Mail Order Bride- Illinois

Illinois 1870 “Momma, Poppa, I can’t believe that you have accepted this strangers proposal! How can you do this to me?” Abbigail looked at her parents with bewilderment. Abbigail could not believe that her parents answered an advertisement of a man looking for a wife. Abby looked at her mother in pure betrayal. “Abbigail don’t look at me like that, I didn’t want to do this either, but sweetheart we didn’t have a choice.” Abbigail looked from her mother to her father, “What do you mean?” “The truth is we can’t afford to feed you this winter, we won’t have the money to feed ourselves, we are moving in with your oldest sister after the farm sells.” Her father stated bluntly and without shame. Abbigail sat at the kitchen table for a full minute before she was able to respond. “How can that be father? We have had a great harvest last year.” “Yes that’s true, but with the last two years with no corn due to the drought, and the barn burned down, we are so heavy in debt that we won’t be able to keep much after the farm sells.” Abbigail couldn’t believe that her parents were in such financial straits, they had never let on to her. “Abby we knew that it would come to this, we had only prayed that you wouldn’t be subjugated to this. Your father and I hoped you would have married and we didn’t have to do this to you.” Her mother bluntly told her. There was another sore subject with her parents, she had never been able to draw a man’s gaze no matter how much her parents wished she could. Abbigail knew that she wasn’t much to look at, and so her feelings weren’t too hurt when no one had come to call on her like the men did to her sisters. “But I don’t know anything about this man, maybe he won’t want to marry me.” Abby told her parents. “He’s a good man, his father was a circuit preacher, and he is man of strong faith as well. He is a widower with two sons.” Her mother said trying to soothe her fears of rejection. “Is that why he wants to marry me? For his kids?” Abby asked, and her mother nodded. “Yes, he needs a mother for his children. We told him you love children,” her father stated. Abby didn’t know what to say to that, she did like kids. That didn’t mean she knew how to raise them. How to replace their mother. “What’s his name?” “Jonathan Smith.” “When do I get to meet him?” Abby asked trying to find out any information she could. “Today; he will be at the church waiting for us, then you will be married after the service, and leave in the morning.” Her father said and left the room. Abbigail couldn’t believe her ears. Not only was she to be married, but on the same day she met him? “Married? Today? Leave? Where am I going?” Abbigail couldn’t help but raise her voice with ever question, finally giving in to all out screaming. Abby didn’t dare do this in front of her father, she knew better. “I’m sorry sweetheart you have to be married today, the auction is tomorrow and we are moving in with you sister afterwards. You will be leaving tomorrow on the eight o’clock stage bound for Oregon.” Her mother tried to explain to her, but it didn’t make things any better for her. “You need to go pack your things, we are leaving for church soon.” Abby walked to her room in a daze. Today was her wedding day! If only she knew that groom. Abby was thinking just this morning when she was feeding the chickens about how blessed her life was, now look at her. Abby was to be married and shipped off to Oregon. Abby couldn’t stop the tears that started to flow down her cheeks. Abby lay down on the bed and started crying her heart out. Abby wasn’t on the bed alone long, Zip, her dog jumped on the bed and started l*****g her face. Abby felt a smile twitch on her lips, but it didn’t last long. What would become of Zip? “Zip, hopefully this Mr. Smith is a dog lover because you are coming with me!” “I hope he can too Abby,” her mother said walking into her room. Her parents betrayal still stung, and didn’t want to talk to her mother. “Please don’t look at me like that, me and your father love you so much.” “Then why are you doing this to me?” Abby said and the tears started pouring down her face. “We have to.” Her mother said with conviction. “Why can’t I live with Janey?” A look of great sadness filled her mother’s face. “I asked both of your sisters, and they can’t afford to house you either, Janey can barely afford to house us.” Her mother paused as a tear fell down her face. “I wish it didn’t have to be like this, but I won’t have you stay here and starve to death. This is the reality we are all facing Abigail.” Her mother took a deep steadying breath. “Jonathan Smith is a good man; we met with him yesterday and your father and I agree that he will make a fine husband for you. You need to get packed we are leaving soon, you fiancée wants to talk to you before the service.” Her mother walked out of the barn and Abby tried to halt her tears. This was her new reality, she had to face it. . Abby knew who her soon to be husband was the second that her parents buckboard pulled up in front of the church. It was just a small country church, but she had gone to that church her whole life. Jonathan Smith stood outside the church pacing. That fact that he was nervous bolstered her courage. Abby stepped down from the wagon, with her father’s assistance. When she got down she looked up. Abby looked right into Jonathan’s eyes, and they simply stared at one another. Abby was blown away by the sadness she could see in his eyes. Jonathan had a look of surprise before he quickly