A Dream for Tomorrow Read Online Free Page A

I’d like to offer you some legal counsel.”
    “Legal counsel?” She blinked and then adjusted her bonnet, folding back the wide brim.
    “It’s regarding Brady.” He lowered his voice. “I’ve been meaning to say something for some time, but I couldn’t quite think of how to put it.”
    Now she glanced around. She was certain that Brady would still be caring for the animals, but just the same, something in Will’s demeanor made her uneasy.
    “I overheard Brady talking to your brother about his plans for a small farm in Oregon Country.”
    “Yes.” She nodded. “Brady is saving his wages in the hopes of developing his parcel of land.”
    Will cleared his throat. “That’s what worries me. I can only assume that you and your family are unaware of the legalities in the Oregon Territory.”
    “What legalities?”
    “First of all, despite a recent push to legalize slavery in Oregon, it is illegal.”
    “What is that to me? As you know, Brady is a free man. We have his papers to prove it.”
    “Therein lies the problem.”
    “What?” She frowned.
    “Slaves are allowed temporary residence—I believe it’s up to three years—all other Negroes are excluded.”
    “Excluded?” She blinked. “What are you saying?”
    “I’m saying that Oregon voters voiced their opinion just this year. The majority voted to oppose slavery.”
    “Good.” She nodded. “They should.”
    “They also voted to restrict residency to Negroes in Oregon Country. By quite a margin, I’m afraid. Eight to one is what I believe I read.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    He set down a bucket and rubbed his chin. “I must agree…it’s not an easy concept to grasp. Opposing slavery is admirable, but opposing a free man due to his race…well, in my opinion, that is plain old bigotry.”
    “But surely there are other free Negroes already living in Oregon. I’m certain that I’ve read of it somewhere. And I’ve heard of Negro explorers too. JT read something about it to us. Back in Kentucky.”
    “Certainly, there are Negroes in Oregon. But according to the recently created law, they are not living there legally now.”
    Elizabeth felt as if the dark clouds had rolled in again. But glancing up at the sky, she could see it was blue and clear. “I…uh…I don’t even know what to say about this…or how to respond. I’m stunned.”
    “And I am terribly sorry to be the bearer of such bad news. I only felt you should know.”
    Now JT was returning. “I just took Grandma a bunch of buffalo chips,” he told her. “Shall I put our awning down now?”
    Flustered, she looked from JT to Will. “No, I don’t think so. Not now that the weather has passed. You go and help Brady with the livestock first.”
    He just nodded but looked curiously at Will as he left.
    “I’d better get this water to the ladies at my camp.” Will smiled in a congenial but apologetic way. “I just wanted you to be aware of these things, Elizabeth. I’d been looking for the proper chance to tell you for some time, but it just never seemed to come up.”
    “As hard as it is to hear, I do appreciate knowing this.” She shook her head. “But I’d also appreciate it if you kept this news under your hat.”
    “Of course. There’s no need to talk about it to others. Certainly we have enough prejudice on this wagon train already.”
    “Although there are those who seem to like Brady.”
    “Yes, most assuredly. Speaking for myself and my family, we do like Brady. It’s because of my fondness toward him that I’m telling you this.”
    “So let me ask you one more thing, just to be clear. Are you saying that if Brady were my slave, he would be legally accepted in Oregon?”
    “Apparently. But even then it would only be for a few years.” He held up his hands in a helpless way. “Although, to be honest, I am uncertain of how this law will be actually enforced in a territory like Oregon. Still, I suspect that some of the citizens will make an