The Cogan Legend (4 page)

An attractive middle-aged, slightly overweight lady with auburn hair met them at the door.  Charles smiled and with a hug greeted Mary, “How wonderful to see you.”

“Mrs. Lentz, this is my daughter Ann”, as he put his hand on her shoulder.  Then he turned, “And this is Ann's best friend, Rachel Miller.”

“Please call me Mary, everyone else does. My, these girls are beautiful young ladies!”  Mary exclaimed as she greeted them with a hug.  

After Lewey unloaded the baggage, he immediately excused himself to tend to the horses, taking them to the stable behind the lodge.  

The lodge was a two-story building with a huge downstairs used as a kitchen, dining room, and living room combination with a bathhouse separate in the rear.  The upstairs had four bedrooms, the largest one, of course, for Charles, one for Mary, and two rooms for any guests Charles would bring along.  Since the girls would be sharing a room, Lewey was able to stay in the extra guest room.  

“I hope you like the meal I've prepared,” Mary was quick to comment.  The smells coming from the stove made everyone even hungrier.

“Mary, whatever you've made smells delicious,” Charles complimented.  “I'm sure we all agree. Why don't we go to our rooms and freshen up before dinner?” Charles suggested.  

Ann gripped Rachel's arm excitedly as they entered the bedroom. “It isn't exactly like home,” she admitted breathlessly, “but it will do.”

There were two beds, a large dresser with a mirror, a washstand for each guest, a writing desk at the window, a chair at each bed, and the room was spotless.  Rachel shook her head and commented, “This room is larger than any room in my house, and it should certainly be comfortable for a while.  I love the desk I'm going to write to Tom every night; I might even start a diary.”  

The conversation at dinner was subdued as everyone was exhausted from the long trip. “We're sorry, Mary, that we aren't very talkative, but we'll make up for that tomorrow,” Ann said.  

Charles carried the conversation with Mary, answering questions about Philadelphia, about the ride to the lodge and the weather.  The girls ate quickly, thanked Mary for the meal and excused themselves to retire to their room.

For the first time in his life, Charles helped clean off the table and then helped Mary with the dishes.   Lewey found this a little peculiar and just watched his boss without saying a word.      

Ann immediately closed the door after they entered their room.  

“It feels good knowing we don't have to get up and travel.”  Rachel said as she lay across the bed.

They talked, unpacked and decided to wash up.  

“A complete bath would feel wonderful, but I'm too exhausted to inquire,” Ann said.   

Rachel agreed.    

The next morning Mary got up early to prepare breakfast for everyone.  The aroma of bacon, fried potatoes, and coffee drifted into Charles's room.  It wasn't long until Charles appeared.  “Mary, I haven't had a breakfast that smelled this good since the last time I was here.”   

A few minutes passed and the girls were already coming down the stairs.  “Come sit down and eat while the food is still hot.”  Mary said.

Charles and Lewey had finished but lingered for one last cup of coffee.  

Following the meal, the girls were anxious to get a bath.  

Mary had the hot water ready.  “Girls, I expected you'd want a bath.”

They were amused at the primitive method: one had to carry the water for the other and pour it over their soapy body as it ran into the tub.  They laughed and joked, but it felt wonderful to be clean.  

While the girls bathed, Charles explained to Mary the relationship between the two.  “Rachel helped Ann get over the loss of her mother, and as their friendship developed Ann's personality changed and she rebelled against me.  She then became independent of even Rachel.  I couldn't believe her behavior, disobeying my wishes.” Charles concluded with much sadness in his voice.  

After their bath, Rachel remained in the bedroom to compose a letter while Ann dressed and paced from mirror to window.

“Look,” Rachel said when Ann's pacing distracted her thoughts, “I'll do whatever you want in a few minutes.  Let me finish this letter to Tom.”

Ann stopped pacing and turned.  “I can't help it.  I feel cooped up here.”

“Maybe your father will give us permission to walk to town,” Rachel said as she dipped the quill into her bottle of ink.  “Go ask and leave me alone for a few more minutes.”

