Quakers of New Garden

by Claire Sanders

  “I’m home for good this time. I plan to set up an attorney’s office in the new town of Greensborough.” His bright blue eyes drifted to Ruth. “In fact, I wanted to ask if I may stop by for a visit sometime.”

  If Solomon had been looking at her mother and father when he asked the question, perhaps it wouldn’t have felt so personal. But since he continued to stare at her as if he wanted her permission, Ruth’s neck grew warm, and she felt her face flush.

  “Thee is always welcome at the Payne home,” Mother’s voice said behind Ruth, rescuing her, and her mother laid gentle hands on her shoulders.

  “We’re going home to a big Sunday meal. Why don’t thee invite thy family over? We’d enjoy thy company,” Father said.

  “My parents and sister have already accepted an invitation to my uncle’s house. I would be the only one free to accept thy offer.”

  “Then come on over. I’d like to hear the news from Chapel Hill. Elijah is intent on taking over the farm, but Caleb has a great interest in learning. I’d like to hear thy thoughts on the university there,” Father said.

  “I’d be delighted to help in any way I can,” Solomon said. “I’ll walk with thee to the buggy then grab my horse. I rode to meeting on horseback this morn.”

  “Thee brought thy stallion?” Ruth asked.

  “Indeed. I thought he could use the exercise.” He walked beside Ruth as they followed her parents. “Would thee like to see him?”

  “Perhaps when we return home.”

  A motion caught her attention. She glanced to the right. Josiah paused before climbing aboard the buggy with his mother and brothers. He stared, his rigid back went slack, and he turned, but not before she witnessed the raw hurt in his dark brown eyes.

  Guilt ripped through her. She knew he’d misinterpreted her walk with Solomon. She had no interest in anyone else, but would it do any good to try to convince him of it, now that their engagement was no more? Maybe it was better this way. She looked down at the grass and blinked back scorching tears.

  Josiah’s gut clenched as Ruth walked by with Solomon Mendenhall, their arms a mere inch apart. When her gaze paused in Josiah’s direction, her lips fell into a frown, and a tiny dimple formed on her chin. She crossed her arms over her middle and rubbed them—a sign of discomfort.

  His head swam in a jealous rage as anger ripped through his battling chest. Torn by the desire to march over and interrupt them and the fear of upsetting Ruth, Josiah held back. If he caused a scene, winning her forgiveness might take even longer.

  He stepped forward but pivoted on his foot, turning around in a circle. What should he do? He couldn’t just stand by and watch Solomon take his place—especially now, when Ruth felt unloved.

  At thirteen Solomon had started hanging around Ruth, teasing her, and walking her home from school. It was the first alarm Josiah had ever felt at the prospect of losing her to someone else. He’d always assumed they’d grow up and marry, until Solomon came along and shook up his confidence—then and now.

  How could he have gotten so comfortable and sure of himself that he’d taken their relationship for granted? Wasn’t Solomon supposed to be at that fancy law school in Chapel Hill? Perhaps Josiah could wait it out until the fellow returned to school and was no longer a threat. He didn’t need a smooth- talking lady’s man flattering Ruth.

  “Does thee plan to stand there and gawk after Ruth Payne long after she’s gone?” Samuel asked.

  “I wonder when Solomon Mendenhall came back and how long he’ll be here.” Josiah rubbed his chin and shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

  “Sarah Goodson was looking for thee after the meeting, but thee had already left the sanctuary.” Samuel winked, a teasing expression on his face as he raised an eyebrow.

  Josiah sighed in frustration and turned to walk away. He didn’t need his brother’s taunts right now.

  “I thought thee might like to know—” Samuel’s words chased him. “I heard Sarah telling Mother that Solomon is home for good. He graduated and plans to set up a law office in the new town of Greensborough.”

  “Is thee sure?” Josiah paused in midstride and closed his eyes.

  “Yes.” Samuel cleared his throat. “What will thee do?”

  “I’m not sure.” Josiah shook his head, glad his hat sheltered his eyes. He blinked several times, willing the sting away as he turned to face his brother. “Right now I’m going for a walk. Tell Mother I’ll be home later.”

