Love Will Find A Wheel:
A Victorian Cycling Club Romance
Book II in the Tales of Chetzemoka
"I'm sure he'll be glad you're here —once he gets used to it."
When Jacob Simmons arrives in Washington Territory in the summer of 1882 and receives a glacial reception from his uncle Silas, he appreciates Dr. Brown's encouraging prediction but doesn't have much faith in it. Jacob's not even sure Silas will have time to get used to his presence, let alone consider him welcome. If the young man can't meet the draconian requirements of a contract with his business investors, he'll face exile and financial ruin, thus fulfilling old Silas' prediction that he would be just as dismal a failure as his father. His whole future rests on finding a market for a remarkable new machine —and he'll need help selling them.
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Addie Kellam is an incredibly lonely young woman. She's more comfortable with books than with other people, yet she longs for the sort of romance she reads about in stories. It's something she fears she'll never experience herself, since even friendship seems elusive. She envies the cameraderie her brother finds in his cycling club, but the only bicycles in the town of Chetzemoka are specifically designed for men. There aren't any wheels for women anywhere —are there?
When Jacob Simmons arrives in Washington Territory in the summer of 1882 and receives a glacial reception from his uncle Silas, he appreciates Dr. Brown's encouraging prediction but doesn't have much faith in it. Jacob's not even sure Silas will have time to get used to his presence, let alone consider him welcome. If the young man can't meet the draconian requirements of a contract with his business investors, he'll face exile and financial ruin, thus fulfilling old Silas' prediction that he would be just as dismal a failure as his father. His whole future rests on finding a market for a remarkable new machine —and he'll need help selling them.
***
Addie Kellam is an incredibly lonely young woman. She's more comfortable with books than with other people, yet she longs for the sort of romance she reads about in stories. It's something she fears she'll never experience herself, since even friendship seems elusive. She envies the cameraderie her brother finds in his cycling club, but the only bicycles in the town of Chetzemoka are specifically designed for men. There aren't any wheels for women anywhere —are there?
Buy the book on Amazon!
"Simmons' Cycles" merchandise
Recipe From The Book:
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Jacob's and Addie's personal appearances are based on a late nineteenth-century photograph from our antique ephemera collection. I'd had the picture for a few years before I ever thought of this story. When I bought the photograph for less than a dollar an eBay it came with no provenance (cheap finds never do) and I knew absolutely nothing about the couple in it. My husband and I have a number of pictures like this, but when I started this story my mind kept wandering back to one in particular.
I chose the name Adora from a list of common women's names published in Hill's Manual of Social and Business Forms by Thomas E. Hill, 1891, p. 138. It struck me as a pretty name for a romantic heroine, and I adopted it for my character a few days before I brought out the old photograph I'd been picturing to get a better look at the image I already had in my mind for her.
I'd forgotten there was anything at all written on the back, but when I turned the picture over I found the names Miss Addie Kellam and J.B. Simmons written in pencil. Addie was such an obvious nickname for Adora, the discovery seemed so fortuitous as to be almost eerie.
I chose the name Adora from a list of common women's names published in Hill's Manual of Social and Business Forms by Thomas E. Hill, 1891, p. 138. It struck me as a pretty name for a romantic heroine, and I adopted it for my character a few days before I brought out the old photograph I'd been picturing to get a better look at the image I already had in my mind for her.
I'd forgotten there was anything at all written on the back, but when I turned the picture over I found the names Miss Addie Kellam and J.B. Simmons written in pencil. Addie was such an obvious nickname for Adora, the discovery seemed so fortuitous as to be almost eerie.
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Nursing chatelaines, like the one McCoy has in the story.
For more chatelaine images, see www.thisvictorianlife.com/chatelaine-images.html
and http://www.thisvictorianlife.com/accessories.html
For more chatelaine images, see www.thisvictorianlife.com/chatelaine-images.html
and http://www.thisvictorianlife.com/accessories.html
"…Even the Indian canoes—huge, elaborate affairs hewn from entire trees—made illustrations Jacob had seen of their Eastern cousins look puny…" --Love Will Find A Wheel
Slideshow: Pacific Northwest canoes. (For image credits, scroll down to bottom of this page.)
