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Allegheny Hideaway. Kimberly Tanner GordonЧитать онлайн книгу.

Allegheny Hideaway - Kimberly Tanner Gordon


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business, Iris turned to Tom. “Tomorrow, will you please ask one of your employees to purchase a ticket for me on a ship to Wilmington? Give him another name to use, I can’t go as myself. One of Johnathan’s spies might recognize me. I need a ticket for Hattie as well.”

      Suddenly, Savannah shouted out, “A wig and a veil!”

      Tom and Iris both turned to her.

      Savannah lowered her voice. “Iris, I have a blond wig that I wore to a masquerade ball several years ago. You could wear it. I also have a black hat and a veil you could use to cover your face.”

      “That would be wonderful, Mother,” Iris agreed. “Do you have a black dress I could wear? I could go as a widow. That would really throw them off.”

      “Actually dear, I do. It’s very dated though, from when your father died.”

      “Even better,” Iris smiled. “With gloves on, they will think I’m an old lady.”

      Tom snorted. “Very funny,” Savannah spoke sarcastically.

      Realizing what she had said, Iris began to giggle. “Sorry, Mother. I didn’t mean it that way.”

      Tom still grinned. “It is a good idea though. It’s a great disguise.”

      Later that evening, after the sun was down, Savannah took Iris up to her room. “Honey, you know I hate to see you go,” she spoke quietly. “But I know that you must. I want to help you any way I can. I want you to have some things.”

      Savannah went over to her jewelry box and pulled out several precious items: two rings, a pearl necklace, garnet earbobs, two cameos, and a gold brooch. She also pulled out several silver coins.

      “Oh Mother, I couldn’t,” Iris protested.

      “But Daughter, if it will help save your life … I would hate myself if I didn’t give these things to you. They are small and will travel easily in your clothes. They will bring you more money if you need it.” She handed the items to her daughter. “The only advice I can give you is to try and invest some of the money you have left when you get where you’re going. Find a way to make money with your money. And be very careful with whom you invest. A woman can’t trust just anybody,” she explained wisely.

      Iris gave her mother a loving embrace. “Thank you, Mama. You’re so wonderful.” After a moment, Iris added, “You know I hate to leave you.”

      “You will come back one day though, won’t you?” Savannah asked. “Or at least let me know where you are and if you’re well?”

      “If I can, you know I will.”

      2

      The following day, Tom sent one of his employees to purchase a ticket for a Missus Samantha Jo Blackheart. The plan was for Iris to pretend to be a grieving widow. Tom went himself to purchase one for Hattie, under the name Mary Grace. She was to be his slave, being traded to a new buyer in North Carolina. It was easy enough to forge the documents. Hattie and Iris would be on the same ship, but would not see each other at all until they met at the wharves in Wilmington. Iris had the false bill of purchase for “Mary Grace.” From there, Iris kept her plans to herself.

      Savannah visited the store in town where she had purchased the blond wig to see if they had any more ready made. Much to her delight, there were several. She purchased one with light brown hair, and another with a reddish tint. She wanted to make sure her daughter would not be recognized anywhere. Back at home, Iris tried on all the disguises.

      “I don’t even recognize my own daughter!” Savannah stated, pleased with the outcome. “Remember to wear veils though, or people will see your dark eyebrows and know your hair is really black,” she warned.

      “I have three veils mother, plus the black one you gave me. That should be enough.”

      “Oh daughter, I wish you the best of luck. It is rather exciting, running off, isn’t it?”

      “What will you tell Johnathan, when he comes?” Iris worried.

      Savannah took a breath, thinking. “If Tom doesn’t shoot him first, we will just tell him nothing.”

      “You could always tell him you put me on the train to come home,” Iris suggested. “That way, he will concentrate on those areas for a while. I will be long gone by then. He’ll think someone kidnapped me. By the time he catches on and begins to look elsewhere, people will have forgotten me. Besides, his descriptions won’t match up with anyone they’ve seen,” she said smiling.

      “Serves him right! I can’t believe he’s done this to you, honey. I wish we could go to the law. But you’re right, they would side with the husband. Laws aren’t made to protect women. Maybe one day … I can’t believe I let you marry him,” Savannah sighed, partly blaming herself for the situation.

      “Mother, nobody knew. It’s not your fault. Not at all.”

      Savannah’s shoulders slumped. “I know, honey. I’m just angry.”

      That evening, Iris, her mother and her step-father enjoyed one last evening together before she disappeared. It was spent in both laughter and tears as they tried to savor every last moment.

      After an unrestful night, everyone rose early to put the plan into action. At eight o’clock, Tom took Hattie to the shipyard to make arrangements for her travel. Hattie was a little frightened about the whole situation. She had never been on a ship before, having been born in Georgia and sent away from her mother when she was twelve to go work in Savannah. Then at seventeen, she had gone to Charleston. Tom assured her that she would be fine. Hattie was loaded into the cargo hold by nine.

      At nine o’clock, Savannah sent for a hired driver. He was to deliver his widowed rider and her trunk to the stagecoach office. Meantime, Iris put on her black costume and said her tearful good-byes to her mother. When the driver came, Iris gingerly climbed into the seat. Her mother waved as the driver pulled away. Once at the stagecoach office, Iris thanked the driver and had him unload her trunk. She then went inside to pretend to purchase a ticket. After ten minutes, she summoned another driver to take her to the docks. Along the way, she talked about how she had just arrived from Savannah and that she would never take the stage again because her old bones were bounced and bruised. Once he had her delivered to the wharf, he made sure she got onto the ship in good condition.

      “Thank you, young man,” she told the thirty year old. Secretly, she was grinning.

      Once aboard, Iris walked over to the far side of the ship to look out over the water. She had never been on a large sailing ship before either. It was scary and exciting all at the same time. She looked down at her black dress. Her masquerade was working well so far. No one had questioned her at all. She found a seat on a nearby box and decided to remain there until the vessel was out to sea. She wanted to see the ocean and enjoy all the beauty the day had in store.

      At noon, a whistle blew. The crew shouted and ran about like rabbits. Ropes were pulled as the strong men lifted sails. Tarps filled with wind and billowed out with great noise. Iris felt the ship rock in the water as they pulled away from the dock. Overhead, seagulls circled the great masts calling out their cries of excitement. As the ship went through the pass, Iris watched men waving from the walls of Fort Sumter.

      Today’s voyage would take just one day. She wondered if she would get seasick. She had heard of that happening before, to both men and women. After waiting on the deck for a while, Iris went below to find her cabin. As she looked around the accommodating room, she thought of Hattie, who was probably stuck down below in a very small room with several other female slaves. Iris felt guilty for putting her faithful friend and servant in such a bad situation. At least it was only for one day.

      The next afternoon, as the ship pulled into the slip at Wilmington, a cool spring rain began to fall. Overhead, the gray sky was heavy with clouds. Iris was thankful that the storm was just beginning. It would have made for rough seas. The trip had been pleasant enough, but she was thankful to be on dry land once again. She


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