First Dawn (12 page)

Harvey reached for a biscuit. “Let me tell you about Father’s plans for the rest of us, Carlisle. I’m certain you’ll find them most interesting.”

Samuel frowned at Harvey and quickly shook his head. “No need to go into detail while we’re eating. You’ve already said enough.”

“Right! Wouldn’t want to upset our digestion. No need to worry, Father. Your decision isn’t going to upset Carlisle, and the rest of us have already expressed our distress over the whole thing,” Harvey said before addressing Carlisle. “You see, dear brother, our father believes I should embrace farming as my life’s calling. Do you not find his notion bewildering?”

Carlisle shifted in his chair and glanced around the table. “I’m not certain it matters what I think, but I will say this much: you should keep an open mind. Great opportunities can present themselves in places where we least expect to find them.”

“I’m not interested in hearing such banality, Carlisle. I had hoped you would be man enough to inject a modicum of sanity into this discussion. But I should have realized you’d take the path of least resistance and say whatever Father wants to hear.” Harvey thrust the serving fork onto the platter of beef with a force that cracked the serving plate and sent small shards of china flying into the air.

“Harvey! What’s gotten into you? Your behavior is insufferable! You will clean up the mess that you’ve created and then return to the table.” Samuel struggled to keep his temper in check.

Macia glanced down at her brother, who was crawling on the floor hunting for the remains of the broken platter, and then turned her attention toward Carlisle. “Do tell me how things are progressing with your studies, Carlisle. Are you still enjoying Maine? I would think you’d dislike being so far from home—and all those months of cold weather must be horrid,” she ventured.

“I don’t mind the climate, and I do believe you’d love the huge snowfalls. To tell you the truth, it’s great fun bundling up in blankets and going on sleigh rides. Of course, I still miss the family,” he hastened to add.

“You are returning to Georgetown when you complete seminary, aren’t you? I wouldn’t think you’d want to remain up north. Do tell me you’ll be coming back home,” Macia persisted.

Carlisle gave his father a sidelong glance. “I plan to settle where I’m most needed.”

Harvey got up from the floor and carefully placed the broken pieces of china on the sideboard before once again taking a seat beside his brother. “That remark tells me you’re returning to Georgetown, because we all know this place needs all the help it can get.”

“Harvey! You stop those boorish remarks right now,” his mother commanded.

“I’m only speaking the truth, Mother. Don’t you think Georgetown could use help from one of God’s anointed?”

“Well, I think you should come back to Georgetown,” Margaret said to Carlisle. “Perhaps then your father would rethink his decision to move west.”

Samuel spread a dollop of rhubarb jam on his biscuit. “I believe I’ve already said that the decision has been made, my dear.”

“Not so far as
I’m
concerned,” Harvey rebutted. “I’ll not be a part of moving out to the frontier, nor will I take up farming as my occupation.”

Samuel wiped his mouth with the linen napkin before placing it on the table alongside his plate. “Then you may want to think about how you’ll support yourself here in Georgetown once the family is gone, Harvey, for I’ll not be supplying you with any funds. You’ll need to find some way to earn a living, since you’ve obviously become accustomed to living indoors and eating three meals each day.”

Without awaiting a reply from Harvey, Samuel shifted his weight and sat up a little straighter. “Now, Carlisle, do tell us about your studies.”

Samuel’s intent had been clear, for Carlisle didn’t hesitate to monopolize the conversation from that point forward. He regaled them with details about the theological material he’d been studying, and then he told them of the weather, his new instructors, and the friends he’d made at the nearby church, as well as his classmates’ many comical antics. Surprisingly, they finished the meal on a harmonious note, and for that Samuel was thankful.

Margaret appeared relaxed as she placed her napkin on the table. “Would you prefer to have coffee in the parlor, Samuel?”

“That would be most enjoyable.”

Macia grasped Carlisle’s arm. “I hope you’ll excuse me. Jackson will be calling for me shortly. Had I known you’d be visiting, I would have planned to remain home.”

He arched his eyebrows. “Jackson Kincaid?”

She smiled and nodded before hurrying from the room.

Carlisle joined his parents as they settled in the parlor. “How long have Macia and Jackson been seeing each other, Mother?”

