A Promise for Tomorrow (19 page)
Even now Hampton’s expression dared Joseph to accuse him of wrongdoing. Instead, Joseph waved him to take a chair, feeling much the coward for not standing up to his son-in-law. In truth, he wasn’t completely convinced that Hampton was to blame. Joseph’s now-deceased overseer, Walt Durgeson, had a rather ruthless grandson who’d lived with Walt at Oakbridge. And while the young man had since moved on, the timing could have just as easily put him in the position of fathering the slaves’ babies as Hampton.
“I told them both,” Hampton continued without bothering to account for his presence on the third floor, where several of the house slaves were quartered, “that I’d beat them to within an inch of their lives if those slaves showed up and they didn’t tell me about it right off.”
“Hampton, you well know I don’t approve of beating confessions out of people. I doubt Willmingham’s slaves will come here. They’d be wiser to stick to the river,” Joseph muttered.
“Nevertheless, I intend to see to it that we don’t inadvertently harbor them.”
Joseph nodded, wanting to say so much more. Instead, he reached for a piece of paper. “I will be leaving soon for Boston. Here is a list of things you will need to attend to while I’m gone.”
Hampton perused the list and nodded. “It appears completely manageable.”
“Yes, well—” Joseph paused to consider his next words, “it will be if you remember moderation and refrain from allowing your temper to take over resolutions.”
“I only lose my temper when incompetence costs me money.”
Joseph didn’t correct Hampton’s reference to the money belonging to him. He knew that his son-in-law considered it only a matter of time until Oakbridge belonged to him in full. And while Joseph hadn’t made up his mind that such a thing was going to happen, he knew that all indications pointed in that direction.
“Nevertheless, Hampton, I don’t want interference where I have made changes. If you think something can be handled in a more efficient manner, then speak to me on it before I leave. However, I will brook no nonsense concerning the education of the slaves. I don’t want to hear that you have disallowed Virginia to continue working with the slave children to teach them to read and write.”
“It’s a waste of time,” Hampton protested, “but it’s of no difference to me.”
“Good. I’m still proposing to free them, and as the children come of age, they will need skills and education in order to make it in the world outside what they’ve always known.”
“You’ll be losing good assets.”
“I can always offer to hire them back on,” Joseph replied.
“It will eat up all of your profits,” Hampton protested.
“Not if I lessen the responsibilities. I am still of a mind to parcel off the bulk of Oakbridge and leave myself with just the house and a small plot of land to work. Then I won’t need slaves.”
“I’m telling you, Joseph, that would be sheer madness. You can’t hope to remain profitable doing business that way.”
“Profits aren’t everything, son.” Joseph used the familiar term hoping to defuse Hampton’s ire. He feared Hampton would only turn around and take it out on someone else if Joseph didn’t find a way to smooth matters over. “Besides, we’ve other things to discuss. If the runaways turn up here, simply return them to their masters. Let them decide the punishment.”
Hampton said nothing, but Joseph could see the disdain in his eyes. He hurried to move their conversation forward. “I have arranged for another private railcar to be built. I want to have one here at Oakbridge and another situated at the line’s terminus on the Potomac. That way, anyone desiring to travel on the P&GF from Washington to Oakbridge, or in the opposite direction, will find it no more difficult than taking their place on board the car.”
“I’m certain the cost of that must be outrageous,” Hampton replied in a barely civil tone.
“Yes, well, I can afford it.” Joseph eased back in his chair and smiled. “It won’t be long now until I’ll be able to bring Margaret home. I’m certain she will be anxious to be among family once again. She’ll no doubt find Nate and the twins quite charming.” Joseph referred to Hampton and Virginia’s brood. Not quite five years earlier, Virginia had stunned the family by producing twin daughters. Levinia and Thora—lightning and thunder, as Virginia had explained the meanings of the names—had been born in June of 1844. Although terribly small, and frightfully early by the doctor’s calculations, the twins had thrived to grow into two beautiful little girls. Joseph thought them precocious and a bit spoiled at times, but they had a way of charming their grandfather that usually made him overlook their behavior. The girls were as different as night and day in their personalities, but their appearance was identical.
