A Gathering of Light

later, I reckon.”

  Each of the Morris children stood and kissed their parents. Then Annie and Sarah joined them. The parents weren’t quite finished, yet.

  “Hixson, there’s one more thing.” Poppa said. “I’ve been talking to old Mr. Haught, with the farm next to yours. You know he don’t have any children to leave his place to. He says if you’ll share-crop his place until he dies, he’ll leave the whole thing to you in his will, nice and legal.” Arranging this had been no easy feat. It had taken all of Poppa’s persuasive powers to make it happen.

  Hixson was amazed, and appreciative. Mr. Haught was not known for his kindness. Of course, Mr. Haught would profit. He would have an income while he lived, which he was unable to make on his own. He was too old to farm. He could stay in his home and still live off his farm.

  Momma had discussed Emma’s plan with Poppa, and he came up with the next step. Dividing the farm, and making the arrangement with Mr. Haught would increase the pressure on Sarah to stay. How could she go back to Virginia and all the bad memories, when a happy farm was waiting for her, here with them? It had the effect they had hoped.

  Sarah knew then, that they had to stay with Hixson’s family. She hated to leave her familiar home, but she would learn feel at home again. Hixson had everything to stay for; it wouldn’t be right to let him leave.

  September 18th, 1865--Dover, Pennsylvania

  They were packed. Sarah was almost completely recovered, and felt well enough to travel. Emma needed to get her son and start a new life.

  “I expect it’ll be a month, by the time we get there, get Emma’s place sold, pack and come home.” Hixson said as they were ready to set out.

  “You make sure you take it easy with your bride, son.” Poppa warned. “You watch out good, and come home safe.”

  It was a tearful parting, but a happy one. Hixson had announced the night before that he and Sarah would come back to Dover to live. Emma and Momma had won that battle.

  October 4, 1865-- Spotsylvania County, Virginia

  Caleb was raking out the horse stalls when he heard a wagon coming. So much had happened in the last weeks, he had stopped trying to guess who it would be. He stood in front of his mother’s barn, shielding his eyes from the sun and watching.

  Emma had jumped down from the wagon even before Hixson had halted. She ran to her son and hugged him until he thought he heard his ribs cracking. Sarah hugged him, and Hixson shook his hand.

  “A mighty big lot has been happening around here, these last few weeks.” Caleb reported. “Let go inside and I’ll tell you what’s been going on.”

  Emma expected to find a disaster inside, but it wasn’t that bad. Caleb had mainly eaten at the neighbor’s house. Everything was dusty, and nothing was as neat as she would have liked, but it could have been worse. Emma made a pot of coffee, secretly happy to learn she was still needed.

  “The first thing that happened is bad news. A man rode into town three weeks ago. He stopped in at the mercantile and told Mrs. Cunningham in there that he was looking for someone.” Caleb started. “He said he was looking to repay a debt for his brother. Says his brother came through a couple months back and met a real pretty lady that lived all by herself in an old cabin, outside of town a ways.

  “Well, you know Mrs. Cunningham. She’s a catfish, always opening her mouth without thinking. She says, ‘You must mean Sarah Westbay!’ and gave him directions.”

  Hixson and Sarah looked at each other then turned to Caleb to continue.

  “The man went out and set fire to your cabin, Sarah. I’m sorry. I was just getting ready to leave the Croshours when I saw the smoke, so Mr. Croshour and me came a-running. Your cabin burned to the ground, and the barn, too. We caught the man, he was still there. He was killing your chickens. He told Mr. Croshour that you killed his brother, Sarah, and that he was getting even. I reckon them others must have told that story a little different than it really was. The man said that his cousins had come back home, and told him that his brother was dead.

  “They said they were just getting a drink from the well, and not hurting anyone, and this lady come out and shot his brother. They said they ran away and a big mean dog went after them. One of the cousins died on the way back. He got the blood poisoning where that dog bit him.

  “Anyway, the man thought he saw a chance to get away, I guess. He made a run for it, and when Mr. Croshour caught him, he fought. Mr. Croshour punched him real hard in the face. That big fist of his smashed the man from his chin to the bridge of his nose, about. There was real big crunch sound, and the man kind of just fell over and died. Mr. Croshour, he ain’t one to fool with.” Caleb concluded.

