Daughter of the Loom (Bells of Lowell Book #1) (6 page)

Lilly was aghast at the remark. “Pew rent?”

Nadene nodded. “Thirty-seven and a half cents a month.”

Franny added in a conspiratorial whisper, “They held it out of our pay, but we raised enough of a ruckus that they finally stopped.”

Nadene continued. “The pew rent was an easy way for Kirk Boott to recover the cost of building his Episcopal church. My feeling was that if he wanted an Episcopal church, that was fine, but why should I pay for it? I’m a Methodist.”

Lilly folded her arms across her chest. “Such behavior by Mr. Boott and the Boston Associates shouldn’t come as a surprise to me. Every one of those men is self-serving, set upon nothing but the almighty dollar. Not one of them has any concern for others. Those men and their greed have caused untold suffering to the farmers of East Chelmsford. I have no doubt they’d sell their souls to the devil to turn a profit.”

Prudence’s mouth dropped open. “How can you say such things, Lilly? Why, the Boston Associates are forward-thinking men who have finally given women an opportunity to be of value in this country. I personally applaud what they’ve accomplished. Perhaps you haven’t given thought to how you would have supported yourself upon the death of your parents if these mills hadn’t been here to provide you a job,” she countered.

Lilly clenched her fists, her expression hardening as she fought to control her voice. “If the Boston Associates hadn’t invaded this countryside, my father would still be alive, and if he weren’t, I’d at least have a farm to provide my living, Prudence. You’ll not convince me that those evil men have done me any favors. Had they ventured into New Hampshire and stolen land from your family, I’m sure you might think differently.”

Lilly knew she’d gone too far. Exhaustion made her vulnerable and free with her thoughts. Why couldn’t she be sweet spirited like her mother?
Mama would be so ashamed of my attitude
.

Marmi placed an arm around Lilly’s quivering shoulder. “I’m sorry for what’s happened to your family’s land, Lilly, but the mills are here to stay, and if you’re going to work in them, you need to forget the past. If you can,” she added quickly.

Lilly took a deep breath before exhaling slowly. She was alarmed that such random conversation could elicit her anger so quickly. It was obvious she’d made a spectacle of herself the very first night. The girls were all staring at her.

Forcing a smile, she glanced about the room. “I see my performance has left you all in awe. My father always said I was born to be an actress. Do tell me more about all these fees for church pews.”

Marmi, Prudence, and the others visibly sighed in relief while Nadene appeared to be calmly evaluating her behavior. It was apparent that Nadene was not easily deceived.

“One thing about the fee at St. Anne’s: you were told when you were hired that you had to pay. At least the Corporation didn’t steal the money like old Elder Harley over at the Freewill Baptist,” Marmi said, once again taking up the banner for the Associates.

“Same thing as far as I’m concerned,” Nadene replied. “Neither one of them had consent to take the money.”

“Yes, but at least Mr. Boott used it for the church,” Beth said, her eyes wide as if she suddenly knew a great secret. “I heard Elder Harley did unspeakable things with his ill-gotten gains.”

Prudence laughed. “Who knows what Elder Harley did with all the money the girls donated to him.”

Lilly curled her legs beneath her, listening to the tales, surprised at how sheltered she had been from this information while living so close. “Whatever are you talking about? Did one of the preachers steal money from the mill girls?”

Marmi’s head bobbed up and down. “Indeed, he did. He told the girls he needed funds to build a church, which would be a good thing for the community. In order to raise the money, he offered the girls interest on any funds they loaned him. All of the Baptist girls as well as girls from other denominations loaned him money. Then he absconded with their funds, having never laid a cornerstone.”

“Cornerstone! He never even turned a spade of dirt,” Prudence chimed in.

“I heard he had a mistress,” Katie offered.

“Katie! That’s gossip, pure and simple. The rest of this we know firsthand,” Franny admonished.

“Are you planning to attend St. Anne’s?” Marmi inquired. “That’s where most of us attend church.”

“I haven’t attended in a long time. I’m not sure that I’ll be going to church, at least not in Lowell,” Lilly replied.

The girls gasped in unison. Nadene merely gave her a wry smile.

“Why are you smiling at me like that?” Lilly asked.

