Glimmers of Change Read Online Free PDF Page A

respond.
    “There aren’t many plantation owners in the South who still have horses like this, Cromwell,” another man said bitterly. “I guess the stories of you selling out to the North are true.”
    Thomas recognized the voice immediately. Jonathan Sowell owned the plantation ten miles down the road. He knew Sowell had lost everything during the war, including his two sons. He still remained silent.
    “Don’t you have anything to say?” Sowell taunted, pulling down his scarf so Thomas could see his brown eyes glittering with rage.
    Thomas took a slow breath, willing his body to stay relaxed. “I learned in my years serving in the Virginia government during the war that it is impossible to reason with bitterness.” He decided to let his reminder of his service be the only response to their accusations. “I don’t imagine all of you came to wish me and my family a Happy New Year, so what can I do for you?”
    Sowell moved his horse closer to the porch. “You and your family , Cromwell? Would that include the niggers that used to be your slaves? And that daughter of yours who is treating niggers in the same clinic where she treats white people?” he sneered. “We’ve been hearing things.”
    “Did you just come to ask me questions?” Thomas asked evenly, clenching his fists within his pockets and closing one over the pistol. “It seems like you could have picked a day that wasn’t quite so cold.”
    “No, we didn’t come to ask you questions.” Another man pushed his horse forward, his scornful voice ringing in the frigid air.
    Again, Thomas recognized the voice. “Hello, Daniel.” In spite of his concern and his growing anger, he felt sympathy for the band of men grouped in front of the porch. All of them must have suffered horribly during the war. He couldn’t identify them all through their scarves, but he was quite sure they had attended parties together in the past. Daniel Cannon owned the plantation eight miles due west of Cromwell. The limp hang of his jacket confirmed the rumors of him losing his left arm at Gettysburg. He also lost two of his three sons, with the third returning home an alcoholic.
    “Questions don’t mean a thing,” Daniel continued, ignoring the greeting. “We came to tell you a few things.” His slurred words revealed he had developed his own drinking problem — or perhaps he had needed the false courage to make this visit.
    “That right?” Thomas asked. “I don’t believe I have a need for anyone to tell me how to live my life.”
    “If you want a life to live,” Daniel snarled, “you’d best listen to us.”
    Thomas battled the bile rising in his stomach as the combined hatred of the men rose to engulf him, but his face remained impassive.
    “We used to all be friends,” Sowell said hastily, obviously trying to take back control of the conversation. “But things have changed, Thomas.” His voice was both harsh and pained.
    “Evidently,” Thomas responded bluntly. “Since you seem to have something to say, go ahead and say it so I can go back in to my family.” He was quite sure all of them were clustered close to the front door listening to every word being said. He relaxed a little with that realization, knowing he wouldn’t have to face anything alone if the men decided their message would be more than words.
    “We heard about you giving four hundred acres of Cromwell to them niggers you got working here,” Daniel snapped.
    Thomas continued to stare at them silently.
    “You’ve got to take that land back, Cromwell,” Sowell stated angrily.
    “I believe I can do whatever I want with the land I own,” Thomas replied firmly.
    “Not when it impacts the rest of us,” Sowell snapped. “You got every nigger in the area thinking we should be giving them land. They seem to believe they were better than they were before the war.”
    “They’re free now,” Thomas reminded him. “You don’t own them anymore. They are choosing to work for