Wilhelmina's diary, post-Puzzle of the Moss-covered Stone

The Diaries of Wilhelmina Brody

June 1, 1871
Sir C was back to his chipper self today. He did want to examine the Union of Independent London Newspaper Sellers' books again. We went over them once more then asked to borrow them to take into Mr Crachet's. I pointed out that these were my copies and were not up to date, but if we were to stop by the head office I could update them. He agreed that was a sensible course of action. While we were at the offices I spoke briefly to Frankie trying to find out who put down on Edward. I passed word on that if we find the nose to do nothing to him. Having someone who talks to Mr Lomax could prove most useful. The rest of the day was spent talking to Mr Cratchet. He said our books looked fine while there was some variance we found where the problem was and it was a simple mistake in addition.

June 2, 1871
The times published a flattering story about Edward. Edward will have to send Mr Oliphant a thank you note, and return Mr Ramsay's magnifying glass.

June 3, 1871
Spent the day experimenting with several recipes from the alchemical books. I may have found a new colorfast green dye.

June 4, 1871
Jack passed word on that something is up at the Echo but he can't find out what. Edward and George spent most of the day playing footmen for the ladies of the household.

June 5, 1871
The day at Otto's went fine. There was a bit of an awkward moment when one of the older girls said something about me in Hindi to another girl. I ignored it until they started laughing at me, then I informed them that I not only spoke Hindi but several other languages as well. I then spent the next hour working with Emily and her class. George is right I should not try to fight while I am angry.

June 5, 1871 Late
Edward just returned from an emergency meeting Mr Lomax sent his bullies around again. Mostly sailors but there was one professional knobbler. Rip happened to be nearby and proved to be a superior knobbler. He was not as gentle as Mr O'Flaherty was. Sgt Strawberry said the mans arm should heal in time. The vote was to continue the strike there were calls to ransack the offices of the Echo and it was all we could do to keep everyone calm. We put trustworthy boys on the line for the morning, and have a crew of people watching for anyone who wishes to bring harm to the echo property or employees. We did find out who our traitor is Malvin Hornswiner is the only person not to show up for picket duty last night. His mum said he had left for work when the worry crew came calling. They tracked him to a pub but didn't do more than watch him as instructed. It has been a horrible day.

June 7, 1871
Edward overslept yesterday both Emily and Mr O'Flaherty inquired why they were not advised about the fight. I told them both that Mr Lomax neglected to send me a post about it. On a happier note the boys seem to be calmer about the incident on Monday. Tuesdays articles seemed to be the proof they needed that this was a battle of words not fists.

June 8, 1871
The Echo's Pressmen joined our picket line last night. Jack said Mr Lomax promoted him three times, he is currently head pressman and a Jr reporter. Mr Lomax is currently sleeping off a case of brandy in his office. We sent Jack back in with blankets, soup, and coffee.

June 9, 1871
Lots of rumors about the Echo being bandied about. I will wait and see what happens. Edward spent the day delivering fireworks and helping Mr Brown pick spots to place men for the procession tomorrow.

June 10, 1871
The Echo is under new management the bank is keeping them afloat, in exchange for a non controlling interest. I will learn more tomorrow we and the pressmen have a meeting with the new publisher. Today the fireworks were spectacular. Mr Hong's were really impressive, I must ask him how he gets that clear red. The procession wasn't bad either Edward spent most of it on the roof of a theater it was a great view. He saw two fingers Tommy working the crowd but no anarchists.

June 11, 1871
Edward spent the morning at a meeting of the Echo workers and the new publisher. Mr DeFauve agreed to all of our demands and inquired when we could be back at work. By that afternoon the next issue of the Echo was set. There was a quibble with the pressmen over Jack's new job but he laughed and said Mr Lomax was drunk when he promoted him and he is happy as a paperboy. Our side grumbled about blacklegs but accepted him back. He is now an official member of the union. Mr Lomax wanted to make him the Union Steward but we pointed out that union officers must be elected or appointed by senior union representatives. Jack was not elected steward, instead he was appointed local treasurer. The paper management thought this was a concession to them so did some of our boys.

June 12, 1871
I am getting used to spending the day at Otto's. Ruma, the girl who's gossiping angered me last week, Came and apologized I forgave her. I spent some time with her down at the target range. She is a good shot with the bow but she is afraid of guns. We talked for a bit and she is afraid of lots of loud noises and she is shutting her eyes before she pulls the trigger. I couldn't help myself, I found a bit of cotton batting and swiped a beeswax candle from the kitchen and formed some earplugs for her. I then had her aim and pull the trigger with the gun unloaded then I handed her a gun that I had slipped one bullet in the last chamber. She was startled when it jumped in her hand. She dropped the gun and had to scramble to recover it. But she hit the target. We laughed and I handed her another empty gun and then another, and then I handed her a fully loaded gun she flinched after the fist shot but by the third Ruma was accepting the slight recoil and had a nice cluster of shots in the target. It was then time for me to attend to math. I told the teacher to remind Ruma to remove the earplugs. Mathematics was a treat the teacher allowed us to present problems for the class to solve for the next weeks class. I submitted the equations for calculating the energy yield of a piece of ottinite undergoing spontaneous reaction.

