by S A Ison
Rachel’s speech was of an educated woman, with a heavy southern accent, which he liked. It was evident that the young people in the room had been well educated. He had met educated blacks up north and also in Europe. Joshua also knew that slaves hadn’t been allowed to learn the fundamentals of reading and writing. In some cases, the reprisal was quite violent for those who dared to learn. This family, however, had bypassed that hurdle. He smiled at their teasing. Clearly, these people cared deeply for one another. Joshua felt a twinge. He’d never had that growing up. He had craved it, but had never had it. He could see these people loved and cared for each other and he felt very lucky to be here with them.
Rachel looked shyly at her new teacher. His large brown eyes were beautiful and she could feel his artist’ soul through those eyes. His bright hair fascinated her; her hands itched to touch it. The fifteen-year-old felt the first stirrings of puppy love. She ate her dinner, tasting none of it.
Drake continued to badger Ida, nudging her under the table. Theo told him to stop and smacked him playfully on the back of his head. Lil Theo laughed, choking on milk and covering his nose, when it came through. Mary gave Lil Theo a dark look, and kicked Henry under the table. Rachel burst out laughing at Lil Theo and the rest followed suit.
Hearing the front door slam, everyone turned as Victor walked into the room. Seventeen-year-old Victor greeted everyone and introductions were made. Victor kissed his mother and shook his father’s and Theo’s hand.
“The Freeland’s are taking a vacation up to Savannah. Their oldest daughter is having a baby, Mrs. Freeland wants to be there for the birth. Tobias said he was taking the whole family for an impromptu holiday. He invited me, but I wanted to come home.” Victor grinned, and hugged his mother again.
Mary Beth walked into the dinning room at that very moment, carrying a plate for Victor, a wide smile on her face. Drake coughed loudly and received another smack from his father. Victor shot him a dirty look and thanked Mary Beth, smiling at her. Drake coughed a little too loudly once more and sniggered softly.
Sitting at the table, Victor regaled the group about the commission he had received. He was to build a beautiful table and ornate hutch for a prominent family from Savannah. It was for their daughter’s wedding. Everyone was excited, this could propel Victor to Master craftsman status and once word got around about his work, Victor could strike out on his own if he so desired.
“Do you think you might just stay with Mr. Freeland?” Henry asked.
“I think I may strike out on my own. The commissions I make, well, a large portion go to Mr. Freeland and rightfully so. Unless he wishes to make me a partner. I’ll have to wait and see.” Victor said. Mary knew he wanted to start a family one day and provide for them. His keen interest in Mary Beth said that day was approaching sooner than later.
Drake, Lil Theo and Ida started coughing at once and the room erupted in hilarity. Joshua joined in this time, enjoying the easy comradely in the house. Mary laughed and shook her head. No one was blind to Victor’s interest in Mary Beth, it would seem. Victor grinned good-naturedly.
During his visit, Victor went to speak with Carl and Ellen. He asked for Mary Beth’s hand in marriage. Carl asked Mary Beth if she were willing to take Victor as her husband. Receiving a high-pitched yes, plans were made to marry them at Christmas. It was decided that Mary Beth would live at the Anderson farm, in Liza’s old cabin. Victor could travel back and forth on the horse he had purchased the previous year; his work was only five miles away and he could easily travel that daily.
Taking a wagon, Henry, Drake and Victor went to the Freeland’s home to retrieve furniture that Victor had made for Mary Beth. Henry could see that Victor had been planning this for quite some time. The furniture was beautiful, its clean lines accentuated the wood perfectly. Victor had made a small table and chairs and a bed frame, carved with grapes and leaves and small flowers. He had also built a small wardrobe and highboy. The carving on the highboy matched the beautiful bed frame. He had also made her a small hutch, to keep dishes and crock ware.
Mary and Ida sewed linens for the couple and Theo bought them a set of beautiful bone china. The pattern matched the carving Victor had done. Mary had gone with Theo to pick out the china. They had received various stares from other patrons. Many were merely curious, several were hostile. Once again, Mary felt the bigotry that was ever present.
