Dear Parents and Teachers The History Files series takes readers into significant eras in United States history allowing them to walk in the shoes of characters living in the periods they’ve learned about in the classroom From the journey to a new beginning on the Mayflower to the strife of the Vietnam War and beyond each title in this series delves into the experiences of diverse characters struggling with the conflicts of their time Each book includes a comprehensive summary of the era along with background information on the real people that the fictional characters mention or encounter in the novel Additional websites to visit and an interview with the author are also included In addition each title is supplemented with online teacher parent notes with ideas for incorporating the book into a lesson plan These notes include subject matter background information inspiration for maker space activities comprehension questions and additional online resources Notes are available at www RourkeEducationalMedia com We hope you enjoy the History Files books as much as we do Happy reading Rourke Educational Media 3
Table of Contents Chapter One 6 Chapter Two 14 Chapter Three 20 Chapter Four 29 Chapter Five 39 Chapter Six 55 Chapter Seven 62 Epilogue 86 5
Chapter One Hope Richardson pay attention I’m not here for my health the woman said Hope’s governess Hester Price stared at her with a look of impatience and annoyance Today she was to learn the art of conversation and she frankly couldn’t care less about any of it The point of today’s lesson is so that when your husband brings over his colleagues or potential business contacts you are able to entertain them with grace and eloquence Hope looked away so that Hester wouldn’t see her roll her eyes And if I wanted to entertain my own business contacts Hope asked Don’t be ridiculous Hester said A woman’s place is in the home and in support of her husband Women work because their 6
families are poor and because they have no choice You my dear have been born into privilege and one day you’ll marry into privilege Hope shook her head and sighed Will I be allowed visitors in my prison of privilege I see we’re getting nowhere today Very well then Hester said She rose from the plush armchair she’d placed in front of Hope and dusted off her skirt Your father asked that I take you by his work after your lessons Gather your things and we can head off A wide brilliant smile came across Hope’s face Going to her father’s watch factory was one of her most favorite things She’d sit in his office and listen in on his meetings talking with watch dealers or someone trying to sell him the latest and greatest in machinery that’d revolutionize the watchmaking process or so they’d say And when it was time to go over the ledgers deal with payroll or review the weekly reports he’d always involve her teaching her everything there was to know 7
