On to Richmond (49 page)

             
Rose continued.  “I read somewhere that Thomas Jefferson said the relationship between a free society and education is inseparable.  He believed Virginia’s peace, prosperity, and civilization depended on the education of its people.  I know it is also believed that the same things are just as dependent on the containment and repression of education among the black population.  It is obvious to me that the white population understands the power of education.  I want my people to understand it as well.” 

             
Aunt Abby stared at her for a long moment.  “It’s amazing that one from the slave system could be so intelligent.  Not just intelligent,” she hastened to explain.  “I know all people have that capacity.  I am very impressed at your understanding and how much you know.  Did Carrie teach you all that?”

             
Rose shrugged and then decided to tell the truth.  There was no one to punish her anymore.  “I went beyond what Carrie was teaching me,” she admitted with a smile.  “I used to sneak into her daddy’s library when no one was around.  I always came out with a book or two.  It didn’t matter what it was.  I just wanted to learn.  I would read them by candlelight late at night.  Then I would sneak them back in.” 

             
Aunt Abby laughed in delight.  “You are truly an extraordinary woman.”

             
Rose shrugged.  “I don’t think so.  I just did what I had to do.” 

             
“Exactly,” Aunt Abby responded.  Then she seemed to lose herself in thought.  “I’ll have to do some digging to see what opportunities there are here for you.  In the meantime, I’ve been thinking about hiring someone to help me around the house.  I find my business is keeping me away from home more and more.  Trying to keep the house is becoming quite a burden.  Would you be willing to help me?”

             
“Of course,” Rose said eagerly.  It would make her feel so much better about taking advantage of Aunt Abby’s hospitality.  Later, she could try to find a job that would allow her to make a little money while she went to school.

             
“I will pay you, of course,” Aunt Abby continued.

             
“We couldn’t think of taking money from you,” Moses protested before Rose had an opportunity to do so.  “You are already doing so much for us.   You can just consider it payment for room and board.”

             
“I will do no such thing,” Abby said firmly.  “You are staying here as my guests.  It just so happens I need help as well.  We are meeting each other’s needs.”

             
Rose stood suddenly and gave Aunt Abby a hug.  “Thank you so much.  I have dreamed so many times of finishing our journey and reaching your home.  Carrie loves you so much that I was sure you must be very special.  Now I know for myself you are.”

             
Aunt Abby returned her hug, blinking away the sudden tears.  “Thank you, Rose.”  Suddenly her shoulders were shaking with quiet sobs.

             
Rose continued to hold her, patting her shoulder until slowly the sobs subsided. 

             
“Well!”  Aunt Abby said shakily.  “I don’t know the last time I did something like that.”

             
Rose waited quietly.  She was sure there was a reason for the display of emotion.

             
Aunt Abby brushed at her tears.  “I guess my emotions have been building up.  I seem to have been losing a lot of people I love lately.  My husband went first.  It took me a while to get used to living alone, but I adjusted.  Then Carrie came into my life.  She became the daughter I never knew.  The war has taken her away from me.  Then Matthew Justin...”

             
“The journalist,”   Rose said.

             
“Yes.  He and I became very close.  Now he is in a prison in Richmond.  I worry about him daily.  I have been feeling like a very lonely old lady.  You two are like a gift to me.  I’m so glad you’re here.”

             
Rose smiled and hugged her again. 

             
Moses spoke for all of them.  “Looks like God knew how to fit together the pieces of the puzzle.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

             
“The house looks real nice, Miss Carrie.”

             
Carrie smiled slightly as she looked up into Sam’s strong face.  “Yes, I suppose it does,” she responded even though she didn’t really think so.  She knew the house servants had done the best they could in preparation for the big times of Christmas, but it lacked the sparkle of former years.  “Not that it matters so much,” she sighed.

             
“Feelin’ sorry for yourself?” Sam asked quietly.

             
Carrie stared at him in astonishment and with just a touch of anger.  Then she shrugged her shoulders and admitted, “Yes, I suppose I am.”

             
“You done got a lot to be proud of, Miss Carrie.  I don’t reckon I know any other woman who could do the things you done.  Why, you be runnin’ this here plantation all on your own.”

             
Carrie shook her head.  “No, I’m not.  And you know it.  I couldn’t begin to run it without all of you helping me.  I don’t know what I would do if the rest of the Cromwell people were to leave.”

             
“I don’t think you got to worry ‘bout any more folks leavin’.  They figure on stayin’ right here.”

             
“Why?”  Carrie asked.  “Why don’t they go free while they have the chance?  Why do they choose to stay in slavery?”  She trusted Sam to be honest with her.

             
Sam looked at her for a moment.  “Some people got too many fears inside to try and do somethin’ new.  They talk ‘bout what they want, but they don’t put no action behind it.”  He paused then continued.  “I figure they’s some of them hopin’ things will be different ‘round here after the war.”

             
“Why?  Who do they want to win?”

             
Sam shrugged again.  “Depends on who you be talkin’ to.  Somes wants the North to win.  They figure they goin’ to come down here and set them all free.  Then they won’t have to face a scary escape.  It will just be done for them.”

