by Lynn Wolfe
“She wed another. Let’s leave it at that.” James replied as he looked over to Thomas, who appeared to be studying the marks on his boots, trying to avoid partaking in the question and answer period regarding his sister.
“Thomas and I’ve agreed not to discuss Mary. He feels badly for the situation and has no need to. That being said, let’s change the topic of discussion.
“Do you think you can stay long enough to come to the plantation for the reception Susannah and I are giving for Thomas and Anna next week? I’d love for you to see the horses I’ve acquired and the work I’ve completed so far.”
“Aye, we plan to be here about three weeks. We need to order some special supplies and purchase a wagon or two, to handle the goods we plan to take back to Ohio. Jacob is hoping to make the trip home to Baltimore every two to three years. I’ve yet to tell mother that I don’t plan to stay in the Ohio Valley area. Jacob will keep watch over the land I’ve purchased next to his, which I feel is a good investment.
“I’ve the urge to go West, I’ve heard some wonderful stories about the large game found there and the fertile land available, that is, if you can survive the trip to stake your claim. They say the mountains out West are far larger than any I’ve seen so far.”
“Luther, are you saying what I think you are? That this trip home may be the last time I shall see you? I don’t know what to think. Mother will be heartbroken.”
Clayton didn’t like the news Luther had shared, but he understood. “Luther, I would never tell you not to do what’s in your heart, but I hope you consider the possibility of returning home in a few years. At least tell your mother it’s a possibility. Please give her some hope so she doesn’t dwell on the fact she’ll never see you again. I’ll abide with your decision, son, for I know you’ve always been the restless one in our family.”
“Aye, Father, parting will be sad. But this is something I must do. I can’t explain it. I have this need to see for myself the country we live in. I’ve learned a lot about survival. Jacob and I have seen things you wouldn’t believe. The Indians that have been reformed are alright to be around. Yet, even then, you have to be careful which ones you trust. It’s those savages we have run across unexpectedly, that butcher and do far worse, one needs to fear.
“Don’t misunderstand me; we’ve not done right by taking the Indian lands and forcing them to continue to move further west because of our greed. With every wagon train formed, carrying people who wish to settle on land that isn’t theirs, we force the Indians to lands they’re not familiar with. But what they’re capable of doing in retaliation is beyond any type of decency. That being said, I’ve seen some white men that are equal in their barbarian ways to both Indians and whites. There’s no excuse for that either.”
“Luther is right, James. We’ve seen so much death and destruction on both sides. But I no longer have the urge to go any further west than Ohio. I’ve seen enough killing to last my lifetime. I love the fertile ground of the Ohio Valley and more and more settlers are making the trip out West. They will need a place to re-stock their supplies about the time they reach Ohio.
“I hope to find a wonderful woman, like Susannah or Anna, to settle down with. Luther has too many things to do before he thinks about taking on a wife. Besides, as ugly as he is, he might have to find a woman who doesn’t see too well.”
“I’m not looking for a wife at the moment, little brother, but if I were, I’ll certainly choose one of quality stock, not one that is a pretty trinket to have on my arm. Of course, I realize Susannah and Anna have both quality and beauty. I wasn’t referring to them.”
Everyone laughed. “I knew you weren’t.” James replied with a smile but then got serious. “Have you had many encounters with the Indians?” James wanted to learn everything he could about what his brothers were involved in.
“Aye, enough. But mostly from the trip we took through Indiana and up into Illinois. When you run across the remains of the folks in a wagon train left by a war party, it sickens you. They scalp everyone if those heathens have the time, even the children. Unfortunately, too many times we bury those victims in unmarked graves. What the Indians don’t steal, they usually burn. We’ve seen entire families wiped out with no knowledge of who they are or where they came from.
Yet, these same Indians might turn around and leave a deer for a starving family the next day. One doesn’t know what makes the Indians do evil one time and an act of kindness the next.”
James noticed Thomas said nothing during his talk with his brothers. Indians had been a new learning experience for Thomas. He was certain part of the reason for his subdued manner was because of the difficulty hearing of the brutality being described. James had some idea of what the Indians were capable of, from the stories passed on by his parents and grandparents.
Their encounters with the Indians during their early life in America were hard enough to hear. James’s other knowledge of the Indians came from speaking with the settlers who had already tried to make the journey West, but ending up returning to a more civilized lifestyle, here in the Baltimore area.
“No matter what, Thomas, we dare not speak about any of this in detail to Susanna or Anna. They don’t need to think about what danger my brothers are putting themselves in.” James said, aware his mother would never tell Anna or Susannah about her knowledge of such evil acts. James suspected John and Constance Webb had kept their daughters sheltered about the deviant acts of the Indians when they could.
James told his brothers of the plans that had been made for the reception so far. The guest list had already been made and the invitations were written and ready to be sent out tomorrow. They were inviting a few people in Baltimore, their neighbors in the country, and of course Mr. and Mrs. Webb.
