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

"Here he comes," she whispered

That night, she had that dream again. This time, she was at a party. Daniel was holding her tight, and bending, he kissed her softly on the lips. Eagerly, she rose to her full height, kissing him back. He drew back, looking at her with a question in his eyes. "Yes," she said, looking up into his dark eyes. "I'm the only girl for you."

Jenny roused herself from slumber, aided by the crowing of the rooster. Realizing quickly it was only a dream, she looked forward to the next day. Fortunately, it was Saturday. Right after breakfast she walked over to Sarah's house. She told her what her father had said. Sarah really liked the idea of the two of them going into town together. She hoped her father would let her go. She had experience driving many times with her dad, and had made short trips on her own. However, she had never driven quite as far as the town.

While Jenny was still there, she went outside to ask her father, telling him that Jenny would accompany her. Jenny watched from a distance at them talking. Sarah's father turned to look towards her, seemed to think a minute, and said yes.

Now to tell her father they were going. When she did, he told her not to let Sarah pick up anyone along the road, and to be sure to get home before dark. Jenny was so happy; she stood tall and quickly kissed him on the cheek. Her father looked at her and then said, "You be careful, now, Jenny."

Before long, Sarah came by to pick her up. The girls were in high spirits. Though they had both gone into town many times before, it was always in the company of a parent, almost always their fathers. To be able to go on their own, to stop at wherever they wanted was exhilarating.

"Trot, Betsy," said Sarah to the horse, as soon as they were out of sight of their homes. Jenny too enjoyed the speed, until the buggy lurched as they dipped into a rut in the road.

"Not quite so fast, Sarah" said Jenny, putting a hand on her arm. "I would sure hate to wreck this beautiful buggy."

"You're right. Didn't see that dip in the road until we were on it. My Pa would have a fit if I damaged his prized possession."

Almost an hour later, they arrived at the outskirts of town. As they passed by, it was interesting to see all the houses spaced rather close together. They saw people out in their yards, working in their gardens, hanging up laundry, and children playing. Those who looked up, they waved to, and were pleased when they waved back to them. It was so wonderful to be out and about on such a glorious spring day.

Pulling into town, they saw all the shops and people. Jenny momentarily remembered what her father had said about staying away from the tavern and the big white house on the corner where there were women of ill repute. But, she was free to do just about everything else. "I want to see it all," she said to Sarah, excitement in her voice.

"Me, too." Sarah guided the buggy toward one of the many hitching posts. She tied Betsy to it, and the two girls joined all the other people on the streets.

Both girls were most interested in Simon's general store, but wanted to save that for last. Jenny looked at the people as they walked. Country sort, like her and Sarah, wearing homespun clothes, men of fashion with their their stovepipe hats, some with full beards and others with curled up mustaches.

They mostly looked at the women. Some were all fancy with full crinolines that swayed as they walked, and attractive cardigans over tightly laced up corsets that gave them the popular narrow waist and full bosom. But most women were like themselves, wearing ordinary clothing with buttons up to the neck, dress cinched at the waist, coming modestly down to the ankles with sleeves tighter at the wrists so that work could be done, and an open jacket or shawl that could be brought together if the weather turned colder. Everyone, even children, wore hats of every imaginable sort. A fashionable hat was a woman's pride and joy, after her long hair, which was usually covered except at home and for special occasions.

Together, they walked down the bustling street, looking at the people and all the shop signs. At the end of the block they saw the church with its white steeple ascending into the sky. Just now, they were passing the barber shop, where through the large window they could see a man lathered up for a shave.

Then, behind them, they heard a fiddler starting up, and immediately he began playing a sprightly song. "Oh, let's be sure to listen to him on our way back," said Jenny. "And, don't let me forget, my dad wants me to bring him home a newspaper. He's so interested in all the stuff going on in the country."

"I sure hope we don't go to war," answered Sarah. "Look! There's the apothecary shop. Ma sometimes gets medicine from there like when I was sick and Pa took fever. Let's go inside."

The store was empty except for one customer, but from behind the counter a neatly dressed man with vest and white shirt and bow tie said, "Hello, girls. Can I help you with something?"

"We're just looking," they both said, almost in unison. They stared at all the bottles, large and small, filled with different herbs, roots, medicines and powders.

"Well, if you're of a mind to part with a bit of money, I've just gotten in some bottles of Smith's Tonic, shipped direct from New York, that cures just about everything. Dyspepsia, indigestion, constipation, headache, eruptions of the skin, and malaria. Not to mention that taking a teaspoon daily enriches the blood and strengthens the muscles. Handy to have a bottle around the house when anyone is ailing."

"No thank you, Mr. Peters," said Jenny. She had seen his name on a placard on the wall. "Got to use my money to buy some nice material for a dress."

"That's just fine, honey. You girls look around as much as you like. We got something here for just about any condition you can imagine. Some can make a complete cure in a matter of days. Others might take a little longer." Turning from them, he addressed his one customer. "Mrs. Flinch, have you settled on which of those you would like? The one in your hand, I must say, is particularly good for rheumatism."

The girls walked out of the store, going right past the tavern, which, judging from the number of horses hitched there, seemed to have plenty of business even at midday. From it came the delicious odor of meat grilling, reminding them that soon they should stop for lunch. Then, they continued on, going past artisans-the blacksmith, cooper, and wagon maker/wheelwright. Not so many folks were there, but Jenny knew if one needed a new pot, horseshoes, or even a new buggy, this was where to find those things.

"That's the big two story white house my dad told me to stay away from," said Jenny, pointing it out.

"Why?" asked Sarah.

"There's bad women there, and men who pay them."

"Oh. Oh, I know what you mean. Let's go back. This part of town is boring. There's a lot more on the other side up a ways. Besides, I like the sound of that fiddler's music."

They passed quickly a boot and shoemaker shop with a small shoe cobbler right next door, and a large vegetable and fruit stand, though this early in the spring not a whole lot was available. With the most exciting part yet ahead, they joined the crowd that had formed listening to the fiddler, who not only played but sang with very good voice.

He had just finished, "My Old Kentucky Home," and people moved to put pennies in his box. "Thank you, thank you," he said, making a bow to the crowd. "What would you lovely folks like to hear next?"

Jenny hardly heard what was requested, for Sarah gave her a quick nudge and whispered, "Look who's here in town today."

Jenny followed her glance toward Rex. He was on the other side of the circle around the fiddler, and unfortunately, he had spotted them.

"Here he comes," whispered Sarah, excitedly.

Next, the man Jenny dreams about.