She pursed her lips. “Several months now, isn’t it, dear?”

“Too long, as far as I’m concerned,” Samuel said. “I don’t like those Kincaids.”

Harvey laughed as he dropped onto the settee beside his brother. “Seems as though Father doesn’t like anyone who hails from the South anymore—with the exception of Mother, of course.”

“I don’t think that’s quite true, Harvey,” Carlisle said. “Besides, I concur with Father. Unless Jackson has gone through a dramatic change in his life, he’s a poor choice for Macia.”

Samuel crossed his legs and rested his cup and saucer on one knee. “Too much like his father. Booth Kincaid doesn’t know how to treat others with respect, and neither does his son. Little doubt in my mind that Booth married a woman of means so he’d never have to earn a living using his own abilities—he’d starve to death!”

When a knock sounded, Harvey trudged off toward the front door with no more than a grunt.

“There are times when I believe Harvey’s lack of respect nearly matches that of the Kincaids,” Samuel said, feeling an overwhelming sadness as he uttered the words. “I truly believe moving west will be the remedy to his reluctance to take responsibility for his future.”

“Did you listen to his statement at supper, Samuel? He said he will not go. I believe he means it,” Margaret whispered to her husband.

“And you heard my response. I will not continue to support his indolent habits.”

Jackson Kincaid strutted into the room with his usual pomposity. Samuel stared at the young man, wondering how his daughter could possibly be interested in a man such as him. There was no substance to him. Yet, just like his father, Jackson carried himself through life with a cavalier attitude that never failed to set Samuel on edge.

“Well, look who’s here!” Jackson exclaimed. “I’m surprised Macia didn’t tell me you were coming home for a visit. Mother was asking about you not long ago, Carlisle. And what’s this I hear about moving west to become a farmer, Dr. Boyle?”

Macia slipped into the room and immediately linked arms with Jackson. “I’m hoping we can come home early and spend some time visiting with Carlisle after leaving the lyceum,” she said, giving Jackson a doe-eyed look and fluttering her eyelashes.

Samuel ignored Macia’s comment and her behavior. “Personally,
I
plan to continue my medical practice. However, our family may take up farming.”

“If it’s farming that interests you, there’s land to be purchased without leaving civilization,” Jackson said.

Samuel gave him a crooked smile. “Civilization is one of those words that can be interpreted in many different ways. I don’t consider holding folks in bondage by paying them minuscule wages for sharecropping to be civilized behavior. Of course, there are folks like you and your father who find the practice perfectly acceptable—even civilized.”

Macia’s face registered horror. “Father!”

Jackson glowered at Samuel and then grasped Macia’s elbow.

“Have my daughter home by nine o’clock,” Samuel called after the couple as they left the room.

Harvey sat down beside his father and smirked. “It would appear I’m not the only one in Georgetown who believes your anticipated venture into the wilderness is ill-conceived.”

“The difference between us is that you care what those people think, but I mind not at all. I might add that if you’re going to take sides in this matter, it would be wise if you deferred to me. After all,
I’m
the one supporting you—a matter you might want to ponder.”

“I’ve already said that I have absolutely no desire to farm. Even more, I don’t wish to make my home amongst the savages. Since there are three of us who prefer living in Georgetown and only one of us wants to leave, I’m wondering why you continue to insist upon this move.”

“Because
I
want to live somewhere other than Kentucky for the remainder of my life. I have willingly remained in Georgetown until you children completed your basic education—or, in your case, Harvey, the amount of education we could force upon you. There is nothing to hold us here. I can open a medical office and treat patients anywhere.”

“And what if I choose to remain here?”

“Suit yourself—but I meant what I told you earlier. I’ll not send you a stipend, and you’ll not live in this house. I plan to sell it.”

Margaret’s fan snapped open. The tiny curls that framed her face were bouncing in rhythm to the fluttering air currents being produced by her fan. “Why sell the house? I think you should reconsider that decision. What if the West doesn’t prove to our liking?”

Samuel shook his head. “We’ll work more diligently and try harder to adapt to our new surroundings if we’ve sold the house. With all ties severed to Georgetown, we’ll not be easily tempted to give up.”

