By Way of the Rose Read Online Free PDF Page B

down and held the baby to her breast. She stared down at the infant. Its dark eyes looked around as if they were examining their new world. Perhaps they were. This tiny being seemed so knowing and bright. She seemed as if she would never be content to let others tell her what this world was all about. She'd have to see it for herself. Marion looked natural nursing this baby and the terrible loneliness for her own baby appeared to ease as she softly sang to the infant girl.
    “She hung on just long enough to bring her baby into the world.” Daniel breathed despairingly. “And what a world she brought it into.”
    “What are we going to do with her?” Marion asked. “You saw what they did to the mother.”
    “You're right. This baby has no chance in this world as an Indian. We will have to raise her as our own. Everyone will think it's the one we lost. Everyone knew we were expecting a baby around this time.”
    “The children will know the truth. Suppose they let something slip about her. What do you think will happen to us?” Marion looked worried.
    John pleaded for the baby again. “But, Momma, there's a reason she came to us, and we shouldn't turn our backs on her. None of us will talk.” He stroked the baby's hand as she wrapped her tiny fist around his finger. “It's like she's holding on to me for protection. What if those mean people get her and toss her around like they did that other baby? We need to keep her here with us to keep her safe,” he urged through his tears.
    They named her Sarah Elizabeth. Marion put the beads away. She would give them to Sarah when she was older... when she told her about her real mother.
    They buried the Indian woman beside little Matthew. “She will be with my baby and I will be with hers,” Marion sighed.

Chapter Three

    * * * *
    Five years had passed since Sarah arrived. John's place at the table was most always empty these days. “Why have you stopped reading, John? You love it so. Has something happened?” Marion questioned him.
    “No, Momma. Nothing's happened. It's just that I've read those books so many times that I'm just not interested in them anymore. I want to know something new. I want to read something different and exciting. I want to learn other things besides just what those books hold. I can quote them word for word now, so why even bother reading them?”
    “I do understand. I wish we could afford to buy you some new ones, but things are tight... as always. You know that.”
    “Yes, I know, Momma. But I get so tired of never having anything. It's like Poppa says, if you're not rich or own a big plantation, there's nothing for you in these parts. I hate it down here! I want to leave, go north and get a job so we can all have fine things. Things like books, clothes and good food. We eat nothing but rabbit, fish and deer. I'm tired of it! I'm tired of seeing you struggle and still have nothing!”
    “You're only fourteen years old. How can you think of leaving home at such a young age? What kind of job do you think a mere child could get?”
    “You and Poppa were married at fifteen. I can at least get a job and send money home. I know I can.”
    “Wait until you're fifteen and we'll talk more about it then.”
    “But, Momma... ”
    “I said wait, John. I need you here. We only have you to help out with the hard work now that D.J. has married and left home. Nathan isn't strong enough. You're the only boy we have that's big enough to really help out. I'm asking you, for me, to wait until Nathan is bigger.”
    “All right, I'll wait. I know the work is hard on Poppa and you. I'll stay until Nathan is bigger and can take my place. But then, I'm going to New York and I'm going to get a good paying job and I'll buy you a big house and some people to help you out.”
    “The house sounds fine, John. But you know I don't believe in slavery and I could never own anyone. You'd buy them, I'd set them free.”
    “Well, I wasn't talking about getting you