Posted by BeautyLikeNight (Member #231837) on 13th September 2008, 01:53 AM
The young man sighed when his hostess left the room abruptly. He wondered if his silence had offended her. He considered for a brief moment about going after her, but knew that would be much too forward of him. Instead, glancing over at the young man beside him, he ventured to break the heavy silence with a quiet question.
"You're a Johnny Reb," he said, glancing at the doorway. "Yet you are here in Massachusetts. Should you not be home in the South?" His companion did not look as he did, having gone without much food and supplies for some time.
His bony fingers drummed nervously on the table, his entire body getting antsy simply being in a Yankee home, eating Yankee food, and wearing Yankee clothing. He knew it was necessary if he wanted to get home, but he despised most help anyway. |
Posted by Ellesar (Member #76200) on 13th September 2008, 02:01 AM
"I was." Thomas replied, looking over at the Reb. "But I then came across a letter that a Yankee gave me after Gettysburg to give to his sister. I had made a promise and I had to keep it." By this time, Maddie had gotten herself composed and returned to the kitchen, still holding James' picture. "Sorry about that..." she said softly. "Can I get either of you anything else?" Thomas only shook his head in response. |
Posted by BeautyLikeNight (Member #231837) on 13th September 2008, 02:13 AM
The young man leaned back in his seat, considering the Rebel's words. He glanced up at the girl when she entered the room, standing automatically as was custom when a woman entered a room. His eyes flickered from the photograph in her hand to her face. Instantly he could tell she was upset about something and gathered that she was the sister the Yankee had spoken about to the fellow Rebel after Gettysburg.
Clasping his hands behind his back, he attempted to give the girl a friendly smile, but it turned out more tightly than he would have liked.
"Your name, fair madam," he said smoothly. "That I may repay you for your kindness when I reach my destination."
He hoped he did not scare her off with this request, seeing as he was a dirty, grim-faced Confederate soldier in her house with her father absent and only another stranger for company. |
Posted by Ellesar (Member #76200) on 13th September 2008, 02:23 AM
"My name is Madelyn, but everyone calls me Maddie." Maddie said with a soft smile. "And there's no need to repay me. I'm happy to help in any way." Especially when you remind me so much of my brother... |
Posted by BeautyLikeNight (Member #231837) on 13th September 2008, 02:37 AM
This time the young man's smile was more genuine although it still seemed slightly forced, as it it hurt him to attempt such an expression. As much as he was doing his best to keep his heart stone cold against the Yanks, this little one was somehow twisting her way into him and softening that stone. He knew he had to get out of there soon before his defenses collapsed completely. They had already surprised him for weakening this far.
"You may call me Jasper," he said, tilting his dark head forward in a slight bow. His bony fingers interlaced themselves behind his back and he gripped his hands together tightly, putting more effort into that one gesture than necessary. However the front of his form still displayed the polite and charming (although rather sickly and pale in appearance) young man he was trying to come across as.
"I'm afraid I must insist you let me repay you, however," he pressed. "My mother, God rest her soul, would possibly disown me if I did not." His lips twitched slightly.
He said "God rest her soul" out of habit, and not because he thought God would actually give his mother's soul rest. Of course he hoped He would, but after years in the hell called war, he had begun to seriously question his faith in God. It was hard to believe in a deity when one's fellow comrades fell to the earth right before one's eyes, never to rise again. |
Posted by Ellesar (Member #76200) on 13th September 2008, 02:47 AM
Maddie only nodded and said, as she set the picture down onto the table. "If you insist. But at the moment, the only payment I want is my brother back." she said softly. |
Posted by BeautyLikeNight (Member #231837) on 13th September 2008, 02:58 AM
"In that case I shall assist you."
Jasper spoke before the words had processed through his mind. Once they were out he realized his mistake but it was too late now for him to retract them. Inwardly he groaned but he masked his irritation by picking up the picture on the table and studying it closely. The face did not look familiar, other than the faint resemblance young Madelyn bore with her brother. Frowning slightly, he appeared to be thoughtful while inside a battle was waging.
He did not want to help the Yankees in any way, yet now he was bound by his word. Curse his words! They had not been released with his consent. However he knew he must abide by them, if only to keep from soil the name of Southern gentlemen. Slowly he turned and held the picture out to the girl.
