The Second Time Around ~ Part 1

 

Nettie Dawson made her way through the snow to the Hilltop Chapel. Nettie loved the peace she felt when she entered the quaint little chapel with it's beautiful stained glass windows. She could almost hear the angels singing as she sat in the pew near the altar.

Nettie was happy she had made the decision to follow her dear friend Ethel Fulbright to Camden Corners. She had made many friends in the short time she had been here and had lost her heart to Mr. Oscar Crowley. Nettie never married after the tragic death of her fiance just days before their wedding was to take place. Oscar lost his wife a few years ago and neither imagined they would ever find love again in their twilight years but here they were, two senior citizens acting like lovestruck teenagers. Nettie hadn't had this much fun in over 30 years.

Nettie was deep in thought and prayer when she became aware of muffled crying near the back of the chapel. She walked towards the sound and found a young girl holding a baby close to her heart with tears running down her cheeks. The girl looked up and Nettie recognized her as one of her former students from Greensboro, Polly Cooper. Polly was one of her better students who showed an interest in becoming a teacher. Nettie wrapped her arms around the young girl and waited patiently while Polly cried herself out.

“Miss Nettie” she exclaimed. “I have made a terrible mess of my life and my Pa has disowned me. I had just enough money for the train ride to Camden Corners and I knew you had moved here. Oh, Miss Nettie, I have no where else to go”.

Nettie's heart broke for the girl. She knew Marlin Cooper well and knew he was a very strict man who ruled his household with an iron first. Nettie liked almost everyone she ever met but she didn't hold Mr. Cooper in high regard at all. Nettie guided Polly and her precious baby out the door and towards her home where she made tea and placed homemade cinnamon muffins on a plate.

It was obvious Polly hadn't eaten in awhile as she gobbled up two of the large muffins. Nettie made a pallet for baby Faith who was soundly sleeping. Polly began her story.

A fellow named James Philpot found his way into Greensboro. He was a handsome young man who won the heart of Polly at first sight. Polly was enrolled in Normal School and studying to be a teacher as she had always planned. James knew right away that Polly was his for the taking but she would be the type who would insist on marriage before she would give into his many charms. The Coopers had a farm on the outskirts of town and owned acres of land near the river. James was a swindler who thought he would be able to ingratiate himself into the family. Mr. Cooper was not to be fooled though and refused to allow Polly to associate with this scoundrel. Polly could not understand why Pa couldn't see how charming and delightful James was. James suggested they go to a Justice of the Peace in a neighboring town. They would be married and Mr. Cooper wouldn't have any choice but to accept James into the family. Polly's head was telling her not to do this but her heart won out and she went off to become Mrs. James Philpot. James had no intention of actually marrying this country bumpkin.

He arranged for his cousin to pose as a Justice of the Peace and perform the bogus ceremony. It didn't take Polly long to discover James' true colors but by the time she did, she was expecting a baby. Her father would not welcome James into the family and told Polly she was no longer his daughter. When James discovered there would be no dowry or land given to him, he fled Greensboro with only a note telling Polly to find a way to get rid of the brat and informed her they were never legally married.

Polly's heart was broken but more than that she didn't know what she was going to do. Her Aunt Bertha was willing to put her up in her boarding house until the baby was born and sent off to an orphanage in Pennsylvania. Polly was expected to earn her keep by cleaning and cooking. She didn't complain, just tried to stay out of Aunt Bertha's way. Polly cried herself to sleep at night thinking of her baby. She had grown to love the unborn child and was determined to find a way to keep it.

One evening in October, Polly began to feel pains and knew her child was about to be born. Polly had never felt such agony in her life and kept praying that her baby would make it through the birth. She heard a voice telling her to have faith. Polly who had been present at her younger brothers and sisters births had some experience with babies being born. Pa refused to pay a doctor to attend to his wife and Polly was the only help she had. She knew it was truly a miracle when her baby girl was born healthy.

Just before dawn that morning while Aunt Bertha was still sleeping, Polly bundled up her newborn daughter, took her money out of it's hiding place and walked away from Aunt Bertha's house and the prospect of giving her daughter away. Polly and Faith were well on their way to Camden Corners before Aunt Bertha discovered Polly was gone. She was glad to be rid of that ungrateful little tart. Aunt Bertha never knew Polly had given birth that evening or that her great niece had come into the world. When she told her brother about Polly's departure, the only thing he said was “good riddance”.

Nettie was appalled that Polly was treated so shabbily. She immediately opened her home to the young mother and her sweet little baby. Polly assured Nettie she would not overstay her welcome and would be on her way very soon. Nettie wouldn't hear any talk of her leaving. She was already planning a baby shower for the new arrival and couldn't wait to show off the little girl. Nettie felt like a first time grandmother and enjoyed the feeling very much.

Oscar arrived for afternoon tea at that very moment. He was captivated with Faith and was looking forward to the day when she would have a cousin or two to play with. Oscar loved his two sons but wouldn't it be fun to have a frilly little girl to make a fuss over.

Polly felt truly loved for the first time in her life. She knew she had made the right decision when she remembered hearing Miss Nettie had moved to Camden Corners.