Louisburg Square

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER THREE

The next day, Anna decided she needed time alone to collect her thoughts. She was very grateful that Ausable would be taking the boys to Cambridge to show them his alma mater, Harvard. The boys were excited that they would be taking a horse-drawn streetcar there. It had only been a few days since they all had left Keene Valley in such a hurry. She hadn’t heard from Will and wondered if he was even a bit concerned about them.

After the boys left for their tour of Cambridge, Anna sat at the dressing table in her room. She wrote several letters to close friends in Fairfield who knew nothing of what had happened. She also wrote to the Pastor of the Congregational Church in Keene Valley, Tom Baker. Tom was one of Anna’s closest friends in the valley. She could tell him anything and she missed him when she was back home.

He had no one to take over for him at the church, but she wrote telling him she hoped he would come visit when things were settled about where she would be staying.

Next, the hardest letter to write – to Kathleen and Allen Tattersall, Will’s parents. She adored them, and they her. She thought Will might be too embarrassed to tell them what he had done so they might not even know. Of course, Will’s Aunt Lil, Allen’s sister, might have written, but Anna thought that Aunt Lil’s sentiments probably would not be in line with hers.

Anna wrote,

Dear Kathleen and Allen,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am in Boston with the boys. They think they are here for a side trip on the way home. Unfortunately, they are not. This is difficult to tell you, but I know you are aware that Will and I have not been happy in our marriage for the last several years. We have been drifting apart and, as hard as we tried, we could not move on in the same direction. He became quite unkind a few days ago so I made a decision, one I have been thinking on for some time. I have left Will. We no longer belong together and I think he’s come to realize that himself. This is all very sad, as I still care for Will and don’t want to see him in pain. It is also very sad that I likely won’t be spending time again with the both of you. Of course, I will bring the boys to visit. I don’t know of my permanent plans yet. For now, I can be reached in care of Mr. Ausable Hancock, Louisburg Square, Boston, if you would like to write.

I am so sorry to have to tell you this unfortunate news and I hope you know that I and the boys will love you both always.

Dearly, Anna

Anna sighed and blew on the letter to dry it. She read it over knowing her relationship with them would never be the same again. It was all so sad. Anna and Will had a wonderful life together until the last several years. Will was so busy with his law practice that he had less and less time for Anna and the boys. They missed him when he was away for weeks at a time in New York or Boston where his big clients were. And Will was loving all the excitement of the big city and its new wonders, which didn’t appeal to Anna. She enjoyed seeing him so happy and enthusiastic, but it wasn’t the life she saw for herself. Women were expected to keep their husbands happy, but Anna was growing into the woman she was meant to be. And that woman wasn’t one who was subservient to her husband, performing her ‘wifely duties.’ Anna shuddered at the thought. A new century was coming and along with it a new feeling of freedom. Why even a few states out west had given women the right to vote in national elections. Yes, things were changing and Anna was ready to change, as well.

Anna gave her letters to Millie to be mailed and told her she was taking a walk to the Public Garden. After what had happened to her on Giant Mountain in Keene Valley, in the midst of the storm, she was never going out unannounced again. The reason Anna took her long walks, climbing into the Adirondack Mountains, was to clear her head. She needed that today.

The Boston Public Gardens was a beautiful and peaceful park. It was a crisp, clear September day. The trees were only just starting to turn shades of auburn and crimson, so mostly they were a mass of lovely emerald green, flickering in the breeze from the far-off Boston Harbor. The garden beds were still lavish with a multitude of flowers of every color and variety in quite a spectacular display. Anna entered from the corner of Beacon and Charles Streets and headed toward the pond in the center. One swan boat with a family in it was already being paddled around. Anna knew the boys would love that. She found a bench and watched the swan boat glide down the long pond. It was very serene and quiet for a park in a city, she thought.

Anna’s mind wandered to thoughts of her childhood in Philadelphia when life was simpler. Her biggest concern back then was sewing new clothes for her favorite doll, Jenny. She wondered what happened to Jenny. She knew at some point she had lost interest in dolls, but where had Jenny gone? Anna’s mother had died closely followed by the death of her father. It was a very sad and difficult time. In thinking back to when she cleared out the house, she realized she’d forgotten all about Jenny. How could she have done that, she wondered? She supposed the sadness of losing both of her parents almost at once had muddled her mind at the time. Still, she hoped her mother had donated Jenny to a needy child who would love her as she had.

