08.12.06
Posted in Uncategorized at 5:42 am by Linda
Ezekial had called all the hands
> together on the lane
> to greet Big Daddy,
> as Agnes and Tillie looked on
> from the veranda.
>
> How magnificent a presence
> Big Daddy seemed.
> Agnes had forgotten
> what a handsome man
> he was and the air
> of nobility that seem to
> surround him.
>
> Yet she wondered.
> Who was the other man
> on horseback that
> accompanied him?
>
> He did not speak in his letter
> of a visitor
> so he must be someone
> Big Daddy befriended
> on his way home.
> Big Daddy could be kind that way,
> especially if folk were down and out
> so Agnes paid no mind.
>
> “Oh, my Agnes, look how you have grown!
> For a fleeting moment, I thought you
> to be Lady Jane.
> You are as beautiful!
> I heard that you were also as kind.
> I am so proud of you
> and have missed you greatly.”
>
> Miz Agnes’ heart was thrilled
>Â at his words
> but seemed to ache
> for the lost time that
> could not be reclaimed.
>
> Yet he was Big Daddy
> and she loved him so.
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08.11.06
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:08 am by Linda
 |
Miz Agnes . 41
Current mood:  content
Category: Writing and Poetry
 Miz Agnes stared at the church.
> It was as if had been transformed
> overnight.
> The smell of freshly sawed lumber
> permeated the air
> and the sound of hammering
> that she heard from the distance
> had ceased.
>
> A magnificent building
> stood before her,
> and on it’s steps, stood Tomas
> with about 25 other blacks.
>
> “Thank you for coming, Miz Agnes.
> We are anxious for your comments
> and to see if it meets your approval.”
>
> Reaching out her hand to Tomas,
> she asked him to show her
> what had been done.
>
> The other negroes were uneasy
> when Tomas took the
> white Lady’s hand in his,
> yet it seemed in some way
> not the wrong thing to do.
>
> ‘I am overwhelmed by what
> has been accomplished
> in so short a time.
> Each of you are to be commended
> for your efforts.
> This is now a place
>Â where your children
> may worship and learn
>Â at the same time.
>
> “I will be eternally grateful
> for what you have done.”
>
> Miz Agnes turned to leave
> only to glance back
> when she heard the negroes
> clapping.
>
> Miz Agnes was proud
> of them and also herself.
> She smiled and nodded. |
Permalink
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:06 am by Linda
Miz Agnes . 40
Current mood: busy
Category: Writing and Poetry
Tomas had asked Agnes
> to meet him at the church
> come Monday eve
> but she still had much
> to do for Big Daddy’s
> arrival on Tuesday.
> and told him she could not.
>
> “Miz Agnes, you took it upon
> yourself to oversee that church
> and you must meet with Tomas
> to see what problems there are.”
>
> Agnes sighed, knowing that
> Tillie was right, but she
> was so tired and tomorrow
> would be a very busy day.
>
> “Tillie, please have Ezekial
> bring the carriage around.
> I do not have time for the
> walk down and I am not up
> for a ride today.”
>
> Miz Agnes wondered
> What was so important?
Permalink
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:05 am by Linda
|
Miz Agnes . 39
Current mood: content
Category: Writing and Poetry
Agnes was anxious as she tried
> to ready for Big Daddy’s return.
> It was now less than a week
> before he arrived.
> There was much left
> to do.
>
> She had sent word
> to his friends by message
> that a big party would be held
> in the Grand hall at Ashland,
> and hoped that they attended.
>
> Yet she felt torn between
> her duties and the tasks
> she had started, and now
> to have to oversee
> such a regal event
> as the homecoing required.
>
> The addition to the church
> had yet to be completed.
>Â It would be useful as
> several of the other plantations
> owners had asked
> if their young negroes might
> attend the school that
> Tomas taught.
>
> In exchange, their blacks would
> help to build the needed space.
> Perhaps if the weather held
> it would be finishedÂ
> within the week.
>
>
> Agnes is proud that
>Â she had managed
> to bring a harmonious
> chord to the relations
> of the plantation owners
> and the colored folks
> that worked so hard.
>
>
> But she wondered
> What would John Jacob think? |
Permalink
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:04 am by Linda
Miz Agnes . 38
Current mood: busy
Category: Writing and Poetry
As Agnes slept, Tillie saw
> the letter on the nightstand.
> Recognizing Big Daddy’s
> penmanship,
> she hesitated before reading,
> but she wondered.
>
> ” My Dear Agnes, “It is
> with much regret
> that I have been too long
> away from you.
> I understand, in my absence,
> you have had to do things
> that should not have been
> thrust upon you but I
> understand that all is well
> at Ashland.
>
> I trust that this burden has
> not been too difficult
> but if so, I shall do
> all in power to make it up to
> you upon my return.
>
> You remain as always,
> my Dear Agnes.”
>
> Tillie understood
> now that Agnes only cried
> from relief,
> as her tasks had been large
Permalink
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:01 am by Linda
Miz Agnes . 37
Current mood: 
blank
Category: Writing and Poetry
 Once again, Ashland was abuzzed
> with anticipation of Big Daddy’s
> arrival.
