by Ginny Dye
A bit of good news. Congressman Ely of New York, for several months a guest in our Officers’ Prison, finally arranged an exchange of prisoners for several of the officers and the remaining two civilian prisoners. Matthew Justin is now a free man and on his way north. I had breakfast with him this morning before he left on the train. He is certainly a happy man, though a bit sad at having to leave his friends behind. He sends his fondest greetings and gratitude for all you did for him.
Matthew was free! Carrie leaned back against the swing and wiped away the tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks. How happy he must be! And how happy Aunt Abby would be to know he was free and safe. She picked up the letter and continued.
I know how dedicated you are to growing food for the city. I am sorry it has come to this. But I simply must insist you come to Richmond. It is the only way I will get any rest. I will look forward to hearing from you soon on the date of your arrival.
Much love,
Father
Carrie frowned and laid her father’s letter aside. Then she reached for Janie’s.
Dear Carrie,
How I miss you and long for your cheerful, steady presence. Panic seems to be spreading in the city as word has reached us about McClellan’s movements. I am sure your father is keeping you abreast of the news.
The hospital has become even busier as General Johnson has sent hundreds of men here who are too ill to join him in the march to the coast to meet McClellan. Seldom have I seen such tired, sick, and discouraged men. They break my heart on a daily basis, yet their gratefulness keeps me going. I see my own two brothers in every one of their faces.
Dr. McCaw continues to develop his plans for a massive hospital operation. We will soon have our own bakery and distillery. He has plans to add more tent wards when the many buildings here are full, as he fully expects them to be. He is in the process of purchasing cattle and goats to make sure the men are properly fed. I have told him of your mission to provide food for the city. He is hoping you will keep the hospital in mind.
I think of you daily. I admire your commitment to stay where you are, but I long to have you here where we can work side by side. The needs are great, and I fear will do nothing but grow greater. Keep studying those books. The South is going to need your skills and abilities. They just don’t know it yet!
With much affection,
Janie
Carrie folded the letter and then leaned back against the swing and stared out over the pastures, once again turning a lush green. She merely nodded when Sam carried out her tray of food.
After a long time, she finally stood and walked to her father’s office. She sat down at the desk, pulled out a sheet of paper, and began to write.
Dearest Father,
I received your letter today. I am so thrilled to know Matthew Justin is a free man. He must indeed be very happy.
As to the buildup of troops at Fort Monroe, I find I am not willing to allow the Union to scare me from my present course. The fields of Cromwell are too important to the feeding of Richmond. Tomorrow we begin to plant. Let the troops come. I do not think they will bother with Cromwell Plantation. Not that I think they will get this far. I have great confidence in General Johnston to stop them. He has proven himself at Bull Run.
Please do not worry about me. I have not forgotten my promise to you. I simply do not feel in danger. If the time comes, I will join you in Richmond.
With much love from your hardheaded daughter,
Carrie
With a sigh, Carrie folded the letter, slipped it in an envelope, and then addressed it. She knew it would do little to alleviate her father’s worry. She also knew she simply could not leave the plantation now. She had lost valuable planting time the summer before when she was called to Richmond during the Battle of Bull Run. She was not going to run to Richmond every time there was a threat. There was too much to do.
Janie’s letter had been harder to resolve in her mind. She knew her friend understood the conflict in her heart. Never had she thought she would be so torn by desires and loyalty.
Rose walked out of school and stopped to take a deep breath. Spring was finally making itself felt in Philadelphia. There were still mounds of snow hiding in shadows and cold alcoves, but there was a warm glow in the air and the trees in the park were filled with buds ready to burst forth with new life. Rose lifted her face gratefully to the sun. She didn’t miss being a slave, but she still missed the beauty and openness of the plantation.
The sound of a deep male voice caused her to look around quickly, but her face fell when she identified the voice. She couldn’t help it. Everywhere she went she looked for Moses. She daydreamed that someday he would sneak up behind her and grab her in a big hug. She knew her daydreams were ridiculous, but they kept her hopeful. Moses had been gone for three weeks. The days weren’t quite so bad. School, housework, and Aunt Abby kept her busy. But the nights... The nights were endless. She missed him with a fierce aching that left her in tears every night when she crawled into bed and reached out for the empty place beside her - wondering what he was doing, if he was safe, if she would ever see him again.
Rose shook her head briefly and started down the street. If she hurried, she could get home in time to have a special dinner fixed for Aunt Abby. Today, for the first time, she slowed when she came to the sweet potato man.
The street vendor watched her coming. “Why, if it ain’t the pretty little lady! I got me some o’ the best sweet taters you ever put in your mouth! Why don’t you buy some pretty lady?”
Rose cringed at the leering wheedle in his voice. He wasn’t usually quite so bold. Only the idea of fixing Aunt Abby a sweet potato pie made her stop. She kept her face expressionless. “I’d like three sweet potatoes, please,” she said coolly.
The street vendor leered again and closed his eye in a wink. “Well, listen to the pretty lady. She even talks pretty.” He raised a hand to motion someone then abruptly turned away.
“What...?”