  Josiah didn’t wait for a response. He set out with the cool breeze and kicked at the brown leaves tumbling onto his path. With no destination in mind, he let his feet carry him to the house he’d built for their marriage. He stood outside and surveyed the white two-story structure, a dream he’d envisioned for almost a year.

  While everything on the outside looked finished, Josiah knew the rooms on the inside were bare and in need of furniture. He’d wanted everything to be perfect when he carried Ruth over the threshold. She’d worked so hard all her life. This was one gift he wanted to give her—without her having to work for it.

  He slipped his hands inside his pockets and climbed the three steps to the wraparound front porch. He pulled out a key, inserted it into the lock, and turned the knob. The bolt slid and clicked into place.

  The door opened on the newly oiled hinges without a sound. He stepped inside and sniffed the fresh scent of pinewood flooring. The empty foyer with the white-painted walls greeted him like a barren castle. His satisfaction of accomplishment vanished in the realization that it meant nothing without Ruth.

  If she didn’t come back to her senses and renew their engagement, he couldn’t live here. The dream would be incomplete—a reflection of his failure—a constant reminder.

  His booted heels clicking against the floor was the only sound as he strolled into the living room then the dining room. Perhaps if he filled this house with the furniture they’d talked about making, and brought her back to see their dream had become reality, she’d realize how much he loved her, and she’d understand.

  Josiah shrugged out of his black jacket and laid it on a counter in the kitchen. He’d start on the dining room furniture today. If he worked out back in the shade, no one would see him laboring on the Sabbath.

  Hadn’t the Lord used the analogy of going after a lost animal even on the Sabbath if it strayed? How could he do any less? His love had strayed under some misguided perception. All he needed to do was prove he still loved her and lure her back. What better way to do that than show an act of faith— provide a finished home, fully furnished, and ready for a new family—theirs?

  Chapter 6

  Rhe sound of an entourage of carriages and the clip-clopping of horses traveled up the drive. A flutter of excitement spiraled through Ruth as she placed the last gingerbread cookie on a plate piled high for their guests.

  “They’re here!” Caleb called from the living room.

  “I hardly can recall what Cousin Dolley even looks like,” Naomi said as she bobbed up on her tiptoes and leaned out the kitchen window in anticipation.

  “I daresay,” Mother said, straightening her cap and adjusting her collar, “she won’t recognize any of my children. Everyone is so grown up.” She gestured to Ruth and Naomi. “Come, let’s meet our cousins.”

  Ruth untied her apron, hung it on a peg, and followed them outside, where they joined her father and brothers. A black coach hitched to six proud horses, along with a brown buggy, rolled to a stop. Several horsemen surrounded the carriages like guardsmen.

  “Whoa!” The coach driver pulled the reins and set the brake. The door opened and out stepped James Madison, Dolley’s husband. His hair, which hung straight down his neck, was whiter than Ruth remembered. Although she knew him to be considerably older than Dolley, she hadn’t expected him to have aged so much. Even from a distance of ten feet, James wore wrinkles around his eyes and mouth when he smiled. He turned to assist his wife.

  A gloved hand slipped into his, and Dolley stepped o
ut wearing a bright smile, a silver turban headpiece, and a royal- blue cloak. She rushed to Ruth’s father, gripped his hands, and kissed his cheek.

  “Dear cousin, it’s so wonderful to see you again, and in such good health, I see,” Dolly said. Ruth smiled as her father’s face and neck darkened to match his nose, reddened by the biting cold.

  “And thee, Dolley Madison.” Father nodded, and his eyes lifted to her husband, who stood tall behind her. Dolley moved on to Mother while the two men greeted each other with a handshake.

  She threw her arms around Mother, tears warming her dark eyes. Though Dolley and Father were first cousins by blood, it was Mother she wrote and confided to in her monthly letters.

  “Elizabeth Payne, it has been too long.” She squeezed Mother’s hands and sighed. “Oh, we’ve much catching up to do.”

  “Indeed.” Mother’s white cap bobbed with her nod. “But first let’s get thee into the house where it’s warm. I know thee must be tired from traveling. Elijah and Caleb will see to the servants and thy luggage.”

