Читать книгу Allegheny Hideaway - Kimberly Tanner Gordon - Страница 5

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The following day, Tom sent one of his employees to purchase a ticket for a Missus Samantha Jo Blackheart. The plan was for Iris to pretend to be a grieving widow. Tom went himself to purchase one for Hattie, under the name Mary Grace. She was to be his slave, being traded to a new buyer in North Carolina. It was easy enough to forge the documents. Hattie and Iris would be on the same ship, but would not see each other at all until they met at the wharves in Wilmington. Iris had the false bill of purchase for “Mary Grace.” From there, Iris kept her plans to herself.

Savannah visited the store in town where she had purchased the blond wig to see if they had any more ready made. Much to her delight, there were several. She purchased one with light brown hair, and another with a reddish tint. She wanted to make sure her daughter would not be recognized anywhere. Back at home, Iris tried on all the disguises.

“I don’t even recognize my own daughter!” Savannah stated, pleased with the outcome. “Remember to wear veils though, or people will see your dark eyebrows and know your hair is really black,” she warned.

“I have three veils mother, plus the black one you gave me. That should be enough.”

“Oh daughter, I wish you the best of luck. It is rather exciting, running off, isn’t it?”

“What will you tell Johnathan, when he comes?” Iris worried.

Savannah took a breath, thinking. “If Tom doesn’t shoot him first, we will just tell him nothing.”

“You could always tell him you put me on the train to come home,” Iris suggested. “That way, he will concentrate on those areas for a while. I will be long gone by then. He’ll think someone kidnapped me. By the time he catches on and begins to look elsewhere, people will have forgotten me. Besides, his descriptions won’t match up with anyone they’ve seen,” she said smiling.

“Serves him right! I can’t believe he’s done this to you, honey. I wish we could go to the law. But you’re right, they would side with the husband. Laws aren’t made to protect women. Maybe one day … I can’t believe I let you marry him,” Savannah sighed, partly blaming herself for the situation.

“Mother, nobody knew. It’s not your fault. Not at all.”

Savannah’s shoulders slumped. “I know, honey. I’m just angry.”

That evening, Iris, her mother and her step-father enjoyed one last evening together before she disappeared. It was spent in both laughter and tears as they tried to savor every last moment.

After an unrestful night, everyone rose early to put the plan into action. At eight o’clock, Tom took Hattie to the shipyard to make arrangements for her travel. Hattie was a little frightened about the whole situation. She had never been on a ship before, having been born in Georgia and sent away from her mother when she was twelve to go work in Savannah. Then at seventeen, she had gone to Charleston. Tom assured her that she would be fine. Hattie was loaded into the cargo hold by nine.

At nine o’clock, Savannah sent for a hired driver. He was to deliver his widowed rider and her trunk to the stagecoach office. Meantime, Iris put on her black costume and said her tearful good-byes to her mother. When the driver came, Iris gingerly climbed into the seat. Her mother waved as the driver pulled away. Once at the stagecoach office, Iris thanked the driver and had him unload her trunk. She then went inside to pretend to purchase a ticket. After ten minutes, she summoned another driver to take her to the docks. Along the way, she talked about how she had just arrived from Savannah and that she would never take the stage again because her old bones were bounced and bruised. Once he had her delivered to the wharf, he made sure she got onto the ship in good condition.

“Thank you, young man,” she told the thirty year old. Secretly, she was grinning.

Once aboard, Iris walked over to the far side of the ship to look out over the water. She had never been on a large sailing ship before either. It was scary and exciting all at the same time. She looked down at her black dress. Her masquerade was working well so far. No one had questioned her at all. She found a seat on a nearby box and decided to remain there until the vessel was out to sea. She wanted to see the ocean and enjoy all the beauty the day had in store.

At noon, a whistle blew. The crew shouted and ran about like rabbits. Ropes were pulled as the strong men lifted sails. Tarps filled with wind and billowed out with great noise. Iris felt the ship rock in the water as they pulled away from the dock. Overhead, seagulls circled the great masts calling out their cries of excitement. As the ship went through the pass, Iris watched men waving from the walls of Fort Sumter.

Today’s voyage would take just one day. She wondered if she would get seasick. She had heard of that happening before, to both men and women. After waiting on the deck for a while, Iris went below to find her cabin. As she looked around the accommodating room, she thought of Hattie, who was probably stuck down below in a very small room with several other female slaves. Iris felt guilty for putting her faithful friend and servant in such a bad situation. At least it was only for one day.

