Welcome To The New World
Jamie started to improve but he was still pale and a bit weak when the ship docked. They were all allowed to bathe in fresh water with soap, and wash their clothing, and then they were taken to a building where the captain had a talk with them about being on their best behaviour if no one paid their ticket they would be sent south or to the road gang. Neither was a good life.
Then they were lined up against the wall as people walked past and looked at them, Jamie felt like he was an animal being sold off to the highest bidder.
Others posed and acted as if this was all in a days work to them they were used to being chatteral. Jamie tried to not think about what would happen if not chosen. Before the captains talk in the hold one of the men had told them about what a sailor had told him about road gangs and being sent to to south.
Lewis was the first to be chosen, by a woman, who someone identified as the Widow Landers. There was a bit of chortling about that from both sides the servants and the masters. Jamie and Billy glanced at each other and shrugged not understanding the humorin it.
"The lady wants more than a man servant evidently and Lewis is not the right man for the job, lets just say Lewis's gate swings the opposite way," Carl whispered to Billy but Jamie caught it, and didn't comprehend, but Carl was always talking in riddles.
"Look at that old man," someone said.
"I wouldn't want to work for the elderly, they are always the hardest masters the sailor said try to get families." Another said.
Billy and Jamie didn't hear this they were listening to Carl.
"Do any of these lads read and write?" the old man asked the captain.
The captain looked over at the men, only two were left were well enough dressed to have any kind of education.
"Jamie can sir," Billy said smiling and pushing Jamie slightly forward.
"Hmm he looks a might puny and sickly," the old man said.
One of the other men laughed slightly, poor old Jamie would be worked to death before he did his time.
Many of the men were interviewed by others that wished to purchase their ticket.
The captain was pleased this would be a profitable run.
"I am not a bad man, I was stealing only to feed my sick child," David pleaded.
Jamie felt sorry for him, but he was not going to beg. He would rather die, plus without Octavia in his life what hope was there.
The old man, who introduced himself as Chester Dawson, seemed to be nice enough.
"Now young man, you can read and write, tell me then what does A look like a wagon wheel, a box or a wedge of cheese?" Chester asked.
"I guess a bit like a slice of cheese from a wheel," Jamie said wondering if this man could read and write.
"You see my eyes aren't any good for much, not blind but reading and fine work, just is not feasable any longer, I need a good lad for my inn and pub, you see I am a land lord," Chester explained.
"I see," Jamie said, thinking it sounded good.
"You are kind of small to be toting about big barrels of ale and the like, but see if you can read this to me, the last lad I hired couldn't read jack squat," the old man chuckled.
Jamie took the paper and read it out loud it was a handwritten order for spirits and ale.
"Aye, good, that will do, that will do." the old man said looking very pleased.
"I just have one question, what did you do to wind up in such dire striates?" Chester asked.
"Rode a horse that was stolen, but I could not prove, that I didn't steal it," Jamie answered truthfully.
"I will take him where do I pay," Chester laughed, pointing at the young man.
"Thank you sir, allow me to gather my things," Jamie said, wondering if that would be all he would read and if he would hurt himself totting about barrels of ale. Right now all that mattered was he was off that ship.
There was a long ride to the small town of Amberly,on the way the old man told Jamie about his love of books, and how he got a new novel from England about once a month from a dear old friend there.
Jamie told Chester most of his belongings were books, and he would be glad to share if they weren't what Chester already possessed.
"So did you steal that horse?" Chester asked.
"No sir, a friend bought it, had no idea it was stolen, but I was the one caught with it," Jamie sighed, thinking of Octavia, and how things might have been different if George had been the one caught.
"I see, and do you know the young man that the widow Landers bought the papers on?" Chester asked, "Is he a bad man?"
"Lewis is a good man, he would never harm anyone, he is a theif though, but he regrets his actions, so she is safe," Jamie said, hoping Lewis had learned his lesson.
"Good because the Landers farm is just outside of Amberly." Chester said.
They arrived home to the Inn and met Maggie Dawson.
"Oh you poor lad, you look half starved I will get you some good stew, and some pudding," she cried seeing Jamie, "I didn't know Chester was bringing home a child."
"Oh that woman," Chester said, thinking Maggie would spoil the lad.
"Please my lady don't trouble yourself," Jamie said but his stomach growled and he couldn't remember the last time he ate.
"What a gentleman he is," Maggie laughed.
