 
ChristiBreBooks Presents

This Place of Dreams Called America Part II:

Lies Of A Slave Traitor

Written By Christina Brenner

© 2014, Christina Brenner, ChristiBreBooks

All rights reserved. The right of Christina Brenner, ChristiBreBooks to be identified as the Author of the work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Published at Smashwords

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Cover design based on art work done by the Author

This book is dedicated to all the German immigrants that came across the U.S. Atlantic ocean to the new world. In hope of a better life for themselves and their family's. The struggles they were put through was unheard of and has been forgotten until this day, Christina Brenner

Part II: Lies Of A Slave Traitor

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Chapter 01, Trapped Like Frightened Mice,

Eva quickly awoke to the angry shouts of her fathers voice and the cries of her younger siblings. Mr. Defrock stood in the doorway giving orders to two men whom they have never seen before. One took a hold of Michaels arms while the other looked through their belongings. Eva quickly tuck the necklace her mother gave her in the neck of her dress as Hans jumped up and quickly came to his father in laws aid by hit one of the men in the jaw with his fist. The man staggered backwards and let out an angry cry as he ran toward him ready to attack but Mr. defrock stepped in between the two of them and yelled something at the man who quickly went back to searching.

"You all belong to me now!" Mr. Defrock shouted as he held up a rolled up piece of paper and went out the door as two more men came in dripping wet from the rain. One over took Hans by holding his arms behind his back, while the other grabbed Frederick who struggled with the man kicking and screaming from the top of his lungs. Pfeffer growled and bit the one holding Frederick on the ankle. He cried out in pain and kicked him, making Pfeffer hit against the wall with a loud yip then he ran out the door and into the rainy night.

"Let go of my brother." Angelica shouted as she started kicking the man in the shines and he pushed her away as if he was swatting a fly. Eva cried out in anger as she ran at him and hit him in the back with a sack full of apples, he turned around and struck her with the back of his hand making her fall hard against the wall. Hans face reddened in anger as struggled to break free from the man in blues grip. He wanted to tear the man in the dirty fur coat apart for hitting his wife, he had no right hitting a defenseless woman.

"Please, let them go!" Magdalena shouted in tears to be heard over her Catherinas cries. She collapsed to her knees pleading with them to leave them be, but they ignored her and pushed Hans and Michael toward the door and carried Frederick who began crying hysterically for his mother. "Do not worry, you must have faith in God!" Michael shouted as the men pushed him out the door and into the pouring down rain. Angelica got to her feet and tried to go after them but another man blocked the door, they were trapped like frightened mice!

Chapter 02, They separated us,

They separated us! I knew that something was not right when we first met him. If only I would have said something then maybe we would not be trapped here, it is all my fault. Oh god help us no...., Eva

"Someone is coming, Eva put that away." Magdalena said quietly but loud enough for her to hear. As soon as she stuffed her diary in a empty sack the door swung open and Beula came in with a bucket at her side. "Dinner." Beula said as she set the bucket down with a thump making the ladle twirl around in it. She had a black shawl draped over her head and shoulders to keep the rain off of her. "Where are they?" Angelica demanded angrily as she got up and started to walk toward her with her fists clenched at her sides and Eva grabbed her by the shoulders to stop her. "They are with the other men and boys." Beula replied with a snort as if this were all amusing to her.

"Why is he doing this to us?" Magdalena asked as she hugged Catherina close to her chest. "What happened to your face?" Beula asked in return to Eva as took a step forward to get a better look. "I was trying to stop them from taking my brother and one of the vile men hit me." Eva replied as she touched her swollen cheek and winced because it still stung a bit. "That serves you right, you should have not gotten involved." Beula stated as she looked down at the bucket and was silent for a second or two.

"What will happen to us?" Eva finally asked in a soft voice. "You will join all the other woman and small children in the fields picking cotton." Beula replied. "What about my husband, papa & brother?" Eva questioned. "They will work with the men and boys doing hard labor. If you are all smart then you will keep quiet and not ask so many questions and just do as you are told." Beula replied as she pursed her lips together then looked around nervously.

"Tell Mr. Defrock I refuse to eat until we see my husband and sons!" Magdalena stated as tears reached her eyes. "He will not care if you starve yourself, there will always be others to replace you." Beula said with a smirk then she put the shawl back over her head and left without another word. What has happen to us? Magdalena thought in despair as she watched the door swing shut loudly then she looked up at the leaky ceiling above, Oh Michael where are you now?

Chapter 03, The Walls Where White,

"Where are you taking us?" Michael asked raising his voice over the loud rain and thunder so they could hear. "To see Mr. Defrock." a man replied as he pushed him forward and they stopped walking as they neared the back door of the Defrock's house and the tallest of the two knocked on it. "Mr. Defrock will meet you in the library." Beula stated as she opened the door then led the way.

Hans and Frederick's eyes widened as they entered the house. The walls were white and the floors were made of polished wood. There were beautiful vases full of flowers and some fancy paintings hung along the wall along with candles to light the way. Anyone who has not seen a fancy house before would be impressed, but not Michael he has seen it all before. His parents were well off, they had fancy things much like this and Michael soon learned that fancy things and having lots of money did not buy happiness.

Beula stopped at the end of the hallway and knocked on a big wooden oak door that had beautiful engraving all around it. "Come in!" they heard a voice say through the doors and Beula opened them then stepped out of the way. "Ahh Mr. Bauer, I have been expecting you." Mr. Defrock said from behind his desk, as he set a paper down and glanced up to look at him. "Where is my wife, what did you do with her?" Hans demanded as he walked toward him with clenched fists and the man in the dirty fur coat grabbed a hold of his arms. "Let him go. You and your men can go to the kitchen with Beula, she will get you something to eat. Then return back here when you are done" Mr. Defrock said with a wave of his hands to the man and he as he was told.

He gave Hans a dirty look then walked out of the room and the rest of the men followed. "Is there anything you would like Mr. Defrock? Coffee, tea?" Beula asked before she left and he shook his head no. "No nothing, but I do need to talk with you about new duty's to be done in the house, before I turn in for the night." he said as he opened his desk drawer and put some papers away. "Yes, Mr. Defrock." Beula replied as she bowed to him then closed the door's behind her to give them privacy.

"Have a seat." Mr. Defrock said while motioning with his hand for them to sit. Michael did as he was told and pulled Frederick on his lap who had finally stopped crying and looked around wide eyed and amazed at all the books in his study. Han's ignored his request and chose to stand with his arms folded a crossed his chest. "You see Mr. Bauer, the paper you signed at the docks stated that you went with me free and willing and that you would pay me back in work. An the paper you signed today stated that you and your family has agreed that you all will work for me for five years in exchange for food and shelter and to pay back the debt you owe me. By signing this paper you all agreed to follow my commands. An if you chose to disobey this contract you have signed then you and your family will be punished, jailed or hung for breaking it. Do you understand what I am saying Mr. Bauer?" Mr. Defrock asked as he picked up a wooden pipe off of the desk and lit it with a fire stick and the strong smell of tobacco filled the room this making Frederick cough at the smoke and smell of it.

"I understand what you say, but what I do not understand is why you must split up my family." Michael said while shaking his head in confusion and Mr. Defrock looked at him in amusement. "Because, that is the rules here, men stay with the men and the women stay with the women and work along side each other. I don't need no pesky little brats running around and babies crying to be fed and changed every five seconds and keep you all from working. No one around these lands would want to buy a pregnant female." He stated as he leaned back in his chair with his hands folded behind his head and Michael shook his head at him. Pesky brats, I thought that he loved children was that a lie as well as everything else, Michael thought in anger.

"Buy, I don't understand sir?" Michael stated in confusion trying to keep calm for the sake of Hans and Frederick. "Look you are all here to work for me and if you are lucky then maybe someone will buy you all together, that is if I decide to sell you all." Mr. Defrock stated with no emotion, he was going to say more but there was a knock at the door. "Come in!" He shouted and the men walked in with Beula following close behind them.

"I still do not understand what you mean by all of this." Michael said as he motioned with his hands in the air and Mr. Defrocked laughed out loud in amusement again. "Well you best start getting it real fast, for the sake of you and your family!" Mr. Defrock said as he set down the pipe he was smoking and stood up. "You can take them now. Beula, a word with you!" he said as he motioned with his finger for her to come to him and Hans just stood there in confusion as well What does he mean by if we are lucky if they buy us all together? Hans thought as the men pushed them out the door and into the dark rainy night once again.

Chapter 04, Planned All Along,

That was Beula, she has brought us food. She has also told me it was my fault that I have these marks on my face and I disagree with this. Though I must admit that she did look nervous, for she kept looking at the door. Maybe one of the men have hit her as well, is this why she said that to me? Still no sign of papa, Frederick or my beloved husband Hans, nor our dog Pfeffer who the man in the dirty fur coat cruelly kicked. I am beginning to wonder if our journey to America has been planned all along by Mr. Defrock himself, but I have no proof of these things though I have my suspic..., Eva

"Eva, come eat with us, who knows when we will get food again." Magdalena said as Eva put her diary aside and got up and sat down next to her mother and sister who said a quick prayer before they ate. Then Eva picked up the ladle and tasted the stew that was in the bucket. "It is not as good as yours mama." Eva stated as she handed the ladle to Angelica who stuck out her tongue in disgusted. "It can't be that bad." Magdalena stated with furrowed brows then she took the ladle and tasted it herself.

"Well, it is rather bland it could use more salt." She said as she handed it back to Eva. "Yeah, a sack full" Angelica said with a sarcastic laugh and no one laughed in return, they were all to broken hearted and saddened by the situation they were in and they wondered if they would ever see their loved ones again. Catherina's crying to be fed made Magdalena sigh out loud and she put the ladle down that Angelica handed her then started to nurse her.

"Mama, I think we should not wait to see what happens in the morning. I think we should try to find Papa, Frederick and Hans then escape. The man outside the door cannot stay awake forever." Eva stated as she pointed at the door behind her. "No, It would not be wise to do so. We do not know where they are and even if we did escape, where we would go? No, we must wait and be patience your father will know what to do." Magdalena stated with a nod of her head at the decision she made. That was the end of that plan Eva thought with a sigh. No! I hate to go against mama's words but I have to find them so we can get out of here. Eva thought as she grabbed the ladle from her sister and they all ate in silence and listed to the pitter patter of the rain.

Chapter 05, Listen To The Rain,

The rain was coming down even harder now as they walked out the Defrock's house this making it hard to see in front of you. "Where is my wife, I demand to see her!" Hans said angrily as he stopped at the end of the steps of the Defrock's back porch getting drenched in the rain. "Don't worry box head, as long as I'm around she won't have nothin to worry about." the man in the dirty fur coat said with a big smiling grin on his face this showing his missing and rotten teeth.

Hans let out an angry cry then he tackled the man to the muddy ground landing on top of him. He started to punched the man in the face and the man held his hands up in defense and struggled with him until he rolled over on top of him and drew a knife to his throat and Hans swallowed hard. "Not smart box head!" he said as the blood dripped from his lower lip onto Hans chest blending in with the rain.

"Chester you get your hands off that box head before you get into trouble, remember what happen last time you got 10 lashes." The man in blue said while shaking his head. "Fine!" he shouted as he shoved Hans hard in the chest making him sink farther into the mud, as he got off of him. "I aint goanna do nothin Robert, besides he started it." Chester said as he wiped his mouth on his jacket sleeve then put his knife away in the sheath at his side.

"Don't say another word." Michael warned Hans as he helped him up from the ground and Frederick clung to his father's leg in fear. "Come on lets go already, I'm goanna catch a cold out here." Robert stated as he crossed his arms over his chest and shivered. About 2 minutes later they neared two rows of shacks. "This is the one you will stay in, Chester is on guard to make sure yall don't try to escape." he said as he opened the door for them.

A single candle laid in the middle of the floor already half burnt, they were all surprised to see about 14 men and young boys inside who looked to be the age of seven and up. Some were asleep while others stood awake from the loud thunder and lightening from the storm. "Have a good night's rest, Yall have a big day ahead of ya tomorrow." Robert said with a smile as he shut the door behind them. Michael slightly nodded his head to the other men as he sat down with Frederick who started to cry for his mother again. "We must be strong son." Michael said as he sat him up on his lap trying to comfort him. "If I ever get my hands on that man again, I'll, I'll kill him." Hans said in anger while making a fist with one hand and smacking it into the other one. "Hans you must not say such things." Michael said with a frown as he nodded his head toward the other people in the room hinting around that they might hear him. "I don't care if they hear." Hans said angrily as he turned his head away from him to hide the tear's that came to his eyes. Eva, I am sorry I could not protect you, Hans thought as he closed his eyes and listen to the rain beat against the shacks leaky roof top.

Chapter 06 , Him And His Sneaky Shadow,

Eva laid awake beside her mother and sisters for what seemed like hours until they finally fell into an exhausted sleep. It was now or never Eva thought as she quietly got up and crept toward the wooden door. She peered out the crack and could see it was still dark outside, the rain had let up some but had not stopped completely.

Oh father in art they heaven, please let the man guarding the door be asleep. Eva prayed as she slowly started to pushed the door open and her heart stopped as it made a loud creaking noise. She looked back at them sleeping they stirred some but did not awake. Eva let out a relieved breath as she opened the door wide enough for her to slip out and seen that there was no one in sight, they lied about the man guarding the door just like everything else she thought as she quietly walked down the steps and her feet touched the muddy ground.

Her heart stopped immediately as she heard footsteps coming towards her or was it her hearing playing tricks on her? She thought as she quickly darted behind a tree to her left as a large shadow appeared, she held her breath as the shadow snuck along the shacks wall then passed right in front of her in which she recognized him immediately. It was the man in the dirty fur coat, the same man that struck her and took her family, Eva thought as her eyes followed his shadow that went toward the Defrock's house. Perhaps my suspicions are right, she thought as she started to followed him and his sneaky shadow into the dark and gloomy night.

Chapter 07, Why Don't You Know Mr. Bauer,

Frederick cried out in his sleep waking Michael who's eyes began to slowly droop shut. "shhh.. Do not worry son there is nothing for you to fear." Michael said while trying comforting him again. He looked around trying to make out his surroundings. It was almost pitch dark except for a little flicker of light from the candle that was just about burned out. "Hans, you awake?"Michael whispered to his right but got no answer back. "Hans" he said again but only heard silence in return. "If you talkin about your son in law he left, an in a hurry Mr. Bauer." he heard someone say.

"Isaiah, is that you?" Michael asked while looking around the room. "Yes Sir." Isaiah replied with a nod of his head. "Can you watch my boy while I go look for Him?" Michael asked as he stood up from the floor. "No Mr. Bauer, Its best you stay here. I know my way around." Isaiah said as he got up from the floor and dusted his pants off. "Isaiah, what has happened to my family and I?" Michael asked and Isaiah shook his head at this. "Why don't you know Mr. Bauer?, You're a slave!" he said and Michael eyes widened in shock, a slave! How is that possible? Michael thought in disbelief at the news.

Chapter 08, Into The Night,

Eva hurried through the back of the Defrock's lawn. It had finally stopped raining, but you could still hear the sounds of thunder off in a distance. She had lost site of the man in the dirty fur coat minutes ago, she had followed him all the way to the Defrock's house but then he disappeared into the night. She heard no cries for help, no rustling in the house so she knew he had not gone in, where could he be? Eva thought as she stopped walking and looked around at her surroundings.

The hair on the back of her nape stood up on end and she had a sinking feeling that she was not alone. Run!, she shouted in her head when she did not respond to her sixth sense that someone was there. Then her feet quickly followed her own advice and she run away from the Defrocks house and toward the woods. She gasped out loud as she stepped into a deep puddle, the cold water splashed up her dress soaking the bottom half of her stockings but she continued to run despite the shiver it sent down her spine.

She could hear heavy footsteps running up behind her before she could scream for help a hand went over her mouth and another gripped her waist and she struggled to get free from who ever had a hold of her. "Shh, it's me." she heard a familiar voice say as a hand lifted away from her mouth and the grip around her waist loosened. "Hans?" she said breathlessly as she turned around and threw her arms around his neck in relief. "Eva." He said in a raspy voice as he hugged her back then pulled back to get a good look at her to make sure she was alright. He frowned at the purple & blue splotch that had developed on her beautiful face.

"Eva, I am sorry I could not protect you against Chester." He said in a sad voice as he hung his head low feeling like he failed to protect her from it happening. "There was nothing you could do Hans, in my opinion you were very brave. An all that matters now is that we are together again." she said with a tearful smile as she lifted his head up to meet her loving eyes.

"Where is Papa and Frederick?" she asked as her eyes quickly changed from loving to fear when she did not see them with him. "They are back in the shed with 14 others." he replied and she sighed with relief. "Hans, I think we should go get mama, papa, Frederick and Angelica and leave this place and never look back." Eva stated as she took her hands in his. "No, we cannot Eva!" he said while shaking his head. "Look we will find a way to pay Mr. Defrock back, but I refuse to live in a place where I am separated from my family and husband." Eva said in a strained voice when he did not agree with her, why was he being so difficult? she thought.

"You do not understand Eva, we are all under contract to work off the money we owe for our voyage here." Hans stated shaking his head. "But, for how long, Hans?" she asked as she looked up at him. "Five years." he finally mumbled to her. "Five years, we cannot live here for five years!" she said as she pulled her hands away and turned away from him and he put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "We have to Eva, we have no choice! He made it very clear that if anyone of us break the contract that we would be..." he started to say then trailed off deciding whether it was a good idea to tell her the rest or not, could she bare what he had to say?

"We would be what Hans?" she asked with furrowed brows as she turned around to face him. "Punishes, jailed or hanged." Hans replied and Eva's jaw dropped in shock. "That is the most absurd thing I have ever heard, he cannot do that it is wrong." she said in disbelief. "He can he owns us now Eva. Look, I love you and I love your family with all my heart and I will be dammed if I let anyone or thing hurt you all. But we must do as he says, we have no choice in the matter." he stated in defeat and her eyes softened at hearing him say this.

"I love you too Hans and I know you are right. Its just I wish things were different. When we all came to America none of us expect all of this to happen. America is suppose to be better then our home land but now it is so much worse." she said as her voice cracked and tears filled her eyes. "I know Eva and I wish things were better too, but we must make the best of this." He whispered as he kissed her forehead then wrapped his arms around her to try to comfort her.

"Well, well lookie what we have here." A gruff voice said from behind them and they both jumped slightly startled upon hearing it. Then Chester stepped out from behind the shadows with a red haired woman who stumbled in front of him and fell on her hands and knees to the muddy ground. Eva let go of Han's and stepped forward to help her up. "Don't touch her, she can get up on her own." Chester stated in anger as he pushed the woman back down into the mud as he placed a muddy boot on her back then laughed at her as if it were the funniest thing on earth. Eva ignored him and leaned down to help the woman up. "I told ya not to touch her!" he said anger as he grabbed the back of Eva's hair roughly this making her cry out in pain as he yanked her head back away from the woman.

"Let go of my wife Chester." Hans shouted in anger with his fist clenched at his sides as he took a step toward him. "Didn't get enough the first time, box head?" Chester asked with a grin as he pulled Eva close against him and she gagged at the strong smell of liquor on his breath. "If I remember correctly Chester, you were the one with the bloody lip." Hans stated with a laugh trying to think of a way to outsmart him and he figured mind games would be the easiest way. Chester face reddened with anger and embarresment.

"Your wife's goanna be the one with the bloody neck, If you don't learn to shut yer mouth box head!" he said as he took his knife out of his sheath and put it to Eva's throat. "Not so smart are ya now?" Chester asked with a smirk as he waved the knife around and Hans eyes darkened even more as he lunged at Chester who was caught off guard and let go of Eva's hair.

She fell hard to the ground and winced in pain as she brought a hand to her head, it felt like he ripped her hair out by the roots. She then took a deep breath and ignored her throbbing head as she crawled over to help the red haired woman up who was badly beaten and could not stand so she just held her in her arms. Then her eyes fell upon her husband and Chester who wrestled back and forth on the muddy ground throwing punches at one another. She watched in horror as Chester got the upper hand and retrieved the knife. He slowly raise it above Hans body and she quickly she closed her eyes in sheer terror not wanting to see what came next.