Slideshow: Pacific Northwest canoes. (For image credits, scroll down to bottom of this page.)
Slideshow: Chatelaine purses, also called chatelaine pockets. These hang from the waist (they clip to the waistband of a skirt), and were incredibly popular accessories in the nineteenth-century. Most of the women characters in the Chetzemoka stories have them.
For places to buy chatelaines and chatelaine purse parts now, see http://www.thisvictorianlife.com/resource-links.html
For places to buy chatelaines and chatelaine purse parts now, see http://www.thisvictorianlife.com/resource-links.html
"…They all listened and the sound came again, closer this time: a short series of clarion brass notes.
A buglet, Jacob privately assessed. Higher-pitched than a full-sized bugle…"—Love Will Find A Wheel.
Image: Cycling buglet. (For image credits, scroll down to bottom of page.)
A buglet, Jacob privately assessed. Higher-pitched than a full-sized bugle…"—Love Will Find A Wheel.
Image: Cycling buglet. (For image credits, scroll down to bottom of page.)
"...Ken was perfectly happy to stay in one spot working on technically difficult moves with his wheel over and over again like a dancer practicing steps..."--Love Will Find A Wheel
Image: Trick riding! This line drawing appeared in "Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News" in 1881. It shows trick riding demonstrated on Ordinary bicycles at a Boston meet that year; these are the sort of tricks Ken is working his way up to doing.
For an account of historic trick rider Daniel Canary, see this piece: http://theappendix.net/posts/2014/04/the-inventor-of-the-wheelie
This style of cycling would now be called "flatland" —it's basically ballet with bikes. When I spent a year in Japan, I had the good luck to be living in the same city as one of the world's top flatland pros, York Uno. He used to practice in the courtyard of the train station that was right by my apartment; I would spend hours watching him practice nearly every day I was there. Here's a video of him : https://vimeo.com/80331153
and another one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JkUedwyCDM
One more —this one was filmed in the same courtyard where I actually used to watch him in person! https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Image: Trick riding! This line drawing appeared in "Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News" in 1881. It shows trick riding demonstrated on Ordinary bicycles at a Boston meet that year; these are the sort of tricks Ken is working his way up to doing.
For an account of historic trick rider Daniel Canary, see this piece: http://theappendix.net/posts/2014/04/the-inventor-of-the-wheelie
This style of cycling would now be called "flatland" —it's basically ballet with bikes. When I spent a year in Japan, I had the good luck to be living in the same city as one of the world's top flatland pros, York Uno. He used to practice in the courtyard of the train station that was right by my apartment; I would spend hours watching him practice nearly every day I was there. Here's a video of him : https://vimeo.com/80331153
and another one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JkUedwyCDM
One more —this one was filmed in the same courtyard where I actually used to watch him in person! https://www.youtube.com/watch?
""Do you have any silk petticoats?"
Addie nodded. "Yes, I've got three china silk petticoats and two made out of Japanese silk."
Mrs. Brown looked surprised, then something seemed to occur to her and she smiled. "That's right—your father captains a ship on the Trans-Pacific route, doesn't he?"
Addie nodded.
"Must be nice…" " --Love Will Find A Wheel
The petticoats Addie has in the story would have been made to Western patterns; her father was importing the silks as bolts of fabric and always brought home some extras for his wife and daughter. For her petticoats made of china silk, picture a classic silk petticoat. For her petticoats of Japanese silk, picture the same pattern but more complicated color schemes in the fabric. Traditional Japanese silks display an enormous amount of regional variation which depends on the prefecture (and sometimes even the city) from which they originate. Here's a list from 1893 of all the different Japanese silks which were showcased at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago: http://tinyurl.com/hhadnfk Here's a description of traditional Japanese hand-dying techniques for Kagayuzen fabric: http://www.kagayuzen.or.jp/english.html And here's a link to a site discussing different Japanese silks, organized by prefecture: http://www.kimono.or.jp/dictionary/eng/komatsurinzu.html
Addie nodded. "Yes, I've got three china silk petticoats and two made out of Japanese silk."