The next afternoon, as the ship pulled into the slip at Wilmington, a cool spring rain began to fall. Overhead, the gray sky was heavy with clouds. Iris was thankful that the storm was just beginning. It would have made for rough seas. The trip had been pleasant enough, but she was thankful to be on dry land once again. She reached for her umbrella to keep dry. Within a minute, the steward came by to carry her trunk. She informed him that it needed to be delivered to the hotel. Once he was gone, Iris went up on deck. From what she could see, Wilmington seemed to be a quaint little town.

“Enjoy your visit, Missus Blackheart,” the captain said as she stepped onto the gangplank. “Do you need any assistance getting down?”

“No, thank you, Captain,” Iris answered, nodding politely. She hurried down as fast as she dared to avoid any more conversation.

Iris watched as her trunk was loaded onto a wagon and driven to the Westport Hotel just three blocks away. She quickly made the short walk and registered inside as Missus Eugene Gray. In her room, she hastily changed into a pretty colorful dress in varying shades of red. She then pulled on the light brown wig and a cute straw hat with a simple ruffle of flowers on top. Without wasting a moment, she found her receipt for Hattie and rushed back to the ship. Since no one had seen her face on board, they did not recognize her at all when she walked up to the captain.

“Excuse me sir,” she called out waving.

He saw the pretty young woman below and waved back.

“Where can I pick up my new slave?” she asked, trying to act helpless as she waved her receipt.

The captain smiled and pointed a hand toward the back of the ship.

“Thank you!” Iris called out with another flirty wave.

Satisfied, she walked to the unloading area where several slaves were waiting in a pen like livestock. Some, to her horror, were even chained. Iris spotted Hattie, who did not look well. Iris quickened her steps and took her paperwork to the man who looked like he was in charge.

“Sir, I’ve come for my new slave,” she spoke loudly.

The man gave Iris a glancing over. His eyebrow shot up with approval. “A new slave, eh?” he asked back.

“Yes. A female. I’m guessing it’s that one,” she said, pointing to Hattie.

The man pointed at Hattie and ordered, “Come here!” He then looked at the papers he was given back in Charleston and compared them to what he was just given. “Yeah, she’s the one.” The man stamped the receipt and handed the sheet back to Iris. “There you go, ma’am. Have a good day now. And if you ever need another slave, you just come see me,” he added with a wink.

Iris nodded politely, but was disgusted. Hattie walked forward and Iris took her by the upper arm.

“Come with me,” she ordered sternly, just for show.

When they were out of earshot, Hattie let out a breath of relief. “Ma’am, I am so glad to see you.” She was almost in tears. “I’s never been so scared in a long time as I was on that ship.”

“You’re safe again now. Remember to call me Missus Gray while we are here. On the next ship, I’ll make sure you can stay with me.”

Hattie made an awful face. “Do we have to go on another one?”

“I’m afraid so, but not right away,” Iris answered. “Why don’t we go get something to eat right now? Later we can look into the train schedule for tomorrow.”

Hattie smiled. “I am awful hungry. We only got one meal, and it was terrible.” The slave walked on a few more feet in silence, then asked, “Where are we goin’ go on this train?”

Iris looked around. No one was listening. “Norfolk, Virginia.”

On a pretty morning the following day, Iris and Hattie boarded the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad. Iris wore her red dress and light brown wig again and told Hattie to sit in the back of the train car on a special bench just for servants. They were in for a long day of traveling, with many stops along the way. Iris spent the time reading a newspaper she had purchased that morning. Hattie either visited with another maid, looked out the window, or watched the people inside the car. About supper time, the train finally pulled into the depot at Norfolk. It was a busy little seaside town. After de-boarding, Iris found a nice little inn. Hattie had her own servant’s room on the ground floor and was thankful for the quiet, private space. Iris’ room was on the third floor, and had a great view of the bay. The pretty building overlooked the harbor and served a delicious supper downstairs. Iris and Hattie went for a short stroll after eating, to stretch their legs a bit after such a long day in a chair.

All the little shops along the street were closed for the evening, but the two friends enjoyed the fresh air and change of scenery. They returned to the inn long before dark to avoid any trouble and slept soundly.

After a hearty breakfast of corned beef over biscuits, Iris, still in her brown wig, headed out in a peach colored dress to find a ship. Hattie went along for protection. Unfortunately, Iris learned that no ships were heading to Baltimore until the next day.

