Daughter of the Loom Read online

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 leas
t 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.

  “If there is one thing I learned from the Englishmen who arrived before you, it is to settle salary negotiations before paying for passage to this country.”

  “Did my English brothers give you a bit of trouble when bartering for their wages?”

  Boott nodded his head in agreement. “They gave me more than a bit of trouble. They decided that unless I met their salary demands and provided them with housing that met their specifications, they wouldn’t work for me. I thought they were bluffing and told them I wouldn’t agree to their requirements.”

  “I take it they called your bluff?”

  “They did. I turned and walked away, thinking they’d knuckle under. Instead, they loaded back into their wagons and left town. I thought they would merely go a short distance and make camp, thinking I would come running after them.”

  “And?” Farnsworth asked, his eyes sparkling.

  “They were well into New Hampshire by the time we found them. They had no plans to return. I met their every demand as well as a few extra incentives in order to convince them to turn around. That is why I insisted we agree upon your wages prior to your departure from England. You’ll recall that I expected you to drive a hard bargain—and you didn’t disappoint me in that respect. I am, however, pleased that the matter of your wages was settled while I was in Lancashire.”

  Farnsworth rose from the leather-upholstered chair and shoved his hands deep into his pockets. “We came to this country at great risk. You know very well that the law was against us. We weren’t to divulge information or bring drawings related to the mills under threat of great penalties. The money had to be worth our while. After all, it would be very hard for us to return home once word got out that we’d aided the competition. I, for one, would fear the consequences.”

  Matthew heard the bitterness edged with sorrow in John’s voice. He knew the man spoke truthfully. England wanted to keep America dependent upon her for textiles. The fact that Americans had taken the initiative to plan their own textile mills had not gone over well at all. The matter of Frances Lowell touring the English mills and walking away with the knowledge embedded in his memory was even more distressing.

  Farnsworth put the matter behind him and pressed a question. “Why don’t we begin by talking about the calicos? I know you’ve hired me to improve the quality of your prints. How would you say they currently compare to English imports?”

  Matthew glanced toward Boott, and the two of them laughed. “I apologize, Mr. Farnsworth. It’s just that when anyone asks about the quality of our calicos, we’re reminded of the story that frequently circulates about the city,” Matthew said.

  “If the story gives you cause for laughter, I would enjoy hearing it,” Farnsworth responded.

  Kirk nodded at Matthew. “It is said that one of the female residents of Lowell purchased a piece of Merrimack calico, intent upon making herself a new frock for special occasions. She worked diligently until she had completed her sewing. The following Sunday morning she appeared in her new dress, expecting her family to be duly impressed. Her brother, however, took one look at her and advised that it was good she was planning to wear the costume to church because that dress was certainly holier than she could ever hope to be.”

  Farnsworth nodded his head in recognition but didn’t laugh. “You do have a problem, gentlemen. If the best you are currently producing is a piece of cloth that is full of holes and you’re passing it off as calico, we have much to accomplish. But accomplish the task, we will. By the time we’ve fine-tuned the Merrimack’s machinery, we’ll be producing cloth that will make the English envious.”

  Boott leaned forward, focused upon Farnsworth’s words. “That’s the attitude I want to hear,” he said, slapping his hand upon his knee. “I knew you were the right man for this corporation the minute I laid eyes upon you.”

  “Well, I thank you for your confidence, Mr. Boott, but there’s much work to be done before we’ll actually overtake the English. It will take your continual cooperation—and the funds for necessary changes to the equipment.”

  Boott rose from his chair and came around the desk. “You’ll have no problem with either of those items. I’ll make myself available to you at any time.”

  “Thank you. I’ll remember that promise. Now, I believe you mentioned something about housing earlier. I would like to get settled before taking a tour of the Corporation’s holdings. I trust you’ve made arrangements for my accommodations?”

  Boott appeared to squirm at the question. “I believe I may have mentioned there is an area of housing known as the English Row. It is, however, full at this time. Since I wasn’t sure what you might prefer in regard to housing, I took the liberty of seeking out a room in our best boardinghouse.”

  Farnsworth was silent for a moment. Kirk pulled a linen handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it against his forehead. The room was apparently becoming uncomfortably warm for him.

  “A boardinghouse will suffice until a house can be provided, but I suspect it would be best if we address housing in my contract so that there is no misunderstanding.”

  “Of course, of course,” Kirk quickly agreed.

  “My f
ather has agreed to come to America when his health improves. I would want to have adequate accommodations prior to his arrival,” Farnsworth added.

  “We can begin plans for a house as soon as you tell me what you’ll need. We can add another house to the English Row—or build something else, if you prefer.”

  John smiled, a faraway look in his eye. “I find it unnecessary to live alongside my English brothers. In all honesty, I’d prefer a house that had a bit of land around it for a garden such as you have out there,” he replied, gesturing toward Boott’s backyard. “Though perhaps a bit smaller. We wouldn’t want folks to think I’m trying to outshine the Corporation’s agent.”

  Boott laughed, but Matthew sensed he was not completely pleased that Farnsworth wanted a home apart from the English Row. It was obvious, however, that Farnsworth’s request would not be denied.

  “I have your contract here in my desk if you’d like to sign it,” Kirk offered, pulling the paper from a drawer.

  John carefully folded the pages and tucked them in his coat. “Why don’t I take this with me and read it over. I’m sure it’s in proper order, but I prefer to read binding legal documents several times before signing them. I’m sure you understand.”

  “Of course, of course,” Boott concurred. “We can meet again tomorrow—if that will give you ample time,” he quickly added.

  “Tomorrow morning should be fine. Eight o’clock?”

  “Yes, eight o’clock. Why don’t we meet here at my house? Once the contract has been signed, we can go down and walk through the mills.”

  John nodded and rose from his chair, then hesitated. “What about a horse and carriage? I’ll be in need of transportation from time to time.”

  “I can make arrangements at the livery. You’ll be able to use a carriage any time you desire,” Kirk said with a smile.

  John furrowed his brows ever so slightly. “Quite frankly, I was thinking more along the lines of the Corporation furnishing me with my own horse and carriage. Of course, you could board them at the livery stable until my house is constructed. Perhaps young Matthew and I could take a look at what they have available at the livery on our way to the boardinghouse.”