Living in Harmony: A Legacy of Love

CHAPTER ONE

Jeremiah And Luther

It wasn’t the repulsive barn odor but fear of thugs that sickened Jeremiah’s stomach as he crouched, trembling behind the stinking stables. Every sound reminded him of the terror of running away from the blacksmith shop at this early afternoon hour. How did I get in this mess, he wondered as he hid, hunched low, shaking. His skin was irritated from the rough corral boards that had already scratched deep flesh wounds.

When Mose had come back to the shop from the foundry right after lunch, he had pulled Jeremiah aside. They’s two rough ones, thugs, come in asking for you. One of ’em said Mr. Monroe thought you fit the d’scripshun they give him.

Jeremiah believed that the problem had started from his lack of attention to Mr. Monroe’s daughter Matilda. Monroe owned both the foundry and blacksmith shop next door. Jeremiah had spent countless hours trying to avoid Matilda and her daunting female chaperone. Matilda was haunting Jeremiah daily, hoping to get him into compromising situations, forcing him to marry her. His greatest nightmare would be to marry Matilda and work for her father the rest of his days. After hearing stories about this new land from his own father and mother, Hardin and Stella Faulkner, Jeremiah knew he would not have to accept the fate Matilda planned for him.

But here he was in the alley behind a stinking stable full of horses, breathing in the late afternoon accumulation of manure and horse sweat. Jeremiah was certain that he would be able to live a life of excitement and bravery in this new world if he could just save the $100 fare to join a travel group going south. He wanted more than anything to create a place for himself. Actually, anywhere would do, as long as he could escape Matilda’s clutches.

He was not altogether surprised by Mose’s warning. Spending the past two days in confused fear, Jeremiah realized that he was being followed every time he left the blacksmith shop. But he wasn’t certain who had sent thugs after him. A warning from Mose only heightened his bewilderment. Mose said Matilda’s father, a harsh man, would do whatever needed to be done to protect what he owned. Had Matilda or her chaperone complained about him to her father? Or had someone else sent the thugs? One thing he did know, the big burly guys were not trying to strike up a friendship.

Two days ago, Jeremiah had summoned the nerve to confront the two characters, stopping for them to catch up so he could demand some answers. But just as they were within a block from where he was standing, two constables suddenly appeared, sending the ruffians scurrying away. At first, Jeremiah wondered at their flight. Later, Mose confirmed his fears. Those roughnecks from the coast, they dangerous. They come around, folks been known to just up and dis’pear.

Jeremiah was frustrated that pursuit from both Matilda and the thugs distracted him from what he truly desired: the pretty girl he had seen at church two Sundays ago. Just a few glimpses of her had him pining for an introduction, which he hoped would come at church, and soon. Her glance in his direction one Sunday as he was staring at her porcelain-white skin stung his pride. Still, remembering his amusement at the unusual way she had piled her reddish brown hair on top of her head took his mind off his embarrassment. This happened as Rev. Rogerson droned on about Biblical phrases of no interest to him. Jeremiah had heard men say how Rev. Rogerson loved to hear himself extemporize. The good Reverend came up with beautiful words that Jeremiah suspected were beyond Rogerson’s vocabulary—and often held no connection to his sermon.

Acknowledging Jeremiah, the girl grinned ever so slightly, then turned her face back to the preacher. Remembering her glance kept Jeremiah hopeful for an introduction. He found out that her parents were Morris and Lurline Williams from the upper district of Baltimore. He didn’t know why they came all the way south to attend church. And he didn’t care. What he knew from the first moment he saw her was that fate had placed her there. Maybe she was less than beautiful to some, but her unspoiled patrician beauty excited Jeremiah every time he thought of her. The way she wore her hair in a loosely-rolled bun with a dainty little hat perched jauntily on top of her head told him she had a mind of her own. She arrived in a carriage with her parents, but without a chaperone. Most young ladies were shadowed by dour, matronly companions. Couldn’t the beauty’s parents afford one? Gaining access to her through her parents would probably be a more formidable challenge than doing so through a chaperone.