"Nonsense boy you need food you are a bit puny," Chester laughed.
"After Jamie ate, thinking it was good food, but not as delicious as what Jack could fix, he was told to go on up to bed. Get some rest.
Jamie thought they were very kind people and he would work his hardest to keep them happy with his work.
He was tired and it would feel good to sleep in a real bed again. The room they had given him was not bad at all.
"Well mother what do you think of the boy?" Chester asked.
"He needs fed up and looked after, he is so young," Maggie said, she had always wanted a child but they had never been blessed.
"Now don't you go spoiling him." Chester warned.
"I am fond of him, he has such nice manners, I am sure all the local girls will be smitten with him," Maggie giggled.
Jamie worked hard serving meals and drinks. Trying to look pleasant and do a good job for his new master.
Many times business was slow or on Sundays when the public house was only open to the ones who rented rooms at the Inn. Jamie would read from the books that Chester owned.
Chester wanted very much to befriend the young man, who seemed so aloof and sad some how, he wondered what kind of a family would allow their well educated son to be transported and felt bad for the lad.
Jamie was an excellent reader, almost made Chester feel as if he was living the stories.
"James, that was beautiful," Maggie said smiling, "You have a gift with your reading.
"Thank you, Madame Dawson," Jamie said humbly.
"I have to go check on that pie, I bet you would like some, boys like pie," Maggie said.
Then cackled like a hen when Jamie gave her a rare smile.
She was a dear woman, Jamie thought, she reminded him of his mother.
Months passed quicker then Jamie would have thought they could have.
Two strangers came to town Lord Bontine and his son Nelson, they had came to because Nelson was to marry Clarise Amberly, the lord mayors daughter. He was a bit younger then Jamie but he and Nelson seemed to hit it off instantly.
Jamie liked the quiet well spoken young man.
He had seen Clarise Amberly from a distance when he had went to fetch the post, another lad had pointed her out she was nice to look at. If you liked slender blonds that twittered like a bird.
Friday and Saturday nights were usually so busy Jamie seldom had time to think of Octavia or the way Nelson stared out the window in quiet desperation when he thought no one was looking.
Often Lewis would stop by, to drink and play draughts the the other men. Many would tease him about the widow Landers, but he seemed to take no offense of this and told Jamie he was indeed a lucky man.
He commented that Jamie was looking pretty good and the should go to a dance some time and see if there was a woman for Jamie. Jamie shrugged it off.
Lewis told him that he would talk to Chester and see about allowing Jamie to attend a party that widow Landers was throwing.
Usually on Sundays and some afternoon Milton and his father Lord Bontine would invite Jamie to sit down to their luncheon.
Lord Bontine knew that Jamie was not some ordinary horse thief. He knew a lot about English society despite being French on his fathers side.
Jamie knew the kind of man his Lordship was and he wanted the best for Nelson. The Amberly family were wealthy, but they wanted a son in law with some kind of title from a better family. They were willing to pay a handsome dowery.
Jamie wished the food was better here. Mrs. Dawson was a dear woman who could make lovely pies and puddings, but the fare for meals was less then what Jamie would liked to have served.
Although Nelson said it was better then average for an Inn.
One day Jamie was getting ready for the patrons to come in after work, when Nelson came in.
"I need to talk to you, have you ever been in love?" Nelson asked.
"Yes, I still am . . . Octavia, but it is not meant to be," Jamie sighed.
"You can't afford the dowery?" Nelson asked.
"It's complicated, but do go on Nelson," Jamie incouraged thinking he could not talk about her now.
"Well you see, I am in love, with this girl back home in Philadelphia, her name is Patience, she is a milners daughter, she is the finest of women, but my father thinks she is beneath us," Nelson said, "But it is she that holds my heart . . . not Clarise."
Jamie nodded, he could see Nelson's grief, and understood it at once, they were kindrid spirits in a way. Both pining for a woman they could not have.
"What would you do Jamie? If you were in my boots?" Nelson asked.
"Does Patience feel the same about you?" Jamie asked.
"Yes she loves me deeply, she has written me and wishes that we could be together," Nelson said.
"Then what are you doing here, go to her, and take her from Philidelphia and go elsewhere this is a huge country," Jamie said wide eyed.
"I long to do that, but it would break my fathers heart, the Bible says obey thy father," Nelson said almost in tears.
