Gaining Freedom

Here's a story I wrote way back in 2008... it's rather long, so you can skim it! =P

    July, 1861  
    It was a hot summer day on a plantation in the South. Thirteen year old Harriet Edmunds straightened in her cotton row, wiping the sweat from her forehead with her arm. Evening was nearing, and Harriet was exhausted. Seeing a horse and rider out of the corner of her eye, Harriet quickly began her work again. She knew if she was caught standing idle, severe punishment would come.
    Finally, the bugle blew, signaling the end of the workday. Harriet wearily trudged out of the field towards the slave cabins. About halfway there, her sister, Liza, who was a year older than her, joined her.
    “Look, Etta, somethin’ is goin’ on at da slave cabins.” Harriet looked up. All the slaves were gathering in front of one of the cabins.
    “It looks like dey be excited, you think so?” Harriet inquired.
    “Dat seems ta be so.” Liza agreed, and the sisters hurried along with the other field slaves towards the group.
    “Liza, Etta!” The two girls heard their names, and then they saw the rest of their family.
    “What’s goin’ on, Papa?” Harriet asked.
    “I don’ know, Etta.” Just then, Thomas, another fellow slave, stood up on a tree stump and everyone quieted.
    “I have news!” He started out by saying. “Dere’s a war bein’ fought ‘tween the North and da South, a war to set slaves free!” Shouts of excitement rippled through the crowd. Liza and Harriet looked at each other in wonder.   But then Thomas spoke up again.
    “But, dat’s not all my news. De south has won the first battle, called Bull Run. Everbody says the South will win in no time.”
    “Why’d ya go and excite us fer nuttin’, Thomas?” Someone yelled.
    “Doan be discouraged yet! The North could win yet, and we would be free!” Thomas replied, very optimistic.    Only a few slaves still acted excited. Everyone else wondered away to their cabins, reluctant to hope for freedom.
    “Papa, what do you think?” Henry, the eldest Edmunds’ child who was sixteen, asked.
    “Well, son, da Bible says to be content. I think we should jest trust God to do whateber He wills. If da north is supposed ta win, den da north will win. If da South is supposed ta win, da South will win.” Papa answered.
    “Yer Papa is right, Henry.” Mama said. Henry nodded slowly as the family entered their cabin.
    “You chilluns can go ahead and go to bed, iffin ya want. It’s gwine be a long day again tomorrow.” Mama said.   Just then Harriet noticed that the three younger children had been being awfully quiet.
    “Is sumpthin’ the matter?” She asked them kindly.
    “Why do we have to be slaves? I hate being a slave and I hate that man we’re slaves to!” Nine year old Jesini burst out in anger.
    “Jesini! Do not speak that way!” Mama reprimanded. Papa turned from the table with the family Bible in his hands.
    “Jesini, Would you like to hear what God says about this?” He asked.
    “Dere’s something in dere about slavery?” Jesini asked doubtfully, still angry.
    “Yes. Ephesians 6:5-8 says; “Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eye service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.   With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.” “ Papa finished reading and was silent to let Jesini think.   After a long while, eight year old Lavivian began to fidget and Jesini finally spoke.
    “I-I’m sorry fer sayin’ dat, Papa. I-I didn’t really mean it.” She said quietly. Papa nodded understandingly.
    Just then, a fellow slave burst into the cabin.
    “Dere’s good news!” He exclaimed.
    “What is it?” Papa asked.
    “De master is gonna be away fer a few weeks on a trip up north! Things will be a lot easier around here durin’ dat time! Ain’t dat jest joyous news?”
    “Ah, it is!” Papa agreed.
    The next evening, Rosalie Melondoff, the master’s daughter, took a stroll down the lane between the slave cabins. Freely entering the Edmunds’ cabin, she sniffed in disdain at the scarce and rundown furnishings in the one-room home.
    “What are you doing?” She inquired of Emarie (Mrs. Edmunds), who was stirring something in a large pot over the fireplace. Jesini and Lavivian sat nearby, taking care of the slave babies whose mothers worked in the fields.
