First Dawn

by Judith Miller

  “What’s that you’re carryin’ off?” Herman Kemble called out.

  “These here is supplies I bought with money I earned workin’ in Ellis. I had to wait ’til the train arrived with supplies for the general store. Ain’t none of you got cause to think I’m shortchangin’ you. There’s a list I had the storekeeper write out that shows what I bought and the cost. You’ll find every penny you gave me’s accounted for.” He angrily strode away from the group.

  CHAPTER

  8

  Georgetown, Kentucky • September 1877

  Samuel Boyle lifted a medical book from one of the glass-fronted bookcases in his office and began flipping through the pages. Surely he could find something between the covers of one of these tomes to help him diagnose Mr. Stavely’s illness.

  “No patients to see?”

  Samuel looked up from his reading. “Carlisle!” He dropped the book onto his desktop and jumped to his feet. “What an unexpected surprise! When did you arrive?” He pulled his son into a warm embrace.

  “Only minutes ago. I thought you’d be here at your office, so I decided to stop before going to the house.”

  Samuel held his eldest child at arm’s length and surveyed his lanky frame. “You appear to have lost some weight. And I believe you’re at least an inch taller.”

  Carlisle laughed at his father’s assessment. “You’re correct that I’ve grown taller, but I’ve not lost any weight. They feed us well enough— not nearly as good as the meals Cook serves, but filling enough.”

  Samuel fondly patted his son’s shoulder. “Sit down, sit down,” he said, pointing to a chair. “So tell me what brings you home from seminary without so much as a letter telling us to expect you? Some problem with your studies?”

  “No. Quite the contrary. My grades are excellent, and I’ll soon complete my courses. This matter is a bit more serious, and I thought it best to sit down and talk with you and Mother rather than merely send a letter.”

  Samuel grasped the leather arms of his chair for leverage as he rose to his feet. “Then we best be on our way home, for if we remain here, I’ll badger you until you’ve divulged your news. Besides, I’m weary of poring over these medical books.”

  Samuel walked alongside Carlisle, tucking his reading glasses into his jacket pocket. Once they were seated in the buggy, Samuel handed the reins to Carlisle. It was good to have his son sitting beside him. Yet, try as he did, Samuel could not imagine the cause for Carlisle’s return. Surely he wasn’t planning to embark upon some madcap plan for his future. Carlisle had always been the sensible child, the one most like himself—at least that’s what Samuel had always thought.

  Of course, how could he condemn his son for choosing a diverse path when he, a staunch opponent of slavery, had married a southern woman and settled in a state that had embraced slavery as a civilized way of life? He shook his head at the thought of the foolishness of his youthful decision. But he had been deeply in love with Margaret—still was for that matter—and he’d told himself he could make a difference if he lived in the South. Of course that hadn’t proved out. Oh, he’d been able to covertly lend medical care to a number of slaves, but not enough to make any great difference. In the process, he’d managed to anger and alienate most of the prestigious southern gentry while causing his wife a good deal of embarrassment. And now he was making plans to move the family to Kansas. Likely nothing Carlisle had to tell them would compare to that piece of news. Otherwise, Margaret would dissolve into a fit of apoplexy and take to her bed.

  Samuel gave his son an encouraging nudge on the shoulder as they stepped out of the carriage and walked up the front steps of the house. Though the cause of his son’s return remained a mystery, Samuel knew Carlisle would need his support.

  “Margaret! Come see who sauntered into my office only minutes ago,” Samuel called.

  The two men grinned at each other when they heard Margaret’s footsteps click across the wooden floor in the hallway.

  “No need to shout as if—” She stopped in midstep and clutched one hand to the bodice of her dress. “Carlisle! Do my eyes deceive me?”

  He leaned down into her open arms. “Not at all, Mother.”

  When Margaret finally loosened her embrace and moved back a step, Samuel could see her eyes were brimming with tears.

  “Look how much taller you are—but it appears you’ve lost weight.” Her voice was filled with motherly concern.