Jeremiah had gotten into the fix with Matilda naturally enough. He had stared at her, she had stared at him; in that, he was complicit. But Matilda’s presence while he was interviewing at her father’s blacksmith shop had upped the ante. Just after Jeremiah stepped into the shade of the door, the blacksmith shop boss had introduced Matilda to him as the daughter of the shop’s owner. Her father also owned the adjoining foundry. Jeremiah did not ignore Matilda’s attentions during the interview for fear it would keep him from being hired. After that--from the first day of his employment--she would come by with her chaperone to ask how he liked working for her father.

Matilda made a habit of bringing Jeremiah tea cakes from home for his mid-morning break. Twice, she brought warm mince pies at lunchtime for him and Mose. He was pleased to have the pastries. Boarding house rations were sparse, and he was saving money for the journey south. He was going, too, just as soon as he could accumulate the fee. (Granted, he didn’t mention that to Matilda.) Deciding which group to register with was a little like using a divining rod to find water. Almost daily, new posters were tacked up on lamp posts and street markers announcing the next trip south. Jeremiah couldn’t decide how to select the best outfit.

If the sweets were Matilda’s only enticement, Jeremiah might have withstood her temptation. But she was just getting started. Twice in the last week, she had told Mose that her father had an errand for him away from the shop, leaving Jeremiah defenseless with her. At these times, Matilda implored him to step back from the hot fire. Then, while her well-trained chaperone stood watch at the shop’s front—a cape and parasol spread out across the entryway, foiling prying eyes—the maiden flourished her bodice’s soft prominences uncomfortably near Jeremiah’s hot cheeks. While he was not disinterested, Matilda’s persistent advances were bold beyond the limits of propriety. Just yesterday, after she had sent Mose out for a few minutes, Matilda had approached Jeremiah and pressed her immodest neckline’s lace against his sternum while delicately touching his lips with her gloved finger. At that moment, Jeremiah appreciated the thick apron that protected him from flying sparks, for it obscured a thicker rod of an entirely different nature.

Just before Mose returned, Matilda had boldly brought Jeremiah’s hand to her bodice, inscribing his initials into her exposed flesh. Now Jeremiah was afraid of her! He had heard stories of young men forced to marry girls with whom they had taken liberties, and he did not intend to become such a captive. Thinking how his late Baptist mother would have rolled over in her grave, Jeremiah took pains to avoid Matilda’s snare.

Now, here he was, quivering, weak, and hiding behind the smelly stables— fearing for his future. As soon as he felt the coast was clear, Jeremiah worked his way west from the stinking stables in search of his big brother, Luther. Jeremiah counted on Luther to understand the danger of being followed and the problem of Matilda, once he heard the story.

Luther was the firstborn son of Hardin and Stella Faulkner and a faithful, caring brother to Jeremiah. Whereas Jeremiah didn’t shy away from hard labor to advance himself, Luther was more concerned with his Position, as he put it. Luther would match his brother in industry, but his plan was always to manage others who would dirty their hands and redden their necks.

Luther was standing near the tall double doors of First Congregational Church awaiting the service when a team of horses standing just in front of him became spooked by a locomotive whistle from the nearby station. In an instant, the carriage’s footmen lost control of their team, which bolted away from the curb before the occupants of the coach could disembark. Luther, an accomplished horseman even at his young age, leaped onto the team and halted the runaways. The grateful occupants were James and Martha Blackwood of the upper east side of Baltimore, and their daughter, Caroline. Once they had composed themselves, they focused on their gallant rescuer.

Taken by Luther’s bravery, the portly Mr. Blackwood invited the young man to join them in their private pew. The parents sat between Caroline and Luther so no rumors would start. After the services, while they were bidding each other goodbye, Mrs. Blackwood abruptly decided to invite Luther to their home for an early supper. Seeing something special in the young Luther, Mr. Blackwood overlooked his wife’s unexpected invitation, which was gladly accepted.

The Blackwood’s formal dining room was grander than any room Luther had ever entered. It may not have compared to rooms of the Baltimore City Capitol Building, which Luther had wandered into one morning recently, but nobody had invited him to sit there.

During the meal, Luther was so taken by Caroline’s beauty that he stammered almost every time he spoke to her. His modesty—even his awkwardness—enchanted James and Martha, who wondered whether he might be a good match for their shy Caroline. After dinner, shyness left during the evening of song and laughter around the pianoforte. By the time he considered it proper to leave, Luther had worked up enough courage to ask Mr. Blackwood if he might call on Caroline the following weekend. James consulted with Martha and Caroline, who readily agreed.

