By Way of the Rose (13 page)

“It's good to be thought well of, but I fear there are more people who hate me than admire me. They probably got the bloodhounds after us by now.” John noticed Tad yawning. Her eyes were starting to droop.

“I suppose it's time we got you two in bed.” Mr. Frank stood. “Don't worry about the bloodhounds. I have my ways... and I doubt they'll venture out on a night like this to hunt anyone down.”

John stood up. “Then I'm more than ready to lie down. Come along, little Tad.” He smiled at the child. They followed Mr. Frank to a room.

“It's a bit cool in here, but there's plenty of covers to keep y'all warm.”

“Thank you, sir. This will do fine.” The room was large with three beds and a cot. “I see you get many overnight guests.”

“At times we have many. We don't like to put anyone on the floor on these cold nights. It's better to be over-stocked than under, I think.”

“You're right.”

“Well, I'll leave you two to get settled in for the night. Have a good rest.”

“Thank you.”

“And I thanks you too, Sir.” Tad smiled.

“You're both very welcome. Now, get some rest. Oh, can I have your coat for the night?”

“Sure, but why?”

“I'm going to throw the scent off to the creek... just in case, ya know?” Mr. Frank left the room.

It was a bit chilly but a lot safer and much better than freezing outside. John tucked Tad into her bed with its down mattress and several heavy quilts. She was quite warm in just a little while. John sat on the side of his bed. He rubbed his face with his hands.
What is to be done with little Tad?
He lay back in bed and pulled the quilts over his body.

John woke the next morning to see a small black image standing beside his bed quietly watching him sleep. He jumped awake and Tad jumped back. “Good Lord! What in the world are you doing there?”

“I— I have to do something and I don't know where to do it at.”

“What on earth do you have to do?”

“I have to make water, sir.”

“Make what?”

“Water... you know. I have to go.” Tad did a little jumping dance.

“Oh, I see,” John laughed. “There must be a chamber pot around here or something.” John got on his hands and knees and checked under his bed, but he didn't see anything.

“I done looked.”

“I guess you're going to have to go outside and look for the outhouse.”

“It's too cold to go outside.”

“Come on. It's better to be a little cold than a lot wet.” He smiled. Tad chuckled and threw her blanket around herself. They peeped out and looked all around, but they saw no outhouse.

“I know, I bet he has a water closet.”

“A what?”

“It's a place inside to use like an outhouse.”

“Oh... eew! That's nasty! A commode in the house?”

“Actually, it's very clean and modern. Who would have thought this country house would have one,” John said as the little girl fidgeted.

“I can't hold it no more!”

“Well, since it's an emergency, just run over there behind the shed.” John pointed. Tad took off running and disappeared around the corner of the shed.

She came out in a few minutes. “That was a close call. We gots to figure this place out before the next time I have to go.”

“That we do.” John chuckled and took her small hand in his. It felt good to hold this little hand... it felt like Sarah's. He looked into her small black face, and his heart went out to her. This little one was so alone and so small yet so brave and cheerful. They went in and sat down at the kitchen table.

“How old are you, little Tad?” John asked.

“I think I'm almost nine.”

“You don't know?”

“Not for sure. I was sold when I was three to Mr. Sims. That was five years ago, but nobody knows my exact birthday.”

“Where's your folks?”

“I don't know. I never knowed them.”

“Were you the only slave Mr. Sims owned?”

“No, Sir. There was momma Joan. She was the cook and all. I was just supposed to be a playmate for the Sims’ daughter, Elsie... but when Elsie died, I was turned into a maid like momma Joan.”

“What kind of work did you do?”

“I make the beds and clean the rooms. Sometimes helped momma Joan cook and wash up the dishes.”

“Were the Sims good to you?”

“Shoot no! Mr. Sims hate me and momma Joan! He would just drink and hit us. He gots a mean spirit in him. He even hit Mrs. Sims some. He was an overseer before he bought that hotel, and he hates slaves worse than anything. Momma Joan told me, overseers are the meanest men on earth and I believe she's right!”

“It's a mighty hard world out there, with a lot of hateful people in it.”

“That's for sure, Mr. Adams! That's for sure!”

“You can call me John.”

“I thought your first name be Kyle?”

