Whither Thou Goest, I Will Go (excerpt)
Note to Readers
Life for settlers on the Great Plains was never easy, but the winter of 1887-1888 was a particularly tough one. After fighting tough sod, drought and prairie fires all summer, an Arctic cold front moved across the center of the U.S. — and stayed. Pioneers huddled next to their stoves, burned braided straw and buffalo chips, and waited for a break in the minus thirty degree temperatures.
That break came on January 12, 1888. For the first time in weeks, the temperature rose above freezing. Relieved settlers left the warmth of their fires to go to town for supplies, tend to their livestock or just walk and breathe the balmy air. Children hurried to school to see their friends.
No one was prepared when the storm hit.
Some people saw the cloud coming, and had time to run for their shanties or sod houses. Some didn’t suspect — until the sky went dark and the forty-five mph winds screamed to life around them. The temperature plummeted from nine degrees Fahrenheit to below thirty. The whirling ice, ground to flour-sized particles by the wind, reduced visibility to inches.
Historians estimate that a thousand or more people may have spent the night on the prairie, wandering lost in the storm, burrowing into haystacks or huddling in the thin outerwear they’d donned that morning. Somewhere between 100 to 400 people perished in the storm.
Most of them were children.
To read a true-life account of this storm, read The Children’s Blizzard by David Laskin. I read this book with a pounding heart. Then I read it again. And then, again. Finally, I was inspired to write the fictional story of Seth, Jem and Charley, and how they fared on that cold, dreadful night.
ND
Chapter One
January 12, 1888
At midnight, Charley woke shivering in his trundle bed. “Ma?”
He rose, but couldn’t see his mother’s form in the faltering lamplight. “Ma? Mom-mom?”
Still no answer. The cast iron stove was dark and silent. The wind outside howled like a wolf, and caught at the door of the sod house, swinging it open and shut.
Where was Ma? Why wasn’t she making the stove hot or snuggling him warm under the covers? Was she outside with the wind-wolf?
Charley went toward the door. Ice blew into his eyes, making them water, but he wasn’t crying. Not yet. Warmth brushed his legs, a wetness caressed his cheek. The big dog, Zeke, curled his shaggy body against Charley, pushing him backwards away from the open door.
Charley pushed back and shook his finger at him. “No! Bad.”
Zeke whined and pressed harder. Charley fell, landing on something warm and solid. It didn’t hurt, but he set to wailing anyway, protesting his alone state, his empty belly, and the bitter cold that bit at his eyes and ears and nostrils like fierce ants.
No one came to comfort him, so his cries soon dried up. He scuttled across the still form on the floor, pausing at a tinkling sound. “Ging,” he said, remembering. “Ging, ging, ging.”
The bell. Pa had rung the bell today. Ding, ding, ding. He’d stoked the fire high and hot, gave Charley cold mash to eat, and clung to the doorframe, ringing and ringing the bell. Once, Pa had fallen to the dirt floor, but after a long while, he pushed himself upright, clutched the doorframe, and rang the bell again. Now Pa was on the floor again, unmoving.
Charley stepped on Pa’s head as he went to look outside “ Ma!” The storm sucked his voice away so fast that he didn’t even hear himself, and then answered in high voices, scared and scary at the same time. Was Ma out there in the black with the wind voices?
At last, Charley made up his mind. With Zeke making little worried sounds close beside him, Charley stepped out into the blizzard to find Ma.
***
August 14, 1886 (Seventeen months before)
The Reynolds’s tea was well attended, but the August heat oppressed the guests, subduing the conversation to a languid pace. Servants discreetly watered and even fanned the profusion of roses arranged in vases through the room. Ladies and gentlemen sipped English tea and nibbled at scones and trifles to be polite, waiting for the blessed moment when they could return home, untie their cravats and corsets and have a cool bath.
Jem Perkins had nothing but sympathy for the wilting flowers. She sank onto a thickly upholstered chair next to her sister and fanned herself.
“Can we go home now?” she whispered.
“Hush!” Sally hissed her answer, shooting a worried glance toward their hosts. “Mrs. Reynolds has been planning this tea for weeks. And we haven’t even greeted the guest of honor yet.”