  Everyone was watching Sarah, but none of them guessed her thoughts. Her reply was unexpected. “Well, I guess it’s fitting. The place hasn’t felt like home to me lately. And now, my home is with Hixson. It’s a shame I lost all my books and the quilts I’d made, though. What about the roan mare? Did he kill her, too?” He eyes showed her grief, thinking she’d lost her mare.

  “No, she was stabled over here. But wait! There’s more.” Caleb went on. “A week ago, a man comes to town.” Everyone groaned.

  “No, this is better! This man comes to town. He’s got on a fancy suit and carries a big leather case. Turns out he’s a real estate speculator and he’s buying up farms around the old battlefields from the War Between the States. He came by here, wanting to talk to you, Ma. And then he asked who owned the place that burned. I hear he’s bought three or four places already, and he’s paying good money.”

  Emma wondered how Caleb could know that she might consider selling, or that Sarah would. Somehow, though, he did know. He was a shrewd boy, and could see that the joy was gone for all of them. Selling out might be a simple answer.

  Hixson and Sarah went to see what was left of her home. Caleb was sent to town to find the speculator and invite him over for the next day. Emma started cleaning up.

  As Sarah picked around among the burned out cabin, Hixson thought about what had happened. He was thankful that Sarah had been away from home, or surely that man would have killed her. It was a good thing she was getting away from here. It was almost like the cabin was cursed.

  Sarah’s mind ran in the same direction. This had been a happy home once, she thought. My grandparents and great-grandparents, back to who-knows-when. And then Andrew Kayser broke his ankle, and his brother David changed everything. If my momma had married and had children in the normal way of things, this would be a happy home, still. Maybe, with Hixson, I can rebuild the happiness that used to be.

  October 5th, 1865-Spotsylvania County, Virginia

  The real estate speculator was, indeed, buying farms in the area. He was especially interested in this area. The Battle of the Wilderness, fought here, was the first battle of Ulysses S. Grant’s Overland Campaign against Robert E. Lee. History would be interested, and the speculator assumed that someday, someone would want the land for that reason.

  Of Sarah’s land, 20 acres had been part of the battlefield. For Emma, it was 17 acres. Neither woman was interested in selling only the battleground acres. If the speculator wanted those acres, he’d have to buy the rest of the farm, too. They agreed on a price of $10 an acre, plus an extra $150 for Emma’s house and outbuildings.

  Sarah’s 120 acres, in her family for generations, brought her $1200. Emma’s husband had left her 200 acres, so her $2150 would guarantee her a good start at the bakery. The deal was made, papers signed, and cash delivered.

  Emma and Sarah spent an afternoon in town, settling debts and saying goodbye to those few they might miss. In light of what happened with the arsonist, they declined to tell anyone just where they were going.

  Sarah felt a sense of lightness to be leaving. Emma, too, looked forward to fresh start. Sarah’s life there had never been one of contentment or acceptance. All of those things that made her farm seem like home to Emma, died when her husband did. Since his passing, she had just been holding on and doing the best sh
e could.

  Starting a business in a town like Dover might mean prosperity for her and Caleb. She was ready to take on that challenge.

  November 2nd, 1865--Dover, Pennsylvania

  It had taken them longer than anticipated, but they were home. Emma had to sell many of her possessions, such as her farming implements, and that took time. The roads were more chancy in the late fall, as well. They were all glad to see the Morris house up ahead.

  Poppa’s arm was out of the splints and out of the sling. He said he had not yet regained full strength in it, but reported daily improvement.

  Momma, Poppa and Eliza were smiling strangely and winking at each other at first. Then Eliza was introduced to Caleb. He was 17 now and tall. He had been doing a man’s work for years, and it showed. His bright red hair had darkened to a handsome auburn, and his eyes were as blue as a robin’s egg.

  Eliza was thrilled to see Hixson, Sarah and Emma. When she saw Caleb, she forgot the other three were anywhere around. She was 16. The rest of the family looked at each other with amused smiles.

  “Eliza. Eliza!” Momma had to call her twice to break the spell. “You run over and tell Charlton and Annie that they’re home.” No one was surprised when Caleb offered to walk with her.

  Nine people sat at the Morris family table, sipping coffee and catching up. They shared their