Chapter 09, I Told Her Not To Go,

Magdalena awoke to the high pitched cries of Catherina to be changed or fed. "Ok little one." she said as she sat up and started to change her wet clothing that she had soaked through completely . "Mama, I'm hungry." Angelica said as she sat up and rubbed the sleet from her eyes. "Check the bucket, there might be some stew left." she said as she finished changing Catherina.

"Sorry Eva." Angelica said apologetically as she tripped over her big sister who did not stir. "Eva?" Angelica said again as she bent down and felt nothing but a sack full of clothes. "Mama, Eva's gone!" Angelica announced in a panic and Magdalena looked around the empty room. "I told her not to go, why didn't she listen to me? She never went against my word before." Magdalena said out loud as she paced back and forth not knowing what else to do.

"Mama, what if someone took her?" Angelica asked with fear in her eyes. "No!" Magdalena said while shaking her head in denial as the door was kicked open and a man in blue came in and was carrying a small woman in his arms. "Eva!" Magdalena said in a gasp as her heart sank in fear that something happened to her. Then she let out a relieved breath when she seen her trailing behind the man with her head hung low.

"You best stay here miss, you are lucky you didn't get into more trouble than you did." he stated as he set the red haired woman down. Eva just nodded her head to him as she set the candle she was carrying on the floor then he walked out the door without another word. "Mary Eva, how dare you go against my words!" Magdalena said angrily as Eva stood there shaking, her clothes were wet, bloody and covered in mud.

"Mama, she needs our help." Eva said through her chattering teeth as she kneeled down and moved the bright red hair out of the woman's face. The woman immediately threw her hands up in the air and was crying and pleading with her to stop. "It's ok, you are safe now." Eva said soothingly and Magdalena handed Angelica the baby and kneeled down to the woman's other side and took the woman's hand in hers and patted it gently.

"Eva, change into dry clothes and get some rest I will look after her now." Magdalena stated as she untied the apron that was around her waist and dabbed the blood that came from the woman's broken nose and busted lip. "Yes, Mama." Eva replied as she got up and rummaged through the sacks for her other dress. Magdalena sighed out loud, this young lady was once a beautiful woman, now she was covered in cuts bruises and scrapes. No one deserve to be treated this way, she thought as tears come to her eyes and she said a prayer for the poor woman who laid there moaning in pain.

Chapter 10, Into The Darkness,

Everyone is asleep again, including the red headed woman who goes in and out of consciousness. Where do I start, how do I describe all that has happen in such a short while. I am still trying to make since of it all, first things Hans attacked Chester in my defense but Chester was quickly on top of him with a knife in hand.

I closed my eyes not wanting to see my husband stabbed to death by this cruel man, but I did not hear the screams of my beloved Hans, No. I heard the screams of Chester as I opened my eyes I had seen Isaiah standing over him with a pitchfork in hand. While Chester laid on the ground crying out in pain as blood poured out of his mouth. "God forgive me," was his last words though I do not think the Lord will hear the words of this evil man and shall send him straight to hell where he belongs.

I could not bare to look at him any more and turned my head away from the awful site as Hans stumbled to his feet and limped over to my aid. I could not hold back my tear's any longer and started to cry in relief that he was still alive. I told him how much I loved him and how brave he was for rescuing me and the red headed woman. He just nodded his head and kissed me on the forehead and told me that he loved me too.

A few minutes latter Mr. Defrock came outside upon hearing the commotion, followed by Beula who was holding a candle in her hands carefully shielding the flame so it would not go out as there was a small chill in the air. Isaiah told us to leave and that he would talk to Mr. Defrock about this, but I refused to leave the red headed woman and told him so. He shook his head as he stood there in silence with his arms crossed over his chest.

When they reached us I could see they were both still dressed in their night clothes, but Mr. Defrock had thrown on a robe and his shoes on. He started shouting something we could not understand. He looked at the scene in front of him then at Isaiah who shrugged his shoulders. "What happened here?" he asked in German tongue and I explained to him what had happened and his eyes grew dark with anger. But not at Chester for he yelled at us for leaving the shacks and told us he would teach us a lesson for disobeying him. He had Beula go get the man in blue named Robert. Who quickly came back with a whip they use for the oxen's. He then ordered Isaiah to face the tree where Robert tied his hands to it with rope. Beula stood there silently next to Mr. Defrock with her head down, the candle light flickering off her face making her look ghostly and her face had a blank expression on it.

I could not bring my eyes away from what I seen next, though I wish I did. For Mr. Defrock used the whip on poor Isaiah who cried out in pain as it lashed his back and cut through his clothes and his blood shined in the moonlight that peaked out from beneath the clouds. I have never seen anyone do something so cruel to another living person before. Other than what Chester did to the red headed woman, but to actually witness this happening in front of my very own eye's it was sickening and I felt ill with vomit.

"Let that be a lesson to the rest of you!" Mr. Defrock shouted angrily as he wiped the perspiration off of his forehead then left with Beula following close behind him. Then poor Isaiah collapsed to the ground when his hands were untied from the tree by Robert. "You take him back to the Shack, I'll make sure they get back where they need to go." Robert said to Hans who was pale in the face. "I love you Eva, tell your Mother and Angelica, we are all fine." he said as he kissed me on top of the forehead one last time then left us. I do not at all feel safe here nor will I ever after what I had witnessed... , Eva

Chapter 11, We Must Have Faith,

Michael awaited nervously for Isaiah's return. He sat down for the other men were being awakened by the scuffing of his feet as he paced back and forth in great anxiety. Frederick sat quietly watching his father's every move as his eyes sleepily started to drooped shut. The door finally flew opened and two dark figures came staggering through.

"What happened? "Michael asked as Hans laid Isaiah badly beaten body against the wall as he kneeled down to him. "I am sorry, this is all my fault." Hans said in despair as he sunk to the floor and buried his face in his hands. "It's alright, son what happened." Michael asked as he put a arm around his shoulder trying to comfort him.

"Chester tried to hurt Eva, we got into a fight, he was going to kill me! Then Isaiah came and saved my life, he.. he killed Chester." Hans started to say and Michael interrupted him. "Eva! you

seen Eva, where is she?" Michael asked as he took a hold of his shoulders and shook him a bit. "They took her back to the shed with your wife and and Angelica." Hans replied as his chin started to quiver and he buried his face in his hands again.

"Do not worry Hans, everything will be alright" Michael said as he pulled him into a comforting hug then he added. "We must have faith and we must pray, pray to God upon which he will protect us from any more harm." Michael said with great certainty and Hans wanted to believe just that.

Chapter 12, Until The Day I Die - 1 week Later,

It has been a week since I have last seen Hans, an my heart aches every second of the day for I miss him so and I wonder constantly if he is alright along with my papa and brother. The red headed woman shows signs of improvement, though she does not speak. But who could blame her for she has been through a terrible ordeal.

The next day they moved us into another shack, this one with nine other women and children in it. It is much smaller than the one we were in before, and it is crowded. Most of them are Negroes, but there are a few Germans as well an only one redhead which is the woman we have taken care of. I wonder what they are? Do they call them reds because their head of hair is as bright as an apples skin? Just like they call the blacks Negroes because their skin is dark? It is silly of me to think of this when we are trapped here to work for a man who has no sympathy for others.

There are still no signs of Pfeffer, I fear that we seen the last of that poor pup for he will not survive in the wilderness alone. As for my mother, sisters and I, we have been sent to work in the fields picking cotton. Since women are shorter than men they think we can do the work without having to bend down much, though it still hurts one who is not use to it. The first two days Angelica did most of the complaining, though she had finally stopped after the third day because it was of no use of her to do so for her complaints fell on deaf ears.

I have to say that I do not like picking cotton either for it makes my back ache and my fingers and hands have cuts and calluses on them. I admire all the woman and children that does not utter a single word an do their work without complaint or without so much as a peep. Oh how I wish we were back in Germany now, we should have never of left in the first place. Sure we may have been poor but at least we were free, for I never felt like a caged bird back in Germany, what can one do about it?

Some of the children and woman have gathered around me as I write, they stare at the writing on the page as if it were a magic trick performed by a illusionist. This makes mama and I smile and Angelica giggle at this. I had told mama that I have thought on teaching the women and children that live with us on how to read and write since I wanted to be a teacher when we get out of here and it will be great practice for my knowledge and teaching skills.

She thought it was a good idea, but said that I would have to learn English First. This I agree on, an I told her that it would be good idea if we all learned English together as we could all understand what the people around us are saying. She just shook her head at me and gave me one of her looks and said "I was born German, and I will speak German until the day I die."

I frowned at her upon hearing this, but was happy to know that Angelica is willing to learn English. An I believe I know why for there is a boy that works alongside us and every time he waves at us Angelica's face flushes with redness. I tease her about this and she often gets mad at me for it and denied liking him. Though, she did finally confess to me that she does like him and she has made me promise not to tell mama upon which I promised her. She is only Seven Years and two months and has a long time ahead of her before she knows what true love is, but I know that I do not have the right to say what is true in ones heart., Eva

The red headed Woman pulled on Eva's sleeve to get her attention and said something to her as she pointed at Eva's writing. "I do not understand you!" Eva said out loud, while shaking her head in confusion at her gibberish talk. She furrowed her brows in frustration as then grabbed the feather pen and book out of Eva's hands and started to write on the paper stopping every once in a while to dip the end in ink well.

Eva smiled at her as she watched her gracefully writing on the page before her. She quickly handed the book and pen back to Eva who looked down at the writing and she could read two names Iris and A. Defrock, but the rest of the writing was a mystery to her. "Your Iris, I am Eva." Eva said as she pointed at Iris then at herself.

Iris frowned at her and shook her head as she pointed at her face and then at the book. "Yes, you are Iris." Eva stated with a smile and Iris eyes started to tear up and she shook her head at her then turned away from her and laid on her side. Eva shook her head in confusion as she laid down as well and hugged her journal to her chest and smiled a bit for at last she knows her name, Iris.
Chapter 13, Listen and Learn,

"Frederick, Frederick..." Someone whispered softly as the young boy eyes slowly started to drift opened. "Come on son, we must go now." Michael said as he gently shook his shoulder to wake him fully. "But I'm too sleepy, Papa." Frederick stated grouchily and Michael sighed out loud then picked him up from the floor. "It's best he walks on his own Mr. Bauer, or else he'll get weak." Isaiah stated as he bit down on his lower lip in pain as Hans helped him up from the floor.

Then they all gathered outside to to be assigned their duties for the day. "What did he say?" Hans asked Isaiah who leaned up against him for support. "He said that today we are to chop trees and split wood." Isaiah replied with a grunt as he limp over to a table and picked up two axes and handed one to each them.

"What about me?" Frederick asked as he grabbed onto his fathers hand. "You get ta watch an learn from your papa." Isaiah replied with a pained smile. "That doesn't sound fun." Frederick stated with a pout. "That may be so, but I learned in life one of the best things ya can do is ta listen an learn from yer elders. Cause they are old an very wise, an ya can learn much from them. Then one day when ya grow as old as yer papa does, yall grow up ta be just as good as man as he is." Isaiah said to Frederick who's eyes lit up in excitement. "Really! Come on papa I wanna watch ya split some wood." Frederick said in excitement as he tugged on his hand then they left to do what they were told.

Chapter 14, The Lovely Singing Of A Negro Lady,

We all awoke to the lovely singing of a Negro lady named Mabel. Though I could not understand her words, I am sure it was very pleasant song for some of the other's joined in singing with her., Eva

Eva wrote as she looked up from her diary and smiled at them. Magdalena smiled as well it reminded her of when she went to church for the first time back in Germany. Michael took her as she did not believe in god or religion and he said that a visit to the house of the lord would changed everything and it did. The people their sang beautiful songs, songs of lord and everyone was so nice and kind to her. Everyone, accept Michael's father who did not want them there. He even went to the church board and tried to have them banned upon which they were told to be present at the meeting the next Sunday morning. Michael jr. said horrid things of them and also accused them of things that were not true such as practicing other religions or not fully dedicating their selves to church.

Magdalena shook her head at the memory she would never forget what the priest said in response. He said "No matter where you go you are in god's church, these building's, these places you go within every Sunday is just that a building. It does not matter if it is put together with expensive bricks or the cheapest wood. We are all there for the same reasons to pray and rejoice in the good old lord. As stated in the bible we are all children of god, no matter what race or religion we withhold, or how poor or rich we are. Who are we to judge? We all have our own faults upon which we must pray for forgiveness to god, and not god's disciples" The priest said preaching his wisdom loud and clear for all to here. This infuriated Michaels jr. who never came back to the church again.

Magdalena smiled at the memory from that day forward she remained dedicated to the Lord and realized that he was the answer to all her problems and that she could always turn to him when she was with doubt. "Mama what are you smiling at?" Angelica asked breaking her train of thought. "Huh? Oh nothing, just old memory's Angelica." she replied while looking down at baby Catherina who grabbed onto her finger and squeezed it.

"Mama, isn't her singing beautiful?" Eva asked her dreamingly as she sat up from the floor. "Yes it is, now hurry up. We have lots of work to do today. " She replied. "Awe, but mama. I hate picking cotton, can't I go play in the dirt today and climb trees." Angelica asked with a pout. "You will have plenty of time for that when we get out of this place and are on our own. Then you... " Magdalena started to say then she fell silence as the man in blue appeared.

"Ma'am," he said as he walked up to Magdalena as he took his hat off and fiddled with it in his hands. "I think you left something at the other shed that belongs to you. Its outside if you would follow me." he said as he pointed behind him then headed outside and Magdalena hesitated in doing so, thinking it was another trick. "Come on." she finally said to Angelica who followed her. "Is this yours?" Robert asked with a slight smile on his face.

"Oh yes it is, my husband made it for me, oh thank you." Magdalena said as tear's come to her eyes and she could not help but give the man a hug. "Your welcome ma'am and it is a very fine rocker." Robert stated with a smile then he walked away. Oh Michael, I know this is your doing. Magdalena thought with tears in her eyes.

Eva shook her head in disapproval as she watched Iris try to walk down the three steps but was having great difficulty in doing so. She quickly rushed over to her side and put her arm around her waist to help her, this gaining a surprise look from Iris. "You should not be working." Eva said as she helped her down the steps. Iris just shook her head in response not understanding what she was saying. Eva stopped and pointed at her and said "you, should not." then she shook her head then added. "Be working." Eva said as she acted like she was picking cotton and Iris nodded her head with a slight smile on her face upon which she pointed to herself, then she pointed to one of the men that watch over the worker's. She made a angry face at Eva then made a fist and a open hand upon which she smacked them together. Eva was not surprised to find out that she was threatened by the men to return to work, have these people no sympathy. Eva thought as she put an arm around her and they hurried to the sun ridden fields of cotton to start the day.

Chapter 15, Terrified,

"Would you please hold Catherina for a moment." Magdalena asked her oldest daughter who set down an almost full bag of cotton and took her into her arms. "Are you alright, mama?" Eva asked with a worried glance, she looked a bit peaked. "I'm fine, I just feel awful faint." she replied as she brought her hand to her forehead and wiped the perspiration off. "It is probably the sun mama, please sit down for a bit, you will feel better then." Eva suggested as she shielded Catherina's eyes from the sun.

"This one's full." Angelica announced proudly as she set a sack down in front of them. "Good, now you can fill the rest of mamma's while she is resting." Eva stated as she went back to picking more cotton and Angelica did the same. Catherina made cooing sounds while they worked which made Eva smile, she is such a happy baby, Eva thought as she plucked the white puffs of cotton of the plant.

"You there!" they heard an angry shout and all eyes fell upon the man with the whip in hand. "Get back to work!" the man shouted at Magdalena as he raised the whip in the air. "No!"Angelica cried out as she dropped the bag of cotton and hit the man with her fists. His gaze fell upon her and he pushed her away from him, this making her fall backwards to the ground landing hard on her bottom and back.

He turned his attention back to Magdalena and brought the whip down next o her, cutting some of the Cotton plant limbs in half. She stood there frozen in fear but quickly snapped out of it and went back to work though her hands shook badly this making it hard to pick cotton. Satisfied the man walked away as Catherina started to cry at the loud noise the whip had made. Eva tried to quiet her in fear they might get into more trouble. She glanced over at her younger sister who stood up from the ground and went back to work as well then at her mother who looked deadly terrified. How can one be so cruel? Eva thought as they worked in silence for the rest of the day.

Chapter 16, With Just a Wink,

We must prepare for the long winter that is to come, that is what Mabel told us all today. Well not exactly, Iris told me we have a special way of communicating to each other by acting out what we want to say, she is also helping me learn English as well as to wright it. I must say it is complicated language to learn as the English language is much different from German. For some words and sentences are longer than others and it sounds funny coming from my mouth.

Angelica laughs at me when I practice for she is learning much faster than I am and she teases me greatly about it. To get back at her I ask her how the boy she likes is doing and her cheeks start to flush bright red. One time mama thought that she was coming down with a fever and felt her forehead. I winked at mama and told her that she is not that type of sick. Mama looked at me with raised brows but said nothing. This angered Angelica and she told me that it was the last time she would ever tell me a secret of hers. I told her how could one tell with just a wink?, she sighed out loud and said I suppose you are right.

Iris has just advised me that for the next two weeks not only will we pick the rest of the cotton but we will be making candles as well. How much more work can they expect us to do before we all break?, Eva

Chapter 17, Better Luck,

Everyone awoke to the usual yells of the men that watch over them, Hans stretched out his arms and yawned while Michael was trying to awake a grumpy Frederick. "I'm too sleepy, papa." Frederick said as he rubbed his tired eyes with his fists. "Nonsense son, it will do you good to get out and get some fresh air." Michael said as he looked at the bright sunlight that peaked through the open door. "I don't wanna, you get to have all the fun papa. An I don't get to do nothin but pick up some dumb wood." He said with a pout as he sat there with his arms crossed over his chest. "Georg Frederick, I am not going to tell you again." Michael warned starting to lose his patients with him.

"You better listen to yer father boy, ya know ya have one of the most important jobs in the entire camp an it would be ashamed if ya didn't go. A lot of people are coutin on ya." Isaiah stated as he leaned up against the shacks wall. "They are?" Frederick asked as his face light up and Isaiah nodded his head yes. "Ok, I don't wanna let no one down, do I papa?" Frederick asked as he got up from the floor and his father nodded his head in agreement. "No you don't son, that you don't" Michael replied with a smile as he ruffled his hair.

"Can I work by you today?" Frederick asked Hans who shrugged his shoulders half listening to what was going on around him. "Yeah I guess." Hans replied as his thoughts still lingered on his wife and where she was. Was she safe, what happened to the red headed woman? he thought as Frederick took his hand and they walked out the door.

"Thank you Isaiah, you have been great help to my family and I." Michael stated as he put a hand on his shoulder in appreciation. "No problem Mr. Bauer, I just hope ya will have better luck then muh family did." Isaiah said while shaking his head as he walked out the door leaving Michael wondering what he meant by that. Better luck then my family did? he thought in confusion as he walked out the door and out into the bright sunny light day.

Chapter 18, Like A Nervous Cat,

"Mama, can I go pick cotton over there?" Angelica asked pointing two rows away from them. "I, I don't know if they will let us." Magdalena replied in a worried tone as she looked around for the men with whip's, she was still frightened over what happened. "As long as we work, they won't care mama." Angelica stated trying to convince her to let her work away from them. "I suppose, but stay where I can see you." Magdalena said with a sigh as she looked around again like a nervous cat. "Yes, mama." Angelica said in excitement as she skipped away with a sack in hand.

"Mama, are you alright?" Eva asked as she put a hand on her shoulder worriedly, Iris looked up at them as she bent down to pick cotton off the bush next to them trying to figure out what was going on and why Eva looked so concern. "I'm fine Eva." Magdalena stated as she patted her hand then looked around again and her eyes laid upon Angelica who was smiling and talking to a boy next to her who looked to be a few years older then her.

"I see that your sister has eyes for the young black haired boy." Magdalena stated and Eva said nothing but went back to filling her sack so she spoke again. "I just hope her eyes stay on the work and not the boy." Magdalena said as she shifted Catherina into her other arm. "Oh mama, she is too young to know what true love is." Eva blurted out while shaking her head and Magdalena's eyes widened at this. "So she does like this boy then?" she questioned her oldest daughter then held her tongue as a man with the whip walked close by and her hand started to shake out of nervousness.

