LEANNE WESSING:
GIRL OF 1776
by:Olivia Charlotte Kingsbury
Age 10
Ellicott City
Chapter 1: Leanne Wessing
“Leanne Charlotte Wessing! You and your brother get off that horse
right now! Y’all have to do your chores. Leanne, you have to make
the dinner and James has to wash the living room floor. Your mama’s
gonna be pretty angry when she comes home!” That’s our nanny
Nata. I don’t know why I called her that when I was young, but
I did and we sure can’t get rid of it now. My name is Leanne Wessing.
I am twelve years old and I live in Philadelphia in the year 1776.
We live in the largest house on the block and I own two horses of my
own: Bonnet and Penny. Penny is our yearlin’ and Bonnet is her
mama. We named her penny because when she popped out she reminded me
of a copper coin. Me and my brother share the love of horses. Everyone
I know is my friend but no one understands me quite like Bonnet. My
father died in the Revolutionary War a year ago and none of us can forget
it. Everyone of us had something special of him to remember him by,
but I think I got the best gift of all --- a pregnant mare named Bonnet!
He gave me Bonnet the night before he left to go fight in the war. I
remember his exact words. He said, “Leanne… my big girl.
Please be good while I am gone. I love you, and here is a little bit
of me to remember…” He led a horse out from around the side
of the mansion. She gleamed dark bay and her coat looked smooth and
sleek and her nicker sounded as soft as her coat looked. “Her
name is Bonnet. You take good care of her, and yourself, and help your
mama with the chores. I don’t know when the next time I will see
you, but I love you and remember that.” After that, he walked
stiffly into the night carrying his rifle. I remember what his face
looked like when he gave me Bonnet. His face was crooked, just like
his smile, and when I found out he died through a message in the town
hall, Bonnet was there to comfort me.
“Leanne! Do you here me?” shouted Nata across the yard.
“Yes Nata,” I sighed and slid off Bonnet.
“Take that horse to the stable and leave it there until you’re
done with your chores. Then you can play.”
“Yes, Nata.” I started walking to the barn with Bonnet and
Penny following my steps. I walked up to the two-stall barn and led
the horses inside. Then I unlocked the feed shed and grabbed two heaps
of dried willow grass and skipped back to the stalls. There, Penny’s
little nuzzle peeped over the door with a pushy nicker. “OK, little
one,” I whispered. I unbolted her stall door and closed it behind
me while I put a heaping of the grass in one corner and another heap
in the other corner so the horses would not argue about whose was whose.
I bolted the door again and dusted off my apron. “Another afternoon
of chores and cleaning,” I sighed. Tomorrow was Sunday, the rest
day, and I would get to ride Bonnet! Hurray!
I skipped back to the large house and for once I wasn’t unhappy
about chores. I sighed and sat back on my haunches after wringing another
wet rag. James had come down with a fever after our brief ride and I
had to clean the living room and parlor floors alone. I stood up and
collected the bin of filthy water and set off to the garden where I
would dump the water and collect the vegetables for tonight’s
dinner. I opened the door and shut it behind me and passed through the
kitchen. I opened the main door to the garden and skipped toward the
garden on the green lawn --- not caring that filthy water was splashing
around. At the garden, I dumped the remains of the water and knelt on
the ground and began pulling up turnips, radishes, carrots, potatoes
and pulling tomatoes off the vine. I piled them into my skirt, which
is what Nata hated because it would stain my clothes, but I would lie
and say that it stained when I was cooking. I hummed a merry little
tune and, holding the corners of my apron to make sure no vegetables
fell out, skipped happily as my curly dirty blonde hair bounced around
on my shoulders. My dirty feet danced along the grass enjoying the spring
sunshine. I twirled around and danced merrily until Nata opened a window
from the second story and yelled down, “Leanne! Be careful! You’ll
spill those vegetables and they’ll spoil. And do stop carryin’
‘em in your apron -- it is vulgar and it’ll stain your dress
and cause me an extra washing day!”
