Chapter Text
I'm not sure what drew me to watch the procession. They fled with such vigor from a barely rising yet still unseen sun to nip at various long shadows further down the lane, only to fade from sight as they entered another bit of mist. Other than the clomp of hooves and the Gulls' Call of their bells, some quoted as being 10 pounds and more of Cold Iron, or Brass, you felt them more than heard them. Though, `they` being the horses and carriages, mounts and riders, the odd hound, and those bells, all off to battle a conflagration. With what the stars told me last night...
Though it was more apt one was to feel the chill of that morning, and know that Death's Handmaiden would be upon their wake before either a Surgeon or Priest could discharge their duties.
A different note keens over the morning air. From the Shipyards...
Ah, I remember now. So, so very long ago, indeed.
We were a stones' throw from the river, and far closer to the docks, than I am now.
A young, almost gentle breeze of a girl beseeched one and all of her gaggle of friends, scattered about the Pavilion, to come closer and acquaint themselves with Her Man, who I saw as a strapping but ungainly fellow easily a head taller than the next in height, so very resplendent in a Midshipman's colours.
Barely had he drawn breath as nigh on a dozen pixie creatures descended upon the pair, all atwitter, as she stood to his side and announced a pledge. Between her father and that of Francis Solomon Justin Klein, of the State House of Illinois, for his nephew, Jackson Ulysses Porter, Midshipman in his 3rd form of the Naval Academy, to accept a petition of courtship be addressed from him, the Midshipman, to Abigail Marie Stone. With said father's blessing.
`I Agreed`
Such a noise those ladies presented drove birds away-
-before certain bell-claps rent the air on that steamy day in late May.
Mind you, the lad had yet to tender any proper speech, til those notes.
"Good Ladies, please. I shall have SILENCE!" he barked so very well. And he got it...
"Abby, my sweet, I must take my leave. I'll send word this evening. Good Day and Fair Winds, Ladies."
And with that he dashed off as only the very young can. That was 3.. no, nearly 40 years prior. I had been in the employ of the Pictmanns as a Governess, and useful as a chaperone. Early on, like so many others, over a year or 2 would find me moving slowly down the coast, performing on many a stage; Stable, Hearth, orchard, back alley, workshop, apothecary or a handful of another. Other times...
For a fair span of years I was secure in my place in the world, simply known for simple means. Then, events moves me along, and time, being what it is, I can just as easily choose to march up country, up river, or with how I had conspired, up out of the throes of this wretched, common existence.
I believe the last fork in my road now shall turn me towards either Concord or to Rochester, but to travel north with it near winter I'm almost of a mind to take the herbs that would appear to leave me addled of wit. Some fine Christians will find me, signs will augur blessings upon their house were they to offer Charity, and I can repose til the thaw.