Journeyman

by Mark J Rose

  Nathan looked at him and Matt thought he’d say something else. He seemed to reconsider and said simply, “Welcome to Richmond. I hope your traffic brings much prosperity to our city.” He returned his attention to Will. “How does your father?”

  “Father is well, as are the others. Kathryn fills our thoughts.”

  Nathan went silent then. “Ours too,” he replied at last, then was quiet again, and Matt wondered if he had gotten this man wrong.

  “How does the trade?” Will asked.

  “Better than ever. We’ve forty new animals and three additional Negros.”

  “Excellent,” Will replied. “We have many new foals.”

  “When will your father sell me that black monster?”

  “Bring your mares over anytime,” Will replied.

  “Oh! For the price your father asks, I should have the whole horse.”

  “Your welfare weighs heavy upon Father,” Will joked. “The malice of that animal is beyond your means.”

  “Trust me, lad, we can command him,” Nathan said. “Thomas has my offer. He could expand his stock by half with the price I should pay.”

  “You must convince Father,” Will replied.

  “Ah, ’tis true,” Nathan said with resignation in his voice. “Give him my regards.” He turned to Matt. “Mr. Miller, ’twas good to make your acquaintance.” He shook both their hands and headed back to his table as the barmaid brought their meals. Each plate had a tiny chicken, roasted potatoes and carrots.

  “Who was that man?” Matt asked finally.

  “He and my father were in the horse trade long ago,” Will explained. “They went their separate ways.”

  “He seems very interested in Shadow.”

  “You know Shadow?”

  “I helped get him into the barn. He’s a beautiful horse.”

  “He has his use,” Will said, shrugging.

  “How many people are interested in Shadow?”

  “Most farms inquire,” Will replied. “Anyone who sees the foals recognizes that his is a champion bloodline. He’s one of the few means by which we can prosper.”

  “Why wouldn’t you be able to prosper without him? Your father has plenty of horses.”

  “We can only attract buyers willing to pay a premium,” Will explained. “Our labor costs are heavy.”

  “Labor costs?” Matt questioned. “I’ve only seen family working your farm.”

  “Father refuses slaves, so we can’t grow as we should,” Will said. “Next week, the hay must come in and we’ll hire townsmen.”

  “What’s the problem?”

  “Many will be new and need instruction for the simplest of tasks. Some may be looking for trouble. Either way, it’s no way to run a business.”

  “So you don’t agree with your father?” Matt asked. He focused on asking the question with no judgment in his voice. He knew they were a century away from a human rights struggle that would result in the death of over six hundred thousand Americans.

  “I know not,” Will replied, “but this is certain: we rely overly on Shadow and a few other animals. Horses like Shadow come along once in a lifetime and ’tis evident he shall soon kill himself or one of us. We must plan for the day when that horse is dead.”

  “Your father can handle him. I’d not write him off so quickly.” Matt could remember the look in Shadow’s eyes. He tried to be convincing, but he wasn’t sure.

  Ciara interrupted. “How does it, gentlemen?” she asked, looking down at their empty plates. “Something stronger in your cups?”

  “I don’t believe,” Will said. “We are to the farm this afternoon.”

  “What about you, Mr. Miller, can I get you anything…anything at all?” She purred when she talked.

  “Ciara, go away,” Will said. “You don’t want to give Mr. Miller the wrong impression, do you?”

  She reached out and touched Matt’s chin. “No, never.”

  “Ciara, how much? Mr. Miller and I have business,” Will said impatiently.

  “Three shillings,” she replied. Matt pulled out a coin and handed it to her. She left briefly and returned with a handful of change. She gave a friendly smile to both of them and said, “Thank you, gentlemen, come back soon,” and was gone. Matt reached over and left two shillings on the table.

  Will looked down at the coins and then at Matt. “We must make our escape before she charms you, marries you, and empties your pockets,” Will said, laughing.

  As they got up, an older grey-haired man entered the room. He noticed Will and walked up, offering his hand. He faced him directly and didn’t pay any attention to Matt. “Has your father considered my offer for the twins?” he asked.

