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Against All Odds: A Gilded Age Romance

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Chapter 34.

Sunday dawned clear and sultry. By the time Stan and Archie finished breakfast and set out along the road, it was already uncomfortably hot. Where the route ran past open fields, they had to stop and wipe their necks and faces with handkerchiefs. The stretches through forest were blessed reliefs.

‘At least,’ Stan thought, ‘I’m not carrying a heavy canvas knapsack like Vandergrift.’

He had asked Archie before they had set out what was in the sack. “Some things that might turn out to be useful. I cabled my butler down in the city after our conversation yesterday and he assembled it and put it on the late train. The hotel had someone pick it up at the station.”

‘I guess when you’re rich, you can arrange that sort of thing,’ Stan thought. Much as he hated to admit it, he knew that having Vandergrift’s resources might be the key to arranging Barbara’s escape.

They rounded a bend in the road and came upon the stone wall that surrounded the Institute. “This is the place,” Stan announced. “There’s the main gate,” he said, pointing to a gap in the wall a hundred yards or so ahead.

Archie broke into a run and Stan followed. Peering through the iron bars, Archie took in the large mansion with its well-tended lawn. “It looks rather comfortable,” he mused. “Perhaps, Mr. Moore is right and we ought to give the treatment time to work its magic.”

“Suit yourself,” Stan replied. Vandergrift and his money would certainly be a big help in this enterprise, but if he had to, Stan would figure out a way to accomplish his goal by himself.

Vandergrift shucked off his knapsack and laid it on the ground, stooping down to unbuckle the straps and rooting around inside. His hand emerged clutching a pair of binoculars. “We might as well have a closer look,” he said. “These have been very helpful in grouse hunting,” he added.

He put them to his eyes and scanned the front of the house. Then he lowered them and handed them to Stan, looking quite perturbed. “There’s something on the garden flagstones to the left of the door,” he said.

Stan lifted the binoculars and focused on the area Archie had singled out. “It looks like a naked body sort of spread-eagled,” he reported. Then he saw the object move. “It just moved.”

“Let me have them again,” Archie said. He peered through the glasses. “She seems to be staked out. In the sun in this heat- it’s inhuman!”

Stan noticed that Archie had used the female pronoun to describe the victim, which seemed reasonable given that the place was an Institute for Wayward Young Women. He could see even with his naked eye that the body was moving, but appeared to be held down by something. “Can I have another look?” he asked.

Vandergrift handed him the binoculars. Suddenly the prone figure lifted her head. “It’s Barbara!” Stan exclaimed.

Archie grabbed the binoculars and stared at the figure. “Yes, I’m certain that’s her! It’s appalling! She could die from dehydration.”

“Certainly, though I suspect Darwin won’t allow that to happen. After all, he wants to keep the money coming in from her father.”

“We have to tell Mr. Moore right away. We’ll take the next train down to the city. Two of us have seen it so he’ll have to believe it, even if one of them is you.”

“I’m not so sure. Darwin has him snowed or she wouldn’t be here in the first place, and the parents of all the other girls, too, no doubt.”

“Then we’ll go to the authorities,” Archie said. “Surely, this is not permissible.”

“I don’t know. It seems this has been going on for some time. Many people see women’s sexual urges as a threat and anything done to keep them under control is permissible. Just look at Comstock and his followers. Besides, that will take time and in the end, they’ll only release her to her father and who knows where he’ll send her next. I say we’re better off taking the matter into our own hands.”

“That seems risky.”

“I’ve lived most of my life taking risks, Vandergrift. I understand that you haven’t had to, so it’s not something you’re used to. If my plan fails, we can still go to the authorities or speak to Moore, or go talk to The Herald.”

“And in the meantime, what about Barbara?” Archie asked. “It hurts me to think of her suffering.”

“It hurts me, too,” Stan replied. “But as I said, I don’t think Darwin will allow her to come to serious harm. That would risk the future of his operation. Let’s head back to the hotel and get organized,” Stan suggested. “That’s our best way to help her.”

As they walked, Stan laid out his plan. “It seems somewhat irregular, but it might work,” Archie conceded.

“Sometimes, my friend the longshot pays off,” Stan replied.

***​

The next morning, they boarded a southbound train. “We need a boat for a quick getaway,” Stan said. “There’s a boatyard down at Poughkeepsie near the train station.”

“This is turning into quite an adventure!” Archie said.

Stan nodded. “Barbara will love this story if we ever get to tell it to her,” he replied.

Soon, they arrived at the station and made their way to the boatyard. It was a busy scene of boats loading and unloading goods of all varieties. Towards the end of the pier was a steam-powered tugboat; Winner’s Circle was painted on its stern. Stan took that as a favorable omen. He approached the man standing by the gangway smoking a pipe. “Is this your boat?” he asked.

“Aye,” the man replied.

“You have a crew?” Stan asked.

“Aye, two,” the captain replied. He was a man of few words.

“We’d like to hire you for a job,” Archie said.

“When?” the captain asked.

“Tomorrow night,” Stan replied.

The captain protested that he was contracted to go upriver to fetch a barge load of lumber at Albany tomorrow and haul it down to the City.

“How much are they paying you?” Archie asked him.

“$ 250,” the captain replied. Stan doubted it was that much.

“I’ll give you $ 500 to take us up near Rhinecliff and then down to the City,” Archie said. He reached into his pocket and extracted a small purse. “Here’s $ 50 now; the rest will be forthcoming upon completion of the journey.” He ostentatiously showed the captain that he had the promised amount and more to spare.