“You’ll attend. It’s in your contract. All mill employees must regularly attend church or be subject to dismissal. And yes, they do check with the boardinghouse keepers to assure themselves of our attendance. You may get by with staying abed for a Sunday here and there, but be assured, such behavior will not be tolerated frequently.”

“Besides, why wouldn’t you want to go?” Sarah asked softly.

Lilly had so long been troubled in her spirit that she’d given up trying to understand it. She wanted to do the will of God, but at the same time, God’s will seemed very uncertain—very unclear. It was almost as if He were playing a game with her. Testing her. Teasing her.

“I was very sad throughout my father’s illness,” Lilly said, reluctant to confide her true reasons. “I haven’t felt like going to church and being around a lot of our old friends.”

“Well, that makes perfect sense,” Marmi said, patting Lilly’s hand. “But now you’ll have all of us and you shan’t be sad for long.”

Lilly wished that were true. If only she could know for sure that her plans were what God wanted. At times she felt confident—almost as though God had written them out on a tablet like He’d done for Moses with the Ten Commandments. Then other times she felt so confused, wrestling whether or not God even heard her prayer—whether He saw her misery.

“I don’t know about the rest of you, but I must get up early in the morning. I think we should all get some sleep,” Nadene remarked. Without waiting for a reply, she snuffed out the candle, sending the room into immediate darkness.

Lilly quickly realized there was nothing to be done but prepare for bed. She slipped into her nightgown, thankful she had removed it from her trunk while there was still candlelight in the room, then crawled into the empty space beside Nadene. She could hear the other girls settling in for the night, the swishing of sheets and the groaning protests of the bed frames breaking the silence.

Lilly clung to the edge of the uncomfortable mattress. Never in her life had she shared a bedroom, much less a bed, with another person. She attempted to relax, but it seemed her body had stiffened into a rigid column, unwilling to yield to her command. Sounds of deep, relaxed breathing soon turned to soft snores, interrupted by an occasional mumbled, unintelligible word. Yet sleep would not come. Thoughts of pew rent, stolen church funds, contract signings, and beady-eyed clerks skittered through her mind until she finally sat up along the edge of the bed, holding her aching head in her hands.

“You’ll get used to it after a while,” Nadene whispered before breaking into a deep racking cough.

“I’m sorry I wakened you. I tried to be quiet, but I’m not accustomed to sleeping in a room with anyone else.”

“You didn’t waken me, Lilly. The girls don’t realize that the reason I’m so tired is because I’m awake for long periods of time every night. This cough won’t let me sleep, so I come to bed and get rest when I can. Strange thing is, my cough never seems to bother them.”

“Why don’t you see a doctor? Perhaps there’s an elixir that would help.”

“There’s no elixir going to help me. My lungs can’t seem to bear up under the humid conditions at the mill. I suppose one day it will be the death of me, but for now, it’s salvation for my mother and brothers.”

Lilly turned toward Nadene, stunned by her cavalier attitude. She could barely make out Nadene’s form in the darkness, but somehow she knew Nadene was awaiting her response. “Life is a precious gift from God, Nadene. I think we’re meant to protect it as best we can. Death won’t serve you or your family well,” she whispered in reply. She felt Nadene’s weight shift the bed. “I promise I won’t spend my time telling you what you should do, Nadene. I know how tiresome that can become. Let’s just agree to look out for each other. Would that be all right?”

Nadene reached out and took Lilly’s hand. “Yes, Lilly, that would be all right. I think you and I are going to get along just fine.”

“I hope so, because I surely could use a friend. I wouldn’t tell the others, but I’m frightened about going to work in the mills. I’m used to being outdoors, coming and going at my pleasure. I fear being cooped up all day. Is it terrible?”

“It’s like most things, Lilly—after a while you get used to it. But I won’t tell you there aren’t times when I truly long for the quiet of home. I can remember thinking that a colicky baby was more noise than I could bear. Now I know different. The sounds of a crying baby would be a mere lullaby compared to those clamoring machines in the mill. And heat—I’d be happy to stand over a wood cookstove for the rest of my life if I didn’t have to suffer the mugginess that they create for us to breathe.”

“I don’t understand, Nadene. There are windows in the buildings—I saw them. Why don’t you open the windows and let fresh air circulate in the room?”

