Object, Matrimony

Ch. 4: Flattery and Failures

To: Mister Aaron Hotchner

Box 173

Sapíia, Wyoming Territory

From: Miss Victoria Beauregard

6 Logan Cir NW #2

Washington, D.C.

July 9, 1874

Mister Hotchner,

I have placed a letter for Mister Jack Hotchner in this envelope. Please see that he receives it and my many praises for his beautiful artwork. You have raised an exceedingly polite and talented son. In my previous letter, I failed to comment on the striking resemblance between you and your boy. Growing up, I was told that I resembled my mother and felt great comfort from knowing my future appearance. I am certain your son feels the same way.

Your offer to provide a witness who may attest to your character is deeply appreciated. I look forward to your sister's letter and confirmation of the man you have shown yourself to be. You are correct that my work does not allow me a social life. The other domestic servants here are kind, but we are all too occupied with our tasks to socialize. However, Missus Charlotte has known me for seven years and I am confident that she can confirm my work ethic and skills in the domestic sphere. I have taken the liberty of asking her to compose a letter containing an honest assessment of my character and abilities. I have not told her what I wrote to you so as not to unintentionally conspire to deceive you, as Missus Charlotte is a kind woman who would not wish to make me appear dishonest. I have not read the contents of her letter to ensure she feels no pressure to be more generous than I deserve.

You flatter me with your praise, though I fear it is unearned. My adaptability to changing duties is due more to vice than virtue. I fear that if I had to complete the same tasks every day, I would be as good as a fool with idle hands, allowing the Devil to take hold and distract me from my work. As it is, having variety keeps me focused, requiring me to dedicate myself to my employment and not allow my mind to wander from me into darkness. The Lightman family has been exceedingly generous to me by the grace of God. Mrs. Lightman is partial to how I brewed tea and swears that the cups I prepared for her settled her stomach while she was with the child. My deficiencies due to my inexperience were quickly forgiven during this time, and I have been the only household member permitted to make her tea during her pregnancies since then.

I have never considered leaving the Lightman household before, but I have also never had a place to leave them for. I love the children, as I have seen them grow from their mother into two fine young ladies and a charming young gentleman. I am eternally grateful to the Lightmans, Mister Donald, and Missus Charlotte for taking me into their employment. If I were to leave this place, I know it would have to be for somewhere possessing qualities that this household never could. That is the only way I could justify leaving to my employers and to myself.

I must ask that you cease writing such kind words to me in your letters, as I am left floundering for ways to respond to them. Your opinion of my sufficiency will surely change should this pattern continue. Please do not mistake my tone for frustration. I am merely embarrassed to be repeatedly found wanting.

Your time at Saint Bernard's sounds exceedingly arduous. While I do not doubt that you were well-educated during your time there, I find myself appreciating your choice to keep Jack home with you even more. My father sent my brothers away for their education, bringing them back only for the summer months. He claimed he did so because he could not raise them after my mother passed. I was kept home, for I was too young to be sent away when she died. I looked forward to the summer when they would return, yet each time they did, they resembled my brothers less and less, for they had grown up far too quickly.

Forgive my rambles. All of this was to say that you have deftly avoided a pitfall of grief in your decision to keep Jack close. You have allowed him to remain a child despite circumstances that often tarnish childhood, and if the pride he shows in his drawing of you is any indication, you have remained an exceptional father.

To devote oneself to the well-being of one's neighbors is a true act of honor. I am certain that the residents of your community can rest easy knowing that you are there to serve and protect them. The truth that all have placed in you is a testament to your character. We have constables here, yet I cannot think of any who I would readily turn to in times of need. They are strangers to me. Your ability to balance authority with approachability is admirable. Your willingness to give fifteen years of service proves your generosity of spirit, and your community's continued trust in you is proof of your gift for leadership.

I know the fight of which you wrote will have been over a month ago by the time you receive this letter, but my anxieties insist that I ask after your well-being and health. While my description of my work gave you the correct impression that I am lacking in social connections, your description of your work gives me the impression that you are lacking in self-preservation. Am I correct in this assessment? If not, forgive my impudence. If so, please rectify my nerves by assuring me of your soundness of body and mind despite your work.

I have come to the end of the hour I set aside to write to you, and I now realize I am disproving your praise for my "gift for inspiring introspection" with my embarrassing lack of questions. Please allow me to circumvent this embarrassment by asking you questions now.

What is Sapíia like?

Do you have a favorite place to go?

Are there people you enjoy spending time with?

With hope,

Victoria Beauregard

~

July 9, 1874

Mister Jack Hotchner,

I wrote the truth, as your beautiful drawing makes me smile every time I see it. I keep it on my writing desk so I may see it as I prepare for my day and later my night so that I am always in good spirits.

You are a very polite and handsome boy. Your family must be very proud of you.

Yes, I like dogs. What is your dog's name?
Sincerely,

Miss Beauregard

~

July 5, 1874

Mister Hotchner,

My name is Charlotte Edwards, and I am the housekeeper for the Lightman family, who have been the employers of Miss Victoria Beauregard for the past seven years. I have known Miss Beauregard from the start of her employment. It pains me to confirm her virtues, as I know doing so increases the likelihood of losing her. However, I cannot besmirch her name for my selfish benefit.

In the seven years I have known Miss Beauregard, I have found her an exceptionally honest and hard-working young woman. She rises before all in this household, and I often enter the kitchen only to find her already brewing a pot of tea for the staff. She is efficient, dedicated to her work, and determined to find ways to make herself useful. She is the last to retire and only does so after confirming that no one requires her aid.

The only criticism I can provide is that Miss Beauregard is seemingly incapable of resting, even on the Sabbath. While it is against the Fourth Commandment to do so, if the Lord may forgive us our trespasses committed due to the wickedness in our hearts, I am certain He has forgiven Miss Beauregard for the sin of giving of herself too freely. She is best compared to Martha, as it would take the coming of Jesus Christ Himself to stop her from working on the Lord's Day. Even then, He may have to repeat Himself, for she would be too busy offering Him a cup of tea to notice the piercings in His hands and side.

Respectfully,

Charlotte Edwards