Mrs. Brown looked surprised, then something seemed to occur to her and she smiled. "That's right—your father captains a ship on the Trans-Pacific route, doesn't he?"
Addie nodded.
"Must be nice…" " --Love Will Find A Wheel
The petticoats Addie has in the story would have been made to Western patterns; her father was importing the silks as bolts of fabric and always brought home some extras for his wife and daughter. For her petticoats made of china silk, picture a classic silk petticoat. For her petticoats of Japanese silk, picture the same pattern but more complicated color schemes in the fabric. Traditional Japanese silks display an enormous amount of regional variation which depends on the prefecture (and sometimes even the city) from which they originate. Here's a list from 1893 of all the different Japanese silks which were showcased at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago: http://tinyurl.com/hhadnfk Here's a description of traditional Japanese hand-dying techniques for Kagayuzen fabric: http://www.kagayuzen.or.jp/english.html And here's a link to a site discussing different Japanese silks, organized by prefecture: http://www.kimono.or.jp/dictionary/eng/komatsurinzu.html
"…Jacob reached the bottom of the ladder. "Is everything okay, Doc? You look a little tired."
"Oh, everything's great!" Dr. Brown assured him, glancing down at his dusty riding clothes. "I was just awake really early this morning —I got called out to Beaver Valley hours before dawn…" --Love Will Find A Wheel
Slideshow: Beaver Valley—These pictures were taken at the same time of year (and the time of morning) when Dr. Brown would have been returning from the valley when he drops by Hayes' house before visiting Jacob's shop.
"Oh, everything's great!" Dr. Brown assured him, glancing down at his dusty riding clothes. "I was just awake really early this morning —I got called out to Beaver Valley hours before dawn…" --Love Will Find A Wheel
Slideshow: Beaver Valley—These pictures were taken at the same time of year (and the time of morning) when Dr. Brown would have been returning from the valley when he drops by Hayes' house before visiting Jacob's shop.
Excelsior
"…"But I've got to go out to Four Corners this morning. I promised a few different families that I'd bring their work to the Women's Exchange here in town for them. I just wanted to drop this off first so it doesn't get mixed in with the other things."…" --Love Will Find A Wheel
Slideshow: Images seen near the small community of Four Corners.
Slideshow: Images seen near the small community of Four Corners.
Women's Exchanges are mentioned in passing in the story. For more information on Women's Exchanges, see these pieces:
Woman's Exchanges as Training Schools and Markets for Work (1894)
Woman's Work for Woman (1889)
A Fortune Found In A Pickle Jar (Fiction—1889)
Woman's Exchanges as Training Schools and Markets for Work (1894)
Woman's Work for Woman (1889)
A Fortune Found In A Pickle Jar (Fiction—1889)
"…By the time Ken had waded into the thorny canes and back out of them again, then caught up with the others, Addie was quite sure that her brother's mind was occupied by more tangible complaints…"--Love Will Find A Wheel
Slideshow: Salmonberry bushes
Slideshow: Salmonberry bushes
Slideshow: Sunset at North beach, and moonrise over the nearby field. That's me in the pictures. My friend Estar took these photos a few years ago; it was an incredibly beautiful summer evening, and very much in my memory when I wrote the North Beach scene in Love Will Find A Wheel.
1875 recipe from In the Kitchen, by Elizabeth S. Miller, Boston: Lee and Shepard, Publishers, p. 365.
"COASTING COOKIES
One pound of flour.
Eight ounces of butter.
Half a pint of molasses.
One tablespoonful of soda, beaten very hard in the molasses.
One tablespoonful of coriander seed, and one of carraway [sic], pounded in a mortar.
Ginger to taste.
Soften the butter, stir in the molasses, ginger, seeds, and flour; roll thin, cut, and bake in a quick oven."
This historic recipe appears with others in the appendix of Love Will Find A Wheel.
