Destination Hope - Book 5 - Reconciliation - Chapter 29

The key theme of this story is Liberty is God’s gift. But true liberty can only be found in a life surrendered and submitted to Jesus. He teaches us to balance liberty with responsibility.

For new readers to this story, I linked Chapter 1. Chapters 2 - 4 are linked under September, 5 - 10 under October, 11 - 18 under November, 19 - 27 under December, and 28 under January 2019.

Destination Hope – Book 5 – Reconciliation

A Novel By:

Charles J. Patricoff

Copyright © 2014 by Charles J. Patricoff. All rights reserved.

Chapter 29

Released

The outpouring of support would have rushed over Eleanor like a tsunami if not for the aid and comfort provided by her newfound friends. Donations came from all points of the compass, and they took a wide variety of shapes and sizes, vegetable, mineral, and animal. Eleanor and the “Glory Barn”leaders remained in a steady state of awestruck shock and amazement, because most came from total strangers, who happened to hear about the confessed raid.

Nathaniel remained in jail. However, his attorney, T. J. Eubanks, seemed all but certain his release proved imminent. Eubanks’ investigation turned up evidence that Boyd had made several trips to Pulaski, Tennessee, ran into the bloviating drunk Casey “Wild-hair” Granbury, who confessed to participating in the raid. It became obvious. Boyd and the mean-spirited Granbury drank and engaged in several poker games. The facts showed that Boyd ran up quite the tally.”

The rumors had it that the former Confederate trooper, Granbury, who led the slaughter of Negro Federal Soldiers trying to surrender at the Battle of Fort Pillow, came to collect. Some speculated that he tracked Boyd to the new church. Everyone assumed Boyd had attempted to hide there, maybe hoping no one would think to look for him in a place he’d avoid under normal circumstances. Even though Granbury confessed to burning the Negro-majority church, he would not admit to killing Boyd. Nor would he offer up the names of his co-conspirators.

Regardless, all surrounding circumstantial evidence implicated Granbury as the unrepentant killer. But facts disclosed something odd. Boyd seemed to have steady rendezvous with a woman who appeared to be a recent widow. No amount of searching turned up anything on her. None of the wild speculations mattered to the rejoicing “Glory Barn” members.

With a grateful heart, Mrs. Eleanor Graham recorded every bushel of grain, every head of livestock, and every copper, silver, and gold coinage and reported to the church leadership, “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my opinion that we have more than enough to not only rebuild our sanctuary, but also to add more office space.”

Applause erupted. “Praise be to the Lord,” the matron of the congregation, Mrs. Sophia Jefferson, shouted.

Mr. Reuben Jefferson rolled his deep walnut-colored eyes as his eyebrows rose on his broad, dominating forehead. He wagged and hung his head. “What am I to do with you, woman?” he asked.

“I’m just thankful,” Sophia said. “Can’t a body be happy about something for a change?”

Eleanor interrupted. “But wait, I didn’t tell you what I think is the best part.”

All eyes turned toward their Pastor’s wife. Maybe the most attractive member of the former slave population, Miss Stacey Reese, said, “Do tell, Mrs. Graham.”

Eleanor’s smile lit up the Jefferson’s home. “We have enough to build the separate school house we wanted for the children.”

Samuel Nelson commented, “That’s all well and good, ma’am, but who’s we gonna get to teach?”

Eleanor searched each face in the room. She had an examining talent that seemed to see right through folks. She said, “I would be happy to accept that responsibility.”

The room buzzed immediately with random questions or more expressions of gratitude. Miss Pearl Peterson cleared her voice and asked, “Mrs. Graham?” She hoisted little William like a banner. “Don’t you have enough to do?”

Eleanor chuckled. “Of course. But, I can do this.”

Mrs. Reuben Jefferson intervened. “I don’t mean to be telling you your business, ma’am, but, it seems to me, it would be fitting if we waited until Pastor Graham gets out of jail before we go making any plans permanent-like.”

Eleanor gave a slow, pronounced wink of her right eye. “I’ve already addressed this with Pastor Graham. If he were here, he would have presented the same proposition.”

“Does he support the idea of you teaching our children with those roving night riders still out there?” Mrs. Sophia Jefferson asked.

Undeterred, Eleanor beamed. “Yes.”

One week later, Pastor Nathaniel Graham rejoiced together with his church fellowship as he stepped outside of the Williamson County jail. The city and county had dropped all charges. In his elation, he let his propriety slip and kissed his joy-filled wife on the jailhouse steps right in front of the happy observers. He gave a quick speech, encouraging everyone in his hearing to not take on an offense for what had happened.

“The authorities and Sherriff Warren performed the duties we elected them to do. I hold no ill will toward any of them and neither should you. We have a church to rebuild, lives to restore, souls to win for the Kingdom of our Lord, Jesus, and a wondrous God to worship.”

A cheer erupted from the mixed crowd of more than a hundred men, women and children. Nathaniel raised his hands in an attempt to quiet his friends. As the exuberance subsided, he said, “Now, if you will permit me one indulgence.”

A man in the crowd shouted, “We already did.” Laughter ensued and Eleanor blushed.

“Okay, all right,” Nathaniel rolled his eyes. “So, I’m asking for a second favor. I would like to go home and enjoy a wonderful meal with my wife and son.” He swiveled toward Eleanor, holding William. Then Nathaniel said, “And a much-needed good night’s sleep in my own new bed that Mrs. Graham has told me she acquired during my absence.”

Another roar rose from the throng. Eleanor blushed even more. Nathaniel reached for her. She shifted William to her hip. Nathaniel gathered his family. They moved through the community of friends, ascended their wagon, and drove out of town.

“Now what do I do with you, Mr. Graham?” Jason Merritt watched the adored family ride out of his town. He took a long pull on his cigar, then exhaled. The billowing smoke careened off the window and clouded his vision. He made another decision. “If I can’t beat you, maybe I should join you.”

Thanks for reading.