"Are you sure your alright mama?" Eva asked again as soon as the man was out of ear shot. "Oh yes, just exhausted." She replied quickly then moved onto the next bush and Iris put a hand on Eva's shoulder and shook her head and gave her a Sympathetic look, knowing her mother was lying to her.

Chapter 19, On our last legs - later that night,

It was so blistering hot today that a lot of people fainted from the heat. I tried to help Mabel who was having a hard time and I got yelled at by one of the men to get back to work. I grew angry at him and mama tried to quite me from speaking up to them, but I shook her hand off my arm and I told him that she just needs water and rest.

"Let the old lady die" is what the man said then moved on. Is that not terrible, do these people have not an ounce of sympathy for anyone nor young or old. If only they would let us stop and take a rest or have a drink of water to quench our thirst. Then we could work harder and faster for them, an tomorrow we have to gather wood and put it into wagon's pulled by oxen's.

Will they ever give us a break, or will they keep adding work for us to do every day ahead. They want to use us like an old mule for we are on our last legs, oh how I wish I where back in Germany now. No!, how could I say this if it was not for this journey I would not have met my beloved husband Hans. Oh how I miss him and his smile and those dark blue eyes that have a way of reading my every thought. My eyes well up with tear's just thinking about hi....., Eva

Eva put the diary down upon hearing the sounds of someone vomiting. She looked over to see Iris who had her head in the bucket they use to relive themselves at night as they were not allowed to leave their shacks. Lucky for her no one has yet used it yet, Eva thought as she got up and walked over to her and put a hand on her back. Iris looked up at her with glassy eyes and a pale face, her cheeks were blotchy red from vomiting so much. She wiped her mouth with her sleeve and made a motion with her hands like she was eating with a spoon, then she rubbed her belly.

Eva nodded her head understanding that the food she ate did not agree with her stomach. Not that she would blame her for heaving up the food they receive some times it is as bad as the food they had when they lived in the poorhouse back in Germany. Though the water here is crystal clear thank the lord, Eva thought as she helped Iris sit down against the wall.

"I wish we had some lilacs in here." Angelica stated as she scrunched up her nose at the smell of vomit. "Hush girl!" Magdalena said scolding her as she looked down at Catherina's angelic face as she slept and smiled as Mabel started to sing a lovely lullaby song and everyone remained silent in exhaustion as her voice echoed through out the small shack.

Chapter 20, Leave Him Be,

Frederick was the first one to awaken. He was excited about today's work and could not wait for Isaiah to let him help chop up some trees. He awaited patiently for the day to start, finally the door flew open and the men that watch over them yelled for everyone to get up and get to work. The men and young boys got up with a yawn here and a stretch there. Some of the men mumbled under their breath cursing the days work ahead.

Though Hans remained asleep on the floor dead tired of the work he did yesterday, not only did he chop and load wood he also had to help plow the fields. He is worried that his wife is being treated the same way, where is she, I have not seen her in such a long time, is she alright. Hans thought in despair. "Come on Hans, you must get up, they will be back." Michael stated as he looked toward the door worried that they might storm in at any minute. "No, you go, I'll stay here." Hans said as he turned away from them.

"Come on Hans, I wanna chop some wood." Frederick said impatiently as he shook his shoulder trying to get him up. "Awe, leave him be." Isaiah said as he stood at the door with his arms folded a crossed his chest as he spit out the door. "But they will punish him for not working." Michael argued in disbelief that he would say this, Isaiah knew better then anyone what the punishments could amount to for not working. "True, but ya know I heard that there is a great possibility that the woman would be gatherin some wood along side the men today, but I understand if ya don't want ta go son." Isaiah stated as he focused his gaze outside where the workers were grabbing the equipment they were to use for the day.

"Do you think that my wife will be there?" Hans asked as he slowly sat up but remained on the floor. "Sure could be." Isaiah replied with a shrugged of his shoulders then walked away. "Are you coming?" Michael asked while holding his breath. "Sure am." Hans replied as he jumped up from the floor and was already out the door and Michael let out a relieved breath. "God give me strength to get through this day." Michael prayed as he looked up at the clear blue sky then sighed out loud.

Chapter 21, Through The Row of Trees,

"I thought we were going to pick cotton today." Angelica said in great disappointed. "Mabel said that we are to gather wood today, there is a great chance we might see Frederick." Eva announced as she rocked baby Catherina in the rocking chair. "Do you really think he will be there?" Angelica asked with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Yes, Iris told me they use younger woman and children to gather wood and the men to chop down the trees." Eva replied with a nod of her head. "I see you are disappointed because you cannot work with that black haired boy today, what is his name?" Eva asked teasingly. "His name is Miles Sheare, and he is German like us." Angelica stated as her face flushed with a bit of anger, she knew his name, Angelica thought. "Alright, do not get angry, I was only teasing you." Eva stated as she put up a hand up in surrender and Angelica nodded her head.

"Why does he not speak German then?" Eva asked out of curiosity. "He was born three months after his parents came here, and they did not permit him to learn it, because he is American now." Angelica replied with a shrug of her shoulders. "That makes since I guess." Eva stated as she got up from the rocker, when she seen her mother come outside. She awaited news on her dear friend as Iris got sick again and she fear that she was coming down with something terrible.

"Just as I suspected." Magdalena stated while shaking her head in pity as she took Catherina out of Eva's arms. "What is it mama, It is not the stomach flu, Is it? "Eva asked her with great concern. "No, in her case I wish it were something that simple." Magdalena replied as she looked down at baby Catherina then up to meet her gaze. "What is it then?" Eva asked as she chewed on her fingernails nervously. "She is with child." Magdalena finally replied and anger grew within Eva upon hearing the news. "That no good, lousy Chester! I hope he is rotting in hell along with all the savages!" Eva shouted angrily with her fists clenched at her sides. "Mary Eva, you know I don't approve of such talk! It is wrong to talk bad about the ill, know matter what sinful things he or she has done in their life time." Magdalena said appalled by her daughters outburst, she taught her better then that, Magdalena thought to herself angrily.

"Why not mama, it is true." Eva snapped back and Magdalena smacked her daughter a crossed the face without thought then gasped out loud at what she did. Stunned Eva put her hand to her stinging cheek as tear's came to her eyes. Angelica stood there with her jaw dropped, she couldn't believe what she had just seen. None of their parents have never laid a hand on any of them before, even when they would smart off. I have to be dreaming, Angelica thought as she shook her head and blinked her eyes but the two still stood there in front of her.

"Don't you ever sass back to me again." Magdalena stuttered then her voice cracked as tears came to her eyes and she hurried back inside without another word. Angelica quickly walked over to Eva and put her arms around her waist bringing her into a comforting hug. The shouts of the men with whips to get to work broke their embrace and they walked hand in hand through the row of trees.

Chapter 22, From Ear to Ear,

"Look at this youngen, he can carry more wood than you." One man joked to another as he pointed at Frederick who was beaming from ear to ear, Michael and Isaiah shook their head and gave a little chuckle while Hans paid no heed to what was being said around him. He kept his hands moving by throwing the wood into the wagons and his eyes looked in every direction hoping to get a glance of his mother in law, sister in law or more importantly his wife. He did not care if they uttered a single word to one another, he would just grab her and hold her in his arms and never let go. He would then pull back and look into her hazel green eyes and that would tell him all he needed to know.

"Hey box head, get back to work!" A man with a whip yelled at Hans who had stopped working as he thought about his wife, Hans mumbled under his breath as he started to load more wood again. "You alright?" Michael asked in concern. "I'm fine, but it would be better if I did not have people telling me what to do." Hans replied with an angry shrug of his shoulders as he threw wood into the wagon and Michael frowned at this.

"Owe!" Frederick cried out loud as he dropped the wood he had just picked up and his lower lip started to tremble as he started to cry. "Let me see son." Michael said as he set the wood he was carrying down to look at his hand. "What's going on here?" one of the men with whip demanded as he came up to them. "He has a piece of wood in his hand." Michael replied with a sigh as he comforted his son. "I can't get it out, Hans could you?" he asked his son in law as he gave up on trying to squeeze it out.

"So let it be, and get back to work!" the man with the whip yelled as he pulled Michael away from his son. "Look here if I don't get that wood out then his hand will get infected, an if it get's infected with gain green then he will have to have it chopped off, that is if he does not die of the infection first." Hans said in anger as he threw the pile of wood he was carrying on the ground with a loud thump and stood face to face with the man and Frederick's eyes widened in fear. "Now try explaining that to Mr. Defrock, because you did not let us stop for a second to pull it out! " Hans said as he raised his voice in anger. Then his face grew pale as the man raised the whip.

Chapter 23, Just A Matter Of Survival,

They all followed the men with whips as they walked through a scattered row of trees that started to thin out as they walked deeper into the woods. "Timber!" A man yelled out loud as a huge pine tree fell to the ground making it shake hard underneath them. Then a group of men started to saw off the branches while another man tied the tree to a rope and had a team of horses pull it out of the way when they were done.

Then just ahead there was two wagons being filled with wood, a set of 4 oxen's were hooked to each of them. An to the left there was another set of 8 oxen's that had whole logs stacked as high as it could go and as much as they could muster up to pull. How they got the logs stacked that high they will never know, Angelica's Eyes widened at the site of this in amazement.

"I feel sorry for the poor oxen's." Angelica whispered to her elder sister who nodded her head in agreement then stopped dead in her tracks making Angelica bump into her side. "What is it Eva?" Angelica asked not understanding why they had stopped walking. Eva watched in horror as the man raised the whip in the air. "No!" Eva yelled out loud as she let go of Angelica's hand and started running toward the wagons as man with the whip raised his hand then scratch his head thinking about what Hans said.

"What are you waiting for, hurry it up!" he finally snapped at Hans then walked away to get after an ax men who was cutting down a tree the wrong way. "Hans!" Eva called out his name as she ran up to him and threw her arms around his neck. "Eva?" he managed to say as he wrapped his arms around her waist lifting her off the ground. He thought he was dreaming this, but when he heard Angelica's voice cry out for her father and brother he knew it was real.

"Papa, Frederick!" Angelica cried out as she ran up and hugged her brother this knocking him to the ground and his crying subsided to laughter and he hugged her. Then Angelica got up and gave her father a hug and a kiss on his cheek. "My little Engle, my have you grown." Michael said with tear's in his eyes. "It has not been that long papa." Angelica stated as she took his face in her hands and smiled at him. "It is so, I swear you have grown a foot taller from the last time I have seen you." He stated in amusement as he tickled her sides like he use to this making her laugh.

Isaiah held back his tears, he was happy that they got to see each other, he just hopes that what happened to him doesn't happen to them. The Bauers are good people, as is most of the people that come to this land and end up in the hands of Mr.Defrock's. Its just a matter of survival and he was bound an determined to get them through this for Bernitta and his family, he thought as he continued to fill the wagons with wood.

"Hans, I missed you so much" Eva said as she buried her head into his neck and Hans pulled her back to look into her eyes upon which she quickly looked away. "Eva" Hans said in concern as he put his thumb under her chin and tilted her head up to look into her watery hazel green eyes and frowned as he brushed her dark blonde hair back and turned her face sideways to look at the reddened mark on her face.

"Who did this to you?" Hans demanded as he lightly brushed his thumb a crossed the mark. "No one." Eva said deficiency as she turned her face away from him. "Someone hit you again?" Michael asked in anger and concern. "I am alright, Papa." Eva replied with a forced smile then added. "Please lets just forget about this everyone I am fine, really I am. I am very happy to see you papa." Eva said trying to change the subject then she quickly drew her father into a squishing hug.

Michael frowned as he wrapped his arms around his oldest daughter giving her a tight squeeze then he let her go and studied her. She was protecting someone, but who? Michael thought as he looked into his son in laws angry eyes then back to his daughter again who avoided his gaze."Have you seen Pfeffer, Eva?" Frederick asked as he tugged on her sleeve. "No I have not, but I am sure he has a family of his own by now." Eva replied with a smile as she kneeled down and brought him into a loving hug then let him go.

"Mama!" Frederick shouted as he ran to his mother and threw his arms around her waist in excitement. "Careful Frederick, watch out for your sister." Magdalena scolded while she held Catherina in her arms then she carefully knelt down to him and kissed him all over the face not believing how big he has gotten since she had last seen him. "I missed you mama." Frederick stated with tears in his eyes and her eyes teared up as well and she hugged him again. Frederick winced in pain as his hand rubbed against the fabric of her dress because it was sore from the wood stuck in it.

"Let's get that out." Hans stated as he ruffled his hair and pointed for him to sit on a log and Eva held his other hand as she avoided Hans gaze as he took his knife out of his pocket as Michael greeted his wife with a kiss then he doted on Catherina who smiled at him as he took her in his arms. "I just have to cut the skin back a bit to get to the wood out, this might hurt a bit alright." Hans told Frederick who was tearing up again as he did this. "Got it!" Hans said as he pulled out a piece of wood about a half of an inch long. "That didn't even hurt." Frederick said with a sniffle as he got up from the log.

"Wait a minute, what do you say?" Eva asked as she still held onto his hand. "Thank you, Hans." Frederick replied as he started to run. "Do not run you will get hurt" Eva scolded him and he slowed down to a walk then went to his mother who wrapped her arms around him. "Eva please." Hans began to say and she interrupted him. "I will tell you what happened, but not now Hans." she said while shaking her head and he sighed out loud and rubbed the back if his neck in frustration at her not telling him now.

"He's comin, get ta work!" Isaiah warned all of them as the man with the whip came striding by whistling. He stopped and eyed them all to make sure they were all working. Satisfied with what he seen he walked away to make another round around the logging site. They all looked at one another and decided it was best to remain silent for the rest of the day and did so until it was time to leave then they said their goodbyes and hoped that they would see each other in the days ahead.

Chapter 24, Just Say I'm Sorry - September 29 1791,

Today as one of the ax men cut down a tree it fell on one of the workers below him. I did not see it, but heard the sickening sounds of bone crushing. I told papa who comforted me and told me it was just the tree trunk breaking, but I know better than to believe that. It was so terrible, they called Hans over to help them but there was nothing he could do for the tree had crushed his whole body. Hans told me that he did not suffer for the blow killed him instantly, an for that I thank God that he did not for it would have been terrible if he did.

Because of the accident we all got to sit around for ten minutes to rest while they buried him on site. That is when I took the opportunity to tell Hans all that had happen. He shook his head in anger and wanted to confront mama, but I begged him not too as it would only make matters worse. He slowly cooled down and we both vowed that we would never strike any of our children for it is a terrible thing to do.

I have not talked to mama since then, an she has not apologized either. An instead of asking me to do certain things like take care of Catherina she now asks Angelica who thinks I should just say I am sorry and get over with it, as she put it. I can tell she does not like doing all the extra work and in away I feel both relieved and guilty for putting such a big responsibility to my younger sister after all I am the eldest and should be doing it but it is kind of nice to get a break every once in a while. But, maybe she is right, maybe I should Apol....., Eva

"Oh Iris, what is wrong?" Eva asked as she set the diary down and put a arm around her friend who was crying. Iris started to babble on pointing at her belly then put her hands on her head and got up and walked around funnily, some of the children giggled at her this making Eva smile a bit. Iris stopped walking and stared at her like she was waiting for a reply back and Eva just shook her head not understanding what she was saying. This made Iris sob out loud and she sat down on the floor away from Eva in frustration and upset. Eva was about to say something but decided to let her be, she was too tired to try to understand her at the moment.

Eva let out a quiet sigh as she got up from the floor and walked out the door and on the porch where her mother was sitting in the rocker nursing Catherina. She sat down next to her sister who was on one of the steps. They all looked up at the sky and watch the twinkling stars in silence, it felt calm and peaceful out here, Eva thought as she breathed in a fresh breath of night air then leaned back on the steps in relaxation.

"What exactly are stars?" Angelica asked Eva who drew her eyes away from them to look at her sister who was waiting for a reply. "Each star represents a person that has passed on, you see when someone dies a new star appears in the sky to light our way at night and watch over us when we are asleep." Eva replied with a smile as she wondered what they were herself, she must remember to ask Hans about them. "There is allot of people out tonight." Angelica stated in amazement as she looked back up at them and Eva looked out of the corner of her eye and could see her mother smiling. She quickly snapped her gaze back to the twinkling lights and smiled herself as well, that is the first time she had seen her mother smile after their incident.

Chapter 25, Mr. Defrock Daughter,

"It's a shame what happen to that boy barely thirteen." Michael said while shaking his head in pity as he set a sleeping Frederick down on the wooden floor. "Sure is." Isaiah said in agreement as he plopped down on the floor next to him. Hans collapsed on the floor as well, as his eyes slowly drooped shut and he fell sound asleep.

"Isaiah, I always wanted to ask you about something you stated before, but I was afraid to ask until now." Michael said as he rubbed the back of his aching neck. "Ya can ask me anything, Mr. Bauer go ahead." Isaiah said with a nod of his head. "What did you mean when you said that you hope I would have better luck than your family did?" Michael asked as he sat down next to him and Isaiah remained silent for a while then finally answered him.

"Bout twelve years ago the Defrock had a daughter, Bernitta was her name." Isaiah said with a smile. "Bernitta was fourteen an beautiful, an unlike the Defrock's she was kind to us slaves. She was especially kind to muh wife Hannah who was pregnant with our second child, as muh oldest Benjamin was six. Bernitta always gave him sugar cubes every time she stopped by to visit us, how he loved to suck on them. Muh wife once scolded her for giving them to him as she was afraid his teeth would come out. She didn't listen ta her though, such a sweet child she was." Isaiah said thoughtfully.

"Then one day I went out ta the barn ta tend ta the cows with muh son. That's where I found poor Bernitta laying on the hay, her clothes were torn an she had been beaten some what awful. That's when I told Benjamin ta hurry an go get the Defrock's. I felt bad they would see her in that state, so I covered her exposed body with muh shirt. They both came an Mr. Defrock quickly came to her side." Isaiah stated as his face quickly grew dark with anger.

"You did this didn't ya boy, Mr. Defrock accused me angrily. No sir, I said denying it. Then Mr. Defrock got real mad at me and told me ta go back ta muh shack. They then brought Bernitta ta the house where they called the doctor who said she would need lots of rest. She got better an I went back to work never heard nothin from him. But then bout a month later Bernitta didn't return home ta dinner, they didn't think anything about it cause she often took long walks but later that day one of the washing women found her floating face down in the river. She, she was gone. They found a note in Mr. Defrock's study left by her. It said that she could not go on living with what happen to her, an she said the world was evil an so was the person she had grown ta love." he said and Michael remained silent as he continued to talk.

"We all heard what happened ta her an all the slaves grieved the loss of her, some say more than the Defrock's themselves. We didn't go ta the gathering cous muh wife had been in labor. Later that night she had a girl an in honor of Bernitta we named her Nitta, because she was such a kind gentle soul. She was a beautiful baby with lots of dark hair on her head and big almond brown eyes like her mama's." he said with a tearful smile as he remembered his daughters birth and Michael smiled a bit at this.

"Bout two days later Mr. Defrock came with some of the other workers. They took me by the arms an he called me a rapist an a murderer. Muh wife pleaded with him ta let me go cause I was innocent an he called her a liar in return. Benjamin hid behind her an he looked at me with fear in his eyes as they tied the door shut with a rope I could hear Hannah's sobs through the door as they dragged me out onto in front of muh shack, I looked up from the ground ta see his wife standing next to him. She spat in my face an called me a sinner and cursed me to hell." Isaiah said as the tears fell from his eyes and he angrily wiped them away.

"Ya took someone from me, now I am gonna take three people from ya! Do it," Isaiah said with a stutter. "Do it now he said! Then one of the men threw a Fire stick on the straw roof of the shack an It went up in flames. I called out to them an I tried ta get away but it was no use as they tied me ta a wagon wheel. Then Mr. Defrock beat me with a whip I don't know how many lashes he did but, I could not feel the blows nor hear the whipping sounds. All I heard was the screams of muh wife, an Benjamin crying, calling for his papa to help them. We were far away but I could still feel the heat of the fire on muh face. Then the wails, the wails of little Nitta as the roof collapsed onto the shacks floor on top of them" Isaiah said as he closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the wooden wall unable to continue.

