by Marian Wells
Olivia started for the door and then turned. “You mentioned Dred Scott. I recognize the name, and back home the ruling was welcomed. Why do you object?”
“Because it opened the whole country to slavery. Our goal was a fair plan—sectionalism—and then just allow slavery to phase itself out of existence. But the Dred Scott ruling is handwriting on the wall. I will remind you of the ruling; perhaps you can judge for yourself.” Caffrey paused and then continued.
“For a period of years, the slave Dred Scott lived with his master in free territory. Sometime after the death of his master he sued for his freedom. The case finally went to the Supreme Court, where Chief Justice Taney held that no Negro was a citizen of the United States, therefore his suit was invalid. The outcome of the matter is to nullify the Missouri Compromise of 1850. His ruling stated that Congress has no right to limit slavery in the territories. You recall, of course, that the Compromise was an attempt to keep the balance of slave and nonslave states equal.”
“So that’s Dred Scott. Nevertheless, I am surprised there isn’t more rejoicing in the South,” she said slowly. “Why their caution?” In the silence she looked up. The men were smiling at each other.
Caffrey looked up at her. “Miss Thomas, thank you. That’s the best news I’ve had all day. If the South isn’t rejoicing, then there’s a strong reason.” He turned. “Barker, perhaps you are right. This man, Lincoln, just might be reason enough to make the South cautious.”
****
“Looks and feels like Christmas, doesn’t it?” Sadie turned from her work to look at Olivia. She nodded and went back to crimping the crust on her apple pie. Olivia continued, “I keep thinking of Alex and the people out there somewhere. It’s so cold.”
Sadie shoved the pie in the oven and stirred the kettle of beans. “Thee worries too much. The Father knows where they be, and what is going on.” She peered curiously at Olivia and continued, “One of the greatest lessons we can learn in life is to trust the Father to care for His own. Not,” she added hastily, “that we aren’t to be praying, but instead to remind us even more to pray. Our Lord loves to hear from us, to know we also care about His children.”
Olivia rubbed at her roughened knuckle. Gently Sadie reminded, “Thee hasn’t shown much enthusiasm for Bible study lately. If you go get your pretty blue Bible and read aloud while I darn this stack of stockings, we might both benefit.”
On her way upstairs, Olivia paused to look around the shadowed hallway. With the sun behind heavy storm clouds, the once sunny hall seemed ordinary and dismal. Quickly she mounted the stairs, found the Bible under a stack of papers, and went back downstairs.
“Amelia said she might not return tonight,” Olivia reminded Sadie. “If Mrs. Tucker’s fever hasn’t broken, she will stay.”
Sadie nodded and rocked as she plunged the needle in and out of the thick woolen stocking. Olivia watched a moment longer. When Sadie glanced at her, she asked, “Where shall I read?”
Sadie straightened in her chair and cocked her head. “Does thee hear something too?”
“Yes.” Olivia got to her feet and walked to the parlor window. The snow had created an early dusk, hiding the wharf and even the road, but the sounds were growing louder. As she listened she decided it was the murmur of voices.
She hurried back to Sadie. “I think it’s people coming, I seem to hear voices.”
“Build up the fire in the parlor,” Sadie said as she heaved herself out of the chair. “I’ll get something hot going.”
Olivia rushed to the fireplace, poked at the big log, and shoved in more wood. The sound of voices ceased, but she heard a soft crunch in snow. Was that a whimper? Caution discarded, she ran to the door just as the tapping began.
Sadie was behind her and they tugged open the door. A huddled mass of people swayed in the doorway. Olivia began pulling them inside. Shivering, dripping melting snow from scanty clothing, coughing, with babies crying, they came into the hallway and Sadie pushed them toward the fire.
Olivia ran for soft rags and the kettle of hot water. Tossing in a handful of Sadie’s herbs, she carried it into the parlor. She looked at frightened black faces, tiny terrified ones, and then the tall bearded man in the doorway. He didn’t speak, but Olivia heard him cough. Fighting the desire to run to him, she stopped beside the people and began ladling out hot tea. One black face came close to her, gesturing toward Alex. “Please, for him.” Olivia filled the cup and watched the woman carry it to Alex.
