Horseback Librarian

Last month we learned that Lanette was able to procure the use of a typewriter thanks to the local schoolteacher who purchased one. Lanette willingly instructed the schoolteacher on how to use it in exchange for use of the typewriter. That way she started to type out the lyrics she had been recording from Mr. Fordwick’s songs. Her proposed manuscript to a publisher will be more official typewritten than by hand. Lanette also spoke of meeting Thad Clay at a dance, visiting her usuals on her routes, and getting ready for Ada’s wedding in April. Well now that time has arrived. Shall we learn about Ada’s wedding this week?

Chapter Fourteen

April 29, 1935

Dear Maisie,

The last few days have been quite eventful. I have so much to tell you! Remember in my last letter that I mentioned I would be attending Ada’s wedding? Well I just got back from the ceremony last night. Honestly, it was a miracle I got there in the first place!

To begin this tale, I left on Friday, riding the horse I use for my rounds through the mountains. The road I followed along the Cumberland River was horribly muddy, for it had rained for three days straight prior to the beginning of my trip. Sloshy, cakey mud was spitting up high on my horse’s legs and sometimes even onto me. I was glad that the party dress I brought along was in my carpetbag and not on me. Otherwise, I would have had nothing nice to wear to the wedding if that had been the case. If Mrs. Lancing wasn’t good at washing clothes, the mud was going to leave some stains on the dress I already wore. Normally I would have worn pants and a blouse, but I felt that since I was going somewhere for a special occasion I should at least put on a skirt. One that I knew would be good for traveling through the countryside.

The biggest problem about trekking through that mud happened on my first attempt to go to the bathroom. Since the ground was muddy everywhere it didn’t matter too much where I stepped off my horse and onto the ground. But I must have chosen the worst place to land because as soon as I took a step forward, the boot that had sunken into the mud stayed behind and my foot came forward without a boot on it. So I stood there one legged, trying to keep my balance while holding the reins and trying to pry the boot out of the mud. I was successful at getting it out (the boot creating a sucking noise as it came up out of the mud). My triumph didn’t last long when I lost my balance and fell over flat onto my back into the wet sloppiness of the road. My horse jumped aside, pulling the reins out of my hands, and leaving me winded in that pool of mud. The kind you find in a pig pen after a rainstorm. I have not felt that disgusted in a very long time. I could feel the coldness of it soaking into my back and caking in my hair. I shivered from the grotesqueness of it all. And all I had wanted was to relieve myself.

But that wasn’t the end of it. While I laid there for a few more minutes, grumbling at the cloudy blue sky above and at my predicament, slurping sounds from the mud started to reverberate behind me followed by an outburst of laughter. There was more of that sucking sound as I lifted the upper part of my body to look over my shoulder and see who was finding my situation to be humorous. I swear my heart leaped into my throat when I realized that Thad Clay was grinning down at me. From my unfortunate position on the ground he sat so high atop that magnificent blue roan. Knowing that I was not alone in my predicament…well it was unsettling for an acquaintance to see me like that. I’m sure my cheeks turned red from embarrassment. At least he was kind enough to help me up, despite the fact he was trying so hard not to laugh. I’m sure I was a sight. Oh, Maisie, if it had only been you to find me instead of Thad. I’m not saying that I wasn’t grateful for his help, but…I would have preferred he hadn’t seen me in such a humiliating state.

Thad obligingly guided me to a spot where the ground wouldn’t try to suck me down into place. There he gave me privacy to change into a pair of pants and another blouse. The muddy clothes he then wrapped into his bedroll and tied to the back of his horse. From there we rode the rest of the way to Wallins Creek together. Turns out he is friends with Ada’s husband and was also invited to the wedding. We talked for the entirety of those long, muddy miles. I tell you, Maisie, it was one of the best conversations I’ve ever had with someone. It just came so easy and naturally. Even though we talked about some of the most mundane things I never found myself getting bored, or feeling like I didn’t have enough to say, or feeling awkward at all. The only discomfort I felt that whole trip was when he found me lying in the mud in the middle of the road. Otherwise, he failed to bring it up the rest of the time we were together. Grateful to him for that!

The wedding was beautiful! I know that’s so niche, but it truly was. They had the ceremony on Saturday in the late afternoon. It was not in a Church as we typically associate with weddings. Have you ever been to an outdoor wedding? I have to say, I think this was my first, and it was a wonderful experience. They had logs and mismatched chairs set up in rows outside Mr. Tinton’s cabin. This gentleman is the new husband of Ada. Their home rests among a forest. The yard in front of their house was thriving with dewy blades of green grass and yellow daffodils and purple heather. You could really smell the essence of springtime there. An aroma that is hard to explain, but yet you know so well.

There were many people in attendance. Thad Clay invited me to sit with him on account that I didn’t know anyone else there. I thought perhaps the other girl from the Pack Horse Library would be there, but I never spotted her amongst the crowd. So Thad introduced me to some of the people who sat near us. They were all really kind. A few of them were shy and kept to themselves while others were quite boisterous. In a good humor, of course.

Ada was lovely with her blonde curls tucked beneath a veil interweaved with real lilacs. While I had been skeptical of her marrying someone from this form of lifestyle I quickly confirmed to myself that she was where she needed to be. That woman was very happy in that element. It’s amazing how we can adapt to a new environment when circumstances allow us to.

After the ceremony, a band comprised of a fiddler, a banjoist, and a guitarist played us some lively dance music. I danced numerous times with Thad just like I had at the dance in Miracle a few weeks ago. While I have had many good dance partners over the years, Thad is probably my favorite. He knows so many steps and moves, Maisie. If you ever come to visit you will have to dance with him. I know you would have a wonderful time with him. I sure do, if I may say so. Certainly won’t let him know that, though.

I was sad to leave on Sunday. Spending a great amount of time just laughing and being carefree was truly a blessing. I didn’t realize how much I had been craving that this spring. At least Thad rode back home with me. He even stayed for supper at the Lancings. Should I find it odd that I miss him today?

Tomorrow I will return to making my rounds. I forgot to ask if Ada will still work for the Pack Horse Library now that she’s married.

Take care my dear!

All my Love,

Lanette