"It's alright, you don't have to say anymore." Michael stated as he put a hand on Isaiah shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze and Isaiah buried his head in his hands then looked up at Michael with tears in his eyes. "I was innocent, an they murdered most of muh family. Do ya believe me Mr. Bauer?" Isaiah asked as he looked at the blurred figure beside him and Michael hesitated to answer that.

Chapter 26, My Little Bernitta - November 01 1791,

It is now November and things have changed greatly, for one I am no longer staying with my family as I have moved into the house to live with the Defrock's, Beula and a eleven to thirteen year old Negro girl who walks with a limp. She is a rather shy girl, I talk to her even know she does not talk back. I can tell she is listening to my every word, even if she cannot understand my half English and German tongue.

I do not think Beula was ever a friend to her as she picks on her greatly an calls her names and calls her sinner and not Nitta for she states that Nitta is a no good daughter of a Sinner. I have even seen Beula spat on her I felt like going over there and smacking her a crossed the face but I resist in doing so for the fear of what Mr. Defrock would do if I did.

I must say that their house looks better on the outside than on the inside. For the wallpaper is peeling, an if you look up you can see holes in the roof. Yes, one part of the house is nice but that is only to impress the rich businessmen that Mr. Defrock brings here. There is one advantage of being a house maid, as I can come and go as I please an all the men with whips do not question my being their because I am a house maid now, So I am free to go out when I want. Well, not entirely, I have to make sure that I have all my work done early. I also avoid Beula who will just add more on, She does not like me. I do not know why for I have only been nice to her.

Also Mrs. Defrock needs help with everything, I am surprised she does not have me feed her by spoon, she is such a pathetic helpless woman who keeps to herself most of the time, I cannot help but pity her for it. Did I mention that she knows my Language as well. I would tell you how I found out but the story is too embarrassing to write down on paper, but then again who will be reading this but me.

Let me just say it was all Beula's doing an I had nothing to do with displaying Mrs. Defrock's undergarments out in the open for all the working men to see. I just happen to be sneaking out when she happened to look out the window and looked at me then her er.. under things and she started to yell at me in German to "Hurry up and take them down before all thy could see." I must have looked like a crazy person grabbing all of her things down from the bushes.

She blamed me not Beula who did the laundry, I said nothing though and took the punishment. I went without lunch and dinner that day and was restricted to my room where I did way too much thinking. I know this might sound funny because I see them when I can, but I miss sleeping next to my sisters and mama. Even know we have yet to make up. I miss sitting on the porch and looking up at the stars at night, an hearing Angelica giggle at them as we try to point out different shapes they make and most of all I miss my friend Iris. We talked, well communicated in our way. Is it not funny how it is the little wee things you miss?, Eva

Eva sighed as she heard a bell ringing she quickly closed her diary and set it under a loose floor board in the room that her and Nitta shared. She shook her head in annoyance when hearing the bell ringing once again. "Where have you been?" Mrs. Defrock demanded from the couch as she set her tea cup down. "Dusting." Eva lied. "Well be faster next time my cup is empty and the tea is getting cold." Mrs. Defrock said angrily as she motioning to her empty glass and glared at Eva as if it were her fault.

"Maybe we should get more help around the house, Alevia." Mr. Defrock said with a wink as he sat cross legged in a high back chair. Eva acted like she did not notice the wink and pored the tea. "You know I cannot stand to be around those types of people." she stated angrily as picked up the tea cup and motioning toward Eva who rolled her eyes at this.

"Come on Alevia, one more won't hurt." Mr. Defrock pursed, for a moment Eva thought that he would get on his knees and beg her to give in. "No, it's bad enough we got three of them in the house." She said as her eyes grew dark with anger. "But Alevia." He started to say and she stood up. "I said No!" She screamed as she threw the tea cup against the wall and it shattered into hundreds of little pieces as Nitta came running into the room to see what was going on Alivea glared at Nitta then her husband who was pale in the face at what she had done.

"You should have let that rapist, murder die in the fire along with her, why did you insist on having her here." she screamed as she pointed at Nitta who cowered in fear. "You did it just to remind me didn't you!" Alivea exclaimed as she rushed up the steps and slammed their bedroom door behind her. Eva shook her head as she set the pot down and grabbed a rag from her front pocket to clean the tea off the wall, she then untied her apron from around her waist and went to her knees to pick up the broken pieces while Nitta quietly left the room without another word.

"Is that all Mr. Defrock?" Eva asked after she got done cleaning it up. She shifted her feet nervously when he did not answer her but stared at the banister where his wife once stood. His face was bright red as if he were embarrasses or angry, she did not know which. "Mr. Defrock?" Eva said again this breaking his stare. "What? Ah no, please sit down." he said while motioning with his hand and she hesitated to do so. "I only want to tell you about my wife's delicate condition." Mr. Defrock said as he motioned for her to take a seat again. She slowly nodded her head as she sat on the couch setting her apron and rag on her lap, upon which she fiddled with it nervously.

"Alevia wasn't always quick tempered like this and she never use to break down so easily." Mr. Defrock said while pausing to take a sip of tea. "We had a daughter named Bernitta she was such a sweet child well mannered and just as pretty as her mother. She was about your age how old are you?" Mr. Defrock asked as he looked her up and down. "Thirteen" Eva replied as she focused her gaze on the tea pot, uncomfortable with his brown beady eyed stare. "Well a years difference" he said then continued.

"One day she went for her usual walk in the garden, my wife had company over for tea and I was doing paper work in the library and asked not to be disturbed. When that Negro boy's son came running up to the house, what was his name?" he asked out loud then he thought for a moment. "Ben? Benji?, Benjamin that's it." He said struggling to remember. "Come quick Miss Bernitta hurt bad he said and I quickly got my wife and we followed him to the barn. That is when I had seen Isaiah towering over my daughter, he had his shirt off and there was blood on him. Bernitta lay at his feet unconscious her clothes where torn an she was dishonored." Mr. Defrock stated as he shook his head then looked down at the floor.

"You did this I said to him and he denied it, but the proof was there and I knew better than to trust a Negroes word. I brought her to the house and the doctor came and sent her to bed to rest. Bernitta eventually got better, but it was a while before she took walks in the garden again." He stated and Eva studied his face as he paused to take another sip of tea that now grew cold.

"About a month later she went for a walk and never came home for dinner. We sent out a search party to look for her and someone found her floating face down in the river. She had killed herself by drowning in the river. I found a letter she wrote and it said how the world is evil and how she could not go on living with what happen to her." Mr. Defrock said as he stared at the banister again.

"Then that Negro came to me and protested his innocents to me. He exclaimed that his son was with him the whole day, so I talked to the boy an he acted scared and would not look me in the eye as he repeated what his father had said." Mr. Defrock stated as he shook his head in pity for the boy. "A week after Bernitta's funeral, we seen smoke arising over the hills. My wife and I hurried over there and we were terrified to see a shack on fire and we could hear screams coming from inside. That is when Isaiah walked up to us he had marks on his body and had a light stick in his hand then he collapsed to the ground murmuring that he was innocent." he said and Eva looked at him in shock of what she had heard.

"I Immediately knew what he had did and who's screams I heard. His son and his wife who had just had a baby was trapped in there. So with that in mind I ran to the shack and tried to pull the door open but it was tied shut so I struggled to get the knots loose but it was no use. About that time the roof collapsed in on top of them, I escaped unharmed but his family was killed. I did not hang that Negro for what he had done, but sent him to work in the fields hoping the good lord would change his ways." Mr. Defrock said as he looked up at the ceiling then back at her and shook his head.

"The next day some men and I came to clear the site, I thought I was losing my mind when I heard a baby crying. So the men and I dug through some wood and other burned stuff and I found that the baby had made it, though her legs were badly burned and she was covered in soot from head to toe. The burns is why she walks with a limp. Nitta was that baby and it was gods will that she lived, so I took her under my wing and made her a house maid and she has been one ever since" he said while nodding his head. Nitta is Isaiah's daughter, Eva thought in surprise and she could picture the resemblance between the two know and was wondering why she did not see it before.

"I may come off to you as a cruel man Eva, but I am not. I am stricken for the purpose to prevent something like that from happening again. Do you understand this." he asked as his gaze met Eva's teary ones. "I am sorry, I did not mean to upset you dear." Mr. Defrock said apologetically as he got up and sat next to her on the couch and took her hands in his. "No, what you say makes since Mr. Defrock, and no you did not upset me. I am very sorry for your loss." Eva said as she wiped a tear away from her face and placed a hand on top of his patting it lightly.

"Please call me Arail when we are alone." he said with a smile as Buela walked by the sitting room just in time to see Mr. Defrock and Eva sitting on the couch together holding hands. She hide behind the archway and peeked in to watch them. "You know, you are just as pretty as she was." Beula heard Mr. Defrock say to Eva as he brought his hand to her face and cradled it tenderly.

Chapter 27, As Good As Dirt,

"Do you believe him?" Hans asked Michael who looked around the pile of wood he was carrying in his arms. "Yes, there is no reason for Isaiah to lie to me." Michael replied as he threw the wood into the wagon and made a grunting noise. "You alright?" Hans asked in concern. "Yes, it's just my back acting up again." Michael replied while rubbing the lower half of it then changed the subject back to Isaiah. "He said that he was with his son all day remember" Michael said as he bent down to pick up a piece of wood then groaned out in pain again. "You sure you are alright?" Hans asked as he stepped forward with his arms full of wood to help him up.

"Michael, what's wrong?" Magdalena asked as she quickly walked over to him with Catherina in one arm and some wood in another. Angelica and Frederick followed Hans who grabbed the wood out of their arms and put it in the wagon, because they were not tall enough to reach it. "It's my back, nothing to worry about, just old age catching up to me." Michael said as he gave them all a reassuring smile and went back to work.

"Mama, when is Eva coming to see us?" Frederick asked as he tugged on her sleeve. "When ever she can get away." Magdalena replied with a frown. Michael looked at his wife wondering why the question caused her to frown, but had no time to ask her as the man with the whip was making his rounds again. Michael continued to work the best he could and he did his best to muffle his cries of pain by biting down on his lower lip.

"Hans!" he heard his daughter's cheerful voice say and he looked up to see her greeting his son in law with a hug and kiss on the lips. Frederick and Angelica wrapped their arms around their sister greeting her with a hug as well. He frowned when he noticed his wife did not make any effort to greet her, neither did his daughter who walked past her and over to him. "Papa!" Eva said as she put her arms around his neck giving him a big hug causing his back locked up again. "What's wrong, papa?" Eva asked as she let go of him." Your lip is bleeding." Eva stated with a frown as she wiped the blood away with her sleeve then he took her hands in his. "Your papa is ok, it is just old age." Michael replied while forcing a smile at her.

"He's lying to you, he has been grunting and groaning all day." Hans stated while shaking his head as he loaded more wood into the wagon. "Papa, you need to rest." Eva said with great concerned. "I am fine." Michael said as he looked into her eyes almost the same colors as her mother's hazel green he thought. Then the realization hit him, he knew what caused the frown and no heart warming greeting from mother to daughter and why they have been so distant from each other.

"Why did she do it?" Michael asked while looking her straight in the eye and Eva quickly looked away then back at him with tears in her eyes." She said I sassed her papa, but I was just speaking the truth." Eva replied while shaking her head and he pulled her into a hug. "I am sorry Eva, it will never happen again I promise you." Michael said angry that his wife would strike one of their children.

He did not approve of this for his father was a child and woman beater. He remembered that he would always get hit if he did not do what he was told or he did not see eye to eye with him. His father looked down on the poor and the people with different colored skin as well as women who in his fathers words "Were as good as dirt." Michael promised himself early on that he would never end up like his father, a fake who had all the money in the world thinking that it would bring him to heaven, he was a cruel man. Michael thought as he let go of his daughter and tried to stand up straight and his back jolted this bringing him to his knees.

"Papa, please." Eva said trying to convinced him to sit down on a stump and rest a minute. "It is not a good idea, the man with the whip." Michael said while motioning his head toward the man who was walking around like he owned the place. "I am a house maid now Papa, they do not question what I do or who I am with and what they do." Eva stated while shaking her head as she helped him sit on a stump then walked back over to Hans who stopped working and the two got into a deep conversation.

"Eva, how could you believe someone like Mr. Defrock?" Hans said in disbelief. "She was the man's daughter, are you suggesting he would lie about something so horrific." Eva said ready to argue with him when Isaiah walked up to them and Eva stopped talking and just stared at the man. "Mrs. Wilhelm. "Isaiah said with a smile. Eva's skinned crawled and she felt like she would vomit at any moment if she had to stay there any longer. Is this man a murder like Mr. Defrock makes him out to be, she thought. "I have to get back to the Defrock's." Eva mumbled then she left in a hurry without saying goodbye to anyone and Hans frowned at this.

Eva was confused she did not know who to believe at the moment. Mr. Defrock was a convincing man. Why would he lie about what happened to his daughter and our situation it is for the best so this would not happen again, but Hans is so certain that Isaiah is innocent. Eva shook her head even more confused now was Isaiah an evil man like he said? He did save her husband life after all, but then again people can be easily fooled. Those type of people can

manipulate others easily, she thought to herself as she walked the long way back to the Defrocks house to clear her mind.

Chapter 28, Flowers in a Vase,

Nitta is sitting a crossed from me and she watches me curiously as I write. I look up at her and smile every now and then but she always looks away, but I can see her looking at me out the corner of her eye. It turns out that Isaiah already told papa about Bernitta and the horrible fire that took the lives of his wife and son, but he claims that he did not start the fire and blames Mr. Defrock.

An from what Mr. Defrock said it is Isaiah who set the fire, because his wife was going to tell what he did to Bernitta and she did not want to be with Isaiah any longer because he was a woman and child beater. Mr. Defrock latter told her that Isaiah got angry often and when he found out from another slave what she was planning he snapped and killed them all.

Both of their stories are similar in some ways But Mr. Defrock's makes more sense but then again, I know it is wrong of him to keep families apart but, it would be a disaster if he did not? Hans and I had argued over this, he believes Isaiah is innocent of everything despite what Mr. Defrock had said. An I did not get a chance to tell him that Nitta was still alive and I do not know if I will. For I fear that Isaiah might try to harm her if he is quick tempered like Mr. Defrock said, those type of people do not think clearly. Poor Nitta, she never got a chance to know what her mama and big brother was lik.., Eva

Nitta had finally got the courage to come sit by Eva who smiled at her as she tore a page out of her diary and set it on the floor then she put the Feather pen in Nitta's hand and dipped it in the ink well. Then she led her hand to the paper and slowly made a circle with the ink cover tip. Nitta looked up at her with a smile on her face and Eva smiled back at her as she got up from the floor and walked over to the boarded up window to look out the spaces between them.

She looked out at the stars and sighed because she deeply missed her family right now. She must have been staring at them for quite some time because she felt a tug on her sleeve. "What is it Frederick." Eva asked out loud then sighed knowing he would not be there when she turn around. Nitta held up a piece of paper in front of her. "Is this for me?" Eva asked with a smile as she took the paper out of her hand and turned it over. A surprised look came a crossed Eva's face as she stared in complete awe of the realistic drawing of Flowers in a vase.

"You are a very good Artists Nitta." Eva said while shaking her head in amazement. "For you." Nitta said with a smile and Eva brought her into a hug. Nitta was surprised and both scared because she never felt such affection from someone before. She hugged Eva back throwing her arms around her waist. Tear's fell down her mocha black cheeks as she silently cried for her days of loneliness were now over for she now has a friend.

Chapter 29, The First Thanksgiving - The Autumn Of 1621,

We are to prepare for what people call Thanksgiving Day. A day of celebration, a day that people give thanks for what they have and to the good lord. Mr. Defrock told me all of this and a story about the first Thanksgiving in America, he said that the English colonists celebrated Thanksgiving as part of their religion and their first successful harvest.

10 months after they arrived at Plymouth, they build seven houses, a common meeting place, and three store houses for supplies and food from their first harvest. They all had much to be thankful for as they had barely survived the long winter that had come by surprise. He said they would not have survived without the help of the Indian people and their leader who taught them all how to plant corn and other crops by placing fish in the soil and dirt holes to help it grow.

Upon this they all had a feast held in the autumn of 1621. Where the English and Wampanoag Indians came together to celebrate the colony's first successful harvest. It was the women who prepared the feast, they roasted freshly plucked ducks over a roaring fire while their children helped by grinding corn into samp, as a porridge or corn base oatmeal. In addition they had seafood, cabbage, onions, corn, squash and venison which is the Wampanoag Favorite dish also known as deer meat. I was truly amazed and inspired by the story that Mr. Defrock had told me and immediately felt guilty. I have to go apologize to mama and tell her she was right and that not all Indians were savages. I know Angelica, Frederick and especially Hans will be impressed with this stor.., Eva

"Nitta what is it?" Eva asked as she tugged on Eva's sleeve and pointed at the door. As soon as Eva looked in that direction she had seen a quick flash of a shadow underneath the door. Eva quickly placed her diary back in the hidden floor board. Then she got up and walked over to the door and opened it looking from the left then to the right and it was dark and empty.

She looked back at Nitta who shrugged her shoulders and Eva shook her head then motion for her follow her. As they walked down the hallway she could not shake off the strange feeling that someone was watching them in the shadows, but who? Eva thought to herself as she looked around nervously then went about her day without further incident.

Chapter 30, The Silence Between Them,

"Mama, do you think Eva will ever stay with us again?" Angelica asked as she looked up at her mother who was sitting in the rocker nursing baby Catherina again. "I don't think so." Magdalena replied as she looked up at the stars with tear's in her eyes. She missed her more than she cared to admit it and hated the silence between them. Magdalena sighed as she got up and walked into the shed without saying a word. Angelica sighed out loud as well, she missed her big sister more then anything. Iris passed Magdalena on the way and she sat down next to Angelica on the porch steps and smiled at her as she rested a hand on her growing belly and looked out into the night.

Chapter 31, Nothing Of The Sort,

Thanksgiving Day - November 17, 1791

How exciting Mr. Defrock has invited Nitta and I to dine with him and his wife tonight. I wish I had a more suitable dress to wear for mine is torn and stained. How I envy the dresses that Mrs. Defrock wears, they are all so pretty. I know that Nitta is looking forward to tonight as well for she has smiled all day and has talked about nothing else.

I was able to see my family today and I told them the story of the first Thanksgiving and that it had happened over one hundred and seventy years ago. I was surprised when Hans told me that if it has anything to do with Mr. Defrock that he did not want to hear it. I just shook my head at him and told Angelica and Frederick who were sitting on a snowy log listening intently. Hans worked close by us, he pretended not to listen but I could see from the corner of my eye that he was and very much enjoyed what I had to say.

I also talked to Iris who's belly is growing big, she smiled at me as she brought my hand to her belly I felt the baby kick. How I miss spending time with her, I wish she did not have to be out in the cold along with my family and the other people that work for they should be inside a warm house as I am, though it can get drafty at times. I admit I feel guilty for being a house maid. It may be cold where I sleep but it is nothing compared to staying in the drafty old shacks, I must talk to Mr. Defrock about fixing them up a bit.

Later that day I told Hans about my having dinner with the Defrock's and he grew very angry and forbid me to go. That is when he told me that Mr. Defrock just wants something in return, I asked him what he meant by that and he hesitated to answer. In anger I told him that he was just being jealous and that I could dine with whom I pleased.

Then I rushed away from him as fast as I could walk in the snow and he follow me and tried to apologize but I just ignored him. Then one of the men with whips blocked the path and told Hans that he had to get back to work or else he would take him to Mr. Defrock for punishment. I looked out of the corner of my eye and I could see he desperately wanted to go after me, but he had no choice but to get back to work.

