Storm Clouds Rolling In & On To Richmond (Books 1 & 2 in the Bregdan Chronicles) by Ginny Dye - HTML preview

Chapter Twenty-Three

Rose smoothed down her dress one more time and patted her hair. She knew her dress looked worn and old, but at least it was clean. Moses was wearing a nice shirt one of their new friends had found them, but his pants looked like what they were—refugee pants. Fighting to control the butterflies in her stomach, she looked up at the three-story row house in front of her. Moses, standing beside her, seemed just as nervous as she was. Somehow, the thought comforted her.

“We can’t stand out here all day, you know,” she said.

She took Moses’ hand, and together they walked up the stairs surrounded by a wrought iron railing.

Moses took a deep breath and raised his hand to the knocker. He rapped it sharply three times and then stood back.

Rose held her breath as she heard footsteps approaching the door. “She’s home,” she whispered. She had thought they might have to come several times before they caught her at home. Their evening arrival seemed to be timed perfectly, unless of course it was one of her servants. Then she remembered Carrie saying she had none. Her thoughts were cut short when the door swung open.

Rose stared at the attractive woman before them. She was just the way Carrie had described her—tall, with a regal bearing softened by light brown hair pulled back into a bun, and laughing gray eyes. Rose liked her immediately.

“May I help you?” the woman said graciously, not seeming to take notice of their worn condition. She was both courteous and pleasant.

“Are you Abigail Livingston?” Moses asked.

“I am,” she responded. “And who might I have the pleasure of talking with?”

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Rose stepped forward. “My name is Rose. This is Moses.” She stopped, not knowing what else to say.

Finally, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the letter she had kept protected for so long. She held it out wordlessly.

Aunt Abby looked at her curiously but reached for the letter and opened it. Quickly, she scanned the contents and then gave a cry of delight. “You are friends of Carrie Cromwell! She has told me so much about both of you.”

She stepped outside and embraced both of them. “Please come in at once.”

“Thank you,” Rose and Moses murmured as they followed the glowing woman into her immaculate home.

Carrie had promised them she would give them a warm welcome. Their fears had been futile.

In moments, they were seated in her parlor. “First things first,” their hostess announced. “I find Mrs.

Livingston much too big a handle for anything but a business environment. Will you please call me Aunt Abby? Anyone who is a friend of Carrie’s is a friend of mine, and I practically feel like I know you both.”

Rose smiled. “We’d like that.” She paused and then added softly, “Aunt Abby.” She could feel tears building in her throat. Aunt Abby was so much like her mama.

Oh, the differences were obvious, but it was easy to recognize the same caring heart and the same willingness to give love.

Aunt Abby turned her attention back to the letter she had read so quickly. Then she looked up with a frown.

“Carrie wrote this letter on October first. Today is October the twenty-ninth. It has taken you quite a while to make your way here. I take it there were difficulties?”

Moses nodded. “I guess we ran into our share of them.”

He filled her in on the details leading up to where they had crossed the river after losing their guide. They laughed together over Carrie’s acting with the Confederate captain, and shed tears together over Mike O’Leary’s death.

“And when you crossed the river? What did you do then without a conductor?”

Rose spoke up. “We were blessed enough to find another conductor for the Railroad. A former slave by the

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name of Isaac Waters. He convinced us it would be too hard to go over land with winter approaching. I’m still not sure how he arranged it, but we’ve only had to walk from the dock down on the end of Washington Street to here.

The rest of our trip has all been on water.”

“They were able to secure you passage on a big boat?”

“I wouldn’t exactly call them big,” Moses said with a smile. “Most of them were rowboats.”

Aunt Abby gasped. “You came all the way up the Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware River in rowboats?”

“Yes,” Rose said. “And we made many wonderful friends along the way. One man would take us a day or so north, then another would pick us up. We had quite a few days when we had to be put up while we waited for our next conductor, but we were always well-fed and cared for.” She smiled. “Not that I wasn’t glad to finally reach Philadelphia. I have had quite enough of boats for as long as I live.” She saw no reason to tell Aunt Abby of the long, bitterly cold days on the water. Or the days when waves threatened to overturn their tiny crafts. They were here. That was all that mattered.

Freedom had beckoned. They had answered its call, doing just what her mama would have told them to do, by going around every obstacle and embracing every hard time as if it were a friend carrying them to their final goal.