  “One hundred fifteen,” Will replied, smiling.

  The man noticed Matt and reached out his hand. “William Hancock.”

  Matt shook his hand. “Matt Miller. I’m staying at the Taylor farm.”

  “What do you think of these horses, Mr. Miller?” The question took Matt by surprise, so he took a moment to think. The man didn’t wait for his answer before asking another question. “Would a Christian family spend this exorbitant sum on such a luxury?”

  Matt answered sincerely. “I rode with these horses this morning. They were glowing,” he said. “They seem to be black sometimes, but when they capture the sunlight they shimmer deep red; it’s amazing. Besides, they are from strong and healthy stock. No man would regret owning these horses.”

  Hancock was quiet for a while, thinking. “One hundred five is my offer. ’Tis a king’s ransom.” He added, “Your father is impossible to deal with these days.”

  “I know,” Will proclaimed. “I don’t think he even wants to sell. He put them on the wagon for church today. They rode into town to visit John McKinley.”

  “John’s looking to buy horses,” Hancock said. “He’s not trying to sell them to John?”

  “Only a friendly visit,” Will replied.

  Hancock threw his hands in the air. “Fine. Tell your father I’ll pay the hundred and fifteen!” he exclaimed. “I’ll be out to pick them up tomorrow.”

  “They’re yours if they’re not already sold,” Will said. They shook hands and the man walked back to his family. He smiled the whole way back to his seat, seemingly very happy with his purchase. As Matt watched their negotiation, some subconscious signal caused him to look over at the table where Nathan Payne was sitting with the two other men. He saw Nathan was staring at Will as he finished the deal with Hancock. Nathan looked directly at Matt. Their eyes met for longer than was comfortable and then Nathan turned away with a pensive look on his face.

  “I guess we’d better hurry to the McKinleys’,” Will said. “Father won’t get one hundred fifteen from John. This much is certain.”

  Matt shrugged and said, “What else do I have to do?”

  “Let’s say good day to Nathan and his boys,” Will said. “Competition or no, no one should believe there’s a problem between us. It’s bad for business.” Will led Matt to Nathan’s table and reached his hand out. Nathan stood to shake. Matt followed, nodding goodbye. The younger son, Paul, stood up and shook his hand, saying “Good day.” The older son, Levi, took his time. He slowly extended his arm to shake Will’s hand.

  “Your hands are soft,” Levi proclaimed. “You should return to farming.”

  “You’re working hard enough for the both of us,” Will replied evenly and coldly. “But if you’re idle these next weeks, we could use help with the hay.”

  Matt saw Levi’s face redden. “I’ll leave that to whatever clowns you suffer this season,” Levi said sourly.

  Will ignored him. “This is Matthew Miller. He’s come from Philadelphia to help us this week. As you are probably aware, our farm has friends all over the colonies.”

  Matt reached out to shake hands with the younger son, and then the older. He made sure his handshake was hard and firm. Paul Payne was about Matt’s height. Levi was two inches taller. “Hope you work hard, Mr. Miller. They need a
ll the help they can get,” Levi said. “Do they pay well?”

  Matt had despised these kinds of men all his life. They were always looking for a fight. Matt thought better of it at first, but succumbed to the temptation to torment the bull—a little. “I work hard, Mr. Payne,” Matt replied. “The Taylors have an exceptional farm known all the way up in Pennsylvania. It’s the least I can do for the opportunity they give me to get away.” He paused for a moment, and just as it looked like Levi was ready to say something, began again. “As for pay,” he said, “I work for free. I already have more money than any man requires. I hope to get a few more of my associates down next year to donate their time. We could all use the fresh air.” He paused to let it sink in and then looked Levi straight in the eye and said, “Don’t you agree, my friend?”

  Matt saw the rage grow in the man’s eyes and knew that he had gone too far. “Mr. Miller,” Levi said coldly, “let there be no mistake. We are not friends.” He clenched his fists.

  “Levi!” said Nathan. “You’ll not fight in here.”

