"God preserves his with
his angels."
~ Spoken by Joseph Parsons while defending his wife,
Mary Parsons, who was accused of witchcraft.
For Thou Art with Me
By Jenni
Adam, Lady JenniAnn, Bunny, and Lady Beth sat three rows back in
the
Roseate Theatre in Dyeland City. They stared intently at
the
figures on the stage, JenniAnn madly scribbling notes as the
angel of
death spoke. Occasionally she whispered something to her
assistant director, Bunny.
“I’d adjust the lighting, Nadia/Abigail looks washed out as it
is,”
Adam suggested.
“I agree,” Lady Beth nodded as she jotted notes for the program.
JenniAnn relayed the message into a headset and the lighting
instantly
changed. “And her dress. Burgundy. Is that
little too
colorful for the Puritans? I thought it might be but then
I
wasn’t there so…” JenniAnn looked expectantly at Adam who tilted
his
head as he considered this.
“Right now it looks okay. Not too vibrant. I think
it’s
good. Besides, the red hue hints at…” Adam grew a little
red
himself.
“Passion?” JenniAnn grinned and the other two smirked and looked
expectantly at the angel of death.
Adam smiled back. “Yes. So, let’s see what it looks
like
all together now, you think?”
JenniAnn stood up and approached the actors. “Okay, let’s
start
with Elizabeth’s arrest. It involves several players on
stage so
we can see the light’s effect on them all. Then we’ll
switch to
Proctor and Abigail’s scene in the meeting house to be sure
Nadia’s
lighting is set. Sound good?”
“A fine idea. And a very dramatic part,” Margherita,
playing
Elizabeth, agreed. As she did Nadia left the stage and
several of
the male cast members appeared.
JenniAnn retook her seat beside Adam and the two watched
patiently. Margherita’s eyes brimmed with tears and
Gerald,
Dyeland’s lawyer, and current “John Proctor” turned away from
her,
pained. “Elizabeth” gave directions for maintaining the
household
as her jailers hovered near. “John” made vows to come for
“Elizabeth.”
“I will fall like an ocean on that court! Fear nothing,
Elizabeth.”
“I will fear noth…” Margherita stopped cold in delivering her
line and
stared out at the house.
“Margherita, are you feeling sick?” Lady Beth asked with
concern.
Margherita continued to stare to the very back of the house and
everyone on stage joined her. Curious, the four members of
the
audience turned around and saw the angel who had just
entered.
His gaze was fixed on the stage and he looked troubled.
“Andrew!” Lady JenniAnn gasped, stood, and took a few steps
towards
him. “I had no idea you’d be back tonight. Please
come…”
There was a scraping noise from on stage then. Danny,
Nadia’s
boyfriend, was huffing and puffing as he dragged a scaffold onto
the
stage. He was apparently unaware of the real life drama
unfolding
in the theatre. “Well, here it is… Does it look horrible
enough?” Danny looked up and surveyed the faces of those
around
him, only then realizing something was amiss.
Andrew stood stock still at the back of the theatre for a moment
more,
staring at the gallows, his face suddenly pale. Then he
turned
his back and fled the theatre.
“Why didn’t you tell me this would upset him!?!?” Lady JenniAnn
hissed
at Adam.
Adam stared at where Andrew had just been, brows furrowed, then
back at
the apparently ill-timed play’s director. “I had no
idea.
He never said anything about it.”
“I’m going after him,” Lady Beth announced, resolute.
“Me too. I should apologize. I should have made
absolutely
sure everyone would be okay with this play.” JenniAnn shook her
head. “I… I just didn’t think he’d be here.”
“I should go… be there too,” Bunny added, looking at
JenniAnn.
She hoped to quell any over-the-top reaction her friend might
launch
into.
Adam grabbed his suit coat and followed them. “I’ll go
also.”
Then the entire assembly of faux-Salemites followed the four out
of the
theatre and began to search for their friend.
“There!” Gerald called, spotting a lone figure through the
branches of
a willow tree that sat in front of Andrew’s house.
“Well, I don’t think all…” Miss Miriam, who had been playing
Mary
Warren, took a quick head count before continuing.
“Fifteen of us
should come upon him all at once. Especially those of us
looking
like this!” The woman gestured to her coif and Gerald’s
breeches.
Lady Beth nodded. “Yes, we don’t know what exactly set him
off. Perhaps you should go change.”
“Sounds good,” Danny agreed. “Then we’ll come right back
here. Gesture us over if you think we should be there.”
Everyone agreed with the plan and left Lady Beth, JenniAnn,
Bunny, and
Adam to decide what to do next.
“So who approaches him first? Maybe I should go
apologize,”
JenniAnn suggested in a hushed voice, casting a longing,
sorrowful look
at the tree.
The other three exchanged a glance.
“Oh stop it!” JenniAnn laughed but quickly sobered. “I’ll
have
you know I can apologize in a calm and undramatic fashion.
However…” She nervously twisted her ring about her finger
for a
moment then looked at Adam. “Maybe you should go.
You’ve
known him longest and can relate best if he does want to talk.”
Adam considered this while staring at the willow tree that
nearly hid
his friend. “But Andrew’s had centuries to speak of that
dark
period with me if he wanted. Maybe he just doesn’t want to
speak
with me about it. Lady Beth, maybe you could speak to
him?”
“I’d like to but maybe we…” She, too, had been staring at
the
willow and noticed movement. Andrew poked his head out
from the
swaying branches.
“It’s okay. All of you can come. And anyone else who
wants
to. I guess it’s time for this story to be told. The
more
people that hear it the better and I… I’m not sure I’ll want to
tell it
again.” Andrew gave a slight, sad smile and held back the
branches so the others could duck in.
Everyone sat down on the soft grass. “The others, our uh
cast,
will be here soon. They wanted to change first,” JenniAnn
explained. Then she reached across and squeezed Andrew’s
hand. “I am so very sorry about this. It was all my
idea. See, when you’d been gone so long I got… well,
melancholy
and bored and so I thought a play would be a good idea and so
many
seemed to love ‘The Crucible.’ But please know if I’d had
even an
inkling that you might be upset… I would have picked something
else. I would have,” she stressed.
“And I had no idea you were there in Salem. I figured you
would
have told me and so I didn’t dissuade them,” Adam added.
His
bluish gray eyes softened when his proximity to his fellow angel
enabled him
to see the sorrow Andrew was trying to mask.
“Really, none of us would ever want to upset you, Andrew,” Lady
Beth
picked up just as Adam stopped speaking. Bunny nodded in
ready
agreement.
Andrew chuckled at their steadfastness. “I know
that.
Please don’t think I’m upset at any of you. And Adam
you’re
right, I was never in Salem but… well, I’ll explain when the
others
come.”
Everyone nodded and then sat quietly. The silence was
eventually
ended by Adam.
“Why are we here under this tree, anyway? It makes me feel
like a
little kid in a fort. Like I should have sandwiches my mom
packed
and a walkie-talkie.”
Andrew smirked and JenniAnn began to stand. “I can go get
you
sandwiches if you want,” she offered
Adam laughed and motioned for her to sit. “Oh no, I’m
fine.
It’s
just funny.”
“I guess when I ran out of the theatre, something made me want
to hide
but…” Andrew blushed a bit. “I suppose part of me wanted
to be
found, too. And this tree…” His voice drifted off
and he
hung his head back and stared through the branches, up to the
heavens.
“It’s cozy here, closed in. Like a room. But people
can see
into it,” Lady Beth finished for him.
“Yes.” Andrew smiled appreciatively at her. Lady
Beth
returned the smile then they grew quiet again. From
somewhere
nearby an owl hooted. The other four looked with concern
at
Andrew who seemed suddenly far away. The three women kept
gazing
at him while Adam peeked out from the tree. Several of the
others
were clustered together by the theatre. He gestured for
them to
come over and then caught the women’s gaze as they sat on either
side
of his fellow angel.
“The others are headed over,” Lady Beth informed Andrew.
“Are you
sure you’re okay to tell this right now? Perhaps you need
to rest
first? You came off of a very lengthy and trying
assignment.”
Andrew shook his head. “No, it’s time. Over three
hundred
years is a long time to carry this around.”
“Andrew, are you okay?” Miss Miriam asked as she and the others
took
their places beneath the massive willow.
Andrew forced a smile that seemed almost painful to
exhibit. “I
hope to be soon. There’s something I want to tell you
all.”
“Andrew, I’m really sorry if I scared you with those
gallows. We
just… I mean, it’s in the script. We definitely weren’t
doing
anything needlessly grim,” Danny apologized, worried that what
ever was
going on was his doing.
Andrew sensed the man’s feelings of guilt and shook his
head. “I
know that, Danny. I do. To tell you the truth, I
admire you
all for wanting to bring a story like that to life. Those
days…
they shouldn’t be forgotten. Ever. And I wasn’t
scared. It just… it brought back memories. Not all
good
ones.” Andrew’s control was weakening and his voice
cracked as he
spoke the last two sentences. He cleared his throat and
soldiered
on. “I was never in Salem. I wasn’t there when the
people
who became famous or infamous like John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse,
Danforth, Hale, Hathorne, and the others lived and died.
But it
wasn’t just Salem. Things, terrible things, happened
before…”
Adam bowed his head and nodded. Everyone’s eyes were on
either
himself or Andrew. Sad, curious, pitying eyes.
“It was late September of 1651. I’d been a caseworker for
sometime. Thinking back… You know, I sensed
something in
Sam’s tone when he told me my next assignment was in Shiloh, a
small
town in Massachusetts.” Andrew frowned but then
brightened.
“But, on the surface, it seemed like it was going to be a really
great
assignment.” Andrew laughed then. “After all, how
could it
not be when it began with an unexpected, joyful reunion?”
As Andrew told his story his avid listeners found themselves
pulled in
by his vivid imagery and animated storytelling. It was
unlike
hearing any story before. They all felt as if they were
actually
there with their friend.
Andrew looked around as his horse, Starling, brought him down
the
dusty, ill-kept trail that passed as a road in Shiloh. On
either
side of him were fields of corn dotted with the occasional
house.
His eyes lit up with pleasure as he soaked in the pastoral
beauty. Boston, where he’d been most recently, had its
charms but
this partly untamed land reminded him of his Home. From a
distance he could see farmers and their families laboring
amongst the
stalks. As he continued the fields gave way to Shiloh’s
center
where the meetinghouse, mill, tavern, and other important
buildings
were situated. Andrew smiled and nodded at each person he
passed. They nodded back out of politeness but nothing
more. Andrew frowned. He was used to a less than
warm
welcome, however. The people in these small settlements
were in
constant fear of attacks and suspicious of outsiders. But
something more was at work there. Andrew sighed, wishing
Sam had
given him a little more to go on. Starling began to hang
back,
wary of continuing.
“There, there boy,” Andrew murmured.
Suddenly, a young boy of about ten came running at Andrew.
“Might you be Dr. Godman from Boston, sir?” he asked.
Andrew realized then that that would serve as his name for this
assignment. Godman. He smiled at the appropriateness of it
and
then nodded to the boy. “I am, yes. And your name?”
“Noah, sir.”
“A good name and a great man. Noah, could you show me to
where
Dr. Elias Grady is?”