They had persevered, and they were stronger for it. Rose knew she was not the same young woman who had left Cromwell Plantation a month earlier. She was ready to face whatever life had to offer here in this new city.

“And Carrie?” Aunt Abby asked. “How is she? I miss her so much. Even our correspondence has become impossible.”

“Carrie was doing well when we left her,” Rose answered. “She received your last letter.”

“She did?” Aunt Abby exclaimed with a smile. “My conductor friend made no promises, but he said he would do what he could to get my letter to her.” She paused, her eyes glistening with tears. “Please do tell me all about her.

She’s like a daughter to me, you know.”

Rose nodded. “She has talked of you so much. She wanted me to tell you she has written you at least two

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letters a week. She’s saving them for the time when they can reach you again.” She thought for a moment. “I’m sure she told me she tried to send a letter to you through the network. It must not have made it.”

Aunt Abby smiled, her eyes shining with delight. “It’s just wonderful to know she is all right.”

Rose filled her in on all the details of what Carrie was doing on the plantation. “She had delivered twenty wagons of food to the city when we left. There is no telling how many were sent before the first hard frost.”

“I should have known she would find a way to make a difference,” Aunt Abby said with admiration. “I can only imagine how much she must miss you two.” She leaned back in her chair. “Does Carrie feel safe on the plantation now?”

Moses shrugged. “She believes she is where she is supposed to be. Her father called her to Richmond for the Battle of Bull Run. She went to make him feel better then, but I don’t believe she’ll leave so easily again. She feels like she has a mission to accomplish there now.”

“That sounds like Carrie,” Aunt Abby asked. She turned to Rose and looked at her sharply. “There are things you’re not telling me. Is there something Carrie has asked you not to talk about?”

Rose shook her head. She should have known Aunt Abby would have the same perceptiveness of her mama.

“It’s not anything I can really put into words. I just worry about her sometimes. The plantation has become her whole world, but it’s out of necessity, not because her heart is really there. I want her to have her chance, Aunt Abby. She made it possible for Moses and me to be free…to follow our dreams.” Her voice broke as she spoke, Carrie’s smiling face rising up in her mind.

“You love her,” Aunt Abby said softly, watching her closely.

“I love her,” Rose agreed in a whisper. “It was like leaving part of myself to have to leave her.” Suddenly, she felt a desire for Aunt Abby to know the truth. She looked to Moses, and he nodded his head. Once again, he was reading her thoughts.

Rose took a deep breath and gazed at Aunt Abby. The warm eyes encouraged her to continue. “Carrie is more to

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me than a friend.” She told Abby the story her mama had shared with her before she died.

Aunt Abby listened carefully, asking quiet questions as Rose went along. “So what do you two do with your lives now? Your old life has ended for at least as long as God sees fit to reunite you with Carrie somewhere in the future. You have a new life ahead of you. What do you want to do with it?”

Rose smiled. How much Abby was like her mama.

Aunt Abby had listened with her heart to all she said, but there was nothing she could do to change the past. All she could do was try to be involved in the present and the future. Rose sensed this caring woman would do all she could for them.

“I want to teach,” Rose said firmly. “I want to help black children follow their dreams. But I want to go to school first. There is so much I want to learn. So much I still want to know.”

Aunt Abby listened and then turned to Moses. “And what about you?”

“I want to find my family. That is the dream that burns in me above all others. My daddy made me responsible for them when he died. I’ll do whatever it takes to see us all together in freedom.” He paused for a long moment.

“And I want to fight for the Union, or be involved somehow. This isn’t just their war. It’s the black man’s war, too. I believe our freedom hinges on it.” He stopped when he saw Aunt Abby’s frown. “What?”

Aunt Abby shook her head. “Both your dreams are going to be hard to accomplish. There are many blacks here in Philadelphia eager to fight. They have all been turned away.”

“Why?” Moses asked.

Aunt Abby shrugged. “The North, for all its talk about equality, is not really willing to embrace it themselves.

They wanted the South to let the slaves go, but they didn’t count on having to pay a price themselves for it to happen. Quite simply, I don’t think they believe blacks are capable of being soldiers.”

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Moses frowned. “I thought I was leaving that kind of thinking behind in the South. I thought things were different here. Especially in Philadelphia.”