  Levi stared intensely at Matt. Matt could tell he was waiting for another word to start swinging, but he didn’t bite; he remained silent and calm. He slowly shifted his back foot for better balance. Will put his hand against Matt’s chest and looked back at Levi. “It would serve neither of us to cause a disturbance,” he said. “We can continue another time.”

  “Wager on that,” Levi replied. He had venom in his voice.

  “For now, we’ll be on our way and you can enjoy your meal,” Will replied.

  “My new friend should journey back North where he belongs,” Levi said, “while he can still walk.”

  Matt started to reply, but Will raised his hand, making him step back. “Good day, gentlemen,” he said. “We have other engagements.”

  Will let loose on Matt once they were on the street. “Are you mad?” he exclaimed. “It’s bad enough many already think we’re enemies!”

  “Acting like a lamb would only have made him madder,” Matt replied. “I’ll never see that man again.”

  “Ah! Levi is an idiot,” Will said finally. “It was my boasting about how many friends our farm has.”

  “The other son seems fine.”

  “Paul’s a gentleman. He was to be married to Kathryn.”

  “Your sister?” Matt exclaimed. “I can’t think of anything worse than your two families together.”

  “On the contrary, we were close to healing a years-old rift and becoming partners,” Will said. “Paul was devastated when Kathryn died.”

  10

  Farmhand

  “Do you go to this King’s Tavern often?” Matt asked as they drove away in the buggy.

  “Ofttimes, but I’d not have been there this day save for you,” Will replied. “The horse people eat there. It’s either competitors or patrons; I don’t know why.”

  “Are there other horse farms?”

  “Two within a day’s ride,” Will said, “though we don’t have such a singular relation with the others. Many have higher numbers and cheaper labor. We survive on quality.”

  “Because of Shadow.”

  “I’ve exaggerated our dilemma. ’Tis not only Shadow. The stock we’ve selected rivals that even of the Browne farm. Our pairings have produced animals of the finest quality.”

  “Was it true what Levi said about your business situation?”

  “Half, perhaps,” Will replied. “Nathan isn’t even our greatest competitor.”

  “This is all about not having slaves?”

  “Probably.” Will paused. “They are cheap and skilled labor. Let’s see what men Uncle brings out to hay tomorrow.” He paused again. “You know,” he added, joking, “a drunkard might find a fellow or two among them.”

  “Funny,” Matt said. He shook his head no. “I have to go home.”

  “You must wait ’til your ring sells.”

  “Forgot about that.”

  “’Tis settled, then. You’re hired.”

  “I don’t know a thing about farming,” Matt replied.

  Will repeated Matt’s phrase back to him. “What else do you have to do?”

  “I’m not actually going to work for free, though,” Matt said.

  **********

  They pulled up to a good-sized white farmhouse that sat back away from the road. There were three carriages tucked next to the farmhouse and then a narrow pasture with two horses grazing. “We arrived before Father,” Will said. It wasn’t long before they saw the older man’s wagon coming down the street. Will shook the reins and they headed to meet his family.

  “How does it, gentlemen?” Thomas said, waving. Both the younger Taylor boys waved, along with the mother. Grace smiled politely. Their wagon pulled up alongside the carriage.

  “Old Man Hancock has bought the twins for one hundred and fifteen pounds,” said Will.

  “’Tis Mr. Hancock,” his mother proclaimed.

  “Sorry, Mother. Mr. Hancock has bought the twins for one hundred and fifteen pounds. He’ll be out to pick them up tomorrow.”

  “One hundred and fifteen pounds is an excellent price,” Thomas said.

  “So you are aware, Father, Mr. Miller knew of these horses and their sire,” he said, looking at Matt. “He reminded Mr. Hancock of their ability to shimmer red in the sunlight. That seemed to close the sale.”

  Matt was chagrined to see the entire Taylor family now staring down at the twins. They tilted their heads as if in a trance. Matt had to keep from laughing. “They do shimmer!” Jonathan exclaimed.

  The elder Thomas looked at Matt and said, “We’ll settle once they’re sold.”

