Chapter Text
Friday, July 14th 1871*
Colleen gazed excitedly out the window as the train whistle blew and the engine puffed and ground to a screeching halt alongside the Denver station. She had traveled by train on several occasions, but it felt both strange and thrilling to be making the journey alone. The occupants of the car began to gather their belongings, the men folding up newspapers and straightening jackets, while the women fussed with hair, and organized children. Colleen hurriedly joined the queue of passengers heading to the door. At the exit, the conductor reached up and relinquished her of her carpetbag, setting it down on the station’s wooden platform. Taking Colleen’s hand he helped her down the metal steps.
“The rest of your bags will be unloaded momentarily, miss,” he instructed.
Feeling suddenly adrift, Colleen stood numbly off to the side next to her carpetbag and scanned the platform for a man brandishing a sign with her name on it. His name was Mr. Baker, and his sister owned, and ran, the boarding house she would be staying at. Due to only being given a week’s notice that she’d been accepted to Colorado Seminary College, there hadn’t been time to visit, but the college had recommended several boarding houses, and the one Colleen had been accepted to had come highly recommended. She knew her ma in particular was a little concerned over not seeing where she would be living, and worried that it wouldn’t be suitable accommodation for a young lady.
Not spotting her driver, Colleen nervously adjusted her cloak, stepping over to a nearby bench to wait. She blushed, as several men milling around the depot watched her progress. She knew she looked fetching in her sophisticated travel clothes, and she said a silent ‘thank you’ to Emma for creating such a beautiful outfit for her to wear. Surveying the busy platform, she hoped Mr. Baker would appear soon, as she was tired from her journey, and anxious to settle into the boarding house, and meet her fellow students.
Another five minutes passed before Colleen spotted a distinguished looking older gentleman heading her way. He paused in front of her, bowing slightly as he lifted his hat.
He smiled broadly, his face warm and open. “Miss Cooper?” he inquired, extending his hand in greeting.
“Yes, I am,” Colleen smiled, standing to shake his hand. “Pleased to meet you. I really appreciate you comin’ to collect me.”
“It ain’t no bother. I always meet first-terms at the station. Sorry I weren’t here when you arrived. My errands ran longer than expected.”
“No problem,” Colleen said politely, just pleased that he had arrived.
Mr. Baker made quick work of organizing and loading Colleen’s luggage, and then they were on their way. They drove through the busy streets of Denver until they reached a stylish neighborhood of Victorian houses. Mr. Baker drew the carriage to a stop in front of a charming two-story, white-painted house. From her seat, Colleen peered over the wrought-iron fence that separated the yard from the street. She studied the huge bay window, the tidy front yard, and the wide, covered front porch, complete with porch swing, with a mixture of relief and admiration. The house looked inviting and homely, and she was hugely grateful, given that it would be her home for the next two years.
Mr. Baker came around to her side. “Here we are, Miss Cooper. I’ll escort you inside then see to your luggage.”
Smoothing her dark blue dress down, Colleen rose from her seat, and allowed Mr. Baker to guide her down to the cobbled sidewalk. The gate squeaked as he held it open for Colleen. Halfway up the garden path, the door opened and a large woman wearing a simple grey dress and white apron stepped out onto the porch.
“Ah, Agnes,” Mr. Baker greeted. “Allow me to introduce Miss Colleen Cooper. Miss Cooper, this is Mrs. Phelps, owner of this establishment.”
Colleen met the older woman’s eyes, a little warily, as she noticed the woman wasn’t smiling. “How do you do, Mrs. Phelps? I’m very excited about livin’ here, and I thank you for the opportunity.”
Mrs. Phelps looked Colleen up-and-down, and nodded her approval. “Welcome, Miss Cooper. You’re the first of the four first-terms to arrive, so you will have first pick of bedroom. There are only two single rooms and one double available, so the last two girls to arrive will be the one’s sharin’.”
“From your letter, I was led to believe there were five other girls, aside from me?”
