Marked by a bustling train depot and town square at one end, Francisburgh delights—and sometimes mystifies—visitors on its cobblestone streets . Folk from busy shopkeepers to vagrants and the well-to-do go about their daily lives in this humble, enchanting village.
Town Square…and Beyond
The Main Stretch
The square is but one side of Francisburgh, harboring a train station and a sometimes-functioning clock tower at one end. Here begins the main street of Francisburgh, a site of pedestrians and carriages alike. Stretching north-south past quaint shops, a printing press and more, it even runs through perhaps a more questionable side of town, if one dares set foot where even the lamplighter dreads treading.
East and West
The east and west sides of Francisburgh are home to sites both fascinating and alarming. Most notably, the prison-like workhouse looms on one edge of the village, just past the brownstones and a deep forest.
Then there is the tiny carnival area to the west, ever present even through rain and snowy days, waiting for its next visitors to explore its novelties.
Christmas in Francisburgh
During Christmastime, the main street of Francisburgh, Percy Lane, features welcoming shops, all bearing wreaths at their entrances. From Chesler’s, a casual yet classy restaurant, to Percy Lane Apothecary, to the village toy shop, all fine establishments of the town sport festive holiday decor.
To top it all off, the entire village observes Francisburgh’s own holiday, The Eventides to Christmas, to help usher in the season of garlands and beloved carols.
Characters You’ll Find in Francisburgh
Cayla Hayne: An independent, forward thinker who actually has no interest in past eras, Cayla must adjust to the antiquated rituals of Victorian life after a strange twist of fate befalls her. A true fish out of water, she loses her regular way of life as she struggles with carriages, corsets and restrictions placed on women, while she simply wishes to return home.
Paul Rowins: Cayla’s fiancé, Paul, is normally good-humored and easygoing. She loves his live-and-let-live approach to life, a trait that could never change…except, perhaps, with the hands of time.
Jeremiah Kristianton: Standing behind his shop’s counter, the enigmatic Jeremiah speaks casually about the wares on his shelves. Yet as soon as she sets foot in his store, Cayla notices that he relates to her differently than others in the village do. This indeed strikes her as strange…though she has no idea of the significance.
Miriam Hayne: Normally helpful and warm, Cayla’s mother is grounded in her vocation, whether as a mother, helper or worker. Her nurturing attitude shines through during telltale moments involving matters such as Victorian pudding and music boxes.
Reynold Hayne: A gentle soul, Cayla’s father, Reynold, has worked jobs dealing with anything from money to animals. His unobtrusive ways have always won the respect of Cayla and everyone lucky enough to cross his path, and he only ever wishes for his daughter to be happy.
Gregory Kasem: The pleasant Gregory shines as the village’s lamplighter and night watchman. Like the gas lamps around town, his jovial nature adds warmth and a certain coziness to his surroundings.
Journey to a Victorian village like no other…for a holiday with everything from struggle to discovery.
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“Through Olden Streets” (a Short Story Prelude to The Eventides to Christmas)
Image credits: (Top of Page) Cayla by Anaterate/Pixabay.com | Toy Store image composited from images by Urlinguss/iStockPhoto.com, Ellerslie77/iStockPhoto.com, Valeriia Soloveva/iStockPhoto.com, OpenClipArt-Vectors/Pixabay.com, iGalF/iStockPhoto.com, Kylaksun/iStockPhoto.com, CallMeTak/iStockPhoto.com, Anaterate/Pixabay.com