  “Exactly what I told him only a few minutes ago. He says he’s hungry as a bear, so I trust we’ll soon be eating supper. A hearty meal will provide you with the opportunity to put some additional weight on his frame.” Samuel turned to raise a sly eyebrow at Carlisle.

  “Fortunately for you, I had planned an early supper for this evening. Macia has plans to attend a concert at the lyceum, though I hope she’ll change her plans when she sees you’ve arrived home for a visit. And Harvey cares little what time we dine.” Margaret emitted an exasperated sigh.

  Carlisle’s cheerful laugh brought a smile to Margaret’s lips. “You fret overly much, Mother. Harvey is young—he’ll mature in good time.”

  The flounce of Margaret’s skirt swayed gracefully as she paced back and forth in front of the fireplace. “I fear your father doesn’t think Harvey will ever become a man.” She turned and directed an accusatory gaze at her husband.

  Samuel unbuttoned his jacket and sat down on the divan. “Carlisle is merely being kind. We all know Harvey is going to require an additional push if he’s ever going to grow up and become a responsible adult. The difference is that I’m willing to both state the truth and seek a solution. And please do sit down, my dear. All that pacing is making me weary.”

  Carlisle looked from one parent to the other. “It appears some things haven’t changed around here—at least where Harvey is concerned.”

  “Enough about Harvey!” Margaret declared. “I want to know why I didn’t have a letter advising me you were coming home for a visit. Something is amiss, isn’t it?”

  “You and Father always assume the worst. I have a short break before my classes resume and thought it a good time to make the journey home. I’m not ill, and I’ve not been booted out of school. I thought you’d be pleased to see me.”

  “Of course I’m pleased. I’m more delighted than words permit. But it’s just so . . . so . . .”

  “Unexpected?” Samuel completed his wife’s statement.

  “Well, yes—and unlike you. You’ve never been one to throw caution to the wind,” she added. “At least not until you decided to attend school in Maine!”

  “I suppose I have been the least impulsive of your children. But I don’t believe I’d characterize my decision to attend school in Bangor as throwing caution to the wind.” Carlisle’s tone had grown defensive, and Margaret settled back into her chair.

  “ ’Tis true you’ve never been so foolhardy as Harvey,” she stated.

  “Did I hear my name?”

  Margaret shuddered at the crash of the front door as it closed. “How many times must I ask you—”

  “Not to slam the door?” Harvey asked with a boisterous laugh. “I truly don’t know, Mother. I believe I lost count after a thousand. And look who’s here! Nobody bothered to tell me you were coming for a visit, Carlisle. It’s good to see you.”

  There was an edge to Harvey’s voice that Samuel didn’t fail to notice. “Carlisle’s visit was totally unexpected. None of us knew he was arriving.”

  Harvey dropped onto the divan beside his father. “So what brings you home, dear brother?”

  “The remembrance of an excellent meal and the desire to spend time with my family.”

  Harvey gave his brother a sly grin. “You’ve never returned home unannounced before.”

  The statement hung in the air, begging a response. When Carlisle said nothing, Samuel glanced at his wife. “Where’s Macia?”

  Harvey leaned forward and rested his forearms across his thighs. “You can be certain she’s not
in the kitchen learning how to prepare supper, though it seems she should begin spending some time with Cook if she’s going to adapt to life on the frontier. Don’t you think?”

  Carlisle raised his eyebrows and gave Harvey his full attention. “Life on the frontier? Whatever are you talking about, Harvey?”

  “You mean Father hasn’t told you of his latest idea?”

  Margaret wagged her right index finger back and forth. “Your father’s decision isn’t firm yet, is it, dear?”

  “Barring unforeseen circumstances, I would say I’ve made a final determination. I’ve signed papers to purchase the land, and I’m meeting with Mr. Hill tomorrow,” Samuel replied before glancing at his older son.

  Carlisle looked concerned. “I wish you had told me.”

  Samuel understood. Obviously Carlisle feared his mysterious news was going to cause his mother some sort of distress. Having her upset before he delivered his news would make the announcement all the more difficult. Samuel shrugged and gave the boy a sympathetic look. There was little else he could do except hope that Margaret would maintain a sense of decorum when Carlisle finally took them into his confidence.