James knew Susannah would tire quite easy now that the baby was due in the next few weeks. That would be the perfect excuse to have his mother come and lend a helping hand with the party. He didn’t want Susannah to feel slighted by not doing the party by herself, but James felt Susannah couldn’t handle such an event at this time in her condition. He knew it would be more difficult for her physically than she would ever admit.
Annabelle Parker was known for her ability to host a grand gathering. Even though James’s life had turned out differently than what he had first planned, he wanted everyone to know how happy he was now and this was the perfect time to celebrate the union of Anna and Thomas.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The Parker Plantation
The Reception
Susannah was glad she and James had a few days alone before Annabelle, Clayton, Luther and Jacob arrived to help with the festivities planned for Anna and Thomas. She was excited to host her first big event since she and James had married.
The day of the party was perfect. The sun was shining, the guests had arrived and the drinks flowed freely. The men talked about President Jackson and the direction the country was taking regarding the Indian situation, which was forcing the Indians further and further west. The Baltimore and Ohio railroad was just getting started and everyone had their own opinion on how successful the train venture would be.
The women on the other hand talked about the latest fashions and who was soon to be married or expecting a child.
Thomas glanced at the people sharing this moment. He did his best not to think about Mary. So far, only once did he allow himself to picture Mary and James hosting the party.
He was pleased to see that Edward Pierce, President of the largest bank in Baltimore, had joined them this night. Edward was an old family friend of the Parkers. Thomas had gotten to know him rather well while he clerked for Clayton.
Thomas knew Edward and Clayton had become close friends when they first started out in their business ventures. At that time, Clayton had just taken over his father’s shipping company. Their friendship spanned over twenty years. In fact, it was Edward’s nephew, Charles Pierce, who has made an offer to buy Parker Shipping, once Clayton decides to sell. T
homas thought Clayton was considering the offer, since James and his brothers had made it clear they had no interest in taking part in their father’s company.
According to Clayton, Edward had lost his wife, Clara, a few years prior to Thomas coming to America. Thomas found Edward to be a fair businessman with a great sense of humor. He had given him the loan for his horse farm mainly due to his working for Clayton. Edward had shared with him that he had faith in the Parker’s judgment of people.
The story Clayton told more than once, was Edward had been a member of the ship’s crew his father had started in England. Thomas had a hard time picturing Edward without his fancy clothes, working on a ship. He was a handsome man, a little taller than Thomas, with wavy gray hair and a nicely trimmed mustache. He was well built for a man his age and smiled easily. He was a very powerful man in Baltimore but you wouldn’t want to mistake his smile and gracious manner for him to be an easy mark.
Thomas glanced over to Mr. and Mrs. Webb. He was glad Anna’s parents, John and Constance Webb, were as likable and easy going as Clayton and Annabelle. They appeared to be having a wonderful time.
John Webb was about five feet eight and had a solid, muscular build. He had dark hair, blue eyes and a joyful personality. Constance Webb was short and a little younger than her husband, with blond hair and blue eyes. It was obvious her daughters had inherited her fine looks. If she had any gray hair, it wasn’t noticeable. Susannah looked like her mother where Anna favored her father in height but got her mother’s lovely blue eyes and blond hair.
When Thomas first met Anna’s parents, he’d felt uncomfortable around them since he had very little money to his name. He knew he had nothing to assure Anna’s parents he could take care of her in the manner she had been raised. He could provide a roof over her head, but it would take a few years to be able to provide the luxury she was use to having. Anna didn’t seem to care and her parents never once spoke of any objection to their marriage when he had asked for Anna’s hand.
Anna informed him the reason her parents accepted him so easily was because they felt his drive and ambition would get him far in life. They’d been impressed he had saved enough money to secure a loan for his horse farm in his short time of living in America, clerking for Parker Shipping.
Thomas included Mr. Webb and James in most of his important decisions regarding the stock he purchased, whether horses or cattle, and which crops to raise and what next to invest in. He knew Mr. Webb was pleased to be asked for his opinions and Thomas was relieved that his father-in-law only made suggestions and allowed him to make the final decision.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The party was winding down as Edward Pierce slowly smoked his cigar. He was enjoying the cool night air as he gently leaned against the sturdy corral post savoring this moment alone. He watched as Thomas moved among the lingering guests as he tried to converse with each person possible.
Edward wondered about Thomas and his family in England. When he had first met him, he felt like he was meeting someone he had known before. They had a friendly relationship and both seemed to enjoy a good horse, a good smoke and a good joke.
It was a month or two after their first meeting that Clayton mentioned he thought Edward and Thomas resembled one another. Edward gave some thought about the son and wife buried in London. If his son had lived, he’d have been about the age of Thomas.
Edward knew how silly it was to even think that Thomas could actually be his son. In fact, he wouldn’t have given the subject any thought if his last name hadn’t been Ball. But the age and last name of Thomas somehow bothered him. When he had asked Clayton what the name of Thomas’s father was a few months ago, he felt a shiver pass through him. The name given was Henry Ball, and since that name was mentioned, Edward has stewed about Thomas ever since.