"COASTING COOKIES
One pound of flour.
Eight ounces of butter.
Half a pint of molasses.
One tablespoonful of soda, beaten very hard in the molasses.
One tablespoonful of coriander seed, and one of carraway [sic], pounded in a mortar.
Ginger to taste.
Soften the butter, stir in the molasses, ginger, seeds, and flour; roll thin, cut, and bake in a quick oven."
This historic recipe appears with others in the appendix of Love Will Find A Wheel.
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"…It was a way to delay confession, so Jacob went over to Dr. Brown and quietly explained the fib he'd just told his uncle. The doctor's wife brought a sugar pastille out of her purse and handed it to Jacob…" --Love Will Find A Wheel
Pictured: Sugar pastilles from a company that's been in business since 1591. The business: http://www.anis-flavigny.com/bonbon2.html
Pictured: Sugar pastilles from a company that's been in business since 1591. The business: http://www.anis-flavigny.com/bonbon2.html
The Town
The town of Chetzemoka is fictitious, but it owes a lot to the real city of Port Townsend in Washington state —our home. Founded in 1851, Port Townsend experienced a boom in the 1880s. A great deal of beautiful architecture still survives here and draws people to a town which prides itself on being a Victorian seaport. In the late nineteenth-century there was an actual dressmaker named Pussy Butler with a shop in downtown Port Townsend; and the schoolteacher's name was Lizzie Bray, just like in the series. Their names are all I borrowed though: the characters in the stories are fictitious. (Once in a while I'll let a historic personage make a cameo appearance, but all the detailed characters who drive the action of the stories are created entirely out of my own imagination.) I take particular enjoyment from walking around town and choosing historic homes for the residences of my various characters.
The name Chetzemoka is an homage to the chief of the Clallam tribe. Many American cities are named after local tribes or their leaders: Seattle (named after a Duwamish chief) is a great example.
The name Chetzemoka is an homage to the chief of the Clallam tribe. Many American cities are named after local tribes or their leaders: Seattle (named after a Duwamish chief) is a great example.
The Characters
Sometimes I start out with a photo to use as inspiration for certain characters. Other times, Gabriel helps me search through thousands of antique photographs to find just the right image to use as inspiration. It's fairly magical when, after examining thousands of different pictures, a face pops out who looks exactly like I'd pictured one of my fictional friends. In those cases there is an "Aha!" moment when, after inspecting countless pictures Gabriel and I will turn to each other and suddenly exclaim, "Oh, THAT'S ________ !"
The Cycles
(Image credits for the slideshow of cycles are at the bottom of this page
—scroll down for links of the sources.)
More images of tandems and sociables
—scroll down for links of the sources.)
More images of tandems and sociables
Anatomy of an Ordinary bicycle
Praise for Love Will Find A Wheel on Amazon:
Charming and delightful reading!
Elizabeth N. Pack
Such a sweet addition to the Tales of Chetzemoka by Sarah A. Chrisman! I continue to enjoy the detailed and elegant writing, particularly how the point of view was expressed equally from the male and female protagonists. There is such a tremendous sense of place and time, the Pacific Northwest, and the Victorian era. Mrs. Chrisman literally lives with Victorian accoutrements, and their utility is very matter-of-factly expressed. There is a bit more emphasis on cycling in this second of the series, and it has made me long to ride again! I wish I could slow down whilst reading these delightful books, but they are so charming that I finish them in under a day!
***
Adorable in all senses of the word!
Rachel A.
It's impossible to avoid falling in love with Jacob and Addie as they fall in love with each other. A delightfully consent-driven romance fed with intricate and accurate historical detail and a thoughtful writing style. Chrisman's characters give a wonderful glimpse into the workings of the developing Pacific Northwest. I greatly admire Chrisman's ability to weave together an engaging but succinct plot, rich historical research, and characters that make you wish you could meet them in person. Once you finish this one, don't miss out on "A Rapping at the Door" the next in this fantastic sequence
***
Another winner from today's Victorian Lady
Linda Sand
Another successful, enjoyable story of Victorian life in the Pacific Northwest as it relates to bicycling, tricycling, and cycling clubs.
