How the west was wed, p.28
How the West Was Wed,
p.28
Noting the number of circled words, she fingered her locket, which now contained a photo of her new family, and arched an eyebrow. “What could you possibly object to? Surely you don’t think you could announce Tommy’s arrival any better than I did.”
“You gave our son only an inch.”
Brandon looked so appalled she couldn’t help but laugh. It was incredible to think that in little more than a year, she was now mother to both a ten-year-old daughter and newborn son. Her dearest, fondest wishes had come true in ways she could never have imagined.
“An inch is as much as any birth is given,” she said. Because of the overwhelming success of the “Love Links” column, Two-Time was in the midst of a population explosion. With so many new births to report, Josie had to limit the space given to each.
“But this isn’t just any birth,” he protested. “It’s the event of the year. And you said
nothing about how our son took after me in charm. Nor did you mention that he has your beautiful smile and big, blue-green eyes.”
“You can’t print that. It wouldn’t be fair to the other new parents who believe their children are just as amazing. Readers will think you’re bragging.”
“I don’t care what readers think.” He reached for the pencil on her desk and scribbled something in the margin. “How do you spell ‘genius’?”
She threw back her head and laughed. “Really, Brandon. You’re being ridiculous.”
He grinned back, his eyes aglow with playful combat. “Readers are just going to have to get used to the fact that I’m now a father of two—who also happens to be madly in love with his wife.”
His words filled her heart like a melody filled one’s head. Never had she thought that love could be every bit as wonderful and powerful the second time around.
“Two inches,” she said. “I’ll give you two inches.”
“Three.”
“One and a half.”
“You’re messin’ with me, Josie.”
Her mouth curved in the widest possible smile. The good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, she hoped to be messin’ with her dearest sweet husband for a very long time.
Dear Readers …
I hope you enjoyed Josie and Brandon’s story.
I especially enjoyed writing about a Victorian newspaper woman. Women editors date back to colonial times, and some edited publications in the East during the first half of the nineteenth century. Still, in those early days, the newspaper business was primarily a male occupation.
This changed somewhat during the westward movement. The late eighteen hundreds saw some three hundred females edit 250 publications in eleven western states. California led the way with 129 known female editors. No doubt there were more, but some female publishers sought credibility by listing their husbands’ names on mastheads.
Newspaperwomen covered everything from national and local news to household hints.
The newspaper business afforded women the opportunity to lead a crusade, promote religious and educational activities, and bring a community together. Though women still didn’t have the vote, some female publishers had strong political views they were all too glad to share with readers.
Editorial disputes like the one between Brandon and Josie were common in the Old West, but not all had such a happy ending. More than one editor was known to be shot by another.
Most feuds, however, were carried out with a war of words. Rival editors prided themselves on the quality and quantity of their insults. Typesetting was a tedious job. It took less time and effort to call someone an idiot or numbskull in print than to find a gentler approach.
If editors weren’t fighting each other, they were fighting readers. Any editor printing an inflammatory story could expect to be accosted at the local saloon or challenged to a duel. Things got so bad that an editor of a Kansas newspaper wrote: “What this community needs just now is a society for the prevention of cruelty to writing men, otherwise editors.”
After one man was acquitted of killing the editor of the Leavenworth Times, the Marion County Record wrote, “That’s just the way with some juries—they think it no more harm to shoot an editor than a jack-rabbit.”
This completes the three-book A Match Made in Texas series. As much as I hate having to say good-bye to the town of Two-Time and the three Lockwood sisters, I’m excited about the new project I’m working on.
Until next time,
Margaret
Author note: the little newsy pieces that begin each chapter were inspired by actual clips that appeared in nineteenth-century newspapers. I do so hope you enjoyed them.
About the Author
Bestselling author Margaret Brownley has penned more than forty novels and novellas. Her books have won numerous awards, including the ACRA Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award. She’s also two-time Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist and has written for a TV soap opera. She is currently working on a new series. Not bad for someone who flunked eighth-grade English. Just don't ask her to diagram a sentence.
Write to Margaret via her website at www.margaret-brownley.com.
Brownley, Margaret, How the West Was Wed