"And then, and only then, shall we call it even," he added, figuring he might as well go the whole way now that he had trapped himself in it. |
Posted by Ellesar (Member #76200) on 13th September 2008, 03:03 AM
Maddie took the picture and just looked down at it, smiling slightly to herself. "Thank you, Jasper." she said softly. "I appreciate your help." Now to just convince Mama and Papa to let me go... Looking up at Thomas and Jasper, she asked, "Will you need a place to stay tonight?" Thomas nodded and then waited for Jasper's reply. |
Posted by BeautyLikeNight (Member #231837) on 13th September 2008, 03:17 AM
Jasper glanced outside, seeing that it was still several hours before the day turned to dusk. He hesitated, hating to stay any longer than he had to. However he knew that if he spent one more night on rocky soil, he would probably resort to sleeping while he stood.
He nodded slowly, having used up his words now and going back to his almost sullen silence. However his expression was not morose like usually was on his wan face, and for once he actually looked almost as he did before the war; the attractive, dashing young man making his way forward unconsciously, albeit hesitantly.
Wondering vaguely if he would be made to sleep in the barn (and figuring that would be better than nothing), he paused, thinking of something that a man of his age should have thought long before now.
"If your father agrees, of course," he amended hastily, not wanting to appear as one of those Rebels who took advantage of young Yankee girls. He was sometimes appalled at the way his fellow Confederates ruined their reputation by doing wicked deeds. |
Posted by Ellesar (Member #76200) on 13th September 2008, 03:25 AM
Daniel came in at that moment and overheard what Jasper said. "If I agree to what?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. Maddie turned to look at her father and said, "Papa, Thomas and Jasper need a place to stay tonight. Otherwise they'll be forced to sleep outside again." Daniel frowned slightly, but his expression softened after a few moments as he walked over to his daughter. "You're just like how James used to be." he murmured softly. Maddie bristled slightly at her father's use of the past tense, but didn't say anything.
Daniel just looked at Thomas and Jasper for a few moments before coming to a decision. "If you two don't mind sharing a room, you may use James' room for as long as you need a place to stay." he said with a slight smile. |
Posted by BeautyLikeNight (Member #231837) on 13th September 2008, 03:35 AM
Jasper's jaw immediately clenched out of habit as soon as Daniel entered the room. Yankee girls he would treat politely; Yankee men, however, did not deserve such treatment. Not in Jasper's eyes. He straightened until he stood tall at his five foot, eleven inch frame. It was not as impressive as it would have been if Jasper's lean yet muscular build had been present. As it was, the thin, sickly looking young man barely appeared able to stand, let alone hold his own in a fight.
Thankfully there was no need to fight. Startled once more by the hospitality of these Yanks, Jasper nodded dumbly in reply to Daniel's offer. He shifted uneasily from foot to foot, feeling desperately like he needed a warm bath. Embarrassed to ask for one, however, he decided he would just wait to see what the man said next, if anything. He supposed he could always find a river or lake to jump into near twilight if it came down to that. |
Posted by Ellesar (Member #76200) on 13th September 2008, 09:43 AM
Maddie took in Jasper's shifting and then asked, "Is there anything else I can get for you, Jasper?" Daniel headed back outside to hitch up the wagon and then poked his head back inside, "Maddie, I need to go into the city to get some more feed. Your mother is over at the Lancasters if you need anything." Maddie nodded and then turned to look at Jasper again to see if he would reply. |
Posted by BeautyLikeNight (Member #231837) on 13th September 2008, 10:03 AM
A warm flush rose up into Jasper's cheeks, something he was not used to. Stiffening slightly when Daniel poked his head in, he waited until he could hear him no more before turning back to Maddie. He cleared his throat nervously.
"A warm bath, if you please miss," he said, somewhat sheepishly. "But if that is too much trouble, I can content myself with a dip in a pond."
His lips twitched once more into a rather grim smile, completely opposite of what he was striving for. In the end he decided to just give up looking pleasent. His manners would stay the same, yes, but he was tired of attempt to appear nice while he spoke to her. It was very taxing, and not at all something he wanted to get used to. As it was, the smiles seemed to be growing easier. This was not good. |
Posted by Ellesar (Member #76200) on 13th September 2008, 10:27 AM
Maddie smiled at Jasper and said, "Of course. I'll be right back." She disappeared for a few moments to prepare the bath for Jasper and then returned. "This way." she said as she retraced her steps to where she had prepared the bath. |
Posted by BeautyLikeNight (Member #231837) on 13th September 2008, 10:48 AM
Jasper followed Madelyn apprehensively, very unsure about the appropriateness of the situation. If it had been the woman of the house, he might not have been as bashful. But seeing as his hostess was a young girl, that put nearly everything in a different light.