“It is, but friends call me John... and you're my friend, right?”

“Yeah, Mr. John, I be your friend.”

“Did you two rest well?” Mr. Frank entered the kitchen where they sat talking.

“I know I did... really well!” John smiled.

“And how about you, little one?” Mr. Frank looked at Tad.

“Good, sir. Very good. But I needs to know where to go. I almost went on myself this morning before I just went over behind your shed.”

“Oh, that will never do.” Mr. Frank chuckled in his deep voice. “Come and I'll show you were to go.” He led John and Tad upstairs. “Mrs. Frank is from the Northeast and wouldn't rest until I had built her a, ‘proper’ water closet. But a hole's a hole, I always say!”

“Well, this be a mighty fancy hole, Mr. Frank, Sir,” Tad said as she peered through the door.

They returned to the kitchen.

“I bet the two of you could go for some grub by now, huh?” Mr. Frank offered.

“That wouldn't be bad at all.” John rubbed his stomach.

“Flap-jacks sound good to ya? It's the only thing I know how to cook really well, and we have some mighty tasty jam put up by the missus to spread on them.”

John felt a rumble and growl began to vibrate at the thought of flap-jacks drowned in jam, it sounded so good. “I wouldn't be opposed to it... how about you, little Tad?”

“No, sir... I wouldn't be! I can help you out there, Mr. Frank, if you want me to. I knows just how to fix up most anything.”

“No, you're my guest here. You just take it easy this morning.” Mr. Frank smiled at the little girl.

The three sat down to a hearty breakfast of flap-jacks and strawberry jam with hot coffee.

“Sorry I don't have milk for you, Tad... but our heifer took ill and died on us.”

“Don't fret, this be mighty fitting, Mr. Frank.”

“I hope you enjoy it.”

Tad dove into the flap-jacks with all her might. When she was done the plate looked as clean as when Mr. Frank had taken it from the shelf and placed it in front of her.

“Would you like a bit more?”

“Maybe one more won't hurt me none.” She smiled. Mr. Frank passed her another flap-jack. Tad spread the jam thickly over it. She took a little longer with this one, as though taking time to savor the flavor before gulping it down. When she stood up from the table her full belly was pouched out in a little round knot. “I don't know when I et so much.” She rubbed her belly.

“You sure could use a few more meals like that, little Tad.” Mr. Frank said with a wink.

“Yeah, I sho'ly could.” She nodded her head at him. “Momma Joan always say I be skinny as a rail and po as a snake. You sho’ cook good, Mr. Frank. You could fatten me right up!”

“Well, I don't know how many more meals we'll have here, Tad. I think we should start moving on.” John looked worried.

“So soon?” Mr. Frank frowned.

“Yes, sir. You know when you're on the run, it's important to keep running.”

“Well, you can stay a few days, huh?”

“No, sir... I was thinking about moving on out today.”

“No, I won't hear of it. You and Tad need supplies and clothes. I can get them for you, but it will take time.”

“Mr. Frank... we're not far enough away from that place to stay planted here that long. Today is looking like it's going to be our best chance to head out. We need to get while the getting is good.”

“You really should stay at least another day. I can get you a wagon, food and warmer clothes. But it will take a little bit of time. No one knows you're here. You are both completely safe.”

“What if they send out the hounds for Tad?”

“If they were going to do that, they would have already done it. Besides, it's way too cold for them to search too much.”

“I suppose we could stick around one more night. I really can't drag Tad around like this. We do need those things. I had to leave everything behind, and she didn't have anything.”

“Great, then it's settled. You two can leave in the morning. We'll spend today getting you ready.”

Mr. Frank went up to the attic and brought down some warm children's clothes. They were a bit large on Tad, but that didn't matter. They were warm. Then John and Mr. Frank went out to the shed and stocked the wagon with goods, then pulled the canvas top tightly together. Finally Mr. Frank placed a rifle under the wagon bench. “That'll come in handy should there be any trouble.”

“Yes, Mr. Frank. Thank you so much, for everything. I'll find a way to repay you for this, somehow.”

“You don't worry about it, son. Just get yourself and that child to safety. We all appreciate the job you're doing and it's gracious little we're doing to help. These things are donated for just such an occasion. Yet, not one of us keeps a lot on hand, we have to go and gather it up. Looks too suspicious having too much laying around.”