Hiding behind her fan, Jem peeked at Mrs. Ashley Grayson, seated near the window. She couldn’t hear what Mrs. Grayson said, but it drew appreciative laughter from the surrounding crowd. Jem smiled at her sister with her eyes. “She does feed off the adoration, doesn’t she?”
Sally frowned. “Oh, Jem, I’m sure that’s not fair. Mrs. Grayson deserves credit for starting the Children’s Board.”
“Of course she does! But you don’t think she has a bit of the look a cat gets when he’s found a sunny spot on the windowsill?”
Sally pursed her lips. “You could have worked with her, Jem. I know she asked you to. Then you’d be right up there beside her.”
Wasn’t that just like Sally, to make out that Jem was jealous? What had she to be jealous of?
Jem fanned herself again, waiting until her irritation ebbed before answering. After all, it wouldn’t do for Jem, the married woman, to engage in sibling squabbling with her poor spinster sister. Once satisfied that there would be only kindness in her voice, she answered. “I was hardly in a position to take on an outside project right then, was I? A woman’s first responsibility is to her family. Perhaps you’ll understand . . . one day.”
Sally’s cheeks went pink as the arrow found its mark. She was Jem’s elder by three years, poor thing, and she didn’t even have a serious beau. She sniffed. “I’m sure that was it. I’m sure it wasn’t because you discovered that setting up a charitable foundation actually requires a great deal of work.”
That stung. Jem lowered her fan. “Now you’re just being cruel. You know I work very hard, Sally. Look at how many hours I put into the flower garden last year.”
“And then you lost interest and Rogers had to take it over.”
“And think of all the poetry I’ve written. You’ve never written a poem in your life!”
“And I’m better off for it.”
“At least I’m trying things. Maybe I haven’t found my true calling yet, but you shouldn’t fault me for trying.”
Sally opened her mouth, but then shut it again, holding up a restraining palm. “Oh, we’re quarreling like children.” She sighed. “I apologize. I’m sure you have found your true calling, Jem. I’m sure your true calling is motherhood. You’re wonderful with Charley, and what’s more important than raising a happy, healthy child?”
Jem settled back in her seat, buying herself a minute by sipping her iced tea. Sally would never have apologized a year ago, would certainly have never offered a compliment. It was disconcerting, really. “It is so hot,” she offered then.
Seeing Sally relax, she did too, leaning forward to whisper to her. “And boring. I know Mrs. Grayson deserves all of our admiration. I do, truly. But I’m so tired of seeing all the same people and having all the same conversations, day after day. This city is chockfull of people, but you couldn’t tell by us.”
“There’s the doorbell,” Sally said. “I’m sure it will be someone fascinating.”
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“Like Mark Twain?”
“That’s right. Or Buffalo Bill.”
Jem giggled. “How about Jesse James?”
“I think he’s dead. Wasn’t he killed? Oh –” Her tone changed abruptly. “Look. It is someone new.”
Jem looked, and her fan froze. The tall man stood in the entry to the parlor, his bearing military even out of uniform. He bowed slightly to Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds, shook Mr. Reynold’s hand, and exchanged greetings with surrounding guests. Feminine eyes followed his progress as he strode in, but he didn’t seem to notice. His pewter grey eyes scanned the crowd, and landed on Jemima.
She returned his gaze, then lowered her attention to her skirts. “Well, now, the new guest is dashing, wouldn’t you say, Sally?”
Sally made a haughty harrumph. “Oh, Sister, he looks to be a bit of a ruffian to me. Like someone who spends time in the Wild West. You’d do well to stay away from him, I think.”
Jem murmured her agreement and peeked at the man over her fan again. His eyes were still on her. “I believe I’ll have some refreshment.”
She approached the buffet table, turning her back on the man. Her sister was at her elbows, but when she felt Sally withdraw, she knew the man was approaching. She peeked at him over her shoulder while she ladled pink punch into a glass. He removed his derby and offered a slight bow.
“Ma’am.”
“Lieutenant.”
His lips twitched at her return address, or perhaps at the Virginia drawl that had crept into the single word. “I wonder if I might join you for a beverage.”