Stan described the spot they looking for.

“Yep, I knows it,” the captain said.

“We want to reach there around midnight tomorrow,” Stan said.

“Then we’d best leave here by sunset,” the captain said. “Even a bit before.”

“OK,” Stan replied. “We’ll need that skiff so we can row to shore,” he added, indicating the small rowboat on the rear deck.

The captain nodded.

“Also, can you bring a ladder?” Stan asked.

“How long?”

“Can you find one that’s twenty feet?”

“I reckon so,” the captain replied. They shook hands and went into the town to look for the print shop that the station master had recommended. On the train down, they had composed the letter and visiting cards for each of them. For an exorbitant fee, the manager was able to promise they’d have them by that afternoon.

Before catching the train back north, they sent a telegram to Dr. James Darwin c/o The Darwin Institute for Wayward Young Women: “State Medical Board wishes to discuss matters STOP Drs Gould and VanDyke will arrive tomorrow 10 AM STOP”

***​

Stan and Archie were met at the front gate promptly at 10 AM the next morning by a very large, imposing man, who escorted them down the stone path, through the front door of the mansion and into the impressive office of Dr. James Darwin, who rose from his comfortable leather chair, behind his imposing desk to greet his visitors.

Stan handed him his visiting card, identifying himself as Dr. Stanley Gould, graduate of Johns Hopkins Medical School. Darwin took the card in his left hand and examined it, then extended his right hand to shake Stan’s hand. He repeated the same ritual, with Dr. Archibald VanDyke, graduate, according to his card of Yale Medical School. “Please have a seat, gentlemen,” he said.

“We’ll come right to the point, Dr. Darwin,” Stan began. “We’ve heard good things about your Institute and its results and have been sent by the State Medical Board to see what your methods are.” Darwin nodded sagely.

‘Dr. VanDyke’ took up the matter. “We all recognize the gravity of the problem posed for society by an excess of female libido. No great nation can long endure if its youth are corrupted by loose morals,” he said.

“Indeed!” Dr. Darwin concurred. “I could not agree more. All the tools of modern science must be brought to bear on this problem and that is what I have dedicated my life to. In all modesty, I think I have devised a most effective program.

“Would you be willing to perhaps show us just a small sample of your methodology?” Archie asked.

“For distinguished colleagues such as yourselves, I would be happy to.” Stan was pleased that he had convinced Archie that with a person such as Darwin, flattery was the preferred approach.

Darwin led them through the corridors of the old building and down to the basement. “This is where we practice our aversion therapy, which, I believe, is critical to obtaining our best results. The patient is restrained upon this table, for their own protection of course, and their genitals are stimulated. If they become aroused a small, mildly uncomfortable electric shock is administered. The patient then learns to associate sexual arousal with unpleasant, rather than pleasant feelings and thus acquires control over her bodily urges.”

“Ah, yes, the methods of Dr. Pavlov, applied to humans, rather than dogs,” Archie said.

“Precisely,” Darwin replied.

“And what is your success rate, Dr. Darwin?” Stan asked.

“Oh, very high. Some patients require more time here than others of course, but as long as their parents don’t give up, we are able to achieve at least a meaningful reduction in inappropriate behaviors in almost all cases.”

“That sounds most promising, Dr. Darwin,” Archie said. “Where are your patients at the moment?”

“I believe they are in the sewing room, Dr. VanDyke. We like to keep them busy when they are not undergoing treatment. Idle hands are the devil’s playground, after all.” Stan and Archie nodded in agreement.

Darwin led back upstairs to a room where around a dozen women, clad in simple dresses, were seated at a long table, their backs to the visitors, busily sewing. They stood discretely in the doorway.

“You know, Dr. Darwin, I think it would be interesting for us to interview a couple of the patients in private, to get a feel for how they are reacting to the therapy,” Archie said. Stan nodded knowingly to show that he concurred with his colleague.

Dr. Darwin looked a bit askance. “Well, I don’t know. These are very delicate matters.”

“It would be most helpful for our report to the Board,” Stan insisted.

“Well, perhaps I could select a couple of patients whom you could meet with briefly. I don’t want to interrupt their schedule.”

“We understand, Dr. Darwin. We won’t take up much of their time. How about that one, the second from the end on the left?” Archie asked, pointing at one whom he was quite sure was Barbara.

“Hmm, well, that is Barbara Moore. She is rather early in her treatment and not typical at all.”

“I understand, Dr. Darwin. But in the interest of scientific rigor we need to get a representative sample of both the good and the bad,” Stan said. “We’d also like to include one of your more tractable patients. How is that one third from the right?”

“Ah,” Darwin replied. “That is Gwendolyn Barber. She is far along, almost ready to go home.”

“Good, that will make a very fair sample then,” Archie said. “Is there a room where we can interview them?”

“Um, yes, let’s go down the hall,” Darwin said, leading them to a small examining room. There were two chairs. “You gentlemen can be seated,” he told them. “The patients can stand.”

“Thank you, Dr. Darwin,” Stan said. “You can send Miss Barber in first, then Miss Moore.”

He left, closing the door behind him. Soon there was a knock. “Come in,” Stan announced. A very pretty young woman entered. “You must be Gwendolyn,” Stan said.

“Yes,” she replied, meekly.

“We are doctors from the Medical Board here to see how you are progressing in your therapy,” Archie said.

“Oh, it’s going just wonderfully,” Gwendolyn exclaimed. “I am almost ready to go home. I feel in control of myself now and I look forward to a wonderful life as a wife and mother.”