When Christmas arrived, a nervous and jittery Victor was letting his father help him dress for the wedding. Dark Henry grinned at his son, telling him about his wedding. He told his son what to expect and what to do on their wedding night. Victor’s face glowed with morbid embarrassment, his mother laughing at his discomfort. Mary’s eyes brimmed with tears. She couldn’t believe her baby was getting married. He was still so young yet, almost eighteen, but not quite there yet. How and when had he become a man? Victor was as tall as his father yet had his mother’s light coloring. He was delicately boned, with long beautiful hands. He shaved his head like his father and he stood before her tall and proud. Mary almost broke down, her bottom lip quivering madly. He was a beautiful young man, with his life in front of him. Mary Beth would make him a wonderful wife. She was sweet natured, plump and cheery. She was crazy about Victor, always had been.
Theo officiated over the couple, his voice deep and resonating over the families gathered in the study. Henry held his wife, his own throat thick with emotion. His thoughts went back to the little boy who had almost died at the hands of a mad woman. He had grown strong and tall, and his heart was good and pure like his Mary. He felt as though his heart would explode with joy.
Mary looked up at her husband and saw the sheen of tears in his eyes. Her breath caught in her throat, as she watched Carl bring his daughter into the room. Ellen and Sue were already crying, wiping away the flow of tears. Mary Beth looked beautiful, she was wearing a simple frock, edged in white lace. Her hair was braided intricately and bright green holly framed the bun on top.
Victor seemed to sway as he looked at his bride, Drake caught his arm and gave it a squeeze. Victor smiled gratefully to his best friend. Drake looked across the room at Ida, who blushed and looked away. Mary had to bite her lip at the by-play. They were next to wed she was sure. Mary watched all their faces and the emotions and thoughts that played on their features.
The wedding dinner consisted of a large roasted turkey and leg of ham. Cookie had outdone herself with cooking and Joshua enjoyed the wedding feast immensely. He was becoming more comfortable in the household. His lessons with Rachel were going very well. She was a quick study and very talented. He was impressed with her dedication. Laughter and talking floated around him as he watched the people around him.
Carl and Charlie provided the music and the furniture was move back and dancing ensued. Theo watched the young people dance, his eyes misting up. He remembered Mary’s wedding, when he had danced with his beloved Patina. He missed her very much and wished once again that she were here. She would be proud of their children. He laughed when Mary pulled Henry out to the floor, dancing as she went. His brow went up when he noticed Joshua heading for his daughter, and watched as Rachel smiled up at the young man, taking his hand. He saw her earnest young face and knew his daughter had fallen in love with the skinny artist. He would have to watch them, to see where it led. Ida and Drake had disappeared and he suspected they were off walking. Drake would be next to wed he was sure.
Though the world looked down on mixed marriages, Theo would not deny his children their choices of spouses. His own offspring were mixed, though to look at them, you wouldn’t know it. Many whites considered them tainted. He didn’t care, he loved them and he loved their mother. He had formally adopted both, ensuring that his farm and possessions would pass on to them. He had also deeded land to Tall Tom and his family, when he had given Lil Theo land. He knew this land would be their legacy.
Drake asked his father the following spring if he could marry Ida. Theo told his son that it was up to Dark Henr
y and sent the boy to see the blacksmith. Theo almost laughed at the dread that came over his son’s face. Theo went to find Mary, to tell her Drake’s intent. Mary did laugh when he told her of Drake’s reaction at having to go speak with Henry.
“I’m sure Henry will give the boy a hard time.” She laughed.
Drake hemmed and hawed, Henry knew why he was there and let the boy sweat. It was all he could do, not to laugh outright in the boy’s face. He stood like a foreboding statue; his expression blank as he waited for Drake to get to the point. He thought at one point that Drake might give up and walk away, but the young man finally got it out.
“Are you prepared to take good care of my daughter?”
“Yes. Yes sir. Yes, I am. Yes.” Drake stammered, bright red filling his face.