June 14, 1871
Namaste was presented at court today she was lovely. Edward George and Salmalin were all decked out in their finest. Edward and George spent all day yesterday going over the clockwork carriage getting it in spitspot shape. They didn't finish polishing up the brass-work until late at night.

June 15, 1871
Spent the day at the shipyard to make up for missing yesterday. Mr Reed had some new design changes for Edward to look over. We spent a lot of time at the water tank with wooden ship models.

June 16, 1871
Sir C and Namaste are at a ball I elected to stay home and let George drive them. The alchemical experiment is at a critical stage and I have to watch the temperature closely.

June 18, 1871
Ball at Sir A house last night Edward drove. Sir A cornered him for a bit talking about the latest developments at the ship works.

June 19, 1871
Ruma meet me at the door today. She introduced a couple of her friends Stela and Gertrude. I said hello and they all started babbling at me. For a second I felt like I was back at the house with mother and her silly cronies. I meditated for a moment and found my museum. I could then start answering some of their questions. I admitted I did train with Miss Emily I did try and say I was only a student. But Stela kept saying I must be a great fencer because I wasn't coved in bruises. She then had to show me her welts right there in the hall. I was so embarrassed I didn't know what to say. Ruma teased her for lifting her skirt there. Gertrude then asked me if I really knew all 12 languages I admitted I only knew 7 but I thought there were more languages than 12. The conversation spiraled down from there. Thankfully Lady LaFlamboy called us to order soon and I was paired up with a girl more my own height to dance with. The terrible trio were back at lunch break with more questions more meditation practice.

June 20, 1871
Packing up for derby day tomorrow. Edward is going to try to see Mr Brown tonight. With the commotion of packing up he might be able to slip in.

June 21, 1871
On the train to the derby It was another draw. Mr Brown dressed down the guardsman who caught Edward for not raising the alarm as soon as he saw him. Once they were in his room he started asking Edward about events in London. Including the Newsboys. Edward gave him most of the real story at one point Mr Brown was laughing so hard he missed a move Edward had him in mate soon afterwards.

June 22, 1871
The new pumps are just not powerful enough. The ship will move but I know it can go faster. I need to talk to Icky.

June 23, 1871
Visited the museum today I think I went through every book that even mentioned the word pump. Nothing new there but I have some notes on attempts to improve the Archimedes screw that might be a place to start.

June 24, 1871
Lord Greyminster's plans have bore fruit The Prime Minister looks like he needs help from the Queen. The Bronze is about ready hopefully this time I can get the sheet uniform this time.

June 26, 1871
The Terrible Trio seem to have adopted me. Gertrude asked me to help her with her French homework almost before I got onto the grounds. Ruma wanted to know who George was. I almost blurted out cousin George, But I remembered myself and said just said his name is George. At that point the other two started teasing her and talking about George's legs and arms. I was at a loss what to say, thankfully there was no need. Those three were off talking about boys they had a shine to. I picked out a couple errors with Gertrude's homework while the debate raged on. That's when I noticed her. It was a girl a bit older than me and she looked familiar. But I couldn't place her. As soon as she saw me looking at her she bolted, I broke into the argument to ask who she was. After much explaining I got a name and a story out of them. Her name is Tina Shepsid and they said her father burned her face one night while drunk. Then I knew where I had seen her Cosmo was called to the school one night to treat a burn. Edward helped hold her down as Cosmo picked bits of charcoal from her face. I was off after her like a shot. I found her in her room crying. I started to walk over and then noticed that the terrible trio had followed me. With a moderate bit of coaxing I got them to leave. Tina recognized me as Edward from Sir C visits. We had a long talk she cried a lot and I missed most of archery\pistol practice. I walked her to her class and apologized to the instructor for detaining her. He seemed to believe my story about being lost and needing a guide. I then went to Otto's office. If nothing else I needed to explain why I missed class this morning. We talked about Tina and Edward and Myself. Leaving at the hour I caught up with Gertrude to pass her back her homework.

June 27, 1871
I have a working Archimedes Screw. I am attempting to adjust the pitch of the vane.

June 29, 1871
I talked to Mr Reed about the pump experiments. He seems to agree that it's a good line to work down. He agreed to order some more high capacity pumps to modify. We might be able to boost the output by chaining them together.

June 30, 1871
Gladstone resigned I am not sure how I feel about it. The Newsboys are holding their first non strike meeting. We have decided not to renew the lease on the warehouse so this is our last meeting here. This is going to be the first time that everyone can meet all the officers.

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