Morning Star

by Marian Wells

  Jenny lost the thread of conversation; her mind was busy with the implications. She breathed a deep sigh of relief. Perhaps by the time the legal problems simmered down, Joseph would have forgotten all about that piece of paper in his office.

  Jenny soon found an excuse to leave Sarah and her friend. She turned her rig onto the road and headed for Nauvoo, still hoping for a letter from Mark.

  The afternoon Tom rode his horse back into Nauvoo, he was conscious only of being tired with the bone-weariness of discouragement and physical fatigue. He was so busy planning his speech to Joseph that he scarcely noticed the first hint of autumn this September day.

  He was still mulling over his dilemma when he reached Joseph’s Mansion House. Although it was still early afternoon, a peculiar crystal stillness held the deserted streets. The thread of smoke rising from the mansion’s chimney was slender and wick-straight.

  Now he noticed the horse hitched to Joseph’s fence post. Slowly Tom dismounted and looped his reins around the post nearest a succulent patch of grass.

  Pausing to scratch his head and flex his shoulders, Tom took time to notice the clear blue of the sky. A white cloud puffed across his vision like a ship under full sail.

  Tom turned toward Joseph’s front door just as it burst open. He recognized the Prophet’s heavy voice as the two figures came through the door.

  To Tom’s astonishment, the first figure was hurrying and the second figure was kicking. Tom scratched his head while he waited until the rotund figure picked himself up out of the street, dusted off his suit, straightened his tie, and mounted his horse.

  Joseph’s face was flushed and he was still breathing heavily as he stepped close to Tom. He jerked his head at the departing figure. “Justin Butterfield, United States Attorney for Illinois. Came in here accusing me of misbehaving.”

  “How’s that?”

  “Bankruptcy petition. Says I transferred property illegally. Guess he won’t do that again.” Joseph was at ease as he led the way into the house. “State’s in a hole financially, so they’re going to take every advantage of a fellow they can to save a cent. What’s on your mind? What are you doing back in Nauvoo?”

  Tom gulped and cringed. That scene was too sharply etched on his mind. Feeling like a ten-year-old, he started his explanation. “Joseph, I’m just not cut out to be a missionary. Figured I was doin’ more harm than good so I settled for comin’ home. I was dragging the rest of the fellas down, honest.” He braced himself and, surprisingly, Joseph only shook his head.

  “I guess I wasn’t much of a judge of character, Tom,” he said. “You can do everything else, including putting out the best shoeing job in the state. Go back to the stable. I guess I might as well admit, we’ve been missing you sore.

  “So’s my horse. Take a look at him first thing in the morning, will you? It’s the right front shoe.”

  Tom sighed with relief and started to get up. Joseph’s hand stopped him. Tom settled back and was surprised to see the dark frown back on his face.

  “Tom, I don’t know how to tell you this. But Mark’s gone and you’re closest of kin. There’s some talk that Jenny’s been pretty unhappy. Alson Daniels and his pa fished her outta the river a couple of weeks back. When Alson came into town with the milk, he told me about it. Says she jumped off the bluff, clearly intent on ending it all.”

  Tom stared at Joseph, trying to put meaning into the words. “My sister? Jen’s not the kind a person to do herself in.”

  Joseph shook his head and leaned forward. “Unfortunately, I’ve not had time to visit with her. It turned out that Porter and I had to take a little trip to avoid Missouri sheriffs with writs for our arrest. I didn’t want the task of trying Nauvoo’s charters in court right now, especially since I was being laid on the line.”

  Joseph settled back in his chair and studied his fists. When he spoke again, Tom thought it was as if the words were pulled from him. “Tom, from what I’ve heard, I’m really worried about your sister’s mind. Sometimes women get all kinds of funny ideas. The suicide try indicates that to me.

  “I realize you don’t know much about females, being you’re not married, but watch out for her. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. I’ll try to see her as soon as the pressure is off my neck.”

  Tom had started for the door when Joseph said, “One thing more, Tom. Since you’re not hankering to be a missionary, I’ll put the touch on you for the priesthood.”

