The Moonshiners Part Five

The following evening Lotte sat on the swing sewing.  Ike sat in the rocking chair with his evening glass of whisky.  Tommy had taken his gun and left.  As she bent to her sewing she said, 'Your wife was very beautiful.  It must have been terrible for you and the boys when she died.'

After a pause Ike replied, 'She was in a lot of pain.  In the end death was a blessing.  We were happy enough, then all this talk about Cherokee blood upset her.  That's what made her ill I'm sure of that.'

'Had she never heard that kind of talk before?' Lotte asked.

Ike shook his head, 'No, the Grays always seem to be on the sunny side of the mountain.  They are well liked in their own community, good musicians.  You can't have a good wedding or a wake over there unless the Grays are playing.  That's how I met Anne.  She was playing the piano at a church revivalist meeting.  She has a brother Arthur, He was leading the singing.  He was over in Europe fighting in the war.  He brought her all that music back.'  Ike took a long drink of whisky and went on, 'There's some bad families in Turners Crossing.  A family called the Royles.  They were jealous about how well Jim was doing with the store.  They'd had the store and gone bust.  One of Royles daughters took a fancy to Luke but Luke didn't like her one bit.  He was keen on his half cousin June Grey.  That's when It started.  Mrs. Royle was in the store one day.  She told Jim, Luke and Tommy shouldn't be allowed into the store because they were Mulatto's.  A family called the Kays were of the same mind.  Jim kicked them out of the store.  He told me and Anne what had been said.

Anne was terrified for Luke's safety.  She had no worries about Tommy, He looks all white.  She begged me not to get involved unless these people came here and threatened us.  She never went to Turner's Crossing again. Then Tommy came home and said he couldn't go to Sunday School any more because he had been fighting kids who were calling him names.  Then, to complicate matters, the news about what was going on reached the Calderwood's up on the mountain.  They are kin to Anne.  They thought a lot of the boys, particularly Tommy for some reason.  Old Mat came down with his boys and opened fire at the Royles and the Kays.  Drove them into the Kay's house and kept em pinned down for a couple of days, Wounded one of them.  

'Anne just seemed to get into a real low mood.  Then she started with kidney stones.  That's painful.

The kidney stones led to the infection that killed her.  That's how Anne died.'  Ike sat head bowed.

Lotte put her sewing down, 'May I ask you something Mr. Hamilton?'

Ike nodded.

'Do you regret marrying your wife?'

Ike smiled sadly.  He shook his head, 'No I sure don't.  When Anne died I was finished.  I just kept going for the boys.  That's what she asked me to do.  But don't you ever think of marrying against your race Lotte.  It never can work and it's the worst for the children.  They gets it from all sides.'

'Surely,' Lotte said, 'that will change one day and all the races will live together in peace, don't you think Mr. Hamilton?'

Ike smiled wearily and lifted his eyes from his whisky glass,  'If they ever did Lotte, It would fool me.'

'Were the people around here supporters of slavery?' Lotte asked.

Ike laughed, 'Ain't nobody I know ever wanted to own slaves.  We can hardly feed ourselves.  I hope you people get your rights. We just don't want you doing it round here.'

' We have no rights,' Lotte said sadly.  Things are never fair for us.'

'Things ain't fair for any of us,' Ike said.  'Us Hamilton's came from Scotland.  We fought against the British.  Drove them out of America.  We were there when they set up the Republic and drew up the constitution that started this whole programme and the first thing the government did was to slap a tax on our whisky.  we are loyal to the government and paid our taxes so what do they do, Stop us from making whisky, the only thing that keeps these mountain communities open and stops us from starving to death.'

Lotte said, I am a mulatto too.  I have Scottish blood.'

Ike smiled, 'You have a Scottish name sure enough. Barr, it means small hill in Gaelic.'

'I have Scottish blood,' Lotte said.  'My great great grandfather was a Scot, Andrew Barr.  He owned the plantation on which my great great grandmother worked.  He took her for his own use.  That's why my grandfather and my father got an education.  Old Andrew saw to that.  Lotte smiled, 'So you see we can both claim a Scottish inheritance.'

Ike smiled fondly at her, 'I knew there was something special about you Lotte.'

They heard a gun shot. Lotte said, 'That's Tommy, he will be home in a minute.  I'll make him some coffee.  Do you want some?'

Ike shook his head, 'Good night Lotte.'

'Good night.'  She waited, giving Ike time to get into bed, and then went and stirred the embers of the fire and made coffee.

Sleep did not come easily to Ike.  He lay listening to the conversation of the young people and marvelling yet again at his once monosyllabic son's ability to talk and the fact that despite their different backgrounds and ages they were easy with each other.  There was a closeness between them.  Ike had grown fond of lotte. He would miss her when she left.