Soon, the people began sitting on the floor, moving carefully, and sharing the warmth and tea. The strain on the faces eased, and for a moment one face was slashed by a smile.
But she could see that Alex was still on his feet. With a curious frown he peered around the room before slowly following Sadie down the hall.
The outside door opened again, and Caleb came in. He stood shivering and looking around. Olivia went to him. “Come have some tea and share the fire.”
“Alex?”
“Sadie is taking care of him. What has happened?”
“Just a bad trip. We fought ice all the way up the Ohio. Thank God it wasn’t solid ice, but it slowed us down.” While he spoke, she noticed the question in his eyes as he looked around the room.
Caleb settled down beside the fire, and she brought him tea. “I’m going to get food ready,” she murmured, avoiding the questions in his eyes.
Sadie was at work slicing bread, heating more water, and stirring the beans on the stove. Olivia looked around and asked, “Shall I make porridge, too? There are babies.”
Sadie nodded. “There’s plenty of good cream; use that on it. Might be that’s all anyone will want. A mighty poor lot they are. I’m going to open up that barrel of clothes. They need something warm and clean right now.”
She started for the door and Olivia asked, “Alex?”
Sadie stopped, looked at Olivia and frowned. “He could present a problem. He’s asleep now, but that chest is bad. We need to get something hot into him when he awakens.”
I’m beginning to regret this, she thought. Hasty Olivia, as usual. With a sigh, Olivia took up the bread knife and began to slice another loaf.
She heard a whacking and thumping at the back door. Amos came into the house. “I heard them,” he said. “Here’s milk, and plenty of it. Everybody taken care of? I saw a light in Mother’s nursing room. Someone sick?”
Sadie came into the kitchen. “Alex has a cough and fever. The people are in the parlor. Will it be warm enough in the attic?”
“I’ll take up a load of wood for the little stove. The chimney puts a lot of heat into the space,” he informed the two women.
Caleb came into the kitchen. “Alex?”
Sadie pointed toward the door. “In there. Want to stay in with him?”
Caleb nodded. “He’s had that cough for weeks now.”
“Sounds like it. I’ll get out my herbs and make him a tonic. Won’t hurt to make a mustard plaster, too.” She turned to Olivia, “Let’s get that barrel and then start the little tykes in here for some food.”
After everyone had been fed, Olivia found herself staring down into the dishpan, wondering how many dishes were left to be washed. A timid hand touched her. “Please, Missy, we cause trouble. Let me work on the dishes.” Olivia lifted a grateful face and a grin spread across the dark face. “‘Sides, hot water sure feels good.”
Olivia stepped aside but helped put away the dishes and straighten the kitchen into its usual order. The black woman talked. “We were getting low on wood, so most of the time we huddled around the boilers, sharing our time down there. Alex showed us how to cook ’tatoes on the boilers and how to keep a pot of meal porridge going. It wasn’t too bad until we hit the snow. Then ice slowed us down.”
There was no problem putting the children to bed—they were almost asleep by the time they got up to their room. When the last dark figure had disappeared up the stairs, Olivia went to the open door. Sadie was bending over Alex. While Caleb supporte
d his head, she coaxed him to take the herb tea. Olivia lingered a moment longer and then went up to her room.
As she prepared for bed, she recalled the things Sadie had been talking about when the people arrived. Olivia murmured, “‘Prayer,’ she said, and something about trusting the Father to take care of His own. And that He liked to know that we care for His children, too.”
As Olivia mused over Sadie’s words, she recalled the picture of Alex swaying in the doorway. Sadie’s words were an arrow, pointing her to pray for him. As she knelt, wondering where to begin, she seemed to sense a strong warm link being forged between her and the tall, bearded man. Why does it seem the link is God? Does He care how I feel about that man?