Why does he have to act that way? Is he jealous of my spending time with Mr. Defrock and not him? I feel bad about this but I cannot help but say yes when Mr. Defrock wants to talk for he looks lonely and I feel sorry for him. No, not alone how could he be as he has a wife. She may be in a delicate condition, but who would not be after all she has been through. With that said why does he want to spend time with me, is Hans right? Does Mr. Defrock want something in return, if so what is it? Oh how I wish I could talk to mama about this, but she was not there today and Angelica said that she had other duties to do. I would like to see her and apologize, I hope everything is well for I do not know what I would do without he..., Eva

Nitta quietly walked over to Eva and tapped her on the shoulder then pointed toward the door. Eva nodded her head as she handed her the diary and inkwell to put back then she put a finger to her lips signaling for her to be quiet. She quietly crept toward the door and threw it open this making the person on the other side fall inside the room.

"What are you doing!" Eva demanded as she crossed her arms over her chest and Nitta did the same. "Nothing!" Beula replied with a hiss as she quickly got up from the floor and brushed off her dress."You were spying on us." Eva said accusingly. "I did nothing of the sort, I was just walking by when you startled me by throwing the door open." Beula argued as she glared at her. "An you just happen to be leaning up against the door with your ear to it." Eva asked as her eyes fell to the glass in her hand, and Beula quickly hid it behind her back.

"Mr. Defrock has told me to tell you dinner is in ten minutes." Beula stated snootily as she turned on her heels and walked down the hallway. Eva shook her head at Beula's spying nonsense then looked at Nitta and smiled as she grabbed her hand and together they walked to the dining room to their first ever Thanksgiving feast.

Chapter 32, A Christmas With Out Christkindl,

It is now the 06th of December, and today is the original gift giving day in Germany, but sadly there is no gifts to get from Christkindl here in America for they do not celebrate this part of Christmas. How silly is that? I do not remember a Christmas without Christkindl. Though a lot of times we only got one gift to share among us all, it still meant a lot to us. To think of it puts a smile on my face then I frown at the fact that the Americans here do not celebrate this part of Christmas.

To make matters worse papa has announced that Christkindl will not come this year. Angelica and Frederick cried and asked what they did wrong and papa said they did nothing wrong and that he talked to Christkindl and he apologized for not seeing them, for it was too far for him to travel from Germany to America and he would not be able to deliver gifts to all the other children in Germany if he came here to give gifts to us. He sends his love to little Angelica and Frederick though. That made them stop crying and for the rest of the day they pestered papa with questions about Christkindl, Like what he looked like and how old he was and so on.

This gave Hans and I a chance to slip away and we had a magical time together. I will not say what we did for it makes me blush, though it should not for we are man and wife and it is what a married couple does. I have to change the subject on paper for Nitta is looking at me strangely as she notices my flushing cheeks. When we returned I was surprised when mama came up to me and gave me a hug, squishing Catherina in between us. Then she told me that she was sorry for what she did and she will never lay a hand on me again and that she dearly loves me and hoped I could find forgiveness in my heart for her. I could see papa smiling, grateful we finally made up for he hated the silence between us and I did too.

Maybe this was Christkindl's gift to us, as we are all in good health and get to see each other almost every day. I gave Iris a big hug as well, she is getting bigger every time I see her, her belly that is. I also said hello to Mabel and the other woman and children that I housed with before. As I ended my day walking back to the Defrock's house I could hear Mabel's singing fade as I got farther away., Eva

Eva set the diary down and closed her eyes blessed to sleep in peace and some what happiness for the first time in a long time.

Chapter 33, An Days Before - December 24 1791,

Today is the new Christmas Eve day, how I wish we could be back in Germany right now. As we always celibate Christmas by fasting praying, an every family throughout Germany would bring trees into their house and tie candles to the branches and light them. The flickering gave the trees a pretty sparkling glow and underneath would be gifts from Christkindl.

For diner we would eat goose or pork and have mama's famous Christmas stolen for dessert, stolen is very good as it's a loaf shaped cake that has dried fruits in it, an is covered in a powdered sugar. My mouth waters at the thought of it. An days before this everyone would have the streets decorated with red ribbons and green holly, what a beautiful site to see.

Though here in America there is no decorations hung, no tree light, no Christmas stolen and no Christkindl or gift giving, no. The Americans celebrate Christmas much different from us. They throw lavish party's and invite there friends and business associates and eat rice pudding and duck with cranberry sauce and drink fancy wine, a Christmas in America what shall we do?, Eva

Eva stood up and placed her belongings under the hidden floor board, then hurried out of the room to clean the house for the Christmas party that the Defrock's were having tomorrow. "Where have you been" Beula asked scolding her. "I was just....." Eva began to say and Beula interrupted her "Never mind that, there is suppose to be many notable people here tomorrow so the house must look its best. You and sinner here are supposed to shovel the porch and walkway" Beula said as she handed the shovels to them. "Yes, Beula." Eva said as she walked to her room to got her rugged old shawl then she headed outside.

The bitter cold wind hit Eva's face making her gasp for air as it took her breath away and she shivered as she walked over to Nitta and she looked at her as she crossed her arms and said "burr" out loud. Nitta nodded her head in agreement then quickly went back to work. It took them almost half of the day to shovel all the snow out of the way. When they had gotten inside they could not feel their hands or toes, so they both walked over to the fireplace to warm themselves.

Eva could not help but once again feel sorry for her family and everyone else working out in the cold. She prayed that they would at least let Iris, her mother and younger siblings stay inside for the winters cold is the worst thing for pregnant woman and young children who can get sick easily. "What are you doing?" Beula snapped as she came up behind them. "We were just warming ourselves, It was freezing out there." Eva replied as she rubbed her arms for warmth. "Enough resting, get back to work." she said angrily as she glared at Nitta who cowered behind Eva.

"Once our hands and feet are unfrozen we will." Eva said as she looked her in the eye and Beula smirked at her. "I suggest you get to work now or else I will tell Mrs. Defrock you neglect your work, in which she will frown upon you both and send you out in the cold to work with the others." She said with a warning and Eva sighed.

"What do we have to do? Eva asked her in defeat. "Lots, there are rooms to be dusted and the floors need to be swept and scrubbed." Beula replied. "And what are you to do?" Eva asked. "I have the most important job of them all, I get to prepare dinner." Beula replied with a wicked smile on her face as she left the room. Why does she have to be like that, Eva thought while shaking her head at the fact they must clean the whole house on their own well Beula just sits on her butt and cook, if she is even doing that.

"Come on, we better clean before Mrs. Defrock has a fit." Eva said to Nitta as they both picked up a rug that was on the floor and put it aside. "Well, well you got the place looking mighty fine" Mr. Defrock said as he walked into the parlor about an hour latter. He stared intently at Eva while looking her up and down and Eva stopped what she was doing but Nitta kept cleaning. "This will not do" Mr. Defrock stated with a shake of his head. "What will not do, did we miss something?" Eva asked him fearing that they did something wrong. "No, it's just that with the party tomorrow and I do not know if it can be done in time." he replied as he shook his head again.

"What wont be done?" Eva asked confused. "Your clothes my dear sweet girl there old and worn, you cannot wear that to the party while you wait on the guest. No, you must look your best" he said as he put a hand on her lower back and led her out of the room. "I think I have something that will suit you" he said as he pushed her up the steps and into a room, then he threw open a closet door and looked through it.

"Here we are." he said as he pulled out a light blue dress with bows on it. "Oh Mr. Defrock, I cannot wear that it is too expensive looking, I might ruin it" Eva stated as she looked at the beautiful gown in awe. "Nonsense, you will do fine in it, go on try it on." he said with a intent look in his eyes as he put it in her hands. "Oh I cannot I have so much to do, I still have to help Nitta shovel the path again." She stated as she handing it back to him. "That can wait I need to make sure this will fit you before the Christmas party tomorrow, Go on" he said as he held it out in front of him again.

Eva finally took the dress out of his hands, the material was soft and delicate. "Where am I to change?" Eva asked while looking around the room. "You can change in here, just call me when you are done. I will be waiting outside the door" he said as he walked away from her and closed the door behind him. Eva sighed as she started to undress then lifted her old dress over her head. This making the Gold necklace that her mother gave her smack against her skin and she gasped at the coldness of it. The dress slide over her like butter being spread on a roll. She reached around her back struggled to tie the strings, her fingers and hands hurt from scrubbing the floor all day.

"Let me help you" she heard Mr. Defrock's say as he came into the room and Eva jumped a bit startled to hear his voice in the room and he quickly got behind her and tied the strings. "There, take a look in the mirror " he said as he motioned toward the mirror to the left of the bed. Eva lifted up the front of the dress as walked over to the mirror careful not to drag the beautiful material on the floor. She did not look like herself she looked like some rich woman who had just stepped out a banquet or a ball this making her frowned at her reflection.

"What's wrong, do you not like it?" he asked as he rushed to her side. "Oh no, it is a very beautiful dress Mr. Defrock, but I cannot wear this it is just too much." she replied while shaking her head then added "People will mistake me for an important person and not a servant." she said and he shook his head at her. "Oh but you must wear this, it complements you very much" He looked her up then down then up again and smiled at her. "I don't know" Eva said as she looked at her reflection again.

"It once belong to my little Bernitta, but she never got a chance to wear it." he said in sadness as if he were about to cry, then he turned away from her and sat down on the bed. "I will wear it then, in honor of your late daughter" Eva said feeling sorry for him. "Oh how marvelous" he said as he jumped up and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek and she took a step backwards cautiously, surprised at what he had just did.

"I am sorry, I do not know what came over me, but seeing you in her dress brought back old memory's" he said in a far away voice. "It's alright, I understand" Eva said while nodding her head and forced a smile. "I'm glad, now please change and get on with your duties." he ordered as he turned to walk out of the room. "Mr. Defrock, won't Beula and Nitta need a dress?" Eva asked him and he turned around. "What yes, Beula already has one. As for Nitta just pick whatever in the closet for her and see that it fits." he replied with a wave of his hand then he left. Eva walked over to the closet and picked out a pretty lavender dress and smiled as she laid it on the bed, Nitta will look lovely in this dress, Eva thought with a smile.

Then she quickly got out of the fancy dress and back into her own which felt scratchy against her skin. She sighed as she walked out of the room and closed the door shut. I wish I could wear those types of dresses all the time, but this is my life and I should be thankful that I have my family and friends. That is what counts the most loved ones, not material things. Eva thought as she carried the dresses down the stairs being careful not to trip on them.

Chapter 34, Out Of The Wind And Snow,

"I'm cold." Frederick stated to his father as his teeth chattered and his body shook. "I know son it won't be too much longer, it is almost dark now" he said as he took his own jacket off and put it around him and a shiver went down Michael spine as the wind hit him hard in the back.

"Mr. Bauer ya should not do that, ya will catch a cold an die" Isaiah shouted to be heard over the howling wind. "It will be a lot worse for him than it would be for me" Michael said as he picked up more wood and threw it into the wagon as Hans walked over to him and started to take his jacket off to give to him. "No keep it on, the same goes for you too." Michael stated as he walked away from him to gather more wood. Thank god that the woman did not have to be out in the cold today as they were all busy making candles inside for the Christmas party tomorrow, Michael thought as he picked up a bundle of wood and carried it in his arms.

"Aright, works over" the man with the whip yelled to them all and Michael sighed with relief as he dropped what he had in the wagon then picked up a shaking Frederick from the ground and carried him. Isaiah didn't say a word but walked closely behind him as Hans followed as well. He was very thankful that they would finally be back inside and out of the wind and snow if only for a little while.

Chapter 35, A Bunch Of Thief's,

Nitta awoke early excited about the party today she shook Eva's shoulder to wake her up. Eva groaned out loud as she sat up and wiped the sleet out of her tired eyes, she had worked on Nitta's dress all night to have it ready for the party. Nitta smiled at her as she pointed to the window, Eva got up from the floor and peered through the slats it had finally stopped snowing and the sun was sure to shine for there wasn't a cloud in the sky. "I guess we better go see what we have to do before the party" Eva said with a yawn as she stretched then they both walked out the door and down the hall way.

"About time you both got up" Beula snapped. "We got up when we usually do Beula" Eva said defensively. "Never mind, there is snow to be shoveled" she said as she shoved the shovels at Eva then turned away. Eva sighed as she handed one to Nitta and they got to work. They were about done when they heard Beula shout from the door.

"Mrs. Defrock want to see you this instant" Beula shouted. "Who me?" Eva asked while pointing at herself. "Yes you! I didn't say sinner now, did I?" she asked impatiently then she went back inside. Eva handed Nitta the shovel and took her shawl off wrapping it around Nitta's shoulders to keep her warmer. Then she walked up the path and into the house with her arms crossed over her chest at the bitter coldness of the day.

"Where is she?" Eva asked with chattering teeth as she rubbed her arms to bring warmth to them and Beula quickly shut the door behind her. "Upstairs in her room and be sure not to track in!" Beula said slightly annoyed with her question as if she should have known where she was.

Eva quickly walked up the steps and stopped in front of the Defrock's bedroom door to knock. "Who is it?" she heard Mrs. Defrock's ask. "It is Eva, you wanted to see me." she replied from outside the door. "You may enter" Mrs. Defrock stated as Eva slowly opened the door and stepped inside. "Close the door behind you or it will get drafty in here." Mrs. Defrock scolded with a huge frown on her face.

"Don't just stand there, get over here girl!" she snapped as she looked up at her reflection in the mirror and Eva quickly walked to her side. "I want my hair done up into a traditional German bun with braids along each side." she said to Eva as she starred at her reflection in the mirror, she wants me to do what? Eva thought in confusion. "What are you deaf girl, get to it!" she snapped at Eva who quickly took the heavy silver brush into her hands and started to brush Mrs. Defrock's long hair and she leaned back in her chair with her eyes closed shut. Eva stared at her in the mirror why did she not have Beula do this, she thought in confusion once again.

"About time!" Mrs. Defrock snapped as Eva just finished putting one last jeweled pin in her hair moments latter. Then she looked at her hair tipping her head at different angles as Eva held a hand held mirror behind her so she could see the back. "Not bad, you can go now." she said with a wave of her hand and Eva slowly nodded her head and walked out the room shutting the door quietly behind her. Thank the lord that is over Eva thought with a relieved sigh as she quickly walked down the steps to help Nitta finish shoveling for the day.

Guest had already started to arrive for the party by four o clock. They sipped on their fancy wine and ate little pieces of cheese that Eva and Nitta handed out on a silver platter. Mrs. Defrock had yet to join the party and was still upstairs getting ready because she was always fashionably late. "Cheese sir?" Eva said to a elderly couple who shook their head's frowning at her.

Mr. Defrock was standing in the corner laughing with a group of his rich business associates. When the same elderly lady walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. "Arail, would you kindly please tell your servant to quit babbling on like a fool and speak in English." she said while motioning over to Eva who frowned at her, she understood the words fool and speak English. Eva knew that she must have been talking about her for who else was there?

"I am Sorry Mrs.Wendlson, She had just arrived in September and has yet to learn all of the English tongue." He said apologetically to her and she shook her head at this. "Hmp, you would think a man of your stature would have picked a servant more appropriate for their guests." She said with her nose stuck in the air. "You are right Mrs. Wendlson, please forgive me and I will remember to do so at the next gathering." he said as he bowed to her then walked away from her and over to Eva who smiled at him nervously.

"Eva you are doing marvelous, and once again that dress looks breathtaking on you. I have received many complements from my guest on how beautiful all my servants look." Mr. Defrock stated as he looked her up and down then twirled his wine in the glass then took a sip of it. "Thank you Mr. Defrock, I have never seen so many Etiquette dressed people in all my life." Eva said with a smile as she set down the empty tray and picked up a full one. "This is what to expect when you are a successful business man like myself" he said proudly giving her a big smile and she slowly nodded her head. "Well, I better let you get back to work Eva." he said as he patted her on the back then walked away to talk to more people.

Finally Mrs Defrock decided to make her astonishing entrance, she was dressed in silver and gold from head to toe. She looked around the room and frowned at something clearly not happy at what she had seen. "What do you think you are doing wearing my dead daughters things, you little thief!" Mrs. Defrock said in anger as she walked up to Nitta and smacked her a crossed the face. Nitta dropped the platter she was carrying and it made a loud crashing noise as it hit the floor drawing the attention of all the guests who stopped what they were doing and looked their way. "Now look what you have done, you clumsy fool" she said to Nitta who was still stunned by the smack and Eva quickly rushed to her side and put a arm around her.

"Are you alright" Eva asked Nitta who slowly nodded her head yes. "You too!, I have a bunch of thief's living in my household. Arail, Arail!" Mrs. Defrock shouted for her husband to come to her. "That is not true!" Eva denied in perfect English while shaking her head at her. Mr. Defrock gave us these things, Eva thought in anger that she would accuse them of stealing from her. "Take them off now!" Mrs. Defrock screamed at them both as she came closer and Nitta closed her eyes in fear and clung to Eva's side.

"Alevia calm down you are making a scene. I told them that they could wear them for the party." He said calmly as he gently grabbed her by the elbow and tried to lead her out of the room but

she snatched it out of his grip. "You, you said they could wear Bernitta's dresses! You let them touch her things, does our daughter mean nothing to you?" Mrs. Defrock asked hysterically in a fit of tears. "Alevia, the guests they are all staring at you. Please go upstairs and compose yourself before you make yourself out to be a bigger fool then you have now." Mr. Defrock said through the grit of his teeth trying to reason to her.

"Don't you tell me what to do Arail, I am not a child I am an adult!" She shouted to him with her fists clenched at her sides. "Then start acting like one, for heavens sake." he snapped having enough of her nonsense. "Well I have never been so insulted in my life." she said as tears came to her eyes and she rushed upstairs and slammed the door shut behind her. "Ladies and Gentleman, please do not let my wife's actions spoil the party she is still not well as you have seen. But rest assure we have some of the best doctors from around here working with her to make her better and back to her old self." He said apologizing to his guests then he walked away from the crowed and outside and looked up at the moon and stars which shined brightly in the night's sky making it light outside.

As soon as he left the guests whispered to each other about what had happened moments ago. Eva felt sorry for them both, for Mrs. Defrock for the fact that she was still grieving over her dead daughter and for Mr. Defrock for the fact that his wife had just made as scene in front all these people and gossip was sure to spread around here, Eva thought as she motioned for Nitta to get back to work on serving the appetizer.

Chapter 36, The beginning of a new year,

It is the beginning of a new year as it is now January the first of seventeen ninety two. An I must say that I fear that I am coming down with something, for I have been light headed and have even fainted once well I was walking outside for some fresh air as it was stuffy in the Defrock's house. Luckily Beula spotted me from inside while peering out a window and got Mr. Defrock to help get me, for I would have frozen to death outside if she had not. Though I can't help but wonder why she didn't leave me out there for maybe she is not as bad as person as she seems, now that thought is worth a good laugh.

As for my sickness my stomach aches constantly and I feel sore all over. Then yesterday when Mr. Defrock was smoking his pipe it made me feel nauseous and I almost vomited up my lunch right there in front of him, so now I am sent to rest in the room all day until I get better. Mr. Defrock was kind enough to have Nitta bring me some dinner, but I was unable to eat it all for the cabbage made me ill all over again and I vomited on my best work dress I had. I wish mama was here she would know what's wrong and take care of m.., Eva

The door suddenly busted open and Mrs. Defrock rushed in with her husband trailing behind her and they were arguing but in the English tongue. Eva quickly hide her diary under her shawl she used for a blanket. "Get up!" Mrs. Defrock ordered her and she did as she was told. "Alevia, is this really necessary the poor girl is ill." He said while waving his hand toward her. "Yes!" she spat as she walked around Eva and studied her up and down.

"Humph, just what I suspected." she said while nodding her head. "What?" Mr. Defrock asked with a worried glance at Eva. "Shame on you, you dissolute girl. You should be ashamed of yourself, shame!" She said to Eva as she shook her finger at her then left the room. Eva just shook her head in confusion as she looked at Mr. Defrock who had a shocked look on his face then a gleam came into his eyes and he grinned at her then left. "What did I do wrong?" Eva asked out loud as she threw her hands up in the air after they left the room this leaving her alone.

