Rebecca, snug on her seat under the fur and feet warm from the bricks, clapped her hands with delight at the snow-covered world surrounding her. “Oh,” she remarked softly, “I do think this is one of my most favorite times of the year. Everything is so still and so crisp and clean. Just look at those evergreen boughs. They look like they are wearing lacey sleeves and those fence-posts topped with high hats of snow. Oh, Asa dear, this is just so lovely.”
He grinned as if to say I planned it this way on purpose just for you and kept his eyes straight ahead as the mare trotted along as if she too was happy to be out and about.
Silver Lake was living up to its name when they finally slid to a halt before a small, snug-looking house fronted with a covered porch. Two rather forlorn looking rocking chairs swayed gently in the breeze that was blowing off the sparkling ice-covered body of water. The dried grasses surrounding the lake were coated with rime while the shimmering surface beckoned to potential skaters. Rebecca shivered both with delight and a soft breath of frigid air that went suddenly down her neck.
“Do you know someone here?” she asked wondering.
“Well, yes and no,” Asa said. “Do you like it?”
“Like it? I think it’s delightful. Looks like a little fairytale cottage all shiny with icicles and sunbeams… why have we stopped? I don’t see any signs that any one is at home. Who lives here, Asa?”
“We do, if you like it.”
“We do? Whatever are you saying?”
“I’m saying we should get down and go inside. I made arrangements for you to see it and we can talk about it better inside where it’s warmer. Come on, Becky!” He hurried around to her side of the sleigh and pulled the lap robe from around her in order to help her step out onto the slippery road.
Rebecca held her breath as they made their way up the path and on to the porch. Asa unlocked and opened the front door with a flourish and let her into the hallway. An open door led into a parlor where a small fire glimmered in the fireplace. She stood mesmerized for a moment enjoying the unexpected warmth on her face. A voice startled her as a man emerged from the back of the house and greeted Asa heartily. “…thought it would be more comfortable to have a bit of heat in here this morning… nippy, I’d say, don’t you think?”
Asa chuckled and hastened to introduce Rebecca to his friend. “The house is for rent Becky and I’m hoping you like it enough to say yes.”
She looked at him for a long moment not sure whether she wanted to laugh or cry, and he looked so eager for her answer that she almost did both.
“You’d better show me the rest before I say anything. But” she added, “I do like what I’ve seen so far. How thoughtful of you to have provided a fire. I don’t suppose you’ve thought of cocoa?” she ventured to say, mischievously.
“Cocoa comin’ right up,” the homeowner laughed.” Show your lady around, Asa, while I find us some cups and saucers.”
Rebecca, hardly believing what was happening, examined each room carefully and approved. She let her mind try to absorb all that she was seeing and imagine herself in charge. I have the perfect picture to hang there, she gestured at one of the walls and that coverlet I finished the other night will look just right on our bed in this room and then I will need…
“Becky,” Asa’s voice interrupted her planning and she blushed.
“Can I assume from the look on your face that you like it? We will have to get some furniture of course. Aunt Mary says we may have some of the things my grandmother left behind …”
“Oh, Asa, I love it. Are you really telling me we can live here? How soon? We haven’t even set a date for the wedding yet. Oh my goodness, what a surprise. You never said a word and here I am hardly ready… Asa…?”
The two men looked at each other with amused concern. Was she going to faint dead away from happiness or collapse into tears?
“Cocoa’s ready, Miss Kunkle,” He lead them into the kitchen where a table and four chairs sat ready. Rebecca sank down gratefully into the one Asa pulled out for her and sipped the warm drink. Sniffling a little she finally set the cup aside and smiled. “I might have known you would trick me this way. I always thought it was Thomas that had a bit of the devil in him and all the while it was you…” she laughed and Asa let our his pent-up breath and relaxed. Like she had said to him two years ago… all will work out just fine…
The mention of Thomas caused a small wave of disappointment that they were separated by so many miles after having grown up so close together crossed his mind. It would have been nice if we could have shared these years to come. But, he reminded himself, he did ask her and she said “no.” I certainly have no reason to think she would not have chosen me even if he did stay here. From the little we hear from him he is happy where he is and building the life he chose with lots of family around him. I believe we are each right where we are supposed to be.