When she slipped to her knees beside the trundle bed, Olivia carefully folded her hands, realizing how long it had been since she had shaped a prayer with any real desire behind it. “Please God, Alex—he is very ill, please, will You help him recover?” And with the question there was the remembrance of promise.
Getting to her feet, she thought about the promise Alex had read to the people on that long ago sunny day. Olivia wandered around the room, looking for the Bible. Most certainly it was on the lampstand beside Sadie’s rocker.
Quietly she tiptoed back to the kitchen. The door to the nursing room was open. She could see Caleb sprawled in the deep chair beside Alex. They both appeared to be asleep. She hesitated a moment longer, found the Bible, and ran.
Back in her room, Olivia found the passage. John must be his favorite book, she thought, as her finger traveled down the page. In the dim light of the candle she read, “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” She got to her feet, murmuring, “But what is joy?”
Chapter 33
Only toward the end of the week did Alex begin to recover. For several days Olivia had been sharply conscious of the growing tension in the house. As Sadie moved back and forth with cups of herb tea and the mustard plasters, Olivia hovered between stove and table, unable to remember the next task to do. At times she found herself desperately wringing her hands and thinking about praying, while the strain mounted on Caleb’s face.
On the day Caleb ceased prowling the room and went to sit at the table with the mug of coffee cradled comfortably in his hands, Olivia felt her own heart lift.
Taking a deep breath and looking around, Caleb said, “These people have been here nearly a week; it’s time to move on.”
“Surely there isn’t danger here—or is there?”
“Who knows?” He shrugged. “If we’ve had someone on our tail, could be there’s danger. Mostly we don’t want to lose anyone, and Canada is waiting.”
He grinned and sipped coffee. “As soon as Alex is awake, I’m going to propose taking them on over to the next contact—maybe tonight. Most certain, he’s not going to be up to the job for a few more weeks. Even if I have to sit on him to keep him down.”
Trying to keep her voice calm, Olivia said, “It was bad, wasn’t it?”
Caleb nodded and got to his feet.
“What do you mean by contact?”
“The next station on the Underground Railroad. We’re only one small contact. There’s a whole group of people out there, feeding and housing until it’s safe to pass them on to the next station.”
“And no one ever knows when more are coming?”
He nodded. “That right.” Turning he said, “Guess I’ll go out to the barn and talk to Amos about a wagon.” He paused at the door with the perplexed frown back on his face. “How come you didn’t go home?”
She hesitated. “Did Matthew tell you anything?”
He shook his head. “He just let Alex know he wasn’t going on. We figured he would go home with you.”
“He and Crystal got married, and they’ve gone to New Orleans.”
“Hey, that wonderful!” His face brightened. As he started for the door, he added, “Better let Alex know; he’s in the dark, too.”
Olivia stared at the door, wondering how much longer she could avoid facing Alex. She could still feel that kiss pressed against her palm. And Alex, too, would ask why she didn’t go back to Mississippi.
At supper time that evening, Caleb came into the kitchen. “It’s warmed up considerable; tonight should be a good night to leave. Have food ready for me to carry up?”
Olivia nodded. “Most of the people have been down here all day. The little ones were bathed and the men spent time visiting with Alex.” She went to the stove, checked the stew, and said, “Sadie guessed you’d try tonight. She’s cooked extra meat and bread to carry with you.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow. I’m using the sleigh—minus the bells. Amos has buffalo robes; that will help. In case we meet anyone on the road, there will only be a few well-wrapped figures visible.” Caleb took the kettle and headed for the attic.
There was a whisper of sound behind Olivia and she turned. Alex was leaning against the door jamb, smiling at her. “Then I wasn’t dreaming.” He walked to the table and sat down. “Pardon, please; I don’t seem to be up to a marathon.”
“Would you like some herb tea?”
He shuddered. “Coffee?” She carried the cup to him and he touched her hand. When she pulled it back quickly, he grinned. “Just making certain you’re real. Mind telling me why you decided to come back?”