The date was set for 10:00 a.m. Saturday. Luther was thrilled at his fortune in meeting one of Baltimore’s most beautiful and proper young ladies. He was also somewhat baffled that he had been granted the privilege to court Caroline. Luther replayed the visit in his memory, replaying the image of Caroline eagerly discussing many sophisticated topics that her parents brought up as the sparkle of her eyes reflected candlelight.

Luther worried about being tripped into revealing his background prematurely. Combining the fact of his parents’ untimely deaths with the less-than-splendid reality of their life in New Hampshire, Luther knew that his upbringing was nothing to brag about. He realized that class status must be of great importance to the Blackwoods. Luther intended to pray about his chances with Caroline. If she proved the stalwart person he intuited her to be, finding a mate to share his exciting new life in the south would be a fait accompli.

Baltimore was considered one of the more progressive cities in the New World. The rich and famous of the Tidewater country often vacationed at the seashore east of the city. Affluence was on display throughout the business district, where merchants filled their windows with England’s latest fabrics, Scotland’s whiskeys, and Ireland’s stoneware. Luther walked past those large windows each evening as he smoked a clay pipe, wondering how he could satisfy Caroline’s fine tastes through the fruits of his shopkeeping. Baltimore society’s social standards and mores could hardly be ignored.

Luther made a good salary at the White’s Mercantile near the center of town. In exchange for two hours janitorial service each evening, Luther had been assigned a room above the store and was able to save most of his salary each week. He did not intend to stay at the White’s Mercantile forever, but for the time being it was a position of modest authority and one that introduced him to the give and take of commerce. Luther loved the neatness of the shelves—five deep and twelve across—stacked with tinware from Birmingham, spices from India, and other imports that attracted wives of professionals and the clergy. The conflicting odors of coffee beans, vanilla bark, anise seeds, and unbleached muslin fascinated his customers.

Luther’s suppliers introduced new gadgets every month, and he prided himself on demonstrating them knowledgeably. He wanted to be seen as knowing his business, even before customers came to inspect what was new at the store. His favorite area was the feed and seed department, where bulging sacks of seeds and animal feed, in rank smelling burlap bags, sold out almost weekly. Regulars who filled the alley with their open wagons to buy supplies (and the occasional latest invention) were becoming his friends. Luther was content for the time being. The brothers who owned the store were anxious for the mercantile to carry every new household item and all the new fashions available in New York or Philadelphia. They found Luther a competent young man capable of running their store. Managing the store every day didn’t allow them time to enjoy their wealth. He was intelligent, ebullient, a natural shopkeeper. They trained him carefully for three months and told him to be bold in his inventory selections.

After meeting Caroline, Luther rededicated himself to a strict budget. He adopted money-saving techniques and focused on securing a financial position sufficiently lucrative to ask for Caroline’s hand in marriage. Luther thought of nothing but strategies to woo her into believing he was her prince charming. Luther’s strong jaw was clean shaven, his hair dark, curly, and full. His hazel eyes shone with the clarity of youth, and his fair skin attracted Caroline’s touch. He sported neither a mustache nor a beard. His smile radiated health and happiness. His entrance into the Blackwood’s lives may have suggested a rowdy past, but Luther was determined to show them that he was actually a disciplined and methodical individual with ambitious and achievable plans from which he rarely diverted.

Jeremiah bolted through White’s door just as Luther was closing down for the day. Jeremiah usually worked later into the evening, so Luther was surprised to see him. Jeremiah was anxious, pale and shaking. Luther knew from childhood that Jeremiah had a smoldering temper, and wondered if it had gotten him fired from his job. Jeremiah quickly dismissed that idea. Breathless, he told Luther about the two thugs who had shadowed him for the past week. Once he had caught his breath, Jeremiah described Matilda’s bolder and bolder advances toward him.

