Wasn’t that as evil as those masters who mistreated their slaves?
Mrs. Madison’s voice jolted Winnie out of her thoughts. “Almost done there?”
Winnie looked up from her work, and it was as if she were truly seeing Mrs. Madison for the first time. She gritted her teeth and forced herself to smile. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I need you to polish some of the silver for my dinner party tonight.”
“I’ll get to it as soon as I finish here.”
Mrs. Madison sighed. “Good. I do not know what I would do without you.”
A flame flickered in Winnie’s belly. “I guess you’ll have to have fewer dinner parties after I’m gone.”
Mrs. Madison frowned. “After you’re gone? Where are you going?”
Winnie nearly dropped the needle. “When I’m done paying for my freedom. When my family and I leave.”
“But that’s some time yet.” Mrs. Madison waved her hand. “Besides, I treat you well. You’re a good, hard worker, and you should be happy here.”
Winnie turned her attention back to her work. The Madisons had chosen evil and Winnie’s freedom wasn’t even in Mrs. Madison’s mind. She finished the last stitches with tears in her eyes.
The front door opened and heavy boots sounded in the foyer. “Lillian.”
At Mr. Madison’s call, Mrs. Madison lifted her skirts and rushed from the room. Winnie placed the folded shirt with the others. She didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but Mr. Madison’s raised voice made it hard to ignore what he was saying.
“Walters was quite certain. He caught slaves on his plantation meeting in the middle of the day.”
“That still does not mean one thing.” Mrs. Madison’s singsong lilt rang back, softer.
“What else could it mean? The harvest is coming in, and I need all of my workers if I want to get ahead. If any of our slaves are involved, I will not tolerate it.”
Winnie eased closer to the door.
“Why not talk to Paul?” Mrs. Madison asked. “If something is amiss, won’t he know?”
Mr. Madison laughed, but not with humor. “He’s probably the ringleader. I made him foreman so I could watch him.”
“I don’t believe it. I think Paul learned his lesson from last time.”
Papa. Winnie turned around the room, searching for some way to escape unseen. If she exited the parlor’s side door, she would end up at the other end of the hallway from where the Madisons stood. Or she could sit and pretend she didn’t hear. The Madisons normally talked about all kinds of things around her, as if she wasn’t there. But it would be too hard for her to act calm. Slipping through the parlor’s second door was the safest choice.
“That’s true. He has behaved himself since he moved down to East Towson. But I’m not entirely sure that East Towson clergyman has been completely honest. That slave catcher seemed to suggest that the preacher is hiding runaways in the church.” A soft thump sounded, Mr. Madison dropping his hat on the front entry table like he always did.
“My word.” Mrs. Madison’s skirts rustled, and Winnie could imagine the woman pressing her hand to her heart. “Fugitives? Here?”
“Yes, and now this.” Mr. Madison’s boots sounded again, heading toward the parlor.
Winnie moved fast, darting to the other door and pressing herself against the doorway. The massive china case sitting against the wall gave her a little cover.
“Do be safe. If what you say is true, this would be a perfect opportunity to do their evil.”
Winnie listened as both sets of footsteps headed to the parlor. And as soon as they stepped in the main door, she stepped out into the hallway. They continued talking but Winnie didn’t stay to hear. She needed to warn her father.
Hiram sat down in Pastor Matthew’s small office, on the very cot he had lain on when he first arrived. First saw Winnie. And now here he was, planning to leave her.
Pastor Matthew smiled at him. “Everything is almost set, Hiram. We believe we can get you out of here in two weeks.”
Hiram gaped. He had been here for almost three months, settled into helping with East Towson’s chores and tending his little garden. Now, his time to go was close at hand.
“I have arranged with an abolitionist to pretend to buy you.”
Hiram drew back.
Pastor Matthew patted Hiram’s leg. “No need to worry. The purchase papers will be drawn up with a fake name.”