  “But first let me greet them.” Dolley clapped her hands once as she made her way down the line greeting Elijah, Caleb, Naomi, and then Ruth. She grabbed Ruth’s hands in hers. “My, how you’ve grown. You were just a little girl the last time I saw you.” She stepped back and looked Ruth up and down. “Now you’re a young woman about to be married.”

  Ruth looked down at her feet, unable to hide the despondency that filled her. They hadn’t had time to write Dolley with the news of her broken engagement. Now she wished they had.

  “Ruth, what is it?” A very perceptive Dolley lifted her chin.

  Ruth met Dolley’s deep brown eyes, knowing she’d find wisdom and compassion, but now wasn’t the time to unload her burdens. “We’ll talk more once thee is settled in,” she said.

  “She’s not marrying Josiah anymore,” Caleb said. “But Solomon Mendenhall came to call the other day.”

  “Caleb, hush!” Ruth glared at her brother. “Dolley, I made some gingerbread cookies from an old family recipe I found in the attic. I’m sure they’ll taste great with a warm cup of coffee.”

  James stepped beside Dolley and bowed to Ruth. “Good to see you again, young lady.” He winked at Dolley. “You’ve grown into a stunning beauty.”

  Ruth’s cheeks grew warm in spite of the freezing weather. A beauty she was not, nor did Quakers bow and curtsy to others, so she wasn’t sure how to respond. She didn’t want to offend him, so she glanced at Dolley for help.

  Dolley grinned and looped her arm through her husband’s. “I do believe some warm coffee and fresh gingerbread cookies would suffice.”

  The boys helped the servants unload the luggage while the rest of them strolled into the house. Dolley unbuttoned her cloak and slid it off, revealing a long-sleeved and high-waisted, silver muslin gown with royal-blue floral prints. Next she pulled off her turban cap. Her brown hair was crowned in a bun, loose curls lining her oval face. She looked quite elegant but simple, compared to some fancy women Ruth had witnessed in Greensborough.

  “Matthew, I’ll need to practice my speech tonight, right after dinner. I hope you don’t mind,” James said, settling in a chair near the hearth.

  Ruth took Dolley’s cloak and hat, while Mother directed her to a wingback chair by the fire, across from her husband.

  “Of course not. Let us know if there’s anything we can help thee with,” Father said.

  “You’re already doing plenty. You’ve opened your home and offered to feed us. We couldn’t ask for more,” Dolley said.

  “I believe I remembered to make it the way thee likes it.” Mother handed Dolley a steaming cup.

  “Thank you.” She smiled, accepting the brew. Dolley closed her eyes, sniffed, and then sipped.

  “And so tomorrow is the big celebration? New Garden will finally have its very own town—Greensborough.” James rubbed his hands together over the fire. “I’m honored to be speaking to the fine, upstanding citizens here. It has been a long campaign. I never imagined I’d run for president.”

  “Friend James, I feel I ought to at least warn thee. Not all Greensborough citizens feel the same way as we do, regarding our political allegiance,” Father said.

  Realizing the discussion would now turn to boring politics, Ruth stood and offered Dolley a plate of cookies. Dolley took one, and Ruth moved to James, grateful to have something to do.

  “That’s to be expected, Matthew. I find pockets of resistance all over my travels around the country.” James bit into his cookie.

  “Yes but we’ve our very own Federalist movement in favor of Charles Pinckney.” Matthew leaned against the mantel and crossed his booted feet. “Ruth’s ex-fiancé is one of the local leaders.”

  Ruth’s hand shook as she laid the plate on the table. She’d known Josiah was part of a political group, but he never liked to talk about it since he knew how she hated politics. Now she wished she’d paid closer attention. The reminder that Josiah’s loyalties went against her own family brought a fresh sting of betrayal to her scarred heart.

  “Oh Ruth, I hope that isn’t why you broke your engagement.” Dolley lowered her coffee and sought Ruth’s gaze. All eyes turned toward her, some questioning, others in sympathy.

  What could she say? That she hadn’t believed Josiah’s political aspirations were that important? That she’d been a fool? That she was still a fool?