  Tom was nearly to the farm before he was able to shake his mood. He straightened in the saddle and looked around. The Pratt farm was off to his left, and he could see Orson herding his cows into the barn. The apple trees were beginning to show color. He noticed that Orson had propped up the heaviest branches.

  By the time he started down Jenny’s lane, Tom was whistling. He saw Jenny turn and set her pail down. When he swung her up in his arms, he saw the tears on her face. “Jen, it’s just your old brother.”

  “I’m just so glad to see you; it’s been so lonely!”

  He hugged her again and said, “Hey, you’re treating yourself well—gettin’ chunky, aren’t ya?”

  She leaned back grinning at him. “I’m going to have a baby.”

  “Well, I’ll be switched,” he said slowly, studying her face. Even as he spoke, he was putting facts together, “I’d about given up on hopin’ you’d ever get around to that. What does Mark think about all this?”

  He saw the cloud on her face. “He doesn’t know. Tom, I haven’t had one letter from him since he’s left. Can he possibly be that busy? Why must he be gone so long?”

  “I don’t know,” Tom said, troubled by what he was seeing. He was thinking of the way he had sloped out of a disagreeable job as he said, “I’m kinda wonderin’ why Mark doesn’t jump ship like I did.”

  “Does Joseph know you’re back?”

  “Yeah.” Tom remembered the conversation as he searched Jenny’s face. She looked pale and tired, but there was that happy smile. Surely, if circumstances were as he was thinking, she wouldn’t be so happy about it.

  Tom sighed and took up his conversation again. “He’s lettin’ me off easy. I expected to get sent to China, but he’s sending me back to the stable. Might be he’s had a report on my preachin’.”

  The next morning at breakfast Tom said, “One thing Joseph did do which surprised me; he’s earmarked me for the high priesthood.”

  Jenny nearly dropped the skillet. Astonishment flooded her face as she turned to him. “That’s nice, but it sure surprises me too. Seems such a limited group from what I’m hearing; guess I just didn’t realize how special you were to Joseph.” She hesitated and frowned. “Tom, there’s lots of funny talk going on. Don’t get yourself into something you’ll regret.”

  “How’s that?” he asked, chewing slowly.

  She sighed and frowned, saying, “There’s talk of building up the Legion more. Is it true Joseph’s not given up on Missouri yet?” After a pause she turned to him and shrugged, shaking her head, “Oh, I just don’t know; this Legion business worries me. I know there’s rumbles around about it. I heard a fellow on the street. A stranger. He seemed uneasy. Just things floating around making us wonder. At Relief Society we talk.”

  “Gossip session?”

  “I—I just don’t know. One minute I get the feeling the women are all the best of friends; then next meeting I see the tides moving, telling me there’s something going on underneath all the nice smiles. There’s an undercurrent in Nauvoo I don’t like.”

  Chapter 19

  Jenny was pulling the curtains across the windows when Tom came into the house carrying the pail of milk. “’Tis a mite nippy out there tonight; reminds me this nice October is about to bid us good-bye.”

  With a shiver, Jenny went to the stove and pushed the simmering pot to one side. “I keep worrying about Mark. Since that one letter I’ve heard no more, and I can’t help wondering if it is well with him. It bothers me that there are letters I didn’t rece
ive.”

  “Mail service isn’t the best out here,” Tom reminded mildly. But Jenny was brooding over the note of alarm in Mark’s letter. Was he doubting her love because he didn’t receive a letter from her? She moved her shoulders irritably and saw Tom’s glance.

  “It’s terrible to not know where to send a letter,” she explained. “And he doesn’t even know about this,” she patted her stomach. “Tom, just think, his baby is poking at my ribs, and Mark doesn’t even know about him.”

  Tom sat down at the table and grinned at Jenny as she pressed her hands across her thickening waist. “Might be it’ll be a girl. Think he’ll trade it off?”

  “I doubt. After waiting this long, we’ll take anything we get. Just, please God, let it be healthy.”

  She felt his quick look and knew he wondered about the prayer. Strange how it seemed the words came without thinking.

  Jenny went to strain the milk and slice the bread. “You want milk with your stew?”

  He nodded. “I ’spect I’d better. I’d rather have hot tea, but tonight’s priesthood meeting. There’s a little talk that Joseph’ll be there. I’m not thinkin’ it’ll be likely though, since they’re still lookin’ for him.”