“Why, sir, as a guest of this tea party, you are as welcome as anyone to partake, I daresay.” Yes, the drawl of her childhood was definitely back, sliding through her words like sugarcane molasses.
“Indeed,” the man said. He poured himself punch and downed it in a single motion. The glass looked ridiculous in his large hand, like a child’s play teacup. “I have to say, ma’am, that the scenery in St. Paul has certainly improved since my departure to Washington. I don’t remember such fine, dainty creatures as yourself frequenting the Reynolds’s teas in the past.”
Jem smiled at that, but flushed a little, too. “Perhaps, sir, you are mistaking me for one of the young ladies playing Botticelli in the next room. I’m afraid I don’t particularly” — she took her time with the word, savoring each syllable as she hadn’t in years — “qualify as dainty anymore.”
He imitated her accent, exaggerated it into a parody of a Virginia gentleman. “Why, ma’am, you are very mistaken, I’m sure. Why, you are the . . . the epitome of feminine beauty and delicacy. Your eyes are as blue as cornflowers. Your lips, well, they’re two precious little, uh, roses . . . In fact, I wonder if we could step out in to the gardens and take a stroll together? Just the two of us?”
“Why, sir! Surely you don’t expect me to leave this tea with you, unchaparoned. Think of the scandal.”
He pressed his hand to his chest, gave her moon eyes. “Nothing of the sort, ma’am. I cherish your reputation as I would cherish, well, the soundness of my horse’s legs. I would die before compromising your honor. In fact, in order to protect your good name, I am willing to go this far: I will tell these people that we are married.”
Jem started to giggle, then; she couldn’t help it. He grinned back at her, and the game was up. She threw her arms around his neck, in spite of all the company around. “Oh, Seth. I’m so glad you’re home. I thought you wouldn’t be back for two more weeks.”
“Jem.” He put his arms around her waist and let out a long breath, letting rigid stance relax. “This was long enough. I missed you. Can we break away from this tea? How is the baby?”
“Oh, I hated to leave him. I think he might be getting diphtheria.”
“Diphtheria?” He didn’t sound worried. In fact, he sounded a little amused. She backed out of his arms a little to frown at him.
“Diphtheria is very serious.”
“You’ve had the doctor by, I take it?”
“Of course. Twice now.”
“And he said?”
“Oh, you know how Doctor Hollister is. You’d have to lay an egg for him to agree you have chicken pox.”
Seth took her elbow lightly and led her through the parlor, nodding to the ladies, offering greetings to a few of the men. “Jemima, I’m sure Doctor Hollister would know if Charley had diphtheria. It’s very distinctive.”
“You know I worry. He coughs continually. All night long. And his nose is running.”
“Darling, it sounds like he has a cold.” He led her to the front door, where they made their apologies to the Reynolds’s. “Come,” he said, as he led her to the carriage. “I’ll have a look. I certainly know what diphtheria looks like.”
Before they’d stepped through the French doors of their home, they could hear Charley’s outraged screams ringing through the house. Jem dropped Seth’s arm and ran up the long, curving staircase, allowing him to follow when he would. “Charley! Oh, dear, what’s happened?”
She stopped when she entered the nursery. Her boy was upright, clutching the bars of his crib with chubby fingers, red-faced and tearful but otherwise apparently fine. “Oh, dear.” She hurried to lift him and snuggled him against her bosom. “What’s the matter, you poor little boy? Are you hurt?”
Charley’s cries subsided. He rested his nearly bald head against her, hiccoughing.
“Poor boy,” Jem crooned. “Mama’s here, now. Where’s Nursie, hm? Didn’t she hear you cry?”
“He has grown.” Seth’s voice came from the doorway. “Was he standing? When did he start that?”
“Last week.” She smiled up at him, keeping her cheek pressed against the peach fuzz of Charley’s warm head. “I wrote to you about it, but I suppose you didn’t get the letter.”
“No, but I haven’t stayed in one place for more than a night.” He sighed, came and wrapped his arms around Jem, enveloping her and the baby in a hug. “My family.”
“Oh, no, ma’am!” Sophie’s voice was sharp. “He’s supposed to be napping.”