***
I loved this second book in the series
I loved this second book in the series. The setting and characters are well developed and I feel like I am getting to know them and the town like friends. I enjoy the tidbits of historical info as the are placed deftly into the narrative.
***
Even Better Than The First!
Lacy S
It's such a delight to follow along with Sarah's journey into fiction. This book made me a little sniffly in parts! It was so sweet, such a lovely read. I can't wait to read all the others, and I hope the series continues!
***
Another Very Nice Story from Ms. Chrisman
Chris C.
Loved it. I'm a big fan of history and the Victorian era specifically. I've read most of Ms. Chrisman's books (and all three of her novellas/novels). I enjoy her work and I appreciate the fact that she doesn't resort to shock value or filth to make up for a lacking story. It's not that I'm opposed to that sort of thing, but I'd rather not have it, and Ms. Chrisman's stories stand on their own. Very few authors these days can handle writing a clean romance story that remains interesting. Ms. Chrisman does just that. Thank you.
This second novel continues in the community she created in the first (as does the third, which I will review when I get a chance), and I really like her characters. It's a nice, tender romance. I really grew quite fond of Addie (Adora) and her very sweet personality--beautiful name, by the way! There is, of course, the bicycling theme again. But that's fine. It's actually quite interesting and makes me want to try a 'high wheeler' sometime!
***
Charming book!
Soup Girl
Another quality read from Sarah Chrisman. Her descriptions of Victorian customs bring the era to life for us. Sarah's writing is that of an educated historian.
***
Fast-paced fun read! I wish I could ride a tricycle just like Addie's and visit the beautiful Northwest. Easy to imagine myself
K. Flynn
I would recommend to others. I've enjoyed all of Sarah's books, all so informative about an era that has always interested me.
Charming and delightful reading!
Elizabeth N. Pack
Such a sweet addition to the Tales of Chetzemoka by Sarah A. Chrisman! I continue to enjoy the detailed and elegant writing, particularly how the point of view was expressed equally from the male and female protagonists. There is such a tremendous sense of place and time, the Pacific Northwest, and the Victorian era. Mrs. Chrisman literally lives with Victorian accoutrements, and their utility is very matter-of-factly expressed. There is a bit more emphasis on cycling in this second of the series, and it has made me long to ride again! I wish I could slow down whilst reading these delightful books, but they are so charming that I finish them in under a day!
***
Adorable in all senses of the word!
Rachel A.
It's impossible to avoid falling in love with Jacob and Addie as they fall in love with each other. A delightfully consent-driven romance fed with intricate and accurate historical detail and a thoughtful writing style. Chrisman's characters give a wonderful glimpse into the workings of the developing Pacific Northwest. I greatly admire Chrisman's ability to weave together an engaging but succinct plot, rich historical research, and characters that make you wish you could meet them in person. Once you finish this one, don't miss out on "A Rapping at the Door" the next in this fantastic sequence
***
Another winner from today's Victorian Lady
Linda Sand
Another successful, enjoyable story of Victorian life in the Pacific Northwest as it relates to bicycling, tricycling, and cycling clubs.
***
I loved this second book in the series
I loved this second book in the series. The setting and characters are well developed and I feel like I am getting to know them and the town like friends. I enjoy the tidbits of historical info as the are placed deftly into the narrative.
***
Even Better Than The First!
Lacy S
It's such a delight to follow along with Sarah's journey into fiction. This book made me a little sniffly in parts! It was so sweet, such a lovely read. I can't wait to read all the others, and I hope the series continues!
***
Another Very Nice Story from Ms. Chrisman
Chris C.
Loved it. I'm a big fan of history and the Victorian era specifically. I've read most of Ms. Chrisman's books (and all three of her novellas/novels). I enjoy her work and I appreciate the fact that she doesn't resort to shock value or filth to make up for a lacking story. It's not that I'm opposed to that sort of thing, but I'd rather not have it, and Ms. Chrisman's stories stand on their own. Very few authors these days can handle writing a clean romance story that remains interesting. Ms. Chrisman does just that. Thank you.