“So when is the big day to be?” Hampton questioned, his voice clearly under strained control.
“I’m not sure. I would like to believe it would come by Christmas, but there’s simply no way of telling. I could just remove her from the hospital on my own, but I’d like for them to give her every benefit. Up until recently, Margaret has said very little about returning to Oakbridge. It’s another reason I’ve considered parceling Oakbridge off, or selling it outright. Margaret may not feel up to returning to this place and the difficult memories it holds for her. If that is the case, we may well take a home elsewhere.”
“That certainly is no reason to sell,” Hampton reasoned. “I could stay on and keep the place working in good order, while you go wherever you desire. I’m telling you, Joseph, selling now would be a mistake. Look at what’s going on around you. They’ve struck gold in California, and manifest destiny rings true in the hearts of Americans. There are people leaving in droves to consider the opportunities in the West, and they will need food, clothing, and livestock, all of which you can produce here on this plantation.”
“Someone else could just as easily provide those services. The new owner could simply pick up where I’ve left off. Believe me, Hampton, I wouldn’t consider the matter lightly. It will come or not, only after intense discussions with York and the others. That’s another reason I’ll be gone for a longer period this time. I intend to spend time in Baltimore with Carolina and James, and then move on to Philadelphia to visit York and Lucy. I’ll probably discuss this matter with each of them before going on to see Margaret in Boston.”
Hampton’s jaw clenched tight. Joseph could see a notable tick in his cheek and realized there would be no reasoning with the man at this point. “Well, there is much for me to see to before my departure. If you’ll excuse me,” Joseph said, getting to his feet. At the door he paused and added, “Hampton, stay off the third floor. If you need something from the attic or elsewhere, send someone else.” His meaning was clearly understood if judged by the blaze of fury he saw rise up in his son-in-law’s eyes.
Hampton sat seething, unable to move in his anger. How dare Joseph risk his security and future! It was bad enough that he had to play second fiddle to everything he did, but Hampton would be hanged before he’d allow Joseph to sell Oakbridge. As for his dalliance with the female slaves, well, Joseph had little say over it. The girls were terrified of him, and he knew they’d never risk admitting to his nocturnal visits. The only other person to have knowledge of his actions was Virginia, and he’d beat her senseless if she dared open her mouth.
It was at this inopportune moment that Virginia made the mistake of appearing to solicit Hampton’s aid. She looked haggard and worn, and Hampton found her less and less appealing, but now with her face pinched in worry and her hair streaked with bits of gray, he found her positively repulsive.
“What do you want?”
His growling voice set her back a step. “I . . . well . . . I thought perhaps you should have a look at Nate.”
“Have a look at him? What in the world are you talking about, woman?”
“Well, he slipped out of the nursery, and Miriam didn’t find him until he managed to get outside and up into one of the trees. He fell before she could get him down, and I’m worried that maybe he’s broken his arm.”
“How in the world did this happen to my son?” Hampton demanded, springing to his feet in one fluid motion. Virginia cowered against the wall of books as he moved toward her for answers. “Well?”
“The girls were . . . ah . . . having an argument,” Virginia began.
Her hesitancy and intimidation fueled Hampton’s already infuriated temper. He moved to within inches of her. “You aren’t making any sense. Where’s Nate?”
“He’s downstairs with Lydia. Miriam is trying to make some sort of order out of the nursery. It was just an accident, Hampton. The girls were fighting—tearing the place apart. Miriam went to quiet them, and Nate slipped out of the room.”
“I’ll have her hide for this. No darky slave is going to endanger my son’s life.”
“But, Hampton—”
Virginia started to protest but quieted when Hampton threw her a warning look. “And just where were you when all of this was happening? Hitting the bottle?” Virginia’s expression left him to believe there might be truth to his accusation. Hampton eagerly picked up on her guilt and drove home his merciless point. “What kind of mother are you to let your child risk death while you console yourself with sherry?”
“It was an accident. I fell out of a tree when I was six. No one was drinking sherry when I slipped out of the nursery,” Virginia said, finally seeming to stand up to him.
Hampton narrowed his eyes. “Where is that stupid woman?”
