The Strathmann Academy of Music at Riverwind: A Novel by Charlotte Lewis

By Charlotte Lewis

Elize DeVries was hired by The Strathmann Academy of Music in the summer of her fifteenth year. Joseph Strathmann sends talent scouts throughout the United States to find extremely talented young musicians. They look for the youngsters whose neighbors say, "That kid plays better than any famous person I ever heard." Each summer twelve to sixteen young talents are invited to spend the summer at Herr Strathmann's estate "Riverwind" in upper New York County. Special instructors assist the youngsters hone their talent. Elize was hired to be a counselor for the students- involve them in tea each afternoon and a social time in the evening. She was also Girl Friday for Herr Strathmann. The summer of 1903 proved to be a special time for sixteen students and Elize as they lived at Riverwind and discovered more than their musical abilities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503551695

Charlotte Lewis

Charlotte Lewis, a retired accountant, lives in Southeast Kansas. Charlotte graduated from University of Southern California with a major in elementary education and a minor in music. Since retirement, she has self-published several novels and has published in Reminisce Magazine, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Hackathon Short Stories, Readers Digest Online, and Mused – an online journal. There's more to learn at charlottelewisonline.com

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Her arrival had been two weeks ago. This afternoon’s tea would be the last that she and Herr Strathmann would be alone. Students would begin to arrive tomorrow. During the time Elize had been there, she learned everything about the house and how it was run. She met the maids that would service the 14-bedroom house. Actually, there were more than 14, but the third floor was servants’ quarters and, for some reason, those bedrooms didn’t count. That seemed strange to Elize. If she’d been born into a very rich family, with servants, she imagined she’d understand.

Elize learned the proper way to pour tea. Herr Strathmann coached her in small talk as that was the best way to get to know people. He wanted her to know every student. And know them well; at least fairly well. Maybe not their favorite color but what they like to do when they have free time; whether or not they have siblings; what their parents do. Herr Strathmann told her that the best way to make conversation with someone you don’t know is to ask questions and then comment on the answers.

There was a huge cupboard of board games. Most she had never heard of before. There was a book holding the instructions to every game. Herr Strathmann suggested she begin with games she knew but to take one unfamiliar game and its instructions to her room daily so she could introduce it during an evening game fest later. She was familiar with the new game Fox and Geese but had never heard of Topsy Turvy, or Which is it? Speak Quick or Pay, or Phoebe Snow Game. She had played the Royal Game of Kings and Queens but not Heedless Tommy. Her favorite board game, which her Grandmother taught her to play, was Hens an’ Chickens. And she could play Tiddlywinks though that’s not actually a board game. She noticed in the game cupboard that nearly every game was produced by Milton Bradley or McLoughlin. Wouldn’t it be totally magnificent to be so brilliant you could invent this many fun games? Elize nodded to herself. Yes, that would be wonderful. And all I have to do is learn how to play them all. She chuckled. Indeed.

But now, this would be her last tea alone with her host. He came into the sunroom where tea was always held. Well, Elize, tomorrow is show time. Are you ready?

Elize nodded though she was not really one hundred percent sure she was.

Tomorrow four of our guests arrive. The four young men are from the great midwest -much as yourself. One each from Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Kansas. Two are brass men. A trumpet and a trombone. One is piano and the fourth is a bass man. They are all sixteen. First year I’ve had sixteen year olds. All are farmers and are here at great expense to their families as this is farming season. I tell you this as there may be some withdrawal due to guilt from these four. I do not know how I missed them in previous years. They are spectacular for their age as I am sure you will hear during practice times.

Elize gulped. She hadn’t really thought what kind of students would be here. Sixteen-year old boys had never entered her mind. Nor farmers. She had envisioned impoverished or middle class city children. Or the other end of the spectrum, upper middle class privileged children. But farmers? Boy farmers? They had never entered her mind.

Herr Strathmann was still talking and Elize pulled her mind back to him. The day after tomorrow we will receive two boys, ages eleven and twelve, and two young ladies, both thirteen. All four are violinists. Extraordinary talent. The boys are brothers from Oklahoma; one girl is from Georgia and the other from Tennessee.

Elize had understood from the beginning that there would be sixteen students total -and they would share rooms in pairs.

When will the others arrive? Elize had counted only eight as yet.

The house will be filled by the end of the week, Elize. There are four girls this year. There were two last year though I had invited four. I now understand that most parents are hesitant to send their darlings to an old, unmarried man. I am ashamed to admit you were hired to alleviate some of those misgivings. But, it worked. There are four young ladies this year - two violins, a flute, and a clarinet.

Herr Strathmann, do you always refer to your students by their musical instrument or talent rather than by name?

The question caught Strathmann by surprise. He had not even realized he did that. He stroked the tidy gray beard he sported before responding - thinking about the question. Yes, he could see now that he did do that. Believe me or not, Elize, I did not realize I do that. But I do, don’t I?

She nodded.

How do you refer to me? I have no musical talent. Elize wondered what he called her to the staff? That girl? The game keeper? The pourer of tea?

He struggled to keep a straight face. He had forgotten how curious young girls could be. And how direct. Well, Elize, I frequently think of you as Elizabeth’s daughter. Your mother and I grew up together, as you know, though I am a bit older than she. Other times I think of you as that marvelous curiosity that soaks up knowledge as I sop up gravy. But usually I think of you as Elize, the friendly young woman who works for me.

That answer satisfied Elize immensely. She smiled broadly and asked, Would you care for more tea, Herr Strathmann?

CHAPTER TWO

The rain stopped sometime during that night. The silence awakened Elize. At first, she couldn’t figure out what was different. Then she realized - it wasn’t raining. She went back to sleep hoping that the rain had ended for a long time. She was sorely tired of the incessant damp.

