The Secret Life of Lucy Bosman by Rebekah L. Pierce & Marcy Pellegrino

Author:Rebekah L. Pierce & Marcy Pellegrino [Pierce, Rebekah L. & Pellegrino, Marcy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, United States, African American, Historical, Romance
Amazon: B00R58NPDE
Publisher: The Pierce Agency
Published: 2014-12-16T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16 – Fall 1860

Richmond was in a state of confusion and numbness as news reached the Union states that Abraham Lincoln had been elected President of the United States. Although he hadn't received not one electoral vote in the South, and only 42% of the popular vote overall, he was still elected President.

The Daily Dispatch ran the vote count on the front page of the newspaper. Lucy was preparing to open her shop for the day when Charlie came bursting through the back door. "Miss Lucy, here's yo' paper!" he exclaimed as he handed it to her. Lucy took a moment to look at him. The little boy had grown so much since he started staying with her seven months ago. He was no longer afraid of her or of being around her, now displaying a sense of confidence and security when in her presence. She hoped it had something to do with the fact that she had been secretly teaching him how to read and write.

She had begun his instruction covertly, simply asking him to 'get the box that says chocolate, Charlie.' Or, 'hand me the sugar, please, Charlie.' He was afraid to move at first when she asked him, but the softness of her voice - the lack of threat in it - gave him the courage to do as she had asked. Now, he waited anxiously for her to ask him to get something or to help her measure an ingredient for the chocolate treats. Something inside Charlie danced for joy when he recited or gave the correct answer to her questions. They both looked forward to his “lessons.”

Today as he came back from the plantation to bring her the Daily Dispatch, although he couldn't ready every word in the headlines, he did recognize the name of Lincoln. He had heard the name thrown around with venom by his master and mistress. But it sounded like candy to him when he heard Lincoln’s name spoken quietly by some of the slaves. Now, he looked down at the paper and the cartoon lampooning Lincoln for giving bread to a big-lipped dark-skinned slave frightened him. Add to that the glare from the newspaper boy when he picked up the paper from him. Something was going on and it was bad.

He slapped the newspaper in her waiting hand; he looked at her anxiously for release from his fears. What was the news? Would this kind white woman named Miss Lucy also tell him the truth? His brown eyes darted to and fro in nervous agitation. "Charlie," Lucy said calmly, "what's wrong?"

He had not the words to express what he was feeling, so he simply pointed to the paper. Lucy followed his trembling finger; she saw it. Lincoln is president. Her heart secretly jumped for joy. She had to turn her face away from Charlie so that he could not see the large, happy smile on her face. She whispered under her breath, "Thank you, Jesus."

Life for slaves in the

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