Recalling how—a little over two years earlier—his brother had escaped from New Hampshire just ahead of a desperate shotgun parent, Luther was distraught over Jeremiah’s new entrapment. He worried that Jeremiah might be more of a rascal than he wanted to believe. Later on, Luther discovered that Jeremiah was only being a gentleman when the New England ingénue claimed he had taken liberties while trying to save her from a runaway horse. The girl’s father thought he had finally found a way to marry off the worrisome daughter whose story of woe had convinced both her mother and the constable. Jeremiah was frantic to be absolved of her charges, knowing his reputation was in dire danger. Out of desperation to escape his predicament, Jeremiah begged Luther to accompany him to Baltimore. Luther, already eager and anxious to find new excitement, was easily convinced.

The brothers had lost their parents four years prior in a big flu epidemic that had taken thousands of lives in New England. The brothers were in their early twenties, handsome, strong, smart, ambitious, and honorable. With no family to speak of, they had no tug on their hearts to remain in their home village. All they had to do was sell the house and the few acres of land that their parents had left them. With that money, they had traveled to Baltimore to seek their fortune.

Sadly, their cash proved insufficient to launch a partnership in the boomtown that was Baltimore. Together they determined to find jobs, save their money, and then strike out farther south to make their fortunes.

Because Luther had been granted the right to court Caroline only three days ago, Jeremiah’s unexpected problem was distressing. Luther was not ready to leave Baltimore until he had enough time to court Caroline and confirm that she was the one he wanted to marry. Until that time, he did not want to leave town for any reason, even to help his younger brother. Certainly not now.

Luther invited Jeremiah to stay with him in the little room above White’s until a workable plan could be implemented. Luther wanted Jeremiah to go to the District Constable and explain the situation. Jeremiah was leery of this idea, as he knew that Matilda’s father was a big man in town. What if the two ruffians stalking him were his men? What then? Luther had heard of hired toughs employed to do the dirty work of respectable citizens of Baltimore. He did not know what to do in this situation.

This may very well take more than a couple of days, Luther said.

We must devise a plan before I go back to my job Jeremiah replied.

Jeremiah agreed that he would stay for one night, then go back to the blacksmith shop the next day, hide until he could find Mose alone, and then get his earnings for the past week. If, as Jeremiah suspected, Mose arrived early, he could get his pay and be gone before Matilda’s morning break appearance, or before the thugs caught his scent. Luther, more cautious than Jeremiah, wondered if his brother’s weekly pay was worth the risk. His first concern was hiding Jeremiah safely in his little room. Luther worried that the thugs had followed Jeremiah or—perhaps even worse—that Matilda had contrived to have him followed. If no one showed up during the night, Luther would be more comfortable about Jeremiah’s plans to secure his back pay.

Luther was relieved to see that Jeremiah had brought along his lunch pail. Luther’s cupboard was bare, as he had been buying less and less food to save money. The pail was almost full. Jeremiah had been too busy evading real and imagined dangers. Since the brothers had not seen each other for three weeks, Jeremiah was not aware of Luther’s chance encounter with the beautiful Caroline, nor had Jeremiah been able to tell Luther about the strikingly pretty woman that he had sighted in church the past Sunday. They had a lot to talk about. Jeremiah was anxious to brag of his attraction to that beauty and his hopes of meeting her someday soon. Both of the brothers were pining for the women who had just recently attracted them. But the most pressing problem was what to do about Jeremiah being followed.

Jeremiah and Luther weighed the dangers threatening Jeremiah’s life, starting with Matilda. But they could not come up with a reason why her father would hire thugs to do away with Jeremiah. Do you think Matilda complained about you to her father, Luther asked; A scorned woman?

I don’t know, Jeremiah answered. I just know she’s stayed after me.

Do you know the names of these fellows stalking you? Could you have offended one of them somehow?

Jeremiah only knew the names of a couple of brothers who worked at the foundry, who occasionally bragged about their jobs and Mr. Monroe. I overheard them tell the bartender, ‘We’re lucky to have jobs! Mr. Monroe and our bosses drive us hard—sure—but they are true to their word.’ I don’t recall a brawl at the pub while I was there, although I hear a couple of fights erupted there several weeks ago. Shoot! We haven’t been in Baltimore long enough to make enemies.

Sometimes an unknown enemy remains undiscovered for a long time, Luther said. It couldn’t be over a woman. We haven’t met any eligible young ladies since we’ve arrived.