Hiram shifted in his chair. “Okay,” was his answer, but he sounded more settled than he felt.
“You can trust this man. He has helped many others get out. Carlton will take you to Philadelphia and direct you to William Still’s house. Still is a freed slave who will help you get established, help find you work and someplace to live.”
Hiram grinned. A real home. Real freedom. But he would have to leave Winnie. His smile faltered.
“We will go over this again before you go, so you don’t have to remember everything now. But do you have any questions?”
“Do you think you could talk Winnie into leaving?”
Pastor Matthew chuckled. “I am a man of God, so I would like to have faith, but that is as far as I can go. Only God could get that girl to leave.”
“I talked to her about it the other night.” Hiram remembered her words. “I am working to pay for my family’s freedom. “He had never been in love before. But it was love that flooded his heart when she told him her plans. She was already risking her life to help fugitives. And she was giving her life working for her parents’ freedom.
“Did she give you a reason?”
“Yes, but she asked me to keep it to myself.”
Pastor Matthew gave him a sad smile. “Well, if she changes her mind, I will send her to you in Philadelphia as soon as I can.”
Hiram’s words faltered. “I did not mean—I wasn’t saying…”
Pastor Matthew laughed. “I know what you are feeling. I’ve known since the first day I saw the two of you walking together. You care about her.”
“I do.” More than I should, since I am planning to leave.
“You should tell her,” Pastor Matthew said. “Tell her how you feel and that you will wait for her in Philadelphia if she does decide to run.”
“But I have nothing to offer her. I can’t even offer her the honor of a last name.”
Pastor Matthew turned to face him. “You have love to offer her. Freedom to love.”
He loved her. Hearing Pastor Matthew say it filled his chest with warmth. But he had not considered it as something to offer. His mother and brothers loved him, he knew, but who else? Love had never been as valuable as strength and freedom. Until now. “What if she doesn’t love me in return?”
“Then I would be very surprised.” He stood. “Tell her how you feel.”
Hiram would have to build his courage first. “I have something else I need to talk to you about. I think Goldie, Herbert, and Thomas are planning trouble.”
“Those boys have always been in some sort of mischief.”
“I think this is more than that. They were planning to attack someone during the quilting celebration. Mr. Paul had to stop them.”
Pastor Matthew gave him a surprised look. “Who were they planning to attack?”
“I don’t know, but my guess would be the owners. Goldie and the men showed up at the same time as the owners. They had hoes and rakes.”
“Dear Lord.” Pastor Matthew bowed his head, his words an honest prayer.
“Winnie told me about the last time and what happened with her father.”
“That was before I came, but Paul told me about it when he moved to East Towson.” Pastor Matthew stood. “I will be looking for anything unusual with Goldie.”
“That may be a good idea for all of us.”
Chapter 6
Although Hiram had worried all night about the trip he and Pastor Matthew were to make into Baltimore, it ended up being for nothing. He was sure he would stand out, but the city was a busy place with bustl
ing docks. It was the largest group of both whites and Negroes that he had ever seen in his life. Several times he slowed, gawking at a white man helping a Negro unload crates from a wagon. Or working on securing boxes with rope, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Not in his world, but natural in this world.
He also had the best comfort at his side: Winnie, his little angel. She had shown up at the church minutes before Hiram and Pastor Matthew were set to leave.
“Mrs. Madison needs me to run a few errands in Baltimore.” Winnie had been out of breath when she arrived. “I knew you were going into town today, and I thought I would join you.”
Hiram had shown his pleasure more than he should have, judging by the way Winnie ducked her head in a blush. The heat, the walk, his worry, none of it bothered him anymore. He allowed himself to be amazed at the city and all its activity. Winnie and Pastor Matthew pointed out churches, businesses owned by free blacks, even schools for black children. But the crowning sight: several steamer ships sitting in the harbor. They crested a hill, and there was the water laid out before them, sparkling in the sun.
“The water,” he said.
