“About Sam or slavery?”
“Both.”
Sally shrugged. “Slavery is legal but…”
“But what?”
“My father says there are some who abuse the law. That they treat their slaves as though they were subhuman. That’s not right.”
“I don’t think so either and I can understand why Samuel would be angry about that.”
“But?”
“But look at what has happened in our city. This has nothing to do with slaves. To say he will not fight because the Confederacy supports slavery sounds like an excuse to me. There is an army outside with guns. They are telling us what music we can and cannot sing, how we may dress. They opened fire on my family right in the middle of Pratt Street!”
“I know,” Sally said. “That’s why Stephen enlisted.” She paused. “And you’re angry with Sam because he didn’t.”
Julia looked at her. There was no need to reply to the last statement. Sally already knew her thoughts.
“You still have feelings for him, don’t you?”
Julia sighed heavily. To deny it would be a lie but to acknowledge them was to deny her brother’s honor.
“I can understand your dilemma,” Sally said.
“You can?”
“Certainly. If my fiancé refused to defend our city I would feel the same.”
She saw doubt in Sally’s eyes and she knew she was keeping something back. “But?” Julia encouraged.
Sally shrugged. “Perhaps it isn’t cowardice.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Sam is a man of conviction. Although it may not be the same conviction you share. It takes courage to stand up for what you believe when no one else believes the same.”
Julia sighed once more. “He came to the prayer meeting today.”
“What prayer meeting?”
“The one at the church.”
Sally looked embarrassed. “I forgot about that. Father must have as well. He said yesterday that we would attend.”
“It was only my family, Reverend Perry and Samuel.”
“Did he sit with you?”
Julia shook her head. She explained what happened after the service had ended.
Sally’s eyes widened. “He said he would honor your wishes?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
Finality hit Julia with a thud. The engagement had been severed. Samuel Ward would not be her husband.
“I should have been more open with the others,” she said. “I should have told them everything.”
“Well,” Sally said slowly, “there is no need for gossip, especially from Rebekah.” She squeezed Julia’s hand. “Things will sort out in time.”
She knew Sally was right.
But how much time would have to pass before Julia knew happiness again?
Chapter Four
The following morning, Sam finished his first class and walked to the third-floor faculty room for a meeting. The assembly had been called unexpectedly and all were eager to learn why. He took a seat amidst his fellow history and rhetoric professors. The discussion of war was already churning.
“It is no wonder that attendance is falling,” one man said. “An invading army will do such a thing.”
“It will keep many a young man hiding in his root cellar.”
“Only because by hiding there he has an excuse not to finish his assignments.”
Several of the teachers laughed and the conversation continued to swirl. The staff shared their opinions and concerns of what the coming weeks may hold. Sam did not add to the discussion. His mind kept drifting in and out of focus, somewhere between God and Julia much of the time.
He could not forget the look on her face yesterday as he’d approached her, eyes hesitant and suspicious. Her dark hair had been covered by a butternut bonnet. Sam couldn’t help but wonder if she had chosen the color on purpose, as a statement of her political position. Edward and his fellow Maryland Guard members had left town in uniforms of the same color.
More than anything, Sam hoped that in time Julia would see he was not against her or her family. He wished for an opportunity to speak with her, to reaffirm his love. He prayed they could reconcile their differences.
But he had promised God he would follow His path wherever it led, whether Julia joined him or not. It appeared that path meant traveling the antislavery route.
Sam had not yet spoken to Dr. Carter about his plan to attend the abolitionist meeting. He intended to do so upon the first opportunity.
The conversation around him still buzzed, though it had shifted from the Federal occupation to the question of slavery. His ears perked when mathematics department chair, David Longsworth, spoke his mind. “I fail to see what all the division is about. Property is property. As an owner of such I have full authority over what belongs to me.”
The word “property” when referring to a human being was nauseating to Sam.
If men were created in God’s image how could the color of one’s skin change such? Men were men. In Sam’s mind there was no question.
Longsworth shifted to the economic benefits of slavery. “How are we going to produce goods in this country without slaves? On my word, without them the economy would collapse overnight.”
Money, Sam thought. It is all that some seem to be concerned with. What about the suffering of our fellow man? What about the God-given thirst for freedom deep inside us all? He drew in a deep breath, ready to express such.
At that very moment, Dr. Carter entered the room. He called for everyone’s attention.
“Gentlemen,” he said. “I am afraid that I have some disturbing news.”
Silence covered the room like a shroud. Sam’s heart immediately began to pound. What has happened? Has there been further bloodshed? Is Julia safe?
“I was approached by one of General Butler’s aides this morning,” Dr. Carter said. “I have been told that the Federal Army is in need of our facilities.”
Wordless, worried expressions showed upon each faculty member’s face. Sam looked the same.
“Therefore, effective immediately, our classes will be suspended. We will resume teaching when the seminary can secure a new location.” Dr. Carter paused. “You are dismissed, gentlemen.”
The dean of students walked to the door and exited the room. The rest of the faculty, Sam included, sat in stunned silence.
“So the Yankees have commandeered the school,” Longsworth said finally.
“And put us all out of work,” said another.
A sickening feeling washed over him as Sam sank back in his chair. My best friend, my fiancée, my teaching position… Air slowly escaped his lungs. Lord, I want to believe You have everything under control, that You are working these things for our ultimate good.
Help me trust You.
Julia had been at the market since it first opened that morning. She had bought flour, two cones of sugar, eggs and a host of other necessities.