“Who?”
“Who do you suppose? Miriam. I want that slave brought to the whipping post, and I want her there now! Do you understand me? Find her, then send one of the stable boys for the doctor. I’m no physician to be judging the boy’s arm, but if it’s broken, I’ll do more than beat that Negress. You hear me?”
Virginia nodded, eyes widened in fear. Hampton felt elation at the expression of horror on her face. “If Nathaniel’s arm is broken, I’ll break both of her arms as payment.”
“Hampton, no!” Virginia exclaimed as he strode from the room. She hurried after him, her voice frantic. “Father will never allow it. Miriam was born and raised here—she’s like family.”
“She’s a slave, nothing more—certainly not family,” he sneered, then added, “unless your father sowed wild oats that we don’t know about.”
Virginia’s mouth dropped open in stunned recognition of Hampton’s implication. Hampton laughed loud and hard. “Oh please, Virginia, don’t play the ingenue with me. Go find that idiot and have her brought to the post.”
Joseph sat across from his second daughter and admired the strength of character he found in her. Carolina, at twenty-nine, was a mature and lovely woman. She greatly resembled her mother, but there was also a hint of the strong Adams jaw and deep-set eyes. He still thought from time to time that Carolina should have been born a son. She was given to an interest in everything from the railroad to the construction of the new pier at Locust Point on Baltimore’s harbor to world finance. On the other hand, she was graceful and feminine, fashionable and lovely, all while maintaining a household and children. It was this perhaps more than her dark eyes and hair that reminded Joseph of Margaret.
“You are staring at me as if I’ve smeared axle grease across my face,” Carolina suddenly commented. “Is something wrong? Is your breakfast cold?”
“No,” Joseph laughed. “Everything is fine. I was just thinking of how much you favor your mother.”
Carolina smiled. “It won’t be long, Papa. Soon you’ll be able to bring Mother home and all will be as it was before.”
He shook his head. “No, never that. And perhaps it is better that it not be that way. I’m praying it will be better. It’s a new start for us.”
Carolina nodded, then took a sip of her tea. She seemed thoughtful to Joseph, almost as if she had something of importance to speak to him about but was weighing the situation before doing so.
“How’s James doing? Is that arm giving him any trouble?”
Carolina nodded. “The trouble comes in the form of not being able to use it. James is far too active to suffer a broken bone.”
Joseph couldn’t help but chuckle. “No doubt his activities are what brought him to this end in the first place.”
“True enough, but he can barely abide his ordeal. But enough of us. I’ve told you everything about the children and James; why don’t you tell me the news of home?”
Joseph felt the joy slip from his expression. “I wish I could report that all is in order there, but frankly, Carolina, it serves as another reason for my visit here.”
Carolina put down her fork. “What’s wrong, Papa? I can see in your face that something is not as it should be.”
Joseph nodded. “You know what’s happening in this country regarding the slavery issue?”
“Of course,” she replied. “It would be difficult not to know.”
“Well, York writes of the growing tensions in the North. Seems northern folk have trouble understanding the need to continue with slaves. They believe all slaves should be freed and rehired as paid laborers. I can’t deny that I’ve considered such ideas as holding great merit. Not that I don’t also note the loss of profit and comfort in knowing that my staff is permanent under one institution but perhaps unreliable under the other.”
“Still,” Carolina said, “what’s the difference between hiring free men who live elsewhere and provide for their own needs for shelter, food, and clothing, and the slave for whom you are entirely responsible? Surely the money issue is very slight.”
“Indeed, that, too, is a consideration. My problem, I suppose, is not with what is happening across the states, but rather with that which is under my own control.”
“Hampton?”
Joseph nodded. “Something has happened; in fact, it nearly kept me from making this trip.” He fell silent remembering the hideous details of Miriam’s beating. He wouldn’t tell Carolina of the horror of finding the young woman so severely beaten by Hampton that she could barely stand. Nor would he tell Carolina of Hampton’s taking the lash in his own hand to administer her punishment until her back was reduced to strips of bleeding flesh. Such a thing was too horrible to hold in his own memory, much less burden another with.