Spring Will Come (81 page)

             
“This mob is taking carriages up and down the street.  Until someone takes control, there is no way to stop them.  So far they’re not harming anyone, but that could change any minute.”

             
The mob continued down the street and began smashing windows and taking whatever they could reach - silks, bonnets, jewelry, tools.  They were no longer just searching for food – it seemed they were taking everything in sight. And the mob was no longer just hungry women.  Well-dressed men and women had joined the looting.  Carrie groaned.  What had begun as an orderly demand for food had turned into a full-scale riot.  The people of Richmond, frustrated and angered by a war they didn’t understand and a long winter of suffering, were out of control.

             
A horse-drawn fire engine appeared at the end of the road.  Firemen jumped from the engine.  Seconds later great streams of water poured into the crowd, yet it did nothing to dissuade them.  The yelling grew louder as the crowd grew angrier.  Moments later a contingent of city guardsmen, well-armed, burst around the corner.  Holding their guns to the sky, they fired a few warning shots. 

             
The crowd stopped looting, but the yelling and muttering did not diminish.  The guardsmen grouped at the end of the road.  The crowd swung to meet them.

             
“Surely they won’t shoot the city’s own people!” Carrie cried. 

             
Thomas shook his head grimly then grabbed her arm.  “Here comes the President!”

             
Carrie craned her neck to see.

             
President Davis stepped up onto a wagon.  She could hear little of what he said, but it was obvious he was making an appeal to the crowd.  She saw him pull out his watch.  Obviously, he had delivered an ultimatum. 

             
“We ain’t leaving!” one woman near Carrie screamed.

             
This time President Davis’ response was loud enough for Carrie to hear. 

             
“You must go home.  I have no wish for the bayonets aimed at you to be used against our citizens.  They are here to turn away our invaders.   Disorder such as this will only result in famine because the farmers will refuse to deliver food to the city.  I will share my last loaf with you,” he called.  “It is imperative that we bear our trials with courage and stand united against the enemy.  I do not wish to injure anyone, but this lawlessness must stop.  I will give you five minutes to disperse, otherwise you will be fired upon,” he called firmly. 

             
Carrie held her breath, praying the crowd would not invite more violence.  The seconds ticked away; the guardsmen raised their rifles to a ready position.  President Davis stood tall, holding his watch in front of him.  Finally the crowd began to drift away, their angry mutterings still floating on the breeze around them. 

             
Carrie sagged against her father in relief. 

             
Thomas scowled, reached into his pocket, and pulled out some bills.  He pressed them into her hand.  “Please go find you a nice dress.  Spencer can drive you.  I’m sorry I can’t go with you, but I’m sure things are in an uproar at the Capitol because of this.   I won’t be able to join you.”

             
Carrie handed the money back to her father.  “I don’t need a new dress,” she said firmly.  “I was merely buying one for you.  I just can’t do it after watching all those suffering people.”

             
“Most of those
suffering
people were common looters wanting to steal whatever they could get their hands on,” Thomas snapped.

             
Carrie shook her head.  “I saw those women when they were assembling in the square.  They were just after food.  I know things got out of control, but the people in this city are stretched to their limits.”

             
“Everyone is stretched to their limits.”

             
“You’re right,” Carrie said calmly.  “But I think it is probably harder to be stretched to your limit by something you had nothing to do with starting in the first place.  I imagine it’s hard to tell crying children they are starving for the honor of the glorious South.” 

             
Thomas sighed.  “I suppose you’re right.”  He hesitated then shoved the money into her hand.  “Here.  Take it and use it to buy something for the black hospital.  I imagine you can think of something you need.”

             
“Now, that I can get excited about,” Carrie grinned.  She accepted the money willingly.  “Thank you.  There are many needed things I can buy with this.”

             
She watched her father stride down the street toward the Capitol; then she turned to Spencer.  “We have some errands to do.” 

             
The morning passed quickly.   She bought the supplies needed at the black hospital, returned home, and dressed for her afternoon shift at Chimborazo.  Carrie sank down onto her windowsill and stared out.  She needed some time to think before she went to the hospital.  She shuddered as she remembered the looks of desperation on those women’s faces.  Spring had indeed come, but what would it take to heal the ravages of the past winter?

             
The residents of Richmond had endured bitter cold, deep snows, starvation, a smallpox epidemic, the explosion at the Armory, and increased lawlessness.  Spring was certain to bring renewed efforts by the Union to take the city.  The last Carrie that had heard the Union army was still camped across the Rappahannock River.  When would they begin to move?

             
Memories of Robert rushed into her mind.  She could see him so clearly - smiling down at her, asking her to marry him, promising to come back soon.  Carrie took a deep breath and brushed away her tears.  The hurt had not diminished over the months, but she had learned to quit running from it.  “I still love you, Robert,” she whispered to the wind.

Carrie finished her shift at the hospital and stepped outside.  She welcomed the shorter days in the cramped buildings.  Now that it was warmer
, the windows were left open, but still she longed to be outside.  The battles would start again soon.  Before long, the buildings would once more be crammed with wounded, dying men.  For today, she just wanted to enjoy the wonder of spring. 

             
Carrie walked over to the edge of one of the clearings and sank down on a rock.  Cupping her chin in her hand, she stared down at the river.  It was once again flowing freely.  The thick ice that had imprisoned it all winter had melted before the warm winds. Carrie smiled as the water crashed around the boulders; the rapids of the James River shot spray into the air that caught the sun then fell in a shower of colors.  A soft breeze loosened her hair from its bun, ringlets framing her face.  Carrie turned her face to the sun to soak in its glorious rays.  One could almost believe there was no trouble in the world on such a beautiful day. 

             
The clatter of hoof beats grabbed her attention.  She turned just in time to see a horse cantering up the road to the hospital.    The shadows under the trees were too dark to see anything.  Carrie shrugged and turned back to her view.  She refused to let anything disturb her peace today.  There were plenty of people in the hospital who could take care of any emergency that might arise. 

             
Carrie wasn’t sure what made her turn around several minutes later.  Her heart had whispered something she couldn’t decipher.   Several yards away a tall figure stood quietly, watching her.

             
Carrie gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.  Her heart skipped a beat then raced back into motion.  “Robert?” she whispered disbelievingly.  Her heart and mind refused to accept what her eyes were seeing. 

             
Robert took several quick strides and stood in front of her.  “You were so beautiful sitting in the sun.  Just the way I remembered you for so long.  I just wanted to watch.”  His deep voice trembled with emotion.

             
“Robert?”  Carrie reached out her hand tentatively to touch his cheek.  “Is it really you?”  This had to be a dream.

             
Robert suddenly threw back his head and laughed.  “It’s me,” he called loudly to the birds flying overhead.  “I’m home!”

             
Carrie’s disbelief suddenly changed to heavenly joy.  “Robert!  It’s you!  It’s really you!  You’re alive!” she cried.  Tears rolled down her cheeks as her laughter rang out to match his.  “You’re home!” she cried. 

             
Robert grabbed her in his arms and began to dance around the clearing.  Picking her up, he spun her in great circles.  Finally he set her down then folded her into his arms.  “I’m home,” he whispered, just before he lowered his head to claim her lips. 

             
Spring had come.

Read the first two chapters of book # 4 – Dark Chaos – starting on the next page!

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