“And the treatments are not too difficult?” Stan asked.

“Not at all. Oh, the shocks hurt a bit, not too bad, but it’s definitely worth it if I can live my life free of unwanted urges that cause me to act in harmful ways.”

They chatted a bit about her family and her plans for the future. Then, Stan thanked her for her time and asked her to send Barbara Moore in.

After a few moments, the door opened and it was her! A look of shock passed over her face and she appeared ready to speak, but Stan and Archie both clapped their hands over their mouths to indicate the need for silence. “Please close the door,” Stan said.

As soon as she closed the door, Stan whispered, “Quiet. I am sure someone is listening at the door.”

“Stan, Archie, it’s wonderful to see you,” Barb whispered. “You have to get me out of here. This place is horrible. They whip you and …”

Stan interrupted her. “We know. We’re here to get you out, but we have to sneak you out, since your father has given Darwin custody over you. You can tell us all about it after.”

Barb nodded to indicate that she understood.

“We will come for you tonight around midnight,” Archie said.

“But how? The doors are all locked and there are bars on the window.”

“Are any of the bars loose?” Stan asked.

“One of the girls told me that the bars in the bathroom at the end of the upstairs hall are a bit shaky, but it’s too high to jump.”

“We will have a ladder by the window and a boat waiting down by the river. Tonight around midnight,” Archie said.

“OK,” Barb replied, smiling at her two knights in shining armor. “I will try anything to get out of here. This place is horrible.”

“Now let’s speak in normal voices. Pretend that your therapy is going well,” Archie whispered. “It sounds like your unwanted urges are still there, but are less than when you first arrived here,” he said in his normal speaking voice.

“Yes, that seems accurate,” Barbara replied, more loudly.

“Well, stay with the treatment,” Archie added. “Dr. Darwin has your best interests at heart. Hopefully, you can go home soon.”

“I know he does and I am eager to finish so that I can be free of these desires which have tormented me,” Barbara replied.

Stan stood and opened the door. A stern looking woman just happened to walk by. Stan knew that she had been listening and hopefully would report Barb’s parting words to Dr. Darwin. She escorted Barb back to the sewing room, as the two doctors made their way to Darwin’s office.

“I must say we are most impressed, Dr. Darwin,” Archie said. “Your methods are obviously sound. It’s beyond dispute that your patients, even the difficult one, Miss Moore, are gaining a solid sense of self-control.”

“Yes,” Stan added. “Our report to the Board will be most favorable. I am sure that many of our colleagues may want to refer patients to you.”

Darwin beamed broadly. “I am happy to help all who are in need. I see it as my duty to the young women of our nation and to the country.” They shook hands and Stan and Archie made their way out to the gate, accompanied by Max, who locked the gate behind them.
 
Note for Chapter 34

From early days, the Hudson River has been a major highway of commerce. As the US expanded to the West, the Appalachain Mountains presented a major barrier to bringing the goods produced on the western side by entrepreneurs like James Moore to the markets in the large cities on the East Coast and overseas.

This problem was addressed by the construction of the Erie Canal from Buffalo on Lake Erie to Albany, where the Hudson River (actually a tidal inlet of the ocean from there to New York City) allowed them to be transported efficiently to their final destination. The canal, a major engineering feat, was built from 1817-1825 under Governor DeWitt Clinton. Its detractors called it "Clinton's Ditch", but they were wrong, as it stimulated explosive growth in New York City, whose population grew from 60,000 in 1800 to 3.8 million in 1900.

The traffic was largely carried by barges, pulled by steam-powered tugboats, such as this one from around 1890
tugboat.jpg
By that point, the side or stern paddle wheel had been replaced by a propeller. Diesel began to replace steam after World War I. There is still tugboat/barge traffic on the river today, though it is much reduced from the time of our story, supplanted by both rail and truck.
 
“Certainly, though I suspect Darwin won’t allow that to happen. After all, he wants to keep the money coming in from her father.”

And the good doctor probably enjoys her too much.

“It hurts me, too,” Stan replied. “But as I said, I don’t think Darwin will allow her to come to serious harm.

In which case you really don't need to rescue her, now do you?

Stan nodded. “Barbara will love this story if we ever get to tell it to her,” he replied.

Eh, I don't know.

“Ah, yes, the methods of Dr. Pavlov, applied to humans, rather than dogs,” Archie said.

As it turned out later, this method didn't have the same results when used on humans. As this story also nicely illustrates.

“Stan, Archie, it’s wonderful to see you,” Barb whispered. “You have to get me out of here. This place is horrible. They whip you and …”

Yeah, they make you come all the time, sounds really horrible,

Darwin beamed broadly. “I am happy to help all who are in need. I see it as my duty to the young women of our nation and to the country.”

Good man. :D
 
Note for Chapter 34

From early days, the Hudson River has been a major highway of commerce. As the US expanded to the West, the Appalachain Mountains presented a major barrier to bringing the goods produced on the western side by entrepreneurs like James Moore to the markets in the large cities on the East Coast and overseas.

This problem was addressed by the construction of the Erie Canal from Buffalo on Lake Erie to Albany, where the Hudson River (actually a tidal inlet of the ocean from there to New York City) allowed them to be transported efficiently to their final destination. The canal, a major engineering feat, was built from 1817-1825 under Governor DeWitt Clinton. Its detractors called it "Clinton's Ditch", but they were wrong, as it stimulated explosive growth in New York City, whose population grew from 60,000 in 1800 to 3.8 million in 1900.

