Steel City by William J. Miller Jr

Author:William J. Miller Jr.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lyons Press
Published: 2022-06-04T00:00:00+00:00

Another month went by without going back to Amberson Avenue, and I felt guilty about not checking on how Mother was faring. I was nervous about seeing my father, and I wondered how upset he was about my coverage of his purchase of the Jones patents. When I got there, Mother was wearing a broad straw hat and tending the flower boxes. Did I hear her whistling?

“Jamie, I’m thrilled to see you. Let me finish with these petunias and we will go inside. No one else is home.”

“You seem much happier than you were at my last visit.”

“Oh, don’t pay attention to my silly moods. I’m attending suffrage meetings, and it has given me so much to do. Today I need to organize leaflets for the rally we are holding in Oakland next week on that large piece of land where Western is moving.

“The rally will be on September 1,” she continued. “We’re hoping for good weather. These women I have come to know in the movement won’t be deterred, rain or shine.”

“I’m pleased to see you in such fine spirits, Mother. How many are you expecting?”

“Over one thousand,” she answered. “But I am worried about what is drawing them. More and more we are sharing the podium with women who want to prohibit the sale of alcohol. They argue that they want to defend women from working-class husbands who come home drunk and abusive. I understand the rationale, but why should women get the vote only to take away others’ right to drink?”

“Mother, it seems to me that the women advocating some sort of prohibition are acting on their own moral sense and using the lot of the mill wife as a convenient argument. You don’t see too many Hungarians or Irish at the rallies, I’d imagine?”

“I suppose not. In any case, I must ignore that issue and put my shoulder to the suffrage wheel. It’s so basic. Men and woman are all created equal. I’m sure that’s what Mr. Jefferson would say today!” Then she added, “I had hoped we would get better coverage of women’s issues in the Sun.”

“I’ll be sure to mention that to Mr. Brooks,”

“He seems like a man that would rally to a progressive cause.”

I laughed. “He speaks highly of you as well.” I was surprised to see Mother blush, and I changed the subject. “Have you read any of my articles about the steel companies’ purchase of Captain Jones’s patents? His family deserved so much more!”

Mother paused before she answered. “It’s useless making that point with me. Your father is disappointed. He feels you took advantage of him.”

“Please don’t tell Father I even brought up the subject with you. Our relationship doesn’t need any more strain.”

She patted my face. “I won’t say a thing. Now can I tempt you with some cakes? I don’t think you’re getting enough to eat, living at Leila’s.”

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