08.31.06
Miz Agnes # 50
Agnes, I am afraid this talk
>has upset you. Please take my hankerchief.
> If you wish, we can continue
> at another time.”
>
> “No, I am fine. Thank you .
> I find your tale fascinating
> and wish to hear more,
> if you would be so kind.”
>
> Agnes watched as Ethan
> stood and walked to the
> edge of the stoop.
>
> ” I can see why my mother
> fell in love with this place
> when she was here.
> There is a magnificence
> yet a peace, unlike
> other places I’ve been.
> Charleston is a beautiful
> city and I loved it there,
> but I see what she meant
> about this land being God’s
> choice.”
>
> “And that, sir, is what brought
> you here?”
>
> As Ethan turned to face her,
> she could see ,by moonlight,
> the excitement in his blue eyes.
>
> “Yes, Agnes, I want to feel
> that power of the land
> that John Jacob and my mother
> spoke of. Surely you know
> what I mean? You have to
> have felt the same or you could
> not have done all that you
> did for Ashland.”
>
> Agnes could only nod
> as she was taken aback
> by his intensity.
>
> “I was left quite a sum of money
> by my Aunt Sarah and
> with your Father’s help,
> I have purchased the Flemington
> plantation to the East for my mother
> and myself. It isn’t of the size
> of Ashland but quite a beautiful spot
> in itself. There were no relatives
> to inherit when Captain Flemington
> died so the state sold the property
> along with his servants to the
> highest bidder. With some restoration,
> here on being a gentleman farmer. I
> will send for my mother.”
>
> “That, Miz Agnes, is why I am at Ashland