Chapter 37, A Dissolute Girl,

I now know why Mrs. Defrock called me a dissolute girl, for I am with child. I only know this because I asked Beula what it meant and she didn't hesitate to tell me and it was within her explaining it I knew I was with child for Beula smirked at me and said that I was going to be a terrible mother and I told her to hobble her lip and she did. I have yet to tell Hans who I know will be just as thrilled as I am for having a child is a wonderful thing. God bless the heavens above for this miracle child growing within me... ~ Eva

Eva wrote as shut the diary and grabbed her shawl an walked outside to see her family. It was not as cold today for the sun was peeking out from beneath the clouds as she hurried to the wooded site. "Eva, Eva!" Frederick and Angelica shouted as they ran over to give her a big hug. "I missed you both." Eva said as she kissed them both on top of the head. "We missed you too, where have you been?" Angelica asked in concern. "I have been ill but I am much better now, where is mama?" Eva asked while she looked around for her but did not see her. "She's making candles again!" Frederick exclaimed out loud.

"Eva!" Michael said out loud truly surprised to see her. "Papa a pre happy birthday to you." Eva said as she gave him a big hug and he pulled back to look her over. "You look different." Michael stated with furrowed brows as he looked her up and down. "I know you're glowing. Did something good happen to you?" Michael asked as he put a hand on each of her shoulders and smiled. "She doesn't look like she is glowing to me, papa." Frederick stated while looking her over this making Michael laughed out loud.

What is going on here?" Magdalena asked as she walked up to them with baby Catherina in her arms who was bundled up in a blanket, Iris followed close behind her with a shawl wrapped around her to keep her warm."She's glowing mama!" Frederick exclaimed with excited eyes. "I see." Magdalena said as she handed the baby to her husband and gave Eva a big hug.

"Oh my, this is wonderful news!" she said as she held onto her tightly and Eva pulled back to looked into her mother's teary eyes and could tell that she knew just by looking at her. "Oh Mama." Eva said as she hugged her again and they both started to cry in excitement. Michael looked at his wife then at his daughter unsure of what to do or what was going on for that matter. "Did you tell him yet?" Magdalena asked as she broke the hug. "No I was just about too but, he doesn't seem to be around at the moment." she replied sadly as she wiped a tear away. "He's splitting logs today" Michael stated then cleared his throat. "Now will you both tell me what is going on here?" Michael asked and Magdalena laughed at that.

"Oh Michael, you would think you would have notice when someone is carrying by now." She said while shaking her head and he raised his brows in surprise. "Your with child Magdalena?" Michael asked and she frowned at him and shook her head no. "Not me you fool, Eva" she stated with a smile as she rested a arm around her shoulders and his eyes widened in even more suprise. "Well would you look at that, he is at loss for words for once in his life." Magdalena exclaimed with a soft chuckle and a glimmer of light in her eyes and Michael quickly recovered from the shock.

"Congratulations Mary Eva, you are going to make a wonderful mama." he finally said as he brought her into a hug. "Thank you papa." Eva said as she patted his back then let him go. "Well, I better go tell the papa to be. Wish me luck" she said as she gave her mother one last hug. "No luck needed, I am sure he is going to be thrilled" Magdalena stated with a reassuring smile.

After they said their goodbyes Eva quickly made her way over to the log splitting section. She could see about 10 men with axes they brought them up in the air then down on to the wood with a crack and some others were cutting trees down as usual. Eva looked around not one of the men looked familiar to her, she slowly shook her head as she turned around to walk away then she saw him sitting on a log to her left and her eyes light up in concern.

"What happened" Eva cried out as she rushed up to him careful not to trip on any of the tree stumps that hid in the snow. "He was splitting wood when the axe blade came off an cut him" Isaiah said as he tied a rag around Hans leg to stop the bleeding. "Oh no, is it bad" she asked in horror. "No he should be fine as long as he keeps it clean" Isaiah replied and Eva slowly nodded her head unable to meet his gaze so she looked down at the ground. "Well I best get back ta work" Isaiah said with a smile as he stood up. "Thank you for your help Isaiah" Hans said as they shook hands. "No problem Mr. Wilhelm" Isaiah said with a nod of his head then he left to get back to work. "How is it really Hans?" she asked with a worried look on her face as soon as he left. "Like he said, it is not that bad" Hans replied as he started to get up.

"No, sit down. There is something I need to talk to you about" Eva said as she grabbed his arm to make him sit back down then she took his hands in hers. "What is it?" Hans asked with a worried glance and she smiled at him then looked down at the ground then back up to meet his worried gaze. "Hans, I am with child." Eva replied as happy tears reached her eyes. "Your what?" Hans asked in disbelief and he shook his head thinking he had not heard her correctly. "We are going to have a baby Hans" she said unable to hold back her excitement. "No! No you can't, not right now!" He said while shaking his head then he got up from the tree stump and wobbled as he tried to balance on his good leg.

"Hans, I do not understand, I thought you would be happy about this." She said with furrowed brows as she brought his hands to her belly and he pulled them away as if he touched red hot coal. "Happy! You thought that I would be happy about this?" Hans asked as he threw his hands up in the air in anger. "Yes." Eva said while nodding her head confused by his reaction. Why is he not happy about this? she thought with a frown. "Well I'm not Eva, do you really want our child to grow up in this place? We are slaves for goodness sake!" Hans shouted in anger this drawing the attention of the other workers around them.

"It is not like I planned this on purpose Hans, it is partly your fault too." she pointed out as she crossed her arms over her chest in anger and Hans opened his mouth then closed it. He couldn't argue with that one. "Look I know that our situation is not the best right now, but I do know one thing. We will both Love this child and make him or her happy no matter what." Eva said as she took his hands in hers again and Hans head hung low and he shook his head.

"Eva I am sorry, but I just can't stand by and watch our child grow up here. It is not right." Hans stated as he pulled his hands away from hers and turned away from her. "Fine! Then I will raise our child myself if you are not willing to do your part." Eva shouted in a teary voice then she quickly walked away feeling really hurt and upset that this was his response to the news. Hans shook his head as tears came to his eyes as well, how could they possibly raise a child here? he thought as he looked up at the sky hoping God would help guide them through it.

Chapter 38, Her Sweet Flowery Perfume,

It has been almost three months since I had last written for it is now April the twelfth, an I had run out of ink. Luckily my loving husband was thoughtful enough to get me some more, though he never did say where he got it from. He has now warmed up to the idea of having a baby and he has apologized for the way he acted and said that he cannot wait to be a papa. I am happy of this for I did not want to raise this child that grows within me alone. Writing of this reminds me of Iris, mama said that she will be due within a month or two and I believe it for it looks like she had swallowed a watermelon whole. I should not laugh at this because I will get as big as she is soon.

Being with child has brightened my sense of smell, I can tell when Mrs. Defrock is up and about for I can smell her sweet flowery perfume. I can also tell what we are having for breakfast, lunch and dinner. An sometimes it can be a not so wonderful smell, as some of the smells is not so pleasant and it makes me sick. Mama said that this would happen to me an I do not know how she could stand the smell when we lived in the poorhouse and on the ship when she was pregnant with Catherina. For if her senses were like mine are now, then I would have vomited every minute of the day. I must stop writing for it is growing late and I can hear the grandfather clock ding in Mr. Defrock's study telling me that it is now Midnight., Eva

Chapter 39, Like We Had Dreamed,

"I have been having this strange feeling in my belly and I am worried that there is something wrong with the baby," Eva stated as she put her hands on her belly and rubbed it in gentle circles. "What does it feel like?" Magdalena asked her in concerned. "It feels like there are butterfly wings fluttering around in my stomach," Eva replied as she looked down at her belly upon feeling it again and her mother smiled at her.

"It is nothing to worry about. You just felt the baby move, an almost every woman starts to feel it around three months or so." Magdalena stated as she looked down at Catherina cooing and smiled again. "Amazing." Eva exclaimed in excitement. "Pretty soon you will feel it more often, then when the baby is about to be born he or she will be moving constantly trying to find the way out." Magdalena stated with a smile.

"Never have I felt anything so precious" Eva stated with tears in her eyes. "Hans, Hans come here you must feel this." Eva said to him. "What's wrong?" He asked as he dropped the wood in his hands than rushed over to her. "Did you feel that" Eva asked as she pressed his hand to her belly. "No." he said while shaking his head in frustration. "There." Eva said as she moved his hand over to the left upon feeling it.

"Yes, I can feel it! What is it?" Hans asked and Eva laughed a bit and Magdalena shook her head at her son in law in amusement. "It is the baby moving silly" Eva exclaimed and Hans eyes widened at this. "Really!" he said excitedly as he looked up from her belly and into her eyes and she smiled at him and nodded her head yes. "He is really moving in there, isn't he?" Hans asked with a big smile. "Or she." Eva added having great feeling that it would be a baby girl. "Yes, a little daughter or a son. I cannot wait to meet them either way." Hans stated as he kissed her belly then brought her into a loving hug.

Chapter 40, Far, Far Away - May 16 1792,

"I have news that Iris is in labor. So ya wife an daughter won't be out today as they are helping with the delivery." Isaiah announced as he walked up to Michael. "That is good news, may her delivery go well." Michael stated as he wiped the perspiration off of his forehead. "What are we doing today?" Frederick asked Isaiah as he tugged on his shirt. "We are going ta build a new barn for the newborn cows, an a pen for the pigs that are ta come." he replied with a big smile. "What do I get to do?" Frederick asked excitedly. "You get ta hold the spikes that are ta be pounded into the wood." Isaiah replied while smiling at the fact that Frederick reminded him so much of his own son, Benjamin was always excited to help and get his hands dirty.

"Uh!" Iris crying out in pain as she reached out to grab a piece of wood. "Take deep breath's." Magdalena encouraged as she wiped the perspiration off of her forehead. The people with the whip did not care that Iris was in labor and sent her to work in woods to finish up loading the wood they had cut and most of the wood was picked up thanks to Angelica and the others who did her share of work. "Ooh!" Iris cried out in pain as she collapsed to her knees and Magdalena help her lay down in the soft dirt and grass.

"I think it is time to push, mama" Angelica announced as she took Catherina into her arms and Magdalena kneeled down in front of Iris and lifted up her blood soaked skirt. "Push, Iris push" Magdalena encouraged her and tears welled up in Iris eyes it hurt so bad. Why is there so much blood?, she thought as she bit down on her lower lip in pain. "You must push," Magdalena encouraged again. "Oh!" Iris cried out as she finally started to push and heaved heavy breaths as she did so.

"You're doing good, Iris. Just one more push." Magdalena said to her. Though Iris could not understand what she was saying she found Magdalena's voice comforting. She looked up at the blue sky with puffs of white clouds in it, the sun's warm rays shined down on them. It was beautiful, she thought as she pushed one last time then she collapsed back into the grass and she could hear the muffled cries of a baby as if it were far, far away then she drifted into darkness. "It's a boy!" Magdalena announced as she looked down at the small baby in her arms then back at Iris and her face grew pale at what she had seen.

Chapter 41, Her Baby Boy Donavan,

The sun is setting and it now grows dark. I am in tears for I had lost a dear friend as Iris has passed away a day after Frederick 7th Birthday. Mama told me that it happens sometimes, when a woman loses too much blood while giving birth. I however do not believe that was the cause and I blame the men with the whips for they forced her to work in this wretched heat while she was in labor. It was Robert who told me the sad news and he brought me baby Donavan to take care of as he knows how close we were. Mama told me that Iris got to hear his first cries, but she never got the chance to hold her him in her arms for she faded away before getting a chance to do so. How my heart goes out to this poor child for he will never get to know his mam., Eva

Nitta tugged on Eva sleeve as she pulled her up from the floor and over to the basket that Donavan was laying in. Eva gasped as she dropped the diary out of her hands and it hit the floor with loud smack. Little Donavan did not stir and looked as if he was sleeping but deep down Eva knew that he had passed away. In tears she picked up the small bundle and carried him out of the room and down the hall an up the stairway to Mr. Defrock's bedroom door and she shakily knocked on it.

"What is going on?" he asked with a growl as he swung the door open and seen Eva standing there in tears. "The baby has passed on." Eva said in tears as she looked down at his pale face. A flash of emotion slowly came to his eyes then it quickly disappeared. "Take him down stairs, I will be down in a moment" he stated as he shut his bedroom door behind him. Eva slowly walked down the steps and she waited for Mr. Defrock in the foyer as she paced back and forth with Donavan still in her arms.

Beula quickly walked down the steps and looked at Eva with hatred and annoyance as she reached out to take the baby out of her arms. "What do you think you are doing?" Eva asked as she backed away from her hugging the baby to her chest. "I am taking him to be given to Robert to be buried along with his mama. Its Mr. Defrock's orders an it is a waste of dirt and time if you ask me." Beula replied as she snatched the baby out of her arms as if it was dirty old rags.

"How can you say something so cruel." Eva asked as she took a step forward with tears in her eyes. "Cruel me, I am not cruel. I was just stating the facts. His mother is a dissolute woman and deserved to die along with the baby who is dammed for his mother being a sinner." She replied with a smirk and Eva shook her head in disbelief at what she was hearing. "It is what god would have wanted and I am sure the same thing will happen to you and your baby." Beula stated while pointing at her then she walked out the front door slamming it shut hard behind her, this leaving Eva alone in tears. No! she is a cruel, horrid liar, Eva thought in tears as she went back to her room and she knew that no sleep would come for she was too upset.

Chapter 42, To Kind Hearted - June 16th 1792,

Today is my fourteenth birthday and I do not feel as special as one should on the day that is suppose to be their own. I feel like a stuffed pig for it is hard for me to move like I use to, an I cannot wait until the baby is born so I can move freely again. Not that I do not enjoy having the little one that grows within me so close, but it is difficult to do my duty's around the house this way.

Talking of this reminds me of when I had seen Catherina and everyone yesterday. She has gotten so big for she can now walk, though not by herself for one of us has to hold her little hands. It is rather cute when she kicks her feet out beneath her. She will be a year old on the 25th of this month. It is hard to believe that it has been a little over a year since we had packed our bags and left Germany to this place of dreams called America, yet any of ours has yet to come true.

I still have mixed feelings about the whole situation. On one hand I am angry that we are trapped here for four more years when we should be living on the house and land that they had promised us when we got here. But then again could we have really of hoped to get all of that for free without doing an ounce of work? Perhaps I am just to kind hearted to people and with my own thoughts like Hans said for I still feel sorry for the Defrock's. The fact that they had lost their daughter to a horrid man that he let live, in the hopes that work will set him straight is courageous of him, but yet again not so wise.

If he really did do those things would you not want him punished for it?An what if Isaiah is innocent of it all then he lost his wife and young son to whoever really killed them was it Mr. Defrock and his top workers like he says? Was he framed in both Bernitta's murder as well as his family's? Was he responsible for it all, I still do not know. All I know that there is a murderer living around here and he is getting away with it Scott free, it makes me shiver in fear at the thought of it. Oh how I wish life was as simple as baking a Loaf of brea.., Eva

Eva stopped writing and sniffed the air, upon smelling something quite familiar. She got up from the floor and slowly walked toward the door and quietly opened it. She looked from left to right and did not see anyone in sight. She inhale deeply as she stood there, the strong smell she smelled was making her nauseous so she pinched her nose or she would get ill.

Mr. Defrock! she thought in her head when the smell registered her thoughts on what it was. The smell was of Mr. Defrock's disgusting cigars! What was he doing wondering around at this time of night, should he not be asleep like his wife? Why was he wondering down the servants quarters, did he need Beula for something? Why did he not ring a bell? Eva thought anxiously then she closed the door and laid down next to Nitta to sleep but none came.

Chapter 43, My Dear Friend - July 11th 1792,

Eva Walked slowly down the rolling fields of cotton. She looked around for her mother and sister's they were no where in sight. "Excuse me where is my mother and sister's?" Eva asked one of the men with whip's. "Who?" He asked her in return. "Magdalena, Angelica and Catherina Bauer." Eva replied and the man still looked at her confused.

"The box head's." Eva replied dryly a bit angered that they would not acknowledge them by there names. "Oh, they are working on the washing over there." He said waving his hand over to the left and Eva nodded her head then she walked through the fields being careful not to trip on any loose ruts or holes on the uneven dirt and soil. She finally broke through a clearing where there was beautiful yellow flowers all around and crystal clear water running down the river and she wondered if this was the exact spot Bernitta took her own life.

The women were doing their own laundry as well as the other workers clothes. They were hand washing them by the stream then hanging them on bushes to dry near by. Eva smiled when she seen Angelica holding onto Baby Catherina's hands trying to get her to walk. "Angelica!" Eva shouted as she rushed up to greet her. "Eva!" she said as she picked up baby Catherina and walked over to her and they hugged. "Did you bring me something Eva, did you?" Angelica asked with excited eyes. "I did, but now that I have looked at you closely I do not think someone as grown as you would want it." Eva replied teasingly.

"What is it?" Angelica asked her excitedly. "Give me Catherina." Eva said as she held out something in a wrapped handkerchief and Angelica handed Catherina to Eva then she carefully took the napkin in case it was something fragile. "I know it is not much but I know you have been craving something sweet for a while now." Eva said while smiling at baby Catherina who was talking gibberish, she still has yet to learn to talk. She does say mama, papa, sis or broth is what she calls Frederick, hi and bye. Though nothing else so far, Eva thought with a big smile.

Angelica carefully unwrapped her gift to revile two different kind of sweet cakes dipped in frosting. "What is it?" Angelica asked her mouth watering over the sites of them. "I believe it is what they call petits fours it is a French sweet, there was all types of them but I grabbed you a strawberry and chocolate one because I knew it was your favorite flavors." Eva replied with a smile. "Thank you Eva!" She said as she hugged her big sister then walked over to a rock to sit down and them.

"That was nice of you." Magdalena stated as she held onto a man's shirt then she threw it on a bush. "It was nothing mama, just some left over sweets that Mrs. Defrock had at tea." Eva said with a shrug of her shoulders. "It is hard to believe she is eight already. It just seems like yesterday I was rocking her to sleep in the chair your papa gave me." Magdalena said while shaking her head then sighed. "I know mama, it is funny how time flies by before your very eyes." Eva stated as she looked down at baby Catherina who pointed and giggled at a bird that flew in a tree as if it were the funniest thing she had ever seen.

"Look at you, you are getting so big." Magdalena said with a smile as she looked at her daughters eight month along belly. "Oh mama, please do not remind me. I have had enough trouble with Hans saying stuff like that." Eva said while making a face at her. "Men do not understand what we go through the different emotions we have during the times we are with child. Try to give him a break after all men are not as witty when it comes to saying the right things as woman are." Magdalena said with a chuckle as she grabbed Catherina out of her arms.

"I know mama, I just cannot help it. I have been very anxious and irritable this past week." Eva said in frustration. "That is because you are getting close, soon you will be greeting your son or daughter and your papa and I will be grandmama and grandpapa for the first time." She said with a smile as she put a hand on her shoulder. "You do not look like a grandmama one bit, mama." Eva said with a smile. "Well, I may not look it but I sure feel like it." Magdalena stated while smiling at her daughter's comment and Eva smiled back at her.

"I have to get back now mama, I just wanted to wish Angelica a happy birthday." Eva stated as she gave her mother a hug and baby Catherina a kiss on the forehead and Catherina waved by opening and closing her hand and said bye, in her small voice which made Eva giggle upon hearing it. "Angelica I am leaving now." Eva announced as she turned around and looked over at the rock she was just sitting on. "Angelica!" Eva said while looking around but got no response back. "Angelica!" Magdalena shouted when she did not answer Eva again, but all they heard was the flowing of the noisy river in return.

"Angelica!" Magdalena screeched more desperately in a panic when she did not come to them and the other woman came running up to see what all the commotion was about. "What if she fell into the river, she can't swim!" Magdalena cried out. "Shh, shhh." Mabel said to her as she led her over to a rock to sit on while everyone else started to look for her. "Do not worry mama we will find her." Eva said calmly but inside she felt unease this was not like Angelica to disappear like that.

"Angelica where are you!" Eva shouted as she rushed through the woods to her right. It felt like she was walking forever when she could hear faint voices of two people talking then giggling. Eva struggled to walk through some thick brush and her skirt that got caught on it so she tugged on it to get it loose. "Angelica!" Eva shouted angrily as she seen her sitting on a log with the Sheare boy she always talked about. She quickly stood up and let go of the boys hand and started to blush bright red.