“Yes, Nata. Right away, Nata!” I answered and walked carefully
back to the house where I laid them on a plank to wait while I stoked
the fire. That will do nicely. A good stew ought to put them in a good
mood! I sang aloud as I cut the greens and poured them into the pot
and stirred them with a long wooden ladle. The stew’s aroma filled
my nostrils and I sighed. I should get to the market. It’s about
time!
I opened a cabinet, reached for my willow stem basket, and unlatched
the door and ran out of the house in bare feet down the dirt road into
town. I could hear the jingle of money in my pocket. I stopped at the
counter. “Good day, Mr.Lexington!” “Hello Miss Leanne!
How are Bonnet and Penny? I saw you parade around here with both the
other day!” “They are fine, thank you sir! Could I please
have some wheat and flour and maybe some … peppermint?”
“Oh yes, certainly!” He bent down and put a bag of flour
on the wood counter and put up a small basket of ground wheat. “That’s
all?” he questioned teasingly. “What ‘bout that peppermint?
Yes, that peppermint, I almost forgot!” He grinned a sly, toothy
smile and turned behind him and grabbed a stick of peppermint. “See
you,” he said and turned to another customer. I left a little
pile of 3 coins on the table and loaded up my purchases into the willow
basket lined with white cloth. While I hung the basket’s handle
loosely around my arm, I took from the pile the peppermint stick and
looked at how pretty it was. The smell was to die for and I had never
tried it before. It tasted heavenly! I broke it in half and saved the
other end for James. I sucked on my half as I walked past others and
I felt proud of how elegant I must look with my trimmed basket and goods.
I stopped in front of a shop where I saw the prettiest fabric I ever
did see. I stepped closer and read the price: it was 15 dollars! Too
much money. I sighed and stared at the silk and how beautiful it was.
I finally started for home and walked until my feet ached. I stepped
with more determination to get home quickly. Finally, I was at the brick
manor house.
I opened the door and smelled the cooked stew. I inhaled deeply -- how
indulgent the smell was, you could practically taste it in your mouth!
I walked into the kitchen and saw the kettle bubbling. I quickly put
out the fire and stirred the pot with the ladle. “This should
be good. It smells delicious!” I whispered to myself. I ladled
the stew into bowls and stored the wheat and flour in the pantry and
finished the rest of the peppermint. I took out a loaf of bread and
butter and set them out on the table. “Ahhh, that was a very good
peppermint! But what will Nata think? Will she think I was wasting money?
What if she tells mama? Oh no, how silly of me!” I began to ponder
the idea of getting slapped and I grew even more anxious at the thought
of my mother’s arrival. She will smell it in my breath. Oh no!
I will spend the rest of the day doing chores and having to wait until
next week to ride Bonnet! Oh no, mama will punish me! I must get the
smell out of my mouth. I quickly washed my mouth out but the peppermint
taste still stayed. I heard Nata coming from down the hall. “I
need you Leanne. I have to fit you in your new Sunday dress. I was working
on it upstairs.” I fidgeted. “You seem very tense Leanne.
What are you hiding?” She glared at me and I couldn’t escape
her stare. I shied away and glanced in a different direction. I was
a very bad secret hider. “Leanne Wessing. I know you’re
hiding something! I can tell by your lips --- they are going funny.”
A funny expression came across Nata’s face. “Leanne, let
me smell your breath.”
I cringed. That was the last thing I wanted to hear. I breathed lightly
on her face. “Harder Leanne. You are hiding something!”
I breathed harder this time, still cringing, with my brow furrowing.
“It’s something alright. I just can’t put my finger
on it…………. I think I know! Leanne, is that peppermint
candy? Leanne, that is very expensive. You can’t waste the family’s
money on that! You were needed to buy real supplies, not this! Your
mama will be disappointed and you’ll be scolded young lady!”
“But I did I got flour and wheat!” I answered. “Wait
until your mother finds out Leanne. You don’t know when to stop.”
