In Search Of Love: The Story of A Mail Order Bride (Mail Order Bride Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Patrick thought, I haven’t thought of any of the risks a woman traveling unescorted would encounter on a trip.  It’s asking a lot to ask a lady to leave her home and travel 2,000 miles to meet a stranger.  It makes more sense for her to come here and see everything.  I know she would love the country.  I don’t know how to answer this.  It would be expensive for me to travel there and back and her ticket. I have the money, but it would take all of my reserves.  I guess I need to talk to Mama again.
     
    Patrick found his mother in the kitchen.  “Mama,” Patrick began, “I asked the girl I’ve been writing if she would agree to meet.  I got this answer today, and I’m not sure what to do.”  He gave her the letter.
     
    She pulled a chair out from the table and read the letter.  “It’s a very nice letter,” she said.  “She has nice handwriting, too.”
     
    “I know all that, what do you think,” he asked.
     
    “I agree with what she is saying.  I wouldn’t want your sisters traveling even to Portland by themselves, let alone across the country.  She is a grown woman, though.  What did you say?  She’s 23?  Patrick, I would worry about you going that far,  She would have to be desperate to do it.”
     
    “That’s what I think, too,” he said.  “She’s correct about the expense, too.  It would cost twice as much for me to go there as it would for her to come here.  It would cost about $150 from Chicago to Oregon City.  Double that for my round trip and the total would be nearly $500.  Mama, I can’t afford it.  I could pay her way here, but the entire thing, it simply can’t be done.  I guess it’s a bad idea all around.” 
     
    “I don’t know what to tell you.  She sounds  like a real level headed girl.  She’s not Catholic is she?  That isn’t unusual around here, since we migrated from different parts of the country anyway.”
    “We could take care of the farm if you decide to go.  We could also help some on the price.  I’d have to talk to your Papa about it,” she said.
     
    “I’ll talk to Papa before I go back home,” he said.
     
    “I think that’s a good idea,” his mother said.
     
    Later…
     
    “Papa, I’ve exchanged several letters with the lady I told you about and I suggested we meet.  When I did that, I expected she would come here, and if everything was OK, we’d get married.  She answered back that her Papa thought it was too dangerous for a lady to travel unescorted.  She suggested I come t o Ohio, but that’s too expensive.”
     
    “I agree with her Papa, I would never allow one of your sisters to do that,” his father said.
     
    “I’m just going to tell her it’s too expensive for me to go there and back,” Patrick said.
     
    “You do understand, when you tell her that, it’s the same as you telling her she’s not worth the price of a ticket,” his father said.
     
    “But I would pay her way here,” Patrick said.
     
    “And she says it’s too dangerous.  And it is.”
     
    “You’re not being a lot of help here, Papa.”
     
    “Truth hurts sometimes, son.  You have a problem.  If you think of a way we can help let us know.”
     
    “I’m just going to tell her the truth.  I can’t afford it.
     
    “Dear Katerina, I understand your concern about traveling alone.  It is well founded.  For what it is worth, my Papa agrees too, he said he would never let one of my sisters travel alone.
     
    As my ad said, I’m a poor dirt farmer and I simply don’t have the money to travel to Ohio and back.  I apologize, but it is what it is.  I won’t trouble you further.  Sincerely, Patrick Murphy” 
     
    He sealed the letter and mailed it.
     
    A week later, it was delivered to Katerina.  When she read it, her eyes filled with tears.  She went downstairs, and handed the letter to her father, her eyes brimming with her tears.
     
    He read the letter and handed it back.  “I’m sorry, Liebchen.  I