  “Ah, here’s Macia now,” Samuel said. “Macia, come and see who’s here.”

  Macia hurried into the parlor, holding the train of her candy-striped frock in one hand while patting her perfectly coifed blond curls into place with the other. There was no denying Macia’s beauty. In fact, she looked as though she’d stepped directly from the pages of The Ladies’ Treasury. Her gaze settled upon Carlisle, and a smile immediately illuminated her features.

  “Why didn’t anyone tell me Carlisle was coming home?” Her simpering voice sounded like a spoiled child’s rather than a young woman anticipating marriage.

  Margaret patted her daughter’s arm. “None of us knew, my dear.”

  “I smell something wonderful cooking,” Samuel said before Macia could ask any further questions. He hoped to complete the evening meal before Carlisle divulged his news. Otherwise, they might never reach the dining table, and his stomach was growling for food. “Margaret, would you see if Cook is ready to put supper on the table?”

  Moments later, at his wife’s signal, Samuel jumped to his feet and began motioning his family toward the dining room. He herded his family through the doorway and began saying grace before Harvey had even seated himself. The moment the prayer ended, Samuel grasped the platter of roasted beef and browned potatoes, helping himself to a healthy portion of each.

  Harvey reached for a biscuit. “Let me tell you about Father’s plans for the rest of us, Carlisle. I’m certain you’ll find them most interesting.”

  Samuel frowned at Harvey and quickly shook his head. “No need to go into detail while we’re eating. You’ve already said enough.”

  “Right! Wouldn’t want to upset our digestion. No need to worry, Father. Your decision isn’t going to upset Carlisle, and the rest of us have already expressed our distress over the whole thing,” Harvey said before addressing Carlisle. “You see, dear brother, our father believes I should embrace farming as my life’s calling. Do you not find his notion bewildering?”

  Carlisle shifted in his chair and glanced around the table. “I’m not certain it matters what I think, but I will say this much: you should keep an open mind. Great opportunities can present themselves in places where we least expect to find them.”

  “I’m not interested in hearing such banality, Carlisle. I had hoped you would be man enough to inject a modicum of sanity into this discussion. But I should have realized you’d take the path of least resistance and say whatever Father wants to hear.” Harvey thrust the serving fork onto the platter of beef with a force that cracked the serving plate and sent small shards of china flying into the air.

  “Harvey! What’s gotten into you? Your behavior is insufferable! You will clean up the mess that you’ve created and then return to the table.” Samuel struggled to keep his temper in check.

  Macia glanced down at her brother, who was crawling on the floor hunting for the remains of the broken platter, and then turned her attention toward Carlisle. “Do tell me how things are progressing with your studies, Carlisle. Are you still enjoying Maine? I would think you’d dislike being so far from home—and all those months of cold weather must be horrid,” she ventured.

  “I don’t mind the climate, and I do believe you’d love the huge snowfalls. To tell you the truth, it’s great fun bundling up in blankets and going on sleigh rides. Of course, I still miss the family,” he hastened to add.

  “You are returning to Georgetown when you complete seminary, aren’t you? I wouldn’t think you’d want to remain up north. Do tell me you’ll be coming back home,” Macia persisted.

  Carlisle gave his father a sidelong glance. “I plan to settle where I’m most needed.”

  Harvey got up from the floor and carefully placed the broken pieces of china on the sideboard before once again taking a seat beside his brother. “That remark tells me you’re returning to Georgetown, because we all know this place needs all the help it can get.”

  “Harvey! You stop those boorish remarks right now,” his mother commanded.

  “I’m only speaking the truth, Mother. Don’t you think Georgetown could use help from one of God’s anointed?”

  “Well, I think you should come back to Georgetown,” Margaret said to Carlisle. “Perhaps then your father would rethink his decision to move west.”

  Samuel spread a dollop of rhubarb jam on his biscuit. “I believe I’ve already said that the decision has been made, my dear.”

