by Dickie Erman
Trent could stomach no more drivel.
“Doctor, I sincerely appreciate what you and your two men did to bring Tabari back here. I truly do”.
He pulled out an envelope from his vest pocket.
“Please accept this as a token of my appreciation”.
“Why Colonel, this is mighty generous of you” as he opened the envelope and counted ten fifty-dollar bills.
He then whispered, “If it were just me, I couldn’t accept it. But Seth and Randy there” he looked back into the cottage. “They’re obviously down on their luck and could surely use some compensation for their efforts.
“I’ll see that they get your, ah, donation”.
“Yes, that will be fine”. It was all Trent could do to keep from exploding and snatching back the envelope.
“You and your men have a safe trip back”.
“Yes sir, Colonel. And I look forward to seeing you again, real soon”.
* * *
AT breakfast, they both asked the Doctor about their reward.
Finally, he said “Shhh! Where are your manners? I’ve already taken care of everything with the Colonel. I’ll tell you about it when we’re on our way back to N’awlins”.
A quarter mile out of view of the mansion, the two stopped their horses in front of the Doctor’s wagon.
“Alright Doc. How much is the re-ward?” Seth demanded. Their excitement had now turned to impatience.
“Now boys, take it easy” as he slowly pulled the envelope from his vest. “There are several things involved here” he maneuvered.
“First, the reward isn’t quite what I expected” as he removed six fifty dollar bills.
“Now, the Colonel actually expects me to take two-thirds of this three hundred dollars, and divide the balance between the two of you” he lied again.
Randy and Seth struggled to quickly calculate what this meant for them dollar-wise. The Doctor saw their confusion.
“That means you’d each get fifty dollars”. The two sat back on their saddles, dumbfounded upon hearing this distressing news. The Doctor tried hard not to smirk at these simpletons.
“You see, the Colonel and me go way back. He knows and trusts me, but he doesn’t know you. Doesn’t know how honorable you are, and how hard you worked to bring his slave back.
“But I do. And that’s why I’m not gonna take two-thirds of this reward. No sir. I’m gonna split everything evenly. We each get one-third”.
Randy smiled like it was Christmas morning.
“A hunnerd dollars” he stammered. “We each just made a hunnerd dollars”.
Seth wasn’t quite as thrilled. “I thought you said the Colonel would pay five hundred. What about that?”
“Well, that’s what I was starting to explain. You see, there’s more money to be made here. This isn’t all.
“The Colonel says he’s got a runaway about once a month. Think about that. A hundred dollars – every month. You can’t make that kinda money toiling in the fields”.
The two nodded.
“But there’s somethin’ else …” the Doctor started to explain.
51
“B
UT THERE’S SOMETHIN’ ELSE. Ya see, the more I started thinkin’ …”
They all looked back toward the sound of a horse galloping full speed toward them.
“It’s the Colonel” Seth yelled, watching the horse speed ever closer. Trent pulled hard on the reins and stopped, dust swirling all around.
“Doctor, I need your help” he yelled, half out of breath.
“Mrs. Winters just collapsed. Fell right to the floor. Please sir. Come quick. There’s no time to waste”.
“Hot diggity dog” the Doctor almost shouted out loud.
“You boys get back to N’awlins, right quick. There’s no time to dawdle. I’ll meet you at the Cloverdale as soon as I’ve rendered medical assistance to the Mrs.”
He grabbed the reins and turned his wagon toward the mansion. Trent was speeding off as the Doctor shook the reins and his horse began a fast trot.
“But what about the money?” Seth yelled, barely audible as the buck wagon sped away bouncing and rocking down the dirt road.
“Yea! What about the re-ward?” Randy hollered.
The Doctor just waived his hat as he yelled “I’ll meet ya at the Cloverdale”.
“Son of a bitch” Seth moaned as the two stared incredulously at the Doctor and his wagon, the rig now camouflaged by the dust trail. Like magic, the Doctor soon disappeared.
Randy looked at Seth. “Should we go after him? He’s got our money”.
Seth thought hard.
“Naw. You can tell the Colonel don’t like us. With his wife ailin’ like she is, this ain’t the time to try and make friends. I trust the Doctor. I mean, like he said, he didn’t have to share all of the re-ward with us. Could’ve kept most of it for himself. No. We’ll do as he says, and meet up with him at the hotel”.
They started their horses on a slow walk to New Orleans.
