LITMIR.BIZ

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troops and then reached with the weakest handshake John could ever remember. Thinking back to his father words, “A hardy handshake reveals a man’s inner strength,” John became suspicious.

      But John cordially shook his hand and replied, “I remember seeing you at the meeting.”

      Putting down a glass of whiskey and not waiting for Frank’s introduction, a well-dressed man walked toward John and handed him a full glass of whiskey. “I’m Jasper Sikes from Jackson and to answer that blank expression on your face, you might say I’m the head of the Democratic Party here in Miss’sippi. And young man I’ve been anxious to meet you.”

      Stunned, John took the glass and reached out to clasp his hand. “Sir, I don’t know what you’ve heard and I surely don’t even know why I’m here tonight. This isn’t my normal kind of party. I think we could use more female companions.”

      With that, the group began to laugh, and even the solemn man with the scar smiled.

      “Yes sir, Frank,” Sikes laughed. “The man don’t even know why we wanted to meet him. Mister Wilson, you do have a sense of humor, and I guess you can say, you might have wandered into your own destiny tonight. By the way, this here is Herschel Pierce. Ain’t he one ugly son-of-a-bitch.”

      Herschel, rubbing his short scraggly beard, made no effort to shake John’s hand. He just stood there with a face as cold as steel and glared straight at him.

      Finally he said, “I could see you staring at me when you come in. The scar got yore attention, didn’t it. Ugly ain’t it. You know what caused it?”

      John pushed his hair back revealing a large scar across the side of his head and replied, “Same place I got this one. Some blue bellied Yankee cut you?”

      The man nodded and a slight smile came across his face. “You’ll do, Mister Wilson. You’ll do just fine. I rode with Forrest and up there at Brice’s Cross Roads when we was trying to hack our way through them bastards, one of ‘em took a chunk out of me with his saber. But I’ll tell you this, he paid one hell of a price for it. I cut him from one end to the other and when he fell from that hoss, his guts was hanging from his saddle horn.”

      “Excuse me,” Suzanne said, sickened by what Pierce had described so vividly. “I think I’ll leave you gentlemen and see if I can be of help with the meal. You men do have a seat. I know you have much to talk over, and it will be a few minutes before dinner is served.”

      As Suzanne left the room and the men made way to their seats, John excused himself and followed her down the hall. Grabbing her arm, he pulled her to the side and whispered, “What’s going on here tonight? What am I doing here?”

      Suzanne quietly placed her index finger to her lips and said, “This is all about politics and those men are interested in you. You go on back in there and things will take care of themselves.”

      John shook his head and replied, “I don’t like surprises and I don’t especially care for politics.”

      Suzanne pointed to the parlor. “John, your future could be in there. Now you go on and we’ll have dinner ready soon.”

      For the next half hour, all the attention was on John as Professor Hendon related to the group what John had accomplished under his supervision in school and how John’s family was one of the first to move into the area. He stated that through the years, the Wilsons had been the foundation and strength of the community and those in need depended on John’s family for help. The Professor stated that when the war began, John was too young to enlist, but as soon as he became of age, he was there.

      While the professor was speaking, all eyes were focused on John. Frank, who had been John’s closest friend as a youth, listened to every word spoken but said nothing.

      Growing up, John took up for Frank and on several occasions intervened on his behalf in fights that Frank had started and had no chance of winning. John’s intervention had protected Frank.

      In contrast, Frank’s attitude was that an Olliver could do no wrong and Olliver money could buy anyone out of anything. In fact, it was Olliver money that kept Frank out of the army when Frank and his friends enlisted.

      Frank’s jealousy of John kept him from speaking on John’s behalf. He just sat there sipping on his drink and thinking, If it hadn’t been for the war, it could be me sitting over there. My ideas are just as good as the next, and I’ve got all the time in the world to serve my state. I know good and well that John’s folks can’t run their place without him and with my money, things could get done quick. Damn his sorry soul, it should have been me sitting there.

      As the professor was ending his talk, a Negro maid came to the doorway and announced, “Gentlemen, if you will please follow me, the table is ready.”

      Entering the dining area, the men were met by Suzanne and Mrs. Olliver who directed them to their seats. Even though Mrs. Olliver was well into her fifties, she was still a very attractive woman. Like Suzanne, she had piercing brown eyes and dark black hair that was streaked with gray and tucked in a tight bun behind her head. The years had been good to her.

      When they were all seated, Mrs. Olliver smiled and said, “Gentlemen, it is a pleasure to have you in our home tonight. I know you have pressing business to take care of and I’m sure you will make the best of the evening. You may not know, but I was reared south of New Orleans in what some would say, Cajun country. So this evening we have prepared for you a special Creole dinner, and since the food is seasoned fairly well, there is plenty of water and other liquids available. I truly hope you enjoy the meal.”

      John was seated between Suzanne and her mother and during the dinner most of the conversation was directed toward him. John continuously answered questions about his family, their attitudes about politics, his experiences during the war and even his religious feelings. As time passed John became tired of the questioning and realized that for some unknown reason, this group was interrogating him. Frustrated, John wished there was some excuse he could give to leave. But the meal was soon over and after thanking Mrs. Olliver for a delicious dinner, the men returned to the front parlor where coffee would be served. Before John joined them, Suzanne whispered, “It might be late when you all finish. You can stay over, if you wish. I want to talk with you.”

      Looking down at her, he whispered back, “What have you got me into?”

      Suzanne gently squeezed his hand and smiled up at him. “John, I have a feeling that it’s about time for you to know why they’re here and why they have been asking you so many questions.”

      John shook his head and muttered, “I don’t know what they want from me and I really don’t care. I think I’ve had my evening and it’s been most uncomfortable, so if you will, I’ll be excused now.”

      Suzanne stood speechless as John went to collect his hat and wrap. At that moment, Professor Hendon came out of the parlor.

      Suzanne quickly took John by the hand while the Professor placed his arm around John’s shoulder and led him into the library.

      “John,” Hendon said, “I can see that you are frustrated over the evening and perhaps we didn’t conduct ourselves as we should have, but these men are interested in you. Let’s just have a seat for a moment.”

      John eased down in a chair across from Suzanne and the professor and stared into the face of the man that had taught him practically everything he knew. Hendon had come to Little Rock when John was in the second grade and had served as his teacher and friend. John saw nothing but honesty and a love that years had bonded. Many times Hendon had come to their home to visit with the family or to check on one of them when things weren’t going well. If there was anyone John could trust, it had to be the professor. “I don’t know what’s going on here tonight,” John said, “but you and I are going in there so I can speak my mind. And if I don’t get some quick answers, I will be leaving.”

      The professor nodded and got out of his chair. “I do think it’s time. Suzanne, will you excuse us?”

      Suzanne reached over

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