  “Not so far as I’m concerned,” Harvey rebutted. “I’ll not be a part of moving out to the frontier, nor will I take up farming as my occupation.”

  Samuel wiped his mouth with the linen napkin before placing it on the table alongside his plate. “Then you may want to think about how you’ll support yourself here in Georgetown once the family is gone, Harvey, for I’ll not be supplying you with any funds. You’ll need to find some way to earn a living, since you’ve obviously become accustomed to living indoors and eating three meals each day.”

  Without awaiting a reply from Harvey, Samuel shifted his weight and sat up a little straighter. “Now, Carlisle, do tell us about your studies.”

  Samuel’s intent had been clear, for Carlisle didn’t hesitate to monopolize the conversation from that point forward. He regaled them with details about the theological material he’d been studying, and then he told them of the weather, his new instructors, and the friends he’d made at the nearby church, as well as his classmates’ many comical antics. Surprisingly, they finished the meal on a harmonious note, and for that Samuel was thankful.

  Margaret appeared relaxed as she placed her napkin on the table. “Would you prefer to have coffee in the parlor, Samuel?”

  “That would be most enjoyable.”

  Macia grasped Carlisle’s arm. “I hope you’ll excuse me. Jackson will be calling for me shortly. Had I known you’d be visiting, I would have planned to remain home.”

  He arched his eyebrows. “Jackson Kincaid?”

  She smiled and nodded before hurrying from the room.

  Carlisle joined his parents as they settled in the parlor. “How long have Macia and Jackson been seeing each other, Mother?”

  She pursed her lips. “Several months now, isn’t it, dear?”

  “Too long, as far as I’m concerned,” Samuel said. “I don’t like those Kincaids.”

  Harvey laughed as he dropped onto the settee beside his brother. “Seems as though Father doesn’t like anyone who hails from the South anymore—with the exception of Mother, of course.”

  “I don’t think that’s quite true, Harvey,” Carlisle said. “Besides, I concur with Father. Unless Jackson has gone through a dramatic change in his life, he’s a poor choice for Macia.”

  Samuel crossed his legs and rested his cup and saucer on one knee. “Too much like his father. Booth Kincaid doesn’t know how to treat others with
respect, and neither does his son. Little doubt in my mind that Booth married a woman of means so he’d never have to earn a living using his own abilities—he’d starve to death!”

  When a knock sounded, Harvey trudged off toward the front door with no more than a grunt.

  “There are times when I believe Harvey’s lack of respect nearly matches that of the Kincaids,” Samuel said, feeling an overwhelming sadness as he uttered the words. “I truly believe moving west will be the remedy to his reluctance to take responsibility for his future.”

  “Did you listen to his statement at supper, Samuel? He said he will not go. I believe he means it,” Margaret whispered to her husband.

  “And you heard my response. I will not continue to support his indolent habits.”

  Jackson Kincaid strutted into the room with his usual pomposity. Samuel stared at the young man, wondering how his daughter could possibly be interested in a man such as him. There was no substance to him. Yet, just like his father, Jackson carried himself through life with a cavalier attitude that never failed to set Samuel on edge.

  “Well, look who’s here!” Jackson exclaimed. “I’m surprised Macia didn’t tell me you were coming home for a visit. Mother was asking about you not long ago, Carlisle. And what’s this I hear about moving west to become a farmer, Dr. Boyle?”

  Macia slipped into the room and immediately linked arms with Jackson. “I’m hoping we can come home early and spend some time visiting with Carlisle after leaving the lyceum,” she said, giving Jackson a doe-eyed look and fluttering her eyelashes.

  Samuel ignored Macia’s comment and her behavior. “Personally, I plan to continue my medical practice. However, our family may take up farming.”

  “If it’s farming that interests you, there’s land to be purchased without leaving civilization,” Jackson said.

  Samuel gave him a crooked smile. “Civilization is one of those words that can be interpreted in many different ways. I don’t consider holding folks in bondage by paying them minuscule wages for sharecropping to be civilized behavior. Of course, there are folks like you and your father who find the practice perfectly acceptable—even civilized.”