Colleen could tell by the look on Mrs. Phelps’ face that she was impressed by Colleen’s observation. “That’s correct. Cousins, Cora and Dora Stein are startin’ their second year of college, havin’ resided with us last year. They currently share the second of the double rooms.” Entering the house, Mrs. Phelps called over her shoulder, “Now, follow me, I ain’t got all day!”
Giving Mr. Baker a parting wave, Colleen clutched her carpetbag to her chest, and hurriedly followed. Given the heat of the summer’s day, the house was surprisingly cool. Looking around the foyer, Colleen’s eyes were drawn to the cherry staircase, which stretched up ahead of her, dominating the small room. Hearing voices through the open door on her right, she just caught a glimpse of two dark-haired girls seated on the settee, heads bent close together, before Mrs. Phelps whisked her away.
“The rest of the girl’s are due shortly, and I will introduce you then. We will be meetin’ promptly in the dinin’ room at 12 noon, followed by a house meetin’ in the parlor.” She indicated to the closed door on her left. “Durin’ the meetin’ I will outline the household rules. If you stick to my rules, you will find me strict, but fair. If you intend to break the rules, then your time here will be most tryin’.” Mrs. Phelps ascended the stairs quickly, surprisingly agile for someone with her ample frame.
“Yes, ma’am,” Colleen said meekly, climbing up after her.
“On this level are four bedrooms.” She headed around to the left. “You may choose one of these two rooms. The bedrooms to the right of the stairs belong to Mr. Baker and me.” She walked down the hall until they reached a set of stairs on the left. “Up those stairs are two large attic bedrooms. Miss Stein and Miss Stein occupy one and the other is for two of the first-terms.”
After inspecting both rooms, Colleen selected the one at the back of the house, directly opposite the stairs to the third floor. She thought it would be more private as the one small window overlooked the backyard.
Satisfied that she’d made the right choice, Colleen looked around her new room with admiration. Bare of possessions, currently it wasn’t much to look at, but once she added her own things it would be as close to her bedroom at home as she could make it.
Mr. Baker appeared in the doorway, lugging Colleen’s trunk. Making his way carefully across the room he deposited it at the foot of her bed. “There you go, Miss Cooper.”
Colleen expressed her thanks, and with a nod, Mr. Baker left the room.
Mrs. Phelps hovered in the doorway, gripping the doorknob. “I recommend that you use this time to freshen up and unpack,” she advised. “See you downstairs at twelve o’clock,” were her parting words.
Colleen removed her bonnet, cloak, and black lace gloves, and sank down on the edge of the bed, bouncing a couple of times to test its comfort level. Not bad, she thought. But not as nice as my bed at home!
Feeling a little wistful, she shook her head to clear it, determined to focus on getting settled, and not dwell on thoughts of home.
Standing, she headed to her trunk and began unpacking. She was hanging up her dresses in the wardrobe when she heard the chime of a bell somewhere within the house. Concerned that it might represent something that she should be aware of, she hurried to her bedside table to check her clock, but it wasn’t yet midday. Moments later, she heard the sound of a door opening, and greetings being exchanged. She gave a sigh of relief; the bell must be for the front door. She’d have to remember that in future!
Colleen lined up her books on the little shelf above her bed, including the medical reference text given to her by Dr. Mike. At the bottom of her trunk, wrapped carefully in one of her shawls was her only picture of the family. As she crossed the room, Colleen brushed her hand across the photograph, before placing it next to her bed, so her family would be the first thing she saw every morning upon waking. It was a shame there hadn’t been time to photograph a picture to include baby Katie, but her ma had promised they’d have a family portrait done for Katie’s christening.
The last thing she unpacked was her most recent possession – given to her moments before she’d boarded the train at Colorado Springs. Sliding a long red velvet case out of her carpetbag she snapped it open to gaze upon the pen that had belonged to her Maternal Grandfather. The same pen Josef Quinn had gifted to his daughter when she’d been Colleen’s age and leaving for college. Now her ma had passed it on to her – her eldest daughter. One day I will give it to Katie for her college journey, Colleen promised herself.