Chapter Six
Wedding Day
Rush, Pennsylvania
February 11, 1868
Taking stock of his appearance in the hallway mirror Asa reflected on the events of the years since he’d left the army and smiled. “I can’t believe this day has finally come,” he said softly to the image that was looking back at him, the dark eyes serious but shimmering with anticipation for what lie ahead. He could hear Aunt Mary bustling about in the kitchen all the while giving orders to the boys to fetch this or carry that. “Women,” he murmured with amusement, “always on about something. One would think she’d be glad to be rid of me but I know that’s not really so. I’ve done my best to be of use to Justus and to her and they’ve been all the family I’ve had since Granny and the others left. Fortunately Orin is old enough now to be of some help to them both.
At the Kunkle house all was as ready as Sarah and her other daughters still at home could make it. Rebecca’s married sisters and their husbands were bustling around as well…everyone trying to help. Vestiges of mourning still were apparent here and there and likely always would be Rebecca thought as she gazed around the parlor but her heart was overflowing with happiness. Today was not only her wedding day which she had too often wondered whether it would ever arrive, but it was also her twenty-first birthday. How fitting she told herself that I will become not only an adult but a married woman on the same day.
Her mother called up the stairs to her. “Do you need help, dear? The pastor will be arriving soon and I’m beginning to worry that your father will forget to make sure the cider has been brought from the mill.”
Rebecca chuckled. “Poor Ma, as if the cider from the mill is the most important part of the day. I’m quite sure the pastor will be satisfied with whatever Pa has on hand to offer him.” She fussed about, rearranging her hair and the lacy collar on her dress. She had finally forgone the pale lavender she’d still been wearing since her brothers had died and chosen a soft rose for the bodice of the dress she had sewn for the occasion. Asa has always said he likes this color and urges me to wear it more often. It matches my cheeks, he says. She dimpled and blushed looking at herself in the mirror that hung over the dresser. She would be taking these pieces of furniture to their new home. The tinkling of the bell at the front door alerted her to the arrival of the traveling minister causing her to gasp and sink down onto the bed for a long moment. Little Sarah appeared in the doorway dressed in white with a huge rose-colored bow in her hair. “Ma says to come now, Becky. Everyone is here. Mr. Hickok looks ever so handsome in his dark suit and white collar. Is everyone getting all dressed up like this because of the wedding? Is that what people do when they get married? I think I would like a white dress to the floor when I get married. Didn’t you want a white dress, Becky? That’s my favorite you know, but I guess your pink is all right. You do look very nice. Getting married sure seems to be a lot of fuss though. I’m not sure why. I know you are going away to live with Mr. Hickok in that house on Silver Lake but I don’t understand why we a
re having all this to-do about it.”
“People are happy for us to be starting a life together, Sissy. By the time you get married I’m sure you will understand why it’s a good reason to have a party. For now, you just remember to hold my bouquet for me when Asa needs to put the ring on my finger. I will let you know. Weddings are very special days and when you are a little older I will explain why to you. For today it is enough for you to know that we are very happy.”
It’s time this house had some happiness in it, she added to herself. We have been too sad for too long. She gave her hair one last pat and proceeded down the stairs to Asa’s waiting arms.
***
Epilogue
Too many Billy Yanks and Johnny Rebs did not come home, but for those who had it was time “for the girls to sing and the boys to shout …and to all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.”*
These were real people who were making their way in real time. This narrative is the product of recorded facts and my imagination. I hope you have enjoyed it.
Guy Clifton Hickok, the fourth child of Asa Wallace Hickok and Rebecca Kunkle was my uncle and likely deserves a story of his own. This story, of course, does not end here. The future holds much more happiness and sorrow but that is a tale for someone else to tell.
*the lyrics of the song “When Johnny comes marching home,” are attributed to Patrick Gilmore of Boston, Massachusetts who published it under the name of Louis Lambert. It was a popular marching song adopted by both the North and the South. The origin of the tune is uncertain.
When Johnny Comes Marching Home Page 15