“Well, Hattie, uh, Mary Grace …” Iris corrected herself. They had promised not to use their real names on this entire trip. “Looks like we have some free time today. I think I would like to browse around the stores. You can have a little money too if you want to buy yourself a trinket or something.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” the twenty year old replied, thrilled at the treat. “Are you sure you have enough to get us where we’re goin’?”

“Yes. Don’t you worry about that. We’ll be fine.”

In the mercantile, Hattie picked out a bar of softly scented soap and a small sampler to stitch. “It will give me something to do on the ship. Plus, I would like to hang it in my new room, when we get settled.”

“That’s a fine idea,” Iris approved. She picked out a new pair of soft white kid leather gloves, then paid for all the purchases.

The sales clerk noticed her accent and commented, “You’re not from around here, are you miss?”

“Why no, sir, I’m not,” she answered with a smile.

“Where are you from?” he questioned nosily.

“Georgia,” she fibbed. “Ever been there?”

“No miss, but if all the ladies are as lovely as you, I guess I need to go there,” he teased with a grin and a wink. “What brings you all the way up here?”

Smiling sweetly, when she really wanted to bite him, Iris lied. “My parents take a holiday every spring. We visit new towns all over the country. Last year, we went all the way to Texas!”

Hattie’s eyes grew wide in disbelief. Iris was getting herself in thick with this whopper.

“My word!” the young man exclaimed. “Texas huh?”

“We leave on the noon train today,” Iris continued. “I think they want to go all the way to the mountains in Virginia this time.”

“What a shame you aren’t staying longer,” the clerk told her with real disappointment on his face. “I sure would like to have seen you again in my store.”

Iris shook her head, acting of course. “What a shame … I had better go now though. Papa sure won’t want me missing the train. Bye,” she told him with a hint of flirting.

When they were outside, Hattie scolded her mistress. “That was shameful, ma’am. You shouldn’t do that. I couldn’t believe those lies you told and carrying on like that …”

Iris scoffed. “He believed it. Ate up every word. Did you see it?” she almost giggled. “Really Grace, do you think he believes I’m a runaway wife with jet black hair? No. He ate up my tale and that’s just what he’ll repeat if he’s ever asked. This is fun actually. I’m going to be a different person at each big town we stay in. It will be a detective’s nightmare.” Iris walked a few more steps pridefully, then added, “I’m so enjoying this freedom. I’ve never felt anything like it before.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Hattie answered. She had often wondered how it would feel to be free. It would be nice to have her freedom too.

The next morning, at seven-thirty, the ship north pulled away from port. A strong wind blew from the west. Iris had a bad feeling there would be a thunderstorm today. Wearing her reddish wig, a dark blue veil and a dark blue calico dress, she went to find the captain.

“Sir, might I inquire as to the weather today?” she asked sweetly. “Do you think we are in for a storm?”

“Ma’am,” the captain answered, smiling at the pretty young woman. “You do not need to be alarmed. Our ship will slip through the waters of the Chesapeake without trouble.”

“But, there is a storm brewing, is there not?” she questioned again.

“You are very bright, ma’am. Yes, there is a storm coming. Enjoy your stroll along the deck for another hour, then I would go below,” he suggested.

“Thank you sir.” Iris dreaded the day and went below to warn Hattie. Hattie determined to remain in their stateroom until the ship arrived in Baltimore.

“But it’s nicer up on deck, Hattie, really,” Iris urged. Surely Hattie preferred fresh air to stale cabin air. “That last trip was so awful for you because you were locked below. This time, you can come up with me. It’s a privilege Hattie, don’t pass it up. The captain said we have an hour before the storm comes.”

With persuasion, Hattie joined her mistress on the upper deck. They watched as winds whipped up white caps on the water in the enormous bay. Iris visited with fellow passengers, telling them all how excited she was to be meeting up with her husband, George Whitfield, in Baltimore. Hattie grimaced every time the ship rocked.

“Mistress, I must go below,” Hattie spoke fearfully after about forty minutes on deck.

“Very well. I’ll be down shortly.”

The storm lasted two hours. The ship rocked back and forth in the water. Lightening cracked and thunder boomed overhead. Hattie was sick more than once. Iris sat on a nearby chair and sang quietly to calm her fears. It would all be worth it, she told herself over and over.

By the time the storm ended, Hattie was in tears. “Please ma’am, no more ships,” she begged. “I don’t like ships.”

Iris patted her on the shoulder. “No more ships, I promise. We’re almost there Hattie, to where we are going. Only one more day.”

“Really?” Hattie asked, relieved. “Can you tell me where it is?”