Ten minutes to twelve o’clock saw Colleen heading downstairs, eagerly anticipating meeting the other boarders. Warm sunshine streamed brightly through the front window of the foyer, giving the area a homely and inviting feel. Colleen paused at the dining room door, wondering whether she was expected to knock. She was still contemplating her dilemma when she heard approaching footsteps.
“You can just go right in,” a voice said behind her, young and female. “You don’t hafta knock.”
“Although you wouldn’t have gotten in trouble anyways,” said another voice, sounding almost identical to the first. “As you’re a new boarder and Mrs. Phelps hasn’t yet gone over the rules.”
As they spoke, Colleen turned to face them. It was the girls she had spotted on her way in. Seeing them up close Colleen concluded that they had to be the cousins, Dora and Cora, as their facial features, and shade of dull brown hair were too similar for them to be unrelated. In fact they looked more like sisters! Furthermore, their dresses were identical, except one was pink, the other blue. They had even styled their hair in the same tight knot.
Colleen took a step forward, “How do you do. I’m Colleen. Colleen Cooper.”
The girls greeted her enthusiastically. ‘Pink dress’ introduced herself as Dora Stein, and her cousin, a.k.a. ‘blue dress’, as Cora.
“We’re more like sisters though,” Dora gushed, confirming Colleen’s initial thoughts.
“We do everything together,” Cora echoed, as the trio entered the dining room.
No one occupied the room so they had their pick of seats. Colleen chose a seat on the left-hand side, while Dora and Cora sat opposite.
“So you’ve already completed a year of college?” Colleen asked.
Dora and Cora nodded in unison. “This is our third term livin’ here. The girls we shared with all graduated this past May.”
“Except for Martha,” Cora reminded her cousin. “She went home halfway through last term. She couldn’t handle the pressures of college.”
Colleen felt a lump forming in her throat. What if that happened to her? How would she face her family, friends, and the townspeople? She would be humiliated. Folks back home were counting on her to succeed, since she was the first female student from Colorado Springs to be accepted to college. Dorothy had even written a story about her for the Gazette. She prayed she’d be able to keep up with the workload, and control the homesickness associated with living away from home.
Dora laughed. “Cora, don’t scare Colleen.” She leaned across the table. “Don’t worry Colleen; Martha was a very nervous person. You look like you have a good head on your shoulders.”
Colleen hoped that was true. She was about to reply when a pretty girl with pale blonde hair, and sparkling blue eyes bounced into the room. “I’m Josephine Duvall, Josie,” she announced, collapsing into the chair next to Colleen. “I just arrived. I haven’t even had to chance to see my room, or unpack. Apparently, I’ve been informed, that as the second to last girl to arrive I have to share a room, can you believe it!”
“Goodness,” Dora’s hand flew to her mouth, “is one of the girls late? Mrs. Phelps won’t be happy. She’s awful strict when it comes to punctuality.” She made the introductions to Josie.
“You’re startin’ college as well, right?” Colleen asked.
“Yes, yes I am.” Josie confirmed, brushing a cease from the bodice of her fashionable, plum-colored dress. “I’m from Chicago. You?”
“Colorado Springs. Three hour train ride, south.”
The door opened again, and a girl with honey blonde hair slipped into the room, flanked closely by Mr. Baker and Mrs. Phelps.
Mrs. Phelps’ gaze traveled up and down the table. “I see you’re all on time. An excellent start girls.” She marched to the head of the table. Her brother took the other head, while the yet-to-be introduced girl sat down next to Josie.
The boarding house owner’s eyes rested on the empty chair next to Cora Stein. “I received a telegram this mornin’ informin’ me that Miss Belmore-Allen is runnin’ late, her excuse bein’ that she had to travel all the way from New York. This doesn’t impress me as she was given plenty of notice and should have taken into account potential delays, and obstacles, and arranged her trip accordingly.”
Colleen heard the girl with the honey blonde hair whisper excitedly to Josie something along the lines of the Belmore-Allen’s of New York!