Winnie giggled. “This is your first time seeing it. I guess Pastor Matthew and I have grown used to it.”
The landscape of the city differed in other ways. Modern-looking buildings sat along cobblestone streets. People dressed differently than in the South too. Even the poorest wore nicer clothes and better shoes. Hawkers and newspaper boys called out as they passed, a very different scene from the endless earth and sky on the plantation. The streets were crowded, but they felt freer. Like he could breathe deeper here.
When they reached a street with shops on both sides, Winnie touched his arm, running her finger over one of his scars. I love when she does that. “I have to go to the shop over there. I’ll meet you two back here in an hour.”
Hiram nodded and watched her cross the street to a milliner’s shop. She seemed miles away, and he was very aware of her absence.
Smiling, Pastor Matthew nudged him along. “Carlton will be waiting for us at the ironworks.”
They approached a large building with tall doors and big puffs of steam billowing from the top. Hiram followed Pastor Matthew inside. The temperature was sweltering, more like the heat of the South that he knew so well.
A man looked up when they entered, flushed with the heat. His sandy-brown hair was plastered to his head. He spotted them and waved them over.
He met them between two long worktables. “Pastor Matthew.” The men shook hands. “And you must be Hiram. I am Carlton Gilchrest.”
Mr. Gilchrest extended a hand to Hiram. Hiram hesitated. Will this ever get easier?
The man grinned and grasped Hiram’s hand. “You can shake my hand. I’m only pretending to be your master.”
Hiram felt some of the tension leave his shoulders. “Nice to meet you.”
Mr. Gilchrest motioned for them to follow. “Let’s talk in my office.”
As they traversed the tables, Hiram once again saw whites and Negroes working side by side. “What does this place do?”
Mr. Gilchrest looked over his shoulder. “We are a smithy. The best in the city. That is how I met Pastor Matthew.” He chuckled. “I admit I was a little angry with our Lord for calling him to sheep and not steel.”
The office was small and the desk cluttered with papers. Mr. Gilchrest motioned Pastor Matthew and Hiram to sit in the chairs in front of his desk. The seat was way too small, and Hiram had to wedge himself into it. Mr. Gilchrest sat behind the desk.
Pastor Matthew folded his hands in his lap. “How did Abram and family do?”
“Right fine.” Mr. Gilchrest’s grin seemed to be something that he wore often. “The little ones were a little afraid, but they did what they were supposed to. William Still set them up in a small house, and Abram is already looking for work.”
Hiram swallowed. “I thank you for this.”
Carlton waved a hand. “Don’t thank me. It is the least I can do.”
“You know you don’t have to repay anyone,” Pastor Matthew said. “You had nothing to do with the slaves your father kept.”
“I need to do all I can to undo what he has done.” Mr. Gilchrest eyed Hiram. “You didn’t happen to come from South Carolina, did you?”
“No, sir.”
“One day I am going to help a slave from my father’s plantation get free. Then I will have done half enough.” Mr. Gilchrest picked up a piece of paper. “I’ve booked you passage on the Mary Ellis. We will sail together as slave and owner next week.”
Hiram’s eyes widened. “Sail?”
“Yes, right from this port. It is faster and safer once you get on board. Slave catchers normally stay on the dock to look for their quarry. Not always, but most of the time.”
“But what if one does follow us?”
“Then I will insist that our dispute of ownership be delayed until we reach land. Once we dock, I will distract the catcher for you to escape.” He leaned forward. “All you have to do is set your feet on dry land, and you will be free. No one can take you back then.”
Hiram thought of it. Feet touching freedom. He grinned. The grin stayed on his face for the rest of the time they worked through the plans of the escape. They had given him a different name and left his description off the purchase deed, afraid that it would draw attention.
“You need to be at the docks an hour after sunset. I booked passage on the latest ship I could so we could go in the middle of the night,” Mr. Gilchrest said.
“I will make sure he is here on time,” Pastor Matthew said.
