by Irene Brand
“I pledge allegiance to my Flag, and to the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”
After explaining that allegiance meant loyalty to, or support for a person, cause or group, and that indivisible meant impossible to be divided by a given number, she asked the students to write the pledge in their notebooks. Their first assignment was to memorize the words, which they would say each morning when class started.
“Being loyal to our country is one of the most important things we can do as citizens,” Marie explained, “and I hope that you will not only memorize these words as a way of opening each day’s session, but that you will also consider them a promise to your country. I’ll keep the words on the blackboard until you’ve memorized them. Now I’d like to tell you how this pledge became popular.”
One of the boys raised his hand, and although Marie wanted the students to feel free to ask questions, she thought of all the activities she’d planned for the day. Which was the most important? To get to know her students by having them share their thoughts, or follow a plan that might not suit them at all?
Since she hadn’t yet associated her students’ names with faces, and not knowing all of the children’s names yet, she nodded for the boy to continue.
“We’ve got some men in the Cove who’re loyal to their country. Do you know Daniel Watson?”
“Yes,” Marie answered, wondering where this was leading. “I live with his grandmother.”
“Well, he went off to fight the Spanish when they tried to take over Cuba.”
Another hand shot up. “There’s a man who lives in the mountains near the Cherokee reservation who fought in that same war. His name is Earl something or other.”
Smiling, Marie said, “Yes, I know. He’s my twin brother—Earl Bolden.”
The surprise on the boys’ faces was amusing, and Marie sensed that her popularity had shot up a notch or two. It was no small achievement, in their eyes, to have a brother who’d actually fought in a war.
One of the older boys said, “Maybe he’d come and talk to us someday about the fighting. Most of our teachers have special people visit sometimes.”
“When I see him, I’ll ask him to speak to us. As a matter of fact, I haven’t seen him much for the past few years, so I’d also like to hear him talk about his experiences. Now, let me tell you about the Pledge of Allegiance and why I want you to learn, not only the words, but why it’s important. I’ve written the words on the blackboard. Please copy them in your notebook.”
Dutifully, the children copied the words, and when they’d finished, Marie explained, “Pledging loyalty to someone means promising to follow them—that sort of thing. There are many pledges people take throughout their lives, such as when a couple marries, when a man enters the armed forces of the United States or when a religious vow is taken.”
Following the advice she had received from Daniel and Lena, the first day of school was dismissed at noon, and she had the afternoon to get a roll book completed. She had twenty-one students from the ages of five to eighteen, and she tried to determine how to teach diverse subjects to so many students. Lena had suggested that it was appropriate to ask some of the older students to help with the younger children, but Marie decided to try and keep the students busy enough that they wouldn’t have time to help others.
Marie soon learned that the education of her oldest student wouldn’t be easy. Although the girl was eighteen years old, she wasn’t much more than on a fourth or fifth grade level. She faced another problem when she’d realized she had four children in the fifth grade, and there weren’t enough books for each child to have a copy of his own.
The youngest child was Sam Hofsinger, the five-year-old boy whom she and Lena had visited in Chestnut Flats before the school year started. His heavily lashed gray eyes sparkled with pleasure that he was in school. Considering the distribution of books and the difficulty of learning the names of the students, Marie considered that the first week bordered on chaos.
After crying herself to sleep each night for the rest of the week, and doubting that she would ever be a competent teacher, she sent a call for help to her parents.
Though she already felt like a total failure by the end of her first week, Marie looked forward to Sunday so she could attend worship at the nearby church. Since there were several churches in the Cove, Marie had assumed that none of the churches would have a large attendance, thus she was pleasantly surprised when she and Lena arrived to find the churchyard full of buggies and saddled horses, as well as two horseless carriages.
The pastor’s message, based on a Scripture passage from the book of Ecclesiastes, seemed to have been prepared especially for her.
The opening responsive reading included words written by King Solomon. Marie considered the words prayerfully. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” She could almost hear her mother saying amen.
The text of the pastor’s sermon seemed to have been chosen especially for Marie’s needs: Hebrews 11:8-9. “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and make is God.”
As she had done often in the past few weeks, she compared her own life to the tenets of this verse.
* * *
Ten days after receiving Marie’s letter, Vance and Evelyn arrived in Canaan with several boxes of books and more pencils and notepaper, which caused her to smile. No doubt her mother had bought the supplies when the school year had started and had them available if Marie needed them.
When she saw the abundant supply of books, Marie threw her arms around her mother, and her eyes filled with tears. “I’ve always thought you were a miracle worker, and now I know it. Where on earth did you find so many books in such a short time? I figured you would have to order my supplies from Raleigh or Columbia.”
Evelyn drew Marie into a warm, comforting embrace, and laughing in her easy, confident manner, she said, “I canvassed every home in Canaan, begging for these books. Some of the owners want their books returned, and I’ve sent an order to Columbia to replace them.”
Giving her mother another hug and a kiss on the cheek, Marie said, “Oh, Mama, you’re the best mother any girl could have. I love you!”