The traffic was largely carried by barges, pulled by steam-powered tugboats, such as this one from around 1890
View attachment 1161487
By that point, the side or stern paddle wheel had been replaced by a propeller. Diesel began to replace steam after World War I. There is still tugboat/barge traffic on the river today, though it is much reduced from the time of our story, supplanted by both rail and truck.
Impressive, to build it in just 8 years, particularly in that era. Today, it would last much longer. The procedure to get a building permit would already take 50 years.

Dr. Stanley Gould, graduate of Johns Hopkins Medical School.
Dr. Archibald VanDyke, graduate, according to his card of Yale Medical School.
Impressive imposture! "Trust us, we are doctors!" is now played against dr. Darwin! Of course, let's hope he has no connections in the Medical Board that could blow our 'doctor's' imposture.

Just hope, 'the great escape' will be succesfull! They better had provided Barb a rasp, to cut the bars.
 
Impressive, to build it in just 8 years, particularly in that era. Today, it would last much longer. The procedure to get a building permit would already take 50 years.



Impressive imposture! "Trust us, we are doctors!" is now played against dr. Darwin! Of course, let's hope he has no connections in the Medical Board that could blow our 'doctor's' imposture.

Just hope, 'the great escape' will be succesfull! They better had provided Barb a rasp, to cut the bars.
Of course, he should have googled their names!!:doh:

In this period, there was open war between the "legitimate" doctors and "quacks". A guy like Darwin would have killed for recognition by the legitimate medical world-being invited to lecture at major medical schools (not his alma mater;)) would have appealed almost as much as bringing naked young women to orgasm and whipping them and scamming their parents. Checking out the story of Drs Gould and VanDyke would have required days even if the Medical Society had bothered to respond to him and that would have forfeited the opportunity. So he thought it was worth the chance.
 
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These have been very helpful in grouse hunting,
She has been known to grouse a bit, now you mention it.... :rolleyes:

“It seems somewhat irregular, but it might work,”
I should think those flagstones are feeling pretty irregular to Barb abut now. Irregular plans fit irregular situations! ;)

I am eager to finish so that I can be free of these desires which have tormented me,” Barbara replied.
Oh dear. :( Cruxforums is going to be such a dull place if she finishes her treatment. :crybaby2:
 
She has been known to grouse a bit, now you mention it.... :rolleyes:


I should think those flagstones are feeling pretty irregular to Barb abut now. Irregular plans fit irregular situations! ;)


Oh dear. :( Cruxforums is going to be such a dull place if she finishes her treatment. :crybaby2:
She has been known to grouse a bit, now you mention it.... :rolleyes:


I should think those flagstones are feeling pretty irregular to Barb abut now. Irregular plans fit irregular situations! ;)


Oh dear. :( Cruxforums is going to be such a dull place if she finishes her treatment. :crybaby2:
The idea of a prim, straitlaced Barb is almost existential.
 
Chapter 34.

Sunday dawned clear and sultry. By the time Stan and Archie finished breakfast and set out along the road, it was already uncomfortably hot. Where the route ran past open fields, they had to stop and wipe their necks and faces with handkerchiefs. The stretches through forest were blessed reliefs.

‘At least,’ Stan thought, ‘I’m not carrying a heavy canvas knapsack like Vandergrift.’

He had asked Archie before they had set out what was in the sack. “Some things that might turn out to be useful. I cabled my butler down in the city after our conversation yesterday and he assembled it and put it on the late train. The hotel had someone pick it up at the station.”

‘I guess when you’re rich, you can arrange that sort of thing,’ Stan thought. Much as he hated to admit it, he knew that having Vandergrift’s resources might be the key to arranging Barbara’s escape.

They rounded a bend in the road and came upon the stone wall that surrounded the Institute. “This is the place,” Stan announced. “There’s the main gate,” he said, pointing to a gap in the wall a hundred yards or so ahead.

Archie broke into a run and Stan followed. Peering through the iron bars, Archie took in the large mansion with its well-tended lawn. “It looks rather comfortable,” he mused. “Perhaps, Mr. Moore is right and we ought to give the treatment time to work its magic.”

“Suit yourself,” Stan replied. Vandergrift and his money would certainly be a big help in this enterprise, but if he had to, Stan would figure out a way to accomplish his goal by himself.

Vandergrift shucked off his knapsack and laid it on the ground, stooping down to unbuckle the straps and rooting around inside. His hand emerged clutching a pair of binoculars. “We might as well have a closer look,” he said. “These have been very helpful in grouse hunting,” he added.

He put them to his eyes and scanned the front of the house. Then he lowered them and handed them to Stan, looking quite perturbed. “There’s something on the garden flagstones to the left of the door,” he said.

Stan lifted the binoculars and focused on the area Archie had singled out. “It looks like a naked body sort of spread-eagled,” he reported. Then he saw the object move. “It just moved.”

“Let me have them again,” Archie said. He peered through the glasses. “She seems to be staked out. In the sun in this heat- it’s inhuman!”

Stan noticed that Archie had used the female pronoun to describe the victim, which seemed reasonable given that the place was an Institute for Wayward Young Women. He could see even with his naked eye that the body was moving, but appeared to be held down by something. “Can I have another look?” he asked.

Vandergrift handed him the binoculars. Suddenly the prone figure lifted her head. “It’s Barbara!” Stan exclaimed.

Archie grabbed the binoculars and stared at the figure. “Yes, I’m certain that’s her! It’s appalling! She could die from dehydration.”

“Certainly, though I suspect Darwin won’t allow that to happen. After all, he wants to keep the money coming in from her father.”