“Aye, sir. He’s at the Harding place now. Their
daughter’s
doing poorly.”
Andrew dismounted his horse and led the now skittish creature
after the
boy. As they walked Andrew wondered what exactly he’d
happened
upon. For a doctor to be sent for meant something very
serious
was happening. The village doctor was usually regarded as
the
end-all of medicine. He thought back through history to
all the
various plagues and outbreaks. He hoped it wasn’t one of
those. He looked around for any of the angels of death but
saw
none and took heart at that.
Noah stopped at the door of one of the larger homes. He
motioned
for Andrew to enter then burst in himself. Andrew could
hear the
boy excitedly telling of his arrival. After tying up
Starling and
stroking his mane to console him, Andrew entered the
building. An
aged man leaning on a cane neared him.
“Dr. Godman, so glad you could come, sir. It is the little
girl. She is taken with catalepsy but naught I do brings
her out
of it,” Dr. Grady explained, his face grave.
“I pray I can help, doctor. Where is the child?” Andrew
asked,
his eyes all ready exhibiting deep compassion.
Dr. Grady led him to another room where a child lay on her bed,
her
expression vacant. On either side knelt one of her
parents.
“Hugh Harding and his wife, Susannah,” Grady introduced.
Andrew
shook the father’s hand and nodded politely to his wife.
“And
this here is their daughter, Rachel.”
“How long has your daughter been unwell?” Andrew asked.
“Tis been a week, Dr. Godman, since she took sick. She
only
stares. It is all her mother can do to get her to eat,”
Hugh
answered.
Andrew glanced at Susannah. She looked very worn and
worried. He gave her a brave, sympathetic smile. “I
will do
my very best to help her. Be comforted that God watches
over your
child. She is his very own, after all.”
The couple nodded and Andrew proceeded with his
examination. To
his surprise the girl showed no signs of fever. In fact,
save her
lack of movement, she seemed very healthy. He could think
of no
reason for her present state.
Just then there was the sound of heavy footfall in the
hall.
“Doc! Doc! James! An accident at the mill,
sir!
He needs ye!” A man of about fifty ran into the room,
frantic. He glanced at Andrew but then right back at the
village
doctor. “Make haste! Please, Grady!”
Grady looked to Andrew.
“Go to him. I will see to things here,” Andrew
encouraged.
Dr. Grady rushed out then as best as he could with his bad
leg.
The newcomer stuck around, curious.
“And you have no explanation for what brought this condition
on?
No change in her diet or activity?” Andrew questioned.
Hugh shook his head. “No, sir. It just came upon her
and
the others sudden.”
“The others?”
“Aye sir, my wife’s sister’s children took sick the same and
some
others.”
“Yet others?” Andrew was growing more troubled. He
glanced
at the man who had come for Dr. Grady. He stood shaking
his
head.
“Four children besides my own Rachel, Dr. Godman. My
brother-in-law’s maid and his sister, a widow, also sicken.”
“And all behave the same as your Rachel?”
Susannah answered. “They do, sir. I cannot bear to
lose my
child and beloved nieces and nephew. I cannot!” She
began
to weep. “Tis not natural… not natural.”
Andrew took in a deep breath. Something was horribly amiss
here. “I do not know what causes your child’s
illness. I
will need to think on it and see the others.”
Hugh nodded. “We wish you to do so, but night draws near,
sir. I thank you for your attention to our child.
Could I
show you to the lodging house?”
“Yes, please, Mr. Harding.” Andrew patted Rachel’s head
and said
a silent prayer for the wisdom to help her.
The other man cleared his throat. “Dr. Grady spoke to me
about
hosting his visitor. I will take him with me, Hugh.”
Andrew thought he saw a hint of annoyance and anger flash across
Hugh’s
face but the man only nodded.
“If that is what Grady wishes, Josiah. Dr. Godman was
called here
by him.”
“Aye and it is as he wishes,” Josiah responded, his face stern
and
humorless. He turned to Andrew then. “Please, sir,
come
with me.”
“I will speak with you tomorrow, Mr. Harding. My prayers
are with
your child and her cousins and the others.” Andrew bowed
his head
slightly and then followed Josiah. The man was silent
until they
were outside. Andrew was still unclear on what exactly was
his
purpose and wondered if this man were his assignment.
Certainly
he seemed as if he needed some joy in his life. Josiah
waited
patiently as Andrew untied Starling. As Josiah did not
seem to
have a horse, Andrew chose to walk and lead Starling. The
man was
silent until they were some distance from the Harding house.
“I am sorry, sir, if that exchange were awkward. Hugh’s
brother,
George Harding, owns the lodging house. A tavern. He
was
anxious to have your business for his brother. Elias and I
thought a learned man such as yourself might prefer a quiet
place. If you would prefer the tavern I will harbor no
ill-will,
Dr. Godman. Though I will fear for your health, sir, as I
would
not feed Goody Harding’s meals to a dog.” Josiah smirked
and his
eyes crinkled beneath his gray brows. Andrew at once saw
the good
humor in the man and chuckled himself.
“I will take your word for it, sir, and gladly accept your
hospitality. Please, call me Andrew.” He held his
hand out.
Josiah readily took it. “Josiah Lewis. If you would
please
call me Josiah. And your horse? Does he have a
name?”
“This, Josiah, is Starling. I apologize if he seems
skittish. He has been unwell today.”
“I do not blame him. Something strange is afoot, I am
sure.” Josiah frowned but then brightened. “My Hope
will be
pleased. She adores horses.”
“Your wife?”
“No, my daughter. She is nineteen and the Lord’s greatest
blessing to me. My wife, Mary, has gone to Heaven these
past ten
years.”
“I am sorry to hear of your loss.”
Josiah gave a tender smile. “Ah but she is well
there. I
comfort myself with that.”
Andrew clapped the man’s shoulder. “Yes, she is.”
They
continued on in companionable silence.
“Here we are. And looks like Hope is preparing
dinner.” He
looked up at the smoking chimney and inhaled the aroma of fish
and
freshly baked bread. “I hope the preacher has
returned. She
was making his favorite last I heard,” Josiah beamed with pride
as he
led Andrew into the cozy kitchen. When they entered they
found
Hope busying herself with dinner. A few of the young
woman’s
raven curls poked out from beneath her coif. Her
blue eyes
sparkled as she talked animatedly with the man seated at the
table. The man’s back was to the door and at first all
Andrew
could tell was that he had light blonde hair.
“I have someone I would like to introduce,” Josiah announced.
Hope and the man turned to face the door. The woman smiled
shyly
at Andrew and the man did his best to suppress something between
a gasp
and a cry of joy. Andrew tried to cover his own surprise
and
happiness at seeing a fellow angel, one he counted as a dear
friend
even. Hope hugged her father then looked expectantly at
him.
“This is Dr. Andrew Godman of Boston. Dr. Grady sent for
him and
he will be with us for however long he wishes. Andrew,
this is my
daughter Hope and Reverend Eben Bridges. He is also fairly
new to
our village having been here but two weeks Thursday.”
“I am very pleased to meet you both and thank you heartily for
welcoming me among you,” Andrew smiled brightly and bowed his
head to
Hope and shook Eben’s hand. As soon as Josiah and Hope had
left
the room to make sure Andrew’s room was ready, Andrew and Eben
began to
talk.
“Eben! Sam didn’t tell me you would be here!” Andrew
couldn’t keep the smile off his face. Eben was one of his
closest
friends amongst the angels. They were very much alike
though
different enough to keep each other interested and amused.
Even
physically they were strikingly similar. Tess had once
remarked
that they looked very much like brothers. Andrew’s hair
was just
a shade or two darker than Eben’s. While Andrew had soft
green
eyes, his friend’s were a striking cornflower blue. Right
then
both sets were lit with pleasant surprise.
Eben hugged his friend. Then he pulled away and chuckled
at
Andrew’s wardrobe, knowing full well his own was not really to
his
taste either. “No one told me you were coming
either. So a
doctor, eh? And from Boston!”
Andrew nodded. “Maybe not as impressive as a reverend, but
yes I
am. Though I think we both know where I’m really
from.” He
winked but then bit his lip in thought. “Usually when we
have a
profession on Earth we’re given the necessary knowledge to
accompany
it. But I find myself really confused by the symptoms of
the girl
I’ve seen. I’m not even sure why I’m here. Do you
know why
you are, Eben?”
“Hmm… Possibly to keep you in line?” Eben joked.
Andrew faked an indignant expression. “I highly doubt
that!” He grinned. “Really, though, do you
know? Sam
told me so little about this case.”
“I know Josiah’s my assignment. I’m afraid his heart is
failing
though he refuses to acknowledge it. I’m just here to
bring him
peace in his remaining days and lessen his burden. And
unless
something changes count yourself lucky to be here, my friend,
you
couldn’t find a better sort than Josiah and Hope and her apple
pie…”
Andrew laughed. “You’re easily pleased. I remember
when you
practically wept when we had to leave Italy because you couldn’t
imagine life on Earth with out your daily dose of risotto with
mushrooms. Now you’re won over by apple pie.”
“You’ve not tasted the apple pie, Andrew…” Eben sighed dreamily
then
his face broke into a wide smile. “Maybe Hope is your
assignment! It would make me feel better to know she had
someone
to help her grieve and heal when her father’s gone.”
Andrew considered this and at once felt as if his real purpose
in being
there had been struck upon. He’d felt a stirring of
recognition
upon first hearing the girl’s name and even more upon seeing
her.
“You know, I think you’re right. I’m sorry that Josiah
will be
leaving her. I can all ready sense how much love is in
this
home. But I’m glad to have you here to help them.”
“As am I to have you here. It’s wonderful to be working
together
again!”
The two angels hugged then and soon Josiah and Hope returned and
the
four sat down to fish and warm bread and… apple pie.
Andrew paused in his story, gearing himself up for what came
next. Gathered closely round him, his listeners were
shaking
their heads. Lady Beth recovered her power of speech
first.
“Eben… the demon? The one that caused all the trouble at
your
murder trial last May?” she asked.
“Yes, but he was once one of the kindest and warmest among
us. He
was a good angel. One of the best. My friend.”
Andrew
was nostalgic and looked up through the branches to the sky
again.
“I think maybe we should take a break. Some people haven’t
even
eaten. Some people meaning myself. And you don’t
want to
see me when I’ve missed dinner,” Adam tried to inject some humor
into
the situation.
“You shoulda let me get you some sandwiches,” JenniAnn told him,
smiling a bit though clearly shaken by all she’d just heard.
Adam grinned. “But I wasn’t hungry *then*. Let’s go
make
some now. Anyone else care for some?” He did a quick
count
as hands shot up. Then everyone began to walk around and
stretch
after sitting still for so long while Adam, JenniAnn, and Lady
Beth
left to go get some food and drinks.
Once inside the three got to work making the sandwiches, talking
as
they did.
“I’m not sure what’s coming but I know it can’t be good.
Poor
Andrew. What an awful situation to be in. You don’t
suppose
Eben fell during that assignment?” Lady Beth mused.
Adam struggled to remember. “I don’t remember when he
fell.
I never really knew him very well. I was all ready an
angel of
death by then.”