Jem and Seth turned to look at the nurse. Her hands were closed into tight fists, pressed against her stout body as if she were restraining herself from snatching the child and putting him back in his crib.
“Oh, but he was crying so hard. Poor boy.”
“Good afternoon, Lieutenant. Welcome home,” Sophie said, then firmed her voice to Jemima. “No, ma’am. Colonel Wilkinson was clear on that. The boy must stay in his crib for his nap. The colonel don’t want him spoiled.”
Seth’s voice was pleasant. “Sophie, I believe you work for me, not Colonel Wilkinson.”
“No, no.” Jem hurried to the crib. “It’s fine, Seth. Really. My father is right — you know I’ll spoil him.”
She peeled Charley off her chest and set him in the crib. His screams renewed, broken by sobs. He rolled and pulled himself back up to his feet. Seth picked him up. Charley reached for his mother, but Seth didn’t hand him over.
“Oh, Seth, really. Really, my father’s right.”
“I haven’t seen my son in two months. I believe he and I will take a walk around the nursery.”
Sophie gave Seth a long, tight-lipped look and retreated from the room.
“Oh, my,” Jem said. “She’ll let my father know. She always does.”
“Darling, this isn’t your father’s child. It’s ours. Why does he have anything to say about when we hold him?”
“You know how he worries. He wants the best for his only grandson.”
Charley stopped reaching for his mother and stared up into Seth’s face.
“Look, he remembers you.”
Seth made a scoffing sound, but Jem saw he looked pleased. “He’s far too young. I’m glad he’s letting me hold him, though. So, other than this dire illness that has him at death’s door, he appears to be thriving.”
Jem sighed. “You shouldn’t tease me, Seth. Ima Caldwell — do you remember her? She said her sister’s husband’s niece lost both of her little boys last winter — one to diphtheria, and the other to pneumonia. And Amy Wiley’s whole family is ill.”
Seth sobered and kissed Charley’s head, holding him a little closer. “It’s terrible. I can’t imagine what they’ve suffered. But Charley is healthy. God has blessed us. Let’s thank Him for it, instead of borrowing trouble.”
“Y — yes. I do, of course.”
She shook her head. It was the sort of comment Sally had been prone to make lately. Seth had been no believer when they met; he’d gone to church only to please Jem and her family. But something had changed over the last year. Seth had changed.
When he was home, he attended church on Sundays as well as a Bible study on Wednesday. He led prayer at mealtimes, even if it was only the two of them sitting at the long polished dining table. She tried to act like it was normal behavior — after all, she was the one who’d been brought up in the faith — but it was really rather embarrassing.
“There, you see, Jem? He just needed a little walk.” Charley was settled against his father’s chest. His face had relaxed, his eyes closed in sleep.
Jem plucked a cloth from the chest of drawers and swiped at the path of drool running down the baby’s chin. “You do remember about this part, don’t you?”
Seth gave her a wry smile. “I tried to forget. I go through fewer shirts riding on top on the stage coach. Well, I suppose I should put him down.”
Jem arranged the soft blankets in the crib. After Seth laid Charley on them, they stood side by side, admiring their little boy. “Isn’t he beautiful? I think he’s the prettiest baby in St. Paul.”
Seth slid his arm around her waist. “By far the handsomest, anyway.” He sighed then. “Is your father at home today? I need to discuss some things with him. I didn’t see him at the Reynolds’s tea.”
“He said he had business to attend to today. I’m not sure whether he’s at home or at the office. But, Seth, can’t it wait? You’ve just gotten home. Can’t we spend the rest of the afternoon together?”
She looked up at him as she finished the question, and was surprised to see the grim expression on his face.
“I’m afraid not, Jem,” he said. “I’m sorry; I know I just got home. But I have to handle some business.”
She gave him a quick pout, making sure to smile with her eyes so he knew she was teasing. “It’s a shame, when a man would rather spend his homecoming with his father-in-law than with his wife.”
Seth didn’t smile back, but he kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll be home in a couple of hours. We’ll have dinner together; just the two of us, all right?
Jem wrapped her arms around his waist and accepted his embrace. “Hurry back. I’m sure my father will be glad to see you, anyway.”