"Thank you," he murmured when he saw the tub seated in the middle of the floor. He took a small step forward, but then turned to give Madelyn a pointed look. |
Posted by Ellesar (Member #76200) on 13th September 2008, 11:05 AM
Maddie had paused in the doorway and allowed Jasper to come through. "Everything you need is right there." she said, motioning toward the table next to the tub. Maddie had shut the door softly on her way out as soon as Jasper was inside, and returned to the kitchen to finish preparing the midday meal. |
Posted by BeautyLikeNight (Member #231837) on 13th September 2008, 11:15 AM
Jasper was relieved to see that instead of Madelyn, he was giving a pointed look at a door. Of course this made him feel rather foolish, but he preferred that to the alternative. He got undressed quickly and entered the tub, grabbing the soap on the way in.
He did not mean to stay long, but the warm water soothed his aching muscle and bones and he found himself staying until the water began to grow cold. Then he quickly washed and go out, drying himself with the towel provided before getting dressed back into the clean clothes of this James fellow. Ruffling his now clean locks with his hand, he exited the room and silently made his way back to the kitchen in bare feet, having left his boots just inside the door of the other room along with his filthy uniform.
Standing uncertainly in the doorway, Jasper looked in at Madelyn and Thomas. He looked much better now that he was clean, and his gaunt face did not look as pinched now that he had something to eat. His tossled head of loose curls gave him the appearance of a younger boy, and he stood straighter now that he had not grime and dirt of his journey to weigh down his pride.
He did not clear his throat or make any noise to betray his presence, simply stood there, staring at the back of Madelyn's head. |
Posted by Ellesar (Member #76200) on 13th September 2008, 11:29 AM
Maddie had her sleeves rolled up and was pounding on some bread dough when Jasper returned. Shaping the dough into a loaf of bread, she put it into the oven to bake. Reaching up, she pushed a stray lock of hair out of her face, leaving a smudge of flour on her face as she turned. She started slightly when she saw Jasper standing there and said, "Oh! I didn't know you were standing there. Feel better?" |
Posted by BeautyLikeNight (Member #231837) on 13th September 2008, 11:48 AM
Jasper nodded silently, resisting the urge to smile as his eyes traveled to the smudge of flour on her cheek. Pursing his lips tightly, he stepped a couple steps farther into the room before stopping once more, wondering what kind of parents she had to leave their daughter alone in the house with two strange men. Either they thought she was mature enough to handle the situation, or they were simply foolish. As it was, he was willing to go with the latter option.
He looked around questioningly, unconsciously comparing this small, crude kitchen to the large, bustling and much more sophisticated (comparatively) one of his mansion on the plantation. He knew better than to ask why the slaves did not do the cooking, knowing that Madelyn most likely did not have any slaves, being a Yank and all. He looked down at her slender hands, covered in flour, and thought they would be much better served preparing tea at a social gathering, or playing croquet at parties. She did not deserve to work so hard, he thought.
"In the South, the daughter of the master of the house does not confine herself to such meager duties around the house," he offered after a long moment, unable to keep himself from speaking up after all this time studying her. |
Posted by Ellesar (Member #76200) on 13th September 2008, 06:53 PM
Maddie smiled slightly and said, "Usually my mother is the one to do the cooking, but ever since my brother left, I've had to help out more than I usually do." She sighed softly as she gazed upon Jasper, still feeling like she was looking at her brother. Maddie was about to say something else when the door opened and Jenny walked into the main room. Pausing in the entryway to the kitchen, she took in the scene and then scowled at Maddie and motioned for her to follow as Jenny headed upstairs.
Frowning slightly, she told Jasper and Thomas that she would be right back and then followed her mother upstairs. "Madelyn Carter, just WHAT are two Rebels doing in my kitchen?" she asked with a disapproving frown as she removed her bonnet and set it down on the bed. She looked at her daughter with her hands on her hips and when Maddie failed to answer quick enough, she demanded, "Well? Just WHAT are two Rebels doing in my kitchen?!" Maddie only looked at her mother for a few moments and then said, "They're people just like us, Mama. Jasper was in need of some warm food and Thomas had a message for me."
