~ Rachel’s Journey ~

by

Mary S. McGuire

CHAPTER 1

“The Leaving”

Rachel Williams, you’re much too headstrong and independent for any man to marry. Ever!  Alfonse Meyer’s demeaning words reverberated in Rachel’s mind as she knew they would for the coming months, and even years.  Not that she loved this arrogant man, but rather she feared what he said might be all too true.

It was a warm April day in the small town of Four Corners, just east of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Rachel stood on her front porch enjoying the afternoon sun when she saw a visitor hurrying up her lane.

“Rachel, Rachel, the letter’s come. It’s here. Finally here,” Iris called as she waved an envelope wildly over her head. 

She greeted her blonde haired, blue eyed cousin with a warning. “Slow down, Iris, or you’ll fall.  You know your leg can’t stand much.”

“Oh, I’m so excited.” Iris panted with exertion. “Hurry. Read it out loud.”

Despite Rachel’s own emotions, she read the message slowly and clearly.

 

January 15, 1854

Dear cousins and all,

I am doing well here in this new, sunny land. I hope my letter also finds you in good health and high spirits. My thoughts are with you often.

I am sending this by packet. The ship takes about three months so I pray that it will reach you before summer.

Four other men and I have a special request. We have formed what we call a marriage pool to bring brides to us here. It is an ideal based on the sound principles of civilizing the new frontier. As you know, many of us came with the yen for gold. We are wiser now and desire only a stable and happy family life. All of us are in a position to provide well for a wife and children. I can vouch for the character of all of these men involved in the pool.

Since you are acquainted with most of the women in and around Four Corners, I beg you help us in our selection. I would like you to be one of the candidates. I also thought of our Cousin Iris who, though crippled, is lovely and has an abiding Christian faith. Hopefully, you can locate three other maiden ladies in the area who would be suitable for our new and exciting life.

I am enclosing a draft on the Bank of Boston for five hundred dollars to pay your traveling expenses. It is important you decide soon since the trip across country must begin as quickly as possible lest you be caught in the snows of the Sierras.

I am sending a message to Mr. Jeb Morgan alerting him to the fact that you may be joining his wagon train that leaves from St. Joseph, Missouri, on May 10. We have the utmost confidence in him. Mr. Morgan is also bringing freight to Len Smith, one of the men in the pool and owner of General Merchandise here in Garden Grove.

I know you have been giving this matter your greatest consideration, but now I need to know what you have decided. Please notify me of this decision as soon as possible by whatever means available. We will be counting the days until you answer. It is a leap of faith for all concerned. We pray for your safe journey.

Love,

Martin Williams

Your obedient servant and cousin.

P.S. Rachel, we are in great need of medical services. Please consider our offer in light of these needs also.

Rachel stood quietly holding the message in her hands for several minutes. Martin had written to her in just this same vein several times in the last two years, but this was the first time he had sent money or suggested a plan. She was surprised and apprehensive to make such a decision so quickly. She shook her head in disbelief. Yet, was it the hand of fate that had delivered this message at one of the most disappointing times of her life?  Was this the second chance at the kind of life she truly wanted?

“Rachel, what shall we do? It’s all so exciting. I’m sure it is a great opportunity.” Iris trembled. “Can we go? Do you think someone would really want to marry me? Cousin Martin said I was pretty enough someone would want to marry me even with this gimpy leg.”

“More than pretty, Iris. Fine Christian girls like you are hard to find especially in a new land.” Rachel hugged her smaller cousin. “I’m nearly thirty years old. An old maid by anyone’s count.”

“You’ll be snapped up in a minute with those auburn curls of yours and that tall statuesque build. Pa always says we Williams are lookers. Just because we haven’t married yet, doesn’t mean we’re not desirable. You’re so smart, too. And look at all you’ve done for the people here.”

“That’s just it. This is our home. It will be so hard to leave here.” Even as she spoke these words, the phrase second chance kept running through her mind. “I do have the longing for a child every time I place a newborn babe in its mother’s arms…” she broke off her recitation, for she hated to reveal her innermost feelings, even to Iris.

“I know how you feel. This is my only chance to marry and have children. Women have to be in short supply for someone to accept a wife with a bad limp.”

Rachel smiled at the girl’s fair upturned face, framed with blonde curly hair and set off by the brightest of blue eyes. “You just need your opportunity like everyone else.”

“Then you would really consider Martin’s proposal?”

“Yes, I think I will. Dr. Henry told me his grandson is replacing me in the practice, and Alfonse has stopped coming to call…” Rachel’s voice faltered. “The trip itself will be extremely difficult, but under the circumstances it might just be worth it.”