Antebellum Struggles

by Dickie Erman

Trent was jogging down the front porch steps two at a time, skipped the last step and made a perfect landing at her feet.

  “I can’t let you go without a proper goodbye” he said smiling. “And this!” He held up a small, brightly colored gift box, complete with ribbon and bow.

  “Oh my! Whatever is it?”

  “Well, open it!” he said excitedly.

  She carefully untied the ribbon, removed the wrapping, and saw an engraved glass perfume bottle. “Oh Trent, how thoughtful” she swooned.

  “I couldn’t resist. I found it in a little boutique store in N’awlins on my last trip. It’s from Paris, and the woman proprietor said it was the most exquisite fragrance ever made. The envy of all” beaming with pride.

  She squeezed the bulb and squirted a small sample on her wrist. “Oh, it’s wonderful!” as she smelled the aroma. “Do you like it? She lifted her wrist for Trent to smell.

  “Collette!” Trent yelled. Collette had playfully sprayed him with the fragrance.

  “There” she giggled. “That’ll surely keep any females away while I’m gone!”

  Powerless, he saw both Tolivar and Tabari grinning ear to ear and could only laugh at himself.

  “You are one of a kind” he said, then gave her a long goodbye hug. He took her arm and assisted her into the carriage.

  “Have a wonderful time”.

  “Mr. Tolivar” he hollered, “Take good care of Mrs. Winters”.

  “I certainly shall” he hollered back. “That’s a promise” as he lifted the reins and coaxed the two horses forward. Tabari fell in behind on his saddled horse.

  * * *

  THEY’D travelled nearly two hours when Tolivar spotted a group of men about a quarter mile up the road. Unsure of what they were up to, he cautiously slowed the horses to a halt.

  “What’s the matter, Mr. Tolivar?” Collette asked from inside the carriage. “Do the horses need a rest?”

  “No ma’am. Thars’ a group of men up ahead. I’m not sure why they’re there, or what they’s doin. Just wanna sit here for a bit and see if I can tell what they’re up to”.

  He looked back at Tabari, who obviously had a frightened look on his face. Tolivar couldn’t be sure from that distance, but it looked like a lynching had just taken place. He jumped down from the buckboard and walked to the left door of the carriage.

  “Ma’am” he started. “I have a bad feelin’ that those men may have just hung a nigger” he cautioned.

  “Oh, my! Are you sure?” obviously startled.

  “No ma’am, I’m not. They’s quite a ways away”.

  He paused, resting his arm on the carriage door, trying his best to study the group. He looked back at Collette.

  “We gotta’ make a decision. If we just stay put, they’ll most likely come here to see what we’re doin’. Probably the same if we turn around. Or, we could keep goin’ forward, and try to ease right past ‘em”.

  “Oh my”. She thought of missing out on her trip, not seeing Caroline, not spending an entire week just because of this damned unexpected predicament. No decision seemed obvious. The safe way would be to turn back. But, what if Mr. Tolivar was right? What if the men rode after them?

  “Oh, Mr. Tolivar, I don’t know what to do. “What do you think we should do?” she pleaded.

  Tolivar looked back again at Tabari, then back toward the men.

  “Tabari. You ever shot a gun?”

  “No sir”.

  “Well, do you know how to shoot a gun?”

  “Yes sir”.

  “Just point and pull the trigger” Tolivar instructed. “Do you know where the shotgun’s at?”

  Tabari nodded toward the buckboard seat.

  “Well, I think our decision’s just been made” he told Collette, as he watched two of the men riding toward them on horseback. She poked her head out the carriage window and saw for herself.

  “Damn! If only Trent were here”.

  “Stay put” Tolivar instructed as he climbed back up on the buckboard. He carried a six shooter on his holster, but the shotgun was wrapped in a blanket up top.

  The men’s horses slowed to a walk as they approached, dust swirling, then settling around their hoofs.

  “Hello Gentlemen” Tolivar offered as they moved closer.

  They said nothing.

  “Anything I can help you with?” He calculated how much time it would take to pull his pistol and then go for the shotgun.

  “We’re with Colonel Trent Winter’s plantation. On our way to N’awlins to do some business” hoping that the Colonel’s status was known to these two thugs.

