#gen1890s

July, 1890

🎶She's the sunshine of Paradise Alley Ev'ry Sunday down to her home we go, All the boys and all the girls they love her so, Always jolly, heart that is true I know, She is the Sunshine of Paradise Alley🎶

Evaline and Walter were deeply infatuated with one another. When all of the housework was over and done with, the young couple would dance to their hearts' content well into the night, happy to have one another as their dance partner.

Then the two would whisper sweet nothings to each other, acting like bashful teenagers sneaking around their parents. Evaline loved the gentle way his hands would hold her, the way his eyes never faltered from her gaze whenever she spoke. She especially enjoyed when her husband would whisper close into her ear, "Eres el cielo mismo, mi amor." You are heaven itself. It ran chills down her spine and flutters throughout her heart every time. How lucky she was to have such a romantic for a husband, she thought to herself.

🕰️ / 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠 / 𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡

June 26th, 1889

𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓕𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻,

I write this letter to you not knowing if you will even read the words. Today, much to your displeasure, I was married to Walter Mendoza. The ceremony was small, held in Brindleton Bay's single church, with only Walter's family in attendance. My side of the pews were much too empty and all I had were the ghosts of my memory to imagine you and Irving sitting there.

I know you must feel upset with me for having taken Mother’s wedding dress. However, this is all I have left of her, especially after running away with Walter. I needed her there with me on my wedding day, if not in the spirit of you then with the feeling of myself wrapped up in her arms. I like to think she would've cried upon seeing me all draped in white. I suppose you would've too.

I now go on to live my life as a wife. Walter has bought a plot of land with an old farmhouse, along with the chickens that came along with the property. He plans to support us as a commercial fisherman, given that Brindleton Bay is a fishing town. I trade a life in the city of New Crest for a much humbler one here. And I must admit Father that I am rather excited for it all. I yearn to work my flimsy hands into strong, defined hands that can nature her children with pride. Though I will forever be grateful for the lavish life you had given me, I suspect I will enjoy this next journey much more.

Please, if you are not too angry with me, I beg you to write back. To give me news of yourself and my brother, to give me your blessing in my new marriage. I do not ask for money or anything of the sort. I just wish for your support, as always.

𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓,

𝑬𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒛𝒂

September, 1892

With the rapid growth of America’s economy, and the promise of living ‘The Dream,’ many families from other countries were beginning to emigrate to the bustling young nation. Walter was first hand evidence of this fact, but he also saw it beginning to pour more and more into Brindleton Bay as the years struck on.

Vast waves of immigrants came, and that meant more workers were coming to the workplace. Walter saw a new man nearly everyday down at the docks, hoping a fishing company would take them on. It was on one day in September that Walter was introduced to a new coworker, starting as a deckhand on his crew.

Hector Garcia, a man who looked in earnest at this opportunity, had migrated from Selvadorada, the same place Walter’s family was from. Though his Spanish was not nearly as perfect as a native’s would be, he could still keep himself in steady conversation, thanks to his parents. Walter was also the only other Spanish speaker on his crew, so naturally Hector was drawn to him.

The two men soon became quick friends, with Walter trying to help out Hector and his family (a wife and a daughter) as much as possible. They would spend some Friday afternoons drinking with one another at the local bar, lamenting about all of their big hopes and dreams of landing a good job and becoming rich. Soon enough, their families would also join and Walter would find himself a fellow hard worker to lean on.

September, 1890

Growing up in Brindleton Bay, Walter was very accustomed to the way of farm life. Getting fresh eggs every morning from his gaggle of chickens reminded him of his days on his family's farm. It ways it came almost like second nature to the man, to provide for oneself with what the earth provided.

On his off time, he would ride Buttercup deep into the wood where he knew the heartiest of fish swam and lived. It was here that he would enjoy the quietness of the trees around him and bring home a hull of fish to dazzle and amaze his wife.

April 24th, 1891

It was in the early hours on a chilly spring day in April that Evaline began her labors. Thankfully Walter had not yet left for work, and after having a slight panic, was ready to support Evaline through the enduring process.

Evaline felt like the luckiest woman on earth to have her husband by her side. The couple didn't have the funds in time to hire a midwife to assist in the birth, so the responsibility would rest entirely on their shoulders. This frightened Evaline greatly, whose own mother died in childbirth when in labor with her brother. Nonetheless, Walter assured his love that he had seen many of his siblings being born and he knew what to do. Coming from a poorer family with never enough money for a midwife, Walter had aided in many, many births.

