Authors: Jeffry S.Hepple
“
You don’t want to get too far on the wrong side of that particular nigger,” the sheriff replied. “The Van Buskirks look on him like he’s part of their family.”
“
They’re not as important around here as they once was.”
“
If you cross ‘em, they’re just as mean as ever they was. My advice is not to cross ‘em.”
“
Okay, Uncle Earl. If you say so.” He gestured toward the house. “It ain’t fair for niggers to live in a mansion while white people are livin’ in shacks.”
“
Life ain’t fair, Junior. Never has been, never will be. Go back and fetch us some help to haul off these bodies.”
May 9, 1852
Manhattan, New York
A
nna and Nancy were reclined on canvas lounges on the small balcony of Nancy’s apartment that looked out on the eight hundred acres of Central Park. Anna was reading a magazine and Nancy was dozing in the sun.
“
I don’t see anything particularly special about this woman’s writing,” Anna complained.
“
What?” Nancy blinked at her.
“
I’m reading a short story by Louisa May Alcott and it’s not particularly special.”
“
Who?”
“
Louisa May Alcott. Remember I told you about that non sequitur that Harriet Stowe dropped about Louisa May Alcott from Concord?”
“
Uh-huh. Sort of.”
“
Well, I’m reading a short story that Miss Alcott wrote and it’s nothing special.”
“
Did Harriet suggest that you read Miss Alcott’s work?”
“
No. She suggested that I call on her.”
“
In Concord, you said?”
“
Yes.”
“
Is Miss Alcott related to Bronson Alcott?”
“
Yes. That’s her father’s name, according to Harriet. Do you know him?”
“
No, but Ralph Emerson mentioned his name.”
“
In what regard?”
“
I don’t honestly remember. I only remember the name because I thought that Bronson Alcott sounded sexy. I wasn’t intrigued enough with the name to find out, however.”
Anna giggled. “Is the Emerson that you mentioned the man that Horace Greely hired to write that disgusting biography of Margaret Fuller?”
“
Yes. He writes as Ralph Waldo Emerson and his biography of Margaret Fuller is a huge best-seller.”
“
It’s claptrap,” Anna grumbled. “Margaret Fuller’s words were rewritten in it.”
“
Emerson’s a transcendentalist,” Nancy said. “I think Bronson Alcott is too.”
“
Uh-huh.” Anna went back to reading.
“
John Brown’s been a guest in Emerson’s home numerous times.”
Anna looked up from the magazine. “Is that so? Do you know any more of Mr. Emerson’s friends?”
“
The only people I know that are friends of his are literary types, like Nathaniel Hawthorne and David Henry Thoreau.”
“
I think that’s Henry David Thoreau.”
“
You’re wrong,” Nancy said. “And if you’re going to argue with everything I say, don’t ask me questions.”
“
I’m not arguing with everything you say, Nancy, just with the man’s name.”
“
I know the man, Anna. Do you?” Nancy closed her eyes and Anna went back to reading.
After a minute, Anna rolled the magazine and slapped Nancy on the thigh with it.
“
What?” Nancy growled.
“
The underground railroad,” Anna said. “I asked Harriet for a contact name when I first met her and she refused. Now that she knows me better, she’s changed her mind. Louisa May Alcott must be a contact.”
“
I can find out for you, if you want me to.”
“
Yes, please do,” Anna said.
May 11, 1852
Van Buskirk Point, New Jersey
T
he bell on the barge from Long Island echoed across the pasture. “Ferry’s comin’,” Ginger shouted into the open barn doors.
Abraham slid down the rope from the loft, picked up his rifle and trotted out to join her. “How many passengers?”
“
Just one. Horse mounted.”
He started across the meadow toward the hill and the main house. “Stay here.”
“
No. I don’t want to be alone. I’m coming with you.” Ginger trotted to stay beside him.
He glanced toward the point. “Have you seen the constables this morning?”
“
No. If anyone’s down there, they’re asleep.”
“
Fat lot of good they do.”
“
It’s just window dressing to make the County officials look like they care about colored folks.”
“
They care enough to send a collector every year when it’s time for us to pay our taxes.” Abe stopped at the crest of the hill to watch the barge as it crossed Kill Van Kull. “That looks like one of the boys.”
“
How can you tell?”
“
I don’t know. Something about the way he moves.”
“
Come on, now,” Ginger teased.
They watched as the barge docked, the boy led his horse onto the shore, then mounted and rode toward the house.
“
I was right,” Abraham said.
“
About what?”
“
The boy sits a horse like a Van Buskirk.”
“
Maybe.” She shaded her eyes. “Yes, I think you’re right. Is it Quincy or Pea?”
“
Neither one. Younger. Must be Johnny.”
“
Yes, that’s who it is.” She smiled. “Look how tall he’s grown. Did you know he was coming?”
“
The last letter from Thomas said that Johnny had been accepted at West Point, but there was no mention of him stopping here on his way.”
“
Should I go up to the big house and tell Mrs. Keller to get a room ready for him, or should we invite him to stay with us?”
Abraham looked unsure. “He’s grown up in Texas. He may have acquired a prejudice against colored people. But then again, it would be rude not to invite him. Let’s see how he behaves.”
