07.31.06
Posted in Uncategorized at 11:34 am by Linda
Agnes hummed to herself
> as she hung Lady Jane’s portrait
> above the mantle.
> Lady Jane had been the true lady
> of the manor.
>
> She now felt confident to ask
> of the mysterious death , if only to her,
> of her mother.
> and why Big Daddy would never discuss
> it in front of her.
>
> It seemed as if life at Ashland
> had turned around.
> Crops were good,
> yielding more than hoped
> and Big Daddy seemed pleased
> by the news,
> though his letters were scant.
>
> Miz Agnes and Tillie sat
> on the veranda more often
> these days
> rocking in the chairs
> that Sam built.
>
> And Agnes felt the time was right,
> to inquire of Tillie
> about her mother.
>
> “Miz Agnes, before we talk of Jane,
> Ezekial has a problem to which
> you must listen as there is unrest on the
>Â grounds.”
>
>Â And Agnes worried
> and waited.
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Posted in Uncategorized at 11:27 am by Linda
 Agnes felt a certain comfort
> knowing that Sam and Tillie
> were there for her.
>
> As she looked upon the circle
> of brown faces, she felt strong.
> These were not strangers
> but friends, for in her mind
> they had never been less.
>
> “I am sure that you know
> Joseph, the foreman and caretaker
> of Ashland, left shortly after Big Daddy,
> I can not say I am sorry
> he is gone.
> I felt he was overbearing
> yet he did manage to keep
> the plantation running smoothly.”
> Miz Agnes took a deep breath and continued, ” I have talked with Tillie
> and Sam. I will ask Sam’s oldest son, Ezekial,
> to take over the day to day operations of
> the farmland and to instruct
> the workers of their duties.
>
> Please, make no mistake in thinking
> that I cannot handle this task
> that Big Daddy asked of me.
> If anyone of you feel that
> you can not do your job
> to the best of your ability,
> this is the time to speak.
>
> I have decided that for every 10
> bushels of cotton picked
> the tenth one remains with the cabins.
> Tillie will distribute the money from its
> sale as she deems appropriate.
>
> Agnes listened to the whispers
> floating thru the air
> but could not decipher them.
>
> She hopes they understand.Â
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07.28.06
Posted in Uncategorized at 4:16 am by Linda
Miz Agnes was apprehensive when she arrived at the cabins
> until Uncle Sam appeared and sat on his porch.
> With a faint smile and nod, he bade her welcome.
>
> Without hesitation, she sat at his feet
> as she had done many times in the past.
>
> As he rested his now-feeble hand upon her head, he spoke in a low quite
> voice.
> “Dear Miz Agnes, the circumstances of the past months
> have taken a toll and the absence of your father caused unrest as we
> have lacked direction for many months.
> You must now take charge or Ashland will fall into ruin.”
>
> Agnes looked into Sam’s comforting eyes and felt the love in his touch.
>
> Agnes rose and knew
> she was ready.
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Posted in Uncategorized at 4:09 am by Linda
 Tillie watched in amusement
> as Agnes, a woman- child
> prepared to run the house.
>
> Agnes had make list after list
> of things she must do
> but as of yet she had not
> started nor finished any.
>
> “Tillie, I have decided that
> we should
> go to the cabins together
> and we will tell your people
> what must be done.”
>
> And Agnes hoped
> Tillie would help them
> accept Agnes’ authority
> and the love she would extend
> in exchange for their help.
>
> Agnes realized they
> no longer viewed her
> as Little Agnes, but waited to see
> if indeed she could take charge.
>
> How she missed Big Daddy.
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07.27.06
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:39 am by Linda
 Agnes was thrilled to think she and Tillie
 would share the afternoon.
 It had been much too long
 and her heart ached for the loss of time.
Â
 ”Please, Tillie, sit. What causes you to be so nervous?
 I fear that I have done something
 to annoy you
 for we have not talked for awhile.
 Perhaps Sarah’s death has been a burden upon us all.”
Â
 Miz Agnes waited for Tillie’s response
 which was slow in coming.
Â
 ”Young Agnes, I know that I have been
 withdrawn and perhaps Big Daddy will choose to punish me for not taking
 care of you,
 but I cannot ignore what happened to
 Sarah.
 Did you intentionally choose to harm her?”
Â
 Agnes realized at that moment her
 misgivings about Tillie were false
 and Sarah’s death was indeed an accident.