             
“And some want the South to win?”

             
Sam nodded.  “They’s not sure ‘bout them people up North.  They don’t know what it will be like.  They figure if they work hard here and the South done wins this war, that they will be treated better and given more rights as a kind of reward.”

             
Carrie couldn’t miss the contempt in his voice even though she knew he was trying to hide it.  “What about you, Sam?  Why do you stay?”  It was a question she had been wondering about for a while.  She had thought he would leave when Rose and Moses were gone.

             
Sam was silent for a long while.  Finally he looked up.  “I got me a job to do here, Miss Carrie.  I won’t be goin’ nowhere till that job be done.”

             
“What kind of job is that?”  Carrie was surprised at her own directness.  She usually allowed the slaves their privacy.  But she and Sam had grown close.  With Rose and Moses gone, she depended more on his solid, kind strength. 

             
Again Sam hesitated, opening his mouth as if he wanted to speak, and then shut it again. 

             
“I’m sorry, Sam.  I don’t mean to pry.”

             
Sam shook his head.  “It be okay, Miss Carrie.”  He looked at her with warmth in his eyes.  “My job be to take care of you.”

             
Carrie stared at him.  “What?”

             
Sam nodded.  “I know all about Rose and your granddaddy.  Been knowin’ bout it ever since Rose girl was born.”   Carrie listened while he told his story.  “Rose told me she was leavin’.  She knew my old heart would break if she just disappeared.  She was worried about you, Miss Carrie.  I told her I would watch out for you.”

             
“You’re staying here just for me?” she whispered, her eyes flooded with tears as  she battled her emotions.  She was grateful Rose has asked Sam to look out for her.   She didn’t know how she would have made it through the last two months without Sam.  There was also sorrow that her faithful friend could be free if he didn’t feel responsible for her.

             
Sam smiled.  “I wouldn’t been takin’ that job if I hadn’t wanted it, Carrie girl.”

             
Carrie smiled in return as he slipped away from the formal Miss Carrie.  Then she shook her head.  “I know I should just tell you to go on and find your freedom, but somehow I can’t bring myself to say it.  I depend on you so much.  You have become so special to me.  I don’t want you to leave.”  Then she frowned.  “I’m afraid I’m being terribly selfish.”

             
Sam shook his head.  “I don’t reckon you’re being selfish, Carrie girl.  Ever’ body need someone to draw strength from.  Wouldn’t do you no good to tell me to leave anyways.  I don’t reckon I be movin’ on till I know you all right.”  His tone left no room for argument.

             
Carrie gazed at him, tears once more swimming in her eyes.  “Thank you,” she said softly.  She knew she should say more, but the words just wouldn’t come. 

             
Sam nodded and then changed the subject.  “When you gonna want the big tree cut?”

             
Sam’s question brought Carrie back to the present.  “I’m not going to have a tree this year, Sam.”  She reached in her pocket and pulled out a letter.  “This came from Father yesterday.  He would like me to come to Richmond.  I’m going to go.” 

             
“When you leavin’?”

             
“Today is the fifteenth.  I’m going to leave in three days.  I would appreciate it if you would drive me.” 

             
“Yessum,” Sam replied.  Then he turned and disappeared into the house. 

             
Carrie lingered on the porch and stared out over the brown pastures.  The lush green of summer had been swallowed by the harshness of winter.  The barren trees formed a stark border for the picture.  And yet, still she loved it.  No matter how much she wanted to leave someday to fulfill her dream, her heart would always be here at Cromwell Plantation.  It grew more special to her every day. 

             
She was glad her father had written for her to come to Richmond.  There were too many memories from Christmases past to taunt her.  Christmas had always been such a wonderful time for her.  She was like a child when it came to decorating, entertaining and buying gifts.  Too much had changed, though.  Last Christmas her father, Robert, and Matthew had all been here to share in the joy.  Now, her father was too busy in Richmond, Robert was on the front somewhere, and Matthew was still in prison. 

             
Then her mind turned, as it did every day, to Rose and Moses.  Had they made it to Philadelphia?  Would she ever hear from them?  Would she ever see them again?  Carrie tried to shove down the ache in her heart, but it was harder today than other days.  The year anniversary of her friend’s wedding had come and gone.  Every time she made a trip to the quarters she had to look at the cabins that were once home to Sarah and Rose and Moses.  Their emptiness echoed the emptiness in her own heart. 

             
Finally Carrie faced what was eating at her.  She was lonely.  Being alone on the plantation had not bothered her before.  Not when she had Rose and Moses to talk with, laugh with, learn with.  Now it seemed as if every day stretched out before her endlessly.  She found ways to keep busy, but the relative inactivity of the winter months weighed heavily.  Every day had become a chore.  Carrie frowned, not liking where her life was taking her. 

             
“Miss Carrie, the children are ready to go on the hunt.”

             
Carrie turned quickly.  “Thank you, Sam.  I’m afraid I almost forgot.”