The carriage was pulling down the drive when Elize got up. She had been dozing when she heard the clop-clop of the carriage team of horses. Elize didn’t know much about horses but this pair was beautiful, to her. Both were a shiny black with white feet and a blaze on the forehead. She had gone to the stables last week during a light shower and was allowed to feed them apples, sugar cubes, and carrots. Beauty nuzzled her neck and made little nicker sounds. Beast seemed to want more treats and nosed her hands. The stable man told her she could come any time they weren’t in harness. When they are in harness they are working, Miss Elize. Horses take working very seriously. But you are welcome any other time.

Elize dressed quickly and went down to the kitchen for her breakfast. Beginning with dinner today, they would have all meals in the dining room. Elize loved breakfast at the small table in the kitchen.

The cook, Molly, had worked for Herr Strathmann for all the years he had owned Riverwind. She told Elize tales of wonderful banquets that had been prepared and served in the house; some of the important people who had eaten the meals she’d made. Not everyone was in the music world back when she first began her employment. Herr Strathmann had entertained big names in industry and politics. Molly closed her eyes and tilted her head, thinking. Tom Hendricks was a frequent visitor until he became Vice President to Grover Cleveland. Benjamin Harrison was here a few times, after he lost his run for a second term. Very stiff man but once he warmed up, he could talk forever as I recall. I remember Herr Strathmann saying he found it very difficult to believe Ben was a Hoosier. Grover Cleveland was a family friend of Herr Strathmann, I think. He spent much time here before becoming president. New York is so close to the capitol. And Theodore Roosevelt was here once. Just before he became Vice President to Mr. McKinley. There have been many senators dining at our table but I remember these men best. But, since Herr Strathmann opened the Academy we haven’t done much entertaining.

Elize was excited as she recognized almost all of the politicians mentioned. She had studied U S Government in the eighth grade.

Molly also remembered Elize’s parents and related the story of Elize’s father and his first encounter with a grapefruit. Elize filed that tidbit away for a time to bring it out at home and tease him.

All in all, Elize felt at home in the kitchen.

Well, Missy, by dinnertime we’ll have four new mouths to feed. Are you ready?

I like to think so, Molly. Has Herr Strathmann ever had a person like me in the house before? She added more syrup to the crunchy waffle Molly had served her. She asked this question even though she was sure she was a first.

Before the school started there were a number of young ladies that acted as hostess for Herr Strathmann for big special dinners. He was a firm believer in setting the table man, woman, man woman. He said he’d learned that in Europe and he felt European ways were so much more advanced than American. He always hired a hostess. A younger woman, usually, who was quite beautiful. He has always been fond of making good impressions. But, other than that? No, no, he hasn’t. But he found so many talented young ladies who he wanted to help, he realized it was a necessity to have a female in the house. Not that we don’t love you; you are more than a necessity, Missy. In just two weeks you have changed the entire house. And four young ladies will be here, I’m sure, just because you are. We had two young girls last year but they seemed intimidated most of the summer. The entire staff is delighted you’re here.

Elize absolutely beamed. No one, not even her parents, had ever made her feel so important.

Elize decided that this first week there would be no games; just conversation at their evening get together. The residency would increase by four every day. It would be easier to get to know the students a few at a time, as they came. She was sure even boys are timid at first in a new place. At least, she hoped so. And the trip from wherever they came from to here had to be tiring. It’s easier to talk than have to think and play games when you are tired.

Hizzy, one of the kitchen staff, was setting the dining room table for six when Elize heard the clip-clop of Beauty and Beast coming up the driveway. Elize was fascinated by the table for six in the huge dining room. Hizzy explained that there were several leaves for the table. As new students arrived, additional leaves would be inserted. Herr Strathmann thought it ostentatious to put six people at a table for twenty.

Elize was sure that Herr Strathmann would wait until dinner to meet the newcomers as Maddy and Horace were meeting the carriage now as they had met her. The four boys were housed in two rooms next to each other across and down the hall from Elize’s room. Apparently, they had spent enough time together enroute that they paired off without much thought.

Two of the boys had instrument cases - ah! the trumpet and the trombone. They decided to room together. Herr Strathmann had several ‘practice rooms’ and two of them had both a piano and a large bass. Other than the piano and bass, each student would bring his own instrument.

The piano and the bass players took the second room. Maddy told the four of them dinner would be ready in half an hour. She pointed out the grandfather clock at the top of the landing. It is accurate and quite loud. The boys buzzed between themselves. From what she overheard, none of them owned a timepiece.

Elize stayed out of sight. No particular reason but she thought it would be better for Herr Strathmann to introduce her. But she had to wait until the clock struck the hour to leave her room and not be seen before dinner. There were nine bedrooms, two water closets, a dumb waiter and the clock situated on the second floor. Her room was at the far end of the hall overlooking the front drive from one window and the rose garden from another. Hers was the only room that also had a small foyer or sitting room now that Herr Strathmann’s bedroom was on the first floor. He had explained that he was just too old to navigate the stairs and too thrifty to install an elevator. Elize preferred Maddy’s explanation of why he moved downstairs. It was more appropriate.

It was obvious to Elize that the four boys were farmers. They had a ruddy outdoor look to them. However, they didn’t look especially bold or brave; they all looked rather timid. Elize realized she didn’t really know much about farmers. They lived on farms but are they especially brave or bold or -—? All four boys had muscles but it takes more than prominent muscles to be brave. Perhaps they were as fearful as she had been when she arrived. Maybe boys aren’t that different after all. Later she came to realize that it wasn’t fear, but trepidation. Most of them had never seen a water closet or a dumb