"I don't think it meant that you should sacrifice your happiness to do his bidding, I think it means, if your father tells a child it is bed time you should obey, but you are no longer a child," Jamie said softly.
"Perhaps you are right," Nelson said then smiled, "Have a good life and say nothing if you do not see me again."
Jamie watched after him. Wondering if it had been the right thing to do.
The next day Chester and Jamie went to the city to pick up spirits for the pub as well as some other things the Amberly Mercantile did not carry.
The Wedding
Part 2
"There is to be a wedding and we are invited, you as well Jamie," Maggie told them after they unloaded the wagon.
"Nelson Bontine?" Jamie asked.
"Oh no the Bontine's have left, seems Clarise and Nelson had a bit of a tiff and that wedding is off. But your friend Lewis is marrying the widow Landers, the town is a buzz with gossip, she had immancipated him three months ago, but they have only know each other six months," Maggie prattled.
Six months, Jamie thought, he had been in Amberly for that long, the time seemed longer some how.
In his room in his book of poems he found a note from Nelson.
Dear Jamie,
I decided to talk to Clarise about Patience, Clarise is a good person despite her giggles and such. She too felt that she wanted to marry another, Seth Martin. But she did not want to hurt me or her family, so we decided the best we could do was have a falling out. She is a dear girl and I wish her luck.
I wish you luck as well in finding your way back to Octavia. I had a dream about the two of you and myself and Patience do not give up hope.
Nelson, your friend forever.
The next day they went out to the Landers estate for the wedding, Jamie thought it looked like a good place. Mrs. Landers, soon to be Mrs. Lewis Weatherby, had a son about 10.
It was a beautiful day and Jamie decided to try and enjoy it.
Lewis looked resplendant in a beautiful blue brocade suit, and Astrid Landers looked beautiful as well, Jamie thought they made a handsome couple, both tall and regal in their way.
They looked as if they were made for each other.
"Reminds me of my wedding day," Chester chuckled, as the man of the cloth said his words over the couple.
Jamie was surprised how few people had turned out, the widows sister's family, the Dawsons, Jamie, and an elderly squire.
If Astrids family the Swensens had not been so powerful, she would have been shunned for marrying a servant. But power and privilage had its rewards.
They kissed and Chester grinned and slapped his hands together, "Now that is a kiss.
Jamie was happy for his friend at the same time heart sick with thoughts of Octavia.
"Don't look so glum young man, you will marry. Marrying is the natural state of man, with out a good women, a man is ignorant and will run amok and get hisself into all kinds of trouble, and mayhap even kilt," Chester said, thinking of what Lewis had said about Jamie going to dances and Jamie begging off saying he was tired.
"There can only be one woman for me,and she is far away," Jamie said softly.
Maybe Chester didn't see so well but he had sharp ears, and a good observation for human kind suffering, that had came through his five decades working in the inn.
The day was quiet being late spring most farmers were too busy planting to come in and have a pint. So Chester closed early and wanted to retire to the little sitting room for a reading.
Jamie thought the only time he was truly the least bit happy was when he was lost in a book.
"You know Jamie, I was in love with Agatha Timberlane, she was a beautiful redhead, full of pepper. Her daughter Astrid Landers is the spitting image of her mother. That is why I am so fond of her." Chester explained.
"Was she at the wedding today?" Jamie asked.
"No. But I thought if I couldn't have Agatha, I would have no one," Chester went on.
"That's how I feel about Octavia," Jamie sighed.
"Well now son, I will tell you she liked me very much as well, and I thought we would be wed, but then Oly Swensen came to town, tall and handsome and deep of pocket, started a lumber mill outside of town. Here I was the son of an landlord, no pocket to speak of," Chester sighed.
Jamie could and did sympathize.
"So she married Oly and I was left to pine, and to say never would I give my heart, and then my cousin took me to a barn raising. The farmer's daughter Maggie was a peach. It took time but she won my heart. She would not rest until she and I went together to the harvest ball. That night I was once again smitten." Chester said.
"Maggie is a wonderful woman," Jamie agreed.
"Yes and some day you will find the woman that will make you not forget Octavia, no one can do that, but one who will make you not remember the pain of that lost love, she will love you, and you she, it is the way of the world my boy. We can't always get what we want, but if we try real hard, sometimes we are given what we need. And a man needs a woman, law of God and nature my boy." Chester said.
Jamie nodded but he was not convinced, he could never love another.