Jeremiah decided that Matilda must be the source of the threats. Luther, unsatisfied, inquired further about Matilda’s endearments at the blacksmith shop before arriving at an answer. In the couple of hours that they talked about the problem, they had not come up with a reasonable theory of why Jeremiah’s felt threatened. Hunger overcame them. Luther sat on the bed and Jeremiah took Luther’s only chair as they divided the contents of Jeremiah’s lunch pail. Sated, the brothers drifted off, giving themselves over to the anxious dreams of unquiet hearts.

The first thing in the morning, Jeremiah determined to go back for his wages. I will tell Mose about being followed. I cannot live with the fear of thugs, so I’ll resign honorably. But I won’t tell him I’m going to try and find another smithing job in the city.

Jeremiah had heard of available work in other parts of the city. He figured that his experience was sufficient to locate a job and stay in Baltimore until his love life worked out. But, he did not want a job on the coast, a known hangout for thugs, fearing he would have little chance of avoiding his pursuers there.

Leaving early the next day, Jeremiah sneaked back to see Mose, telling him that he planned to quit because of Matilda’s aggressive affections, not to mention his fear of the thugs who stalked him on the back streets. Mose was more sympathetic than Jeremiah had expected.

Jeremiah, might be I can help out. Don’t quit. Be patient. Mose was vague, but he clearly meant to reassure his young hand. Jeremiah agreed to stay for the day, but he was anxious every minute.

I’m s’posed to drive this ‘ere wagon to Washington City to procure supplies an’ patterns for a contract M’ssr Monroe worked with the gov’ment. Mose said he would ask permission from the owner to send Jeremiah instead of going himself. Mose suggested that Jeremiah spend the night at Luther’s another day or two until he could work something out with Mr. Monroe.

Fo’ your p’otection just t’day, Mose ordered, You harness th’ mules, hook ‘em up to ‘de wagon, and prepare to d’liver the whole order of locks and chains to East’n Boat C’mpany on the upper coast east of Balt’more." Mose gave Jeremiah extra straw to bed down in the wagon and coins for food in case something happened to prevent him from getting back that evening. They worked hurriedly to prepare for the short trip as Mose, too, was fearful the two men who had been stalking Jeremiah would come to the blacksmith shop before Jeremiah could get away, or maybe even worse, Matilda would show up with her overpowering, six-foot-tall chaperone.

The next morning Mose told Jeremiah, Miz Matilda, Mister Obadiah and Missus Maude Monroe are going to France and England fo’ a year. If you can escape Miz Matilda fo’ just a few days, everything goin’ work out.

Jeremiah was working in the back of the shop when Mr. Monroe came to see Mose. Jeremiah overheard Mr. Monroe, Mose, We gotta go over these contracts . . . you’ll be tak’n care of while I will be travelin’. The wagon was loaded for Washington, D. C., the load covered with a tarp when the owner arrived. Mose, What d’ya say Jeremiah makes the trip to pick up the patterns and paperwork, so’s you and I can talk ovah the gov’nment spec’fications for those nails and spikes."

Mr. Monroe employed a large, handsome young colored man who shadowed Mose about the shop, and that perplexed Jeremiah because he had been told that Mr. Monroe never owned slaves. Jeremiah wondered about the boss and his connection to the young man. One afternoon, Jeremiah overheard Mr. Monroe talking to Mose, You be trainin’ him in all your managin’ crafts, Mose. I ‘spect our business with the gov’ment is sure to continue. I spec’ to bring in more government orders.

Mr. Monroe made it clear he did not want an interruption in the flow of business during his absence, explaining to Mose, You will be needin’ plenty ‘a workers to complete the extra orders I’m expectin’. He reminded Mose that he would be in charge of the blacksmith shop while he was away and encouraged him to be assertive in his dealings and doubly astute in his negotiations with the larger companies on the coast. When Mr. Monroe turned from Mose to send the young negro for morning refreshment, Mose sent Jeremiah to Washington, D. C.

When Jeremiah returned three days later, he determined to make more nails than any other hand in the shop. Delivering to Washington, D. C., Jeremiah made a point to thank every shop boss and dock foreman, hoping reports of his professionalism and courtesy would find their way back to Mose and Mr. Monroe. On the return trip, he kept up a steady pace and arrived back home without seeing the thugs.