“Can you pass me the lettuce?” JenniAnn asked and Adam handed it
to
her. “Oh, hey, I’m sorry for snapping at you
earlier. I was
just taken aback at seeing Andrew there and thinking we’d upset
him.”
Adam shrugged. “It’s okay. I know how you get
concerned for
Andrew sometimes,” he responded with an understanding
smile.
“Swiss, please?”
Lady Beth handed him the slices of cheese and looked at Lady
JenniAnn
whose face had clouded.
“It’s not that I don’t get concerned about you, too,” JenniAnn
muttered. “I just… I can’t think about that.”
Adam looked at her with surprise then back at Lady Beth who
offered no
answer but didn’t seem startled by the statement. Adam
found
himself searching for some smart-aleck comment to make but came
up
blank.
“I’m sorry, I’m not following…” was all he said.
JenniAnn focused on shredding lettuce and didn’t look up as she
spoke. “Okay, it’s not like I really think anything is
ever gonna
happen to any of you angels. Eben not withstanding you’re
a solid
bunch but… if… I mean back during Andrew’s trial… you kept
everyone focused. You got us where we needed to be.
You
kept people laughing. If… if you went away… who would take
care
of us? Who could we count on to make us laugh?
You’re…
you’re… Okay, I’ll level with you, Adam. There’s a
few
people out there with crushes on you. Not sure if you know
that
or not. But maybe you should. I mean, I don’t
cause…
ya know… Andrew…”
Adam stared at the flustered, weepy-eyed woman with bafflement
but also
an increasing sense of tenderness. Despite the serious
turn the
conversation had taken, all three continued making
sandwiches.
“I do care, a lot. You’re like… the dad that makes sure
everyone
is as happy as can be and… and… properly dressed and… and that’s
why I
can’t worry about you often. Cause…” JenniAnn’s rambling
was cut
off by a sob.
“Because it’s too scary?” Lady Beth offered, sympathetic.
She’d
actually heard this from JenniAnn before and was just glad Adam
was
finally going to hear it for himself.
JenniAnn nodded then, at last, looked up at Adam. “I don’t
wear
strapless dresses any more because of you!”
Adam was somewhere in between a chuckle and an emotional
moment.
Lady Beth saw that Danny, Miss Miriam, and some others were
drawing
near the castle, probably to help carry the sandwiches
back. So
before JenniAnn’s declaration of assumed-filial regard
turned
into an off-key rendition of “Butterfly Kisses” or, considerably
more
likely, “Sunrise, Sunset” she hurried up with the sandwiches and
the
other two caught on and followed suit.
“Nothing’s going to happen to me, JenniAnn. I’m here for
the
long-haul. With my turkeys.” Adam tried to cheer her while
the
three packed up the sandwiches and went to meet the
others. “And
thanks, for telling me all that. It means a lot.”
She nodded and nothing more was said of the exchange while
everyone
milled about the willow tree and ate and shared in some light
conversation. But eventually everyone grew quiet and
looked
expectantly at Andrew. They all knew that, for whatever
reason,
his past had come to play some part in their own lives and they
needed
to see it through. With out considering any other
alternative,
they all sat beneath the willow tree.
Andrew began again. “I only wish the rest of that time had
been
as pleasant as that first evening with Josiah, Hope, and
Eben.
But even by that next morning so much had changed…”
When Andrew came down the stairs he could hear that Josiah and
Eben
were all ready up and about. He guessed that they were
praying
and hung back in the hall for a moment. Their voices
drifted to
him.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I
will
fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they
comfort
me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of
mine
enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth
over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my
life: and
I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
When they’d finished, Andrew entered. He could tell at
once
something had happened overnight. Something bad.
“Andrew, I hope you slept well. Please, sit and eat,”
Josiah
greeted him.
Andrew did as requested but then looked up at his host.
“Josiah,
are you unwell?” he asked with concern.
Josiah nodded. “Nay but James Jenkins, the mill owner,
passed in
the night.”
“I am very sorry, I know he was your dear friend, Josiah,”
Andrew was
sympathetic.
“That he was and he is with the Lord now as he longed to be,”
Josiah
added then inhaled deeply and changed the subject. “I do
not wish
to rush you but Dr. Grady has all ready been past for you.
Shortly after he left James he was called to the house of some
of the
afflicted. They have taken a bad turn it seems. Hope
is all
ready seeing to your Starling.”
“Do you know where he is now?”
“The Small place. I can show you where it is after your
breakfast.”
“You should rest yourself, Josiah. I can help Andrew
around. Perhaps even be of assistance to those who are
ill,” Eben
interrupted, making his determined offer. “Stay home with
Hope. This is a time to hold family near.”
“I could do with some rest, after I tend to the crops.”
“We can take care of that when we return. Josiah, you must
rest,”
Andrew urged in between bites of corn pone and jam. “I say
this
as a doctor,” he added with a smile.
Josiah returned it and nodded. “If a doctor insists then I
will.”
Assured of this, Andrew and Eben went outside.
“There you are, boy. Fed and watered. Sweet boy…”
Hope was
murmuring to Starling who nuzzled her affectionately.
“Good morning, Hope. Thank you for caring for
Starling. He
is taken with you. Poor thing has been out of sorts since
we
arrived but he seems perfectly content with you,” Andrew mused,
smiling
pleasantly at the young woman.
“Twas my pleasure. He is a fine beast. Are you both
headed
to the Small place?” Hope stroked Starling’s mane a few
more
times then stepped away for Andrew to mount the horse.
“We are. Is it very far off?”
“One of the nearest to this one actually,” Eben answered and
pointed in
the direction the other homestead lay.
“I see. Perhaps since Eben is with out a horse we had best
both
walk. Would you mind watching Starling for me today,
Hope?”
Andrew asked her.
Hope’s eyes grew wide with happiness at the prospect. “I
would be
pleased to do so, sir.”
“I thank you very much and for breakfast, as well,” Andrew
tilted his
head politely.
“Yes, thank you, Hope. Andrew and I have ordered your
father to
rest today. We will tend the fields upon our return.
Do not
let him tell you otherwise.” Eben peered into her eyes,
his words
emphatic. She nodded and he smiled with relief.
“Have a good day, Hope!” Andrew wished then squeezed her
hand. He
pet Starling before Eben led him away and toward the
Smalls’.
“God be with you both!” Hope called after them. Andrew
turned
back towards the Lewises’ home and waved to her. He turned
back
again after a few paces and smiled to see Hope again speaking to
Starling.
When Andrew and Eben made it to the Smalls’ they found a
whirlwind of
activity. Andrew expected to find more cases like what he
and Dr.
Grady had witnessed with Rachel Harding the previous day.
However, what he really found was a highly bothered Grady and
pandemonium. As soon as he arrived, Andrew was urged to
examine
Rachel’s cousin Hannah Small, twelve, her sister Esther, eleven,
and
the youngest of the Small children, nine-year-old Ephraim.
In
none did he find a hint of a fever or other physical
ailment.
While Eben prayed with the distraught parents, Ezekiel and
Rebecca,
Andrew looked in on Judith Paine. Judith was Ezekiel’s
widowed
sister who lived in a smaller abode on the same plot of land
with her
fifteen-year-old daughter, Martha. Mother and daughter
both
writhed around, hissing, and howling like wild creatures.
At one
point Judith leapt to her feet and screamed “Take back your
spirit! Do not hurt me, take back your spirit!”
Meanwhile, the Smalls’ maid Mary Thorpe stood in a corner
muttering, “I
will not give myself to you. Nay, I will not,
Devil.” The
nonsense was punctuated every so often by her whirling around,
pointing
to something unseen, and screaming.
Increasingly troubled, Andrew and Eben departed the Smalls’
homestead
with Dr. Grady as soon as they could and headed back to the
Hardings. But they found no relief from the “fits”
there.
Gone was Rachel’s trancelike state. She, too, displayed
the loud,
thrashing convulsions.
“I must admit, Dr. Grady, I have no idea what might have brought
this
on.” Andrew shook his head as he spoke to the local
doctor.
“Their parents testify they have experienced no change in
routine, that
they were perfectly healthy until very recently, and that they
have
never behaved so before.”
Dr. Grady seemed to be struggling with whether to say
something.
At last he seemed to decide but did not meet Andrew’s
eyes.
“There is talk in amongst the townsfolk, Andrew. That
James
Jenkins’ death was no accident. Twas the work of a
witch.
Perhaps these children are witched. Then there would be no
natural explanation for their condition.”
Andrew stared aghast at the supposedly learned man. “A… a
witch?”
“Might even be a whole coven,” Grady answered haltingly.
To
Andrew’s sensitive ears, he seemed to be forcing each
word.
Eben had finished praying over Rachel and, approaching Andrew,
heard
Grady’s last remark. He looked in shock at his friend then
back
at the village doctor. “I would not think you would want
to make
a diagnosis based on village gossip, sir.”
Grady’s face burned red and he glared at the preacher. “I
do not
say this based on village gossip, Reverend, but the Bible
attests to
the existence of witches and my medical knowledge gives me no
natural
explanation for this child nor the others’ conditions!”
“Our knowledge is limited, doctor, and there may be other
explanations
beyond medical ones or witchcraft,” Andrew pressed. It had
begun
to dawn on him that it seemed very odd all the afflicted were
related
to each other in one way or another. Just then Hugh
Harding
passed through the room. Andrew caught a glance pass
between him
and the doctor. Grady’s change in demeanor began to make
sense to
him. Some plot was at work and Grady had been drawn into
it.
Dr. Grady stood as tall as he could and showed Andrew a proud,
stern
glare. “Perhaps, I made a mistake in appealing to you for
aid,
Dr. Godman. Are you a man of faith, sir?”
Andrew was taken aback at this sudden change of tone. Only
the
day before the man had seemed steeped in gratitude that he’d
come! Andrew snapped out of his musings and answered in a
tense
voice. “I do only the will of God, sir.”
Eben looked from his friend to the doctor and noted the resolve
on
their faces. “Come now, let us not let the sad state of
this
child nor the others cause troubles amongst us, gentlemen.”
“Yes, well I will tend this child and the others. Good
day, Dr.
Godman. Reverend.” With those words Elias Grady
turned and
entered the room Hugh Harding had only moments before.
Andrew and
Eben were left alone.
“Let’s get back to Josiah and Hope. At least they have
some
sense. And we have some work to do in the fields.
We’ll
talk then,” Eben pulled Andrew, still standing in bewilderment,
towards
the door. As they walked back to the Lewises’ they were
keenly
aware of the paranoia and whisperings of every villager they
passed. Clearly the assumption of witchcraft was
widespread.
An hour later Andrew and Eben arrived back at the Lewis
place.
Hope fixed them a quick snack but then, despite her protests,
they
insisted upon doing work in the fields as they’d promised
Josiah.
They had hoped for that time to talk freely about the goings on
in the
village.
“I’m worried, Eben. I was never around it much but… I
remember
the witch trials in Europe. Innocent people…
murdered.
Thousands. Maybe even millions. It just seems like
we
should be doing something more than being here, sequestered with
the
two people in this village who least seem to need
guidance.” He
rested the cart he’d been dragging and began to pull some corn
from the
stalks.
