Meeting Maggie
Recently I interviewed Jonathan Stuart of The Mountain Song Legacy series, written by yours truly. Today I'll be interviewing Maggie, from the same series. Those of you who have read the complete trilogy have known Maggie since childhood and watched her grow from girl to woman. For those of you who are meeting her for the first time, let me just give you a little background information.
Maggie is the daughter of Irish immigrant parents, Matthew and Kate MacAuley. She was born and raised in the small coal company town of Skingle Creek, Kentucky. I found her to be an intriguing young woman--sharply intelligent with firm opinions on almost everything and a deep affection for her family and friends--and for the town where she grew up.
I talked with Maggie at her home over coffee and the most delicious apple cake I've ever tasted. She made certain I knew that the cake was a creation of her mother's, claiming "no great talent in the kitchen" for herself. That might be the case, but I found her coffee second to none. I might note that her close companion during the interview was the family dog, "Figaro"--an enormous hound of some indeterminate breed, with paws nearly the size of dinner plates and a head easily as large as that of a pony. At first I found the animal somewhat unnerving. He seldom took his eyes off me, and if I happened to make a sudden move, he gave a rather unsettling low growl. But after the first few minutes, he apparently decided I was no threat and settled in for a nap at Maggie's feet.
~~~~~
B.J. I was surprised to learn that you recently resigned your teaching position, Maggie--may I call you "Maggie?" I thought you loved being a teacher. Do you mind if I ask why you left the school?
M. I'm still a teacher. It's just that I'm without a job right now. I resigned only because the state doesn't allow married women to teach in the classroom.
B.J. And how do you feel about that restriction?
M. (with a shrug) It's the law. A somewhat foolish one, I'm thinking--but I suppose I can see their side of things.
B.J. So, then--what are you doing to keep busy?
M. Well, I have my family, of course. Jonathan--Mr. Stuart--and wee Gracie. And our home. I expect I won't be idle.
B.J. Is it difficult--being fairly new to married life and raising a baby at the same time?
M. It's certainly not easy. But Gracie is a good baby, and my husband is wonderful to help. So I manage.
B.J. Perhaps we should explain to our readers how you and Mr. Stuart ended up as parents, even though you've been married only a short time.
M. I think not. The story is right there in the Mountain Song books. You're not thinking we could squeeze a story that took three books to tell into a brief interview like this, now are you?
B.J. Ah ... no. No, of course not. That being the case, then, why don't you tell us a little about yourself. My first introduction to you was when you were still a child, during the period that Jonathan Stuart was your teacher. As I recall, he was very ill at the time, and all the children were trying to think of ways to help him. I believe you spearheaded a collection for him, didn't you? To replace the silver flute that had been stolen from him?
M. As it happened, the money didn't go for a new flute. Mr. Stuart--he was "Mr. Stuart" to me at the time, not "Jonathan"--he was bent on giving the collection to help two of the town's families who'd met with hard times. He was always the one for helping other people and forgetting himself. He hasn't changed.
B.J. And the flute? Was the thief ever discovered or the flute found?
M. (Staring hard at me.) I wrote a book about all that, don't you know? I'm not sure I'm comfortable going into it just now, or I'd be giving away the story.
B.J. You're referring to the novella, The Penny Whistle?
M. Oh, you've read it?
B.J. Actually, I--never mind. Suffice it to say that I'm familiar with the story. Mr. Stuart seems to be fine now. That's wonderful news. Some called his recovery a miracle.
M. (what a dazzling smile she has!) I should think so!
B.J. I read somewhere that you refer to your husband as your "hero." I find that very touching.
M. (still smiling) He's that indeed. He's also my best friend. I enjoyed reading your interview with him, by the way, though he didn't tell nearly enough about himself. He doesn't like to go on about personal things, you see.
(*Interviewer's note: I sensed at this point that we might get sidetracked. It's fair to say that Maggie still has stars in her eyes when it comes to Jonathan Stuart. It took some doing to lead her back to the subject of the interview, which was, of course, Maggie herself.)