    “I’m makin’ supper, Miss Melondoff.” Emarie explained, adding some salt to the stew.
    “It smells distasteful.” Rosalie said, scowling.
    “I’m sorry it don’t meet yer standards, Miss.   You can stick to yer own food.”
    “How dare you speak that way to me! I am your employer, who will be more respectful to me in the future! When my father is away I have duty of the field slaves, as my mother is busy with household affairs.” Rosalie said, sticking her nose up in the air.
    “I’m sorry, Miss. However, yer welcome ta stay fer de meal, if yer so inclined.” Emarie offered.
    “I’ll stay and observe, but I would never put such junk into my system.” Rosalie said haughtily, daintily settling herself on the bed, shoving a sleeping baby out of the way. Jesini scrambled to catch the baby before he fell to the floor. She sent a scowl in Rosalie’s direction while comforting the now crying baby.
    When the rest of the family arrived, they all sat down and after Moses(Mr. Edmunds) prayed, they began to eat.
    “Why do you even thank this God of yours for food? I would think you’d be complaining that you didn’t have better rations!” Rosalie commented.
    “We thank God for our food because we could very well be without it, an’ we are very thankful for it. Complaining nevah did nobody no good.” Moses replied.
    “You’ve got strange ways of thinking, but if it suits you, fine with me. I’m going home.” Rosalie stood and strode out of the room.
    The next week, a chain of events followed that would change the Edmunds family’s simple life. One day the oversee er came to their cabin with disturbing news.
    “The master’s gettin’ rid of some slaves. Part of your family are some of them. Henry and Charles. Get them and their belongings packed and be ready by next week. Another master from over yonder is coming to buy them.”
    “What! Sir, der must be a mistake! Master Melondoff caint do dat to us! It jest ain’t right!” Moses exclaimed.
    “Sorry, it’s the master’s orders. You’re just going to have to live with it.”
The next week was a sorrowful one for the Edmunds family, and they sadly settled back into their routing when the master returned home. When the day arrived for Henry and Charles to leave, the whole family was practically weeping.   They were all gathered around their front door when they heard the sound of wagon wheels on the road.
    “Well, Henry, Charles, this is it.” Moses said. The family all hugged Henry and Charles.
    “Whatever you do, remember that Jesus loves you, and He’s your real master, no matter where you are or what you’re doin’.” Moses spoke words of encouragement to the two downcast boys as they were herded rudely like animals into the wagon. Just as the driver was about to crack the whip over the horses heads, the front door of the mansion burst open and Master Melondoff ran out.
    “Wait! Wait! There’s been a mistake! I’m not selling any slaves!” He cried out.
    “What?” The driver jumped down, facing Mr. Melondoff. “You mean ta say you want these niggers after all?”
    “That’s right.   Unload them, now!” Mr. Melondoff ordered, standing back while the slaves were unloaded from the wagon bed. The Edmunds family looked at one another in wonder and joy.
    “Oh, Master Melondoff, thankyou, thankyou!” Emarie sobbed joyfully, throwing herself at Mr. Melondoff’s feet.
    “Get up. It was only a misunderstanding.   No need to thank me. Now get on with you all, get on with your business!” Mr. Melondoff put on a stern front and returned to the mansion. The Edmunds family, with Henry and Charles, excitedly returned to their cabin.
    “Whatever possessed him to do that I wonder?” Moses shook his head in amazement, patting Henry and Charles on the back.
    “I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter, at least our family is together!” Emarie exclaimed in delight. The girls were tremendously excited and were literally jumping around with joy at being reunited with their brothers.   It was a joyous day for that family.
    But the next day brought sadness once more. Henry was bound and determined to escape and go fight for the North.   He was preparing to escape that very night.   Moses and Emarie pleaded with him and tried to convince him to stay, but Henry would not be persuaded.
He was leaving, and that was that.
    “Henry, I wish you would reconsider.   It seems the master has had a change, and maybe for the better.   Our lives here could change!”   Moses reasoned.