Eben frowned. Despite Andrew’s attempts to hide it, Eben
noted
the worry in his ever-expressive green eyes. “Troubling,
yes, but
it’s not as if names have been mentioned. Maybe what we’re
witnessing is just the games of very bored children and a couple
repressed women. All that energy has to come out at some
point. I’m telling you, I really think we’re here simply
to bring
some peace to Hope and Josiah as their days together grow
fewer.”
“I pray it’s only that. I just wish Sam could have told me
more. It’s not normal for me to see him so seldom during
an
assignment. I’ve been here a full day now and not a single
word.” Andrew bit his lip and ran his fingers through his
hair.
Eben shrugged then tossed some corn into the cart. “I’m
sure he’s
just busy with his own cases or checking in on some of his other
protégés. He’s been with you for some time.
He knows you’re dependable and don’t need to be constantly
watched
over.”
“I suppose. I’m just really glad you’re here, Eben.
Something about this…” Andrew shook his head.
“Fear not, my friend.” Eben winked at Andrew.
Andrew returned a genuine smile. “Thanks for the
reminder.
Now let’s finish this up. Looks as if Hope’s started
dinner.” He tilted his head to the smoke rising from the
chimney.
During dinner Andrew told both Josiah and Hope of Dr. Grady’s
dismissal
of him. He didn’t wish to continue staying with them under
false
pretenses.
“I am surprised at Elias’ unkindness. But I hope you still
feel
you can stay with us, Andrew. Just in the day you have
been here
you have been of great help to me. And Hope has been so
happy
having Starling around.” Josiah smiled gently at his
daughter who
blushed but smiled back. “And it seems the Reverend enjoys
your
company. I am sure he enjoys the conversation of a man his
own
age, not an old codger like me!”
Eben shook his head and grinned. “That is nonsense and you
know
it, Josiah. You’ve a mind as sharp as anyone I know.”
“Yes, Papa, do not speak so. But he is right, sir,” she
looked at
Andrew, “we do very much wish you would stay on with us.
Both of
you.” She indicated Eben, as well.
Andrew beamed and took both their hands. “Then I would
like to
very much. I thank you both for your generosity and
hospitality. Especially having only just met me.”
Josiah peered at Andrew. “‘Be not forgetful to entertain
strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.’”
Andrew tried to mask his amazement at hearing that passage
applied to
him. He wondered if Josiah had somehow come to know his
identity. Meanwhile, Eben nearly choked on his fish in
surprise.
“Reverend!” Hope cried and rushed to his chair.
Eben was turning bright red but finally regained his
speech.
“Aye, just fine. You would think at my age I would know
how to
eat properly.”
Once assured his guest was all right Josiah began to
chuckle.
“That reminds me of a story of your mother, Hope. The time
she
near killed me at the dinner table.”
Hope looked at her father with raised eye brows. The two
angels,
too, looked at him curiously. Thus assured he had a rapt
audience, Josiah told in vivid and amusing detail of the time
Mary
Lewis had accidentally baked her thimble into corn pone during
the
first year of the marriage, nearly causing him to choke when he
found
it in his piece. Then they all took turns sharing stories
from
their lives until late into the evening.
A week passed and the madness in the village grew. The
four
inhabitants of the Lewis homestead stayed near the farm, hoping
to wait
the frenzy out. Their only routine venture into Shiloh was
for
Sunday services each week. They drew closer to each other
and
adopted the behavior and manner of speaking as befit a family.
Nonetheless, they couldn’t avoid news from the village coming to
them. The day after Andrew’s dismissal, Eben walked into
town to
retrieve some medicine for Josiah from Dr. Grady. It was
then he
learned that the Small children had cried out that Anna Jacobs’
specter
assaulted them at night. The forty-five year old woman who
lived
alone in a cottage on the outskirts of the settlement was
speedily
arrested. The next day Judith Paine accused Sarah
Anderson,
twenty, of appearing to her and bidding her sign the Devil’s
book. By week’s end five women, one man, and, worst of
all, one
child sat in the village jail.
This news increased Josiah’s resolve to keep his daughter and
his two
guests close to home. While he could not imagine anyone
turning
on his daughter nor his guests, he still feared.
Nonetheless,
Eben refused to let him go alone when he insisted upon visiting
his
friend James’ widow. Claiming he wished to minister to the
bereaved woman, Josiah relented and the two left after breakfast
one
morning.
Hope had designated the day as washing day and was in the yard
wringing
out and hanging the bedclothes. Andrew had offered help
but she
had declined it, instead asking him to read from the Bible aloud
as she
worked. At her bidding he read the Beatitudes.
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall
revile
you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against
you
falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great
is your
reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were
before
you,” Andrew read. He looked up from the text then and
noticed
Hope was looking preoccupied.
“Hope, what is it that troubles you just now?” Andrew asked with
concern.
Hope bit her lip and hung up another sheet to dry before
answering. “Only the news from the village. Those
poor
people! Andrew, I know them! I never heard nor saw
any hint
that they had given themselves to the Devil. Never.
And
little Alice! She is but 6 years old, Andrew!
Brought in
with her
mother!” Hope’s voice rose with impassioned anger.
Andrew bowed his head. “The accusations are false.
The
‘affliction’ imagined. I only wish I could have prevailed
upon
Dr. Grady to consider this…”
“You cannot fight a feeling of dread that has been so long with
them. We have a reverend whose sermons… they instill
only
fear. We profess to believe in a loving Father but the
reverend
preaches only damnation and now… tis no wonder some have come to
see
only evil. And Papa keeps us safe here but it hurts to do
nothing
as people suffer!” Hope began to cry. Andrew sat
down the
Bible and went to her.
“Hope, you have a good heart. Your father and mother
raised you
well.” Andrew sighed then. “I suppose it is left to
us to
try to demonstrate God’s love with our own lives.” He took
one of
her hands in his. “Then we hope they see that and are
moved.”
Hope considered this and seemed encouraged by it. She
finished
hanging her laundry, this time with Andrew’s help. Then
she went
inside and began to bake every treat that came to her
mind. When
Josiah returned home she pleaded with him to let her go amongst
the
families of the accused and bring them food and comfort.
Josiah
feared for his daughter but he was proud of her and
relented.
That night when Hope went to bed it was with a lighter
heart. She
had a mission and a purpose.
Andrew was deep in prayer as the sun rose the next
morning. He
was surprised when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He
turned
around and found himself facing Eben who was wearing the baggy
beige
pants and short-sleeved shirt he favored in Heaven.
“Henry’s here in town. I saw him, Andrew,” his fellow
angel told
him, his tone grave and low.
Andrew looked at Eben, aghast. “Why was Henry here?”
Before Eben could answer, Sam appeared in the room.
“Things have
taken a complicated turn, Andrew.”
“Sam! I’ve wondered where you’ve been! What’s going
on? Why have you stayed away?” Andrew questioned.
Sam grimaced. “Because if I was seen speaking to you, you
might
find yourself where Anna Jacobs and Sarah Anderson now
are.
They’re being put on trial, Andrew. You were originally
sent
here, both of you, to provide solace to this little
family. That
remains your task but it’s been complicated.”
Andrew realized then his own garb had changed to far more
comfortable,
lighter attire. “What does this mean, Sam?”
“You and Eben will go, unseen, into town. You’ll watch the
proceedings. You have to know what you’re up
against. You
won’t see me again until this assignment is finished. But
remember God is with you both and with every person in
Shiloh.
Both of you must remember that. Understand?” Sam
peered at
them both. Andrew and Eben nodded. “Go then, a note
will be
left for Josiah and Hope explaining your absence.”
Andrew nodded, shaken but intent on doing his best on this
assignment. Then he turned to Eben and at once they were
gone. Next thing he knew they were standing at the back of
the
meetinghouse. It was packed with people. In the
first row
sat the three Small children, Mary Thorpe, Judith and Martha
Paine, and
Rachel Harding. To the angels’ dismay, George Harding, the
tavern-keeper, his wife, Ruth, and their seventeen-year-old
daughter,
Leah, were also there. They had been added to the ranks of
the
afflicted. At the front sat three judges with Dr. Grady
hovering
near them, explaining something to them. The Reverend
Benjamin
Baker sat near them also, his stern gaze traversing the
crowd.
Into this hostile crowd was led Anna Jacobs.
As soon as she set foot inside the meeting house the occupants
of the
first row began to cry and writhe about. The judges shot
questions at Anna Jacobs who tried her best to hear them over
the
din.
“Have you consorted with the Devil, Anna Jacobs?” a judge
demanded.
Anna met his gaze. “No, sir, as I am a Christian I have
never
sought the Devil!”
“So you say you have never harmed any of these you see in such
agony
here?”
Anna shook her head. “I have not! What is it plagues
these
poor souls?”
Hannah Small let out a great yelp then. “I see him!
I see
a… a dark man! He stands beside Goody Jacobs and whispers
into
her ear! No… no…” Hannah screamed then and brought
her arms
to her stomach as if she’d been struck there.
“I see Goody Jacobs’ specter striking Hannah! Draw it
back, Goody
Jacobs!” Leah Harding demanded, terror in her eyes.
“This is… it’s craziness, Andrew! Her specter?” Eben
turned
to his friend, his face wan and eyes flashing with anger.
Andrew looked from the shrieking afflicted to the proud but
increasingly worried Anna Jacobs. He didn’t know what to
say to
Eben. He could barely believe his eyes. Suddenly
Andrew
felt someone grip his left shoulder. It wasn’t Eben, who
stood at
his right. Andrew turned. “Henry…”
“Andrew, Eben,” Henry tilted his head in greeting but seemed as
unhappy
to be there as the other two, if not more.
“Henry, why are you here?” Andrew asked.
Eben scoffed. “You know why he’s here. There is
murderous
intent here. I saw our friend here walking about the place
earlier. Waiting.”
Henry was taken aback by Eben’s bitter tone. “You know I’d
rather
not be here, Eben. But it’s my duty.” Henry waved
his arm
in the direction of the alleged afflicted. “God wouldn’t
leave
any one that these sorry souls betray to suffer and die
alone.
And so neither will I.” His voice softened then.
“But,
please, pray it doesn’t come to that. I don’t want…”
The din at the front of the church grew louder. Eventually
Anna
Jacobs was removed in hopes that her absence might give relief
to the
poor girls she allegedly tormented. Andrew and Eben
watched as
she was hauled out. Henry stepped away from them and
followed
her.
Eben was seething. Andrew’s own righteous anger was kept
in check
only by a wash of pity he felt as the next of the accused was
brought
in. She was barely more than a girl. Her face was
pinched
for want of food and she cowered as she was led in.
The judges looked sternly at her. “Sarah Anderson, a
charge of
witchcraft has been put against you. What say you, are you
guilty
of this charge?”
The young woman shook with nerves. “I am clear, sir.
I
never practiced witchery. I know nothing of it.”
“Why then do these poor people cry out against you?”
“I… I do not know, sir. Perhaps they are just very ill and
have
no sense.”
“Have no sense… have no sense…” Mary Thorpe began to mimic
Sarah. Soon the others joined in. When Sarah brought
her
arms about herself to ward off the cold, the afflicted followed.
“Woman, why do these people do as you do?”
Sarah looked at her accusers, bewildered. “I swear I do
not know!”
“I swear I do not know!” came the echo.