“Well, I’m set for a beer or two when we get thar” Randy declared.
Seth stopped his horse, then reached into his empty pocket.
“You got any money?” he asked.
“Four bits”.
They both looked back down the road to where they last glimpsed the Doctor.
“Well, then four bits it is. Ah, what the hell? By this time tomorrow, we’ll have enough money to buy the Mad Dog”.
They both sighed. Then laughed. Then continued on their way.
52
“S
HE’LL BE JUST FINE, just fine” the Doctor whispered to Trent as the two stepped out of the bedroom. Collette was resting comfortably on the bed, a glass of water and a filled ice bowl next to her.
“I think it’s just a case of exhaustion. Too much excitement maybe. I understand she had a lot of excitement on her trip to N’awlins”.
“Yes, indeed” Trent replied, a worried expression on his face. “Doctor …”
He almost choked as he realized he was about to ask the Doctor to spend the night to monitor Collette’s condition.
“I’m sure she’ll be fine, but I must ask you to stay the night. I’m a ‘bit worried about Mrs. Winters. It probably is a simple case of exhaustion, but I want to be careful nonetheless. Would that be alright with you?”
“Why, certainly” the Doctor mused, trying to hide his giddiness at the thought that he’d be staying at least one more night in this Taj Mahal, maybe two.
“Ah sir” he continued. “Understand that I don’t mean to be disrespectful in any way. I mean, well, this is awkward”.
Trent sensed the Doctor had something up his sleeve.
“But, well … you see … Mr. Tolivar’s quarters are, well, sufficient and all. But I’m just not accustomed to the … ah … aromas that naturally saturate the dwellings of a person like Mr. Tolivar who spends his days overseeing slaves in the field.
“Nothing against Mr. Tolivar mind you. He’s a fine man. A devoted and hard worker. But his housekeeping habits are a bit, well, crude if you catch my meaning”.
Trent’s head was about to explode. It took all he had to refrain from tossing this charlatan out of his house once and for all. But just then he heard Collette softly call his name.
“Trent. Trent are you there?” she whispered, in a rather pathetic and barely audible voice.
He lost all track of the Doctor as his attention immediately focused on his wife.
“Of course my dear. Of course, I’m right here by your side” he whispered back, as he knelt beside the bed and lovingly took her hand.
“I don’t know what happened” she said. “I suddenly had this terrible headache and went woozy. I guess I just feinted”.
“It’s alright my dear. You’re going to be fine. The Doctor is here. He thinks you’re still exhausted from your trip to Caroline’s. That’s all. What you need now is plenty of rest. I’ll see to it that Amana stays here right by your side”.
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“No!” she barked, then caught herself. Her command caused Trent to jerk backwards.
“I mean, tell Sadie to stay with me. I’d feel more comfortable”. She pretended to have now fallen asleep, emotionally unprepared to relive her thoughts about Trent’s infidelity. Or hers.
“Whatever you say my dear” Trent whispered, then tiptoed over the threshold and quietly closed the door behind him.
He turned to walk down the hallway, only to see the sweaty and greasy haired Doctor staring up at him with a shit-grinning smile.
“She’ll be just fine Colonel. You’ll see. I’ve treated many a patient for cases of exhaustion, some much worse than hers”.
Trent nodded appreciatively.
“Ah …” the Doctor continued.
Trent remembered what the Doctor had been pussyfooting around.
“Yes Doctor. You shall spend the night here. In the house. I’ll see to it that our servant Sadie … or, rather Amana, will tend to your needs. If you’ll follow me to the kitchen, she can prepare some food for you and later fix a bath. We have no entertaining planned for this evening. I’m sure you’ll be most comfortable”.
“Very hospitable of you Colonel. I’m sure I’ll be well tended to”.
* * *
EARLY next morning, the Colonel stepped into the kitchen for some morning coffee and toast. To his disgust, he found the Doctor already at the table shoveling bacon and eggs down his gullet without hardly chewing.
Trent thanked him for his assistance and made it clear that, at least for now, he services were no longer required.
“Are you sure Colonel?” the Doctor asked, almost pleadingly. He wanted nothing more than to enjoy another night or two at the mansion, glutinously scarfing down scrumptious food and gulping large quantities of liquor.
All that for taking care of a wife with no real medical problem - and getting paid to boot.
“No sir. I think Mrs. Winters will be just fine. Just like you said”. He reached into his vest pocket and withdrew an envelope.
