An Untimely End by Ellison Blackburn

Author:Ellison Blackburn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: steampunk, mystery, historical fiction, time travel, science fiction, speculative fiction, women’s fiction, contemporary fiction, female sleuth, suspense, thriller
Publisher: Goldbrier Press

CHAPTER EIGHT

LOCATED ON DEARBORN and Indiana, Lucky’s is five short blocks from the house and one and a half times more than that from Wells Street Station. The bar itself was damaged considerably by the fire, a point I think speaks volumes about its proprietor. That Martin Lyle came to our aid when he could have remained where he was and attempted to minimize the damage to his own property is something.

Avoiding direct eye contact with passersby, I take in my surroundings. Amongst all the oddities of behavior, one thing cannot be said of Victorian Chicagoans: they are lazy. Over the hot, humid summer, caravan loads of workmen went about their jobs day after day. Some crews cleaned up the disaster areas while others laid the foundation for a new city to rise from the ashes of the old. All around me are the fresh fruits of their labors. Here and there, buildings are sprouting from earth, and the dirt itself will soon harden into stone at the hands of the bricklayers.

I am not so embittered by injustices that I would skimp the scores of hardworking men their due praise. Indeed, I cannot help but admire their industry, nor can I deny that I agree with Allen to an extent. A person can feel a certain level of relief in the simple ways and quaint surroundings. But I’m feeling a touch homesick at the moment; Tanner’s ignorant comments reminded me of another sharper angle to this life.

I miss my Chicago. I miss the clean, tree-lined streets; the flourishing rooftops; the endless extension of the sky reflecting off every building, every architectural surface; and most of all, I miss the fundamental human rights granted to each and all. Regardless of class or classification, these basic truths require no express recognition. Equality. Acceptance. Well-being.

It saddens me to think that right now impressionable boys are being trained to believe that it is within a man’s right to discipline women physically. Dogs do not deserve such treatment. And it is that much more disappointing to realize there are hierarchies within the hierarchy. A man like my brother is the only type these other owners of the Y chromosome will listen to, as though masculinity in itself is a qualification of leadership. The manlier, the more competent to lead the barbarians. The conundrum lies in the fact that there are so few Archers in this world to make a difference.

On my left, a building four stories high towers into the sky. Unlike previous constructions of wood—some with a stone facade—this one is pale gray limestone through and through. It rises like a beacon of the new city to come; doubtless, an idea taken from our big sister metropolis, New York City. To my eyes the structure looks blocky, a rock chiseled into the shape of a cube with cutouts for windows. The decorative frontal pieces are a nice effort.

In my opinion, the city planners—if there is such a group—have been remiss about planting foliage to soften the landscape.

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