Hitty--The Adventures Continue!

Jennifer Carrier

How BIG the world is!

Though I had sat in the shop for quite some time, I’m not really sure how long it might have been. Having been here and there for the better part of two hundred years has left my sense of time dreadfully warped. Suffice it to say, I had seen many people come and go, many sunsets turn to darkness, as well as many sunrises that brought more people inside to shop and browse.

Often, people were heard to exclaim, “Oh! Look! There’s Hitty!,” and to a companion, “Do you know the story?” Inevitably, these exclamations resulted in my departure from the display case and into the hands of perfect strangers, gentle though they were. I don’t know why it is so, but, without exception, these otherwise mannerly women would lift my dress and pinafore to peer at my pantalet! Sometimes, there were even men (husbands and such) present! Had I not been carved of wood, I’m sure I would have blushed down to my toes!
From time to time, another Hitty would join me in the display case and what fun we would have together! At night, when the shop was closed, we would talk long into the early morning hours, recounting our adventures and wondering what the future might hold. One by one, though, my companions were swept away to happy new homes with lovely ladies. I wondered when my turn would come and imagined that my special person had not come along yet. Still, it was disheartening to bid each companion farewell. I’ll admit, there were times I wondered to myself, “Why didn’t they choose me?” or “Am I not pretty enough?” I never allowed my smile to slip, however, as that surely would have been the end of any chance for me.
One day, my carver gave me the best possible news! I had been adopted! Filled with glee and excited anticipation, I began to plan which of my things would travel with me to my new, long-awaited home; my dress and pinafore, of course, along with my pantalet, my real coral beads and the journal of my first hundred years. I would travel stylishly in my handmade wooden box with its leather clasp, perfectly proportioned to fit my small form and lined with custom tissue paper, embellished with my name and “H”s all over it. I was so excited, I could hardly sit still!

My carver came to lift me from the display case and I fairly jumped out on my dainty, but strong, pegs. This was the day I had waited for!........ and then, and THEN………. she told me to whom I would belong…………. and WHERE! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and for just a moment, my little lips formed an incredulous O. I was to journey to England! My new home would be in Colchester, Essex!

That night, as preparations for my journey were under way, I reminded myself of all the long days in my display case. I thought of all my companions that were chosen, before me, to go live adventurous lives. I thought of the despair I had felt and the worry that I wasn’t “right” in some way. It was clear, on that last night in America, that a good thing had come to me. Good things do come to those who wait. I couldn’t wait to embark on my journey!

Comfy in my box, tightly tucked into my pretty tissue, I was sealed and stamped, weighed and measured. Customs forms were completed and I was tossed, rather unceremoniously, into a bin. I was on my way! I knew that England was a far distance, but I didn’t know that it was across a huge pond which had to be traversed over several days and nights. I found the roll and pitch of the big ship soothing and I was grateful for my “wooden constitution,” as those around me seemed to be having difficulties, indeed!

At last I arrived on solid ground amid more stamping, weighing and the scrutiny of the Customs officials. People sounded decidedly different than they had in America and it took a bit of getting used to! I journeyed over freeways and bumpy roads in trucks of varying descriptions until, at last, I was directed to the Postman for my new neighborhood. I had arrived in Colchester, Essex. On the day of my delivery, as the Postman walked from house to house, I wondered, “Is this the one?” On he walked until there was a small shriek and someone said, “She’s here! Hitty is here!” and flew out her door to meet us on the sidewalk. Sarah….. my own lovely lady had come to fetch me as if she had been waiting for me always.