“This should compensate you fairly for your services”.
The Doctor accepted the packet without looking inside. He already knew that the Colonel paid handsomely.
“Why thank you sir. As always, you’ve been a most gracious and generous host. And yes, the Mrs. will be just fine. Lots of hot tea. Lots of rest. Rest is the best medicine right now”.
“I’ll take that advice to heart. Have a safe trip back to N’awlins” Trent replied, as he walked out of the kitchen.
He opened the envelope. “One hundred dollars. Not bad. Not bad at all” he smiled to himself as he gulped the last of his coffee.
“This’ll help make up for the reward money I might have to give to Seth and Randy”.
* * *
TRENT gently knocked on the door.
“Come in dear” Collette said in her soft Southern belle voice.
Sadie was sitting in the velvet chair pulled next to the bed, knitting a soft shawl. She quickly shuffled out when Trent entered the room.
Trent watched her leave, and couldn’t stop observing how much more attractive Amana was than she.
“How are you feeling this morning my dear?”
“Oh, so much better” as she took a sip of her favorite tea.
“Is that wretched Doctor gone?” she whispered, her face contorted with the thought of him hovering over her several times during the night, the smell of rum breathing in her face.
“Yes, yes. He’s gone. I think it’s obvious we need to hire a doctor. A real doctor. To make regular visits here. We can put him on some kind of retainer. Goodness knows there’s plenty of slaves to tend to. Yes. That would be a good idea. Some regular check-ups might prevent some sicknesses from occurring.
“We’d be getting more work out of the servants. I’ll speak with Mr. Tolivar about it when he returns”.
“Dear, remember it was Mr. Tolivar who found Dr. Wesley in the first place. I’m not so sure Mr. Tolivar is the right man to find a competent physician”.
“You know, you’re right. I’ll tend to it myself.
“I have business in N’awlins late this afternoon. That is, of course, if you’re feeling well enough. Sadie will be here. If you need me, I can postpone my meetings. I’d never leave unless you’re feeling well enough”.
“Oh, I’ll be just fine. I’ll miss you something terribly. I’m getting my strength back now. Yes, I’m feeling much better and, like you said, Sadie will be here. Now you go do what you must. I’ll be just fine”.
“Alright my dear” as he bent over and kissed her forehead. “I hope to be back tomorrow, two days at the latest. And I’ll find a good doctor who can make regular visits. Not to worry”.
One more kiss, and he left the room.
“Amana” Collette thought to herself. “It’s time for you to go”.
* * *
COLLETTE walked the short distance to Tolivar’s cottage.
“Mr. Tolivar, I’d like a word with you”. Tolivar stepped out the front door and greeted Collette on the porch.
“Yes ma’am”.
“I want her gone”, she told Tolivar in a deep, riveting voice that drew his full attention.
“Who?” he thought to himself.
“Amana” she said.
“Amana?” Tolivar remembered the warning he gave the Colonel when Trent suggested Amana would work out fine.
But he wondered what she’d done to deserve Collette’s scorn. No matter. None of his business. He was a soldier of the Winters’ and would simply march to their orders.
“Don’t you worry Mrs. Winters. I’ll whip her so hard you’ll never have any more trouble from her”.
“You don’t understand”, she whispered directly into his face.
“I don’t want her whipped.
“I don’t want her sold.
“I want her dead!”
Dear Readers:
Thanks so much for reading this first book on “Antebellum Struggles”. I truly hope you’ve enjoyed the characters and plots as they unfolded.
Like many of you, I have a full daytime job. This book was written over a long period, after work, on weekends and early mornings.
Whether you received the book during a free promotion, borrowed it through the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, or (hopefully) purchased the slightly more expensive paperback, reviews mean everything to an author.
And so, I’d be very appreciative if you’d be so kind to take a moment and write a review by clicking here.
The next book in the series will be available soon.
Find out:
What happens to Amana?
What happens to Tabari?
To Collette and Caroline?
To Trent and Collette?
Footnote: The characters and stories in this book are purely fictional, with the exception of the scene in Chapter Forty Two. Credit goes to the real case of United States v. Schooner Amistad 40 US (15 Pet.) 518 and the 1997 movie “Amistad”. I felt the incomprehensible murders of the ship’s slaves should be retold in this book, particularly for readers who are unaware that such barbarism could occur.