Extremely relieved that Matilda would be gone for a year, and delighted that he still had a job he enjoyed, Jeremiah’s biggest relief was the fact that the two thugs had not reappeared. At least, not to his knowledge. He knew that his continued vigilance to the danger was imperative. For safety, he would ask to be with Mose or someone else when away from the blacksmith shop. Still, neither Jeremiah nor Mose had any idea why he was being followed. If Matilda was not behind the threat, who? They discussed it several times over the following days, but neither one could fathom a cause.

On his return trip from Washington, D.C., Jeremiah stopped by White’s to tell Luther that Matilda and her family had gone abroad for a year and that he had not seen a trace of the thugs since the day they left. He said, Mose has hired a new employee, a large young negro, who he says will accompany me on errands and deliveries—just for extra protection.

CHAPTER TWO

New Friends

Jeremiah enjoyed his time with the young man and taught him the safety rules for a blacksmith shop. Inexplicably, Jeremiah could not get the fellow to tell him his name. Mose was unconcerned but suggested that Jeremiah propose a name, if the man would accept it. Jeremiah thought Big Brown appropriate. Tickled, the young man strutted around calling himself, Big Brown. For the first time in weeks, Jeremiah was comfortable in his job, even though he remained diligent on the streets when he left the blacksmith shop. His thoughts turned to the beautiful girl at church.

Mose told Jeremiah and Big Brown that one of the new contracts called for thousands of small iron nails to be used in the construction of wooden buildings. After making forms, Mose dedicated an hour each morning to teach Big Brown and Jeremiah how to pour molten iron into the forms, how to hammer the long strips flat so they could be cut and trimmed to the size the order required. The iron came from Mr. Monroe’s foundry next door. Jeremiah was happy to see how eagerly Big Brown took to the task. Jeremiah returned to his favorite assignment, forging the larger spikes that railroads were ordering in huge numbers. Fashioning spikes was not as tedious as the smaller nails. It gave him more time to think about the pretty girl at church. It was a happy time for Jeremiah: he enjoyed his work, the companionship of Mose and Big Brown, and he soon stopped fearing Matilda’s persistent advances in the blacksmith shop. And, he had not seen the thugs since the Monroe’s had left on their European holiday.

The following Sunday Jeremiah arrived early for services to claim the best seat in the public pews, one with an unobstructed view of his beautiful girl. It seemed like forever before they arrived. When they did come in, a young man accompanied them. Handsomely dressed, he had Jeremiah’s heartthrob on his arm. The young couple exchanged smiles, sending a chill through Jeremiah’s heart. This was no casual acquaintance. Jeremiah assumed the young man was Jewish, particularly because of his long hair braids, and wondered why he would be attending the Baptist church. At the conclusion of the service, Dr. Rogerson announced, The congregation is invited to stay for tea and to meet the fiancé of Miss Laura Ophelia Williams. The invitation is extended by her parents, Morris and Lurline Williams. Heartbroken, Jeremiah retreated to an outside aisle and tried to escape the scene with his private humiliation. No one but Luther knew of his infatuation. He attempted to make his exit almost immediately but was stopped in the aisle by Miss Laura who asked him if he was leaving as she had hoped they could become friends. This confused him, and he explained that he had made other arrangements for the afternoon and thought it discourteous to be late and he surely would be if he stayed any longer at the church. It bothered him to lie to her even though she was a perfect stranger but his heart could not stand the pain of watching them enjoy their upcoming bliss.

When he arrived at work on Monday morning, his heart was still tender. Big Brown said, Jeremiah, you not yourself today. Something under yo’ skin?

Mose chimed in, You been bothered by them thugs on your way here? Yo eyes staring at yonder wall, Mose added. Something gots to be bad wrong. Feeling his responsibility for productivity, Mose said, This here blacksmith shop no a place for a feller who cain’t keep ‘is mind on ‘s doings. . . Yo’ end up burned or hurt. Finally, Jeremiah broke. I hate it, but I admit, it’s a girl. I was bidin’ my time to make her mine, but I guess I waited too long."