  “Never heard a’ no ‘Colonel Winters’” one of them replied, spitting tobacco juice toward the carriage.

  “That your slave?” the dirtiest of the two asked. “Or might he be a runaway nigger?” he asked, as he turned to his cohort and laughed.

  “Yea” the other brute added. “I hears they’s a law now. Called the ‘Fu Gi Tive’ slave law. Anyone who captures a runaway nigger gets a big re-ward”.

  “Well, this ain’t gonna go well” Tolivar thought to himself.

  The dirtiest one trotted his horse to the carriage door, then leaned down low to peek inside.

  “Well, ain’t you a pretty calico?” as he eyed Collette, tobacco juice dribbling down his chin. He then looked at Tabari, who quickly diverted his eyes and stared down at the horn of his saddle.

  The man walked his horse next to Tabari’s.

  “Look at me when I’s talkin’ to you” he hollered, although he hadn’t yet said anything to him. He spat juice onto Tabari’s shirt. Tabari just kept staring at his saddle horn, sweat pouring off his head.

  “Dammit” the man screamed. “I’ll be damned if …” He never finished his sentence. He’d swung at Tabari’s face, trying to whip him with his reins. But he was too drunk, and clumsily slipped off his horse and fell to the ground, face first.

  Tolivar instinctively sensed this the opportune moment to escape, if only momentarily. He moved his two horses forward at a slow trot, toward the rest of the group, Tabari close behind. He was either leading Collette into total disaster, or maybe, hopefully, toward someone who could calm the confrontation and let them on their way. No other options. As the carriage approached, he slowed it to a halt.

  He looked back to see the drunken rider still trying to stand, his partner having dismounted to assist.

  Tolivar was right. There was a lynching, but not from a tree. A thirty something male slave was lying dead, his bulging eyes wide open on his swollen contorted face. The rope was still around his neck, and Tolivar could see the trails of dirt where a horse had dragged him back and forth. Three empty whiskey bottles lay on the ground.

  There were four of them, three as dirty and drunk as the two who first confronted them. The other, middle aged, was clean shaven and dressed more like a gentleman, with a neatly trimmed white moustache. If cooler heads could prevail, Tolivar sensed it would be through this man.

  “My name’s Tolivar” he said, respectfully tipping his hat. “Don’t want no trouble”.

  “Hmm …” was the reply. “Who’s that?” the moustached man asked, motioning to Tabari.

  “He’s the property of Colonel Trent Winters. Mrs. Winters is in the back. We’re on our way to N’awlins, on business”.

  The fallen drunk had finally remounted, and the two were now galloping toward the group.

  “Colonel Winters?” the elder man thought out loud. “He own a cane plantation not too far from here?”

  “Yes!” Tolivar sighed to himself, feeling eternally grateful for the recognition. He could feel the palpable tension of all men immediately begin to subside.

  “Yes sir. About twelve hundred acres. Two hours from here” he said with a smile, as if to intimate they were almost like friends.

  “Well, ya’ see the trouble we’ve had here today” the man said, as he directed Tolivar’s eyes to the gruesome scene.

  “This man was my property. Tried to escap
e twice before. I found out last night he tried to get a little too cozy with one of my daughters. Well, as you can see, I put a stop to that”.

  “Understood. I’m the main overseer of the Colonel’s plantation. Got a hundred or more slaves, including Tabari here” he continued, motioning to him. “I understand”.

  The two riders galloped up, yanked their reins and stopped their horses next to the carriage. The clumsy drunk had his rifle in hand, his face red with humiliation. He reached up and thrusted the butt end into Tolivar’s left bicep.

  He screamed in pain, began to reach for his pistol, but immediately caught himself. They were too close to leaving peacefully, and any retaliation might prove tragic.

  “Stop, you drunken fool” shouted the gentleman. “This man’s offended no one” he said, looking toward Tolivar. He swung around, seizing everyone’s eye contact. “All of you, pack up your mess and bury this nigger”.

  “Sir” he said to Tolivar, “I suggest you continue on your way”.

  “Much obliged” as he picked up the reins in his right hand and coaxed the horses forward.