“Will you ever strike or beat my Ida?”
“God no. No sir!” Drake looked so affronted that Henry did laugh. Satisfied he had harassed the young man enough, Henry gave Drake his consent, shaking the younger man’s hand.
After the spring planting, another wedding was performed. Theo once again officiated over it, knowing that the local pastor would refuse. The idiot said that his children were tainted bastards and Theo had been hard pressed not to wring the bastard’s scrawny neck.
Theo became choked up as he read the bible. Having to stop and clear his throat, his voice thick with emotion. Drake was scrubbed up and in a stiff-necked shirt. Sweat was pouring down his face and Theo thought his son might faint. He could see Drake in his mind’s eye, small and sweet. Sitting in front of him on the horse as they rode the fields. He thought his heart would break with joy. How had time passed so swiftly, that his baby was now a man?
Mary cried openly, Ida was so lovely and tall. She looked like an ebon statute, elegant and regal. Ida wore the wedding dress that Mary had worn, it fit her perfectly. Ida smiled confidently, rarely rattled, Mary knew she would lead Drake the high life. It would never be dull between the two of them. Drake was drawn to Ida’s fiery temperament like a moth to a flame.
Mary Beth and Victor sat hand in hand, Mary Beth already pregnant. Mary was excited over her first grandchild and was helping Mary Beth with making the clothes for the baby. Mary’s heart swelled; her small family was growing. Her children had chosen well in their mates and she knew Ida would live in this house with her children. Lil Theo was last, but he was still young. He had started noticing girls, but had shown no interest in anyone in particular.
They had come so far over the years, Mary felt truly blessed. She had been born in bondage and her children and grandchildren would grow up free, with choices. The farm was thriving well, Drake had taken most of the responsibility on his shoulders. Tall Tom was training Lil Theo and George, Ben’s son, to take over the reins in a few years. Tom had crippling arthritis and had to ride in a wagon, he could no longer sit a horse.
Sue had taken over with doctoring the farm’s inhabitants. Since Liza’s passing, she had taken over with a natural talent. Theo had sent off for an old medical reference book and had given it to Sue. She poured over the ancient tomb, and with her knowledge of herbs and roots did very well in her healing art.
Ida and Drake danced long into the night, both giddy and happy. Mary lay within Henry’s arms, listening to the music up at the main house. She and Henry had left, tired from a long day of celebration. Lil Theo had wanted to stay there to celebrate into the night. Mary had been too tired to deny him. It was good to be alone with her husband. Henry rubbed her generous bottom, enjoying the feel of it.
It was rare that they had any time alone, but now with their two oldest married off, the cabin seemed a bit lonely. Mary knew she was being silly, but the cabin always seemed to be the hub of activity. Soon she would have a grandchild. Come fall they would welcome the precious babe. It wouldn’t be long before Ida would have children and soon her home would be full again. She smiled, drifting off to sleep, Henry’s hand resting on her hip.
Willy, Thomas and Teddy went to town on a hot summer evening. It was Saturday night and there was a dance at the Providence Episcopal Church. The church often held dances to give the young people a chance to meet and enjoy themselves. The church had been built after the war and its congregation grew yearly. It was the only black church in the area that many could reach in a reasonable amount of time.
The three young men went regularly, hoping to meet eligible young women. Willy had met a mouse of a girl and was falling head over heels for her. Thomas and Teddy enjoyed their bachelor status, dancing with many of the young women. It had been an enjoyable evening and they were walking home in the sultry evening. Their laughter carried over the night air. Teddy teased his younger brother, Willy, about the young lady he was courting. Willy took the jibs with easy laughter; he knew they were jealous that he had met someone. He teased them back and they laughed and shoved Willy between them. Willy ran ahead gathering up dirt clods and lobbed them at the two. Thomas and Teddy took off chasing him down the dark road.
They neared the fork in the road that led to the Anderson farm. Before them were eight hooded men on horses, sitting silently in the dark. The three young men had walked right into them before they were aware of the group’s presence. Too late they were trapped between the horses. Willy shot under the nearest horse and Teddy followed. Thomas ran off in the opposite direction, each man heading for the woods.