Mose told him he was lucky: Dem Morris Williams family from up north of town has good reputation an’ all, but I hears dat Mrs. Williams be making all the decisions for de fam’ly, partic’ly for dat daughter. Mose said, ’Twas God’s own mercy that saved yo’ from a fate worse ‘en death, of having a mother-in-law who insisted on making all the decisions for everyone in the family.

Mose said his brother had worked for Mr. Williams some years back an’ when dat Mrs. start tryin’ ta do his decidin’ for him, he left that employment. He did not know the interloper, but he agreed, Dem curlies sure sound like a Jew’s son.

Mose said, Ever’ body know’d Mrs. Williams intented to marry Miss Laura to a rich feller.

Jeremiah determined in his mind that he would not have been accepted by Mrs. Williams so maybe Mose was right that God had saved him from a bigger heart break. All day long Big Brown was solicitous of Jeremiah bringing up amusing topics to think on rather than Miss Laura Ophelia Williams.

Jeremiah wrote Luther reporting that since Matilda and her parents had gone abroad for a year, his fears of Matilda had temporarily subsided. Nevertheless, he remained unsettled about the two thugs who had been stalking him and said that he was still cautious when he left the blacksmith shop, adding that Mose or Big Brown would accompany him when necessary. Jeremiah thought he had seen one of the thugs as he was handing his letter to a runner in front of the stables, but since his letter was already sealed, he did not tell Luther. Jeremiah said the pretty girl at church was getting married to someone else and a reception was held for them at the church this past Sunday.

Meanwhile, Luther and Caroline were chaperoned every minute they were together. It was very frustrating to Luther who longed to kiss Caroline passionately but could not. As often as possible when they were together, he removed her glove and kissed her naked hand, each time holding it a little longer than before. Caroline had pulled her hand away at first. Now, each time they were together, she would offer her ungloved hand to him even before he asked. Caroline was the first one to bring up marriage. Luther was now convinced she was the one he wanted to be with forever. With fear and trembling, he told her of his desire to go south and settle in the former Indian Territory in Georgia. He was not exactly sure where it was but knew it was somewhere in the area where the Indians had lived until 1836 or 1838. Because of the advertised price of the land, he dreamed of buying hundreds of acres and becoming a prosperous Southern gentleman. He longed to be known as a landowner and wealthy planter. Luther dreamed of a beautiful wife and many children, living in a grand house with servants, and plenty of food on the table for everyone in his household. His knowledge of how to accomplish his dreams was romantic in nature. Still, he wanted to be somebody and knew that his work ethic, business acumen, if combined with occasional good luck, could achieve his dream. He did not mind working to build his fortune, and he was determined that fate would not present him a narrow path.

Her reaction to his ambitious confession surprised even herself. Caroline worried she was not up to the task. I have fallen in love with you, Caroline said, and would be heartbroken to not have you in my life, so I promise to pray about it, she added. Luther’s fear diminished when she told him that she would pray about her role in his life.

Luther did not know the reason the Indians had moved from Georgia. His limited information came from overhearing brief conversations about the situation and reading small articles in the newspapers. But almost everyone agreed Indians could be trouble to white settlers, even though they had no personal proof. Luther was familiar with the Iroquois up in New Hampshire and assumed that all Indians were just like them. Later he learned that the Iroquois split thousands of years ago with the northern group staying in Canada or in the northern states and living a more nomadic life than the Southern groups that renamed themselves Cherokee. The Cherokees in Georgia were established farmers who also hunted. They lived a quiet life on their neat, fertile farms prior to being forced to evacuate to Oklahoma in 1838. Luther planned to research the situation as he knew Caroline would ask him a dozen questions about why he wanted to move to a place that the Indians had left.

One sunny late afternoon, Caroline slipped away from home and arrived at the White’s Mercantile just before closing time. Recalling their plans to meet the following Saturday morning at her home, Luther was shocked by her unexpected presence. But, here she was, breathless and anxious to be hidden from view. He hurriedly closed down the store and rushed her upstairs to his room. Anxious that her parents would discover her presence in his room, which would probably mean that he would be forbidden to see her again, Luther nearly fainted.

As soon as the door was locked, Caroline flung herself into his arms and begged him to kiss her the way he had told her he wanted to. Luther was frozen with nervous energy. What should he do next? Here she was, begging to be kissed. But without a chaperone! With all the love in his heart, he kissed her tenderly, holding her face in his hands as he told her of his love for her. He pulled her close as he continued to kiss her pouty, eager lips. Luther’s racing heart told him it was time to back away, but she pushed herself even closer and spoke of her love and desire for him.