To Ann's surprise, Charles readily agreed.  Ann carried the message back to Rachel who was blowing on her letter to dry the ink.

It was quite cold, so they dressed warmly.  While they walked to the stable behind the lodge and observed Lewey feeding the team, they felt the crisp fresh air tingle in their nostrils.   To the west of the property, the road disappeared into the hills. They could see no houses in that direction.  To the south the mountain was almost bare of leaves.  The evergreen trees provided the only remaining color.  They walked along the dirt road and the crunching of the fallen leaves was the only sound heard in the stillness of the late morning.  Gratztown was east of the lodge, and they could see the tops of some buildings.

“Did you ask your father if we could go to the village today?”

“Well, he said we could go, but I didn't ask specifically about today.”

Rachel shook her head.  “Ann, we should always ask your father about going anywhere. If we go without telling him, he may not allow us to go other places.”

Ann shrugged.  “I don't think he would mind, but I'll ask about today.  Father seems to be in a better mood since we got here.”

When they came back from the walk, Rachel went to the kitchen, “Mary, I'm curious about Gratztown, does it have a post office?  I'd like to mail my letters back to Philadelphia.”

“There's a place you can mail your letters,” Mary said favoring Rachel with a smile.  “But if its excitement you two want, Gratztown may disappoint you.  What you will find are two churches, one a small white wooden building and the other has a tall white steeple that can be seen for miles.”

“Yes.  I can see it from our bedroom window. It looks very grand.  Do you go to services there?”  Rachel wanted to know.

“I was raised as a member of the Reformed congregation, and we worship in the small white church.  I have attended the Lutheran church on the hill, but I felt out of place.”

“Why?” Rachel asked.

“At the Reformed church, there is no need to dress in fashion and I am more comfortable there, but most of the townspeople attend the Lutheran church.”

Rachel thanked Mary as Ann returned to the kitchen with a smile.  “Father said it would be alright.”  A momentary frown creased her brow.  “But he wants Lewey to escort us.”

“That's okay with me,” Rachel said quickly.

“I'm sure you'll be fine,” Mary said.  “Not much happens in Gratztown.”

Rachel retrieved her letter to Tom while Ann went to the stable.  “Lewey, Father wants you to escort us to Gratztown.  Rachel wants to mail a letter.”  

 As they entered Gratztown, Rachel commented, “What a big difference between Philadelphia and this little village! I could never live here.  I am used to the stores and activity in a city.”

 “This would be my preference.  I may work and live in the city, but since I was raised in a small mining community, I enjoy the peace and quiet of a small town,” Lewey interjected.  

The two friends looked at each other and just shook their heads.  As they continued walking, a horrible smell permeated the air and with her hand covering her nose Ann was quick to ask, “Lewey, what is that smell?”

“Over there, it's the tannery where trappers bring animals and they tan the hides for coats, gloves and hats.  That rotting pile of animals is what stinks.”

Gagging from the smell Ann confessed, “I may never wear fur again.  Let's hurry.”

They moved quickly past the tannery only to hear the clanging of the blacksmith's hammer.  Beyond the merchant store and post office, a newly etched sign with a rifle stuck to it caught Lewey's attention.

“That gunsmith shop wasn't here before.  I'll have to visit there next time I come to town.”

As they continued past the barber shop the girls felt they were being observed and so did Lewey.  “Ladies, let's stop at the merchant store, mail your letter and warm before heading back to the lodge.”

As they approached the door, Rachel pointed to the small post office sign.  “Now I know where to bring my mail.”

The store was actually bigger inside than it appeared, and it felt good to be out of the cold.  Rachel immediately looked for the post office and with surprise said, “Ann, look at the post office; it's just a sign over that counter.”  Rachel frowned doubtfully.  “I hope my letters will get to Philadelphia.”

As they glanced about they were surprised to find all different types of merchandise available but nothing stylish.

A young man came to offer assistance.  “Is there anything in particular you are interested in?”  

“We are only browsing,” Lewey quickly responded.