This second novel continues in the community she created in the first (as does the third, which I will review when I get a chance), and I really like her characters. It's a nice, tender romance. I really grew quite fond of Addie (Adora) and her very sweet personality--beautiful name, by the way! There is, of course, the bicycling theme again. But that's fine. It's actually quite interesting and makes me want to try a 'high wheeler' sometime!
***
Charming book!
Soup Girl
Another quality read from Sarah Chrisman. Her descriptions of Victorian customs bring the era to life for us. Sarah's writing is that of an educated historian.
***
Fast-paced fun read! I wish I could ride a tricycle just like Addie's and visit the beautiful Northwest. Easy to imagine myself
K. Flynn
I would recommend to others. I've enjoyed all of Sarah's books, all so informative about an era that has always interested me.
Buy the book on Amazon!
Love Will Find A Wheel:
A Victorian Cycling Club Romance
Book II in the Tales of Chetzemoka
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Don't forget to look for fabulous Tales of Chetzemoka merchandise —book bags, mugs, and more, on Zazzle!
Image credits:
Bicycles braced against each other:
"The Wheelman" magazine, 1882
Cycling buglet:
https://copakeauction.hibid.com/lot/23646956/cyclists-bugle/?sort=2&ref=catalog
Tricycle:
Cheylesmore tricycle: The Tricyclists Indispensable Annual and Handbook, p. 206.
Cycle slideshow:
Columbia bicycle, 1881: http://www.vintagecolumbiabikes.com/id94.html
Coventry bicycle: http://cmc-anwb.coventry-machinists-co.british-ordinary-bicycles.ordinary-bicycles.antique-bicycles.net [Note the bicycle in the photograph is basic black. Jacob's bike in the stories is fully nickel-plated —an optional upgrade. For Jacob's bike, picture the same silhouette but gleaming silver.]
Cheylesmore tricycle: The Tricyclists Indispensable Annual and Handbook, p. 206.
Cheylesmore Sociable tricycle: The Tricyclist's Indispensable Annual and Handbook, p. 155
Excelsior:
www.save-on-crafts.com/natexmos.html
Freighter:
Image scanned from a card given to me by a friend from Hong Kong. The original painting is in the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, and the card is one of a series produced for the museum.
Historic images:
University of Washington Digital Collections:
Salish canoe: http://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/loc/id/56/rec/39
Canoe with sails: http://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/loc/id/55/rec/27
Canoe and clamming baskets: digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/nol/id/50/rec/93
Downtown with steam and sailing ships:
http://www.palacehotelpt.com/construction.jpg
Ships at dock:
http://www.palacehotelpt.com/phototour.html
"Lumbering in Washington Territory" line drawing in logging slideshow: Scanned from a September, 1870, Harper's Magazine in our private collection. (To see more images scanned from our private collection, go to: Historical Images)
Tabasco sauce advertisement:
www.tabasco.com/mcilhenny-company/faqs-archives/ads/
Artifact location credits:
Ceremonial canoe: Victoria, British Columbia Parliament.
Racing canoes: Island County Museum, Coupeville, WA.
Native baskets: Port Gamble Historic Museum, WA and also: Suquamish Museum
Newspaper office and newspaper office furniture: Port Gamble Historic Museum, WA
Buy the book!
Love Will Find A Wheel
Other books in the
Tales of Chetzemoka series:
First Wheel in Town (Book I)
Buy the book Learn more
Love Will Find A Wheel (Book II)
Buy the book Learn more
A Rapping At the Door (Book III)
Buy the book Learn more
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For words of wit and advice sage,
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Victorian Cycles
Hand-built 1890's-style bicycles
Interested in a real time machine? Commission one of our 1890s-style custom bicycles! Custom, hand-made steel frames with wooden fenders and chainguards, leather saddles and cork grips. Whether you are interested in a roadster or a racer, we can build you the period bicycle of your dreams.
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