Spindle(28)

His theory was that one spindle in particular was causing the most trouble with her frame. He could never get it perfectly straight. So, if she could find that crooked one, she was confident she could get it off and replace it. All she’d need was a tool to apply enough force. If she swapped them out near the end of her shift when all the frames were running, the noise of the machines would cover up any banging she made. The overseer couldn’t watch her all the time. At some point he’d be called to the far corner of the room to either help or berate another operative, and Briar would have a chance to act.

She walked the length of the frame, lifting up bobbins until she found the offending spindle. There it was, near the end on number four.

“Oh, hello, Briar,” Sadie said.

Briar dropped the bobbin and stood, heat rising to her face. “Hello. What are you doing in the spinning room?”

Sadie pointed to the agent in charge of the mill, who was walking away. “I’m moving up here today. When I told him we were room-mates, he said you could show me what to do.”

“I thought the frames were opening up at the end of the month. Whose frames are you taking over?”

“Whoever had those ones.” She pointed to the next row over where a girl named Ruth had worked only yesterday.

Ruth had been at the mill for several years and had developed the same racking cough Mam had had after breathing in too much cotton dust. They all knew the risks to their lungs from breathing in the cotton floating in the room, but what were they to do? Hope and pray they didn’t have to spend too many years in the spinning room.

“What happened to her?” Briar asked. Ruth had said nothing about leaving, so this was unexpected.

“Guess she found other work or went back home. Don’t care.”

Briar took in a calming breath. “Fine. After dinner. We’d better hurry back to the house before all the food’s gone.” If nothing else, it was a chance for Briar to prove herself, that she could train someone. Hopefully Sadie learned quickly and well, because she’d be learning on Briar’s frames. If Sadie messed up, Briar’s pay would get docked. And Sadie, she wouldn’t get paid anything until she had her own frames.

Sadie walked on ahead, and Briar, in exasperation, briefly closed her eyes and tilted her head up. A drop of water from the ceiling hoses landed on her cheek. The water sprayed on the frames to help keep the cotton from breaking as it was pulled and twisted into thread. Well, maybe now her emotional threads wouldn’t break. She wiped off the water drop. Nothing so simple would help to hold her together if she lost the children.

“Heard you’ve got a new spinner,” Mim said, her eyes wide. She and Briar were walking up to the room after supper to work on two baby dresses Mim had brought in over the weekend.

Briar mimicked Mim’s wide eyes. “It was a surprise.” They both laughed at the understatement. “She’s actually a quick learner, for which I’m glad. She shadowed me for a couple of hours and then I had her work one of her own frames for the rest of the day. She’ll do all right.” Briar was glad she hadn’t tried to swap out the spindle yet, or Sadie would have seen.

“And did the overseer get a good look at you teaching? You’ll need his recommendation for Burlington.”

“All he does is watch us. The old overseer used to spend most of his time in the office. This one paces all day and makes us nervous.”

“Gather ’round ladies,” Miss Olive said, calling up the stairs to those who had already escaped. “Everyone. It’s an all-house meeting and I’ve got your mail captive to make sure you come.”

Mim groaned. “Not again. How much improving does she think we need?”

Miss Olive believed it was her duty as keeper of the boardinghouse to instruct her girls in the ways of the world and she took her role very seriously. There were several activities the girls in the mills were required to participate in: work and church, and they were to avoid any activity meant to destroy one’s moral character.

Mim plunked down in the most comfortable chair in the parlor and crossed her arms in annoyance. She was of the opinion that these meetings were generally a waste of time. She received the majority of her information from Godey’s Lady’s Book and would rather practice her man-catching skills than sit about in improvement circles.

Miss Olive stood in front of the fireplace and began calling out names, handing out letters. The stack was down to a handful when she called out, “Briar.”

“Me?” She never got mail. Everyone she knew was right here. Except Nanny and Henry. She took a deep breath, unsure of who she’d rather receive a letter from.

New York City

May 25, 1894.

Sweet Briar Rose,

I made it all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. My ship leaves tomorrow, so by the time you read this I may already be halfway to England. (A stone’s throw from Ireland.) From there I’m off to Germany to see if I look like any of my relatives. Hope number four is working for you.

Yours,

Henry.

“May twenty-fifth? That was more than three weeks ago. Where did he mail it from? Germany?” Mim said, reading the date upside down.

Smiling, Briar folded up the paper, imagining Henry penning his letter, thinking of her.

Ethel looked from the letter to Briar and smiled herself. “Good news, I take it?”