Editor’s Note: This is an ongoing series which runs each Thursday morning titled the Richland Chronicles Volume VI, by author Paul Lintern. It is set in the 1860s and tells the story of Richland County through the eyes of young people. This is the sixth in a series. The books are available from Lintern for $25 a set, tax and shipping included. Each book is about 120 pages written for intermediate readers (4th grade) with local illustrations. Volume I is Amelia Changes Her Tune. Volume II is Isaac and Wolf Paw Find Their Home. Volume III is Autumn Keeps Her Secret. Volume IV is Mr. Gamble Starts a School. Volume V is Jacob Blows his Horn.
June 27, 1863
Dear Martin;
I hope you are enjoying your visit with your grandparents. I am sure they like to have you with them, and I imagine you are glad to have them all to yourself.
My mother and I have arrived safely in Boston, after very enjoyable stops in Philly (that’s what the locals call it) and New York.
Mother wanted me to see the Liberty Bell, on display at Independence Hall. To imagine that room where John Adams and Benjamin Franklin debated in the Continental Congress and to imagine John Hancock signing the Declaration of Independence and all the other colonies lining up to form the United States was quite a thrill.
My mother reminded me that just because they had written and signed the declaration did not make it real. It still had to be won from the British. The people we are staying with actually owned the ships that were attacked in the Boston Tea Party, but they supported independence.
My mother also says it is the same principle in this war of southern rebellion. We can declare the states united, but we must fight to keep it so. She says the high price just proves the high value of remaining the United States.
Philadelphia is a big city, with tall ships and battleships and tall buildings, five or six stories high, and big churches and many, many people.
But even bigger is New York. We stopped in Grand Central Station and changed trains, but not before we got to spend the night there, too. We walked to the Hudson River and saw so many more ships, loading and unloading cargo for trains to take away.
It’s as though all of Europe is on those ships, bringing special things our way, and this while the Navy protects our waters. Our ride to Boston was rather quick, much faster than going from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. In Boston harbor, Mother showed me Bunker Hill and pointed out where the tea party would have taken place.
She had us ride to the Old North Church where Paul Revere began his run. (Did you have to learn the Longfellow poem about that?) My Grandfather’s parents were in Boston when that happened.
Enclosed you will find my collection of rhymes from the stations after you got off. I hope you enjoy them.
Boston is exciting. The stores have such a variety of dresses and notions and Mother has promised to help me shop for a new best dress and some clothes for school next year.
Also, I love oysters, but cannot get them in Ohio. My Aunt Amelia (she is not really my aunt, but my Mother’s good friend) was very excited to see us. She has two daughters that are married and a brand new granddaughter, so we are having a grand ladies’ party. Their husbands are all in the service.
I hope your visit is fun and exciting. I know it is hot in Pennsylvania in July, just like Ohio and Boston, but maybe it will not be intolerable.
Please notice that I put my Ohio address on the envelope. I will be home about July 7. I hope you will write.
Sincerely, Cassandra Zimmerman
I wonder if he will write.
She sealed the envelope with a drip of Aunt Amelia’s candle wax, and a stamp with an “F” on it for Fitzpatrick, Aunt Amelia’s last name.
Her days in Boston were exciting. Aunt Amelia always treated her special. The daughters, Abigail and Athena, were able to give her much attention, and Cassie was able to give her attention to Abigail’s cute little baby, Hannah.
There was always someone to talk with her, or show her something or explain something.
“Hold Hannah firmly but rock her gently. It will keep her stomach from being uncomfortable.”
Wow, this is a little person. How do we ever make it?
“I can’t believe how much she has grown in only a couple of months,” Abigail was saying.
Grown, you mean she was smaller than this?
“I think Cassie and Jacob were much smaller at this point,” Mama said. “Having twins seemed like a double blessing, but it wasn’t always.”
Probably because of Jacob.
“Jacob was the content one. Cassie would fuss and fuss and fuss. About the time I would finally lie down, she would pipe up.”
But I got better.
“She did get better,” Mama smiled. “Which is good or one of us wouldn’t be here!”
Everyone laughed. Cassie managed a weak smile.
“I am so impressed by how grown up you are, Cassie,” Aunt Amelia said.
Are you listening, Mama?
“You handle yourself very politely and gracefully. Your elocution is excellent and your conversation is very mature. And I enjoy watching you with Hannah.”
Huzzah, somebody notices.
“You will make a wonderful wife and mother someday.”
Wait a moment.
“Do you have someone in mind, Mother?” Athena asked.
“Not today, but just say the word Autumn, and I will have them lined up at her door.”
“I’ll let you know, Amelia,” Mama said.
“And I’ll let you know, Mama,” Cassie said.
Everyone laughed.
