“Tell massa that Clark is dead. Looks like he done drank hisself ta death.”
When Tall Tom got to the house, John was waiting on the steps with Theo. Tom brought the horse and corpse up to his master to inspect.
“Where did you find him, Tom?” Anderson asked.
“I found him yonda up the road, suh. I found a liquor bottle suh, look like his hoss done thrown him off its back.” Tom said dispassionately.
Theo stepped down off the porch and sniffed the dead man. “Smells like a distillery Pa, looks like he got drunk and fell off his horse.” Theo said, holding a knuckle under his nose, sorely offended.
“Tall Tom, you know the duties of overseer just as good as Clark, I’m going to make you head overseer, and if you do a good job, I won’t hire anyone to take your place. Pick a man and train him too. Make sure you make them work an honest day’s worth.” Anderson said.
“Yes suh! Thank ya suh. I’ll do my best.” Tall Tom said, taking off his felt hat and bowed deeply. A broad smile lighting up his normally glum face.
“You want me ta take care of this body, suh?” Tom asked, his head nodding toward the lifeless form of Clark.
“Go ahead, take him over to the carpenter, have them build him a box. We’ll have a burial tomorrow morning. You can go ahead and move into Mr. Clark’s cabin and you can also have his horse and gear.” Anderson ordered.
Tall Tom nodded solemnly and led the horse away, his face just about bursting with pride and joy with the turn of events. What a happy day, he thought. That sorry bastard got what he deserved, drinking like that and riding when he shouldn’t have been. The evil was dead and all their lives would be better for it. Tall Tom hated Lester Clark with a dark passion. Clark had beaten Tom’s father to death years ago. Had Clark not died, Tom was sure he would have killed him sooner or later. This way was much better, no body got hung for it.
Word spread throughout the farm that Clark was dead and that Tall Tom was now the new overseer. Everyone was told the funeral would be in the morning, before they went out to the fields. It was hard not to send up a cheer at the news of Clark’s death, but the slaves knew better. That day their voices sang loud and clear as they worked, their hearts light and filled with joy. The field slaves knew Tall Tom would be a good overseer, no more whips across their backs. It was a day to remember, a day of celebration.
Ida breathed a sigh of relief; she couldn’t tell anyone and she knew Liza wouldn’t either. It had worked, Dark Henry had saved her daughter and rid them of a demon. They would always have to work hard, but with Tall Tom, Ida knew that the uncalled-for beatings had come to an end. Praise the Lord, Clark was gone! Ida added her voice to the singing, it was clear and beautiful.
Mary could hear the singing in the distance, a soft smile crept onto her face. She was safe, and she was free of Clark, and his attempts to rape her, ever again. Had Henry not killed Clark, Mary knew her life would have been a living hell. She was so proud of Henry and she was glad he was her man. He would make a wonderful husband, she was sure. Turning over to her side, Mary drifted off into a blissful sleep, a happy smile on her soft features.
Ida came home to the smell of possum stew, it smelled wonderful and she was hungry. Mary smiled when her mother came through the door.
“Your face is lookin’ betta. Tall Tom is the overseer now, life is sho gonna get betta.” Ida said with a wide smile.
“What did they say happin’, mamma?” Mary asked.
“Say old Clark was liquored up, done fell off his horse and broke that useless neck of his.” Ida laughed softly.
Dark Henry came by for dinner, Mary had sent word with Lil Gabe, have Henry stop by after work. Henry brought a sturdy oak chair and some flowers with him, this time the wildflowers weren’t crushed. The three sat quietly at the table, eating cornbread, possum stew, with greens and ham hocks, Cookie had sent. The firelight danced across Henry’s striking features as he ate, his healthy appetite impressing both women.
Mary watched him eat, her heart swelled with love for her friend, her man. He had proven himself to her, he had put her well being above that of his own. She knew they had only been sparking a short while, but she was sure he would ask her mother for her hand in marriage soon. She sighed happily.
Ida watched her daughter gazing at Henry, she knew it was time for her daughter to wed, she hoped ardently, the master would let her marry Henry, they were a good match. Master Anderson usually left the marriages in the hands of his people. Sometimes, Byron Grover would try to interfere, wanting his hands in the machinations of the Anderson farm, but that wasn’t often. Anderson and Grover were childhood friends, and there were friendships among the slaves of both farms.
Ida thought about the grandchildren that would come and her hands itched to hold a baby. When had Mary gotten so big? How had time slipped by her so fast? Soon, her baby would have her own. Ida mentally shook her head, life sure was funny.
Later in the