> Agnes tried to parlay her feeling that
> he abandoned her into one of joy
> at the thought he was returning.
>
> Big Daddy was the most important
> person, beside Tillie, in her life.
> Yet she wondered.
>
> She was no longer his young Agnes
> for she had grown up almost overnight,
> or so it seemed.
>
> From out of the dark.
> she heard Tillie say,
> “Child, why are you crying?’
> Agnes couldn’t answer.
>
> Tillie sat with her thru the night
> trying to comfort her.
> Agnes felt safe and warm
> with Tillie by her side
> and wished she could be
> a child again.
>
> “Tillie, is life always this hard?”
>
> “If you only knew,child, if you
> only knew.”
Permalink
08.03.06
Posted in Uncategorized at 12:10 pm by Linda
Miz Agnes asked Tomas,
with Uncle Sam’s guidance, to
build a few desks to place
in the church.
She felt that the young blacks
should have a place to study
as Tomas had proved
to be a worthy teacher
and also had taken to
preaching on Sunday.
Agnes feared that some
 of the other plantation owners
would take offense
and not attend services
as they had before;
but other than a few,
Big Daddy’s church
seemed overflowing.
Tillie laugh at the thought
that Miz Agnes and she could
still have their cucumber
sandwiches from the Sunday social.
Miz Agnes was happy.
Permalink
Posted in Uncategorized at 12:08 pm by Linda
“Tomas, I have given you
 ample time to reply
yet you hesitate.
If my offer is not to your
 liking, I must insist that
you leave Ashland.
I will not hold you to any bonds
or indentures
but I cannot allow you to cause
problems.”
“Miz Agnes,” Ezekial interrupted.
” I have Joseph’s whipping cane
 with me if I must use it.”
“Ezekial, you are a good man and
I admire your loyalty, but to you
I say ; tonight there will be a gathering
at the cabins and when your bonfire is built, I want that cane tossed
into the fire. I do not want to see
it again.”
Agnes turned her attention back
 to Tomas
who seemed to study her
with his gaze
“I accept.”
Permalink
Posted in Uncategorized at 12:04 pm by Linda
Agnes had not slept a wink
> and she paced the floor
> most of the night
> in anticipation of her meeting
> with Tomas.
>
> She knew that he was
> one of the most educated
> of the blacks
> He had taken the handbooks
> of Miz Agnes’
> that Tillie had saved
> and taught himself lessons
> from the same schooling
> as Agnes.
>
> Ezekial arrived at the stables
> promptly at 9:00
> with Tomas in tow.He
> then retreated into a corner
> leaving Agnes to deal
> with the man-child before her.
>
> “Good morning, Tomas, it is
> nice of you to meet with me.”
> Agnes noticed his belligerent
> look turn hesitant.
> ” I have asked you here
> to explain your unrest
> and what you hope to gain.”
>
> Ezekial noticed that Agnes
> never looked from Tomas’s
> eyes.
> It seemed almost a contest
> of will for her
> and he waited.
>
> “You may punish me
> as you deem fit
> and call me slave
> but I felt my people
> deserved better.
> I will continue to tell
> them such no matter
> my punishment.”
>
> Agnes smiled
> as she recognized
> a little of herself in this
> young black man.
>
> “I will give you one chance
> to redeem yourself
> before Big Daddy returns.
> But make no mistake
> it will be the only one.”
>
> “I request that from this day
> you tend the stables
> and see that the horses
> are cared for.
> No exceptions.
> They must be fed, watered and
> groomed on a daily basis.
> Also, IÂ would require you
> to teach the younger blacks
> what you have learned.”
>
> Miz Agnes waits for a reply.
Permalink
Posted in Uncategorized at 11:57 am by Linda
Agnes paces impatiently
> in the parlor and wondered
> What news would Ezekial bring?.
>
> She was not aware
>Â of unrest among the colored
> until Tillie told her.
> Yet what could it be?
>
> Ezekial asked if he might enter
>Â the room.
> Miz Agnes assured him
> that she had been waiting
> and asked him to be seated.
>
> “Oh, no ma’am, I can’t do that.
> I jes need to talk to you.
> I have a problem with
> one of the negroes
> and there is quite a stir
> about what I will do.”
>
> Miz Agnes listens as he explains
> that young Tomas is rebelling
> refusing to pick cotton
> anf trying to convince the others
> that they shouldn’t either..
>
> “Ezekial, what is usually done
> in this case?
> You are now the foreman
>Â of Ashland
>Â so what decision should be made?”
>
> Agnes waited as Ezekial
> nervously twisted his hat.
> He swallowed hard
> and said ” Miz Agnes,
> with all due respect,
> Joseph would have taken
> a cane to him but I am not
> of the same mind
> and cannot bring myself
> to be that cruel, although
> the boy needs to be
> reckoned with.”
>
> “Ezekial, please see that
> Thomas meet me at the stables
> by 9:00 tomorrow
> and I shall deal with his
> insolence. You are right not
> to do as Joseph
> so I must handle this myself.”
>
> Miz Agnes saw the look
> of an unknown fear
>Â in Ezekial’s eyes
> but she knew
> Her actions would be his
> only answer.
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