“Not yet, but I will tell you it’s near some mountains. Have you ever seen a mountain?”

Hattie shook her head. “No, ma’am. You know I ain’t.”

“Haven’t,” she corrected. “Neither have I. But we will, soon.”

When the sun finally came out from behind the storm clouds later that afternoon, an enormous rainbow stretched across the eastern sky. “Have you ever seen anything like it?” Iris asked her maid.

“No, ma’am. Never that big.”

“It’s a sign,” Iris said with a smile. “Good things are ahead. Good things! It’s a promise from God.”

The ship pulled into the bustling city of Baltimore right about the time the sun touched the top of the treeline to the west. It cast both warm yellow light and long shadows across the streets and buildings. All the passengers eagerly walked onto dry land. Iris found a comfortable hotel and had her trunk sent ahead. While she and Hattie walked into town, Iris whispered, “It’s as busy as Charleston. I think I could quite like it here.”

“Is we stoppin’ now?” Hattie asked hopefully.

Iris shook her head. “Not much further. Only a day, I think. I need to find a library so I can look up something on the map. I hope they’re still open.”

Both women worked their way through the busy streets on their way to the library. A kind man had pointed them in the right direction. Iris needed to find out exactly where Williamsport was on the map. She had written down the name of the town before leaving Lexington. That seemed so long ago …

In the library, an older gentleman came to her aid. “How may I help you, ma’am?” he asked.

“Miss,” she corrected falsely. “Miss Mamie Mayfield.”

“Miss Mayfield, I am Donald Jackson. Are you looking for a particular book?”

“I am in need of a map of Pennsylvania, sir. I’m off to visit a friend in Philadelphia and I want to learn more about her state. Can you help me with that?” she asked in a sweet southern voice.

The gentleman smiled. “I’d be delighted, miss,” he replied. He led her to an enormous cabinet with twenty narrow drawers. “You’re not from around here.”

“No sir. Alabama is my home.”

“How did you end up with a friend way up in Philadelphia?” he asked curiously, making conversation.

Iris took a deep breath to stall for time while she thought up a good reason. “Well, you see sir, this great aunt of mine in Atlanta is forever trying to find me pen pals all over the country. About five years ago, she found me one in Philadelphia named Sydney Callaway and she and I have been writing like best friends ever since. She’s getting married in April and I’m going up for her wedding,” she finished, pleased with her answer.

“My!” the man answered, finally finding the right map in a drawer.

Iris took the map to a table and borrowed pencil and paper from another patron. She copied the map crudely, jotting down towns and streams between Baltimore and Williamsport. She had been correct, their destination was not far away. Pleased, she thanked the gentleman for his help, and left with Hattie at her heels.

“I don’t know how you do that,” Hattie remarked on the sidewalk. “How’d you come up with those tales?”

Iris shrugged, answering, “They just pop into my mind.”

Back at the hotel, Iris signed the registry as Miss Mamie Mayfield. She and Hattie went up to the room to study their map. Iris finally showed Hattie where they were going.

“See, we get up to Harrisburg, then go north along the Susquehanna River to Williamsport. And that’s where we stay,” she assured her friend. “Before we left home, I met a nice young man who told me about it. His grandmother lives there. We will find her and be her friends. All I know, is that her last name is Reed.”

Hattie nodded her head. “Where will we live?”

“I will find us a house and buy it,” Iris promised. “I’ve enough money and mama told me to invest it. If I get a house with extra rooms, we can rent them out. That will give us an income so I won’t have to touch our extra money.”

Hattie’s stomach growled loudly. Iris smiled.

“I’m hungry too, Hattie. Let’s go find some food. And, you know something? I think we will stay here an extra day and rest. I want to sell some jewelry too. In a town this size, Johnathan would never be able to track me down, if he even does get this far, which I doubt.”

On a beautiful spring morning two days later, Iris and Hattie found themselves on a fast moving train heading north to York, Pennsylvania. Both women found it exciting to be so far from home, yet so close to home. Iris wore her mother’s blond wig and felt like a new woman entirely. Hattie felt a little new too. She knew that colored people were free in the north. She was hopeful about her own possibilities.

In York, the two women enjoyed a brief stop before traveling east to Wrightsville. From there, a coach carried them across the bridge over the Susquehanna River, then north into Harrisburg. After a good meal in a thriving teahouse, they caught another train north.

By the end of the day, Williamsport became ever closer and the mountains grew more beautiful. Both mistress and slave were thrilled at the view. At long last, the final train turned west along the riverbank tracks and headed into town.