Smiling, Evelyn said, “I suspected that you did, but it’s always good to hear you say so.”
Since there wasn’t a reputable hotel in the Cove, Lena had insisted that Marie’s parents should stay at her house. Marie gladly gave up her bed to her parents and slept on the davenport.
“So,” Evelyn said, the next morning, “What do you think of your soon-to-be sister-in-law?”
“She’s a beautiful young woman, well mannered and very much in love with Earl. I could readily see why he fell in love with her.” Lifting her eyebrows and lowering her voice, she said, “More important, what does Papa think about the marriage?”
“As you might imagine, he threw a fit to find that we were to have a Cherokee Indian for a daughter-in-law, but he’s finally accepted the fact that Earl is a man now and can make his own decisions. Indeed, your father has mellowed considerably in the past years, and he’s overcome most of his prejudices, but I don’t believe he’ll ever come to terms with the Confederate defeat, which was so devastating to his family.”
“I realize that the War Between the States changed his life completely,” Marie said, “but I find it difficult to see why it should have an impact on the way we live now, but it does. Even here in the western part of the state, which suffered very little destruction, there are still some people who’ve never ‘surrendered,’ if you know what I mean.”
Evelyn nodded, and explained, “It wasn’t so much the war itself, but the aftermath when certain political leaders in the North decided that the Southerners should be punished because they started the war, that caused the most ill will between the two sections. As an outsider, it’s my opinion that the cause of the war wasn’t one-sided, but those Reconstruction years were worse for the Confederates than the war itself. The Yankees were determined to punish the Southerners for starting the war, and the anger is still evident in many areas. I pray daily that something will occur to bring the two sections together again.”
“Didn’t that happen to some extent during the recent war, when soldiers from the North and the South invaded Cuba to drive out the Spanish?”
“Indeed it did.” Laughing, Evelyn said, “Only recently, I read a newspaper article, recounting the incident of one former Rebel soldier who was fighting his way up San Juan Hill in Cuba. He turned to a comrade by his side, belted out a Rebel yell and said, ‘Come on, boys. We’ve got them Yankees on the run.’”
Chuckling, Marie said, “That was probably Earl or Daniel Watson. They both fought in the Spanish-American War, as it’s being called now.”
Favoring Marie with a piercing glance, Evelyn said, “Perhaps I shouldn’t even mention this, but every time you mention Daniel’s name, your eyes brighten and a smile hovers on your lips. I sense that you’re becoming fond of each other. Do you mind if I ask the nature of your relationship? Are you friends? Mere acquaintances? Or...?”
Shaking her head, Marie said, “I don’t know! Don’t apologize for asking me. I’ve wanted to talk to you about my attraction to Daniel, for it seems he’s interested in me, too, but he doesn’t share his grandmother’s spiritual beliefs. Regardless of what my heart tells me, I don’t intend to get involved with any man who doesn’t share my Christian faith.”
“It humbles me to know that I’ve been helpful in guiding you. Just keep focusing on what you believe the heavenly Father wants in your life, and you’ll have the strength and wisdom to make the right decisions.”
Chapter 5
Marie had been warned by both her mother and Lena that she must be careful not to have any favorites among her students, and she was determined that she wouldn’t. However, as she settled into the first few weeks of teaching, Marie felt more and more drawn to Sallie Andrews, a ten-year-old girl who lived in Chestnut Flats. Although the child wore ragged garments, they were always clean, and of all the students, she seemed eager, almost desperate, to excel in any assignment Marie gave her. Marie soon learned it wasn’t easy not to have favorites.
When Marie asked Lena if it would be appropriate for her to buy garments for the girl, Lena answered with a definite, “No! That would be considered playing favorites among your students. And so many children in Chestnut Flats need clothing.”
Marie shook her head. “Not playing favorites is easier said than done, isn’t it?”
With a militant gleam in her eyes, Lena said, “But there’s nothing that says I can’t take some clothes to her. What size do you think she wears?”
“You’re asking a poor source for information,” Marie said with a grin. “There haven’t been any children in our family since Earl and I were born. But Sallie’s head comes about to my waist, if that will give you an idea.”
Lena was already searching through the shelves in her bedroom where she had enough fabric to provision a small store. “What colors do you think she would like?”
“She has dark blue eyes and black hair. I think she would look good in any of your fabrics.”
“Both her parents are drunkards, so the child must have a horrible home life. I’ve given them clothes before, but they might resent a stranger ‘messin’ in’ their business. It would definitely be better for you if the clothes came from me.”
“That’s fine.” Marie gave Lena a tight hug. “God was certainly good to me when He directed me to your home. Already in the short time I’ve been here, you’ve kept me from making several mistakes. The next time I write to Mother, I’ll ask her to order some fabric to replace what you’re using.”
“Aw, there’s no need to do that,” Lena objected.
“I know there isn’t,” Marie said. Grinning, she added, “We Boldens are proud people, and we like to pay our way. Will you take the clothes to Sallie? Or may I?”