She and Will had met and became friends in Philadelphia when they were quite young. That friendship led to love as they grew into adolescence. What fun they had back then. Anna remembered the first time that Will kissed her. She was fourteen and Will was sixteen. It wasn’t easy for them to have time alone for such a thing to happen. This was at the Centennial Exhibition of 1876, the first official World’s Fair in the United States, in Fairmont Park along the Schuylkill River. It was a massive exhibition to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, and to show off the latest inventions, agriculture, horticulture, and great art. Anna and Will’s families were among the fortunate ones who went on opening day. There were many wonderful pavilions, one showing the latest technology, including Alexander Graham Bell’s first telephone. Two devices were set up on opposite ends of Machinery Hall so people could hear each other over the wire. Anna and Will wanted to speak to their parents over the telephone, so they ran to one end while their parents stayed at the other end. A man handed the earpiece and mouthpiece to Anna and told her to say something.

“Can anyone hear me?” asked Anna. She waited a moment.

“Anna, is that you?” asked her mother, in a scratchy sound over the earpiece.

“Mother? I can hear you,” she exclaimed.

“Let me try,” said Will, taking the telephone from Anna. “Can I speak with my father?”

“Oh, this is just silly,” Will heard his father say.

“It’s not silly at all, Father. I can hear you just fine.”

“Why, Will, that really is you,” said Allen.

“Yes, Father, I’m here. This is a sensation.”

“Oh, isn’t this too exciting, Will?” Anna said.

“It really is,” Will said, and he put his arms around Anna and kissed her, much to the amazement of both of them.

“Will Tattersall. What are you doing?”

“I kissed you! And I want to do it again.” To which he grabbed Anna again and kissed her, even longer and more deeply. When they pulled apart, both were breathless and stunned.

“My, Will, I think that was even more thrilling than the telephone,” she said, breathing a happy sigh, just as their parents came up to them, being none the wiser.

It was a lovely memory to have. It made Anna realize there were signs of how Will was fascinated by technology even back then. Who knew his fascination would be part of what tore them apart? But stirring fond memories wasn’t the reason Anna had come to the Public Gardens. She needed to determine what to do next and how to sort things out with her husband. He was probably working in New York as he had many demanding clients there. She would have to write him and see if he would come to Boston so they could talk and he could visit the boys. It would be best that they meet in a neutral location. Ausable’s house would not be appropriate. Will must have regular lodgings somewhere in Boston as he often was in the city on business. Perhaps a place like that might be best. Anna realized a letter might take too long to reach Will. She would wire him at his New York office. She’d ask Frederick when she got back to the house about doing that.

Anna thought how difficult this first meeting would be. They were both so unhappy and sad about the state of things. It was hard loving someone for so long and having that end. As Anna thought back, tears came to her eyes. So sad. She really missed what they’d had.

She took a stroll around the Gardens to cheer herself up, enjoying the flowers and the beautiful day. She stopped to admire the giant statue of George Washington on his horse, prominent above everything else in the Gardens. Anna was impressed. She walked through the middle of the Gardens and stopped on the stone bridge that went over the pond. She looked around at the beautiful, mostly brick buildings that surrounded the park. She waved to the family riding in the swan boat as it went under the bridge and laughed as the children yelled to hear their own echoes as they passed beneath. Paul and Sam will do the same thing, she thought. Yes, this might be a good place to raise her boys. And she smiled to herself.

Back at Ausable’s house, Anna asked Frederick about sending a wire. He told her to write down her message and where to send it and he’d have it taken to the telegraph office right away. Anna sat at a small writing desk in the library and wrote her wire.

To: Will Tattersall, Esq. 55 William St. New York City

From: Anna Tattersall, in care of Ausable Hancock, Louisburg Sq. Boston

Will can you come to Boston?-(STOP)-The boys would like to see you and we need to speak-(STOP)-Please advise where and when

Anna

She put the paper in an envelope, not sealing it, and handed it to Frederick.

