding House, the sign read in big blue letters. Confidently, Margaret walked up the stone pathway and knocked on the door.
“Hello?” a friendly female voice shouted out a downstairs window.
Margaret looked at the woman hanging halfway out. She was in her early fifties and had a very pleasant face. “Hello, ma’am. My name is Margaret Roe. Do you have any rooms?” she asked eagerly.
The woman motioned with her hand for Margaret to come in. She entered the two-story home without delay and glanced around the parlor. It was modestly decorated and seemed a very comfortable place to stay. The lady met Margaret in the front room.
“Hello, dear. I’m Elsie. Sorry about that. I was feeding my cats and just couldn’t get out of the room,” she giggled.
Once she mentioned it, Margaret noticed the woman’s clothing was covered with variously colored cat hairs. “My name is Margaret Roe,” she repeated. “I was wondering, hoping, you might have a room available.”
The woman frowned. “Not tonight, dear. I’m all full up.”
Margaret was genuinely disappointed.
“But I do have one after tonight. Would you like to stay tomorrow?” Missus Elsie asked.
Margaret did not attempt to hide her pleasure. “Oh, I would like that very much,” she answered. “How much is your rate?”
“Two dollars a night. Two-fifty if you want breakfast and supper.”
“Very good,” Margaret stated. “Please put me down for tomorrow.”
“How long will you be staying?” Elsie wondered.
“I’m not sure exactly,” Margaret replied honestly.
“Can I put you down for one week then? Or two?” Elsie wondered. “Can you guess at all?”
“I guess one week for now, please. It will depend on when they find my husband.”
Elsie placed a hand to her breast. “Oh dear! Is he missing?”
Margaret had to laugh. “Oh, no ma’am. It’s nothing like that. I’m not married yet.” It was easy to see Elsie’s confusion. Margaret felt she had to explain. “You see, I have signed up to be a mail order bride. I am waiting for Simon and Braun to match me with someone.”
Elsie showed both relief and surprise. “Oh, how brave you are, my dear. Are you nervous at all?”
Margaret answered honestly. “Yes, a little. But I hope and pray for the best. No matter what happens, it will be better than what I had before.”
“You poor soul,” the woman consoled. After a brief moment, she said, “I will put you down for two weeks. Sometimes these things take a while.”
Margaret thanked Elsie for her kindness and left the comfortable home. “Hopefully one day soon, I will have my own comfortable home too,” she thought happily. Margaret found her way back to the agency. When she walked in the door, Mister Simon jumped up from his chair.
“I’m so glad you came back. We’ve found someone for you already,” he stated proudly.
Margaret took a step back. “You have?” she gulped. This was it. She could hardly believe it. It had been only five hours since she left.
“Yes. It’s almost a perfect match,” he boasted. “Please, have a seat.”
Wordlessly, Margaret dropped into a chair.
“We just got his application last week. His name is Russell Chadwick. He wants a woman who can read and write. It was also important that his bride know many skills, all of which you listed. He wanted a mature woman with a good head on her shoulders,” the man explained.
“Where does he live?” Margaret eked out.
Mister Simon double-checked his paperwork. “Iowa City, Iowa.”
Not that far. “How old is he?” He’d better not be over forty, she hoped.
“Twenty-two.”
Gracious! Margaret’s eyes opened wide. He was younger! She had not considered that. “What does he do?” she questioned.
“A farmer,” the agent replied.
Margaret sat still, absorbing all this new information. A farmer, that was a good honest trade. Could she be a farmer’s wife? All she knew about farming was growing a vegetable garden.
“Can you be ready to leave tomorrow at eight in the morning?” Mister Simon asked.
Margaret gulped again, but nodded.
“Very good. I will meet you at the train station at eight. The train to Iowa City leaves at eight-twenty,” he explained with satisfaction. His commission on this one would be good.
“How much will the
