1872
CHAPTER 1
Amanda Stone tucked the letter from her friend, Sarah, into her pocket for safekeeping as she left the postal office. She smiled to herself, thinking of Sarah and the happy times they had spent together in the past. She was anxious to hurry home so that she might sit down with a cup of hot tea and read the letter slowly, savoring each word. She wanted to prolong her enjoyment of the letter rather than rush through it now. Letters from the young doctor never arrived more than once a month, and many times it was much longer due to her friend’s busy schedule.
As Amanda hurried along the wooden boardwalk, she glanced toward the general store. Tucking a wisp of her blonde hair back into her neat bun, she thought of the few small items she needed. She could easily return for them later in the day since the small cabin provided by the town for the schoolteacher was only a short distance away. However, she had brought her basket for shopping with her.
Hesitating, she looked toward the store across the street and saw her friend, Beth Matthews, and her father entering the store. That settled it! She picked up her skirt and rushed across the muddy street. Although close friends, Amanda and Beth were rarely able to visit. Beth lived with her father on their family farm, several miles to the east of town and was not able to come to town often, especially during the winter months. Beth did come to Sunday services, if possible, usually riding with her closest neighbors, the Murphys.
Scarcely pausing to wipe her feet, Amanda hurried up to Beth. Beth gave her a grateful look while her father seemed to resent Amanda’s interruption. Amanda knew that Mr. Zimmerman, the storekeeper, had made several attempts to court Beth and that Mr. Matthews seemed to encourage the match. Beth had no desire to marry anyone, least of all the balding, middle-aged storekeeper. Excusing herself from her father and Mr. Zimmerman, Beth came over to Amanda. The women stepped outside in order to have a private moment.
“I’m so glad you came in when you did,” whispered Beth. “Mr. Zimmerman was trying to give me that piece of calico that I had admired. I tried saying I couldn’t possibly accept, but Father stood there grinning, telling me to go ahead and take it! I was so embarrassed!”
Amanda gave Beth an understanding smile. She wondered why Mr. Matthews was so enthusiastic about the possibility of Beth marrying Mr. Zimmerman when he depended on Beth to do all of the housework and cooking for him.
“Do you think your father would let you stay over with me tonight and go home after church tomorrow? The Murphys should be glad to take you home – or I could rent a buggy!”
The women giggled at the thought of Amanda driving a buggy. “Only if you let me drive!” Beth teased her friend.
Amanda had grown up in the city with older brothers and had never driven a buggy until coming to Ohio
Beth’s face sobered. “I don’t think that he will let me stay. I didn’t leave anything for supper tonight or lunch tomorrow. I didn’t bring any clothes for church, either.”
Beth’s face brightened as she thought of another idea. “What if you come home with us, and we both ride in with the Murphys tomorrow? Let me ask Father.”
Reentering the store, Amanda was surprised to see Mr. Matthews and Mr. Zimmerman shaking hands and sporting huge smiles as though they had made an agreement to both of their liking. Beth pulled her father to one side as Amanda kept the storekeeper busy filling her order. Glancing toward Beth, Amanda could see that Mr. Matthews did not look happy, and Beth looked close to tears.
When Amanda had the items she needed, she turned to find Beth close behind her. Beth had tears in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, but Father says he has something important to discuss with me tonight so that he does not want you to spend the night.”
Amanda gave Beth’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll get together for a nice long visit really soon; and, besides, we will see each other at church tomorrow, won’t we?”
Beth managed a weak smile. “Yes, we’ll see each other then. I’ll try to stay a little while after the service.”
Amanda waved goodbye to her friend and walked slowly back to her cabin. For some reason, she was worried about that talk between Beth and her father. Beth was so sweet and kind. Amanda wished she could do something to help her.
“But I can do something! I can pray for her!” she thought and bowed her head to whisper a prayer right then.
“Father, please be with Beth. Help her with her problems. Help me to be a good friend to her. Lord, You care for all your creation, even knowing when a sparrow falls. How much more you must care for us! You love Beth far more than I do, and You know what is best for her. Please show me the way that You would have me help her. Thank you for always hearing my prayers and for always being there for Beth and for me. Amen.”
Amanda felt better just knowing that the Lord was watching over Beth and that He knew what was best for her. Amanda promised herself that she would spend a good portion of her nightly prayer time humbly requesting God’s intervention in Beth’s life.
