John thought for a moment and continued, “I feel that I got killed there during that terrible battle and by some strange means, I’m alive.”
Disturbed by what John had shared with him, Andy shuddered. “Mist’ John, I’m not sure I want to hear no more ‘bout that story. Sounds like you believe you is a haunt or sump’n.”
Afraid that he had upset Andy, he reached over and patted him on the back. “I ain’t no haunt, Andy. I’m just saying something happened to me up there that I can’t understand. I still have dreams that bother me, and it’s always the same one over and over that troubles me. I just can’t free myself from it and until I can, I can’t seem to be able to get on with my life.”
Thinking back, John could still hear the clash of arms, the loud screams of horror, the smell of burnt gunpowder and the pleas of men gasping for life. Disturbed with his thoughts, John quickly forced his mind back to Andy’s suggestion and said, “I think I could be a good politician, but it’ll never happen to me. Nobody is gonna elect me to any office.”
Andy gave him a serious look. “I’d vote for you and I know a lot more folks that would too, black and white. I just wish I could do the voting.”
“Andy, the government’s given you the right to vote. You can be a voter. That is, as soon as the state accepts the amendment and makes it a part of the state constitution.”
“I don’t know nothing ‘bout no constitution but someday I want to do some voting.” Andy exclaimed. “You shore ‘bout that, Mist’ John?”
“I’m sure you can,” John replied as he pushed his horse forward and reined it toward the road up ahead.
“Then I want you to help me do it. You got to promise me,” replied Andy.
“That I’ll do, Andy. That I’ll surely do.”
December 23rd, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The spectators were silent as the curtain fell and the last chord from the orchestra faded away. A grand performance had the people spellbound. Then one man began to clap and suddenly the entire room was filled with applause as the people rose for a standing ovation.
A young man pointed toward the orchestra pit and said, “Weren’t they something, Lucretia! Bravo! Bravo!”
In awe, she replied, “The play was wonderful but the music, I’ve never heard anything so beautiful before. The trumpets, violins and all those other instruments.”
“Here take my hand. It will take a while to fight through this crowd,” Robert Townsley, Lucretia’s escort for the evening said. “Nothing like this in the country.”
Lucretia had been to church musicals and school plays but none was like the entertainment she had savored that evening. Taking his hand and following closely behind, she couldn’t help but admire him. Robert was dressed in a black tuxedo, closely shaven and there was not a hair out of place. Although he was somewhat on the thin side, he carried himself in a dignified manner and had a slight air to him. There was no doubt that someday this young man with his confidence would be an exceptional doctor.
Finally reaching the lobby, Robert told Lucretia to wait for him a moment while he collected their wraps. Returning, he helped her with her coat and said, “I told you that Christmas in the city was something to behold. Let’s hurry on and beat this crowd to the hotel restaurant for a late dinner.”
As Robert was helping Lucretia with her coat a voice out front called out, “That you, Robert Townsley? Didn’t know you were back in town.”
Turning, he recognized Alex Hillman, a college classmate and friend making his way through the crowd toward them.
“Alex, you ole rascal, I thought you were in New York. What are you doing here in Philadelphia?” Robert exclaimed, reaching out to shake his hand.
“I’m here visiting an uncle for the holidays and he said that I shouldn’t miss the show,” Alex replied.
Glancing at the young woman clasping Robert’s arm, he was immediately astonished by her beauty. Speechless for a moment, he blurted out, “Robert, where in the world did you meet this young lady. Is she from Philadelphia?”
Laughing, Robert turned to Lucretia. “Lucretia Caulder, this is Alex Hillman, a friend of mine.”
“Where in the world did you two meet?” Alex asked, still spellbound by the young woman.
Jokingly Robert pushed him away. “Just back off ole friend; she’s taken for the evening and hopefully a lot of evenings to come.”
Quickly reaching out to Alex to keep him from bumping into a couple edging by, Robert continued, “Seriously, her father is the doctor I’ve been studying under for the past year. We met in Gettysburg.”
“Well, Robert, I think I might have to start venturing out a little more into the country. We just don’t have women like this around here.”
“Alex, your remarks are too kind,” Lucretia said. “I’m sure there are plenty of pretty girls here in Philadelphia. See that young lady over there, I bet she’d like to meet you. You want me to call her over,” Lucretia joked.
Being more bashful than was apparent, Alex blushed and whispered, “Lucretia, don’t do that. She’s probably got an escort for the evening or she might even be married.”
Robert began to laugh. “Alex, you haven’t changed a bit. How in the world are you going to meet women if you can’t stand the introduction process?”
“Shh,” whispered Alex. “How about us getting out of here?”
“That’s exactly what we had in mind. You want to join us?”
“You sure?” Alex asked, with a sheepish grin forming on his face.
“Sure. We’re staying down the street a couple of blocks with my parents at the Grand Hotel. They have an excellent restaurant there.”
The city at this time of year was beautiful with each lamp pole wrapped in season greenery and the store windows alive with Christmas decorations. As they hurried along in the evening cold, a few snowflakes began to flutter about, giving them a warm sense of holiday spirit. In a few moments they reached the hotel and soon were seated in the restaurant next to a large window overlooking the city.
Tugging on Robert’s sleeve, Lucretia said with a smile, “We’ve got the best table here. You must have paid the waiter well.”
“I’d say very well, young lady, but I figured you’re certainly worth the cost,” Robert admitted.
After a delicious meal, the three sat there watching the people outside hurrying to get out of the snow. In a few moments Alex turned to Lucretia. “Well, Miss Caulder, what do you think about the city? Have you ever been here before?”
Teasingly she answered, “You must think I’m just an ignorant backwoods girl that’s never left her parents’ side. Do I look the part?”
Taking her