B.J. I understand you worked with Miss Jane Addams at Hull House for a time. What was that like?
M. Terrifying at first. The neighborhood, you see--it was awful. Dope peddlers and opium dens and muggings--oh, it was a terrible place! But once we got used to it, Miss Addams kept us so busy we didn't have the time to be afraid. And we didn't go out alone. Always in pairs or a group.
B.J. What were your responsibilities? Were you a teacher there, too?
M. I was. But I did other things as well. Miss Addams--she never knew the meaning of "leisure time"--she worked all the time, and there was always more work to do than workers to do it. We ran a kindergarten and a daycare and English classes for the immigrants. And of course Miss Addams was forever working with one charitable organization or the other, so we teachers pitched in and helped whenever she asked us to. Goodness, she did a little of everything--she was even a garbage inspector for a time!
B.J. A garbage inspector?
M. She was always concerned about sanitation, don't you see? Whenever Miss Addams decided to support a cause or a movement, she got involved in it so she'd understand what it was all about. She also worked a great deal with delinquent children. We've Miss Addams to thank for our juvenile court system.
B.J. I simply have to ask you a question about Hull House: it's been rumored for years that the place was haunted. All manner of wild stories have appeared in the newspapers and magazines, not to mention the gossip that still makes the rounds in Chicago. What can you tell me about this? Any firsthand information?
M. (not quite meeting my eyes) I wouldn't know anything about that.
B.J. But you lived there. Surely you've heard the stories.
M. Oh, I heard a number of stories, that's true. But I'd say that's all they were--stories.
B.J. There were also some pretty incredible tales that circulated for years about a "devil baby" being locked up at Hull House. Some claim to have seen it at an upstairs window. Ben Hecht even wrote about it. Do you know anything about that?
(*Interviewer's Note: At this point Maggie turned what you might call a "withering look" on me, and I began to wish I hadn't raised this subject at all. Still, it had been news, and the rumor continued to surface every now and then. Having never met anyone who'd actually lived at Hull House I was loath to pass up such an opportunity for information.)
M. I know absolutely nothing about such foolishness. And I would hate to think that with all the stellar accomplishments to the credit of Miss Addams, Hull House would be known for anything so idiotic as ghosts and devil babies.
B.J. Point taken, Maggie. And I apologize.
M. (giving a rather stiff little nod but appearing mollified).
B.J. So, then--I talked with Jonathan--your husband--about what he likes to read. What about you? What are some of your favorite books?
M. Well, and didn't he borrow my copies of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights? And didn't I have a time of it, getting them back from him? In truth, we both like many of the same authors, like Mr. Dickens, for example. I like Miss Jane Austen's stories, too, but Jonathan doesn't--he thinks they're much too prissy. We both read biographies and travel stories as well. I also enjoy children's books--a person can learn a lot from reading good children's stories. And I'm ever so fond of folk tales. Speaking of books--have you read my book, The Penny Whistle?
B.J. Ah ... your book? Well, that's actually--yes, I've read it. And I must say, I ... won't ever forget it.
M. (says nothing, but her smile is unmistakably pleased)
B.J. Your husband seems to think you'll most likely be writing more stories in the future.
M. I do have some ideas in mind.
B.J. I don't suppose you'd care to share some of those ideas?
M. (with a somewhat coy smile) With another writer? I hardly think so.
B.J. Yes, well--this has been a real pleasure for me, Maggie. Anything else you'd like to leave with our readers?
M. No, but I do have something for you. Jonathan wanted me to be sure and give you a copy of The Penny Whistle. I have extras, if you'd like some for your friends and family.
B.J. Ah ... yes. The Penny Whistle. Certainly, I'd love to have a few copies to take home with me. That's awfully nice of you and Jonathan.
M. Our pleasure. And be sure and stop by next time you're in Skingle Creek.
B.J. You can count on it.