“Ha!” The remark sent Nadene into another fit of coughing. When the hacking finally ceased, she leaned against the headboard of the bed, gasping for air until finally her breathing returned to normal. “The windows, dear Lilly, are nailed shut. If the air in the room is dry, the threads break. Too many broken threads make for a shabby piece of fabric. On the other hand, moisture in the air helps prevent broken threads. Since a good product is more important than the health of the employees, our windows are nailed shut. After all, workers can be replaced. The reputation of the Corporation rests upon the fabric we produce.”

“So you dislike what’s going on here as much as I do,” Lilly ventured.

“Probably not. I need the work, so I’m thankful for a job that pays well. Were it not for the mills, my family would be starving. I dislike the fact that the conditions are unhealthy—at least for me. Some of the girls seem to have no problem working in the humidity. Now you’d better try and get to sleep. My guess is that you have to be up even earlier than the rest of us in order to help Miss Addie with breakfast.”

“Thank you, Nadene.”

“For what?”

“Offering me your friendship,” Lilly replied simply. She pulled the sheet across her shoulders and tried to adjust the meager pillow. But no matter how much she plumped the ticking, the bundle of feathers inside fell flat. Finally she quit struggling with the pillow, laid her head down, and began to pray.

Chapter 4

Only the continual pumping of John Farnsworth’s right hand overshadowed Kirk Boott’s verbal welcome as he ushered Farnsworth into the vestibule of the Boott residence. Matthew stood back watching the exchange, studying both men as they eyed each other. They could have passed for brothers, both tall and lanky with thick wavy hair, both exuding an air of confidence. And while Farnsworth was the elder by at least ten years, his physical agility belied that fact. There was a vibrant assurance in his step and an obvious eagerness to greet life’s many challenges.

“I hope you don’t mind that we’re meeting here in my home rather than at the Merrimack,” Kirk said as he led the men into his office. His large walnut desk stood in front of two large windows overlooking the flower garden. Boott’s prized mums, goldenrod, asters, and dahlias, all dressed in their autumn finery, were in full view. “Sit down,” he requested, gesturing toward one of the leather-upholstered chairs opposite the desk. “Tea will be here momentarily,” he continued while ringing a small gold bell.

Although Kirk hadn’t invited him to be seated, Matthew lowered himself into the chair alongside Farnsworth who, at the moment, appeared somewhat nonplussed by Boott’s fawning behavior.

Farnsworth settled into the chair and turned his attention toward his host. “I generally find the meeting place of little concern. Rather, it’s the outcome of such interaction that is of interest.”

“Exactly! I couldn’t agree more. However, I find that information discussed at the mills sometimes makes it way through the entire Corporation before I’ve left the building. Consequently, when I want to assure myself of privacy, I conduct business meetings here at home.”

“Ah, I see. Well, perhaps it’s not the place where you hold your meetings but the trustworthiness of the employees who attend those meetings?” Farnsworth suggested.

Matthew glanced up as a mobcapped maid entered the room. Boott pointed to a spot on his desk and then watched as the woman dutifully placed the tea service where he had indicated.

Massaging the back of his neck, Boott directed a steely look at Farnsworth. “You may be correct, Mr. Farnsworth. If so, I hope you won’t prove to be one of those gossiping employees.”

“I can give you my word on that, Mr. Boott, but only time will prove if you have my loyalty,” Farnsworth replied as he took the cup of tea being offered.

Matthew turned his attention toward Boott, who hesitated a moment. “That’s a fair enough answer, Mr. Farnsworth. Truth be told, people never know about loyalty until it’s put to the test, do they?”

Farnsworth nodded his agreement and took a sip of his tea. “This is your meeting, Mr. Boott. What would you like to discuss?”

“Most important, the improvement of our calicos. After that, we’ll need to discuss arrangements for your housing and detail your position at the Merrimack. I believe we have any number of matters that must be resolved prior to your first day on the job. And, of course, you need to sign your contract.”

“I’m pleased you didn’t include my salary as one of those items under discussion, Mr. Boott. Otherwise, I would be looking askew at
your
sense of loyalty,” Farnsworth replied, with the corners of his mouth turning up ever so slightly.