"What do you think you are doing here and with him? Mama and the rest of us were worried that you had fallen into the river and drowned." She said as she grabbed a hold of Angelica's arm and started to pull her away from him. "Stop it Eva!" she said as she pulled out of her grip and the young boy remained silent looking back and forth between them. "We was just talking." she started to say and Eva interrupted her. "You mean we were just talking." Eva said correcting her speech for the hundredth time. "Yes," Angelica said while slightly rolling her eyes at her bigger sister then she smiled at her.

"Miles brought me a birthday present see." she said as she held out a pretty pink ribbon for her hair. "That was very nice of Mr. Sheare, but you know better then to go off alone by yourself without telling anyone. It is dangerous, what if one of the men with whip's caught you?" Eva asked while shaking her head in disapproval and Angelica laughed at that. "I wasn't alone. I was with a friend an no men can catch me. I can run faster than they can." Angelica replied while pointing to herself and Eva frowned at that. "Angelica, tell Mr. Sheare goodbye before they have us all punished, for wondering off to look for you." Eva said as she crossed her arms a crossed her chest and tapped her foot impatiently and Angelica turned to Miles and smiled at him.

"Thank you for the gift." She said in almost perfect English though her German accent still shows through quite thick. "You are very welcome my dear friend." Miles said while accepting her thank you then he smiled at her and gave her a quick peck on the cheek then waved at them before he disappeared into woods. Angelica blushed and held her head down avoiding Eva's eyes as they returned back to them.

"Angelica where have you been?" Magdalena asked as she pulled her into a crushing hug. "I..." Angelica stuttered not knowing what to say and Eva interrupted her deciding to give her a break, it was her birthday after all. "She had the call of nature and got lost mama." Eva replied quickly and Angelica let out a relieved breath that she did not have to tell her mother that she was with a boy, she would get into deep trouble then. "Next time go close by alright. You nearly scarred me half to death." Magdalena stated as she kissed her forehead. "Yes, mama." Angelica said as she broke the hug.

"Where did you get that ribbon from" Magdalena asked when she noticed it tied in her hair, it was not there before, Magdalena thought. "I um.." Angelica stuttered trying to think of a good excuse. "I gave it to her mama, I forgot about it. It was in my apron pocket." Eva replied with a shrug as she focused her gaze on the flowing water before her. "I see." Magdalena said while looking at the two suspiciously and Angelica quickly looked away from her mothers gaze as well. "I have to go mama." Eva said quickly as she rushed away from her mother's suspicious eyes. That was close, Eva said as she let out a relieved breath as she walked through the woods and back to the Defrock's house.

Chapter 44, For Hans, From Eva - August 17th 1792,

Eva quickly awoke to a pain going down her back. "Ooh." Eva said out loud as she sat up from the floor awaking Nitta who rubbed the sleet from her eyes as Eva put a hand on her aching back. I must have slept on my back too long again, she thought. "Up, Nitta." Eva said as she held out her hands for her to help her up. "Uhh." Eva cried out as she got up as the sharp pain went through her back again and she took in a deep breath then let it out. "Let's go." Eva said as she started to walk awkwardly out of their room and to the kitchen to help serve breakfast.

"Would you like sugar or cream?" Eva asked. "Both!" Mrs. Defrock replied annoyed that she asked them this every morning. Eva dropped a sugar cube into the tea cup and poured some cream in it as well. "That's enough!" Mrs. Defrock snapped as she tapped her fingers impatiently on the table waiting for her tea. "Mr. Defrock Tea?" Eva asked while turning toward him. "No, none for me thank you. I have some big business to tend to today." He replied as he patted his lips with a fancy napkin then threw it down on the table in front of him.

"Beula!" Mr. Defrock shouted from the table. "Yes, Mr. Defrock" she said as she quickly appeared from the kitchen and bowed to him. "I need you to straighten some things up in my office and dust. It is very messy in there and I need it done right away before my business associates arrive today." He stated as he stood up from the table. "Yes, Mr. Defrock. I will get to it in a moment." Beula stated as she bowed to him again.

"No, not in a moment. Now!" He shouted as he turned on his heels then started to walk away. "Yes, Mr. Defrock." Beula called out after him and then she turned to Eva and shoved a broom into her Hands. "Go be useful and sweep off the back porch." She snapped to her then hurried out of the room and Nitta walked up to Eva and grabbed the broom out of her hand and smiled. "It's alright Nitta I can do it" Eva stated with a smile as she took it back then she walked away and made her way to the back porch.

She sighed as she started to sweep the dirt and leaves off the wooden floor that had accumulated over the past few days. Then she let out a whooshing breath when she felt another sharp pain in her back and she almost dropped the broom. This has to be just a ordinary backache, the baby is not supposed to be due until next month. Eva thought as she started to sweep the porch off again while shaking her head in denial.

"Alright everyone up! Time to quit slacking and finish the barns and get the animals in it." The man with the whip yelled at them then he left the shed. "Uhh can't they have some of the other people do that today?" Hans asked while shaking his head they had been working on the barns for a straight two week now. "It is better than chopping wood." Michael stated and Hans nodded his head in agreement at him saying that.

"Papa can I help put the animals in the barn?" Frederick asked while tugging on his hand." I don't see why not." Michael said while forcing a tired smile and Frederick clapped his hands together and jumped up and down in excitement. "Isaiah did you hear I get to bring the animals in the barn." Frederick announced and Isaiah laughed out loud. "Yeah I heard, ya best be getting to it." he said while ruffling his hair then he showed him the way.

As the day moved on the pain in Eva's back got worse but she sucked it up and did her duties. "Nitta, the roast." Eva said through the grit of her teeth out of pain and Nitta nodded her head then hurried into the kitchen and grabbed the goose roast that Beula had started to cook earlier. Eva was worried because she had yet to show up to give them orders on how dinner was to be served. This is not like her to be late, but then again this is Beula we were talking about and she doesn't do too much work herself other then order people around.

Mr. Defrock helped his wife descend down the stairs by holding her elbow then he led her to the dining room. He was dressed in his usual black suite and top hat and today Mrs. Defrock wore a pretty bright green dress that had black lace trim around her bosom and around the sleeves and skirt of the dress. She wore a single strand of the most beautiful white pearls, Eva always admired her taste in clothes.

Mr. Defrock held a chair out for his wife and she took a seat and thanking him then he took a seat a crossed from here. "Where is Beula?" Mrs. Defrock asked Eva when she notice that she was not serving the dinner to them. "I, I don't know she has not been back since lunch." Eva replied honestly. "She's doing laundry." Nitta stated as she poured wine in a glass and Mrs. Defrock ignored her and looked at Eva with a scowl. "Are you alright girl, you look a bit pale." Mrs. Defrock asked Eva as she swirled wine in a glass and tasted it then set the glass back down on the table and folded her hands in her lap. "I was just standing over the fire too long, Mrs. Defrock." Eva replied as she almost lost her footing at feeling another sharp pain, but in the side of her stomach this time and she knew that these pains were no ordinary pains now.

"Where is the Bread?" Mrs. Defrock asked with a frown as she looked about the table in search for it. "I will get it." Eva said apologetically as she backed out of the room and grabbed Nitta's hand leading her back to their bedroom. Eva slowly dropped to the floor as she quickly retrieved her diary and started to scribble something on the paper. Frequently dipping the pen in the inkwell as she wrote on a blank page then she ripped it out of her diary and set the stuff back inside the floor board.

"Give this to Hans, Hans." She said repeating her husband's name. "Give to Hans quickly." Eva said as she handed the paper to her. Nitta nodded her head as she helped her back up then rushed out of the room. Eva used the walls for support as she struggled to walk back to the kitchen and leaned on the counter top as she clamped a hand over her mouth to muffled her cry as another sharp pain shot through her body, though this one lasting longer.

"What is taking that girl so long with the bread?" Mrs. Defrock asked her husband angrily and Mr. Defrock just shrugged his shoulders as he took a big puff of his cigar and blew smoke out of his mouth. "Hmp" Mrs. Defrock said as she threw her napkin down then got up and strides toward the kitchen and walked through the swinging doors.

"Eva!" She yelled angrily then she put a hand to her mouth. "Look what you did to the floor!" she scolded as she noticed a puddle at her feet." I, I didn't mean to it just happened" Eva said then she cried out as another sharp pain came through her body this time bringing her to her knees. "Oh my! Arail, Arail get in her quickly" she screeched loudly as she came to her side. The high pitch of her voice making Eva's wince at the sound of it.

"What is it now?" He asked annoyed as he came striding into the kitchen as well. "The baby is coming, quickly help me get her to her room." she replied as she tried to lift her up and the Cigar fell out of his mouth in shock. She wasn't due until the next month, he thought to himself. "Let me do it!" He yelled at his wife as he picked Eva up bridle style and carried her down the hall. "Beula, Beula! Nitta!" Mrs. Defrock yelled as they hurried down the hall and to her room. "Where are they!" Mrs. Defrock shouted franticly as he laid her down on the floor.

"You are going to have to deliver the baby Alevia. She is too close!" He said as he shook his wife's shoulders to try to calm her. "No I can't, you do it." Alevia said wide eyed while shaking her head. "I can't do it!" Arial said with a look of discussed on his face. "Look you delivered Bernitta, and the other baby. You know what to do Alevia." he said as he let go of her and pushed her toward Eva who was moaning in pain and she got down beside her. "Now, I will go look for Beula and Nitta." he stated as he hurried out of the room and her eyes widened at this.

"No don't leave me! I need your help!" Alevia shouted in a panic as she looked at Eva then around the room and took a deep breath trying to calm herself. I am going to need something to wrap the baby in, she thought as she glanced over at Bernita's old party dresses in the corner and she took one and got back down on the floor in front of her and hoisted Eva's skirt over her knees then wiped the perspiration off of her forehead. "Oh god please help me with this one." Mrs. Defrock said out loud and Eva looked up in fear at her saying that. Does she not know what she is doing? Eva thought as she felt another sharp pain go through her side and she cried out.

Nitta hurried through the back yard and into the woods. She rested her hands on her knees trying to catch her breath as she reached the barn they were working on for the Oxen's that Mr. Defrock intends to sell. Nitta looked around but could not remember what Eva's husband looked like she had only seen him twice. Once when they arrived to the Defrock's house and once with the incident with Chester. She set her eyes upon the man they call Isaiah, he was the one Mr. Defrock used to take them here he should know him. Nitta thought as she rushed over to the man. He was holding onto a piece of wood and another man held the other end of it.

They were going to hoist it up on top of another log that had a muddy mixture to hold it together when Nitta tugged on the man's sleeve. He yelled something to the other man and they set the wood down and he looked down at her and his eyebrows went up in surprise and his eyes grew wide. "For Hans, from Eva." She said shyly to the older man who stared back at her with such intent that it made her look away unable to hold his gaze. "Thank, thank you. I be sure he gets it." He stuttered as he slowly took the piece of paper out of her hand and she slightly smiled and nodded her head then rushed off in a hurry. Tears came to Isaiah's eyes as he watched her disappear around the corner, he would know those eyes from anywhere, he thought as he went in search for Hans.

Chapter 45, As In The Place People Dream Of,

"Where have you been Nitta! I could use your help! Don't just stand there girl, go get me a sharp knife!" Alevia shouted to her as she wiped off her forehead again and Nitta went running off to retrieve what she requested. "Push Eva, push!" Alevia encouraged her as she seen the baby's head. Eva took a bunch of deep breaths then she cried out in pain as she pushed one last time and the baby came shooting out and into Alevia's arms.

She quickly grabbed the knife out of Nitta's hands and cut the umbilical cord then tipped the upside down and gave the baby's bottom a little spank to help the fluid drain from it's lungs and to shock into crying which helps clear the lungs as well. The baby squirmed and kicked in her arms and it's little face grew red from crying. "It's a girl!" Alevia exclaimed as she wrapped her up in the dress then handed her to Eva who had tears in her eyes as she brought her daughter close to chest and kissed her forehead.

Then she smiled and looked up at Alevia who had a big smile on her face and tears in her eyes as well. Then her smile faded into a less pleasant one when she noticed Eva starting at her. "You have one week to recover, then I want you to get back to work." Alevia said as she got up from the floor. Her once spotless green dress was now covered in blood and dirt from the delivery and kneeling down on the floor. "Thank you" Eva said to her and Alevia slowly nodded her head then walked out of the room without another word. Nitta came to her side and Eva looked up at her and smiled as she peered down at the little bundle of joy in Eva's arms and she later wrote.

17th August 1792,

I named her America as in the place people dream of to be. For this child is the dream of all of mine and Hans's dreams. Though he has yet to set his eyes upon her for I have been in bed rest to recover and he is not allowed to come here and see her. I did however have Nitta bring him another note that said America and I was doing fine and that I will bring the her to him as soon as I have recovered. I told him to be sure to send word to mama and Angelica for I am sure they are anxiously awaiting the news as well.

I thanked god that she is healthy and is drinking the milk I provide for her heartily. Throughout the labor I keep saying over and over in my head "Mother Mary, Jesus and holy father God. If you have to let me go then please do so, for I am ready for your comforting arms. But please let my baby boy or girl survive to be happy and healthy child and grow into a happy adult who will have a much better life than we have endured. I know it may have been selfish of me to ask this, but I could not help it. I feared we both would die like Iris and her baby Donavan and a mother cannot but hope for the best for her little one's. I hold my little girl as I write this down she is such a precious child and has a full head of light blond hair and dark blue eyes and coos a lot. Feeling her squirm against me is most comforting. Never had I experienced anything most precious as to the birth of my little Ameri., Eva

"You rest." Nitta said as she tugged on Eva's sleeve then she pointed to the floor. Eva smiled at her then nodded her head as she handed her the diary, feather pen and inkwell to put back. Eva looked down at America and smiled, she will grow up and have a big family of her own one day of that she was certain. Eva thought as she caressed her newborn daughters face then set her into the basket that Mrs. Defrock had gave her that was once Bernitta's. "Sleep good little one." She said while smiling down on her as she laid back on the floor leaving a hand on the basket protectively. Eva's eyes slowly started to droop shut and she soon fell into a peaceful sleep.

Chapter 46, So lonely here lately,

Beula is dead! Just as she reappeared later in the day saying how she had lost track of time well waiting for the stuff to dry. She wound up dead the next morning for they had found her body behind the new cow barn. I was told that her clothes were ripped and that she had been beaten to death with a rock for she must have struggled back against her attacker. I feel sorry for Mr. and Mrs. Defrock for I am sure that this brings back terrible memories of what happened to Bernitta.

Beula may have been cruel at times but that is no excuse for someone to murder her like they did. I do not know why they have not hanged the culprit yet. For if this is Isaiah doing again then he needs to be stopped, it is only a matter of time before he strikes again. Is not two murders enough? When will someone do something about this? I must talk to Mr. Defrock about this matter for I do not feel safe with him running around, Eva

Eva put her diary and feather pen back into the floorboard. She then picked America up out of the basket and walked out of the room. and made her way to Mr. Defrock's study. She knocked on the study door that was partly open, she could see Mr. Defrock sitting in his chair with his head down as he looked at some papers. "Mr. Defrock?" Eva said out loud when he did not answer her knock. "What? Oh Eva I did not hear you come in, come in. Please have a seat." He said while motioning to the chair in front of the desk.

"How is Mrs. Defrock doing?" Eva asked in concern, she could not thank her enough for her helping deliver America. "Alevia is quite alright though she does miss Beula greatly, God bless her soul. She came to us when she was just eight years old you know. All her family had died on a ship on their way over here so I took her in. She has been working for us for over ten years now as a maid and was one of the best maids I have ever had." he replied while shaking his head in pity, then he smiled as he focused his gaze on America who squirmed in her arms.

"Can I hold her?" He asked with sad eyes. "I do not see why not." Eva replied as she got up from the chair and walked over to him. He took her into his arms and smiled as he looked down at her little flushed face. "She seems to be a healthy baby, yes." He asked as he lifted the blanket up and looked her over. "Yes she is Mr. Defrock and a very healthy eater at that." Eva said with a smile then she heard a bell ringing from up stair.

"I am sorry Mr. Defrock. I have to go, the Mrs. is ringing." Eva stated as she took America back into her arms and he nodded his head as she headed toward the door then stopped. "Mr. Defrock?" Eva said as she turned around to look at him. "Yes" He said as he lifted his head up to look at her. "Why have you not redeemed the person responsible for Beula's death?" Eva asked while meeting his gaze.

"I have no proof of who did this." Mr. Defrock replied while shaking his head. "I think both you and I know who is responsible for this." Eva said referring to Isaiah. "Maybe so, but I want to get the right person who did this. It would be wrong of me to accuse him just because he has done something in the past." Mr. Defrock said as he folded his hands on the desk. "Yes, I see what you mean." Eva said with a nod then she headed up stairs. But the truth was that she didn't understand why he hasn't gone after him. If not when his daughter was murdered then why not now when there are now two people dead? she thought as she knocked on the door with her free hand and waited for Mrs. Defrock to tell her it was alright to enter.

"You rang Mrs. Defrock." Eva asked as she came into the room. "Close that window, there is a terrible draft today." She said while pointing from the bed and Eva slowly nodded her head as she walked over to the window trying to close it with one hand but was unable to do so. "Mrs. Defrock, you are going to have to hold America so I can close the window. I cannot do so with one hand." Eva stated as she walked over to her and put America into her arms. "But I.." Mrs. Defrock started to protest when Eva walked away from her and over to the window. She grunted and groaned until it broke free and closed with a loud slam.

"Is there anything else you need now?" Eva asked her as she wiped the sweat off her brow then turned around. There was a smile on Mrs. Defrock's face as she looked down at America who held onto her finger. "Mrs. Defrock?" Eva asked her again. "Yes, please stay so we can chat for a while it has been so lonely here lately." Alevia said in a saddened tone as she patted the bed for her to take a seat.

"Would you like me to make you some tea?" Eva asked as she sat down on the bed. "That would be wonderful dear. Get some for yourself as well and please call me Alevia." She replied as she smiled down at America again and Eva hesitated to leave her daughter alone with Alevia in fear that something may happen to her beloved America but she left to make it and made it as fast as possible then she hurried back up stairs with a tray in hand. "Mrs. Defro.. Alevia I have the tea." Eva said as she came through the door and set the tray down on a small table in the corner of the room by a window that over looked the fields.

Eva walked out of the sitting room and entered the bedroom and they were nowhere in sight and the bed was empty where they once both sat. "Alevia!" Eva called out once again. "America!" she said in a panic when she heard no reply back then she was about to run out of the room to look for them. "There we go, all better now, yes." Alevia said to America as she came out of the bathing room with her in her arms. "America!" Eva said as she snatched her out of her arms and kissed the top of the head in relief and hugged her close to her body.

"What's a matter dear, you look peaked." Alevia asked with furrowed brows. "I, I came back here and you both were missing." Eva said trying to calm herself. "I only went to change her, she had whetted herself." Alevia stated with a frown. "Please take a seat dear" Alevia said while leading her over to the table where the tea sat and they spent the rest of the evening talking about their lives. Eva grew tired and felt bad for letting Nitta do all of the work, but she would not leave until Alevia asked her to and finally she grew tired and sent her away for the evening. Thank the lord, that women can talk for ever, Eva thought as she tucked America in then laid beside her and fell into an exhausted sleep.

Chapter 47, If She Were Stacked Three High,

Eva quickly awoke to her shoulder being shaken by someone. She opened her eyes slowly to see Nitta kneeling down at her side. She quickly sat up and looked at her daughter who was sleeping soundly in the basket. "For you an Hans." Nitta said as she handed her a folded piece of paper and Eva smiled at her through her tired eyes. She unfolded it and gasped in amazement as she looked at the drawing of her and her husband holding their daughter between them. In tears she thanked her as she gave her a big hug.

"This must have taken you days to draw." Eva said as she looked at the realism of the drawing. Nitta had a way of capturing people's expressions and what Eva was seeing was love in their eyes for their daughter. She hugged her again then tucked the drawing away in between her diary for safe keeping. Eva smiled at her again then took out her inkwell and started to write.

I have been blessed with this drawing that Nitta had done. I truly thank her for it and wish to take her with us when we get out of here and to our own place. It has been over three days since Beula was murdered and Mr. Defrock still has yet to find the murderer. I do not know why for the proof is all there, for the situation is the same as Bernitta's was and he was working at the barn at the time along Hans and papa who said that he was working along side them though he left for a bit to get some more spikes for the wood but soon returned. Within that amount of time he could have easily lured Beula behind the barn and murdered her, could he not?

