A Promise for Tomorrow (20 page)

Carolina seemed to sense his anguish. She reached across the breakfast table to touch her father’s arm. “Tell me.”

“Hampton had Miriam beaten. Well, that is to say, he beat her himself.”

“Miriam? But why?” Carolina pulled away in angered frustration. “Miriam has been with the family since her birth. She’s never caused a single bit of trouble. Why would he beat her?”

“Miriam is in charge of the nursery, and while the twins were spatting, Nate managed to sneak out. He ended up outside long enough to climb a tree and fall out before anyone could help him down.”

“Is he all right?”

“Just bruised and scared, although we worried about whether his arm had sustained a break. The doctor looked it over, however, and found only a sprain. Hampton felt the responsibility to be totally Miriam’s and punished the woman unmercifully.”

“How unmercifully?” Carolina asked in fearful tone.

“Quite.” Joseph saw the pained expression flash across his daughter’s face. “She’ll live, but she’ll be scarred.”

“How did this happen? Why was it allowed to happen?” Tears sprang to her eyes. “How could anyone be so cruel and heartless?”

“I’m as much to blame as anyone, although the matter was quite simply kept from me until the deed was already done. Hampton took matters into his own hands, as is often the case, and when he learned of Nate’s accident, he took it out on Miriam. I confronted him afterward, and he admitted to losing his temper—even showed a bit of remorse. He swore he’d never do such a thing again. But that temper of his can’t be trusted.”

“Why don’t you just take control away from him? Hire another overseer and leave Hampton to go back to being a commission merchant.”

“I’ve considered that, but I once mentioned such a thing to Virginia and she seemed quite devastated at the thought of leaving. She is not a happy woman, and I believe she receives some solace from being at Oakbridge.”

“Why is she so unhappy?”

“I believe she is not happy in her marriage. Hampton can be somewhat overbearing toward her and the children.”

“Only overbearing? He would not harm them, would he?”

“No, of course not. Even Hampton must have limitations. I only hope that after this incident with Miriam he will mend his ways.”

“But what if he doesn’t? Oh, Papa, Miriam deserves so much better.”

“Yes, I know that. I fear this might not be the end of it.”

“What if you were to give her to me?” asked Carolina. “I love her dearly and she could come stay with us. She could help me with the children and move with us when we go west. After all, Mrs. Graves can’t go along. As much as she’d like to, she doesn’t wish to be so far from her own family, not to mention that moving to the wilds of Virginia would be most difficult for a woman of her age. Miriam would be the perfect answer, however. She wouldn’t mind going west and—”

“Hold on there, child. What are you talking about? Are you planning a move?”

Carolina flushed slightly. “I’m sorry, Papa. I planned to tell you this morning, only your news came first and took my mind from it.” She beamed him a smile, then added, “James is being posted to Greigsville, Virginia, to act as liaison between the B&O and the contractors responsible for the new tunnel being built nearby. It’s one of the many sections being contracted out in hopes of finally connecting the railroad to the Ohio River. We’ve discussed the matter, and the children and I are going to move with him.”

“Is that wise? That’s very rough country, as I have heard. Hardly anything there—certainly nothing in the way of a big city and the comforts it might afford.”

“But none of that matters,” Carolina replied and looked away as if trying to decide how to explain. “When the landslide threatened James’ life, I realized I couldn’t be separated from him like that again. He was often gone for weeks, even months at a time, and the loneliness—” She paused and smiled again at her father, only this smile was more sympathetic than anything. “I know you understand the loneliness of having your mate far away. I don’t know how you’ve endured these last few years.”

Joseph felt warmed by his daughter’s sudden understanding of his loss. How had he endured? It was only by busying himself elsewhere and concentrating on God’s promises that he could find the will to go on. Then, too, was the fervent hope that Margaret would get better. “Separations between soul mates can never be easily handled.”

“No indeed,” Carolina agreed. “Which is why it doesn’t matter whether there is a single store or church or school. Nothing matters as much as our being a real family. By living in Greigsville, James will come home to me every night, or at least most every night, and the children won’t have to wait weeks on end for their father to spend time with them.”