“Yes, sir. I understand.”

“One time I did have the dogs track a slave man to the house, but I just said I had woke up that morning and found him stealing my food and chased him off with a shot gun. I didn't know which way he'd gone and I couldn't help it if their dogs had lost the scent.”

“How many times will that excuse hold water?”

“You'd be surprised. Folks think I'm the biggest hate monger around. All you have to do is run your mouth a little bit and they'll believe it. Folks will believe a lie quicker than they will the truth any day.”

As night fell and the wind howled around the corners of the tight warm house, the three sat down to supper together. “Seems like we're getting another blast from the north tonight.” Mr. Frank shivered.

“Yeah, I wish we could have made some ground today while it was a bit clear.”

“It'll be all right. I'm sure the sun will shine in the morning. But if not you've got a warm wagon and plenty of covers.”

“I hope you're right about that sunshine, though.” John gulped down a spoonful of stew.

That night John listened to wind screeching and howling outside. He was thankful he and Tad weren't out in that, but he was anxious to get moving before they were discovered. This close call had un-nerved him to no end. The quicker he got back north the better he'd feel! His hands still trembled a bit when he thought about the narrow escape.

The next morning when Tad woke, she went down the hall and into the water closet to do her morning business. She wished that she and John could just stay here with kind Mr. Frank and his magnificent house full of food and wonders forever. Truly, Tad had never been exposed to such things before in her short life. She went back to the bedroom and sank back into the soft, warm feather mattress. She snuggled down under the heavy quilts and closed her eyes. She was going to lay there as long as she could and engrave this feeling of being warm, full and comfortable in her mind so that she could always remember this moment, even if she never got to feel this way again. Before she knew it, John was standing over her.

“Little Tad... Time to get ready. Get up.” He gently shook her.

“We gots to go now?”

“Yeah... soon as you eat some breakfast and get dressed we have to be going.”

“Yessir.” She felt like crying.

She ate another generous helping of flap-jacks and jam, then bundled up in her new, over-sized clothes. John lifted her up in his strong arms and placed her in the back of the wagon on a soft bed with many quilts and covers. The wagon was pretty big. Bigger than she'd expected. It had another bed where John could sleep and lots of food and covers for keeping warm. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. More like an adventure than something bad. She had never traveled anywhere... maybe this was just the start of something great and wonderful for her.

John shook Mr. Frank's hand. “I'm much obliged, until you're better paid, sir.”

“You get going while the going is good and watch out for that little one.”

“I will, Mr. Frank.” John climbed onto the driver's seat. “Let's get going!” He shouted and the wagon began rumbling away.

Tad looked out the back and saw Mr. Frank watching them as they went, “Thank you Mr. Frank... I won't forget you!” she shouted.

Mr. Frank waved. “I won't forget you either, Tad! Stay safe!”

“You're going to have to lay low for a while, John. Hum, this is a pickle. I suppose the only thing to do is kill off Kyle Adams.” Mr. Tyson sat there chewing on a cigar and intently mulling over his thoughts.

“What?” John said in shocked disbelief. “Ain't I Kyle Adams?”

“It'll be simple,” He leaned forward and grasped the stogie in his fingers. “I have people to handle the whole thing and make it look real. Then you'll be able to come and go again as you please.”

“How?”

“We have our ways. The death must be highly publicized too, especially in The South. That won't be hard. Those southern news reporters will be itching to spread the word of your undoing.” Mr. Tyson bit on his fat cigar again.

The smell of it, together with the topic, made John's stomach twist into knots. “What about Tad?”

“We'll find her a family in Canada. Won't be hard finding someone willing to take her in; she's a cute one and sharp as a thorn.”

“Make sure she gets a good home, Mr. Tyson. She deserves the best. She's a bit like my guardian angel, special to me.”

“Don't worry, son. I know of a few good families who'd love to have her. Of course we'll have to wait until spring to get her across into Canada. She's too small to try taking her now. But I'll handle the whole matter myself. She can stay at the boarding house with you until time to go. I don't suppose one little black girl will draw too much attention. She needs some outfits. I'll have my daughter's dress maker measure her this evening.”