Charleston 1860 Julia and Chloe walked past the centuries old camellias in bloom, withered slightly from the evenings frost the night before. The Summerton plantation was known for its centuries old landscaped gardens, the pride and joy of Julias mother. She made it a priority to keep the gardens maintained out of love for her mother, it was the only thing that made her feel close to her after her passing. Her mother was young and vibrant, caring and tending to the needs of her fathers plantation. She was the mistress of the mansion and she played her part very well. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness, could well have been written of her. She made a pretty picture in her quaint gown carrying a basket of keys on her arms. Julia missed her mother, and the child that clung to her day dress as she went in and out of the slaves cabins, carrying medicines to the little ones. She remembered another little girl as well, clinging to her own mothers dress as she worked on the spinning and weaving of cloth. Seamstresses worked year round, clothing the slaves and making blankets. Everything was done on the plantation. They were self sufficient back then, and now. She credited her mother for the plantations success in those days...now it was up to her. She wondered if Chloe thought about her own mother when they tended to the needs of the slaves. It was when Chloes mother passed away from diphtheria that she was brought to the main house. Julias mother thought that she would make the perfect companion for her. And she was right. Theirs was a tender attachment, one of love and loyalty, each equal to the other in Julias mind. Equal? Julia sighed... it was through Chloe that life lessons were learned on the field of bondage. It was through her, that her love for her companions people grew. It was through her beloved friend, that she learned that they were her brothers and sisters, in her heart and in the eyes of God. Equals? Hardly...Chloe was far more precious to her. Excerpt from Dancing on Fields of Sorrow and Blessing By PMullins Elson
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 13:11:44 +0000
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