A brand new blank book in which to record the summer is
precisely what The Doctor ordered; even more so considering it was a gift from
him for my avid use. It was given at
just the right time – before he left to attend his naval compatriots far, far
to the north in Canada for whatever duty was required, and I think somewhere he
knew how much I would miss him – he gave no definitive time of his return.
I was prepared for an incredibly dull summer, full of empty
hours and listless wandering about the estate, but my luck would have it I
received, approximately a week after the Doctor’s departure, a letter from Mr.
and Mrs. Tumbusch of Wyndhaven Manor in Ohio inviting me to travel with them
into Canada as Mr. Tumbusch had some manner of business to attend, and Mrs.
Tumbusch, knowing I was destined to be quite bored unless something drastic
happened insisted upon inviting me. With
all haste I dispatched a heartfelt thanks and acceptance of their kind invitation,
and proceeded to beg Mr. Hegwood for new things which of course he acquiesced
to, claiming he had not spent nearly enough money in recent days, and found
himself with a surplus he had no clue what to do with. A new gown was ordered with instructions to
have it finished in all haste, and some new life was given to a favorite
spencer, a new hat was purchased and new shawls. I could very easily get away with wearing
slightly aged favorites for I would move in circles of society I did not yet
know.
Mr. Hegwood arranged that I would attend himself and Mrs.
Hegwood who were going north into Ohio for a pleasure tour as they had not yet
been to explore that region, and Mr. Hegwood desired to purchase some new land
in what he was told was a fertile land; and he would deposit me in the care of
the Tumbusches.
I made the mistake of thinking the travel from our
plantation to Wyndhaven Manor was tiresome and dull. The travel from Ohio into Upper Canada was
nigh unto unbearable. Two weeks of
travel with very full days in a bouncy rough carriage was nearly torture! It
was far too bouncy to even attempt to write or sketch, so my time was spent
looking out of the window. Once we
entered into civilized territory (for we had to travel far to the east to
travel northwards for safety) things became a little more enjoyable. I had forgotten what the east coast was like,
for the only other time I traveled it was when we moved from New York into
Nashville. It was very refreshing to see
such fashion and bustle of a city which I found I have missed from England.
At long last we arrived at our destination; hot harried and
completely exhausted. It took some time
before our camp was assembled, but when completed it created a very homey place
in which we would spend a few days.
There was so much to see and do whilst in York. Mr. and Mrs. Tumbusch were very good to take
me about and show me all there was to see in the town, which was very charming
and quaint. I was very much in need of
distraction, for I had lost the count of weeks it had been since last I saw the
Doctor. We spent a good deal of money,
ate at some very charming public houses, and toured wineries the likes I had
never seen. Outside of the town proper
crops extended as far as the eye could see a proverbial ocean of green. Before I knew it, Friday had come to a close,
and I sat outside of the tent at my desk, looking out at the fort up the hill
from where we were, watching soldiers mill about, my mind miles and miles away unable
to put pen to paper. The beauty
surrounding me set my mind to far-away places and fond memories. The growing darkness and chill in the air
sent me finally to bed, where I rested rather peacefully with Bingley, the
little dog, lovingly by my side.