“We have to tell Mr. Moore right away. We’ll take the next train down to the city. Two of us have seen it so he’ll have to believe it, even if one of them is you.”

“I’m not so sure. Darwin has him snowed or she wouldn’t be here in the first place, and the parents of all the other girls, too, no doubt.”

“Then we’ll go to the authorities,” Archie said. “Surely, this is not permissible.”

“I don’t know. It seems this has been going on for some time. Many people see women’s sexual urges as a threat and anything done to keep them under control is permissible. Just look at Comstock and his followers. Besides, that will take time and in the end, they’ll only release her to her father and who knows where he’ll send her next. I say we’re better off taking the matter into our own hands.”

“That seems risky.”

“I’ve lived most of my life taking risks, Vandergrift. I understand that you haven’t had to, so it’s not something you’re used to. If my plan fails, we can still go to the authorities or speak to Moore, or go talk to The Herald.”

“And in the meantime, what about Barbara?” Archie asked. “It hurts me to think of her suffering.”

“It hurts me, too,” Stan replied. “But as I said, I don’t think Darwin will allow her to come to serious harm. That would risk the future of his operation. Let’s head back to the hotel and get organized,” Stan suggested. “That’s our best way to help her.”

As they walked, Stan laid out his plan. “It seems somewhat irregular, but it might work,” Archie conceded.

“Sometimes, my friend the longshot pays off,” Stan replied.

***​

The next morning, they boarded a southbound train. “We need a boat for a quick getaway,” Stan said. “There’s a boatyard down at Poughkeepsie near the train station.”

“This is turning into quite an adventure!” Archie said.

Stan nodded. “Barbara will love this story if we ever get to tell it to her,” he replied.

Soon, they arrived at the station and made their way to the boatyard. It was a busy scene of boats loading and unloading goods of all varieties. Towards the end of the pier was a steam-powered tugboat; Winner’s Circle was painted on its stern. Stan took that as a favorable omen. He approached the man standing by the gangway smoking a pipe. “Is this your boat?” he asked.

“Aye,” the man replied.

“You have a crew?” Stan asked.

“Aye, two,” the captain replied. He was a man of few words.

“We’d like to hire you for a job,” Archie said.

“When?” the captain asked.

“Tomorrow night,” Stan replied.

The captain protested that he was contracted to go upriver to fetch a barge load of lumber at Albany tomorrow and haul it down to the City.

“How much are they paying you?” Archie asked him.

“$ 250,” the captain replied. Stan doubted it was that much.

“I’ll give you $ 500 to take us up near Rhinecliff and then down to the City,” Archie said. He reached into his pocket and extracted a small purse. “Here’s $ 50 now; the rest will be forthcoming upon completion of the journey.” He ostentatiously showed the captain that he had the promised amount and more to spare.

Stan described the spot they looking for.

“Yep, I knows it,” the captain said.

“We want to reach there around midnight tomorrow,” Stan said.

“Then we’d best leave here by sunset,” the captain said. “Even a bit before.”

“OK,” Stan replied. “We’ll need that skiff so we can row to shore,” he added, indicating the small rowboat on the rear deck.

The captain nodded.

“Also, can you bring a ladder?” Stan asked.

“How long?”

“Can you find one that’s twenty feet?”

“I reckon so,” the captain replied. They shook hands and went into the town to look for the print shop that the station master had recommended. On the train down, they had composed the letter and visiting cards for each of them. For an exorbitant fee, the manager was able to promise they’d have them by that afternoon.

Before catching the train back north, they sent a telegram to Dr. James Darwin c/o The Darwin Institute for Wayward Young Women: “State Medical Board wishes to discuss matters STOP Drs Gould and VanDyke will arrive tomorrow 10 AM STOP”

***​

Stan and Archie were met at the front gate promptly at 10 AM the next morning by a very large, imposing man, who escorted them down the stone path, through the front door of the mansion and into the impressive office of Dr. James Darwin, who rose from his comfortable leather chair, behind his imposing desk to greet his visitors.

Stan handed him his visiting card, identifying himself as Dr. Stanley Gould, graduate of Johns Hopkins Medical School. Darwin took the card in his left hand and examined it, then extended his right hand to shake Stan’s hand. He repeated the same ritual, with Dr. Archibald VanDyke, graduate, according to his card of Yale Medical School. “Please have a seat, gentlemen,” he said.

“We’ll come right to the point, Dr. Darwin,” Stan began. “We’ve heard good things about your Institute and its results and have been sent by the State Medical Board to see what your methods are.” Darwin nodded sagely.

‘Dr. VanDyke’ took up the matter. “We all recognize the gravity of the problem posed for society by an excess of female libido. No great nation can long endure if its youth are corrupted by loose morals,” he said.

“Indeed!” Dr. Darwin concurred. “I could not agree more. All the tools of modern science must be brought to bear on this problem and that is what I have dedicated my life to. In all modesty, I think I have devised a most effective program.

“Would you be willing to perhaps show us just a small sample of your methodology?” Archie asked.

“For distinguished colleagues such as yourselves, I would be happy to.” Stan was pleased that he had convinced Archie that with a person such as Darwin, flattery was the preferred approach.

Darwin led them through the corridors of the old building and down to the basement. “This is where we practice our aversion therapy, which, I believe, is critical to obtaining our best results. The patient is restrained upon this table, for their own protection of course, and their genitals are stimulated. If they become aroused a small, mildly uncomfortable electric shock is administered. The patient then learns to associate sexual arousal with unpleasant, rather than pleasant feelings and thus acquires control over her bodily urges.”

