Jump to new as of September 3, 2000
Chapter 1 Posted on Thursday, 4 May 2000
New York City, late 1800's
Elizabeth Bennett stood on the train platform looking down at the letter in her hand. A whistle sounded and the station filled with the roar of the approaching steam engine. She looked behind her and saw no one familiar. None of her family came to see her off, she was alone and preferred it that way. She stared back down at the letter as the passenger car came to a stop in front of her. With a determined smile she stepped aboard, never to look back again.
It was exactly two years ago that Elizabeth had stood at this station, waving goodbye to her sister Jane. Their father had passed away a year prior, leaving her mother, 4 sisters, and herself practically penniless. Her mother and two youngest sisters moved into their Aunt Phillips' house. Uncle Phillips was a small town lawyer in Meryton, NY, and though not wealthy, lived comfortable enough. Jane, Elizabeth, and their sister Mary were compelled to move to their Uncle Gardiner's house in New York City. Their Uncle Gardner owned an import business and a townhouse in Brooklyn. As Mr. Gardiner's business was successful and they could easily afford the additions to their family.
The three sisters arrived at the Gardiner's townhouse a couple weeks after their father's passing. It did not take long for the girls to settle in, as they had already been frequent visitors. Shortly after their arrival, the Gardiners had insisted that the two eldest attend the city college. However, the 2 girls thought that the Gardiners had given them enough already.
"Lizzy, please understand that we only want what's best for you. I know you feel that this is too much for us to give to you, but remember that your Aunt & I regard you both like our own daughters." Mr. Gardiner was now at the point of pleading his case with Jane & Lizzy.
"But Uncle, this is too much," cried Jane. "You are already providing us with a home and taking care of our needs, we are already enough of a burden. "
"No Jane," replied her uncle, "none of you are a burden on us, and what I have already provided is not enough. Your father would have wanted this." He paused here, trying to determine the expressions on his nieces' faces. "All right," he continued, "If you will not allow us to give you this opportunity, let's make a deal. How about you both go to college and obtain a teacher's certificate. Then, you can get jobs teaching, and pay me back. Would this make the two of you feel better about my sending you to college?"
Lizzy and Jane looked at each other, able to read each other's thoughts. Though not happy, they accepted and were to start classes a week later.
Elizabeth smiled to herself as she looked out the window at the passing landscape. A young Englishman approached and asked if the seat next to her was occupied. Elizabeth replied in the negative and the gentleman took a seat. He immediately took out his newspaper and started reading. Elizabeth had an opportunity to observe her neighbor and thought him very handsome, but since he was not inclined to be talkative she turned her attention back to the landscape and her memories. She thought about how ironic it was that that one conversation had led them both to this same train route. Jane's journey has been a happy one, though at the time the prospect was not a comforting one.
Jane as she promised went to college with her sister. However, halfway through the first semester, she picked up a newspaper and knew what she had to do. Though she had accepted the deal with her uncle, she still thought that her education was an unnecessary burden to them. She had thought long about her options and decided that this was the only one that would prevent any reliance upon her uncle's generosity. In what seemed an impossible amount of time, Jane received a response from her inquiry, sent off the application and received a confirmation back. Included in her confirmation was a possible candidate for her to choose.
Jane trembled as she looked at the paper on the desk in front of her. "Am I making the right decision? Is this really the path set for me in life? If this is the path, should I accept the first applicant that I receive?" She really didn't know how to answer her own question and decided to leave her fate to God. With that resolution she reread the candidate's information and started her letter to him.
Brooklyn, NY
September 9, 189_Dear Mr. Charles Bingley,
My name is Jane Bennet. I am 23 years old and currently reside in Brooklyn, NY. I have decided to respond to your application for a number of reasons. Firstly, I am of an independent nature and am currently living off of the generosity of an uncle with two of my sisters after my father's untimely passing several months ago. Secondly, after having grown up on a farm in upstate NY, I am unaccustomed to the bustle of the city and would like to return to the quiet and free nature of a farm. I am a hard worker who has grown up knowing how to handle all matters dealing with our farm. My father was generous enough to give my sisters and I the knowledge and responsibilities of how to properly run the workings of our farm and the dealings with the tenant farmers that rented from us. For my personal likeness I have blonde hair, blue eyes and am of average height and build. I have enclosed a sketch of me recently drawn by my sister, Elizabeth. I should like to hear more about you in your reply to me.
