A Surprising Legacy. Ernest Swain

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СКАЧАТЬ was alone, that Amos’s thoughts were turned inwardly again and those feelings of foreboding returned. The doubts persisted, would she spurn his offer of a roof over her head and regular meals? Would she feel too vulnerable to live in such close proximity to someone – a man – she didn’t really know? For the time being there was no answer.

      Within the austere walls of the prison, Sarah looked around the dingy room from her bed. The other women talked amongst themselves of their own problems but Sarah felt no affinity with them. She didn’t seem to belong to their world and although she was polite and sociable when spoken to, she tended to keep herself apart. She’d begun to get a little strength back into that fragile frame and had been eating better, probably because her mind was now more settled with the knowledge that Ruth was safe. Kathleen, her solace in this dreadful place, had disappeared. After that first meeting when Kathleen had sat beside her on the bed and had talked of her certainty that Ruth was being cared for, and the prophecy that they’d soon be reunited, Sarah hadn’t seen her. Prisoners were coming and going all the while in this place but when she enquired about Kathleen no-one knew of her and she was afraid that her fellow inmates would think her delusory. Rather than give them the impression that she was mentally unsound, she kept matters to herself. Secretly though, she still looked for Kathleen.

       Chapter 7

      The day of Sarah’s release was at last here. The grime laden sandstone of the gaol was even more depressing in the heavy wet mist that blanketed the area. A real autumn chill was in the air, but was it the cold of the atmosphere or the oppressiveness of the building that sent a shiver down his spine? The journey had been one of doggedness in the thick mist and by the time they arrived their clothes hung heavily with the dampness. They both felt the apprehension and Ruth was full of chatter showing her excitement. She pulled her blanket about her and looked up at Amos, and he sensed that she needed his re-assurance. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to him, offering the warmth of his body. Suddenly there was activity behind the huge oak doors and the sound of bolts being withdrawn from their keepers on the inside. Noiselessly, one door swung open, and there she was.

      Ruth broke away from Amos and ran to her mother, flinging her arms around her. They hugged desperately and Amos hung back to allow them their moment. There were tears and kisses and the emotion also had its effect upon him, although he tried hard not to show it.

      “Oh Ma I’m so glad I’ve found you. I was so frightened I thought I’d lost you forever”. Sarah could only hug her. The tears and emotion choked her words. She lifted her head and looked at Amos,

      “How can I ever begin to repay your kindness?” she sobbed.

      The experience of the gaol had been of a really daunting nature but now she was free once more. She breathed deeply of this mist laden air that felt fresh and sweet to her. Amos suddenly realised that she was without any substantial cloak to ward off the wet and cold, and without embarrassment, he took hold of her hand and led her to where the mare was tied. He took the roll from the horse’s withers that revealed a heavy blanket which he shook out and then draped around Sarah’s shoulders.

      “Here now, let this blanket keep you dry”.

      She was grateful for the protection as they walked slowly together towards the town; Amos leading the horse. Ruth excitedly said,

      “Oh Ma, the caravan’s wonderful. It’s warm and dry, and Amos cooks wonderful food on the camp fire”.

      Amos remained rather quiet, he was more concerned about Sarah’s pallid complexion and her slight frame; she really did need some nourishment to build her up. He decided the time had come to broach the subject of her homeless dilemma. “Sarah, I’ve grown to like Ruth, and I’ve learnt so much about you too. It seems to me that if you simply go away to live in the way you have - begging for food - then you’re going to either fall desperately ill, or you’re going to end up back in prison. The best you can hope for is to find yourself in one of these new workhouses for the poor. Look, I’ve lived alone - that is until I found Ruth - in a caravan that’s warm, dry and big enough for the three of us. You’d be welcome to share it – what do you think?”

      Without waiting for her reply, he continued,

      “You wouldn’t be obligated to me. I’d have a separate cot, and I’ll respect your privacy”.

      Sarah was quiet for a short moment and then she replied,

      “Yes, I trust you. You were so kind to Ruth, when she was frightened and alone, and I’m grateful to you for that. I’d like to accept. Thank you”

      A weight suddenly lifted from Amos’s shoulders.

      As they walked toward the town centre, they became aware of an unusual hustle and bustle with people running and shouts of “Boney’s coming. Boney’s coming”. As they followed the hub-bub Ruth looked at her mother and asked,

      “Who’s Boney?”

      Sarah looked perplexed and Amos caught the hesitation in her reply, and said,

      “They’re talking of Bonaparte – Napoleon Bonaparte”.

      It really meant nothing to mother or child so he continued,

      “Bonaparte is a nasty little man with a big army who’s been fighting across in France and people are afraid that he intends to attack us here. They’re trying to raise taxes to pay for an army to fight him”.

      No sooner had he spoken than about twenty soldiers came marching, two abreast, into the square. Their splendid red jackets, with yellow facings, standing out over white waistcoats. White leather breaches and long black military boots that shone even on such a dull day. Black helmets with bearskin crest, each sporting a cockade of feathers at the side. Their broad belts of pipe-clayed leather supporting a scabbard, shining silver sword and a holstered pistol. The soldiers were brought to a halt, in the square, by a sergeant who shouted in an alarming fashion. Two of the ranks then unfurled a huge banner of red, green and gold of such splendour bearing the words ‘Staffordshire Regiment of Gentlemen and Yeomanry. Leeke Division’.

      With the men at attention the sergeant then turned and addressed the crowd in a booming voice that demanded attention,

      “Where are the good men of Leeke?” he shouted. “Men prepared to honour their town. Who can show bravery when needed? What man could resist the splendour of such a uniform and two shillings each day when called upon?”

      A group of young men gathered around him and Amos stood close to listen to the recruitment. The sergeant continued his encouragement to draw the men in and explained,

      “If you join us you’ll get this wonderful uniform free. Now who can resist that? Plus two shillings per day – for each day you’re called upon. You’ll live at home and gather for training just one day each week. It’s not expected that you’ll be sent to fight in any war but you’ll be trained in readiness in case we’re invaded. Come on now, who can say no to such a splendid uniform. Just think what the girls will make of that”.

      Amos had heard enough and withdrew to the back of the crowd to rejoin Sarah and Ruth. He felt the tingle of excitement and the fervour that was being injected into the crowd by the splendour and the rhetoric, and understood how young men could be carried away by it all and rush to join without considering the consequences. They had enjoyed the spectacle but they needed to be on their way.

      The long walk home became full of chatter and an atmosphere of ease developed between them. After a while Amos suggested СКАЧАТЬ