“Collina, did you notice? I had Robert take down that yellow flag. If the McConnells can lick the smallpox, they can lick anything.”
“Pa’s dead.”
“I… know. There wasn’t much hope,” Doc said.
She blinked back her tears. Franklin’s face was a mass of pain. He glanced away but not before she saw the pity in his eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She glanced down at her hands. “I guess it was best this way… Pa’s—”
“Collina,” Doc gently shook her. “Franklin is offering his services until he receives his orders. He’s willing to work for a bed and his meals. That is, until Roosevelt sends for him. But that could be six months down the road.”
She felt the knot in her throat growing. She dared not speak. She nodded and fished in the large pockets of her riding shirt for that hankie, but all she could find were a few bits of grain. She stared down at them. They’re all dried up… no use to anyone.
“Here,” Franklin held out his linen. Her fingers again felt the warmth of his.
“I’ll tell you, Franklin,” Doc said. “You won’t find a better family to stay with, never a harder working, long suffering...” Doc paused, clearing his throat. “Here, let me have that dang hankie.
Coming early 2018 from CrossRiver Media
Author’s Note
N o Irish need apply.”
Ireland’s great potato famine caused a massive wave of Irish emigration to America during 1845 into the 1850s. They were seeking freedom from British tyranny. Most refugees arrived destitute, almost 650,000 in New York alone. They took whatever unskilled jobs they could find. Their lives were so harsh in America that their mortality rates remained high. Sixty per cent of children born to Irish immigrants in Boston died before the age of six, and adults died in an average of six years after entry into the States.
The Irish immigrants served bravely in the Civil War and in both armies. Still, they were repeatedly targets for public and military discrimination. However, they refused to give up. Persevering through unimaginable barriers due to their nationality and poverty, they doggedly pursued their belief in America and faith in Jesus Christ and overcame.
Their heroic Civil War exploits could not be ignored. On July 2, 1888, a monument standing 19’6” was dedicated to the Irish Brigade and gently graces a hill at Gettysburg. It is a Celtic cross supported by a granite base. On the front of the cross are the numbers of the three New York regiments and a harp flanked by eagles. At the foot of the cross is an Irish wolfhound, a symbol of honor and fidelity. It is a fitting symbol of the Irish people’s love for their new country and honors well the words of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
Young Irishman Ben McConnell’s fight to rise above his “unwelcome” status provides immigrants as well as fellow Americans with a “living hope” (1 Peter 1:3). In Swept into Destiny , Ben’s and Maggie’s journeys delve into the truth about faith and devotion, our individual plight, and America’s greater cause, that of “the coming of the Lord” and fighting for indivisible freedom.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where
the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17
Book Club Discussion Questions
1. Maggie and Ben come from different social classes, which meant they shouldn’t associate with each other. But Ben’s determination to rise above his circumstance causes Maggie to recall Matthew 17:20. How does she apply it to their situation? What verse would you give to someone struggling against poverty? See 1 Samuel 16:7, 2 Corinthians 8:9 for further discussion.
2. When Ben McConnell sings “Wearin’ o’ the Green” to Maggie, the stanza “For they’re hanging men and women there for Wearing of the Green” causes Maggie to clutch the cross she wears around her neck. Why do you think she did that? Could it be possible today for Christian beliefs to be prohibited and believers put to death? See Revelations 13:15; 14:12,13 for further discussion.
3. The Second Great Awakening ushered in an American revival, with tent meetings and spiritual and physical healings. Why did the preacher quote 2 Corinthians 3:17 to a Southern crowd? Do healings take place today? See 1 Corinthians 12:9; Mark 16:17,18; Galatians 5:1 for further discussion.
4. At the Christmas Ball, Maggie schemes to have Ben risk his life so her parents’ lives would be spared. This causes her to think that one conscionable act had led to this consequence. Would you sacrifice everything for your beliefs? See Ephesians 1:11, Luke 9:62, Proverbs 3:5,6 for further discussion.
5. The Abolitionists were breaking the law, punishable by death. Reynolds’ slaves were his property. According to the law, Maggie and her mother were wrong to interfere. Who do you think was right in their actions? If you ever had to choose between God’s law and man’s law which would you choose? See Acts 5:29, James 1:22 for further discussion.
6. Lincoln’s disgust over the Dred Scott decision not only brought the nation closer to Civil War, it made him determined to fight for the presidency. What else did the decision alert Lincoln to regarding the judicial system? What line does Ben repeat from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address that inspires him to believe in America’s future? Could this be applied to today? See Judges 2:16,18; Mark 3:25,26, Psalms 91:1 for further discussion.
7. The Irish immigrant saw a record number of deaths upon their arrival in America. “Irish need not apply” was a sign commonly seen throughout the country. How did the Irish respond? During the Civil War, the Irish Brigade became an honored fighting unit. What other ways did the Irish change the tide of hate and prejudice toward them? See Jeremiah 17:9,10; John 15:7-10.
8. During the Confederate surrender, Grant and Lee display their respect for each other. What terms were arranged and what biblical truth did the generals show? What Scripture applies? See John 15:12-14, John 14:13.
9. Southern money, bonds, and slaves are swept away. With their property auctioned off, all most southerners have left are the clothes on their backs. Some thought it John Brown’s curse, others believed it was punishment from God. Why do you think the South became known as the Bible belt? See Matthew 5:39,40; Luke 6:27-31 for further discussion.
10. “…with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right…” What else did Maggie quote from Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address? Ben, inspired by Lincoln’s words, uses Esther 9:2 as the foundation for life and the reason to change his estate name. How could you apply that verse to your life today? How could our nation apply that verse? See Mark 3:24-26, Esther 8:6, 9:2, and 2 Corinthians 3:17.
About the Author
Catherine Ulrich Brakefield is an ardent receiver of Christ’s rejuvenating love, as well as a hopeless romantic and patriot. She skillfully intertwines these elements into her writing as the author of The Wind of Destiny , an inspirational historical romance, and Images of America, The Lapeer Area . Her most recent history book is Images of America, Eastern Lapeer County . Catherine, former staff writer for Michigan Traveler Magazine , has freelanced for numerous publications. Her short stories have been published in Guidepost Books Extraordinary Answers to Prayers, Unexpected Answers and Desires of Your Heart ; Baker Books, Revell, The Dog Next Door ; CrossRiver Publishing, The Benefit Package . She recently spent three weeks driving across the western part of the United States, meeting her extended family of Americans. This trip inspired her inspirational historical romance, Wilted Dandelions .
Catherine enjoys horseback riding, swimming, camping, and traveling the byroads across America. She lives in Michigan with her husband, Edward, of forty years and her Arabian horses. Her children grown and married, she and Edward are the blessed recipients of two grandsons and one granddaughter.
CatherineUlrichBrakefield.com
Facebook.com/CatherineUlrichBrakefield
Twitter.com/CUBrakefield
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