The door opened and Amos and Sadie came into the kitchen. Sadie unwound her shawl and hung it on the hook. Amos came to the stove, rubbed his hands together, and picked up the coffee pot.
Sadie peered into Alex’s cup and frowned, “Tea’ll do thee more good. How’s that chest this afternoon?”
“Nearly burned all the hair off it with the mustard plaster,” he muttered. She chuckled and patted him on the back.
Sadie looked at the stove, and Olivia said, “The vegetables were cooked so I sent them with Caleb. He’s leaving tonight.”
“It smelled wonderful,” Alex said wistfully.
Quickly Olivia responded, “There’s more if you want it.”
During the meal, Olivia watched Alex eat eagerly for a few bites and then pick at his food with a trembling hand. She could see he was tired; even the lamplight revealed his pallor. She found herself worrying as she watched him. When he shook his head at the offer of apple pie, she blurted, “You’ve lost weight.”
Sadie looked at him. “Either go back to bed or sit by the fire; it isn’t warm enough here.” He nodded his head and moved to the rocking chair beside the fireplace.
Caleb and one of the women came into the kitchen. She was carrying the bowls and spoons. “Chillens down for the night,” she said. “Thought I’d come down and wash the dishes.”
“You needn’t,” Olivia replied. “I’ll do them all later.”
The woman shook her head, grinning. “Don’t seem right for white folks to be waiting on such as us.”
Thinking of the conversation with the Reverend Barker and Thomas Caffrey, Olivia carefully placed her fork on the plate and said, “Is that so? You know, even after being waited on for years, I’ve never thought of how you would feel.”
She walked over to the woman. As she looked into her face, she saw the fleeting shadow. Was it uncertainty or fear? Olivia touched the woman’s shoulder. “I’m just now realizing, it shouldn’t be that way. Now you people are starting a new life. Beginning this moment, to do something for a person is a kindness, and only that. Never again will you be forced to do anything. You were kind to me, and I don’t even know your name.”
“Ella.”
“Ella, when I went to bed that night I thought of it. You had suffered from cold and misery for days, yet you came to me when I was tired and took away the dishcloth. Do you suppose we white women will ever learn to do that?”
“But I will be kind tonight.”
“We will wash dishes together.”
The two enjoyed a warm conversation that made the chore go much faster, and by the time they had finished, Alex had disappeared and th
ere was only Sadie nodding over her knitting. As she wiped the table, Olivia could hear the people coming down the stairs. She hugged Ella. “Have a wonderful life in Canada.”
****
Olivia discovered she had slept with the blue Bible under her cheek. She also discovered Amelia was home.
Sitting up in bed, she said, “Amelia, you look terrible.”
“Mrs. Tucker died. Now that man is alone with four small children. At times like this I wonder if there really is a God,” she said bitterly.
“Ask Alex; he has an answer for everything.” For a moment Amelia brightened. “You didn’t know he’s here?”
“I’d forgotten. But in addition I wondered if you would entertain us all by snipping at him again.”
Gloomily Olivia looked at the Bible and said, “Probably.”
Olivia slowly got herself out of bed, and when she reached the kitchen Amelia and Alex were sitting at the table watching Sadie knead bread. Alex saw her and started to rise. “Don’t bother,” she said. “I haven’t the strength to pick you up off the floor.”
He grinned at her and said, “Sadie, I think your patient is going to live; I can tell by the way Olivia is talking to him.”
Amelia’s eyes were sparkling. As Olivia passed her on the way to the stove, she muttered, “You bring out the worst in me.”
Alex said, “You didn’t answer my question yesterday.”
She sighed. “Did you know Matthew and Crystal are married, and that they’ll be coming back here?”
“No, I didn’t.” He was silent. When he lifted his head, he asked, “Does that explain why Joseph is still here?” She threw him a startled glance, and he added, “Don’t pour coffee on Sadie’s bread. Amos said Joseph is working at the blacksmith shop.”
She nodded. “Crystal told me he had refused to go to Canada.”