  A quarter mile later, Collette leaned her head out of the carriage door. “Mr. Tolivar, are you alright?”

  “Not to worry, ma’am. We’re safe now”.

  His left arm was broken.

  * * *

  TOLIVAR pointed the carriage toward the main street leading to the French Quarters.

  Collette had been to New Orleans but never to the ‘Quarters’, where the Senator and Caroline lived. Two story brick houses lined the streets, adorned with intricate wrought iron balconies and brightly painted facades.

  Tolivar reached into his right shirt pocket and pulled out the paper where Trent had scribbled the address. His left arm was in severe pain, now swollen, bruised, and immobile.

  “I think it’s another block or two straight ahead” he told Collette, silently wincing. Collette was staring out the carriage window, awestruck by the French and Creole architecture of this part of the City.

  “How exciting” she said to herself, starting to relax a bit after the exhausting ordeal a couple of hours ago. She began gathering and rearranging the items she carried in her purse. “I just can’t wait”.

  “Whoa” Tolivar ordered as the horses came to a halt. A horse drawn trolley designed like an old railroad car slowly passed them, filled with both residents and visitors.

  “We’s here” Tolivar stated, not sure how he was going to climb off the buckboard and onto the ground. Tabari was mesmerized, seeing both white folk and fashionably dressed blacks walking on the same cobblestone sidewalk. Collette was surprised, too. She knew that New Orleans had many free blacks who lived there, right alongside whites, but had never actually seen them together, finely dressed and apparently well-to-do at that.

  “Tabari, help Mrs. Winters from the carriage” Tolivar ordered. He grimaced in pain while lowering himself to the street, holding onto a carriage rail. Tabari snapped out of his daydream, and quickly dismounted.

  “Yes ‘em” he responded. He tied his reins to the back of the carriage, opened the door, and steadied Collette’s arm as she exited.

  “Now, go up top and fetch the luggage” he ordered.

  “Yes sir” Tabari said, as he quickly scampered up the skinny metal ladder and reached for the baggage.

  Collette stood on the sidewalk, purse in both hands, staring up at the balcony of Caroline’s house. Pots full of wishbone flowers with blue, purple, and rose colored petals lined the railings, and red, white and blue bunting hung above the Senator’s door.

  Tolivar and Tabari stood behind her, luggage in tow, as she now gently tapped the solid brass knocker against the door.

  Within seconds, it opened.

  “Oh, you mus’ be Misses Winters” the short black woman said, dressed in a white apron and wearing an embroidered Victorian maid’s cap.

  “Yes, yes I am” Collette responded, a little startled that a black servant would answer the door. She knew that the Senator and Caroline didn’t own any slaves.

  “Misses Harrison will be so happy you’s here” the servant said. “My names is Hanna. Please come in” as she opened the door wide and gestured Collette inside.

  She stepped in, then turned to Tolivar to invite him in.

  “Ma’am” Tolivar said, motioning for her to come back to the door.

  In a low voice he said: “Tabari here will take your baggage inside. I didn’t say nothin’ earlier, but that drunkard back there done broke my left arm” gently grasping his wrist, his face knotted in pain.

  “Oh my” she said. “Are you alright?”

  “Well, I need to see a doctor, that’s for sure. I’ll take Tabari with me, and we’ll be back for you next Saturday around noon, if that’s alright?” he asked.

  “Collette!” Caroline shouted, as she hurried down the staircase. “Oh, I’m so happy you’ve finally arrived. How on earth was your trip?”

  Collette marveled at how exquisite Caroline looked. She wore a two piece plaid dress, cinched tightly at the waist, her shoulders bare, with much cleavage exposed. A pair of white gloves accentuated her ensemble.

  “Oh, it was horrendous” Collette explained. “A group of vulgar beasts had beaten and killed one of their slaves, and almost killed us” she went on. “If it hadn’t been for Mr. Tolivar here, I rightly suspect none of us would have made it out alive”.

  “Oh my goodness, dear. Are you alright?” she asked, as she grasped both of Collette’s hands.

  “Yes, yes” Collette answered. “I’ve calmed down a lot since it happened. And now, I’m just so excited to see you”. Almost forgetting her manners, she introduced Tolivar.