Jenny only laughed and said, "They're Rebels, Madelyn. They don't DESERVE our help! And why would a Rebel have a message for you?" Maddie shook her head and said, "He knew James, Mama. He had a message for me from James. I've told you before that James is alive, and I just KNOW that it's true! Anyway, Papa said it was alright if they stayed here tonight." Jenny couldn't help herself and reached out and slapped Maddie. "I've told you before to not speak of James! Your brother is DEAD and he is NEVER coming back! Why can't you just get that through your head?!" Jenny hissed out angrily.
Maddie only looked at her mother with tears in her eyes and just shook her head as she backed away. "You're wrong. James is alive, I just know that he is. I just KNOW it." Before her mother could react, Maddie had turned and fled down the hall to her room. Grabbing her journal and pencil, she ran back downstairs and past Thomas and Jasper out the back door, trying to keep from crying but failing. She stopped under the tree just past the barn and just sat there in the shade, crying. |
Posted by BeautyLikeNight (Member #231837) on 13th September 2008, 07:24 PM
Jasper's head jerked up when he thought he heard raised voices in the direction Madelyn and her mother had gone. He gnawed on his bottom lip for a moment, wondering if the argument was his fault. Somehow he felt that it was. He would have despised the Yankee pride, except he knew full well how prideful his own people were. Running his hand through his still damp curls, he thought to himself that he needed to get a haircut soon as the loose locks fell down his forehead and the back of his neck.
He glanced sidelong at Thomas, wondering if he should attempt conversation. After all they were on the same side, right? He was just wondering what he would say first when Madelyn came racing through, looking very distressed. He frowned darkly as he watched her leave the house. He could not be sure, but one of her cheeks seemed to be a bright red, as though it had been stricken by a hand. Knowing that the dreadful Yankee woman was at fault, he seethed in righteous anger.
Without even a muttered excuse, he stalked out of the house and followed Madelyn's tracks to the trees just around the side of the barn. There he stopped, observing the girl with her pen and journal. He hesitated then, wondering if it had been a good idea to come. After all he did not know what words to comfort her with. With a sigh, the thin young man decided to just stand where he was, near enough for her to notice him, yet far enough away that he was not intruding. Clasping his slender hands behind his back, he looked up at the sky, studying the faint white shape of the moon not quite visible in the midday sky. |
Posted by Ellesar (Member #76200) on 13th September 2008, 11:56 PM
Things have seemingly gotten worse around here. Mama and Papa don't believe me when I say that I feel that James is still alive and now I've been forbidden from even talking about him! It looks like the only place I'll be able to speak about him is whatever I write in here... James, I hope that you are well wherever you are. Please come home soon...
Maddie looked up, still crying slightly, and rubbed her still stinging cheek. Spotting Jasper standing nearby, she blushed slightly and looked down. Sticking her pencil into her journal and closing it, she said flatly, "You can come closer if you want, Jasper. I don't bite." |
Posted by BeautyLikeNight (Member #231837) on 14th September 2008, 12:09 AM
Jasper started in surprise when she spoke. Flushing slightly, he took a small step closer to her but no more, unsure of what to do. He still did not know why he exactly he had followed her, and so no words came to him to explain why he had come.
Sighing slightly at his incompetent brain, he moved closer still until he was right in front of her. He crouched down at rested his arms on his knees, studying her with a slight frown.
"Are you well, Miss Madelyn?" he asked quietly, using her full name as he did not feel quite comfortable calling her Maddie just yet for some reason. |
Posted by Ellesar (Member #76200) on 14th September 2008, 12:17 AM
Maddie nodded and then looked down as fresh tears started to spill down her cheeks. "I...I'm okay I guess..." Not really, but what else am I supposed to say? she asked herself, wondering if she should go into the details of her troubles. |
Posted by BeautyLikeNight (Member #231837) on 14th September 2008, 12:23 AM
Jasper felt the weight of guilt fall heavily on his thin shoulders as Madelyn began to cry once more. It was obvious that she was lying, but he did not want to press her to tell him anything she did not want to expound on. He already felt horrible for making her tears appear in the first place. With a sigh, he suddenly lay down in the grass by her feet and folded his arms behind his dark head, looking up at the sky with the same slight frown on his face.
He could tell there was something going on that people were not explaining, but he really did not know if it was his place to question anyone about it. Glancing over at her, he sought for a way to distract her from her troubles in hopes that the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach would be appeased.
"I had a journal once," he said, nodding to the book in her hands. "Unfortunately my life was so dull I rarely wrote in it and when I did it was mostly drivel." He gave her a grim smile as he propped himself up on one bony elbow in order to look at her more directly. |
Share This