“I’ll have James take it right away, Mrs. Tattersall.”

“Thank you, Frederick.”

He left the room and Anna sighed, shaking her head slowly. She knew she was doing the right thing. She only hoped Will wouldn’t make things too difficult.

Anna ate her lunch outside in the lovely courtyard under the shade tree. As she looked about, she thought of inviting women to tea once she made some friends in Boston, and how attractively she could decorate the courtyard. She had learned a great deal about decorating from her mother-in-law, Kathleen, and Will’s Aunt Lil. They both had a way of adding special touches to make everything just a bit more unique than anyone she knew. Anna noted all their ideas and was able to impress her friends with her own imaginative touches. Not to mention her greatest compliment, approval from Aunt Lil. She was one tough old bird. The matriarch of wherever she happened to be at any time. She had a way of making even the highest titan of industry cower with respect. Even though Lilian Tattersall could be harsh, Anna couldn’t help but be constantly impressed by her. And Anna could tell that Aunt Lil respected her. They had a good understanding and appreciation of each other. Unfortunately, that would most likely change now that she and Will had separated. Yes, everything would be different. But Anna hoped for the best to happen.

Ausable and the boys came back from their visit to Harvard. Paul was carrying a Harvard school spirit flag on a stick and Sam was wearing a Harvard skull cap. Both were brimming with excitement over their outing.

“Mother, Harvard is so beautiful,” Sam exuded.

“It is, Mother,” agreed Paul. “There are trees all over.”

“And Mr. Hancock showed us his dorm and the business school,” Sam added.

“And we got to eat in the Harvard food hall with all the students,” said Paul.

“The food was really good there,” said Sam.

“I think I’d like to go there for university,” said Paul.

“That’s a wonderful idea,” said Anna. “I’m sure we can work that out.”

“I had a splendid time showing the boys my Harvard,” said Ausable.

“Thank you so much,” said Anna.

“Oh, and best of all, Mother, they have an observatory,” Paul said. “And we looked through the giant telescope.”

“Yes, we could see stars even in the daytime!” exclaimed Sam.

“That must have been marvelous, boys,” Anna said.

“I still know a few of the astronomers who work there,” Ausable said. “They were very nice to let the boys look through the telescope.”

“And they showed us a giant Kodak camera they have,” said Sam.

“It’s to shoot Kodaks through the telescope,” Paul added.

“Actually, it’s a Daguerreotype,” said Ausable. “It’s an amazing device that makes very large photographs.”

“They showed us some of the photographs,” said Sam. “One was bigger than me!”

“My, it sounds like you’ve had a magnificent day,” Anna said.

“Oh, we did,” said Paul. “Thank you so much, Mr. Hancock.”

“We had a wonderful time, Mr. Hancock,” said Sam.

“I’m so glad you enjoyed it,” said Ausable. “I really like it there, too.”

“You boys have had quite a day,” said Anna. “I think it’s time you go upstairs and take a bath.”

“Oh boy,” said Sam. “I get to turn on the furnace,” as he raced up the stairs followed by Paul.

“Not if I get there first,” said Paul as he passed Sam on the stairs.

“I’m astounded,” said Anna. “Those boys never want to take baths.”

“Well, knowing the way boys are, I’m sure the novelty will wear off soon.”

“I’m afraid you’re right.”

Ausable put his arms around her. “So, how was your day?”

“I wrote a lot of letters telling friends what is happening. And I took a walk in the Public Gardens. They are so peaceful that they gave me a chance to clear my head.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“And most important of all, I sent a wire to Will asking him to come to Boston so we could talk. I hope he’s able to come soon.”

“I think that’s best. You need to know where things stand so you can decide what to do.”

“We’ll just have to wait and see,” Anna said as she put her arms around Ausable’s neck. “Until then, we need to enjoy ourselves. What would you think about a ‘nap’?”

He kissed her. “It sounds like an exquisite idea. But I need a bath, too,” Ausable said. “Why don’t you join me there?”

She kissed him. “Let’s go.” And they ran up the stairway.