“Both of us will go,” Lena said.
But when Daniel learned of their plans, he said, “As I told you before, neither one of you has any business going to Chestnut Flats. Several new people have moved in recently, and I don’t trust them. I’ll take the clothes.”
Frowning at her grandson, Lena said, “And I suppose you’ll be comfortable taking petticoats, nightgowns, underwear and the like to Leroy Andrews’s little girl. He’s got a suspicious mind, and he’s liable to shoot you.”
“Goodness!” Marie muttered. “I don’t want to cause any trouble for Sallie—or for anyone else. I just want to help.”
“And you can help, if we go about it the right way. But we have to think through this carefully. How about if you and Granny take the presents to Sallie? You can go in the buggy, and I’ll ride along as your escort.” Looking pointedly at Marie, he said to his grandmother, “If someone should insult her, we could get involved in a terrible ruckus.”
“Oh, just forget it,” Marie said wearily. “I don’t want to start another Civil War.”
“As long as I’m with you,” Daniel asserted, “there won’t be any trouble.”
* * *
A few days later when Lena had finished making two dresses, a coat and several changes of underclothes for Sallie, Daniel came prepared to escort them to Chestnut Flats. Riding a magnificent chestnut horse, he was dressed in black garments, and he had two pistols strapped around his waist.
As she climbed into the buggy seat beside Lena, Marie gasped when she saw the weapons.
“Don’t be alarmed,” Daniel said, “This is just a warning. I’m not intending to shoot anyone, but the hoodlums in the Flats know that I could and would.”
Speaking to Lena, he said, “I’m still not sure you two women should go to Chestnut Flats today. There’s trouble brewing.”
Turning a sharp glance in his direction, Lena said, “You can always find trouble there. What now?”
“Sallie’s mother was killed in a drunken row last night.”
Marie moaned and felt so light-headed that she feared she might fall out of the buggy. Daniel must have thought so, too, for he swung out of the saddle and was by her side immediately.
“Put your head down on your knees,” he advised.
Shaking her head, Marie said, “I’m all right, but that poor child! Her life is bad enough already. What will happen to her?”
Lena said, “Let’s go see what we can do. Daniel, it’s a good thing you’re going with us.”
By the time they reached the small settlement, Marie had recovered her equilibrium, but she remained silent. She’d never been involved in such a tragedy before, so she felt it would be best for everyone if she remained silent. A large crowd had gathered around the log-cabin home, and Marie stayed in the buggy and held the horse’s reins while the crowd made way for Lena to go inside.
Daniel dismounted, tied his horse to a nearby hitching post, stood beside the buggy and kept a continual eye on the people who whispered to one another as they waited for news of the killing. In a short time, Lena came out of the cabin, holding Sallie’s hand.
Marie had been fond of Sallie from the first day she’d entered the schoolroom. Her work had been inferior compared to that of the other children of her age, but so eager was she to learn, she advanced rapidly. She was a pleasure to teach. She apparently had very little clothing, as she wore the same garments every day. Marie wondered what effect this tragedy would have on Sallie’s life. Would it be better or wors
e in the future?
Sallie leaned against Marie when she got into the buggy, and Marie pulled her into a close embrace, feeling inadequate to know what to do. She didn’t know what to say, either, so she remained silent, fearing she would say the wrong thing. Lena set a good example by talking calmly about the flowers along the roadway, the pleasant air and what she intended to prepare for supper.
When they arrived at Lena’s home, Lena took Sallie into her bedroom and waited until the child went to sleep. In the meantime, Marie washed the dishes they hadn’t had time to wash before they went to the Flats.
Marie poured water from the teakettle and stirred in some liquid soap that Lena had made. As she washed the dishes, her mind kept wandering to what a traumatic situation it was for Sallie to experience. As she’d grown into her teens, Marie had started to notice how her parents loved and cared for her and Earl and compared it to many other children of their age. Not that she and her brother weren’t disciplined, but she knew instinctively that her life was easier than that of many of her schoolmates.
When the child went to sleep, Lena came downstairs and Marie poured a cup of coffee for her. Marie sat beside Lena at the table, but she didn’t ask any questions at first. When Lena seemed more relaxed, Marie said, “What’s going to happen to the child now?”
“I’ll keep her with me for the time being. Her maternal grandparents live in a small town south of Canaan, and I’m sure they’ll give her a home. I don’t know them too well, but well enough to believe that they’ll be good to Sallie. In the meantime, I’ll keep her with me. I’m going upstairs now and be sure I’m there when she awakens.”
In a short time, Lena returned, holding Sallie’s hand. Her eyes were still red and swollen from crying and the nap she’d taken, but she nestled on Lena’s lap and grabbed the jelly sandwich that Marie gave her. The way the child gobbled the sandwich was indicative of the home life the child had lived. When she went to sleep again, Lena laid her on the couch in the living room, and she and Marie sat nearby, with Lena holding the child’s hand.