The Soldier's Lady Read Online Free

er yers done chased ’em over da fence again.”
    â€œI’m comin’,” said Jeremiah, rising.
    Jeremiah strode quickly from the room on Emma’s heels.

    Several hours later, I was outside working in the garden when I heard horses approaching. I looked up and saw Henry coming toward the house with another horse alongside his.
    As I walked toward them, Henry looked my way. “I brung us a man here what cud use some help an’ some doctorin’,” he said. “Wiff yo permission, I figgered Miz Katie and Mister Templeton an’ y’all wudn’t mind me an’ Jeremiah keepin’ him under our roof fo a spell.—Dis here’s Mayme,” he added to the man beside him.
    â€œHow do, Miss Mayme,” he said with a pleasant but weary smile.
    â€œI’ll go get Katie and my papa,” I said. “I’m sure it will be fine.”
    Before I could take more than a step or two, a shriek sounded and little William came bounding down the steps off the porch and ran straight toward the stranger as Henry got off his horse and then helped the stranger to the ground. As fond as William was of Henry and Jeremiah, seeing another black man was too great a temptation for his boyish energy and enthusiasm. He went straight for him, talking away like he’d known the man all his life. The stranger stooped down.
    â€œWhy, hey there, little fella,” he said. “What’s your name?”
    â€œI’s William, mister. You gwine stay wiff us?”
    â€œI don’t know about that, William,” he chuckled, glancing up at Henry and me.
    He slowly stood and looked at me again. “He yours?” he said.
    â€œNo,” I answered. “He belongs to Emma. She’s off chasing cows with Jeremiah, but she should be back soon.”
    â€œJeremiah’s my boy I told you about,” said Henry.
    By now Katie and Josepha were on their way outside and Henry explained everything to Katie. As I glanced toward the stranger again, it was obvious from looking at him and listening to him talk, even in his condition, that he was a gentleman. I’d never heard a black man who sounded so much like a Northerner.
    Now the newcomer looked over at the whiteman—my father—approaching. “Henry’s brought us a man who needs some help, Uncle Templeton,” said Katie. “He asked if they could put him up in their cabin with them.”
    â€œOf course. Welcome, son,” my papa replied, extending his hand.
    After the introductions were made, Katie glanced around. “Where are the others?” she asked.
    â€œEmma and Jeremiah are bringing in the cows,” I answered. “And Uncle Ward went over to Mr. Thurston’s.”
    We were all standing there in sort of a circle. It became quiet as the young man looked around at us all one at a time. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
    â€œWhat you looking at so funny, mister?” said William.
    I couldn’t help it—I started laughing. Then Josepha started to chuckle, and pretty soon everybody was laughing.
    â€œI think the man’s wondering who all these people are,” laughed my papa.
    â€œAnd wondering whose house this is!” laughed the young man. “It looks to me like a mighty big and fancy house, and all I see is several blacks and what looks like a working man, meaning no offense to you, Mister . . . Daniels, was it?”
    My papa laughed again. “Yes, Daniels, it is—and you’re right, I don’t look much like a Southern plantation gentleman!”
    â€œIt’s not yours, is it, William?” said the man to William.
    â€œNo, it ain’t my house. It’s Katie’s.”
    More laughter came from my papa at William’s words.
    â€œIt’s all of ours,” said Katie. “We’re a family here. And now that that’s settled, why don’t you come inside. We should see how badly you’re