“Ah, yes, the methods of Dr. Pavlov, applied to humans, rather than dogs,” Archie said.

“Precisely,” Darwin replied.

“And what is your success rate, Dr. Darwin?” Stan asked.

“Oh, very high. Some patients require more time here than others of course, but as long as their parents don’t give up, we are able to achieve at least a meaningful reduction in inappropriate behaviors in almost all cases.”

“That sounds most promising, Dr. Darwin,” Archie said. “Where are your patients at the moment?”

“I believe they are in the sewing room, Dr. VanDyke. We like to keep them busy when they are not undergoing treatment. Idle hands are the devil’s playground, after all.” Stan and Archie nodded in agreement.

Darwin led back upstairs to a room where around a dozen women, clad in simple dresses, were seated at a long table, their backs to the visitors, busily sewing. They stood discretely in the doorway.

“You know, Dr. Darwin, I think it would be interesting for us to interview a couple of the patients in private, to get a feel for how they are reacting to the therapy,” Archie said. Stan nodded knowingly to show that he concurred with his colleague.

Dr. Darwin looked a bit askance. “Well, I don’t know. These are very delicate matters.”

“It would be most helpful for our report to the Board,” Stan insisted.

“Well, perhaps I could select a couple of patients whom you could meet with briefly. I don’t want to interrupt their schedule.”

“We understand, Dr. Darwin. We won’t take up much of their time. How about that one, the second from the end on the left?” Archie asked, pointing at one whom he was quite sure was Barbara.

“Hmm, well, that is Barbara Moore. She is rather early in her treatment and not typical at all.”

“I understand, Dr. Darwin. But in the interest of scientific rigor we need to get a representative sample of both the good and the bad,” Stan said. “We’d also like to include one of your more tractable patients. How is that one third from the right?”

“Ah,” Darwin replied. “That is Gwendolyn Barber. She is far along, almost ready to go home.”

“Good, that will make a very fair sample then,” Archie said. “Is there a room where we can interview them?”

“Um, yes, let’s go down the hall,” Darwin said, leading them to a small examining room. There were two chairs. “You gentlemen can be seated,” he told them. “The patients can stand.”

“Thank you, Dr. Darwin,” Stan said. “You can send Miss Barber in first, then Miss Moore.”

He left, closing the door behind him. Soon there was a knock. “Come in,” Stan announced. A very pretty young woman entered. “You must be Gwendolyn,” Stan said.

“Yes,” she replied, meekly.

“We are doctors from the Medical Board here to see how you are progressing in your therapy,” Archie said.

“Oh, it’s going just wonderfully,” Gwendolyn exclaimed. “I am almost ready to go home. I feel in control of myself now and I look forward to a wonderful life as a wife and mother.”

“And the treatments are not too difficult?” Stan asked.

“Not at all. Oh, the shocks hurt a bit, not too bad, but it’s definitely worth it if I can live my life free of unwanted urges that cause me to act in harmful ways.”

They chatted a bit about her family and her plans for the future. Then, Stan thanked her for her time and asked her to send Barbara Moore in.

After a few moments, the door opened and it was her! A look of shock passed over her face and she appeared ready to speak, but Stan and Archie both clapped their hands over their mouths to indicate the need for silence. “Please close the door,” Stan said.

As soon as she closed the door, Stan whispered, “Quiet. I am sure someone is listening at the door.”

“Stan, Archie, it’s wonderful to see you,” Barb whispered. “You have to get me out of here. This place is horrible. They whip you and …”

Stan interrupted her. “We know. We’re here to get you out, but we have to sneak you out, since your father has given Darwin custody over you. You can tell us all about it after.”

Barb nodded to indicate that she understood.

“We will come for you tonight around midnight,” Archie said.

“But how? The doors are all locked and there are bars on the window.”

“Are any of the bars loose?” Stan asked.

“One of the girls told me that the bars in the bathroom at the end of the upstairs hall are a bit shaky, but it’s too high to jump.”

“We will have a ladder by the window and a boat waiting down by the river. Tonight around midnight,” Archie said.

“OK,” Barb replied, smiling at her two knights in shining armor. “I will try anything to get out of here. This place is horrible.”

“Now let’s speak in normal voices. Pretend that your therapy is going well,” Archie whispered. “It sounds like your unwanted urges are still there, but are less than when you first arrived here,” he said in his normal speaking voice.

“Yes, that seems accurate,” Barbara replied, more loudly.

“Well, stay with the treatment,” Archie added. “Dr. Darwin has your best interests at heart. Hopefully, you can go home soon.”

“I know he does and I am eager to finish so that I can be free of these desires which have tormented me,” Barbara replied.

Stan stood and opened the door. A stern looking woman just happened to walk by. Stan knew that she had been listening and hopefully would report Barb’s parting words to Dr. Darwin. She escorted Barb back to the sewing room, as the two doctors made their way to Darwin’s office.

“I must say we are most impressed, Dr. Darwin,” Archie said. “Your methods are obviously sound. It’s beyond dispute that your patients, even the difficult one, Miss Moore, are gaining a solid sense of self-control.”

“Yes,” Stan added. “Our report to the Board will be most favorable. I am sure that many of our colleagues may want to refer patients to you.”

Darwin beamed broadly. “I am happy to help all who are in need. I see it as my duty to the young women of our nation and to the country.” They shook hands and Stan and Archie made their way out to the gate, accompanied by Max, who locked the gate behind them.
Reccy over, Intel gathered, now all that remains is to 'spring' Barb from her confines ... will that be the hard bit or the easy bit? I am looking forward to finding out!
 