On a good note Hans has seen his daughter for the first time since she was born. As well as mama, papa, Frederick and Angelica who were thrilled with her and Catherina looked at her strangely, I think she is a bit jealous that America is getting all the attention right now. Then Frederick asked how he could be a uncle to her when she was almost as big as he is if she were stacked three high. We all laughed about this for my brother always says the silliest things. I had to explain it to him and I still do not know if he understands, he has a very imaginative mind I suppose.

I had gotten permission from Alevia who agreed that Hans should get a chance to see his child and that I could go along as long as my work was done. I had brought Nitta along with me because I enjoy her company and I know that my family adores her but I am weary when she is around Isaiah for he looks at her strangely, it is as if he knows who she is. I am grateful for her permission on this for now I no longer need to sneak out. She did warn me not to let her husband know or else he would have a fit about it.

Alevia and I have become quite good friends and I have to say that I misjudged her for she is not what she seems. That goes to show you to never judge a person on the way they act, look or what they seem, for you never know what they have been through in life. An poor Alevia has been though allot.

We are not to different from each other. For Alevia came to America from Germany as well and was indentured under Mr. Defrock who soon asked her to marry him upon him getting to know her. She refused at first because she was in love with another man. Alfred was his name and in her opinion he was quite handsome and charming. She eventually wed Arail when she learned that her lover would be a free man while she was still indentured to Arail. She has told me that she never found out what happened to him and he never came looking for her so it made her wonder if something awful happened to him.

Despite the fact she was blackmailed into marrying Arail because he said that she would be a free woman upon marrying him along with her sister Niva who was the only surviving relative as they were orphaned when they were younger and Alevia being the eldest took care of her sister from day one. She latter admitted to me that she had a great dislike for Arail at first because he was like a dog after a ham bone and would not stop pestering her while she tried to work but he keep at it and keep giving her flowers and such things and even a fancy shawl for her birthday and this angered her, the nerve of that man giving her a gift like that. Could he not take no for a answer, when she went to the house to confront him he had a fancy dinner ready for her in celebration for her birthday and even Niva was present.

That is when he got down on one knee in front of her and he said that he loved her and that he would give her all her hearts desire and that he would take care of both Niva and her so that they would have no more worries and they would be free without having to do a once of work anymore. With that in mind she finally agreed to marry him and it was about a week latter they were married in the back yard. She said that he still got on her nerves most of the time, but she grew to love him because there was nothing he would not do for her.

Shortly after her marriage she had suffered six miscarriages as well as 1 stillborn in a little over three years. The doctor said that she was lucky to be alive for most women would die from having so many for their body cannot take it. As for Bernitta, she was not really their daughter for she was in fact Alevia's niece and Niva's daughter. Niva died after taking ill with fervor and she made Alevia promise that she would raise her like her own and she agreed to it and Bernettia became like a daughter to her as she latter found out she would never have her own children.

I asked her out of curiosity if it bothered her husband that she could not bare children and she quickly put her head down and said that Arail resented her because he wanted a son to inherit their fortune after he died. She suggested to him to leave it to Bernitta and he said that no woman should own something so worthy without a husband to take control over it all, for women cannot handle to run a business as successful as his. He did eventually agree to leave it to her, but only if she married the man of his approval. I felt sorry for them both as now they have no one to inherit their fortune more so for Alevia who has gone through so much in her lifetime.

Alevia has taken a great liking to America because she reminds her of her Bernitta at that age. I smile at the thought that Hans called her our little American land for he did not care about the home and the free land any more, for America and I are all he needs. He is happy as a deer in a field of corn and so am I. As for Angelica she likes the idea of being a aunt and I must say that Nitta and her have become close friends as well. Nitta has took over helping her learn English, though I no longer have the urge to learn it for it always reminds me of Iris, my dear departed friend. Despite the circumstances of living apart we are all still very much together and their for each other. I thank the heavens above for blessing me with them all., Eva

Chapter 48, One Last Prayer

Hans awoke to the sound of the men with the whips telling everyone to get up and get to work. He stretched and yawned smiling at the fact that he would see his beloved wife and his newborn daughter on his 18th birthday. A joyous one he hoped and Eva even promised to bring him something special for him though he told her not to for all he needed was to see them.

"Happy Birthday son." Michael said as limped over to him and gave him a hug and he hugged him back. "This is for you." Frederick said excitedly as he handed him something. "What is it?" He asked as he looked at the strange looking rock in his hand. "Isaiah said it's an arrow head that the Indians use it to hunt with." Frederick replied with a smile. "I love it Frederick, thank you." Hans said as he ruffled Frederick's hair with his hand then put it in his pants pocket and Frederick giggled at him doing that then gave him a hug.

"Alright let's go the cows are awaiting ta be milked." Isaiah said as he stood at the door waiting for them. They walked from the shed and to the cow barn. The birds were chirping loudly for it had just stopped raining and the sun was shining brightly in the blue clouded sky above them. They had just gotten done milking the cows and Pitching out the old Straw when Eva came rushing up to him with a look of distress on her face.

"Eva!" Hans said as he dropped the hay rake on the ground and took her into his arms being careful not to squish America in between them. "Eva what's wrong?" Hans asked while looking at her tear streaked face. "Oh Hans, it is terrible." Eva replied in tears as her whole body trembled and he frowned wondering what made her so upset. "Please tell me what's wrong?" he asked straining to control his own emotions, he hated seeing her so upset. "Oh Hans what are we going to do?" Eva asked as she started to cry this bringing the attention to the men working in the barn. "Eva please calm yourself so you can tell me what is wrong." He said as he led her over to a bail of straw and had her sit down and he sat down beside her.

"I, I went to bring the Defrock's their tea this morning and I over heard them talk about Beula's murder and oh Hans it is terrible." Eva replied as she held America close to her chest and sobbed. "What did they say?" he asked with a gulp of fear. "He, he said that Papa was responsible for killing her and that you helped lure her to the barn." Eva replied in a cry. "He's lying, why would we do something like that? What would we gain from it?" Hans asked as he stood up in anger. "I don't know Hans, I don't know!" Eva replied in tears while shaking her head and she sobbed again.

"Did he say what he was going to do with us?" He asked in fear as he waited for her to answer. "I do not know, I had Nitta bring them the tea and I came straight here to tell you." Eva replied while shaking her head. "This can't be happening, we may have worked on the barn at the time but we would not have...." he started to say but stopped unable to finish his words. Out of anger he hit the side of the barn with his fist this making his knuckles bleed from hitting it so hard.

"Hans, please stop." she said as she got up and put a hand on his shoulder. "I know that you and papa would not do something so horrible. I will talk to them about this and protested your innocents, you must go warn papa and tell him what is going on. You both will be alright, we will be alright." Eva said in tears as she put a gentle hand on his face and looked into his eyes reassuringly. "I believe you Eva." Hans said as he kissed her on the forehead and did the same to his daughter then looked at them one last time then started to leave but stoped when she called out to him.

"Hans?" She called out. "Yes" he said while turning around and there eye's met. "Please tell Isaiah that I am sorry and that I know now that he is innocent. For the fact that Mr. Defrock can blame you both for Beula's death." She said in tears and he nodded his head. "I will." he promised her. "And Hans, also let him know that he did not lose all of his family in the fire for his daughter Nitta had survived." she said and his eyes widened in surprise. So Isaiah's suspicions is right, he thought as he looked at them one last time then nodded his head and walked away and little did they know that it would be the last time they would see one another.

The birds still chirped loudly and the suns rays peaked out from beneath the clouds. Tears formed in Eva's eyes again as she kissed America on top of the head then she made her way back to the Defrock's house in hope that everything would turn out to be fine and she said one last prayer.

"Dear Lord, please do not let them be so wrongfully accused and let their innocence show through. Please make everything turn out alright and have the real person held at large. I put my faith and whole heart into you now, please help us as I do not know what to do and I cannot do this alone, Amen"

Note from the Author

Lies of a slave traitor is the Second book of the series this place of dreams called America. I have always been interested in history and thought I would write a book in dedication to my ancestors the Bauer family who came from Germany to America in hope of a better life for themselves and their family only to become a redemptioner in the 18th century. People like them have sacrificed so much, so that in the future we could live a better life then the one they had endured. I hope they are as proud of me as I am of all of them, Christina Brenner/Christibrebooks

Historical Notes

History of cotton: Cotton was used in the Old World at least 7,000 years ago 5th millennium BC. Evidence of cotton use has been found at the site of Mehrgarh which is located near the Bolan Pass, of Balochistan province in western Pakistan where early cotton threads have been preserved in copper beads. Cotton cultivation became widespread during the Indus Valley Civilization, which covered parts of modern eastern Pakistan and northwestern India.

The Indus cotton industry was well developed and some methods used in cotton spinning and fabrication continued to be used until the industrialization of India. Between 2000 and 1000 BC cotton became widespread across much of India. It has been found at the site of Hallus in Karnataka, South West India dating from around 1000 BC and in Tehuacán, Mexico around 5800 BC. Though Other sources date the domestication of cotton in Mexico to approximately 5000 to 3000 BC.

By the end of the 16th century, cotton was cultivated throughout the warmer regions in Asia and the Americas. Production capacity in Britain and the United States was improved by the invention of the cotton gin by the American Eli Whitney in 1793. Before the development of cotton gins, the cotton fibers had to be pulled from the seeds tediously by hand. By the late 1700s a number of crude ginning machines had been developed, however, to produce a bale of cotton required over 600 hours of human labor, making large scale production uneconomical in the United States, even with the use of humans as slave labor.

By the mid-19th century, "King Cotton" had become the backbone of the southern American economy. In the United States, cultivating and harvesting cotton became the leading occupation of slaves.

Note: King Cotton was a slogan used by Confederates (1860–61) to support secession from the United States by arguing that cotton exports would make an independent Confederate States of America economically prosperous, ruin the textile industry of New England, and most important would force Great Britain and France to support the Confederacy in the Civil War because their industrial economy depended on cotton textiles.

What Is Cotton Used For?

Every part of the cotton plant can be used. The long cotton fibers are used to make cloth for clothes, pillows and so on. The short fibers can be used in the paper industry used to make denim. Old denim is used to make currency paper and currency paper is used to make the US Dollars and even sometimes they used them to make books. You can also make oil or margarine out of the seeds of the cotton plant such as Vegetable oil.

The leaves and stalks of the cotton plant are plowed into the ground to make the soil better while other parts of the plant are fed to animals. There are lots of things made out of cotton you may not know about. Such as Fishing Nets, Coffee Filters, Explosives, Tents, & Fire Hoses and so on. Be grateful that cotton exist for if it did not we would not have all of these wonderful things.

Candles And Electric Lighting: Candle making is an art form that has survived the centuries, borne out of necessity around 200AD, before electric lighting was ever discovered. Thomas Edison's may pop into mind as we talk about electric lighting. But little do people know that Edison's was not the first ones to master this great invention. Many earlier inventors had previously devised incandescent lamps, including Alessandro Volta's demonstration of a glowing wire in 1800 or the inventions by Henry Woodward and Mathew Evans.

Others who developed early and commercially impractical incandescent electric lamps included Humphry Davy, James Bowman Lindsay, Moses G. Farmer, William E. Sawyer, Joseph Swan and Heinrich Göbel. Some of these early bulbs had flaws, like extremely short life, high expense to produce, and high electric current drawn, making them difficult to apply on a large scale commercially.

After many experiments by Edison, first with carbon filaments in the early 1880s and then with platinum and other metals, Edison returned to using carbon filament in the end. The first successful test was on October 22, 1879, it lasted 13.5 hours. Edison continued to improve this design and by November 4, 1879, filed for U.S. patent 223,898. Granted on January 27, 1880 for an electric lamp using a carbon filament or strip coiled and connected to platina contact wires. Although the patent described several ways of creating the carbon filament including Cotton and linen thread, wood splints, papers coiled in various ways, it was not until several months after the patent was granted that Edison and his team discovered a carbonized bamboo filament that could last over 1,200 hours.

In 1878, Edison formed the Edison Electric Light Company in New York City with several financiers, including J. P. Morgan and the members of the Vanderbilt family. Edison made the first public demonstration of his incandescent light bulb on December 31, 1879, in Menlo Park. It was during this time that he said: "We will make electricity so cheap that only the rich will burn candles."

In addressing the question of who invented the incandescent lamp, historians Robert Friedel and Paul Israel, listed 22 inventors of incandescent lamps prior to Joseph Swan and Thomas Edison. But In 1802, Humphry Davy had what was then the most powerful electrical battery in the world at the Royal Institution of Great Britain. In that year, he created the first incandescent light by passing the current through a thin strip of platinum, chosen because the metal had an extremely high melting point. It was not bright enough nor did it last long enough to be practical, but it was the precedent behind the efforts of scores of experimenters over the next 75 years.

So we have all of these great inventors to thank for the electric light. Back when people did used candles to light the way. Most of the candles were made from animal fat but now a days beeswax is readily available at almost any store. I have searched online for candle making and I have found one recipe that you can try at home but keep in mind that Beeswax is flammable and can cause burns or injury. So be super careful when working with beeswax to keep drips over the can and in the saucepan.

What you will need for the process: A Tall empty can, Saucepan, Small trivet or bowl, Sharp knife, Block of beeswax, Scissors, Candle wicks. Any of these item's can be bought at a local store near you.

Instructions:

1. Wash and clean a tall, empty vegetable can. It will allow you to make longer taper candles.

2. Place a small trivet in a medium-size saucepan. If you don't have a trivet, invert a small shallow bowl in the saucepan.

3. Place the vegetable can on the trivet or Bowl and fill the saucepan 3/4 full of water. This creates a double boiler for melting the wax.

4. Use a sharp knife and slice thin slices of the beeswax from the block. Fill the vegetable can with the slices.

5. Heat the saucepan over medium-low heat until the wax is melted.

6. Cut candle wicks 2 inches longer than the can is in height. For example, if the can is 5 inches tall, you would cut the wicks 7 inches long.

7. Dip the wick quickly into the melted beeswax and pull it out in an upward motion, keeping the wick over the wax. Allow it to air dry for approximately 30 seconds

8. Continue dipping the wick into the wax until the desired size taper is achieved. For a 1-inch taper candle, you may need to dip the wick 30 to 50 times for enough wax to accumulate on the candle.

ChrisKindl The Christmas Gift Bringer: The Christkind is the traditional Christmas Gift Bringer in many regions such as Austria, parts of Germany, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, France, Upper-Silesia in Poland, parts of Hispanic America, southern Brazil and in the Acadiana region of Louisiana.

Martin Luther a German monk former Catholic priest, professor of theology and seminal figure of a reform movement in 16th century Christianity, subsequently known as the Protestant Reformation. Made ChrisKindl widely known around the world and Explicitly to discourage the figure of St. Nicholas, at the Protestant Reformation in 16th-17th- century Europe, many Protestants changed the gift bringer to the Christ Child or Christkindl, and the date of giving gifts changed from December 6 to Christmas Eve.

A Gift Bringer familiar to children in Central Europe, Christkind was adopted in Catholic areas during the 19th century, while it began to be gradually replaced by a more or less secularized version of Saint Nicholas, the Weihnachtsmann, Father Christmas and Santa Claus in Protestant regions. Christkind is a sprite-like child, usually depicted with blond hair and angelic wings. Martin Luther intended it to be a reference to the incarnation of Jesus as an infant. Sometimes the Christ Child is, instead of the infant Jesus, interpreted as a specific angel bringing the presents, as it appears in some processions together with an image of little Jesus Christ.

The tradition goes like this Children never see Christkindl in person, and parents tell them that Christkindl will not come and bring presents if they are curious and try to spot it. The next morning the family would go to where the Christmas tree has been put up, for the opening of presents. In some traditions, the departure of Christkindl is announced by the ringing of a small bell, which the parents pretend to have heard or which is secretly done by one of the adults in the family.

Since the 1990s, Christkindl is facing increasing competition from the Weihnachtsmann in the American version of Santa Claus, caused by the use of Santa Claus as an advertising figure. Whether you believe in Christkindl or Santa Clause it is important to keep the tradition going and pass them down to your children and your children's children so the tradition can live on for future generations and many years to come.

Christmas Stollen: Is a fruit cake containing dried fruit and often marzipan and covered with sugar, powdered sugar or icing sugar. The cake is usually made with chopped candied fruit and/or dried fruit, nuts and spices. Stollen is a traditional German cake, usually eaten during the Christmas season, when it is called Weihnachtsstollen or Christstollen.

Early Stollen was a different pastry, the ingredients were very different flour, oats and water. As a Christmas pastry, Stollen was baked for the first time at the Council of Trent in 1545, and was made with flour, yeast, oil and water. The Advent season was a time of fasting, and bakers were not allowed to use butter, only oil, and the cake was tasteless and hard. Over the centuries, the cake changed from being a simple, fairly tasteless "bread" to a sweeter cake with richer ingredients, such as marzipan, although traditional Stollen is not as sweet, light and airy as the copies made around the world.

Coming Soon!

This place of dreams called America Part III: Along the broken trail

Preview of Along The Broken Trail
Chapter 49, His Last Words,

I have heard talk in the holy bible about evil people such as the devil. Well I think I have found one of his disciples and he goes by the name of Arial Defrock. The man whose lies I have come to believe for I have a soft heart. Never again will I believe a word that comes from his mouth, never again will I write my thoughts on paper or waste my time in prayer for I only have one person to live for now, Americ.., Eva

In anger she threw the diary a crossed the room and it hit the wall with a loud smack making the drawing Nitta had given her spill out on the floor. In anguish she collapsed back against the wall and started to sob uncontrollably as Nitta came into the room. "It'll be alright Mrs. Eva." Nitta said soothingly as she wrapped her arms around her trying to comfort her. "No, it will never be" Eva stated as she pushed her away then rushed out of the room taking America with her. Nitta sighed out loud as she picked up Eva's diary and glanced down at the last page written.

She shook her head in sadness as she grazed her hand over the writing and bit down on her lower lip trying to decide whether she should leave it be. Then her eyes fell upon the picture she had drawn that laid on the floor and she bent down to picked it up then ran her fingers over it. She owed it to them, she thought as she sat down and started to write.

"04 January 1793"

It was but five month after Mr. Hans birthday that thy had awoke Michael, Eva's dear papa so abruptly. It was still dark outside an there was light patches of snow on the ground when thy had brought him ta the big oak tree an slipped a noose around his neck. He did not get ta pray ta god or say goodbye ta his family that he sacrificed so dear for, so thy can live life without worries of struggles to make it. Thy did not even give him a chance ta say his last words, if he could bring any ta mind that is.

I must say that I wish I would not have brought muhself ta see this for I hide behind a tree. He had tears in his eyes as thy kicked the apple bucket out from beneath him and the look of horror on his face as the rope snapped along with his tanned neck, I can still picture it as I close muh eyes. The loud crack was deafening an Master Defrock stood there with a look of satisfaction on his face then he walked away an left the workers ta do his dirty work an take him down an burry him.

As for the Misses she did not come out ta join em but stayed in her room. How she could let him hang an innocent man is beyond me, an poor Mr. Hans he was sold ta another slave owner who had paid a heavy lump sum for him an I heard that this master is much worst then muh own. An I do not think he will live within the next year cause the work he's ta do will be torturer.

As for Mrs. Eva, she is not her self and I believe that she lives without hope from what she has written. As for Mrs. Magdalena an her other two children thy are being worked harder than usual. An her Littlest Miss Catherina has become ill with vomit an diarrhea from dehydration. I fear for her, though I know that this God Mrs. Eva use ta talk about will help her though this. I have ta go the Misses is a ringing, Nitta.

Now Available!

This place of dreams called America Part I: This place of dreams

This place of dreams called America Part II: Lies of a slave traitor

"Now that you read the book and have seen a preview of the third book please take time to give me honest feedback and tell me what you think of it. Please remember that I am not an expert on editing books, grammar, or of use of quotations marks nor claim to be. You may have found some mistakes along the way, such as quotation marks missing or in the wrong place ect... I am learning everyday on how to write the proper way and hope you will be pleased with what I have written so far."

Thank you for purchasing, Christina Brenner / ChristiBreBooks