Years ago, Edward had left a wife and son in London but had been told they’d died from an epidemic that swept through England while he had been sailing the seas. The news of their deaths had come from a man named–-Henry Ball.
Edward was also aware Thomas had a sister named, Mary, who had at one time been engaged to James. He wondered how old she was and if it was possible he could have left his wife with child when he sailed for America? Probably not, but this nagging feeling regarding Thomas wouldn’t go away.
It would be a strange coincidence if the Henry Ball, who was Thomas’s father, would be the same Henry Ball that had spoken to him of his wife and his son’s death.
Edward hadn’t asked Thomas directly any questions regarding his family. Was it because he was afraid to hear the answers and find out his suspicions might be true? Or was it because he was afraid to be made out a fool, to even think Thomas might be his son? He would have to settle this issue, for he didn’t want to keep wondering if he had made an error, so many years ago, by not visiting the graves of his wife and son.
Strange, after all these years, he was just now wondering why he hadn’t paid his respects and said his goodbyes at the cemetery, upon hearing the news of their deaths. Yet, he had no reason not to believe Mr. Ball. Not until he met Thomas in America a little over a year ago. But what type of man would tell such a lie? Edward realized he had tears in his eyes. Foolish old man, he thought, this was just wishful thinking on his part.
He was disrupted when Clayton came to join him. “Edward, what are you doing out here all alone? Certainly you can’t be bored with us already?”
“Not at all, it’s a grand party, Clayton. In fact, it’s brought back many memories of when I was a younger man.”
“That was quite some time ago, I hope they’re good memories,” Clayton said smiling.
Edward nodded. “Yes, Clayton, some of my happiest. I was remembering being a young man just learning about life. Let’s join the others, today’s what’s important,” Edward replied, as they returned to join the others.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Parker Plantation
Fall 1830
Susannah was getting bigger with each passing day. No one thought she would hold out until her due date, the end of October, and she hadn’t let them down. Little Andrew James Parker arrived the tenth day of October. Both he and Susannah were fine but James was another story.
James told his family and friends how he’d had the worst of things dealing with Andrew’s birth. He let everyone know he had no intentions of going through such an experience again. He found himself quite dismayed when the others found humor in his words. He wasn’t trying to be funny.
Thomas and Anna had come to the Parker plantation to help James and Susanna with their additional work load and to give relief to Annabelle and Clayton, who had come earlier to help.
James spotted Thomas looking at his latest purchase of a highly spirited thoroughbred. He again sensed something was bothering Thomas. In fact, he was sure of it. He’d known for some time there was something amiss, but so far, he hadn’t gotten Thomas to share what was troubling him. James knew better than to keep pushing.
James wondered if Thomas and Anna were having difficulties, although they appeared happy. If it was a money issue, James knew Thomas wouldn’t ask for any help, unless he was in a dire situation. Thomas will open up, James thought, eventually. For now, he’d let things be; he would never force Thomas to confide in him, he respected his friendship too much. But James was sure of one thing; Thomas was indeed having difficulty dealing with something.
*****
The day came when everyone returned to their respective homes and James and Susannah were finally alone with their new baby boy.
“I was appreciative of everyone’s help, James. But it’s nice to have our home back to normal. Don’t you think?” Susannah asked, as she rocked the baby on the porch after dinner.
“Aye, normal, we’ve only the sound of our wonderful little Andrew screaming out every few hours for more food or needing a change! You find that normal?”
“James, he doesn’t scream. He merely cries a little to let me know he’s hungry. You�
��d be crying, too, if you hadn’t been fed for awhile.”
“He’s very lucky to have such a beautiful and wonderful mother. Have I told you lately how happy you’ve made me?”
“Yes, but I love hearing it! I can’t wait to have another baby. We can fill the whole house with little Parkers.”
“Why don’t we wait a couple of years? I don’t think I’m ready for the turmoil that having a baby brings, my love, after what you put me through having Andrew.”
“Funny, how you men seem to think you’re so put out by us women having a baby, when it’s the woman who has all the pain and discomfort, James Parker.”
James laughed and lit a cigar. He loved this time of the day. The chores were now done and he and Susannah had a few peaceful moments alone with Andrew. The night was warm for October, but soon winter would be upon them and before long spring would come and Andrew would be starting to crawl.
“How did your mother handle the news about Luther going out West alone? It was sad saying goodbye. It’s the knowing we may never see Luther again that’s hard for me to think upon. Many people feel like Luther, wanting to explore this grand country of ours, but I would find it hard, packing up everything and taking our baby away from Maryland and our families.”
“You know, it was difficult for mother not to cry in front of Luther. He knew she’d put on a brave front. He was aware he broke her heart when he left this time. It was hard on all of us. But everyone understood his reasons. He has a need to see those mountains out West that everyone keeps talking of; he has to see what he’s missing. He said his goodbyes knowing the consequences in those words,” James said, with sadness in his voice.