  She opened her mouth to respond, but words of denial clogged her throat. Crossing her arms and rubbing them, Ruth felt her knees weaken. What had Josiah been planning all those times he’d left early to attend a meeting? No doubt plotting a way for her cousin to lose the presidential race. Everyone in her family knew it, but they’d said naught about it—willing to accept Josiah into their humble family—regardless of where his political loyalties lay.

  Her throat stung. She swallowed with difficulty. “Please—” Ruth cleared her throat in an attempt to speak above a whisper. “Excuse me.” Tears blinded her as she rushed into the foyer and up the stairs. She needed privacy. She needed to disappear.

  Josiah stood in the crowd beside his brothers and George, listening to Isaac Mendenhall, the new mayor of Greensborough. He hovered in his black overcoat, adjusting his top hat. If only it covered his exposed ears, perhaps his head wouldn’t feel so numb.

  White ribbon stretched between two trees where the new courthouse would be erected. The speakers stood on a wooden platform built for the occasion. George nudged Josiah’s arm and tilted his head toward the front.

  Mayor Mendenhall waved to a white-headed man, motioning him forward. He introduced him as James Madison, the 1808 presidential candidate, in their midst.

  George moved with smooth caution, careful to blend in with the crowd. Josiah followed.

  James Madison rose from his chair and shook Isaac’s hand. He turned to address the crowd. George and Josiah slipped into the front row.

  “Repeal the Embargo Act!” George called.

  “The Embargo Act hurts American businesses and will cause unwanted war with Britain!” Josiah yelled above the startled and grumbling voices around them.

  “No embargo!” Federalist men chanted, strategically scattered throughout the crowd, so they couldn’t be assembled easily and silenced. The chants grew louder and more succinct.

  James Madison smiled and raised his hands, motioning people to calm. When they didn’t cease, a gun exploded. A man climbed the wooden steps to the platform with a smoking pistol in his hand. He gazed at the crowd.

  The chants faded as people murmured and whispered among themselves. Silently the man stepped aside, allowing Mayor Mendenhall to face the crowd.

  “I’m ashamed of you all,” the mayor said. “Regardless of our political differences, we’ve always been a community that welcomed our visitors. This isn’t a political rally. We’re here to celebrate the incorporation of our new town as Greensborough. James and Dolley Madison are here visiting family. They agreed to speak today to share in this
momentous occasion with us. Some of you may not know this, but Dolley was born here. Is this how you will treat her?”

  Heads bowed, and smiles faded into frowns. Conversation buzzed again as people looked at each other, and several glared at George and Josiah.

  Feeling properly reprimanded, Josiah cleared his throat. “We meant no disrespect, only to exercise our rights as a democracy. How else will James Madison know our concerns if he wins? We may never get another chance to meet him again.”

  The mayor opened his mouth to respond but paused when James Madison lifted his hand. “I would answer, please.” He met Josiah’s gaze. “You’re right. We’re blessed to operate under a democracy, and I’ll do my best to honor the integrity of it. I’ll always listen to the people, but we must recognize we’ll have a difference of opinions, and the majority will rule.”

  Several people clapped. A baby began crying from the back. Josiah could feel his toes going numb from the cold in spite of his black boots.

  “Therefore if the majority elects me, I’ve a responsibility to them in carrying out the promises I pledged during my campaign—to support the Embargo Act that President Thomas Jefferson put into action a year ago, so we can ensure peace.”

  “It’s causing conflict with Britain, not peace!” George blurted. A series of conversations erupted all at once. In the midst of the chaos, a shiver passed through Josiah that had naught to do with the biting temperature. With a feeling of foreboding, he glanced around, tuning out the rising voices. A pair of solid-brown eyes glared at Josiah beneath a crisp, white bonnet.

  Ruth.

  His heart skidded to a halt, momentarily stealing his breath. Politics forgotten, Josiah slipped around George, determined to close the distance between himself and Ruth.

  Her lips thinned in obvious anger. How long would she stay angry with him? He’d never known Ruth to be a grudge holder. This wasn’t like her. The image of Solomon Mendenhall escorting her from church on Sunday came to mind. Could Solomon be the reason Ruth continued to find fault with him?