“I must say we are most impressed, Dr. Darwin,” Archie said. “Your methods are obviously sound. It’s beyond dispute that your patients, even the difficult one, Miss Moore, are gaining a solid sense of self-control.”
At last!:devil::devil-flip:

“Yes,” Stan added. “Our report to the Board will be most favorable. I am sure that many of our colleagues may want to refer patients to you.”
And if even Goldman confirms it, it must be true!:smilie-devil:
 
Of course, he should have googled their names!!:doh:

In this period, there was open war between the "legitimate" doctors and "quacks". A guy like Darwin would have killed for recognition by the legitimate medical world-being invited to lecture at major medical schools (not his alma mater;)) would have appealed almost as much as bringing naked young women to orgasm and whipping them and scamming their parents. Checking out the story of Drs Gould and VanDyke would have required days even if the Medical Society had bothered to respond to him and that would have forfeited the opportunity. So he thought it was worth the chance.
My point is, Darwin could have been very watchful against 'legitimate' doctors, especially as he could expect such visitations, by the Medical Board. Knowing himself that his 'degree', his 'therapy' and his 'profit model' are all but sound, he better could be informed about which doctors do visitations on behalf of the Board, trough a network he would have built up.
 
Reccy over, Intel gathered, now all that remains is to 'spring' Barb from her confines ... will that be the hard bit or the easy bit? I am looking forward to finding out!
So far I’m thinking it’s been pretty easy for everyone except Barb.. she’s bearing the brunt of the hard stuff, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
 
Reccy over, Intel gathered, now all that remains is to 'spring' Barb from her confines ... will that be the hard bit or the easy bit? I am looking forward to finding out!
And find out you will … watch for chapters 35 and 36 …. Coming on Monday and Tuesday!
 
Chapter 35

On Tuesday morning Barbara rose late, as she was still shaking off the effects of the potions she had been given following her Sunday ordeal of being staked out all day in the heat in addition to a double whipping at the post delivered by her nemesis, Gwendolyn, and her sidekick, Elisabeth. Barbara had accordingly spent Sunday night and all of Monday in the infirmary, where healing balms had been applied to relieve the ill effects of whiplash and sun on her fair skin. Thankfully the balms and lotions had done their work, and although a bit stiff and sore she felt ready for the day.

Realizing that she was in danger of missing breakfast, she hastily donned the minimalist sarong she was required to wear and headed for the dining room.

She was quite surprised on arrival to find that her three “sarong sisters” as she had taken to affectionately calling them, were sitting at the table clad, not in the customary sarongs, but in simple, rather loose-fitting, white cotton shifts.

“What’s going on?” she whispered, seating herself and making a face at the revolting sight of the bowl of stone cold gruel set before her. “Have we all somehow graduated to a higher rank in the pecking order here?”

“Ah, if that were only so,” sighed Clara, rolling her eyes.

“It’s because Dr. Darwin is expecting some bigwigs to come here today. Matron Marston says they’re from the state medical board, or some such thing, and are interested in having a look at his methods. She says he’s tickled pink over the prospect and expects us all to be on our best behavior and keep up appearances … hence the virginal white dresses,” explained Hazel.

“I see. Where’s mine?”

“The matrons have one for you. In fact Marston is bringing one over now,” murmured Florence with lowered head.

“Moore! Get this on!” barked Marston as she marched up and dropped a bundle of white cloth in Barbara’s lap. “And hurry, you girls all have to be off to the sewing room soon.”

“Sewing room? Is this some kind of new treatment? I really have no idea how to sew. That’s what maids are for, isn’t it?”

“Just do as you’re told, Moore. No complaints! Fake it if need be.”

***********

By 9:00 Barbara was seated, along with all the other girls, at a long table, doing her best to keep up the pretense that she was busily sewing together the two pieces of cloth lying on the table before her into something useful. Under the watchful eyes of the matrons this farcical charade was maintained under strict silence for what seemed like an eternity. In actuality, though, it was only until Darwin turned up outside the door to the room around 10:30, accompanied by his two distinguished visitors.

Barbara would have loved to have turned about to have a good look at them, but all the girls had been purposely seated at the table with their backs to the door, and warned by the matrons that they must face their work and appear busy … or there would be severe consequences. Darwin obviously was determined to make things look good.

She strained to catch what Darwin and his visitors might be saying, but they spoke in hushed tones and words were difficult to distinguish. Yet she thought she overheard one of the visitors proposing that Darwin permit them to speak to some of the girls … which caused her to raise an eyebrow. What a pleasure that might be to speak with someone on the outside, and perhaps useful too, she thought to herself, imagining it as a perfect opportunity to complain about Darwin’s methods to someone who might intervene.

Several minutes went by, without anything happening. Darwin and his visitors seemed to have left. But then she and Gwendolyn were ordered to their feet by the matrons, who led them out of the so-called sewing room and down the corridor to just outside an examining room. Darwin was waiting for them there.

“There are two gentlemen in there,” he began in a hushed tone and with a nod towards the examining room’s closed door. “They wish to interview each of you about your treatment here. Now listen closely. You’ll go in there one at a time, Gwendolyn first. You’ll answer their questions, and you’ll do so positively. Is that understood?”

Both nodded.

“Good. Now go ahead Gwendolyn,” he continued, rapping softly on the door.