Stunned by Ann's beauty, the clerk couldn't stop looking at her and suggested, “Why don't you sit by the stove?”  Curious, he asked, “Are you from the area?”

“No,” Lewey responded, “we are staying at the lodge outside of the village.”

“Oh, yes, Mary Lentz comes here often for supplies.”

Feeling comfortable from the warmth of the fire Ann and Rachel requested, “Lewey, do you care if we browse around the store?”

“Go ahead.”  

As they looked through some of the dresses, Rachel whispered, “Look at all the outdated fashions.  They must be at least five years behind.”

Ann agreed and as she picked up several more items to show Rachel, they both giggled.

Lewey, who had been conversing with the clerk, finally stood up, and said, “Ladies, it's time we left. I have chores to do back at the lodge before dark.”

On the walk back to the lodge Rachel joked to Ann, “I think you caught the clerk's eye.”

A smiling Ann responded, “He didn't catch mine.”

After dinner, Charles again insisted on helping Mary.  Ann was surprised at her father's behavior but said nothing.  Rachel excused herself this time to write another letter.  Lewey also wanted to turn in early.  Alone for a moment with her father, Ann couldn't keep quiet any longer.  “Father, I never thought I'd see you assist in the kitchen.”

Charles felt his face redden.  “Things are different away from the big city.  I don't mind helping out now and then.”

Ann observed a while longer before she excused herself.  She began to suspect her father was attracted to Mary.

Later, after Ann left them, Charles also saw the questions in Mary's eyes; questions she would not be bold enough to ask.  He hesitated. “Do you mind my helping in the kitchen?”

“No, of course not.”  Mary replied.  “I'm thankful for the help, especially with extra mouths to feed.”

“I probably get in the way more than I help, but I'm willing to learn.”

Mary nodded.  “That's nice of you, sir.  And, I don't mind the help.”  She studied him. “Would you like a cup of coffee or tea?”

“After we finish the chores, I'd like to have a cup of tea.  Perhaps we could sit by the fire.”  He felt his cheeks redden but pressed on.  “I must confess that I'm delighted to be in your company.  And Mary, let's please dispense with the ‘sir'. From now on it's Charles.”

Shocked by his admission, Mary filled a kettle with water and set it on the cook stove. With that done, she wiped her hands on her apron.  “I wouldn't mind having a cup of tea with you when the chores are done.”

Charles piled a couple more logs on the fire in the central room and then carried more wood inside from the woodpile next to the lodge.  Mary had the tea ready when he joined her in front of the fireplace.

The fire snapped as Charles tossed a resinous log onto the pile.  Mary sat shyly next to Charles and stared into the fireplace.

Mary waited until it was obvious the man next to her didn't know how to start the conversation.  “Is what Ann said correct?”

He saw Mary's expression and quickly asked.  “What are you referring to?”

“Why are you helping with the chores?”

Charles fumbled with his tea and managed to take a sip without dribbling it down his chin.  It gave him time to think.  “I'm afraid I acted rather hastily.  All I could think about was getting Ann away from the influences in Philadelphia.”  He peered into his mug thoughtfully.  “I had no other plan than that.  I didn't even bring a book to read.”

“So, you're bored?” Mary interpreted.

“I suppose I am.” Charles shrugged.  “I don't ever remember helping in the kitchen since I became wealthy enough to hire people to do it for me.  I find now that I miss it.”

“Why would you miss it?”

Charles shrugged.  “I enjoyed talking to you while we worked.  I miss the camaraderie of working with my hands alongside someone else.”

Mary's silence on the subject disturbed Charles.  He glanced at her.

Mary got up abruptly.  “Would you care for some more tea?”

Taken by surprise at her reaction to his words, Charles rose to his feet.  “Now, you sit down, Mary.  I'm going to get tea for both of us.”

Mary's hurt dissolved.  She handed her cup to Charles and sat down.  When he returned minutes later, he gave the steaming mug back to her.  “I have to confess something else,” he explained as he sat down.  “I rather enjoy your company.  I hope you don't mind my saying so.”

The look in her eyes told him she did not mind.