Sincerely,
Jane Bennet
Jane quickly sealed the letter, addressed it and put it out for the mailman. Jane had pondered telling Lizzy of her plans, but thought better of it. Even as close as they were, she knew that Lizzy would not understand and would successfully talk her out of this move. Therefor, she decided to inform Lizzy with the rest of her family when all matters were settled. She didn't like the idea of causing her family pain and worry over her, but felt there was no other choice. So, Jane decided to keep up the charade of attending classes as long as possible.
Netherfield Ranch, WY
September 20, 189_Dear Miss Bennet,
First let me offer you my condolences regarding the death of your father, from what you wrote, he seemed to be a fair and noble person. I am truly sorry for your loss. I was born in England 28 years ago and emigrated here a few years back. I have a good stature with light-brown curly hair and brown eyes. I have two sisters and a brother-in-law who still reside in England. Though I still love my home country, I too, enjoy the free nature of the American west. Thank you for the sketch of yourself, however for reasons I will list below I have not yet looked at it. I think that I should offer you an explanation of the reason why I am searching for a wife through advertisement. For a living, I work on a ranch in Wyoming with several families that live here to form a small community. The owner values all the families that live here and has striven to make his ranch self-sufficient. Though the area that I live in is somewhat populated, I have never found someone whom I could consider spending the rest of my life with. My best friend, who lives in England, often tells me that I am always eager to approve of everything and everyone I meet. This is most often the case, however when choosing a wife, I don't feel that I can allow myself to be swayed by external circumstances. I am afraid that I shall like her for who she appears to be, not who she really is. I hope that you understand what I am trying to say, and that I appreciate the opportunity to correspond with you.
Sincerely,
Charles Bingley
Brooklyn, NY
October 5, 189_Dear Mr. Bingley,
Thank you for your candid reply to my letter, I hope I shall not disappoint, though I can understand your point of view. My sister often has a similar complaint about me, that I can think no wrong of other people. Though I know that there are people that can be found to do grievous things, I never can seem to think that anyone in my acquaintance can. Logically though, I know that anyone can be pushed into circumstances beyond their control and those circumstances can lead people to act differently than they normally would. Unfortunately, the papers here in New York are filled with those types of happenings. That is another reason why I do not like being near the city. I would wish that the newspapers focus on the good of our society rather than the bad, but I guess that that is human nature.
I stated in my letter to you that I currently live with two sisters, however I don't think I mentioned that I am the eldest of five. My mother lives with my two youngest at her sister's house a few miles from where our farm was. Our farm was handed over to a distant cousin after the death of my father, as was depicted in his will. When my great-great grandfather was given the land as a gift from the King, he stated that it was to follow the tradition of being handed down to only male heirs, and so my father followed his ancestor's wishes. My sister's names in order are Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine, and Lydia. As you can deduce, I live with Elizabeth and Mary. Lizzy and I, due to my uncle's generosity attend the local college, while my sister Mary attends the local high school. Education was always one of my father's loves, and though he was a simple farmer, he always strove to expand his education and felt it was important for his daughters to do so also.
I must close now, Lizzy is home now and no one knows I am writing to you.
Sincerely,
Jane Bennet
Author's Note: We will now skip a few letters as it is not necessary for us to view the correspondence of two people whom we all know to be of amiable temperaments, kind hearts, and absolutely perfect for each other.
Hertfordshire Camp, WY
December 15, 189_Dearest Jane,
By the time you read this letter, it will be Christmas, so let me give you my warmest Christmas tidings. I hope you and your family are well, and looking forward to the holiday season. With the warm weather we are experiencing, we decided to take one last herd to market. So it is that I find myself sitting around the campfire listening to Billy Fields playing a fiddle and Adam Jones playing a banjo. I look up at the twinkling stars and since I've been halfway around the globe, I know, not just believe that they are the same stars that you, sweet Jane, sit under. Are you looking at the same one that I am, do you wish your hopes upon the same one as me? I hope so Jane.
Cookie made a meal tonight that reminds be of home. Not of England, but of Netherfield Ranch. When I came here a few years back, I was home sick, missing my family's estate, my friends, and the "sophistication." But, with your correspondence, and the family I've come to love at Netherfield Ranch, I find that this is my home, but its not complete yet. I'm sorry, I'm being very nostalgic tonight. We're sitting around the fire telling stories of our loves found and loves lost. Do I dare tell them of you dear Jane? I've decided that if you're up to it, could you make the trip here? Will you marry me Jane? If you're not ready yet, I can understand. I just wanted you to know that I am. I have carried your portrait around with me for several weeks, sealed up so I can't look at it. However, after coming to the decision that I want to marry you I took it out. All I can say is that you are the most beautiful angel I have ever seen.
Please write to me soon,
Charles