On a fine early September morning Lotte stood on the porch.  The air was fresh and cool.  The mountains and woods beautifully tinged with Autumn colour.  She saw Harriet arriving and stepped off the porch to help her with any unloading.  Tommy joined them.  Harriet climbed down from the buckboard, smiled briefly at Lotte, then handed Tommy a parcel.  'Jim's coming to take you and Lotte away tomorrow.  These are some store bought clothes you've got to wear.  Try them on.'  Tommy took the parcel and left.

'Tomorrow!' Lotte said.

'Yep,' Harriet replied.  'Jim's all set up in town now and you are a heap better.  The swelling on your head still has a little ways to go but your hair has grown and that hides it.  Just favour your arm a mite longer and you'll be fine.'

Tommy arrived wearing his suit shirt and bootlace tie.  The trouser legs and jacket sleeves were too short.  He looked distinctly uncomfortable.  'I ain't never going to get used to this,' he said.

'You haven't put your shoes on,' Harriet pointed out.

'I can't get them on,'  Tommy protested.

'Jim says you've got to wear them.'

'Well I can't.'

After  the mid day meal, Harriet prepared to leave.  She had stayed with Lotte whilst she bathed and prepared her travelling clothes.  Now the time had come, Lotte was excited.

'You all ready then,'  Harriet asked, 'got your story right, what you are going to tell your folks and that sometime beau of yours?'

Lotte nodded.  Harriet took up the reins and prepared to climb onto the buckboard.  'Well goodbye child I've enjoyed your company.'

Lotte spoke emotionally, ‘'Thanks for all you've done for me.  I will never be able to pay you back.'  Impulsively Lotte kissed her.  Harriet blushed slightly.  She climbed onto the buckboard

Lotte said, 'I will send you a Christmas card.'

Harriet smiled faintly, shook the reigns and the mule moved off.  Lotte watched her until she was out of sight.  Harriet did not look back.

That evening Ike worked shoeing a mule.  Tommy and Lotte sat on the swing, Tommy cleaning his guns.  He said, 'We ain't never going to meet again are we?'

'I'll write to you to let you know I'm safely home as soon as I get back.'

'Why can't I come to Atlanta and see you.'

Lotte replied patiently, 'When you've lived in town a while, you will realise how hard it is for black and white folks to meet.  Remember all the trouble about you and Luke having Cherokee blood, well it's ten times worse when it comes to black and white folks, especially in Atlanta.  Honey we just can't take the risk.'

She saw again the stubbornness in Tommy. His face was set hard.  'There ain't nobody in Atlanta or anywhere's else I'm afeared of.  I'll go where the hell I want.  I could find you, Ashton Baptist Church, Preacher called Barr.'

Lotte saw that Harriet had been right when she had talked about the impossibility of reasoning with Tommy.  She said reassuringly' 'I will come and visit you.  'Maybe we could meet at Jim's new place in town or something,' She went on.

 Tommy put the rifle to one side, wiped his hands on a rag, threw it to the floor and slumped forward with his elbows on his knees, staring at the floor.  He said, 'I surely am sick and tired of people sticking their nose in our business, telling me what I can do and what I can't. The government telling us we can't make whisky.  The damn and blasted revenue hunting people down.  Joe Milner says they are after the Calderwoods.  If they pinned those three killings we did on Chuck He'd never squeal.  If they take him I'll turn myself in and claim all three killings.  That way I will keep you out of it as well.  I know what I’ve got to do.

Lotte went to speak but stopped herself.  She put her hand on Tommy's back.  Without looking up he said, 'I'm going to miss you like hell all the time.

Lotte rubbed his back.   Tommy, your mother was a fine woman and your Aunt Harriet is real kind.'

She felt The boy's back muscles tense.  He said, 'Aunt Harriet has her own sons.  Ma loved Luke.'

'They all love you too,' Lotte said soothingly.

Tommy shook his head, 'No, I ain't the lovable kind but it's O.K.  I understand Ma and Luke.'

Lotte took him by the elbow and drew him to her.  She put her arms around him and said, 'I love you Tommy.  My little brother who protects me.' She smiled.

Tommy tried to smile back, 'Yeah, you do love me some.  Not as much as I love you though.'  They hugged each other.  Pearl came and put her head on Lotte's lap.

Ike stepped onto the porch.  He threw his tool bag down and said, 'Lotte you tamed the boy and ruined the dog.'

The following morning Jim arrived in the Ford sedan.  He got out of the car and groaned when he saw Tommy in his new suit.  'You look like a scarecrow and where's your shoes?'

'Can't get em on.'

Jim turned to Lotte, 'You all ready..'

'I am Mr. Hamilton,' she replied.

Ike came out onto the porch.  'You still happy for this to happen Uncle?'  Jim asked.

Ike shrugged, 'It's what you all want.'

Jim said, 'Don't worry, It's got a bit more complicated but you are going to have more money than you ever had in your life.  You'll be able to take things easy.  So, if we are, all ready, Let's go.'