Suddenly she felt herself being grabbed from behind. In moments her arms were pinned to her side roughly, causing her to gasp in pain. She knew instantly this was no fulfillment of her daydream about Moses.
“Good job, Mitchell.” It was the voice from her worst nightmare.
Ike Adams! Rose gasped and struggled to free herself. The pain that blazed through her body when he cruelly twisted one of her arms caused her to quit fighting. She looked around frantically. Her only friend, the pepperpot lady, had chosen this one day of the year to leave early.
The vendor shrugged and looked at Rose. “You should’ve been a little more friendly, pretty lady,” he said in a flat tone. Then he turned to Adams. “Where’s my money?”
Adams maintained his cruel grasp on her arm while he reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. With a laugh, he tossed it into the vendor’s outstretched hand. “Like I said, good work.”
Rose looked at the vendor in disbelief. “You sold out one of your own people?” she gasped.
The vendor never blinked an eye. Calmly, he counted the money in the envelope. Then he looked up. “Like I said, pretty lady, you should have been a little more friendly. It’s hard times you know. I got me a wife and kids to feed.” He stuffed the money into his pocket. “It’s just business,” he said roughly. He glared at Adams. “Get her out of here. Your standin’ round here is bad for business.”
Adams laughed and pushed Rose in front of him. “Let’s go, Rose.”
The way he said her name made Rose cringe in fear and fury. Aunt Abby had a late meeting this afternoon. She wouldn’t be anywhere near here. Frantically she tried to figure some way to get free.
Adams seemed to read her mind. Twisting her arm so tightly she almost cried out in pain, he said roughly, “Don’t even think about getting away. I could break your little arm in a flash. We’re going somewhere to wait for that big husband of yours. I aim to present Mr. Cromwell with both his runaway slaves.”
Rose thought quic
kly. Adams didn’t know about Moses’ being gone. What made him think he would try to find her?
“I left a little note on the door to that fancy nigger school you go to. I reckon they know where you’re shacking up right now. They’ll get a message to Moses.”
Rose was relieved to find out he didn’t know where she lived. At least Aunt Abby wouldn’t be in any danger.. “How did you find me?” she finally asked.
Adams’ laugh made her insides tremble. “I got my ways, Rose. I can smell a runaway nigger a mile away. I just got lucky with you, though,” he admitted. “I wasn’t even looking for you. Until I saw you walking to your school a couple of days ago. I’ve been following you ever since. I lost you yesterday when you climbed into that carriage. I decided I wasn’t going to lose you again. Worked out my little deal with the sweet potato nigger then.” He twisted her arm again and just laughed when she gasped from the pain. “You were beginning to worry me today. That vendor nigger wasn’t sure he could get you to stop. I was gonna have to figure out something else. Thank you for saving me the trouble.”
Rose remained silent. He was telling her an awful lot. That must mean he was confident no one would be able to save her. She tried to bluff. “Moses will kill you when he finds you,” she stated flatly.
The laugh Adams gave this time chilled her to the bone. She felt him reach for something, and then a sinister looking pistol appeared in front of her face. “I sure hope he tries to. That will make killing him a little easier.” He paused. “If this one don’t stop him, I got two more to finish him off. I understand big niggers can be hard to kill.”
Panic surged like bile into Rose’s throat. She had to get away from this evil man. But how?
Adams continued. “I figure it will take Moses a little while to find you. I got us a nice soft bed waiting for us. This time there ain’t nobody to keep me from having my way. Even if you’re a nigger woman, I figure you can keep a man happy. Carrie Cromwell ain’t around to save you this time!” He twisted her arm again.
Unmindful of the pain ripping through her body, Rose began to struggle violently. Let him break her arm. Let him break every bone in her body. She was not going to let him rape her! “Let ... me... go!” she gasped.
Suddenly, miraculously, she felt herself break free from his grasp. Her dress ripped as he grabbed for her, but she was free! Without looking behind her, she began to run.
There was a loud curse, and then she heard pounding footsteps behind her. Rose knew Adams would do everything possible to catch her. He had been thwarted too many times. Would he use the gun? Heart racing, she dashed through the crowds of people, hoping they would slow him down.
Suddenly, a boy emerged from an alley between two buildings. Too late, she saw the long handle in his hands. There was no way to avoid the long cart that followed him. She crashed into it, moaning with pain as she crumpled to the sidewalk.
“Hey, lady!” the young boy exclaimed. “I didn’t see you. You okay?”
Adams loomed over her. Rose stiffened as he pinned her arms against her body roughly and pressed his cold gun to her neck.
“This ain’t no lady, boy. She ain’t nothing but a runaway slave. You did everyone around here a favor. You can just keep moving on.”
The boy looked at Adams uncertainly. Then he looked back at Rose. She begged him for help with her eyes but realized there was nothing a young boy could do.
Adams twisted one of her arms cruelly and waved his pistol in the boy’s direction. “I said to keep moving. My patience is running real short. Unless you want trouble, too, you better do what I say.”
Rose watched as fear gripped the young boy’s face. She was glad when he picked up his cart handle and turned to move on. She didn’t want anyone else to be hurt.
Adams laughed coldly then and spun Rose around to face him. His face was red with fury. He stared at her for a long moment and then pulled his hand back.