“Sarah Anderson, stop this at once!” the reverend ordered.
“I cannot! I have no control of it. Tis not me,
sir!” she
cried. Terrified, she crumpled to the ground and began
weeping. This threw the Harding-Paine-Small contingent
into more
severe convulsions and yelping.
“He tells her to torment us! He is with her now! I
see the
Devil beside her now!” Judith Paine shouted, scratching at the
air.
“Just as he was with her last night when she came and scratched
upon my
arm!” Mary Thorpe bellowed and pushed up her sleeves to indicate
scratch marks.
Eben was practically shaking. “This… it’s an
abomination.
Look at that poor girl! She looks half-starved.
They’ve
clearly paid her no attention until now. Not enough to
help her
and now this! I can’t just stand here, Andrew. I
can’t!”
“Eben!” Andrew reached for his friend who was headed to the
front of
the meetinghouse. But Eben shrugged him off and
continued.
He knelt beside Sarah and put his arm around her. “Take
heart,
Sarah. Do not give in. God is on your side. He
knows
you speak the truth and He will be with you. You are His
dear
child and He will not… He will never abandon you.”
Sarah seemed to sense Eben’s words, even if she could not see
him. “I am clear! I am clear!” she cried and stood
up. She looked the judges directly in the eye. “I am
with
God and so I am clear!”
There was a great scream from George Harding then.
Everyone
turned to see him staring, aghast, at his wife who remained
huddled on
the floor. “Look here! She hath stabbed my
wife! My
wife is bleeding!”
Ruth Harding stood then and indicated a slash in the fabric at
her
shoulder. Beneath it was a thin line of blood. “Your
specter hath done this!” she pointed to Sarah and then swooned
into her
husband’s arms.
The judges were visibly moved by this demonstration.
“Sarah
Anderson, you have one last chance to declare your guilt and
seek
repentance or you will hang!”
Sarah began to shake again.
“Have courage, Sarah. Disregard their accusations and
focus on
God’s love, dear,” Eben bid her. His voice was at its
most soothing and he willed strength and love to her.
Andrew
looked on, proud of his friend’s kindness.
“The Devil speaks to her now! He is at her side! His
arm is
about her! She is his!” Hannah Small cried out.
Eben went cold and dropped his arm from around Sarah. Had
the
girl seen him? How? He looked for Andrew’s face and
saw the
same shock and horror he felt there.
Sarah was weeping profusely.
“Answer! Now!” one of the judges bellowed.
The woman again fell to the ground. She had seen a hanging
once. She could not bear the thought… She moved to
her
knees. “Aye, I am a witch. God forgive me! God
forgive me! God help me!”
The crowd cheered. They had their proof now. And,
they
thought, a soul ripped back from Satan’s grasp. Further,
Sarah
began to name other witches as the judges demanded them.
The
courted adjourned then and everyone exited the
meetinghouse. Save
two.
Andrew made his way to Eben who knelt near where Sarah just
had.
He was a picture of defeat and anguish as he cried. “What
have I
done?”
Andrew sat beside him. “You were trying to help her, the
Father
knows that.”
“That girl saw me! She must have! Saw me as
proof!
She may have played along to suit her parents as you surmised
but now…”
“You don’t know that, Eben. She cried similar
before. This
isn’t your fault,” Andrew consoled. “It’s not!” he added,
trying
to convince his friend.
Eben gave no sign whether he agreed or not. “I’ve had
enough of
this. I don’t want to see any more.”
Andrew nodded and bowed his head in prayer. Then the two
were
back outside the Lewis place.
Hope saw them first from the window and came running to
them.
“Praise God! Papa and I were so worried. Goody
Jenkins was
by and said two men had been arrested. We prayed it was
not
you!” She hugged them both then noticed Eben’s long face
and
reddened eyes. “Dear Eben, what has happened?”
“Sarah Anderson hath confessed. It… it will make it more
difficult for the others. Anna Jacobs… she would
not. I
fear… I fear she will hang,” Eben related tearfully then
walked a
few paces off and into the field.
Hope looked to Andrew for confirmation. He nodded
gravely.
“He is unwell,” she spoke quietly to Andrew.
“Aye, he is very shaken by this.” Andrew wiped his hand
across
his eyes, not wanting to further upset the girl with the tears
that
were forming there.
Hope nodded. “I will start an apple pie. I know he
favors
it.”
Andrew gave an appreciative half-smile. “He does. I
will go
speak to him.”
Andrew walked into the field where he found Eben staring up at
the sky,
tears pouring down his face. Andrew tried again to talk
his
friend out of his unwarranted guilt. He counseled him as
they
began to work in the fields until Hope called them in to join
her and
Josiah.
Andrew again paused in his story. His throat had gone dry
in the
telling and Lady Beth and Adam went off to fetch ginger ale,
bottles of
water, and assorted other drinks. When they returned
Andrew did
not seem anxious to return to his memories. However, he
readily
answered questions from his friends.
Miss Miriam, who had been portraying one of Salem’s accusers in
the
play, was very moved by Andrew’s recollections. She
considered what light his experience might shed on Mary Warren’s
character. “Andrew, why did those people act as they
did?
Why did they accuse innocent people?”
Andrew sipped his ginger ale then slunk back against the
willow’s trunk
again. “I suppose the reasons weren’t the same every
where.
In every town. But in this case it seemed to be so coldly
calculated. That became more obvious to me as time
passed.
At first the ‘afflicted’ accused those who had little power in
the
society. Anna and Sarah were single women. Anna was,
for
that time, of advanced age and Sarah was ill. They had no
one to
defend them. The accusers used them to gain the support of
the
village. Once assured they had that… they set about
fulfilling
their plan. They accused land-owners and their wives and
children. What no one seemed to realize was that the
accused
lived on plots bordering the Harding and Small residences.”
“It was all about land. I had heard that,” Margherita
interjected.
“Mostly, I think. There were other motives, too, I’m sure
of
that. And to this day, I don’t blame those younger
children. They were pawns and victims in this, too.
Children were taught unflinching obedience to their
parents. So
when Hugh or Ezekiel or Rebecca told them to cry out someone’s
name…
they did. And most of them would struggle with guilt for a
long
time.” Andrew shook his head.
“Poor Eben…” Lady JenniAnn murmured. She couldn’t quite
believe
she found herself saying it. A little over a year ago
she’d
wished to wring his neck when he’d tried to have Andrew jailed
for
murder. “Why did Hannah see him? Did she?”
Andrew shrugged. “I was never sure. I think she
might have
based on something that happened some weeks later. I’ll
get to
that.”
“Andrew, are you okay to continue? We could pick this up
tomorrow
or some other time. I know how draining it sometimes is to
remember past assignments.” Adam looked with concern at
his
friend.
“Yes, of course. There’s no reason it all has to be told
tonight,” Lady Beth seconded.
Andrew shook his head and smiled at their concern. “I’m
okay. But I can delay the rest until another time if the
rest of
you want me to. It can’t be easy to hear.” He
surveyed the
faces of everyone else, looking for signs of distress or
exhaustion.
“I think everyone’s fine, Andrew. If you are,” Nadia spoke
gently, moved like the others that Andrew thought of their
comfort when
it was him who was dredging up unpleasant memories.
“I am, thanks. Well, a couple weeks passed. Josiah
got more
protective so our journeys into town became even more
infrequent.
Eben had grown more withdrawn and I did my best to cheer him and
to be
there for Hope. She still insisted upon visiting those in
need… She was exactly what she had been named:
hope.”
Andrew smiled in fond remembrance.
Andrew set down the hammer he’d been using to mend Josiah’s
cow’s pen
and waved to Hope who came riding towards him. She had
been off
on one of her charitable visits with Starling. Andrew had
given
her free use of the horse since he seldom needed him.
Also, he
had to admit, Starling seemed to prefer the young woman.
“Hello Hope, how is everyone?” Andrew asked once she drew near.
“As well as can be expected. There are children with out
mothers…
wives and husbands with out spouses…” Her eyes brimmed
with tears
as she related the sad state of the villagers.
“I pray this madness stops soon before…”
“Hope! Andrew!” Josiah’s call interrupted their
conversation. Andrew and Hope moved towards the man who
leaned
heavily on Eben’s arm as they came in from one of the rare
visits into
town.
“Papa!” Hope was alarmed at her father’s state.
“Do not worry, daughter. I am well but very
saddened. They
have…” his voice broke off.
“They have hung Anna Jacobs,” Eben finished gravely and bowed
his head.
The declaration was met by stunned silence. Andrew had
hoped that
the situation would not come to that. Hope, raised a happy
and
optimistic child, struggled to believe that such a thing could
happen. She whispered a prayer for the poor woman then
helped
Josiah inside. The two angels followed them in, Andrew
looking
with concern at his friend whose countenance had grown more
troubled.
The news of Anna Jacobs hit others hard, as well. Shortly
after
Josiah and Eben had returned home, Nathan Wilkens was at their
door. Nathan was the twenty-year-old only son of a widowed
mother, Constance. He was among Hope’s charges and
understandably
troubled by the news as his mother currently sat in the jail,
accused
of witchcraft. He was prevailed upon to stay for
dinner.
During the meal it became obvious to Josiah, Andrew, and Eben
that the
young man was quite taken with Hope. Watching him shyly
speak to
her, praise her meal as even Eben could not, and help her in
every way
he could manage proved a needed diversion for the three
men. Hope
pretended not to notice the knowing smiles exchanged between her
father
and two friends.
After Nathan left, having been assured of the support and
prayers of
all four inhabitants of the house, everyone set about doing the
evening
chores. When Andrew came in from a final check of the
fields, he
noticed some movement between the branches of the willow tree
that was
beside the home.
“Hope, is that you there?” he called.
“Aye, tis,” she answered.
“Are you all right then?”
“As best as I can be given it all. Only thinking to
myself,” she
answered, poking her head out from the branches.
Andrew nodded and smiled sympathetically. “Would you like
to talk
about it or no?”
“I would, I think.” Hope held some branches back for
Andrew.
“This is a calming spot,” Andrew commented, looking about.
Hope smiled. “My mother used to sit with me here and sing
and
tell stories from Ireland. She was not from here. My
father
met her during a journey to Boston once.”
“He told me of it. I can tell he loves her very much.”
“He does. I come here when I need to think because it
makes me
think of her.”
Andrew could see Hope’s eyes twinkling even in the fading light
as she
thought of her beloved mother. But then her eyes grew sad
and he
put a hand on her shoulder.
“I feel for Nathan. He is so worried that he will lose his
mother. Oh Andrew, you could never meet a more charitable
woman. I cannot see how…” She began to cry.
Andrew frowned. “It is very troubling and I pray it passes
before
any more are killed. For the sakes of the accused and
their
families. At least Nathan has a good friend in you.
It
comforts him, that much is clear. Further, your father,
Eben, and
myself cannot help but think Nathan is smitten with you,
Hope.”
Andrew looked kindly at the young woman, his own eyes twinkling
then.
Hope managed a smile. “Nathan is a very good man but I
love Papa
and would like to stay with him. I know others think it
odd to
not want to marry, especially at nineteen but… I am happy here,
Andrew. I do… care for Nathan but see no need to hasten
anything.”