    “Yes, they could change like they were about to yesterday! I will not chance that happening again.   I am going tonight and will return when the North wins the war.” Henry said firmly.   And he lived up to his word.   That night under cover of darkness, Henry fled. The master sent men and hunting dogs after him, but they were unable to find him, much to the Edmunds’ family relief. A slave that was found after running away would have severe punishment, and sometimes it was even fatal, if the master was angry enough.
    Later in the week, the Edmunds family again received a visit from Rosalie.
    “I’ve been rather confused.” She started out. “W-would you be willing to talk with me?” She asked Emarie.   Surprised, Emarie agreed.
    “What is it, Miss Melondoff?”
    “Well, ever since my father returned, he’s been awfully different. He says he found Jesus and became a Christian. He’s been wonderfully kind to anyone and everyone, and he even stopped the wagon that one day to keep the slave families together! Are you and he talking about the same God? And is He really so good?”
    “Oh, my, Miss Melondoff.   This is wonderful news that your father has accepted Christ as his Savior! Yes, we are talking about the same God.   He is the one and only God, Creator of the universe, and of you and me. And, yes, yes, He is really so good! He is wonderful! Master of our lives! Are you considering turning away from your sins and following Jesus?” Emarie asked.
    “Turning away from my sins! What sins?” Rosalie exclaimed in a sudden outburst of anger.
    “Why, Miss Melondoff, you surely know that everyone was born a sinner, and we all sin, don’t you? And that Jesus washes our sins away and makes us white as snow, if we earnestly ask Him?” Emarie asked.
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You have angered me, I am leaving!” With that, Rosalie stormed out of the cabin, extremely upset.    Emarie shook her head, overwhelmed with the news of Master Melondoff becoming a follower of Christ, and becoming one of the brethren. But she was also puzzled over Rosalie’s behavior, and told the rest of the family about it, and they all prayed for her, and for her father, that he would grow strong in his walk with the Lord. They also prayed for Mrs. Melondoff, whatever condition she was in. And the Lord answered their prayers quickly. The very next week, a very humble and apologetic Rosalie once again appeared at their door.
    “Emarie, I am sorry for how I acted last week. I had a talk with my father, and, I have become a follower of Christ, just like my father! His testimony so inspired me! And my mother too, she also has joined us!   It is like a revival going on in our home, it is simply amazing!” Rosalie sounded very enthused.
    “Oh, Miss Melondoff, that is wonderful news! Welcome to the family of God!” Emarie exclaimed happily.
    “Thank you, Emarie. I’ve also enjoyed talking with you. I better go back to the house now, though. May I come visit you sometime?” Rosalie asked.
    “Of course you may, Miss Melondoff!” Emarie agreed heartily.   Rosalie then turned and strolled back down the lane towards the big house.
    Throughout the next couple years, slave life at the Melondoff plantation grew easier, as Master Melondoff wasn’t as hard on them, although they still worked long days in the fields. Rosalie also began giving reading lessons to any of the slaves that wanted them in the evenings, and soon many of the slaves could read and write quite well, as they caught on quickly.

        Late Spring, 1865
    It was a glorious morning, in more ways than one. First, it was a beautiful Spring day, with warm enough temperatures to be comfortable, but not too hot.   Secondly, the news had come to the plantation that the war was over, the North had won! This meant the slaves were all free! A time of great rejoicing was going on in the slave cabins as Master Melondoff had just given all of them their papers that said they were free. One by one, the slave families all left, except for the Edmunds family. They had decided they would stay, as they had nowhere else to go, and they would now be getting paid to work for the Melondoffs, like servants. Another reason they made this decision was because they realized that if Henry ever did come back, he would most likely come there first to look for them, and they could be reunited.
    The morning after all the slaves had left, Rosalie and Mistress Melondoff arrived at the Edmunds’ cabin door.
    “Moses, Emarie, we would like you and your family to come live in the big house with us, and be our house servants. There is plenty of room in the big house, since all the former house slaves except for the cook have left.” Mistress Melondoff announced.
    “What? But, ma’am, we couldn’t do that, it jest wouldn’t be fittin’.” Moses shook his head.