masked it. He looked haunted, his face was set in grim determination. He looked like a man that had lost his love for the world. Jonathan started walking to her with determined strides. Abby took a good look at her future husband. He was tall; he towered above even her father who was six foot. Jonathan wasn’t classically handsome, but he defiantly had striking features. Jonathan had jet black hair, cut short, and a clean shaven face. Jonathan had a strong brow, with a strong angular chin with a slight dimple in it. Abby wondered about his smile; wondered what he would look like with a big smile on his face. Jonathan stopped before her, gave a small smile, and grabbed her hand. “Ms. Abbigail Turner I presume?” Jonathan’s had a sensual husky voice that appealed highly to her. He drew her hand to her mouth and placed a kiss on her bare hand. Jonathan’s small kiss sent shivers up her arm, she tried to give a small smile. She should be wearing gloves, but she outgrew her last pair. Her parents couldn’t afford to replace them. “You may call me Abby, if you wish.” Jonathan gave a small crooked grin, but said nothing, he turned to her parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Turner it is a pleasure to see you again.” Jonathan said with impeccable manners. “You to Mr. Smith, Abby why don’t you give him a tour of the church gardens.” Her mother suggested. “Only if Mr. Smith wants to see the gardens,” Abby replied. Jonathan turned back to her, “I would be honored.” Jonathan offered her his arm, and she directed him to the church gardens. Jonathan didn’t say much, he covertly stared at her as they walked to the center of the garden. Abby grew more nervous with every step she took. ‘Maybe he doesn’t think I’m pretty enough to be his wife. Maybe he is going to say he changed his mind!’ Abby thought. She became frantic enough to say, almost in a shout; “You wanted to talk?”. “Yes I did, let’s sit down on this bench and get to know one another.” Jonathan directed her to the bench, which she practically fell onto it, as her legs started to give out on her. “Please don’t be nervous, I only wanted to talk a little before we got married.” Abby nodded her head in agreement. “What do you know about me?” “I know your name is Jonathan Smith, you have two children, you are a widower which is why you are looking for a wife. I know that we are getting married today, and leaving in the coach tomorrow. What do you know of me?” Jonathan gave her what she would consider a look of happiness. “Well before I go into what I know about you I wanted to correct you on something, we will not be leaving on the coach. When I met with your parents that is what I told them, but I have done some looking around and realized that I should haul supplies back home; some are what we will need and some we will be able to sell and make a profit. You and I will be staying at the hotel until we leave on the wagon trail in two days.” “A wagon trail?” Abby asked hoping that she could bring Zip with her. “Yes, if you do not want to ride the trail I can still send you in the stage coach.” That offer gave Abby pause, her parents were right he was a good man, most men wouldn’t give her the option. “No it’s not that, I am actually glad that we will be going on the trail, that means that we can take my dog, that is if you will allow to come with us.” Abby thought she saw relief in his eyes before he masked it. “Of course your dog may come with us.” Abby was so happy she couldn’t contain a smile. “Thank you so much! I really appreciate that, I’ve had him since he was a pup.” “You have a pretty smile,” Jonathan said surprising her. “Thank you, I’ve had it since I could remember.” Abby joked hoping she could get him too laugh, and it worked Jonathan let out a small chuckle. His chuckle sounded rusty, as if he didn’t find many things amusing. “That’s good to know. Anyway, getting back on track would you like to know what I know about you?” Abby simply nodded, knowing that he would list her abilities to run a household. “Where should I begin; well the first thing that comes to mind is you are beautiful, you are kind, loving, and generous, you are loyal to those you love, and will fight to keep them.” Abby’s jaw dropped at how he described her. Jonathan didn’t make known his knowledge of a farm, and running a household, isn’t that why he wanted a wife? Jonathan gave a twitch of his lips, and with one finger closed her gaping mouth. “I-I I’m sorry, I thought you would say something about my housekeeping abilities,” Abby said embarrassed at her reaction to his statement. “Abby if I wanted someone to clean my house I would hire a housekeeper, I want a mother for my children, and what your parents told me and from what I’ve seen you will make a wonderful mother.” Jonathan told her honestly. “Th-thank you.” Jonathan was going to say something, but was cut off by the church bells, announcing that the service would soon be starting. Jonathan stood up, and offered her his hand. “I do have one question; how do you view marriage?” Jonathan replied without hesitation, “I believe that a marriage should be a partnership between a man and a woman. I know this isn’t and ideal situation, but I will try to make you happy.” That was all she needed to know, she gave him her hand and started toward the church. “I will try to make you happy too.” Abby saw her sisters walk up to the church, she gave a small wave and said to Jonathan, “There are my two older sisters and their husbands.” Jonathan nodded, but offered no comment.