Overhearing, Mrs. Phelps addressed the gossiping pair. “Yes, thank you Miss Coleman. They are indeed those Belmore-Allen’s of New York.”
Miss Coleman, a.k.a. honey blonde haired girl flushed with embarrassment. Colleen frowned, wondering if her ma or her grandma knew the Belmore-Allen’s. She’d have to ask Dr. Mike in her first letter home.
A door near Mrs. Phelps’ chair swung open and a young woman, not much older than Colleen entered the room, carrying a tray of fresh, home-made cornbread.
Glancing at the woman, Mrs. Phelps addressed the table. “This here’s Miss Swanson. She helps out in the kitchen and works 9am-5pm, Monday to Thursday.”
The group exchanged pleasantries with Miss Swanson, who greeted them warmly before returning to the kitchen.
“As you are aware from the letter you all received,” Mrs. Phelps began. “My name is Agnes Phelps and I have been boardin’ girls from Colorado Seminary College since the passin’ of my husband ten years ago. I will be addressed by you as Mrs. Phelps or Ma-am, and my brother as Mr. Baker or Sir, no exceptions.”
“Followin’ lunch I will outline the rules of the house. Now I would like each of you to state your name, and where you are from.” She indicated that Colleen should begin.
Colleen proceeded to introduce herself and the other girls quickly followed suit. The honey blonde girl was called Sylvia Coleman, and like Josie she was from Chicago. The cousins, Dora and Cora, were actually born and raised in Denver. During the conversation Miss Swanson carried in a pot of delicious smelling beef stew, a pitcher of lemonade, and finally, a sponge cake decorated with vanilla icing. Following introductions, Mrs. Phelps announced that they should eat. After the boarding house matron led them in a short prayer, Colleen hungrily selected a piece of cornbread from the tray in front of her. Taking a bite she savored the moist, slightly sweet flavor.
Following lunch the girls, along with Mrs. Phelps adjourned to the parlor. Colleen sat between Josie and Sylvia on the settee, while the cousins occupied two armchairs. Mrs. Phelps stood next to a wooden board, which was on the same wall as the door to the parlor, and used a long wooden ruler to point to the list of rules pinned to the board.
“On this board I post all notices regardin’ this household, the college, and any local events and happenings that may interest you. You are all welcome to post your own notices, but I will be monitorin’ all content, and anythin’ I deem inappropriate will be removed immediately.”
“Monday to Friday, Mr. Baker collects the mail and telegrams from the post office, and all mail addressed to you will be placed on the table in the foyer for you to collect.”
Mrs. Phelps was about to continue when she was interrupted by a knock on the closed parlor door.
“Enter!” Mrs. Phelps instructed. The door opened and Mr. Baker walked into the room accompanied by a poised young woman, wearing an expensive royal blue gown with white lace trim. With her dark brown hair, pale complexion, and dark blue eyes she was one of the most beautiful girls Colleen had ever seen.
“Miss Belmore-Allen,” Mr. Baker announced, closing the door behind him on his way out.
“Miss Belmore-Allen!” Mrs. Phelps echoed. “How nice of you to finally join us.”
Most girls in her position would have looked embarrassed, and flustered at arriving late, but Colleen observed the girl as she faced Mrs. Phelps straight on, not looking sorry in the least. “My apologies for my tardiness, Mrs. Phelps,” she said smoothly, her words not matching her expression. “My delay was unavoidable.”
Mrs. Phelps sniffed. “Please find a seat, and introduce yourself.”
Because all the seats were occupied, the girl was forced to perch on the edge of a footstool, and Colleen noted that she didn’t look happy about it. “My name is Wilhelmina Belmore-Allen of the Belmore-Allen’s of New York, but I will allow you to call me Willa.”
Allow! Colleen was unimpressed by the girl’s nerve. A quick glance at Sylvia and Josie and then across at the cousins revealed that the rest of the girls were enthralled by every word Wilhelmina spoke. Colleen was more determined than ever to find out more about the Belmore-Allen’s!
