August's Wife

By Kari Leigh Woods

Beloved sisters escape shame in their German Mennonite community by joining a wave of immigration to Kansas, only to live their lives a few miles apart separated by lies, miscommunication, and unforgiveness. By God’s grace, they find their way to a better end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9781664292000

Kari Leigh Woods

Kari Leigh Woods entered into writing fiction with a kernel of truth from her family history and a lot of curiosity about how it might have happened. Like her ancestors, she is a woman who has been forgiven much and loves Jesus much (Luke 7:47).

Book preview

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1     Langenbach, Germany

Chapter 2     Langenbach, Germany

Chapter 3     Lehigh, Kansas, America

Chapter 4     Langenbach, Germany

Chapter 5     Lehigh, Kansas, America

Chapter 6     Langenbach, Germany

Chapter 7     Lehigh, Kansas, America

Chapter 8     Langenbach / At Sea

Chapter 9     At Sea

Chapter 10   New York Harbor, America

Chapter 11   New York Harbor, America

Chapter 12   New York

Chapter 13   Lehigh, Kansas

Chapter 14   Lehigh, Kansas

Chapter 15   Lehigh, Kansas

Chapter 16   Hillsboro, Kansas

Chapter 17   Langenbach, Germany

Chapter 18   Lehigh, Kansas

Chapter 19   Lehigh, Kansas

Chapter 20   Lehigh, Kansas

Chapter 21   Hillsboro To Lehigh, Kansas

Chapter 22   Hillsboro, Kansas

Chapter 23   Lehigh, Kansas

Chapter 24   Lehigh, Kansas

Chapter 25   Lehigh, Kansas

Chapter 26   Lehigh, Kansas

Chapter 27   Lehigh, Kansas

Chapter 28   Lehigh, Kansas

Chapter 29   Lehigh, Kansas

Epilogue

About The Author

Dedication

Imagined with love for my grandmother, Alma.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to those who gave me what I needed to write this story: to Aunt Sonja for sharing memories of her grandmother; to Kristin for her dedication to exploring our family history; to Andy for his keen insights into writing an imaginative tale; and to Bob for encouraging me from start to finish.

Chapter 1

LANGENBACH, GERMANY

MARCH, 1895

S ophie stood silently in the shop, eyeing the pearly buttons and purple satin ribbons displayed behind the merchant’s counter. I dare not touch them or give Papa any idea of how much I want them .

She was always drawn to beautiful colors, fragrances, and textures. Bright flowers, savory herbs, even the silky fur of her cat. Such lovely things that God provided were acceptable to her family, but never these vain, man-made fineries. I am content with my cotton dress and woolen shawl; they are all I need. The Good Book says,

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Lost in her thoughts, she startled as Papa exclaimed, Thanks be to the Lord! Brother Schroeder, you have returned! Are you well?

Yes, the Lord provided abundantly for me through all my travels, and even now. I hoped and prayed I would see you here.

Before Schroeder could say more, Papa jumped in, Oh, please, will you break bread with us tonight? We want to hear everything about what God is doing through your work in America.

America. Another unfulfilled longing about which I must be content, she mused. It will be a blessing to hear first-hand about this place where August now lives and one day I too, as his bride.

Sophie’s beloved emigrated six weeks ago, promising to send for her when the time was right. Many of the young men and families from Langenbach went to America to forge new lives in freedom. This was to be her future too.

She stood several feet away from the men as they continued to talk, not wanting to give the impression she was listening. From the corner of her eye, she saw Brother Schroeder pull a letter from his bag and hand it to Papa.

A letter from America! Could it be from August? Has he already arranged for my passage? Surely, it must be, she reasoned. He must have asked Brother Schroeder to bring his letter to Papa and give assurance of what a good place Lehigh is.

Her heart soared with expectations as she walked home to help prepare the evening meal for their guest. The Weyand house was always open to people in need of a place to rest. Mama was the best cook in the community. August and I will make this kind of home for our children. Like Mama, my meals will be simple, but delicious and filling. In the evenings I will serve roasted meats and vegetables with warm bread and thick sweet butter. In the mornings I will feed them porridge with fresh cream and send a piece of bread and some cheese with them to school. Tonight, she predicted, Mama will bring out the berry jam for this honored guest and the good news he brings us.

As soon as they arrived home, Sophie joined Mama in the kitchen and the two set to work putting together the meal. The women moved about the small kitchen in a well-timed rhythm developed through years of repetition, with occasional hesitations for the one who was missing from their dance.

The men sat at the table exchanging news while enjoying the smells and sounds the ladies made as the meal came together. As elder Brothers in the Mennonite community, they shared the sorrow of being far from their people, who were dispersed by persecution across Europe, and those who sought refuge in North America. They also rejoiced that so many had obtained the freedom to worship and live peaceably there. Then their conversation turned to the topic of emigration. Sophie paid particular attention.

Like Joshua and Caleb in the Bible, Brother Schroeder explained, I saw with my own eyes a land flowing with milk and honey. Kansas land is level, wide open, fertile, and free. With a little hard work and God’s blessing, any man could make a good life for his family there.

While Sophie’s ears were listening to his observations of that faraway place, her eyes were on something much, much closer: the letter in Papa’s breast pocket, the corner of which peeked out revealing it remained sealed. When will he open it? How will August convince Papa that now is the time to send me to him in Kansas.