    “We insist, Moses. There is absolutely no reason for you not to!” Mistress Melondoff disagreed.
    “B-but, you’re white, and we’re black! We can’t live in the same house!” Moses argued.
    “That makes no difference! You are biblical people, have you simply skipped over the passage where it says every man is equal? We firmly believe that, and we firmly insist that you come and live in our home!” Mistress Melondoff was beginning to get impatient, determined to have her way.
    “W-well......Emarie, what do you think?” Moses asked.
    “It is your decision, Moses. You are head of the house.” Emarie said. Moses’ forehead creased in thought, and finally he answered with,
    “Very well, Mistress.”
    “Wonderful! Rosalie, go prepare the extra rooms, quickly!” Mistress Melondoff said excitedly.
    “Oh, no! If you insist we come into your home, you will not do work for us, we are your servants, we will prepare our own rooms.” Emarie insisted.
    “Well, all right.   Come then, we’ll all go to the house together after you gather all your belongings.” Mistress Melondoff said. After the Edmunds family had gathered their meager belongings, they set off down the lane towards the mansion.   Rosalie at first skipped ahead in joy, but then fell back and began a conversation with Liza and Harriet.
    The Edmunds family settled in after a few weeks, and fell into a regular routine.   The two families lived very happily together.
    Fall, 1865
    Eighteen year old Liza was preparing breakfast in the kitchen with the cook, Greta one fall morning as the sun was rising on the eastern horizon.   Jesini ad Lavivian came skipping down the stairs, ready for the day to begin. Mr. Melondoff was taking them horseback riding that day.
    “Mornin’, Liza, Greta!” They greeted enthusiastically.
    “Mornin’, Jes, Vivi.” Liza replied, flipping a pancake on the griddle. “Are Harrieta and Charles up yet?”
    “Yup, they’ll be down soon. I’m ever so excited, aren’t you, Jes?” Lavivian asked excitedly.
    “Yes, Vivi, I am indeed! Is breakfast almost ready?”
    “Yes, it will be soon. You want to get everyone?” Greta asked.
    “Yes! Come on, Vivi!” The thirteen and twelve year old girls dashed back up the stairs to get everyone to the breakfast table. Coming back downstairs to wait, they sat down infront of the window, staring out.
    “Hey, Jes, there’s someone comin’!” Lavivan said, squinting to see better.
    “Oh, I see too! Greta, Liza, look!” Jesini said, pointing. Greta and Liza hurried over to the window.   Guests nowadays weren’t too common, so this was an unusual event.
    “Indeed, there is someone!” Liza exclaimed. By then, most everyone was downstairs and they were all crowded around the window.
    “Now, now, let’s go on out to the porch and greet our visitor, shall we?” Mr. Melondoff asked.   Everyone agreed and they all headed out to the porch.   When the person drew nearer, Emarie gasped.
    “Henry!” She cried, rushing forward.   Indeed, it was Henry!   Emarie embraced her son as the rest of the Edmunds family rushed to them.
    “Oh, Henry, you’re really home!” They shouted enthusiastically, squeezing Henry tightly.
    “Yes, yes, I’m home! But what are you all doing in the big house?” He asked.
    “It’s a long story.” Moses said.
    “Well, I’m ready to hear it,” Henry replied.
    “Very well, son.” So they told Henry everything that had happened in the four years he had been gone, and when they were finished, he was amazed.
    “Well, it seems everything has turned out for the better, after all!” Henry said, laughing.
    “Ah, yes. The Lord has abundantly blessed us with freedom, friends, and family!” Moses said, not realizing his alliteration.
    “Papa, do you realize that those all start with the same letter? Isn’t that rather ironic in a way?” Harrieta asked.   Moses laughed.
    “Indeed! Well, it’s true! And, our life has been rather ironic these past couple years, I must say so myself!” Moses said, chuckling slightly.
    “Ah, but we have much to thank the good Lord for!” Emarie concluded.
    “Indeed, that we do, that we do!” Everyone agreed wholeheartedly.

                THE END!