“You won’t find it easy,” Joseph told her.

“No, I don’t imagine I will. But I am realistic about it. I’m not fooling myself into believing that just because we are together, there will never be any hard times. I know that hard times come to everyone, but I think overall the change will be good for us.”

“What did James say about this decision of yours?”

Carolina grinned at her father. “What makes you so sure this was my decision?”

“I know you. You set your mind to a thing, then God have mercy on anyone who gets in your way. It wouldn’t matter if James had been dead set against it—you would have found a way to convince him otherwise.”

“You know me very well. Maybe too well.”

“Can a father ever know his child too well? I hardly think so.” He returned her smile. “I’m glad for your ability to set your mind to a thing. Just never forget to consult God before mapping out a plan.”

“Is that what you are doing now regarding Hampton and Oakbridge?” she asked quite seriously.

He nodded. “Yes, I am. I’ve been in constant prayer over this entire matter. Hampton—slavery—Margaret—Oakbridge. I’ve never wanted to be a plantation owner. You know that as well as you know anything else about me.” Carolina nodded and he continued. “But I always saw my duty to my family, and to those who’d gone before me to create such a dream and ambition, as a sacred trust. A trust that I should never take lightly or discard because of disinterest or difficulty. But now I’m not so sure. Now the dreams and ambitions of generations past seem very unimportant in the wake of the future. Slavery is dividing this country, and with good reason. More and more, I’m convinced that it’s a way of life that will not exist much longer.

“The plantation itself has never meant anything more to me than a burden and a way to keep my promises. It kept me from living my life in my way, but it also provided blessings for my family, in spite of my disappointments.”

“Perhaps the time has come to rid yourself of the burden,”

Carolina remarked quietly. “I suppose that’s how I see my move to Greigsville. Not only do I get to have my husband with me more, but I also get to be closer to the dream of working in some capacity with the railroad. Oh, I know I’ll not be out there on the line, but I’ll be near enough to observe, and James will be there to tell me what’s happening and how the line is coming along. Ben Latrobe will still, no doubt, come to visit and to work with James, and so we will continue to hear news regarding the rest of the line. Perhaps, just as I’m setting aside a lifetime of familiarity and comfort, you should set aside Oakbridge and the responsibilities of ownership.”

“But to whom would I sell the estate?”

“Why not approach York? He is, after all, the rightful heir. He has been unhappy and restless in Philadelphia since losing the election. His work administering his father-in-law’s business affairs is hardly challenging for him. Perhaps if you told him you longed to be free from the burden, he would leave Philadelphia and take his place at Oakbridge.”

“But the last thing I want is to cast onto my children the same burden which was put upon me,” Joseph answered quite sternly. “I know what it is to feel the desperation. To have no choice in the matter. To see the road clearly set for you rather than being allowed to choose for yourself. I can’t do that to my own child.”

“But rather than sell to strangers, York should at least have the opportunity to refuse or accept it,” protested Carolina.

“Granted. I can see the fairness in that much.”

“He doesn’t have to accept responsibility of Oakbridge, and you can make it quite clear that you don’t care either way. But rather than go down the line offering it first to one child and then the next, I would leave off with York. If York doesn’t want to assume the duties, then sell it outright to someone else. Don’t open yourself up for arguments and complications, and don’t leave it to the point of Hampton Cabot taking control.”

Joseph nodded. “I’ve considered the problem of that very thing. Maine will certainly have no interest, and I know that Georgia is quite content with her horse farm. She has no need for a plantation the size of Oakbridge. You have made it clear that Oakbridge is unnecessary to your happiness, and after York, that only leaves Hampton and Virginia.”

“Exactly. We all know that Hampton would love nothing more than to usurp your authority. He’s wanted control of Oakbridge ever since first coming to the house to announce the impending banking disaster of 1837. He saw a way to get what he wanted through marriage to one of your daughters. It didn’t much matter which daughter, so long as he became a valid part of the family. Now we can see where that has led.”

“True enough,” Joseph said.

