Civil War Life by Judy Sharer

Author:Judy Sharer [Sharer, Judy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Civil War; Historical Romance; American Historical; Western; Kansas; Slavery; Betrayal; Deception; Union Army; Fort Riley
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2020-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

The sun had set by the time Jack made it back to Billy’s place. He took care of Buttons and walked into the house as the clock chimed half past the hour. He looked at the clock…six-thirty. He had been in the saddle a long time.

“Well, did Mr. Hovis take your leather goods?” Billy asked when Jack was inside and warm.

“He sure did!”

“Good for you. I bet he’ll take more too.”

I told him I’d bring him items in April and again in July. He seemed pleased.”

“I’m happy for you. This means you have a lot of work ahead, and I know you’ll do well with your new business.”

Elizabeth set a steaming bowl of beef stew and two slices of bread in front of him.

Jack needed no urging to dig into the hearty meal. He hadn’t had much to eat all day. “Thanks, Elizabeth. This sure tastes good.”

“Is Buttons all right?” Billy stood and poured Jack another cup of tea. “That was a long trip this time of year.”

“She’s sore and she’s plain tuckered out. I rubbed her down, fed her, and gave her water. She’ll recover, but it looks like I’ll be staying a few days to give her a rest.”

“Did you get to see Abby?” Elizabeth inquired.

“Yes, we had a short visit and exchanged letters. I’m anxious to read about her Christmas and New Year’s social events. She mentioned the dance this year was especially nice. She joined the church choir and a needle point group that she really likes.”

Suddenly silent, Elizabeth got up and headed to the bedroom. Jack looked at Billy who shrugged his shoulders.

****

The following morning Jack was up early. He fed Buttons, along with the other horses and cows, and had started milking Buttercup when Billy walked into the barn.

“To be honest, I was so excited to tell you about Mr. Hovis taking my belts and holsters and wanting more, that I forgot to tell you I made my first sale. I also stopped to talk to the owner of the harness shop. He liked my workmanship and loaned me a book on tanning hides. The gunsmith also said I had done a nice job and mine looked as good as most he’s seen.”

“I’m really proud of you, Jack. Ma and Pa will be too.” Billy picked up the bucket of milk and headed for the door.

Jack dug in his saddlebags and pulled out the book and the newspaper, grabbed the egg basket, and followed Billy to the house.

Putting the newspaper on the table he read the bold headline, “Reaction to Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation Stuns the Country.”

He picked up the newspaper again and read the article in silence.

“This isn’t at all what Lincoln’s first draft said was supposed to happen. There is no gradual emancipation of all slaves, and where is the compensation for the slaveholders? This says the proclamation only applies to the Confederate states currently in rebellion, and there is no compensation.”

“You’re right, Jack. These words mean nothing to slaves in our part of the country,” Billy said.

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