“I wish I could tell you that was true. Oh, things are different, but I’m afraid you won’t find it to be the way you envision. Let me tell you something about the city you have chosen to call home.” The chiming of the hall clock drew her attention. “Have you eaten yet? I was just getting ready to have a bite.”

Soon they were seated around the table in the kitchen, munching on bread, cold ham, cheese and pickles.

Abby returned to what she had been saying. “Now, about Philadelphia. You will find quite a large number of blacks in our fair city. In fact, we have more blacks here than any other city besides Baltimore. And you will find most of them congregated not very far from where we are right now. Most of the women serve in the capacity of domestics, and they find it easier to be close to their work.”

Rose nodded. Carrie had said Aunt Abby lived in one of the wealthiest areas of the city.

Aunt Abby continued. “Philadelphia has the privilege of two very different distinctions. You are probably aware that the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society is based here.”

Moses nodded. “Carrie has told us about how much you do for the effort.”

“I wish I could do more,” Aunt Abby said. “The other distinction we have is one Frederick Douglass himself gave us. I’m afraid it’s not one I am proud of. After one of his trips here he said, ‘ Colorphobia is more rampant in Philadelphia than in the pro-slavery, negro-hating city of New York.’ I’m afraid there is a great deal of truth to that.”

Rose felt the sick feeling of disappointment rise up in her. “I’m sorry to hear that.” She didn’t know what else to say.

“I feel it’s only fair to give you a clear picture. Don’t misunderstand me. There are opportunities here for you, but you will have to fight hard. You will have to want it with all your heart.”

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Moses smiled. “I know we fit that bill, Aunt Abby.

We’ve been through a lot of hard things already. We’ll just keep on until we get where we want to be.”

Aunt Abby nodded, looking at them both closely. “I believe you,” she said. “I see the same spirit in you two that I saw in Carrie.” She paused for a moment. “Let me tell you what else you can expect. Prejudice against color is quite rampant here. We have white schools and colored schools. White churches and colored churches. Why, I think we even have what I call white Christianity and colored Christianity. The lines are tightly drawn everywhere. No colored people, no matter how well dressed or well-behaved, are allowed to ride on public transportation.”

Rose frowned. “What are they so afraid of?” she asked.

Aunt Abby regarded her somberly for several long moments. “People are afraid of what is different. Instead of embracing the differences as something that can enrich them, they try to bottle them up and put them somewhere they can’t touch their lives. The very reality of how blacks came to America works against you. Rightly or wrongly, people’s mentality is of people who are slaves.

People have to have someone to look down upon. I guess it makes them feel better about themselves if they think other people are even lower than they are.”

“It was hardly our choice to come to America at all,”

Moses protested in an angry voice.

“Of course it wasn’t, Moses. My experience has taught me that darkness follows darkness. It was the darkness of men’s hearts that brought your people from Africa. The darkness is continuing in people’s attitudes and actions now. Many people talk about wanting the slaves to be free, but they haven’t looked in their own hearts. They don’t realize if they were talking about the word free in relation to themselves, they would also be talking about equality. Too many people aren’t willing to look at their hearts and attitudes with honesty.”

“What makes you that way?” Rose asked. “Why are you different?”

Aunt Abby smiled. “I’m lucky I think. Oh, I grew up with a tremendous amount of prejudice all around me.

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My family are Virginians you know. We never owned slaves, but my father always wanted them. Then I came to Philadelphia on a visit and met my husband. That was during the forties when riots were erupting in protest of the blacks in the city. My husband had grown up farther north where the abolition movement was already active.

He had many black friends when he was a child. I learned to see blacks through his eyes. I had to fight to overcome my prejudices, because they were deeply ingrained. I was involved with the fight for freedom before I realized my own heart was struggling with the equality issue.”

When she paused and looked thoughtful, Rose gazed at her in admiration. She understood why Carrie was so drawn to this honest woman. She knew she had found a friend.

Abby continued. “I’m afraid it’s a condition of the human heart, this desire to believe we are better than other people around us. It took God quite a while to teach me I was absolutely no different from my black brothers and sisters. God sees us all the same. Given the same chances, some of us will succeed, and others won’t. Given the same chances, some will give their all to follow their dreams, while others will fall by the wayside. I pray every day that God will cleanse the darkness from my heart.”

“You are a remarkable woman, Aunt Abby,” Moses said with a catch in his voice.