“
Do you think he expects to find Anna here?”
“
No, but he might think that Nancy’s still here. He took quite a liking to her last time.”
Ginger started to reply but changed her mind.
Johnny crossed the plank bridge over the pond and marsh, then raised his hand and gave his horse a kick. “Hello,” he shouted, grinning widely.
“
That’s encouraging.” Ginger waved.
Abraham raised his hand in greeting. “Yes.”
Johnny raced up the slope, then reined in his horse sharply, jumped down, hugged Ginger, and offered his hand to Abraham. “Sorry to drop in on you unannounced.”
Abraham shifted the rifle he was carrying to his left hand and shook the boy’s hand enthusiastically. “This is your home. You don’t need an invitation.”
Johnny looked at the rifle. “Hunting buffalo?”
Abraham smiled. “We’ve had some trouble lately.”
Johnny looked concerned. “What kind of trouble?”
“
Slave catchers,” Ginger said. “They come north looking for fugitive slaves and they kidnap free colored people.”
Johnny’s mouth fell open. “Kidnap? What for?”
“
To take them south and sell them,” Ginger replied.
Johnny was stunned.
“
Samuel and I had a shoot-out with a bunch a few days ago,” Abraham said. “Samuel was wounded. He’s in the Newark hospital.”
“
How badly was he hurt?” Johnny asked.
“
He may lose his leg,” Abraham said.
Johnny looked horrified. “That’s awful. I’ll send a wire to Father and have him bring some men. I’ll stay until they arrive.”
“
That’s not necessary, Johnny. The sheriff’s stationed some constables down there on the point.” Abraham gestured over his shoulder.
Johnny peered toward the small collection of buildings by the dock. “Why didn’t they challenge me?”
“
Should I tell the housekeeper to get a room ready for you in the Home Place?” Ginger asked to avoid answering. “Of course you’re more than welcome to stay with us. We’d love to have you.”
Johnny looked up toward the big house at the top of the hill. “Is anyone staying in the main house?”
“
No,” Abraham replied. “Mrs. Keller’s there and a hired man comes by weekdays to do odds and ends. Anna and Nancy are both involved in politics. There’s no telling where they are.”
“
Well,” Johnny said. “I came to see you, so if it wouldn’t be putting you out, I’d rather stay at your place.”
“
We’ve got plenty of room and would sure enjoy your company.” Abraham winked at his sister, then walked to Johnny’s horse and picked up the reins.
“
Why did you come to see us?” Ginger asked. “Not that we’re not delighted but…”
Johnny ducked his head and looked embarrassed. “Well, you’re the only colored people that I know, and I wanted your opinion about secession.”
~
Abraham, Ginger and Johnny were seated at the kitchen table. “I’m full of opinions about slavery,” Abraham said. “I’m less sure about secession.”
“
What possible good could come from the United States dividing into two countries?” Ginger challenged.
“
A war to end slavery,” Abraham replied.
“
If the southern states secede it’ll be over states’ rights, not slavery,” Johnny said.
“
Yes, and if the northern states declare war on the states that try to secede it’ll be to preserve the Union,” Abraham agreed. “But before the war’s over, slavery has to become the North’s central issue.”
“
Why so?” Johnny asked.
“
To keep England and France from taking sides with the South,” Abraham replied. “Europe needs the South’s cotton and rice and they don’t care a fig about our union. But if the North was to assert that the purpose of the war was to free the slaves, no country in Europe would dare step in to aid the South.”
Johnny slapped the table and grinned. “That’s brilliant. Abraham Van Buskirk for president.”
“
That’ll never happen,” Abe chuckled. “There’s no way a white man is ever gonna vote for a black man as president. Not in
these
United States.”
“
It might be different, in
the
United States,” Johnny said.
Abraham was looking at his sister who had obviously lost interest in the conversation. “What are you thinking, Ginger?” He touched her hand.
She started at his touch. “I was thinking that we might take Samuel from the hospital, with Johnny’s help. I’m sure I can save his leg, but those white doctors will take it off if his fever doesn’t drop soon. And it won’t. Not the way they’re treating him.”
“
I’ll gladly help any way that I can,” Johnny said. “But why would you need me to help you bring Samuel home from the hospital?”
“
I killed four white men,” Abraham said. “The sheriff would like to see me prosecuted for murder, but he can’t get an indictment. He has a deputy at the hospital watching Samuel to make sure we don’t take him and flee out of his jurisdiction.”
“
What?” Johnny was on his feet.
“
Now slow down,” Abraham cautioned. “We don’t have the same rights that you do and if you...”
“
Of course you have the same rights,” Johnny argued.
“
You’re wrong, son,” Abraham insisted. “For a long time we’ve been treated as equals because of your family’s influence. But times have changed and the Fugitive Slave Act made everyone more aware and suspicious of black folks.”
“
Let’s go get Samuel,” Johnny said. “If the sheriff tries to stop us I can have a court order in my hands in the time it takes me to ride to Elizabeth and back. Trust me. We may not have as much influence here as we once did, but the family’s still got its share of lawyers, judges and politicians. I guarantee that I can get Samuel released.”