Rebel Heart: (Swept Away) Of Life and Love during the American Civil War

A dress for a wedding party

She rang the dinner bell, and soon her menfolk came in. All except Marcus. He knew it was his turn to come in after the others were finished.

"Sure smells good, honey," said her father. Amos was his name, a lean man with graying hair, light stubble on his face and a good natured manner.

"I'm starved," spoke her older brother, Jeb, setting himself down at the table. He was the largest of them, his tawny blonde hair tumbling out his hat, and his light skin already showing some tanning, though it was only April.

Last in was her younger brother, known as "Slim," though his real name was David. Secretly, Jenny liked him the best, though she would never admit it. He listened to her sometimes, like an older brother, though he was only a year and a half her senior.

"Hand me your plate, Daddy."

She filled each of their plates and one for herself and sat down. Her father led grace.

Then the talk began as usual. The talk she was long since tired of hearing. The talk of the North and South, of the slaves, of the abolitionists, of what it means to be white and what it might mean to be black. To her mind, things seemed to be heating up between the North and South, but so far, everything seemed to be speculation. She hurried her meal, left them talking, and walked outside.

Then she saw Daniel, driving his parent's horse and buggy. She thought she knew where he was going. She hailed him with a big wave, hoping he would stop. Moving toward the road, away from the house, she was glad he waited for her.

"Howdy, Jenny," he said, turning to look at her while still holding onto the reins.

"Yeah, hi, Daniel," she spoke, walking quickly to get close to where he waited. She didn't know exactly what to say, she just wanted to see him.

"How have ya been?" she asked, coming up to the side of the buggy. She tried not to gaze too longingly at his figure, his trim shape, his kindly eyes and smile. She noted that with his brown waistcoat and white shirt he was more dressed up than usual

"Fine," he answered. "Guess you know where I'm heading."

"Not sure, Daniel. If it were later, I'd say to Samantha's."

"You guessed it. Her folks are having me over early, for dinner. Think maybe they've accepted me."

"Gosh darn, Daniel. Just about everybody accepts you just fine."

Daniel bent down from his perch on the buggy till his head was only inches from hers. "Well, Jenny, I think this kind of acceptance is special. I'm inclined to one day make Samantha an offer, if you know what I mean."

Jenny's heart sank at his words, though she tried not to show it. "Really! That'd be pretty quick, Daniel. I mean you and she are barely twenty-one."

Daniel looked ahead into the distance, seeming to consider her words. Then, looking right at her again, he said, "Guess that's how love is, Jenny. It just comes over you and you think, 'Let's get on with it.' Someday, you'll know what I mean."

Jenny was glad Daniel stopped to talk with her, but this conversation was dragging her down. She sought to find something easier to talk about."Would you stay here in the county, Daniel?"

"Sure would. My Pa's got a lot of uncleared land I could work on, and there's some acreage still unclaimed nearby. I got some plans in my head about how I could get it all fixed up and someday maybe even become a bit prosperous."

Jenny smiled as he talked about the future. She knew he always had ideas in his head, and she thought that someday he would be quite successful. She only wished she could be part of his plans.

"Lucky girl," she said, smiling up at him and trying not to show even a trace of the jealously in her heart.

"I hope," he answered. "You know, nothing is signed, sealed and delivered just yet." He seemed ready to move on. Then, a thought came to him. "Are you going to the Anna Marie's wedding, Jenny?"

"I'd like to," she answered, hesitating and deciding not to say more.

"Surely you'll want to be there. I think everyone who was at the school has been invited. With his and her relatives there as well, should be a big to do. You should definitely come."

Jenny looked up at him, still thinking of her lack of a nice dress to wear. Of course, she wouldn't tell him that. "I'll think about it, Daniel."

Daniel looked down at her and said, "I'd be glad to take you to the wedding, Jenny. It's right on my way."

"Jenny smiled back at him, but then had a second thought. "But I thought you would be taking Samantha."

"Sure am. She's my girl, I reckon. But I don't think anyone would mind if I also give you a ride."

"You sure about that?"

"Of course. Why don't we just put it down that I'll pick you up Saturday after next, about four?"

Still thinking about her lack of a nice dress, she answered, "That's real nice of you, Daniel. OK. I'll plan on it."

She backed away as he flipped the reins, and waved to his departing buggy. Turning, she slowly walked back to the house, deep in thought. Thoughts of Samantha and of herself. And, about whatever she was she going to wear for the occasion. She knew Samantha would be decked out. The girl was rich compared to her, and her family owned four slaves. One of them that Marcus was seeing late at night. Jenny wondered if Samantha knew about that.

What was she going to wear? She didn't have many clothes. Her everyday things, for summer and for winter, and of course her Sunday go to church clothes. Not having a mother and growing up with her father and two brothers, clothes for a girl seemed like an afterthought for them. She knew how to sew, of course, but needed some nice fabric. But even if she could get some cloth would she have time to make a dress?

She thought back, of how she wanted to be an adult. To take on all the jobs of a woman. She actually regretted that Marcus was doing them for her. Marcus the slave, who seemed to know how to do everything. Now, she had to do it all.

She walked slowly back to the house. She decided that she would do it. All her chores plus make a dress. She just couldn't stand to be seen in her church dress again. Everyone probably already knew it was her only good one. She decided if she couldn't have another dress she just wouldn't go. She walked resolutely to the porch, knowing she would have to face her dad.

She stood there thinking, before going in. How could she best ask him what she needed to ask? If he had any sentiments for the nicer things in life when he was young, and her mother was still alive, he seemed to lack them now. The man was matter of fact to a fault, used to dealing mainly with his sons and Marcus. He wasn't mean at all, just might not appreciate how important having a new dress was to a girl. She had to find a way to make him see. She would make him see how important it was to her.

Daddy: Term used a lot by girls at the time with their father, though not as much today.

Home made clothing: During this time, except in the larger cities, most women had to make their own clothes and those for their family. A big job!