“Nonsense,” Aunt Abby responded. “I am merely human like you are. We all have to come together if we are going to make any sense out of this world we live in.

Especially at this time.”

“Has anything new happened with the war?” Moses asked. “Obviously we haven’t gotten any news lately.”

“Not much, actually. The Battle of Bull Run had a very sobering effect on the North. General McDowell was replaced by General McClellan. They seem to be looking more long-range than they were before. The last I heard is that a tremendous effort is being made to build a strong, well-equipped army. Congress has authorized the building of an army of one million men for three years, or the duration of the war.”

“A million men,” Moses whistled.

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Aunt Abby nodded. “There has been quite a lot of enthusiasm among men eager to defend the Union. At least for now.”

“You think it will change?” Rose asked.

“I think the realities of war are going to change attitudes and dampen enthusiasm everywhere. The Battle of Bull Run seems to have galvanized men eager to defend their honor and the honor of their country, and right now the war is good for our economy. But I think that will change.”

“Why?” Moses asked.

Aunt Abby shrugged. “I believe we are in for a long, hard war. As the casualties and suffering mount, the enthusiasm will fade, especially here in Philadelphia. In spite of the strength of the abolition movement here, Philadelphia has long had a traditional sympathy for the South and an antipathy toward blacks. I fear those realities will cloud its dedication to the Union.”

“Are we safe here in the city?” Rose asked. She was not feeling afraid, but she wanted to be aware of any precautions they needed to take.

“I think so,” Aunt Abby responded. “You should spend the next week or so getting to know Philadelphia. I will show you the areas where you need to be most careful, and also some places you will feel comfortable.”

“We don’t want to impose on you,” Moses protested.

“Nonsense,” Aunt Abby said crisply. “I know I haven’t really said anything, but I hope you know I want you two to stay here with me. I have plenty of room.”

“I was hoping you would want us to,” Rose admitted with a smile. “I feel like I’m at home. My mama was so much like you.”

“Your mama was Sarah, wasn’t she?”

Rose nodded.

“Carrie told me so much about her. She sounds like she was a wonderful woman. I’m so sorry you have lost her.”

Rose managed to smile. “She knew I had Moses. She wanted to go and be with my daddy. I know she’s happy.”

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A brief silence followed before Moses asked, “Will I be able to find a job here? We have no intention of letting you take care of us.”

“I didn’t think you did,” Aunt Abby said, “but finding a job will be difficult, I’m afraid. Employment in the new factories is pretty much closed to blacks. Even semi-skilled and unskilled occupations are harder to come by because of the Irish who have flooded our city.”

Rose could tell she was trying to be honest, yet not discouraging at the same time.

Moses nodded. “I’ll find something,” he said.

“What do you want to do in the long run, Moses? When you’ve found your family and they’re free?”

“I want to be a farmer, ma’am.” His eyes shone as he talked. “I love working the land and watching a tiny seed grow into a plant that can feed a lot of people. There’s magic in that, you know. Growing tobacco and corn was all right, but growing the food crops the last two months for Carrie lit a new fire in my heart. I watched those plants every day. I imagined how many people they were going to feed. I want to feed people, Aunt Abby. Someday, on land of my own, I want to grow crops that will feed people.” His eyes glazed over as he looked far into the future.

Aunt Abby nodded. “Hang on to your dream, Moses.”

“I aim to, Aunt Abby. I aim to.”

Aunt Abby turned to Rose. “You want to teach.”

“More than anything in the world,” Rose said eagerly.

“Why?”

Rose thought through her answer. She could feel Aunt Abby’s eyes on her, and she sensed it was more than just a casual question. “I’ve wanted to be a teacher ever since I learned how to read and write. I would have been in a lot of trouble if anyone found out that I was learning, but it meant too much to me. I discovered a whole world beyond the narrow one I lived in. I want other people to know that.” She paused.

Aunt Abby continued to watch her, listening. She seemed to know Rose had more to say.

Rose continued. “I read somewhere that Thomas Jefferson said the relationship between a free society and education were inseparable. He believed Virginia’s peace,

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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 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 they were. I would read them by candlelight late at night, and then I would sneak them back in.”

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

Rose shrugged. “I did what I had to do.”

“Exactly,” Aunt Abby responded. She lost herself in thought for a moment. “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. 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 consider it payment for room and board.”

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“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 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, and 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 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.”

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