One of the hooded men shouted and they split, two men going after Willy, three took off after Teddy and the other three after Thomas. Each of the young men ran for their lives. They had heard tales from Ben and the other older adults. They knew if they were caught, they would be killed at best, at worst, they would be tortured and then killed. Willy’s feet grazed the ground, he ran as lightly as he could, he stayed low, avoiding low hanging branches. They would leave telltale movement, indicating his passage. He and Teddy used to race when they were children. Teddy was faster, but Willy was lighter on his feet, barley disturbing the ground.
Making his way along an old deer path, Willy finally made his way home. He ran to the main house, yelling as he went. Everyone came out of their cabins, rubbing sleep out of their eyes. Henry left Mary and went up to the house, he was followed by Victor, Ben, Carl and Charlie. Upon reaching the house, they heard of the eight hooded men who were chasing them.
Theo ran back into the house and called for Drake to stay with the women. He grabbed his colt and several old muskets and ran back out to the porch, handing the men the guns. Tall Tom was there and Theo told him to watch out for the other two young men. They mounted the horses bareback, and tore off down the darken road, still in their night clothes. They went to the fork in the road and split up, riding around looking for the two missing men. They met back sometime later still unable to find them. They headed west and then east, they backtracked and headed north. In the distance they saw torches and kicked their horses to full speed.
Theo nearly fell from his horse at the sight that greeted the men. Charlie and Carl’s agonizing scream rented the air, raising the hackles on Henry, Ben, Victor and Theo. Before them was an abomination to human kind. Henry leaned over and vomited, tears of rage flowing from him. Carl fell from his horse and crawled to his son, Thomas. Thomas was tied to a tree, a rough rope bound him by the neck and arms, cutting deeply into the flesh. His tongue protruded from his mouth grotesquely. The eyeballs had been cut from his head. His torso was covered with knife wounds, the skin nearly filleted from his body. His manhood had been completely removed and his life blood puddle before him.
Carl pulled at the rope helplessly, screaming his son’s name, vomiting and crying as he pulled. His hands becoming raw as they grazed the tree. Theo staggered over with a knife and cut the bindings from the tree. Thomas’ body fell into his father’s arms, lifeless and still. Theo went to help Charlie who was cradling his son’s head. Teddy was still alive, his soft moans blended with his father’s cries.
The hooded men had gutted Teddy, pulling his innards out and hung them on the tree he was tie
d to. He too had been castrated and blinded though he didn’t have a rope around his neck, they had bound his hands and feet to the tree. Charlie eased his son to the ground, his voice soft and gentle. He kissed his boy telling him that his daddy was there. Teddy managed to ask about Willy and his father quickly assured him that Willy was safe. Theo crouched near Teddy and asked him if he recognized any of the men who had done this to them. Teddy spoke three names before he died. Charlie sending up a blood curdling howl, as he watched the life drain from his son. He held the young man, rocking him and chanting his name over and over.
All the men stood silently, their tears falling like rain. Theo looked up into Henry’s dark eyes. Henry nodded, they would find the men who did this and they would make retributions. The law would not help them, they could not prove it. Even if they could, Theo knew the sheriff would turn a blind eye, his son-in-law, Red Porter, was one of the culprits. Byron Grover’s boy, Jimmy and Johnny Rutledge were the other two Teddy had named.
Henry lifted each young man to his father’s arms and they road back to the farm silently, each in his own thoughts. When they reached the property, Carl and Charlie stopped, they didn’t want their wives to see the boys so mutilated. Victor went to the barn and fetched several shovels to dig two graves. Near dawn the grizzly task was complete, the men walking back up to the house. Mary Beth had fixed a pot of coffee and poured each man a steaming cup. She didn’t know that her brother was dead yet. The men looked tired and worn and the worse was yet to come. The mothers had not heard the news of their sons, but they soon would. Victor took Mary Beth back to their home; he would tell her there.