The evening progressed with the expected hearty meal and more reminiscing, but no mention of the letter. Finally, Mama rose from her chair by the fire, Sophie, let us retire to bed.

Again, like a well-rehearsed dance, each kissed Papa’s cheek, nodded to Brother Schroeder, and ascended the stairs to their bedrooms. With her questions unanswered, Sophie drifted to sleep dreaming about August and the life she would soon share with him in Lehigh, Kansas, America.

Sophie rose early with the hope that Papa would be awake and would have something to say to her about the letter. She found him sitting at the table, leaning over his well-worn Bible with the letter lying beside it. With a light touch on his shoulder she asked, Papa, have you been here all night?

He responded in nearly a whisper, Yes, Sophie, I have been searching the Scriptures and praying for wisdom.

Why Papa? she probed. Do you need wisdom because of, she paused, wondering if it was safe to ask, because of that letter?

She held her breath waiting for his answer.

Indeed, that is the case, my child.

Papa looked into the eyes of his younger daughter, knowing her naive and tender heart, and fearing the dangers that lay within the letter’s request. He chose his words carefully, Are you ready to emigrate?

I knew it! August kept his promise. Papa, I trust you to discern the Lord’s will for my life, she said softly to disguise her excitement.

He looked up at Sophie with tears of sorrow and gratitude, I am glad you are willing to go. I think it best if you go on the next train to Antwerp and join the group leaving for America next week.

Chapter 2

LANGENBACH, GERMANY

MARCH, 1895

P apa and Mama became concerned about Sophie after Lina left for America. The sisters were inseparable, born only 15 months apart and moved through life in tandem. But they could not have been more different in appearance and temperament. Lina, tall and blonde, was energetic, outgoing, even loud by Mennonite standards. Her petite little sister had abundant, curly, red-gold hair and a quiet demeanor that was alluring, not standoffish. And, as sisters often do, they appreciated one another’s strengths, stood in for the other in their weaknesses, and were loyal to the other without question. Sophie delighted in being showered in her sister’s joy and simply being around her.

Mama sensed Sophie was dealing with more than separation from her sister. She knew their neighbor, August Kessler, who emigrated along with Lina, was most certainly on Sophie’s mind. She recalled to Papa in Sophie’s hearing, Remember how Lina, Sophie and August played as children?

Indeed, I do. So many times August goaded Lina into climbing tall pines, hiking steep mountain trails, splashing in cold streams, and racing on foot through our sunny valley. Glancing at Sophie, he added, Our Sophie knew these activities were not suitable. She was too little and delicate to be a part of their rough adventures.

Sophie remembered those days too. My job was to wait at home without complaint because August always promised to bring me a token of the things they saw and did. He always chose the perfect treasures for me. A pine cone with a fresh scent; a stone polished by long flowing waters; a wildflower. Surely he lost the foot races with Lina when he stopped to pluck flowers for me. She smiled as she continued her private reminiscing. He always presented my gifts with a story. We laughed so hard when he recounted the adventure. But Lina could never sit still long enough to be a part of our fun and would wander off to do something else on her own.

As young adults, Sophie and August’s relationship deepened beyond friendship, and Lina’s other interests left the two of them alone to talk and dream of the future. At some point, their desire to marry became the poorest kept secret in Langenbach. Yet everyone also knew that Sophie could not marry August until after Lina, being the elder daughter, was married. This was the tradition, and Brother Weyand was not the kind of man who easily broke tradition.

When Sophie left the room, Mama shared with Papa her suspicions, She tries to disguise her morning sickness and swelling breasts, but I clearly know the signs of a woman with child.

Papa sighed, Oh, dear Lord. Not again.

It was that evening he opened and read Brother Schroeder’s letter, he prayed, God, you are good. I thank You for mercifully providing a way to spare Sophie, just as You spared Lina, from the shame she would endure had she remained in Langenbach.

Chapter 3

LEHIGH, KANSAS, AMERICA

APRIL, 1895

A mere ten days after the decision to leave Germany, Sophie stepped from the train onto the platform in Lehigh, Kansas. Eagerly she looked for August. Not only was she excited to see him, but she was also eager to tell him her good news.

She looked to the right, where a man stood alone. Then looked to the left, where a porter unloaded bags and crates of supplies for this prairie community. Be patient, she told herself. When August arrives, everything will be fine. He will have a story for me, and we will laugh all the way to Lina’s place, where I will stay until we are wed.

She stepped to the end of the platform and looked down the dusty road. She imagined their future home somewhere on that short commercial thoroughfare. We will live behind August’s tailor shop, filled with fabrics and notions for making everything from work clothes to Sunday suits. Our little back-of-shop home for two will need to expand to hold three when our baby is born. Then, with impatience and a bit of worry, Where is he?

The man at the end of the platform slowly walked toward her speaking in Low German dialect, just like Sophie’s family spoke, Fraulein Weyand? I am Herr Wiederstien, who wrote to your father.

Who? You wrote to my father? Confused, Sophia continued, August Kessler wrote to my father... she trailed off, suddenly doubting the facts of her travel arrangements.

Herr Wiederstien was confused as well. Herr Kessler, the new tailor?