“Thank you,” Mrs. Phelps sounded as unimpressed by Willa’s showy behavior as Colleen was. “Now – I will have to go through the rules quicker than planned as Matriculation for the first-terms begins at two o’clock.”
“Rule number one, you are responsible for keepin’ your rooms clean and tidy. Cleanin’ supplies are housed in the kitchen. Miss Swanson will show you where. All other rooms will be taken care of by myself, and Miss Swanson, but you are expected to tidy up after yourselves when usin’ any of the rooms and are not permitted to leave your schoolbooks and possessions lyin’ around.”
“Rule number two, all meals are provided, breakfast is served promptly at 7am, lunch at noon, and supper at 6pm. It is not mandatory to attend meals, but if you do choose to eat here you are expected to arrive on time.”
“Rule number three, all guests, male or female, are to be visited with here in the parlor. Guests are not permitted upstairs, unless permission is granted. You may invite a guest to dinner, but you must clear it with me first.”
Josie and Sylvia shot each other shy smiles at the mention of ‘male’ guests.
“Rule number four, curfew on weekdays and Sunday is 7pm if you are not in for supper. If you do attend supper you are not permitted to leave the house afterwards. For Friday – “
“Ma-am,” Willa interjected. “It is unreasonable to expect me to be in by 7pm. I’m not a child!”
Colleen had to admit she had a point! Not being able to go out after supper was a major letdown, although she would never dream of interrupting Mrs. Phelps the way Willa just had!
“Then perhaps you should stop actin’ like one, Miss Belmore-Allen. That is the rule, and I expect you to adhere to it, or there will be consequences such as extra chores and loss of privileges. Now as I was sayin’ before I was rudely interrupted, on Friday and Saturday nights you may stay out as late as 11pm. If you have an engagement on either of those nights that runs later than 11pm, you may discuss it with me, and if I decide it’s appropriate, I will allow you to stay out later.”
“Rule number five, all girls must be fully dressed at all times, and are not permitted to wander the house in their nightclothes.”
Next to Colleen, Josie giggled, but then quickly covered her mouth when Mrs. Phelps glared at her.
“Rule number six, the sun room accessed from the kitchen is off limits to all students. It is a private area for Mr. Baker, Miss Swanson, and myself to relax in. You may use this room to converge, and socialize.”
It took another ten minutes for the boarding house owner to go through the rest of the rules, which ranged from hygiene to manners and behavior, to academic expectations. By this time it was one-thirty, and the walk to campus to report for matriculation would take at least twenty minutes. Mrs. Phelps instructed the girls to quickly retrieve their purses from their rooms and report back downstairs in two minutes. The girls raced upstairs in a flurry of excitement and activity.
In her room Colleen grabbed her purse, which hung over one of the posts at the end of her bed. Opening her nightstand drawer she retrieved her college paperwork and stuffed it into her bag. Crossing the room, she was about to open her door, when she heard a raised voice drifting through from the hall.
“Share!” a cultured voice hissed. “It was my understanding that I would have my own room.”
Careful not to reveal her presence, Colleen opened the door just wide enough to reveal a red-faced Willa, standing with her hands on her hips, glaring at an unfortunate Josie. Obviously Willa had just discovered that she was expected to share an attic bedroom!
Josie bit her lip. “Come on Willa,” she pleaded. “Sharin’ a room will be fun!”
“Wait until my parents hear about this!” Willa fumed, stomping toward the staircase.
“Willa!” Josie cried, rushing after her.
Only when their footfalls had faded away did Colleen open her door the rest of the way, and step out into the hall. Poor Josie! Colleen thanked her lucky stars that she had a room to herself!
~*~*~*~
* In Having it All Colleen states that she has to be in Denver the following Friday the fourteen for matriculation, but doesn’t specify which month. We know from the timeline of that episode that it’s summer 1871, and according to the 1871 calendar, July 14th fell on a Friday that year, so July it is! :-) Note: the timeline at the official site has Colleen starting college in August, but due to me incorporating a real event into my story in a later chapter, I need to follow the 1871 calendar, but have tried to match events to the timeline when possible.