As Amanda continued the short walk home, she thought about the first time she had met Beth. It was not too long after Amanda had moved to Cedar Springs. Amanda had met her the first Sunday she attended church in the small town. Although Beth was quite shy, Amanda had decided immediately that she would be the petite brunette’s supporter and confidant.
Over the past two years, the two had grown close, even though Beth did not come to town often other than to attend church. Beth’s mother had been sick for many years before she had passed away some years ago. Beth had attended school sporadically due to her mother’s illness and had fallen significantly behind the other children her age. Beth had grown more self-conscious until she had finally dropped out of school altogether. It was some months before Beth had confided all of this to Amanda. She had been too embarrassed to tell Amanda that she could not read well but hoped that the young schoolteacher could help her. Amanda readily agreed, and Beth had made much progress on her reading skills.
The two girls seemed very different. Amanda had blue eyes and curly blonde hair, which she usually wore in a neat bun. She felt this made her look more mature as the town’s only schoolteacher. She was several inches taller than Beth who was just a little over five feet tall. Amanda had always lived in a large city and had studied in Boston
One thing that the two women shared was a deep love of the Lord. Beth’s mother had been a strong Christian and had taught her daughter to love the Lord. Amanda’s whole family were believers, so one of the first things she had done after moving to Cedar Springs was to start attending the small church. She was surprised that Beth’s father never attended services with Beth. When she asked about it, Beth had told her that her father had attended church when her mother was well. After her mother became ill, her father had blamed God and turned his back on the church. The two women had shared many times of prayer concerning Mr. Matthews’ salvation.
A short time later, Amanda sat down at her table. After putting away the supplies purchased from the store, she made a pot of tea and cut a slice of the bread that she had made that morning. She was finally able to settle into reading the letter from Sarah.
Dear Mandy,
I hope that this letter finds you well. I have been busy as usual. There are still many who do not wish to see a woman doctor, but my practice is growing. Too often, I seem to do work that is more nursing than doctoring, but I am making progress.
I have heard about an exciting opportunity. A Mr. Mercer from Seattle is trying to recruit women to go as settlers to the Northwest Territory . I learned of this when he came through St. Louis Seattle
The women are not forced to marry and are free to make their own choice of husband. You do have to be willing to meet the men. The women will live together in a community house that was built for the first women. The community plans dances, parties, and other activities in order to introduce the women to the men. These are all suitably chaperoned.
I would never make such an important decision without much prayer. I have spent many hours on my knees praying about this matter. I feel the Lord would have me go. As I prayed about this, I sensed the Lord telling me to offer this opportunity to you. I’m sure that teachers will be needed since there are sure to be many children born of these marriages. Mr. Mercer will pay the cost of the women’s train fare, and the men will reimburse him if they find a bride.
We would not be leaving until the middle of May, so you would be able to finish out this school term. Please let me know if you are interested, as well as any others you might know. It goes without saying that Mr. Mercer is only interested in women of good character and in good health. I would hope that they would be Christians as well.
I think of you often and of the good times we shared at the boarding house in Boston
Please remember me in your prayers as I always remember you in mine.
Love,
Sarah
Amanda read the letter several times before she was satisfied that she understood everything Sarah was telling her. She could not believe that Sarah was going all the way across the continent to settle; however, her friend had always been brave and adventurous. Otherwise, she would never have chosen to train as a doctor. Most women became teachers or nurses if they pursued any career at all. Sarah had met with much opposition during her training, but she had persevered until completing her training and returning to St. Louis
Amanda knew that she would spend a long time in prayer that evening. She crossed to her bedside and got her Bible from the crate at the head of her bed. Although she still had many chores to do, she just had to stop and read from God’s Word. Opening the well-worn book, she quickly found the passage she was looking for in Jeremiah.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you, you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
Was this something the Lord would have her do? She had not decided whether to stay in Cedar Springs as the teacher for the next school term. Her family was in Virginia
Suddenly, Amanda sat up --- what if this was something God wanted for both her and Beth! This could be the answer to Mr. Matthews trying to force Beth to make a match with Mr. Zimmerman.
Amanda fell to her knees beside her chair and began to pray. She realized that God had plans for her, but she did not know what those plans were. There was only one way to find out. Amanda began to pour out her heart to the Lord. She did not expect an answer immediately, knowing that this would be a matter for many hours of prayer but believing that God would show her the way in His time.
When Amanda finally arose from the floor, she was not any closer to an answer than when she started. She did know that God would send her the answer and that He knew what was best for her. Throwing away her cold tea, she began her weekly chores, continuing to pray about this decision and for Sarah and Beth.
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