  Matt acknowledged Thomas with a nod. “Thank you.”

  “Oh, and one other thing,” Will said. “I’ve hired Mr. Miller for a fortnight to help with the hay.”

  “Are you not required to return to Philadelphia, Mr. Miller?” Thomas asked.

  “I’ve arranged for business with the silversmith,” Matt said. “It may take a few weeks.”

  “We’ll discuss terms when you return,” Thomas said. Matt nodded.

  “I must visit my apartment and fetch my clothes,” Will announced. “We’ll be out to supper after.”

  “’Tis at four o’clock,” Mary said to her son. “Don’t make your guest late.”

  “You have my pledge,” Will said as he started the horses down the road.

  They had driven only a short distance when he turned to Matt and said, “Let’s visit some fellows.”

  “Fine with me,” Matt replied, despite the fact that his head was pounding and he was getting very tired. Matt had hoped they would get the clothes and go right out to the farm, but Will was intent on making the most of his Sunday. Will pulled the buggy in front of a sign for the Gold Lion Inn. They got down and Will led him past people in the courtyard and then around to the back.

  A brawny man saw them as they approached and called out, “Will! How does it?” He looked like a human version of a walrus.

  Will shook his hand vigorously. “Very well, Henry, very well. And you?”

  “Couldn’t be better.” Henry turned his walrus gaze to Matt.

  “This is Matthew Miller,” Will said. “He’s staying with our family while he does business in Richmond.”

  “Henry Boyd,” he replied boisterously, reaching out to shake Matt’s hand. It was like shaking the hand of a giant. “What business are you in, Mr. Miller?”

  Matt was going to say science, but thought better of it. “I’m an apothecary.”

  A broad grin parted the walrus beard on the man’s face. “You’ve dealings with Benjamin Scott, then,” he said, excited. “He’s sitting out front.”

  Will interrupted. “He has business with another, Henry, and probably doesn’t want to share the particulars.”

  Henry put his big arm around Matt’s shoulder. “I didn’t intend to pry. You keep your secrets!” He slapped Matt on the back and almost knocked him off his feet. “Have a seat, young lads. Rebekah will b
ring cups of tea. You drinking anything else, Mr. Miller?” Matt shook his head and the man was gone.

  “My fellows are there,” Will said, pointing to a table of four men looking to be around Will’s age. The men were deep in discussion and hadn’t noticed them approach. “Gentlemen, make room,” Will declared.

  They all looked up, and one said, “What’s that fellow’s name?”

  “Hilarious, Robert,” Will replied sarcastically.

  “Where’ve you been?” a light-haired man asked.

  “You know Samuel!” Will explained. “I hardly have time to piss. This is Matthew Miller from Philadelphia. He has lodgings with us while he completes business in Richmond.”

  “Have a seat, then,” said Robert. “Thank the Lord for the Sabbath! James was telling us about courting Selah Hammond.”

  “I would not break Miss Hammond’s confidence,” James replied.

  “We are your fellows,” Robert pleaded in a high voice. “Fill our empty lives with your tales of romance.” He turned his back to the table, wrapped his arms around himself, pantomimed a kissing couple and then said in a fake woman’s voice, “Oh, Mr. Montgomery, I love you.” The whole table roared in laughter. “What of you, Will?” Robert asked. “Has the Prince of Horses turned his attention to any Richmond ladies?”

  “Sadly, no,” Will said. “I did take Mr. Miller to meet Ciara at King’s Tavern.”

  A cheer went up. “Sweet Ciara!” somebody yelled. “You didn’t leave him alone with Ciara?”

  “No, but ’twas bad enough,” Will said. “He left her two shillings.”

  “’Tis worth the silver,” someone proclaimed. “I’d pay all my silver to look upon her.” They laughed.

  “I was bewitched,” Matt said, laughing. “She cast some spell on my brain.”

  “Brains aren’t where she casts the spell on me!” someone else said. The whole table laughed again. The bawdiness of the humor surprised Matt. He had never expected colonial men to be so like his own friends.