  “How do you know?”

  He hesitated and looked sharply at her. “Remember those fellows we saw last time we went to shop?”

  She frowned, “You’re meaning the bunch sitting around in front of the store whittling with those terrible knives?”

  Nodding, he added, “Those are Joseph’s men. They make it a point to know what’s going on. You needn’t worry. There ain’t no surprises around here.”

  Silently Jenny ladled the stew into a bowl and carried it to the table. When Tom reached for his third slice of bread, he added, “Bennett started all this with his running to Missouri. Seems all’s fair—”

  “How Joseph could have taken that fellow in, befriending him and making him the mayor of Nauvoo as well as being in charge of the Legion, well, it seems strange.” Jenny slowly picked up her fork, thinking of the man she had met at Sarah Pratt’s home. Thoughtfully she added, “Bennett seems nice enough. Mark hesitated over him though. Well, he’s gone. Beyond making so much trouble for the Prophet now, I suppose we’ll never know what’s in the heart of the man. But no matter; I’m against the letters he’s written to the press.”

  Jenny had just hung her dish towel to dry when they heard the tap at the door. Tom opened it and exclaimed, “Brother Joseph! Is there trouble?”

  Joseph Smith came into the room, nodded briefly at Jenny and turned to Tom, saying, “Only that I need to get a message to Mark. He’s to be in Springfield this week, but I don’t trust a letter to reach him.”

  “Problems?” Tom took the packet of papers the Prophet offered and studied Joseph’s face.

  “I’m just covering every detail I can. Thomas Ford will be inaugurated as governor of the state come the first week in December. That’s not much more’n a month away. I need to remind him of his promise to test the Missouri writ in court. Mark can fill him in on the details. He’s got papers with him. But he mustn’t come back here without seeing Ford and wringing a promise out of him. I can’t spend the rest of the winter dodging the sheriff and posse from Missouri.”

  He paced the floor and added. “Tom, tonight is as good a time to start as tomorrow. So pack a grip and be off.”

  Tom threw a quick glance at Jenny. “Brother Joseph, think about my sister. I’m not of a mind to walk out on her right now.”

  “I’ll have John Lee take her back to the Mansion House. Just be about your business; she’ll be okay.” Going to the door he said, “Lee’s minding the horses. I’ll speak to him and then be here to get you off.”

  Tom looked at Jenny. She swallowed hard and said, “Best do it, Tom. I’ll be better in town than by myself. Could you stop past the Daniels’ and have Alson do the milking? Tom, please tell Mark how miserably lonesome I am for him, tell him—please hurry home.”

  Jenny carried her valise downstairs just as she heard Tom close the door behind himself. Joseph was sprawled comfortably in Mark’s chair. “The fire feels good tonight,” he said, gesturing toward the fireplace. “Now come sit; I’ve a few things to say to you.”

  “Joseph,” she warned; “this is my home.”

  “And you are my wife.”

  “I can’t believe you are still talking in this manner,” her voice was low, but she challenged him with her eyes. “When this took place, you indicated it was a marriage for eternity.”

  “And you thought that was all I meant? Jennifer, I didn’t see that in your response. I see you are laboring under a lack of understanding. Seems Patty Sessions didn’t do a thorough job of teaching.”

  He pointed to the chair. “I’ve some things to say to you. First, I must remind you of the very idea brought forth in the Bible. This is the idea that things change. Some things are wrong under one circumstance—and I remind you of the instances involving murder. The Bible says ‘Thou shalt not murder’ in one place, and in another advocates killing off the enemy. The same applies here.”

  “Are you referring to adultery?”

  He continued, “You call it adultery? When I came for my rights, you named it thus. God doesn’t. What might very well be adultery in one circumstance is commanded of God in another. Jenny, when God instructed me to take you as wife, the angel told me, with a sword in his hand, that I was to fulfill the command or die. I dare not disobey.”

  Jenny’s heart sank. Feeling as if the weight of the universe rested upon her, she slowly got to her feet. She faced him and groped for words, murmuring the only word that was there, “Jesus.”

  He raised his head, “What did you say?”