Eventually, as their passion progressed, Luther assessed the errancy of not only his hands, but of hers as well. Knowing the urgency of separating himself from her, he sat her down on his only chair. Hearing himself sound like a Sunday School lecturer, Luther told Caroline how like the uncountable stars of the sky was his love for her. How like the mountain stream that never ends. How like the irrepressible flowers of springtime. Oh, how dangerous it was for them to be together without a chaperone!

Caroline, whose whole mind was focused on the texture of his last kiss and the anticipation of his next touch, did not understand his reticence. With pleading eyes, she asked him to kiss her again and not stop. Her body was tingling from head to toe.

Luther sighed as he said, Caroline, you must understand that it is different for a man. Our embraces will escalate my desire for your body—and I may not be able to stop! He even went so far as to enumerate, the consequences that could result from kissing and. . .

She was somewhat sobered by his frankness and said she understood, but she did not. She wanted him now, I do not care about the consequences, please don’t stop. He loved her all the more for this unexpected display of passion. But he knew she did not fully appreciate the trouble that lay so near.

Luther looked at her in his only chair and said, No more Caroline. I love you more than you know. But it is dangerous for us to be together without a chaperone.

"Why? Caroline whimpered, a sound that was both resentful and passionate, which struck Luther to the core. Restraining himself, Luther brushed two strands of curls from her face and kissed her upturned fingertips. He told her he could not touch her again for a long while and she would have to accept that he loved her more than she could imagine. Sulking for a moment, she watched him walk to the other side of the room. Then Caroline seemed sobered by his sudden aloofness, and she agreed to be more discreet in the future.

That left Luther with the problem of returning her home without being caught by her father or being seen by talkative neighbors. Distraught, he determined that if they could get out of this, he would propose to her immediately and ask her to set the wedding date as soon as her Mother deemed appropriate. He was familiar with the back streets leading away from White’s, but beyond the first six or eight blocks, he had no idea what route might be sufficiently discreet. Just as they strolled in the ninth block, Caroline noticed a carriage parked on the street and suggested to Luther that she go see whose it was and ask them to take her home. Luther was aghast at her suggestion. A young lady simply would not do such a thing! Besides, he had heard of young ladies being compromised by gentlemen they did not know. But Caroline was sure the carriage belonged to the family of Victoria, her best friend. If so, being in the company of Victoria would be the perfect alibi, should she get into a heated argument with her parents. Luther was sure his guardian angel was near to protect them as Victoria and her maid exited a shop and approached the carriage. Luther kissed Caroline’s hand and helped her into the carriage. Turning on his heel, he left whistling a happy tune of relief and gratitude to heaven above for this deliverance. But it took more than an hour for his body to stop trembling.

On Saturday morning at the appointed time, Luther arrived at Caroline’s home and was greeted by her father. Good morning, Luther, Mr. Blackwood sang out when he opened the front door. Please come in and let’s visit while we wait for Caroline to come downstairs, which will only be a few minutes as she is just arising from an early morning nap. He said she had not been feeling well the past few days due to a late afternoon excursion a few days ago. He gave no clue as to whether or not he suspected anything. Luther was saved again as Caroline came gliding down the stairs looking radiant in a soft pink gown. She was absolutely beautiful, and Luther was overcome by the way a large pink bow framed her face. His body reacted to the recent pleasure of her proximity, and he felt light-headed as he remembered her passionate kisses. Her mother joined them, asked that tea be served, and said she was anxious to start the conversation about the upcoming nuptials.

Luther was hungry as he had not eaten anything at home. But he discovered that he was more than hungry for Caroline. With an abrupt cough, Luther raised his eyes to ask her father for Caroline’s hand in marriage. Mr. Blackwood said, Caroline has already advised us that you were coming this morning with that express purpose in mind. He said he was most happy for Caroline that she had fallen in love so deeply and contentedly. Mrs. Blackwood asked him How do you intend to provide for Caroline? Then she added, "We would like to know what your plans are for the future. Do you intend to continue to manage White’s Mercantile or do you have other