“I know you will.” Mr. Gilchrest tipped his head. “In the meantime, I sure could use a man like you here at the ironworks. The pay is fair, and I will pay you daily.”
Hiram grinned. He already knew what he would do with his earnings. “I would like that very much.”
Winnie arrived at the meeting place before Hiram and Pastor Matthew. She stood near a shop, thinking of Hiram with a heavy heart. She was happy that he would be moving on to freedom. He had suffered more than most who had come through the Star of Bethlehem station. Still, there was gentleness and tenderness in his heart. He would go, and life would be emptier.
As she waited, two young men passed her, deep in conversation, heads almost pressed together. They passed her, then stopped abruptly and came back.
“You from Madison House?”
Winnie shot a glance down the street. She exhaled in relief when she saw Hiram approaching with Pastor Matthew trailing well behind him.
“I am.”
The man leaned closer, and she stepped back. Suddenly, Hiram was at her side.
“Winnie?” he asked but did not look at her. Winnie wedged herself between Hiram’s shoulder and the building behind her. Safe and secure.
The man held up his hands. “I don’t want no trouble. I wanted her to pass a message fer me.”
“What message?” Hiram asked.
The man lowered his voice. “Tell Goldie we have thirty armed men. All we need is for him to send the word.”
“Thirty men for what?” Winnie asked.
The man smiled, a cold smile that made Winnie hug herself. “To convince our massas to let us go, or die.”
The men rushed off before Winnie could ask any other questions. She looked up at Hiram, who watched the men leave with a frown. “I knew those men were up to something.”
Pastor Matthew joined them. “Who was that?”
“Men wanting me to tell Goldie that they were willing to join in his uprising against the plantation owners.”
“Lord, have mercy.” Pastor Matthew grabbed Winnie’s hand. “We need to get back and find Goldie.”
Hiram carried Winnie’s packages, and they covered the distance between Baltimore and East Towson faster than they had come. The sun hung low, bright orange, seeming to urge them on with its setting. Most families had settled for the night by the time they reached the boardinghouses. All three o
f them searched, but Goldie, Herbert, and Thomas were not in East Towson. Winnie retrieved her packages from Hiram and stowed them in her room. Mrs. Madison would have to wait until the morning for her goods. Unless the riot was to happen tonight. Winnie shuddered at the thought.
Chapter 7
Hiram barely slept the day after their trip to Baltimore. The possibility of a riot overshadowed his excitement over his departure. He had fallen into bed exhausted. The idea that Goldie was somewhere planning something that could possibly harm everyone in East Towson, however, wouldn’t leave his mind. More haunting was the fact that he understood Goldie. Many a day he had considered taking the whip from Mr. Toley’s hand and reversing the scene. He could have, easily. He was bigger and stronger than his owner.
But he wouldn’t have been taking on just his owner. When word got out that Hiram had whipped his master, a posse would hunt him down and have him swinging from a tree. And that was what would happen here at East Towson. The posse would come in, and they would not care who started the riot. All of the slaves would be guilty, and all would share in the punishment. Hiram recognized how dangerous it could be for him. He would be sent back to Virginia and the wrath of Mr. Toley.
Over the next few days, Hiram saw the three men arrive back in East Towson in the evenings after working the fields. They went straight to their quarters. Hiram prayed and prayed that they had lost interest in the uprising.
In that time, his worry decreased. He started helping out at the ironworks in the evening. The darkness provided a good cover for the hour walk from East Towson to Baltimore. The work, hard but not like working a field, distracted him and helped him pass the remaining days.
Tonight, the work had ended early, and he arrived back at East Towson at the same time as Winnie. She was coming into the clearing from the opposite direction, her steps dragging enough to create a cloud of dust around her. But when she saw him, she gave him the broadest smile. His heart hammered, and he smiled back.
The Underground Railroad Brides Collection: 9 Couples Navigate the Road to Freedom Before the Civil War Page 38