“I admire and understand that, Hope. I do,” Andrew beamed
at
her. She returned his smile and then they both went back
into the
house.
As the weeks wore on Nathan became a fixture at the Lewis
homestead. It was one afternoon on his way there that he
was
spotted by Leah Harding. She was out walking with her
younger
cousins. The teenager watched him head towards the Lewis
place
and bristled. Her parents had tried to orchestrate a
marriage
between their daughter and the Wilkens heir. The Wilkens’
land bordered the Smalls’ and would have added several acres to
the
Harding-Small compound. However, Nathan had little
interest in
the vain girl nor her proud parents and the engagement never
took
place. George Harding’s pride had been stung and that was
why
Constance Wilkens now stood accused of witchcraft.
“Where is Nathan going, Leah?” Martha Paine asked.
“Looks like he is going to the Lewises’,” Hannah Small piped in.
Martha smirked. “I hear Hope Lewis has taken to comforting
the
families of the accused. No doubt Nathan among them.”
Leah’s face turned red at the insinuation. “I feel weak,
cousins. Let us make haste back to the
meetinghouse.” The
girls quickly made their ways back to the village and there
began their
performances again.
Later that evening there was a pounding at the Lewises’
door.
Josiah had not been feeling well that day and so everyone had
retired
to their rooms early. Nonetheless, Josiah got up and went
to
answer. He prayed as he made his way there, hoping it was
not
young Nathan with sad news of his mother. By the time he
was
there Hope, Andrew, and Eben were also up and stood behind him
in a
cluster.
Josiah opened the door and gasped. At the door stood the
sheriff,
an official of the court, and a couple men from the
village. The
sheriff was looking particularly haggard and as if he wished to
be any
where but there.
“Josiah, a charge has been called against Hope. She must
appear
before the court. We have come to arrest her,” he told,
not
meeting the man’s eyes. The two men behind him drew
closer.
“That is nonsense! You will not enter my home and take my
child! You go and tell the court that!” Josiah
yelled.
Behind him Andrew and Eben had stepped in front of Hope,
blocking
her.
“Sirs! One woman has all ready died and many suffer and
all for
what? Based on the evidence of some children and their
parents? Evidence you can neither see nor hear?” Andrew
questioned, hoping to appeal to their reason. “Do you not
think
it strange all the accusers are related?” he added, boldly.
“Watch yourself, doctor,” the clerk warned, his merciless glare
falling
on Andrew.
“Is that a threat, sir?” Andrew stood taller and stared back,
unflinching.
“Ignore him, get the girl,” the official ordered.
“You will not have her!” Eben roared.
Heedless, the two men shoved Josiah out of the way as he barred
the
door. All ready unwell, the man fell limply to the ground.
“Papa!” Hope cried and moved from behind Andrew and Eben and
knelt
beside her father. She kissed his forehead. “Papa…”
she
murmured. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, my child,” Josiah’s eyes filled with
tears.
Eben darted at the two henchmen while Andrew stepped towards the
sheriff but Hope stood and raised her hand. She looked
from
Andrew to Eben, moved by their attempts to defend her.
“Show God’s love,” she told them softly. “They will see
it.” Andrew’s eyes filled with tears as she echoed his
words to
her. Hope cast the two angels and her father a brave but
teary
smile and let the two men lead her outside and to the waiting
wagon.
Josiah sobbed and yelled. Andrew and Eben took a place on
either
side of him and did their best to comfort him as they heard the
sound
of the jailer’s horses’ hoof beats fading. They got him to
his
bed and then Andrew set off on Starling, who was in an agitated
state,
towards Nathan Wilken’s house. The man wept at hearing the
news
and readily returned to the Lewis place with Andrew. Once
there,
Nathan did his best to take the part of the woman he loved and
comfort
her father.
“I have all ready started an appeal to the governor for my
mother,
sir. I will do the same for Hope. Unceasingly.
Until
she is free,” Nathan vowed. “Until they all are.”
Eben stood at the window of Josiah’s room. Andrew went to
him and
placed a hand on his shoulder.
He began to speak softly to him. “Eben, don’t
grieve. Not
yet. Hope has a very powerful ally in her corner.
God. Further, she has a passionate defender in
Nathan. True
love… it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all…”
Eben shook off Andrew’s hand. “Don’t quote that to me
now.
Don’t. There is no love in that meetinghouse,
Andrew. And
that is where Hope will be.” Eben left the room then and
Andrew
saw him appear a few moments later on the ground outside.
He
wandered into the fields. Andrew considered going to him
but Eben
didn’t seem to want his company then. Seeing that Josiah
and
Nathan were planning amongst themselves, Andrew walked across
the hall
to his room. He sat on the bed, head in his hands, and
looked up.
“Father, why did you send me here? I thought it was for
Hope but
now they’ve taken her away and I’m still here! How do I
just sit
here as this town destroys itself? As they try to destroy
her,
Father!” Andrew cried out. “Please, make them see… make
them see
the truth. And until that is accomplished… use me.
Use me
to do your will, Father.”
As he finished his fervent prayer, a great peace washed over
Andrew. The room around him faded and he found himself in
a
cramped, dark, cold cell. His heart ached for the people
crammed
into the room. Men, women, and, worst of all,
children.
Some wept, some yelled, some sat in stunned silence. He
prayed
for each of them, resting a hand on their heads as he
passed. He
made his way to the back corner where he saw Hope. She
knelt in
prayer. Andrew settled beside her.
She looked at him and her eyes grew wide.
Andrew smiled softly. “Neither say nor do anything,
Hope.
The others should not see you speaking to me.” He read the
question in her eyes. “I am an angel, Hope. That is
why I
can be here unseen. And that is why you must not speak to
me. It will raise suspicion against you. God loves
you so,
Hope. And He is greatly proud of you. When all
around you
were hate and suspicion you… you showed love, Hope! When
even
myself and Eben, an angel sent to aid your father, felt anger
welling
in us… you called us to show love.” Tears filled Andrew’s
eyes as
well as Hope’s. The angel rested his hand over hers as she
bowed
her head and her tears fell. “I cannot tell what will
happen. But we all pray for you. Nathan, also.
He is
with your father now. Dear Hope, remember God is with you
through
this all. And know I will be here all this night and every
night
that you are here. Tomorrow, during your hearing, I will
resume
my human form. I will be there with your father, with
Nathan, and
with Eben. Know that we are, all four of us, there to
support
you. We love you, each in our own ways. Believe,
Hope, that
no matter what happens God’s love will carry you home.”
Andrew
smiled through his tears and wrapped his arms around the young
woman as
she grew peaceful and fell asleep.
With dawn break, Andrew parted from Hope and reappeared back in
his
room at Josiah’s. He heard noise in the kitchen and went
downstairs. There he found Eben slicing some pumpkin pie
Hope had
baked the previous day. He was turning back to the stairs
when he
saw Andrew.
“Good, you’re back. Could you please take this to Josiah
for me?”
Eben requested.
Andrew nodded and held his hand out to accept the plate.
“Of
course but where are you going?”
“I have business in town.” Eben did not meet Andrew’s
curious
gaze.
Andrew grew concerned. He worried for his friend who had
kept
silent the previous evening and now seemed to have some secret
task in
mind. “I think Josiah, your assignment, would prefer we
all go
into town together later. A show of support for Hope
during her
hearing.”
“I’ll support Hope in my own way,” Eben answered shortly.
Andrew stood up to his full height. “Hope is my assignment
and
I’d like to know what you intend…”
“To give her my name! And yours, too, if you’ll allow
it!
That is the way of it, isn’t it? Give names, you’re
safe.”
Eben’s mouth twisted into a grim smile. “Of course, we’ll
be safe
regardless thus she can have our names. They can haul us
through
hearing after hearing, a proper trial, hang us from those
gallows! They want a supernatural experience? We’ll
give em
one when our necks fail to snap as their cruel will desires!”
Andrew was horrified by Eben’s macabre suggestion. “You,
an angel
of God, intend to induce a good girl like Hope to lie?
Eben
that’s…”
“It’s a better suggestion then bidding her go about to the
accused
families! You put your assignment at risk. She sits
in that
cell because of you! And if it takes a lie to get her back
here
to Josiah…”
“At what cost, Eben?! Every name they get only encourages
their
pursuit! Your plot will undoubtedly bring us into that
cell but
who else? Josiah? Nathan? Each cry of witch
only
encourages more such accusations!” Andrew cried, hot tears
burning his
eyes.
Something of the fire in Eben’s eyes began to die. He
grabbed
Josiah’s breakfast from Andrew and with out another word tore up
the
staircase. Andrew heard him greet their host. He
breathed a
sigh of relief. Eben had been stalled at least.
Andrew
hoped and prayed it was a plot dreamed up in a moment of
weakness and
pain and that his friend would not speak of it again. But
his
words rang in Andrew’s mind and tore at his heart.
“She sits in that cell because of you!”
That morning the judges heard several accusations. Around
noon
they took an hour long break. Hope’s case was the first
heard
afterwards. The meetinghouse was filled with on-lookers,
jurymen,
court officials, the accusers, and the two men and two angels
who were
there to support Hope. When she entered there were hisses
and
angry cries from the crowd. Tears stung her eyes as she
heard the
hateful words. But above them all she heard one gentle,
soothing
voice.
“Remember God loves you and we are here, Hope,” Andrew’s voice
drifted
to her ear. Hope felt warm and comforted as her gaze fell
on her
angel, Eben, Nathan, and her father. They all looked
proudly and
lovingly at her. Heartened by this, she was able to look
directly
into the judges’ eyes as they began to question her.
“Hope Lewis, Leah Harding charges that she hath seen you with
the
Devil. That you signed his book and now align yourself
with him
and practice witchcraft against the good people of Shiloh.
Do you
follow the Devil?”
Hope stood tall. “For what reason would I follow the
Devil?
God has so richly blessed me with His love. Why would I
desire
any master but our beloved Father, sir?” Her face shown as
she
spoke and the judges seemed moved by her words.
One of the judges shuffled in his seat, ill-at-ease then.
“So you
say you have not harmed any of those here who suffer?”
Hope looked with compassion at the Hardings, Smalls, and
Paines.
“I vow I have not. I am innocent of these charges and pray
only
that they will soon be well.”
Leah Harding noted the judges being swayed by Hope’s
words. She
nudged her cousin Hannah who sat beside her. At once both
girls
began to writhe in agony. Soon the whole section
was.
“It is so cold! She makes it cold!” Leah cried. Then
her
eyes grew wide and she stared at something no one else could
see.
“No, Hope… please no Hope. Do not have your specter kill
me! You cannot want that truly!” Leah began to gag
as if
being choked.
Hannah screamed and began thrashing about. Then suddenly
the girl
swooned to the floor.
Andrew and Eben watched in horror as Henry materialized beside
the
fallen girl.
“What is going on?” Eben whispered frantically to Andrew.
Andrew shook his head, unable to answer. The din grew
quiet. Leah Harding stooped beside her cousin. She
cried
out and for once Andrew sensed no artifice in it.
“She is dead!” Leah screamed and jumped away.
Andrew and Eben looked on as Henry took the girl’s hand and
departed
with her spirit.
Rebecca Small began to weep and wail and clung to her
child. Dr.