Margaret placed her coffee cup on the walnut side table. “Should Harvey remain behind or Carlisle return to Georgetown, we would still have ties to Kentucky.”

Samuel turned an apologetic gaze toward Carlisle. Their discussion had gone completely awry, and Samuel had been as much to blame as the rest. Rather than helping to maintain calm and order, he had fanned the fires of discontent. And for that he was sorry.

Carlisle tugged at his shirt collar. “You had best not rely on me, Mother. In fact, I know I will not be returning to Georgetown. That’s one of the reasons I came home—to tell you I have made a decision about my future.”

She began to wring her handkerchief. “Is this news going to make me unhappy?”

Samuel noted the quiver in his wife’s voice and immediately came to Carlisle’s aid. “Now, now, my dear, no need upsetting yourself. Carlisle is a sensible young man. Remember, you have always told the children to pray fervently when they must make a choice and then follow where God leads. Isn’t that so?”

Margaret eyed him suspiciously and gave a token nod. “Yes. Although the last time Carlisle prayed about his future, he left for Maine.”

“I’ve decided to become an Army chaplain,” Carlisle announced.

Margaret stared at her son as though he’d spoken in a foreign tongue. Harvey looked surprised, as well.

“That means he’ll join the military and be a preacher for the soldiers,” Samuel explained.

Samuel’s words seemed to shatter Margaret’s trance, and she frowned at her husband. “I
understand
the duties of an Army chaplain, Samuel.” Before he could reply, his wife directed her full attention toward their older son. “I am completely perplexed, Carlisle. Why would you even consider such a profession? When you left home, you said you wanted to become a preacher. You insisted you could better serve God if you attended theological school and received proper training. Aside from voicing my displeasure, I made no attempt to dissuade you. And now look what has happened. Those Northerners have filled your head with outlandish ideas of becoming a soldier.
Soldiers die,
Carlisle
.”

She whispered the final words as though confiding a secret to which only she was privy.

Carlisle patted his mother’s hand. “Rest assured I shall finish my schooling before entering the Army, Mother.”

“I think it sounds quite exciting,” Samuel said, “and patriotic.”

“Oh, do stop, Samuel! How did you ever decide upon this foolhardy scheme, Carlisle?”

“Several officers from West Point came to the seminary and told of the need for chaplains—especially on the western frontier. I didn’t make this decision lightly. I’ve prayed about it for months now, and I continue to believe this is what I’m supposed to do.”

Samuel nodded. “You’ll get no argument from me, son. I realize there’s danger involved in the military, but I admire your willingness to follow God’s leading.”

Margaret glared at her husband before dabbing the tears from her eyes. “So you agree to go traipsing off to be mortally wounded? It was only last summer when General Custer and all of his soldiers died at the hands of those ruthless Indians. Is the fact that you’re going to finish your education supposed to ease my mind?”

“I believe you’re overstating the danger, my dear. After all, much will depend upon Carlisle’s assignment,” Samuel offered.

His wife’s tears stopped, and her eyes filled with anger. “Quit taking his side in this, Samuel! Where is your concern for your son’s well-being? Have all the men in this household taken leave of their senses?”

Harvey moved to his mother’s side and squeezed her hand. “I certainly haven’t. I couldn’t agree with you more, Mother.”

“Oh, pshaw! You’re not concerned about Carlisle’s welfare. You’re merely taking my side because you’re afraid you may have to change your ways.”

Harvey drew his arm away as though she’d slapped it. “Nothing I say is correct. If I agree, I’m incorrect, and if I disagree, I’m incorrect,” he whined.

“You’ll evoke no sympathy from me,” Samuel stated.

With that, Harvey marched from the room with his shoulders rigid and head held high. “I’m going to visit my friends,” he mumbled.

“I fear I’ve caused you much more distress than I imagined,” Carlisle ventured after the front door slammed.

Margaret tucked her handkerchief into her pocket. “I’m concerned, Carlisle. I won’t deny that. But you’re no longer a child. I’ve stated my opinion. The ultimate decision is yours.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

She shrugged her shoulders with an air of resignation. “It appears as if we will all begin life anew—you in the Army and the rest of us out west. Let us hope that at least you and your father will be happy and fulfilled.”