Tommy said, 'See you Pa.'

'You are working for Jim now,' Ike told his son.  'For once in your life, start doing what you are told.'  But Tommy was already on his way to the car.

Lotte was suddenly overcome by the occasion.  She had grown fond of Ike.  It was sad that he was being left all alone.  With tears in her eyes she said, 'Well good bye Mr. Hamilton.  Thank you for all you have done for me.'  She reached up and kissed him on the cheek.  She felt his hands momentarily touch her waist.  'You take care now Lotte,' he said.

The car drove away pursued by the barking Pearl.  Tommy was in the front seat watching Jim drive.

Lotte turned and looked back.  Pearl was standing forlornly in the settling dust.  Ike was still standing on the porch.  She waved her final farewell.

And so it happened that Lotte and Tommy Stood on a station platform at a rail road depot waiting for the noon train to Atlanta.  They had been driven to the depot by one of Jim's staff, a man called Jarrett.  Jarrett had not taken a great liking to Tommy and didn't see that it was his job to drive nigger women about.  He growled, 'Remember, no speaking to each other and no touching.'

Tommy was getting out of the car, 'Jim's already told me all that.'

'Well Jim told me to tell you again,' Jarrett snarled.

Tommy slammed the car door.  Jarrett cursed.  Jim and Lotte had tried to talk Tommy out of accompanying her to the train but Tommy was adamant.  'I am going to see her onto that train.'  Nor could he understand why it was necessary to enter the station from different entrances.  In the end Jim agreed to it but only after extensive coaching.  He told Tommy, 'After this you do what I tell you when I tell you or we are going to fall out boy.'  Tommy nodded grudgingly.

They made a strange couple as they stood on the station.  Tommy in his ill fitting clothes and rough farm boots and Lotte clearly anxious.  The Jim Crow laws were not applied in this part of Tennessee but Tommy and Lotte attracted a lot of attention.  People stared.  Lotte coming from racially segregated Atlanta was highly nervous, Especially as Tommy had become more restless and on edge as the time for her departure drew near.  She noticed that they were the subject of conversation between a smartly dressed couple who were also waiting for the train.  The train arrived and ground to a standstill and the conductor threw open the door.  Lotte and Tommy exchanged glances then Lotte moved to get on the train.  The smartly dressed couple stepped in front of her, mounted the steps first and spoke to the conductor.  He nodded and as Lotte climbed onto the train he placed a restraining hand on her shoulder

'Get your hand off that girl Mister!'

Lotte turned startled.  Tommy, stood, arm outstretched, pointing the thirty eight.  The smartly dressed couple dived for cover.  The conductor froze.  Lotte saw Tommy's face flush with anger, 'God damn it, get your hand off her.'  He drew back the hammer on the pistol.

'Drop the gun Tommy! Agents Traynor and Hutchison.  We've got you covered boy.'  Lotte looked behind Tommy and saw the two agents with guns drawn.  Hutchison said, 'Just put the gun down son and turn round slowly.  We just want to talk to you. The train jerked into action preparatory to pulling away.  Lotte stared at Tommy in horror.  She wanted to shout to him but her throat was constricted by fear.  Tommy still stood pointing the gun. 

Their eyes met.  He held Lotte's gaze momentarily then turned and fired.  Their was a fusillade of shots and all three men fell to the ground.  The train was moving now.  Lotte saw Tommy roll onto his back, lift his head and look at her, then fall back.  The last thing she saw was the gun fall from his outstretched hand as the train gathered momentum.  Lotte stood silent, her eyes on the floor.  The conductor was angry, 'Did you know that boy?'

'No Sir'

Well he seemed to know you.

'I just asked him directions Sir.'

'The conductor was agitated, 'Do you know what he was?'

'No Sir'.

'He was one of those crazy hillbilly’s.  They live up in the mountains in conditions no civilised man could endure.  You could have got us all killed.  He went on, 'Come with me.'  He led her to the baggage car.  The carriage was windowless and the seats were made of slatted wood.  Left to herself Lotte started to shake then cry uncontrollably. She lowered herself onto a seat.  A few stations down the line she was joined by two more black women.  They spoke kindly to her but Lotte ignored them.  One of the women put her arm around Lotte's shoulders to comfort her,

'What's, the matter child, what's happened to you?'

Lotte did not reply.  At each station more black passengers entered the baggage car and an impromptu choir was formed.  They sang in a hushed harmony.  Slowly Lotte's mind started to clear.  She clawed her way back to sanity.  Tommy had given his life.  He would not want her to quit.  She was going to live.  When they sang Precious Memories,  Lotte joined in. and as the train carried her home to Atlanta, She murmured the words almost inaudibily.at first

Precious memories, how they linger,

How they ever flood my soul.

In the silence of the midnight,

Precious memories unfold.

 

The End