  “Glad to meet you ma’am. I’m Mrs. Winters’ main overseer at the plantation” he said, tipping his hat.

  “And I am glad to meet you, sir”, she said, as she curtsied with head bowed.

  “Thank you so much for your heroism in protecting Mrs. Winters, and assuring her safe arrival here”. Tolivar blushed with pride, and made sure she saw him fight back his pain, showcasing his bravery.

  “Now Mr. Toliver” Collette explained. “I want to assure you that I’ll tell Colonel Winters about everything that happened today, and how you’d saved my life, and Tabari’s also. He’ll be very appreciative, I can assure you of that”.

  “Ah, ma’am” he shucked. “Just doin’ my duty”. He truly was in pain, but relished this moment to strut and spread his feathers like a prideful peacock.

  “Is there anything else you need before I go?” he asked, making sure to squeeze out the last drop of his chivalry.

  “Goodness, no” she answered. “Now, go and see a doctor. Mrs. Harrison and I will be fine here. And I’ll see you next Saturday”.

  “Yes ma’am” he replied as he tipped his hat and turned to leave.

  “Oh, and tell your doctor that Colonel Winters will see to it that he’s paid”.

  17

  “N OW, I SIMPLY INSIST you tell me everything that happened, you poor child” as she seated herself on the couch next to Collette and handed her a ‘fruit juice’.

  “It must have been horrifying”.

  Collette took a sip. “Oh Caroline, I’ve never been more scared in all my life”. She started to slightly choke, the alcohol content being much higher than the ‘fruit’. She sighed and relaxed.

  “Mr. Tolivar really was a hero. Those men were just monsters. Except one. I couldn’t always hear everything that was being said, but when Trent’s name was mentioned, this man seemed to recognize him. He’s the one that finally let us pass.

  “And poor Mr. Tolivar. I had no idea, until just now, that his arm was broken”.

  “My, my. That must have been simply awful. But you’re here now, and safe. I’ve planned so many wonderful things for us to do and see. We’re going to have a wonderful week together”.

  “I’m certain of it. Where’s Jeb?”

  “Oh, he left for Shreveport two days ago, on legislative business. My,
that man works constantly. I won’t see him for another two weeks at least, maybe three”.

  “Do you get lonely when he’s gone?”

  Caroline gazed into space, trying in vain to hide her deep feelings of abandonment. She looked directly into Collette’s eyes. “Yes. Yes I do” as her eyes welled up.

  Collette gently laid her hand on top of Caroline’s.

  “I can only imagine how it must feel. Trent’s almost always home because, well, there’s so much work that needs to be done”.

  18

  S ADIE WAS PEELING PEACHES and Amana washing dishes when Trent walked in.

  “My, those do look delicious”, he said as he stood next to Sadie. “And this bouquet of roses” bending forward to smell the delicate fragrance, the stems freshly cut.

  “Just delightful.

  “And Amana, how are you this fine afternoon?”

  “Oh, I’s just fine, sir” staring intently at the bowl she was washing. She began scrubbing as fast as she could, now that the Colonel was watching. He stood behind her, admiring the shapeliness of her backside and how her full breasts couldn’t completely be hidden, even from this angle.

  Sensing Sadie’s presence, he turned to see if she was watching him gaze at Amana. He caught Sadie’s eyes instantly divert from the two of them, back to her peaches.

  “Hmm …” he thought to himself, disappointed that he didn’t conceal his gaze from her.

  “Sadie, I need you to double check all of our guests’ rooms. People will be arriving in two days, and Mrs. Winters will want to make sure that everything is sparkling clean”.

  “Yes sir. But I’s worked on all dem rooms for da lass two days. They’s all spic and span, sir” priding herself on her efficiency.

  “I’m sure they are, my dear” Trent said, in a tone that suggested some insolence on her part. “Better see to it. Now, Sadie”.

  “Yes ‘em”. She put the knife gently on the table, and shuffled out the kitchen door.

  He then turned again to Amana. “Are you enjoying your house duties?” he asked, not much above a whisper.

  “Yes sir”. She felt his soft voice either meant he was about to come on to her, or was a prelude to inflict some punishment for not carrying out her duties. Either way, her body began to slightly tremble.