  She stepped forward and clasped her hands across the precious swelling. “Joseph, I regret that ceremony more than I can say. I sense there’s no backing out of it unless I forfeit my eternal salvation. But this is earthly life. I can’t understand mixing the two. Besides, I’m carrying Mark’s child. To let you—”

  She paused and took a shaky breath, weaving now through the maze of contradictory thoughts. “I don’t have anything to go on. I don’t know enough about God or even His Holy Bible—but I’m reading and trying very hard to learn. It’s just—Joseph, it feels so wrong. There’s Mark. I love him and I’ve always been taught you don’t let another man touch you.”

  He looked up at Jenny, slowly shaking his head. “My dear, how twisted this has all become in your mind! I will pray for you.

  “For now I’ll just have to trust the Lord to protect you from the evil attack and spare your life until you have your eyes open to truth. But, Jenny, my dear, you must devote yourself to praying about this matter. God will give you a sure knowledge of the rightness of the message. Just as I have seen Him, you’ll see Him filling your room with such a brightness of His presence you’ll never doubt again. Meanwhile, I must urge you to not speak of this to anyone. Keep it to yourself and pray lest you be tempted and lose the blessing to another.”

  With a sigh, Joseph got to his feet and went to the door. “Lee,” he called and then turned back. “I’m running for my life. John will take you to the Mansion House. It’s crowded, but Emma will make room for you. I’ll try to get back into town soon.”

  It was very late when John D. Lee aroused Emma Smith and delivered the Prophet’s message. He carried in Jenny’s bag and took the buggy to the livery stable.

  Jenny faced the woman swathed in a robe which didn’t conceal her pregnancy. She studied Emma’s weary, lined face and said, “I’m so sorry to disturb you. I wanted to wait until morning, but they said no.”

  With a terse nod, Emma led the way up the stairs and opened the door. “We’re packed to the rafters. You’ll have to push Julie over. Could be tomorrow I’ll be able to settle you in a room.”

  It was late that next morning before Jenny went downstairs. She had been aroused early when the adopted daughter of Joseph and Emma slipped out of the room. Lying in bed, J
enny considered the twist of circumstances in her life—first, Joseph’s visit the previous evening. Now, she considered with dismay the necessity of facing Emma as well as Joseph’s children.

  As she left the bedroom, Jenny looked about the house curiously. There was still that raw, unsettled air about the house, but the rooms seemed large and bright. In the upstairs hall she noticed the rooms opening off the hall had doors bearing numbered brass plaques.

  When she reached the foot of the stairs, Jenny paused, confused. She peered through the first open door and saw the large room. It looked more like a lobby than a parlor. At one end there was an attractive fireplace and comfortable chairs.

  Then she looked to the other end and frowned. It looked as if cabinets were being removed. As she considered the long bar, she nodded with understanding, remembering the stories she had heard. That was the bar Joseph had installed while Emma was away from home.

  Jenny felt a spark of admiration for the woman as she chuckled over the story. Joseph had installed his bar and set up Porter Rockwell, pigtail and all, as bartender. Emma, so the story went, had taken one look and condemned the addition. Joseph, Porter, and all the liquor had speedily departed when Emma threatened to take the children and move back to the old cabin.

  The next door Jenny tried led back to the kitchen. Hearing voices, she went in. Emma and her children, as well as several women, sat at the table.

  As she sat down, Emma pointed out the children. “This is Julie, our daughter; she’s twelve now and a big help. There’s Joseph our firstborn, Frederick, and Alexander. This is Eliza Snow. Miss Snow is a schoolteacher by profession. And Emily Partridge. Emily is living with us and earning her keep.”

  Jenny looked at the comely girl as she bobbed her head and went to the stove. “Mrs. Smith says you’ll be staying for a time. There’s little room right now. But two gentlemen just passin’ through will doubtless be leaving in a day or so.”

  Jenny glanced at the shy Julie, and with a smile said, “I do appreciate the hospitality, but I’m imposing. I don’t know why I didn’t just stay at the farm. Surely Tom will be back soon.” There were questions in the eyes of the women, but Jenny dismissed them as she accepted the bowl of porridge from Emily.