Rose’s head snapped back as the slap connected with her face, but she remained silent. She would not give him the satisfaction of crying out.
“You and I need to reach an understanding, nigger girl,” Adams snapped. He snarled and shoved her back into the cold, dark depths of the alley. He released her arm long enough to push her back against the building’s cold bricks. Then he gripped both arms tightly and pressed his body against her. “You’re making it harder on yourself, Rose. My loving tends to get a little rough when I’m angry,” he sneered.
Rose stared at him coldly and then screamed again. “Let me go!”
Adams cursed loudly and raised his hand to slap her again. Rose shrunk back against the bricks but met his evil gaze levelly. She was not afraid to die. She was afraid of living with what this man wanted to do to her.
“You heard the lady.”
Rose gasped when a strong voice cracked in the alley.
“She said to let her go.”
The voice stopped Adams’ hand. Cursing again, he whirled to face his newest tormentor.
“He has a gun,” Rose cried.
In a flash, the tall, thin man peering into the alley shot his fist out and connected with Adam’s jaw. Rose heard the sharp crack and then watched as Adams, a surprised look on his narrow face, sank to the sidewalk where he lay still.
Only then did the tall man turn to Rose. His voice was gentle. “I’m so sorry, Rose.” Gently he reached for her hand and helped her step over Adams’ body and onto the sidewalk. “I’ve been trying to catch up to you. I saw you break away from this man a ways back. I’m afraid my months in prison have left me rather slow.”
Rose stared at him, her breath coming in gasps. “You know me?” She didn’t remember ever seeing the tall, skinny man with the flowing red hair and beard.
Suddenly he smiled. “You might not remember me anyway, but you certainly wouldn’t the way I look now. I’m Matthew Justin.”
“Carrie and Robert’s friend?” Rose cried. When she looked closer, she recognized him. His blue eyes were tired, but they still held the sparkle she remembered. And even the beard could not disguise the smile.
Matthew nodded. Then he studied her. “Are you all right? Did this brute hurt you? ” His tone was severe. “I’m sorry it took me so long to catch up.”
Rose shook her head. “I’m all right,” she managed. She knew her arms would be sore for days to come, and she was sure there would be a welt on her face, but it was nothing when she thought of what could have happened. She couldn’t control the shudder that coursed through her.
Matthew looked at her closely. “Are you all right to walk home?” When she nodded, he continued. “I’ll meet you at Aunt Abby’s.”
“You know where I am staying?” Rose asked incredulously.
Matthew nodded. “Carrie told me.”
Rose gazed at him in amazement and delight. “You’ve seen Carrie? Is she all right? Is she...?”
More questions would have poured from her mouth, but Matthew raised a hand to stop her. “We’ll have plenty of time to talk later. Aunt Abby doesn’t know I’m back. I was planning on surprising her tonight.”
“Oh, she’ll be so happy!”
Matthew nodded. “No happier than I,” he said with a laugh. Then he sobered. “You go on ahead. I’m going to take care of this scum,” he said in a voice like ice. He looked down at Adams’ still body. “Adams and I are going to have a talk. By the time we’re done, I don’t think you’ll need to worry about him bothering you again.”
Rose had to know one thing. “Marse Cromwell... Did he send Adams after us?”
Matthew shook his head. “Thomas doesn’t know you’re not both on the plantation.” Just then Adams stirred and groaned. Matthew spoke more adamantly this time. “Go home, Rose. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Rose turned and flew down the sidewalk.
“Are you going to tell me what you’re so fidgety about?” Aunt Abby finally demanded. “I’ve been watching you for the last hour, and you’re about to drive me crazy with curiosity.”<
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Rose struggled to think of something to say. She had so badly wanted to tell Aunt Abby about her encounter with Ike Adams but doing so would have necessitated telling her about Matthew. And Matthew wanted to surprise her.
“Well?” Aunt Abby’s expression was one of concern now. “Are you all right, Rose? Is something wrong?”
Rose opened her mouth, knowing she needed to say something, but just then the doorbell rang. She gasped with relief and jumped up. “I’ll get it,” she said, but as she approached the door, she suddenly slowed. What if Adams had gotten the best of Matthew? What if it was Ike Adams on the other side of the door? Fear grabbed her for a moment until she realized how silly it was. A weasel like Ike Adams was no match for Matthew Justin. She smiled and reached forward to open the door.
“Who in the world is it?” Aunt Abby demanded from just behind her. “It’s too late for callers.”
Rose jerked the door open.
“Is it too late for this caller?” Matthew asked teasingly.
Aunt Abby stared at him for a moment as if he were a ghost and then gave a glad cry. She leapt forward and fell into his arms. “Matthew! Matthew Justin! You’re home!” Tears rolled down her face as she sobbed joyously.
Rose wiped at her own tears as she witnessed the jubilant reunion.
Matthew made no attempt to hide his own as well. Finally, laughing, he moved Aunt Abby back into the hallway and pushed the door shut behind him. He smiled down at Rose. “Thank you for keeping my secret.”
Aunt Abby looked up then and spoke through her tears. “You knew he was here?” she asked Rose. “How?”