Â
 Miz Agnes sobbed as she assured
 of no wrongdoing on her part
 and was remiss for believing Tillie had
 reason for guilt.
Â
 ”Child, these months have been wrought with pain, for you are like one of
 my own.
 I promise there will never be a distance between us again.”
Â
 Miz Agnes stares into Tillie’s brown eyes
 and knows love once again.
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07.18.06
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:46 pm by Linda
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Posted in Uncategorized at 2:35 pm by Linda
 ”My darling Agnes, it is with much regret that I have not posted sooner,
> nor returned to comfort you in
>Â this time of grief as I am sure
> your heart must indeed be
> as heavy as mine.
> I rest easier knowing
> that Tillie is there for you.
>
> Word has come to me that
> Sam is sick and the crops are
> not being maintained as should.
> I now depend on Tillie
> with your help to see that the
> negroes are doing their job.
>
> It is a hard task for one so young
> but I feel that you are capable.
> We have many fine negroes,
> that should lightened this load
> that I ask you to bear, if they
> are encouraged.
>
> Please see to it that Sam has any
> necessary attention that
> may be warranted
> as he has been a faithful servant
> and is a good God-fearing man.
>
> My Agnes, the loss of Sarah
> will never compare to the loss
> of your mother, Lady Jane,
> but I have, regretfully, needed this time
> away from Ashland.
>
> I am entrusting you to oversee
> the workings of the manse
> until I return, sincerely hoping
> that I have not been away
> too long.
>
> Sweet Agnes, I promise my return
> will not be prolonged any longer
> than needed.
>
> Your loving father, Big Daddy.”
>Â
> Miz Agnes cried and wondered why.
> It had already been so long.
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Posted in Uncategorized at 2:29 pm by Linda
> Miz Agnes stared at Big Daddy’s
> letter which arrived just yesterday.
> The courtly gentlemen who delivered
> it said it was of great importance
> and should be read post-haste.
> But Agnes hesitated.
>
> It had been several months since
> Sarah’s death and this was the first
> message from Daddy..
> Agnes wasn’t sure if she had
> fortitude enough on her own
> to deal with what he might say.
> Agnes wondered if it even mattered.
>
> Perhaps he blamed Agnes for
> Sarah’s accident much
> in the same way she wondered
> about Tillie.
> Agnes had heard the whispers
> at Ashland but knew
> it was an accident,
> despite the fact no one
> cared for Sarah.
>Â God-fearing people
> wished no harm to others.
>
> Miz Agnes reached for the letter
> never feeling so alone.
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07.08.06
Posted in Uncategorized at 6:23 am by Linda
Ashland had been very quite for the last few months.
> Seldom did a tragedy such as Sarah’s death occur and there seemed no
> happiness on the grounds.
> Even the Friday gatherings at Uncle Tom’s
> were few.
>
> Big Daddy ,although he seemed barely able to carry on , had gone to
> Charleston with Sarah’s family for the funeral.
>Â
> Agnes prayed for his return as
> she was quite lonely those days.
> Tillie seemed preoccupied and did not spend much time with her.
>
> And Agnes wondered
> If she must now become
> the Lady of the house.
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Posted in Uncategorized at 5:32 am by Linda
Agnes saw Big Daddy watching the stairway.
> He looked genuinely happy.
> and Agnes was glad for that
> even though she had misgivings.
>
> The guest had stood, for the pianist had
> begun the second chorus of the sheet music given her.
> There was a hushed gasping at the sight of Sarah in her beautiful beaded
> and lace gown
> as she prepared to descend toward them.
>
> Agnes and Tillie adjusted Sarah’s train one last time as she started
> down the
> stairs, but it seemed to snag and Sarah was abruptly jerked backwards
> before losing her footing and falling forward.
>
> Agnes froze in horror as Sarah, screamed and fell to the bottom of the
> landing,
> where she laid twisted and limp.
>
> Big Nell, the closest thing to a doctor, came running from the kitchen
> for she heard Big Daddy’s cry of help.
>
> Big Daddy had scooped Sarah into his arms and was cradling her close to
> his chest.
> Nell said, “Sir, please let me see if I can help.”Â
> Somehow ,
> Agnes knew it was too late.
>
> Tillie and Agnes exchanged looks
> but said nothing. It
> was as if they both wondered.
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