Grady rushed forward to examine the girl. He felt for a
pulse and
heart beat. He shook his head and then nodded to the
judges.
They turned a harsh eye on Hope then. For her part, she
just
looked sadly at the small, still body and the grieving
family. It
hadn’t occurred to her to think of herself then.
Leah, red-faced and shaking, stood and pointed to Hope.
“The
witch hath killed poor Hannah! You all saw it! You
cannot
deny it!”
“No!” Josiah jumped up and yelled. “Twas your shameful
performance! You exhausted the poor child!”
The crowd roared and spit curses at Hope. Eben and Nathan
caught
Josiah before he fell back onto the bench. Andrew focused
on
Hope, willing kind words to her.
“Do you still deny you are a witch?” a judge demanded. “Do
you
deny you murdered that child who lays there now?”
Hope turned to face them. “I am a Christian and would
never kill
nor torment nor align myself with the Devil! I am
innocent!
I know not what killed poor Hannah but it was not I! It
was not!”
The judges and jury spoke briefly as Hannah’s body was carried
out and
her wretched parents followed. Their decision came rapidly
and
was decisive.
“We have declared this no longer a hearing but a trial.
Hope
Lewis, we find thee guilty of witchcraft and the supernatural
murder of
young Hannah
Small. Thou art sentenced to be hung tomorrow at dawn.”
The words hung in the air and were met with riotous cheers from
the
crowd. Hope began to faint but was caught by one of the
jailers
and dragged out of the room. Amidst the morbid jubilation,
two
angels and two men sat devastated.
As he finished telling of that harrowing day, Andrew’s facade
broke at
last. Tears rolled down Andrew’s face and he made no
attempt to
hide his pain from his friends. Some of them were crying
also. Those near him reached out to him, hoping to bestow
some
consolation. Adam, long since grown accustomed to the
emotions of
the Dyelanders, pulled packets of tissues from the pockets of
his
jacket and passed them around.
JenniAnn looked up at him as he handed her one. “This is
what I
meant,” she whispered and attempted a smile but it
faltered.
“Thank you, Adam,” Andrew’s cracked voice came as he wiped away
his
tears.
Lady Beth still sat beside him, shaking her head. “How…
what was
really wrong with Hannah?”
Andrew took a deep, steadying breath. “Josiah had guessed
right. The girl had a hole in her heart. Of course
no one
knew that then. The stress of their charade… it eventually
proved
too much for her. She died doing her parents’ horrible
will. And yet they cried out against Hope for it…
Poor,
good Hope.” Andrew bowed his head and his shoulders began
to
shake.
“Andrew… please, I think you need to rest,” Lady Beth urged him
gently
and put an arm around his shoulders.
Andrew sat up and shook his head. “It must be told!
And I’m
the only one left to tell it.”
There was the sound of approaching footsteps then. The
willow
branches parted.
“No, you’re not. I was there, Andrew. I can tell the
rest
if you’ll let me,” Henry offered, ducking inside. Adam
looked up
at him with relief. He knew Andrew would not let the story
go
unfinished but he also could see he could hardly bear to tell
it.
Andrew nodded. “Thank you, Henry.”
“You’re welcome.” He gave Andrew a kind smile then turned
to his
listeners. “I was there and heard and saw much of what
I’ll tell
you for myself. The rest I have on Highest Authority.”
The group nodded, accepting this.
“Andrew, Eben, Nathan, and Josiah had no choice but to return to
the
homestead. They supported each other as best they
could.
When nightfall came, Andrew returned to the cell. He was…
he was
everything an angel should be then,” Henry smiled proudly at his
friend
and continued.
Hope sat alone at the rear of the cell. While all the rest
were
cramped together in the small cell, she had an abundance of
room.
After word of Hannah’s death came to them, they shunned
Hope. The
few who had still spoken to her, Constance Wilkens among them,
she
urged not to. Her fate was set and in speaking to her they
only
risked their own. She was cold, tired, lonely, and
terrified. She rallied a bit when she saw Andrew
approaching
her. He was bathed in light and wearing the breeches he
had when
he’d first arrived and a shirt she’d mended for him many times
since
his arrival. Her worried countenance melted into a fond
smile and
she reached up to him. She craved a gentle touch from
someone she
loved after her day of abuse and neglect.
“Andrew!” she cried happily and hugged him when he knelt beside
her.
Andrew shook his head. “Shh…” He indicated the other
prisoners, briefly making eye contact with Henry who moved
amongst them.
Hope gave a bitter laugh. “What can they do to me now,
Andrew? Kill me a while earlier than dawn?”
Andrew bowed his head. A tear rolled down his cheek and to
the
dirt below.
Hope lifted his chin and peered into his eyes. “Please,
Andrew,
let me speak freely with you.”
Andrew nodded and returned her gaze. “Yes, of course,
Hope.”
“Thank you,” Hope answered. “How is my father? And
Nathan
and Eben?”
Andrew took in a deep breath and took her hand in his. “I
wish
you could hear them, Hope. Right now they are pleading
your case
to the court.”
“It is of no use,” Hope interjected sadly.
Andrew frowned, he could not deny it. “They need to try,
for
their own sakes. Your father speaks so proudly of
you. He
tells about how you help him around the house and the
farm. About
your joyful and considerate spirit. How you can always
cheer
him. Eben is telling them about… about your apple
pie.” He
grinned and Hope laughed quietly then she shook with a sob she
held
inside.
“Your words hurt because I know I will soon leave my father but
they
also make me feel loved. Go on, friend, please.”
Andrew listened for a moment then continued.
“Nathan…
Nathan is telling them how he wishes to marry you. That
he’s
known only sweetness and love and charity from you.”
Hope bowed her head and allowed the tears to fall then.
“Andrew,
will you carry my words to them?”
“I will, Hope. It… it would be an honor to do that for
you.”
Hope closed her eyes for a moment and thought of exactly what
words she
wanted to send them. “Tell Eben that, as long as Heaven
allows
it, I will bake him an apple pie as soon as we are both
there.
Tell him I am so grateful for the care he has shown to my
father.” Andrew nodded and she continued. “Tell
Nathan… it
is my prayer that he go on to live a happy life. And that
he
know… I loved him, too, and would have liked to have said
yes, I
would marry him.” She began to cry harder then and leaned
against
the angel. “And please, Andrew, tell my father I will
always be
his little girl and I am so very grateful for our life
together.”
Andrew was crying openly then, too. “I promise, Hope, I
will tell
them these things exactly as you have told me.”
“Please, stand by my father and Nathan and Eben tomorrow.
I see
all ready another of your friends will be with me.” Hope
looked
across the room at Henry who gave her a friendly smile.
Andrew
looked also at his fellow angel then back at Hope and
nodded.
Hope took another deep breath, steadying her voice. “I
have one
more message.”
“Tell it to me and I will deliver it,” Andrew answered, unsure
of who
else she would want to send a message to.
Hope hugged him once again then drew back to look into his
gentle
eyes. “I just want you to know your presence has been a
comfort
since you arrived, Andrew. I… I can see in your eyes that
you
feel as if you have failed me. You have not, my friend,
you have
not. I pray that you know that.”
Fresh tears brimmed in his eyes and Andrew held Hope to
him. “I
am trying…”
“Believe it, it is true,” she murmured.
“I will believe it because you have always spoken the truth,” he
responded, his voice husky with emotion.
Hope was growing weary and snuggled into his doublet. “I
am glad
then. Andrew?”
“Yes, Hope?”
“Tell me about Heaven, please.”
And so Andrew told her about all the wonder, beauty, and most of
all
love that awaited her. He poured out all that he loved
best about
his Home and his Father. As Hope listened to his soothing
voice
and assuring words, she drifted to sleep. Andrew kept
beside her
the whole night.
Hope woke to the hoot of an owl and then the ominous sound of
the cell
being unlocked. She turned to Andrew who hugged her once
more.
“Tis time. Come along,” the jailer barked and yanked Hope
up. Andrew still kept beside her.
“Do not forget, you will be Home soon. Home with your
Heavenly
Father and your mother. There is so much love awaiting
you,
Hope!” Andrew encouraged.
Hope was very calm. “Thank you,” she whispered, not
wanting to
alarm the jailer, and looked softly at Andrew. Then the
jailer
pulled her away and into a small building to await the arrival
of the
executioner and the others who needed to be on the scene for the
hanging to proceed.
Henry appeared beside Andrew then and put an arm around his
shoulders. “I heard how you comforted Hope last night,
Andrew. God couldn’t have chosen a better angel to be with
her.” He could see the anguish on Andrew’s face and tried
to
comfort him in at least a small way.
“Thank you, Henry. Could you… could you do one thing for
me?”
“I’ll try. What is it?”
“Wait here, please.” Andrew disappeared then. When
he
returned it was with Starling. Andrew brushed at tears as
he made
his request of Henry. “When you take her Home… take
Starling,
too. She loves him and… and I want her to have him with
her
then. And always.” Andrew stroked the horse’s mane
and
whispered in his ear that he would be Hope’s now. Starling
seemed
to sense the import of this moment and nuzzled Andrew then went
to
Henry.
Henry was very moved by this request and readily nodded in
agreement. He hugged his friend then led the horse away.
Andrew tried to calm himself and then walked towards the
gallows.
Soon he was joined by the sad party of Nathan, Josiah, and
Eben.
The four huddled together as the crowd grew and stood
expectantly
waiting beneath the dreary sky. Josiah wept profusely and
leaned
on Nathan who only stared ahead, his heart broken. An
angel stood
on either side of them, guarding them from the curious,
disrespectful
onlookers.
Hope was led out. Josiah cried out as if in pain when the
rope
was put around her neck. The reverend called for her last
words.
Serene, Hope looked out to the crowd. Her gaze fell on the
Hardings and Paines and Smalls. She looked at them,
especially
the children, with sadness and her voice did not waver as she
said,
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
Then she looked to her father, Nathan, Eben, and Andrew.
She said nothing to them but her eyes spoke of more love than
words
ever could. Then, last of all, she recited the Lord’s
Prayer
perfectly.
The crowd began to grow nervous. Some began to cry.
But the
end came anyway.
Andrew bowed his head and prayed. When he looked up he saw
Hope
astride Starling, with Henry also on horseback at her side,
disappearing into Eternity.
Josiah aged a decade on that day. Nathan practically
carried him
back to the house. He was put to bed, delirious with
grief.
Andrew, Eben, and Nathan hovered over him. At noon Eben
tried to
prepare lunch. When he was a long time in returning to
Josiah’s
room, Andrew went to the kitchen to check on him. He found
him
with his head on the table, staring.
Andrew immediately sat beside him and rested one hand on his
friend’s
shaking shoulder. “Eben, please speak to me. You’ve
hardly
said anything since Hope was arrested. It’s not good to
keep it
inside.”
Eben laughed darkly and sat up. “And what about any of
this is
good, Andrew?”
“Hope is safe and happy. That’s good.” Andrew’s own
face
betrayed sorrow but he clung to that fact. Hope was in
Heaven. “Eben, you can’t forget that!”
“She should be safe and happy here, Andrew. I can’t even
make a
decent porridge to feed her father!” Eben gestured to a
simmering
pot.
