My husband, Henry Talbot, was a maker of rope. His best and largest customer was the Vrijbuit Shipping Company. The owner even allowed Henry to set up shop
on her landing in exchange for a share of the profits and first choice of rope. I was proud of my husband's skill and was glad of the respect I received as his wife.
Our home was a small cottage with two rooms. The main room had a fireplace for cooking and heating while the second room was actually a sleeping shed Henry had
added during his first marriage. He told me in the early days of our marriage that he wanted some privacy for us when the children came along. He was very attentive.
However, Henry was not the easiest man to live with. He was never that clean, drank some, brawled more and spoke rough with his cronies. Usually he wasn't a
mean man unless they got him drunk at the tavern. He was always sorry the next day when he saw the bruises he left on me. I did my best to keep him content
with good food, a clean home and a smile on my face. The one thing that I could not do for him was to give him sons. Just like his first two wives, I proved to
be barren. When he was drunk, this is what angered him the most. He would look at me, glance at the shed were we kept our bedding then look to the corner where
we had the clothes pegs and family chest. Henry always said that his children would have there own clothes pegs carved by his own hand. The wall held two pegs; his and mine. He would strike in fury before I could flee.
Aside from Henry's anger and our lack of children, my life has
held many small joys. I always enjoyed rising early and watching the sun come up over the
river. I often went to market to talk to the other wives and wander as I wished. Henry
never minded when I bought a new ribbon for my hair or liniment to rub on his callused
hands. I even brought home a kitten once that Henry didn't like. He let me keep it but it
disappeared one night.
I was taught to read by my neighbor, a local spinster named Honoria Bloomfield. She was
most kind and left me her three books when she died during the sixth year of my marriage.
Henry sold the books the following winter when money was scarce.
The ladies of Vrijbuit brought me joy, as they were generous with old gowns and small
treats. Once I was allowed to attend a garden party held by Lady Anne. I knew I was among
my betters so kept my mouth closed most of the time. Henry told me later that Lady Anne
though I had very nice manners for a commoner and that she would remember to invite me
another season.
During the winter, Henry fell into the river while
drunk. His companions fished him out and brought him home. He was ill the next day but
held open the shop. Vrijbuit had a large order for Captain Robineaux's newly fitted
PoohBear. Being as Henry had promised to deliver the order by the end of the following
day, he worked all day and into the night. The next morning Henry was worse but had an
appointment with Lady Anne. He was made to wait in her drafty hall for nearly half the
day. The LadyAnne took one look at poor Henry and sent him home forthwith. Henry was
unable to rise the next day. I was made to carry a note to the good Captain informing him
that the rope would be delayed by one day. The Captain was displeased but accepted the
delay with good grace. I promised I would deliver the rope the following day.
That night, Henry became overheated and cross. I fought to hold him down while I bathed
his brow. The struggle continued until the early hours of the morning. He finally quieted
as the rooster stirred. I fell asleep by his side only to awaken hours after sunrise to
find him missing. I rushed to the shop but Henry was not there. I ran to the homes of his
fellows only to be told that they had not seen my husband. I returned home when no other
options came to mind. The weather was most foul with freezing winds and the feel of snow
in the air. At
dusk I again inquired of his friends and even dared the tavern but to no avail. Henry was
not to be found. I turned to my last hope and made inquires of the constables. They
promised to watch for my man but joked among themselves that he would likely be found with
some doxy on the wharf. Sobbing, I turned from them to return to my empty home.
I slept sitting at the table. Just as a new dawn pinked the river, there came a knock at
the door. Upon the stoop was Captain Robineaux of the Vrijbuit Shipping Company. I began
to apologize for not delivering the rope but the good Captain stopped me. Henry had been
found a scant hour ago, dead at their warehouse door. It was not known where he had been
the previous day but he died delivering the rope as promised.
I'm grateful to Lady Anne who invited me to join the Vrijbuit Shipping Company as a simple
adjunct. The work is not hard and I am well fed. I'm not too old yet
and hope to find a caring man to marry me soon, God willing.
