Rebecca by Mary Christner Borntrager

Rebecca by Mary Christner Borntrager

Author:Mary Christner Borntrager [Borntrager, Mary Christner]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-8361-3500-8
Publisher: MennoMedia
Published: 2014-02-15T00:00:00+00:00


The Diary

Rebecca had trouble finding steady work for the winter. It was not nearly as busy a time for the womenfolk, now that gardening and canning were over with. Unless she could find a family who needed someone for several weeks while the lady of the house was recuperating from childbearing, she would be without work. Becky did not want to depend on her parents. If she kept paying room and board, her savings would dwindle fast.

Things were going better for her at church since her accident. She had not been able to go with the young folks for quite some time. So, since she hadn’t been seen with James Miller, she was welcomed back. There were those who would remain her friends regardless, but some felt she was betraying the church and its doctrines.

One Sunday after the biweekly worship service at a home, Enos Plank’s wife asked Becky if she could talk with her privately. Becky followed her to the washhouse, where the ladies had left their outer wraps.

There were a few small girls playing in the washhouse, and an older lady was getting her shawl and bonnet, preparing to leave. Not everyone stayed for the meal that was always served after services.

“Brrr, it’s cold out here,” Becky exclaimed.

“Yes, it is cold,” agreed Lucy Plank, “but I didn’t know where we could find a place to be alone. You little girls had better run inside or put your Mondlin on.” She directed her remark to the two girls now standing watching her and Becky. (A Mondlin is a dark-colored cape worn across the shoulders, wrapped around to below the knees, and fastened with matching dark buttons. Small children wear this garment until the girls are old enough to wear shawls and the boys to wear plain coats.)

“You could catch a bad cold,” Lucy warned the children. They just looked at her shyly and left. But the minute they thought they were out of hearing range, the two began to giggle as though something funny had happened. However, they did go into the warm house. The older lady who had come for her wraps finally left also, sensing Lucy and Rebecca wanted to be alone.

“Becky,” Lucy began right away, “I will need a Maut in March. Has anyone asked you for that time?”

“No, they haven’t,” Becky gladly assured her.

“I’ll need you at least four weeks. Could you stay that long?” asked Lucy.

“As far as I know now. Anyway, I won’t promise anybody else,” Becky said.

“Good,” answered Lucy, and that was all that was said. No wages were discussed at all. Becky just assumed she would get the customary three-fifty a week plus bed and board. The Planks had five children, and the oldest one was a boy of eight. There would be a lot to do, but she was not afraid of hard work. She knew that a reputation for being a good worker would be an important qualification for being a good wife.

Rebecca was an excellent Maut, and so she did find short-term work a few weeks at one place.



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