Andrew sighed. “I feel great sadness, too, Eben. We
all
do. Now let’s go upstairs. There are some things I
need to
tell you all. Things Hope wanted me to.”
The two angels went upstairs where Andrew revealed himself to be
an
angel. He related Hope’s last messages to them. They
cried
and spoke of her together.
Once the sun had set, Andrew and Nathan made their way back to
the
village while Eben stayed with Josiah. Nathan followed
Andrew who
knew exactly where they were headed. He had been there
before,
the night of Anna Jacobs’ hanging. Her body had been flung
in a
ditch in the woods. Andrew had went there to bury her and
now
went again with Nathan for Hope’s sake. Nathan moaned and
cried
when they found her. They gently set the body into the
cart they
had brought and took a path through the woods back to
Josiah’s.
Eben helped Josiah to come outside. He wept and prayed
over his
child then asked Andrew, Nathan, and Eben to bury her beneath
the
willow tree. They did, wanting to do whatever they could
to ease
Josiah’s pain and honor Hope. When they were finished they
stood
around the grave.
Andrew began to pray. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall
not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside
the
still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the
paths of
righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk
through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art
with
me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me…” The others
joined in
and then carefully brought Josiah back into his home. The
three
prayed unceasingly for him through that night.
Shortly after dawn Andrew looked up from his prayers. He
looked
at Josiah whose eyes were closed. His breathing was
labored. Eben got up from his chair and knelt beside his
assignment and took his hand.
“Hope…” the old man’s voice called.
Nathan began to cry and shook his head, hurt to think the man
was
calling for someone who could not answer.
“Hope!” Josiah cried again, this time his voice lighter.
“She is here,” Andrew whispered then smiled up at Hope and
Henry.
Hope set a comforting hand on Nathan’s shoulder then moved to
her
father.
“Papa,” she spoke softly and caressed his face. “It is
time. Oh Papa, it is so beautiful and Mama is there and so
many
people eager to see you!”
“Are you ready, Mr. Lewis?” Henry asked with a bright smile.
“Aye, very ready.” Then Josiah breathed his last.
Nathan
bowed his head and wept grateful tears along with Andrew.
When
they looked up, Eben was no where to be found.
Though his assignment was finished, Andrew returned to the
village a
week later. It pained him to be there with Josiah and Hope
now
gone but he wanted to check on Nathan. He went to his
house and
smiled when Constance met him at the door. Hope’s
execution had
not set well with the villagers after they had witnessed her
final
prayers. The tide turned against the accusers and those
imprisoned were set free. Andrew heard all this from
Nathan and
thanked God for it.
After he left the Wilkens, Andrew found himself walking the path
to the
Lewises’. Once there he walked through the house,
recalling all
the good times there. He made his way to the room that had
been
his and thanked the Father for the kindness and the love of
Josiah and
Hope. He exited the house and made his way to the willow
tree. He offered up a prayer of thanksgiving at Hope’s
grave for
the end of the madness and hoped it would not soon be repeated
elsewhere. Andrew was walking away from the tree and about
to
return Home when he was pushed to the ground. Stunned, he
looked
up and found himself facing Eben.
The other angel looked frightful. His clothes were ragged,
his
eyes rimmed in red, and his face gaunt.
Andrew got to his feet then held his hand out. “Eben, you
need to
go Home. It’s not good for you to stay here.”
“To think I was happy when you came here! I thought I’d
have
help. I wish you’d never come!” Eben shouted and ran at
Andrew.
Andrew braced himself and held the other angel back.
“Eben, I
don’t know what…”
“You’re the reason she was gallivanting around to people’s
homes!
You’re the reason they killed Hope!”
Andrew shook his head. “Eben, no… She was
discouraged. She wanted a way to help others. She
needed to
help others. She told me that.”
“It shouldn’t have happened! He… He shouldn’t have let it
happen!” Eben glared up at the heavens, his fists clenched.
“Oh Eben, the Father didn’t want it to but He gave humanity free
will
and… and… sometimes they do evil with it. Eben,
please come
Home with me. Hope would hate to think you were doing this
to
yourself for her sake.”
Eben shook his head and moved away from Andrew. He cast
one final
defeated look at Andrew then darted away. Andrew started
after
him. Eben’s eyes were burned into his memory. Andrew
tried
to deny what he saw there. Not even anger had flickered in
those
blue eyes in that last moment. Not pain.
Nothing.
Andrew moved to run after his friend but a strong hand kept him
in
place.
“No Andrew, where he’s chosen to go you don’t want to follow,”
Sam’s
melancholy voice sounded from behind him.
Andrew turned around, his eyes rapidly filling with tears.
“You
mean he’s… No Sam…”
“Don’t blame yourself, Andrew. Eben had chance after
chance to
reach out and accept your help. The Father tried to
comfort him
but Eben wouldn’t listen to Him, either. He’s made his
choice,
Andrew, sorry as it is,” Sam explained sympathetically.
“Don’t
let his hopelessness and confusion consume you.”
Andrew nodded tearfully and looked up to the calm, clear
sky. He
closed his eyes and said a prayer for his friend and then
returned to
Heaven with Sam.
There was silence as Henry finished speaking.
“Thank you,” Andrew leaned over and told him quietly.
Adam recovered his speech next and shook his head. “I
can’t
believe neither of you ever told me this.”
Henry shrugged. “We all have assignments we’d rather not
talk
about. But I guess it was time to make this one known.”
Adam nodded, he well understood that.
“What happened to everyone?” Bunny asked Andrew. “I mean,
if you
can tell us.”
Andrew had slumped further against the tree as Henry had
finished
telling Hope’s story but he sat up. “The accusers had a
hard time
of it after that. They were forced out of the village once
everyone realized what their intent had been. The adults
lived
out the rest of the lives in bitterness and shame. The
children,
thankfully, realized after some time that they had been used as
pawns
and made peace with themselves. Which was good because it
was
what Hope and Anna wanted. Another of Hope’s prayers came
true
also. Nathan did go on to have a happy life. He
mourned her
for over two years, eventually leaving the town to escape the
painful
memories, taking his mother with him. He met a thoughtful
young
woman, Elizabeth, in the town they settled in. They
married and
had several children. The first was a girl whom they named
Hope.”
“And Eben? Why…” JenniAnn’s voice left off.
Andrew sighed. “With Hope’s arrest he lost his faith in me
as a
friend,” Andrew sensed JenniAnn was about to object but he
continued. “I know it wasn’t my fault. I promised
Hope I
would try not to think that and, with time, I no longer
did. But
when she was killed, Eben lost his faith in humanity. It
wasn’t
much time after that he lost his trust in their Creator.
In his
Creator. And in that state… he saw no other choice but to
fall
away.”
“I’m sorry, Andrew,” Lady Beth patted his arm.
“Thanks. So that’s why I acted the way I did when I saw
your
set. It just… it brought a lot back.” Andrew smiled
sadly
at each of them.
Miss Miriam responded with a sympathetic smile. “We could
always
choose a different play. Something light, perhaps!”
Andrew adamantly shook his head. “No, even though the play
isn’t
historically accurate it still speaks to the issues the witch
trials
involved. And those are important issues that everyone
needs to
know about. Questions that everyone needs to ask.
And now
that I’ve finally spoken of this I hope I can watch your
play.
Thank you, all of you, for listening.”
JenniAnn moved to hug him. “No, thank you for telling
us.
Not only am I glad that now, in some way, I know Hope and Josiah
and
Nathan but… it made me appreciate more my friends and my family
and my
friends who are like family.” She looked over her shoulder
at
Adam who smiled back.
“And it made me realize not to take the time we have for
granted.
To not put things off because you never know how long you have
with
someone you love.” Nadia cast a meaningful look at Danny
who took
her hand in his.
Lady Beth added, “It’s also made me see how wonderful it is that
we
have each other to talk to about things that trouble us.”
The
crowd nodded in agreement and smiled at each other.
It was nearly midnight then and everyone had grown weary.
Though
sorry to part, the group eventually dispersed, several people
stopping
to hug the angels of death for whom they now felt an even
greater
appreciation. Adam, Andrew, and Henry lingered beneath the
willow
tree a while longer, keeping silent company as they each
remembered
assignments that had touched them. But eventually they,
too, said
their good byes. Adam headed Home, Henry to an assignment,
and
Andrew back to his Dyeland residence, Serendipity. He took
off
his jacket and flung it on a chair then plopped down onto his
couch. His dog, Lulu, leapt up beside him and curled up on
his
chest. Andrew smiled and pet the dog’s head then closed
his eyes
and thought about those happy evenings amongst Josiah, Hope, and
Eben. Suddenly Andrew began to wonder if at some point in
the
emotional telling of the story his wits had left him. He
could
swear he could smell Hope’s apple pie. Andrew sat up and
followed
the scent. He stared in amazement at the apple pie that
sat on
his kitchen table. Beside it was a note.
“Just for you, my friend. Of course… if you’re inclined to
share…
a certain equine friend and myself are waiting beneath your
willow
tree. With love, Hope.”
Andrew grinned from ear to ear, grabbed the pie, coaxed Lulu off
the
couch, and returned back to the willow tree. Sure enough,
beneath
its swaying branches stood Hope with Starling beside her.
The
young woman was dressed in jeans and a sweater, a style she
found she
enjoyed. She hugged Andrew and stooped to pet Lulu.
Then
Hope gave her attention back to Andrew.
“Thank you for telling our story. Yours, mine, Papa’s,
Eben’s… I wish he were here.” She frowned but then
again
hugged her remaining friend.
“Maybe some day he’ll be back with us. There’s always
hope,”
Andrew encouraged.
“Yes, always hope.” Hope smiled then the two dug into the
pie,
sharing with both Lulu and Starling.
Andrew offered up a prayer of thanksgiving to his Father for
that
wondrous moment. A moment later, he and Hope smiled at
each other
when they heard a dove coo then fly from the willow’s branches
up to
the starry sky.
Credits:
~The lines from The
Crucible were
taken from this edition: Miller, Arthur. The
Crucible. New
York: Penguin Books, 1981.
~All Bible passages are from the King James version of the
Bible at BibleGateway.com.
~Adam, Andrew, Henry, Sam, and Tess are owned by Martha
Williamson,
Moonwater Productions, and the various people that brought
you Touched by an Angel.
~The
Dyelanders are owned by their various creators (Miriam, Liz,
Jess, and
myself).
~Eben is my own creation as is everyone from
Shiloh.
~Special thanks to Liz for proofreading this and for her
much-appreciated feedback.
~I will be working on Jenni’s
Comments
on “For Thou Art With Me”. I didn't have time to
finish it but you can see what I have all ready written
there. I
explain some of the decisions I made in writing this story
and list all
the stuff I watched/ read/ skimmed for research.
~If you have any questions or comments, please
let me know.
I do allude to some past events (i.e. Andrew's murder trial)
that may
not make sense to newer readers of JABB. You might
also want to
check out the JABB
Encyclopedia for clarification.
Thank you and God bless,
Jenni
JABB
195
JABB
TOC
(Photo Credits: The dove photograph used on this
page is from
"Touched by an Angel" and owned by CBS Productions,
Caroline
Productions, and Moon Water Productions. It is not
being used to
seek profit. The willow photograph was taken by
Jenni.)