“Just don’t make any rash decisions,” Carolina pleaded. “Talk to York, even if you don’t ask him to take over at Oakbridge. Talk to him and ask him what he would do in your position. Perhaps he will volunteer his services. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s actually had enough of politics and northern ways, and he’s ready to come home.”

“Even so, there is still the matter of Virginia and the children,” Joseph replied.

Carolina nodded. “But Virginia made her choice. You can’t be responsible for that. After all, she didn’t seek your counsel before running off to elope with the man.”

“Sadly enough,” Joseph commented and took a long drink of coffee. “I probably would have eagerly given consent had she approached me on the matter. After all, I was ready to push you into his care.”

“Well, we simply did not know his true character. Perhaps we still don’t. I would say there is probably a great deal about Hampton Cabot we don’t understand. I realize that Virginia’s happiness, and that of the children, is uppermost in your mind. Why not speak with Virginia about it? Maybe she would willingly stay behind with the children.”

“And break apart her marriage? Should I play a part in such a circumstance?” Joseph threw his napkin down and shook his head. “And herein lies my dichotomy. If I stay and allow Hampton a hand at overseeing Oakbridge, he might well continue to use brute force in order to get what he wants. If I hand Oakbridge over to York, then Hampton and Virginia will need to find another home—and Hampton another job. I can’t think of anything that would irritate the man more. And if I sell or even divide the land, I still require that Hampton take the initiative to care for his family somewhere other than Oakbridge.”

“Poor Papa,” Carolina said, coming to stand beside him. She hugged him close, and Joseph knew her sympathy was genuine.

“I know that God will guide us through this, but it has become such a difficult matter. However, I do like your idea of sending Miriam to your care. I will happily give her to you, if that is her wish, and you may do as you like from there. Keep her, free her—it will be entirely up to you.”

“First we will care for her. She’ll have a long recovery, no doubt.”

Joseph pushed his chair back and got to his feet. “Please don’t worry overmuch about this, daughter. I know things seem quite bleak, but God will provide the answer.”

Carolina smiled. “I know He will, but I also know what it is to wait and wait for an answer and feel that it might never come.” Carolina drew her father along to the front parlor. “I still believe some sort of bargain might be struck with York. Perhaps he and Lucy would even sell a parcel of land to Hampton in order to do right by him.”

“Could be. Could be. But enough of such matters. I wanted to share with you the success I’m having with the P&GF Railroad.”

“Oh, do tell.”

They took a seat together on the sofa before Joseph continued. “I’ve contracted for another private car to be made. That way I can leave one at Oakbridge and one at the Potomac terminus. Then whenever you get a chance to venture back from that wilderness you will soon call home, there will be a car ready and waiting for your use.”

“Oh, Papa, that sounds wonderful.”

“Hampton didn’t think so. Thought it a terrible waste of time and money.”

“No doubt. But Hampton doesn’t share our dream.” Carolina’s eyes were alight with love for her father and excitement at this news. “When do you think we might acquire a real steam engine?”

“I would like it to be soon, but we both know that the line is hardly profitable as it is. The real money needs to be invested in completing our line to Falls Church. The horse-drawn cars are good enough for now. At least it should prove a great deal more profitable to transport crops to the Potomac come harvest.”

“I’m certain that will be true. You know, Papa, there is the money Blake left me. I still have a great deal of it and—”

“No. You save that for your daughter and for the future of your family. You may well need it more than the P&GF needs a steam engine or a completed line.” He saw her frown of disappointment. “Now, now. Don’t take on so. Things will work out in proper timing. You’ll see.”

“I know you’re right, but I’m impatient.”

“Once you’re nestled in the Virginia wilderness, you’ll have few concerns about the P&GF. You would do well to have your husband go ahead of you and design a list of everything you’ll need. That, in and of itself, will require a good investment of money.”

“He already plans to do just that,” Carolina admitted.

“Good. The future may seem a bit sluggish in its arrival, but it will come together in God’s timing. Your mother’s return home, your move, Oakbridge—all will be resolved and cared for.”