"You are doing amazing, mi amor," he cooed into her ear between her bouts of pain. He made sure to hold her delicately in his arms, not wanting to cause her any more discomfort than she was already in.

In no time at all, Evaline was fully ready to push. With the endearing help of her husband, she gave birth to a screaming little baby, with such powerful lungs Evaline couldn't help but laugh at his arrival.

The couple held their new child in their arms, cuddling close to admire the perfectly healthy little babe. It was a boy and he was named Salvatore Arthur Mendoza.

And how happy they were to have him.

August, 1894

𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓕𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻,

It has been five years since I have last spoken to you or seen you in person. These letters are the only communication I have had with you in all those years, and yet I still send them, despite your absent reply.

There has been an update to things in my husband’s household. Your grandson, Salvatore, is three years old. He continues to grow everyday into such a pleasant little boy, always dawdling after his mother. I have begun to teach him to read and he has taken a great interest in books. I suspect we have a mighty bookworm on our hands. Hopefully he grows into quite the scholar, much like his grandfather.

I am also with child once again. I am halfway through my pregnancy and very eager to meet my new little one. Salvatore did not seem to understand the concept of a having a new sibling to play with soon. My husband yearns for another boy but I must confess, I seek a little girl. Is it selfish to want a girl of my own? Salvatore will grow to be my husband’s child, as he is the eldest son. But a girl would be entirely mine.

There are not enough words to describe the longing to see you again. My thoughts think of you daily. I pray you write back to me.

𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓,

𝑬𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒛𝒂

March, 1895, 2/2

He wasn’t sure how Evaline would react to such a question. Ever since their marriage, she was hell bent on proving to her father that she no longer needed his money. She sold most of her old jewelry, denied anyone who asked if she were Grover Stanfield’s daughter (“Who?” she would say and tilt her head as if she had never heard the name before). However, Hector was right. The only way to truly get a jump start in this country is to have connections, and if your connections lead back to a family like the Stanfields… 

Walter steadied his nerve. It would all be fine, he told himself. He couldn’t think of the growing pile of bills or the nearing empty icebox.

“Mi amor, I have something to talk to you about,” he started, sitting his wife down in the kitchen to speak with her. He tried his best to appear rational, calm and collected, yet inside he was a roar of endless energy. If she denied him this, he wasn’t sure of what he would do. His career in the fishing business would not sustain what his family needed from him, and he couldn’t let his wife get a job to help out. He was the provider, the head of the family. It was up to him to straighten this all out.

Just with a little help is all.

After hearing Walter’s entire plea, Evaline sighed. Was that a good sign? “Darling, I… I cannot ask my father for help in getting you a job-”

“It doesn’t have to be your father,” Walter insisted. “Irving could do it. He’s the heir to your father’s fortune, mi amor. One word from him and I could get us out of this never ending hole.”

“Based on my father’s fortune,” his wife gave his hand a small pat. “I’m sorry but I cannot. I do not want to depend on my father for the rest of my life, especially now with the children. We will find another way, do not worry.” With that, Evaline planted a kiss on his lips and ran off to deal with a crying baby. Leaving Walter sitting there in the kitchen, not overly defeated but utterly frustrated. He would get that job, with a shining recommendation from a Stanfield, whether she knew it or not.

Late November, 1893

𝐷𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝐸𝑣𝑎,

My nephew grows older by the day, it sounds. I will come to visit him in the summer when my classes are over and spoil him rotten; you have been warned.

Classes seem to fly by me. I have learned so much yet so little in my time at Foxbury. With the addition of a few friends I have made, the year goes by even faster. In no time I will have graduated and be at the beginning of my career! Well, at least until Father retires, which I do not see happening in the near future.

Speaking of our father, he has seen better days. I am sure you heard of the market crash earlier this year. It appears that it hit Father pretty hard, as he lost millions in the banks. He is still more wealthy than most, and continues to pay my tuition for college, but I fear another hit like that and he could lose it all. Perhaps then it would be time for my time to come, to lead his company into a new century.

I hope you and Walter are well, and of course Salvatore. I send my warmest wishes to them all. Have a happy Winterfest.

𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑦,

𝐼𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