Barbara watched as Gwendolyn disappeared inside. Through the door panel she could hear voices as she stood at Darwin’s side, rocking apprehensively back and forth on the balls of her feet until Darwin brusquely ordered her to hold still and stop fidgeting.

Eventually the door opened and a beaming Gwendolyn emerged.

“Your turn,” she said to Barbara with a half smile. “They’re nice enough. Rather pleasant young fellows really.”

“Remember now. Behave!” warned Darwin sternly. “Don’t cause us any trouble.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Barbara stepped up to the door, knocked, opened it and let herself in.

Her astonished joy at finding Archibald Vandergrift and Stan Goldman sitting side by side waiting for her was beyond description. And she would have shouted for joy were it not for the fact that both men placed their hands over their mouths in a signal for silence.

She would have liked to tell them how dreadfully awful her existence at the Institute was, as well as her frank opinion of Dr. Darwin, but both Archie and Stan cut her off, impressing upon her that time was limited and that they had come to tell her of a plan they had contrived to sneak her out … that very night!

It seemed a crazy plan, calling for a midnight escape through the second floor bathroom window of the girls’ dorm. But she was desperate enough to try anything if it meant freedom from Darwin and his horrible treatments.

Her sense of euphoria over this unexpected turn of events lasted through the rest of the morning and lunch. In fact, it wasn’t until mid-afternoon, as she lay naked on her back, bound to a treatment table with electric clips pinching her nipples and Darwin preparing to force a dildo into her pussy that her high spirits came crashing down.

Worries and uncertainties began to work their way to the fore. So much so that for once Darwin’s attempts to stimulate a sexual response from her were unusually slow to take hold.

How was she going to make good on the agreed midnight rendezvous at that bathroom window? Wasn’t that at about the time each night when Gwendolyn and Elisabeth insisted that she and Hazel climb in bed with them? And even if she could find a way to evade Gwendolyn and Elisabeth’s demands, did she have the strength to break open those reportedly loose window bars? What would happen if she failed?

And then, should the plan succeed, what was she to make of Archie and Stan combining forces to rescue her? How would she reward them? Would she be forced to choose between them? How did she feel about that? What will father say when he learns of her escape, and the way in which it was accomplished? Could she be sent back, delivered once again into Darwin’s cruel clutches?

A sudden burst of electrical current coursing through her nipples and breasts … causing her to stiffen, arch her back and cry out pitifully …offered a grim answer to that last question.

“You’re not focusing, Moore!” groused Darwin. “Hit her again, Max! Crank faster!”

8B923BE1-6D61-41F2-BCA0-AB20EAA52A1A.jpeg

****************

That night turned out to be especially warm and sultry. Which meant the girls’ dorm was much like one of those Finnish saunas she had experienced back in Duluth. Everyone in the dorm room lay naked on their beds, restless and sleepless.

In the darkness, Barbara left her bed and crawled over to the adjacent one, which belonged to Hazel. She had decided to take a risk. In whispered tones, she informed her friend of the pending escape plan and her fear that Gwendolyn and Elisabeth’s nocturnal sexual appetites might upset the apple cart.

“You’re really planning to escape tonight?” Hazel gasped in wonder.

“Shhhhhhhhhh!”

“I mean, that’s wonderful. Can I join you?”

“No, but if I’m successful and the truth about this place gets out, you and everyone else here are likely to be free of Darwin at last.”

“What are you to do? I mean, Gwendolyn and Elisabeth are going to want us over there soon. I can tell. They always start giggling and whispering just before. And it must be near midnight. Listen! Can’t you hear them?”

“Yes. You’re right. Any second now…” sighed Barbara gloomily.

“Hey, we couldn’t help but overhear,” whispered Clara, who had crept over from her neighboring bed, soon to be joined by Florence.

“Look. You two get them started. Give it your all, and when you have them gasping and cumming, Flo and I will slip quietly in to cover your escape.” continued Clara.

“But … “ began Barbara, but she was cut off by the all too familiar chorus from the far end of the dorm.

“Barbara and Hazel! It’s time. We need you two cunts and your magic tongues over here! Now!”

*****************

A quarter of an hour later, Barbara and Hazel managed to make good on their escape, slipping away unnoticed, leaving behind Florence and Clara with their faces buried between the spread legs of the two panting and moaning senior inmates.

Quickly and silently they stole their way to the dorm bathroom, entered and closed the door behind them. And just as they did, the top end of a ladder could be heard scraping and bumping up against the wall beneath the window.

“They’re here! Just like you said!” squealed Hazel excitedly.

“Hurry!” cried Barbara. “Help me get the window open!”

It was stuck. It probably hadn’t been opened in years, but by straining mightily they managed together to raise the sash.

“It’s barred!” moaned Hazel.

“I know, but I heard someone here say once that the window bars were loose. Help me!”

Both girls, taking firm grip of the bars, pulled and tugged for all they were worth. And bit by bit the bars began to move. Dust and masonry chips flew as they wiggled and twisting the bars. Until suddenly they broke loose, sending both girls sprawling to the bathroom floor.

“We did it!” exulted Hazel, springing to her feet. Come on! Let’s go!”
 
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it as a perfect opportunity to complain about Darwin’s methods to someone who might intervene.
Still a complaining attitude!? There is still Moore therapy to do!:confused:

Barbara had accordingly spent Sunday night and all of Monday in the infirmary, where healing balms had been applied to relieve the ill effects of whiplash and sun on her fair skin. Thankfully the balms and lotions had done their work, and although a bit stiff and sore she felt ready for the day.
But you cannot tell you are not in good and caring hands in dr. Darwin's institute!:D
 
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