A tear slid down my cheek. She doesn’t understand. “I do
understand a child wantin’ candy,” Nata said, “I won’t
tell your mama this time, but promise me you won’t do a darned
thing like that again.” I nodded and turned around and smiled.
I tossed and turned that night. It was so hot! I sat up and pulled off
my nightdress so I only had my undergarments and silk slip on. It was
much cooler that way. I decided it would be better if I opened the window
and let the cool breeze in and lay atop the covers for a short moment.
The crickets were chirping and before I knew it I was fast asleep into
a dream of jumping only the highest fences that only the bravest riders
could jump. Chapter 2: A Great Discovery
I woke to my beautiful sunlit room with the aroma of griddle cakes.
Harriet, our house slave, was likely cooking them and it smelled so
delicious! I jumped out of bed and ran to my closet. I had many Sunday
dresses, and I wore one that was lavender and the hem was covered in
fine lace. But wouldn’t it be lovely if Nata bought that silk
I saw in the tailor’s and she could make me one? Wouldn’t
I look so royal? I smiled to myself as I already had seven dresses!
I pulled on my dress but I couldn’t button my buttons down the
back. I tried and tried to buckle them by reaching my hands around but
all work and no gain. I flopped down on my bed and sighed. No use. I
would have to go to church soon and maybe mother would let me borrow
some of her perfume from France and tie back my hair. I would look fifteen
and I would look so grand! I stood up, pulled up my stockings, and picked
out a pair of fine heels to wear.
I walked carefully down the steps, making sure I didn’t trip on
my heels. I carefully stepped on the last step and skipped over to Harriet.
“Mornin’ Miss Wessin’! In the mood for some mighty
fine grittler cakes, all fresh?” She always called them “grittler”
cakes! She gestured me to the table, where I took a seat, and carried
over a platter of four griddle cakes with a bit of maple syrup from
our tree. I greedily poured it on. “Now, you save some for your
brotha’ James. He’s still sick with the fever flowing through
his veins like a wil’ fire in a fores’.” “Still?”
I asked, mouth full of the pastry. “Yes, Miss. And looks like
you ain’t going to church today. He’s still too sick. Doctor’s
comin’ in the afternoon. You might want to visit him. Doesn’t
look too good to me.” Silly Harriet! My brother can pull through
anything. Might as well give him the other half of the peppermint --
he will enjoy it! I started to walk to his room, but then stopped. I
think I shall go riding first, while the day is still young, and I can
invite Elizabeth with her horse Topper for a morning hack!
I trotted out on Bonnet, bareback, with the sun shining on my hair,
free and loose. I galloped across the meadow toward the other side where
Elizabeth lived. I asked for a canter, and then a gallop, as I sped
across the meadow with the wind tearing at my hair. I held on to Bonnet’s
mane, trying to get better balance. I tore past two of our field slaves
and past the lone maple tree in the center of the meadow. That was the
tree that me and James loved to climb. James would take our tabby, George,
to the tree to play with a string that George would chase playfully.
I looked sadly at the tree, and at the grave that was my father’s.
I took a somber moment and thought about him and how much I missed him.
“Hey you! Get out of the tobacco!” the workers yelled. I
tried to steer Bonnet away from the tobacco plants but she didn’t
care! She was having a heck of a time! Before I knew it, I was at the
end of the field in front of Elizabeth’s house. It was much smaller
than our house, but more handsome, I have to admit. There was a wide
river in her backyard and around this time of year we would swim there.
There would be minnows and we would tie string around a stick and pretend
to go fishing. I neared her house and slowed to a walk. I hopped off
to let Bonnet rest and graze for a moment. I walked up to the door and
knocked. A slave answered the door and I asked her to fetch Elizabeth.
She said Elizabeth wasn’t home so I decided to go on a hack by
myself. I thanked the slave and vaulted back onto Bonnet. I cantered
toward my first obstacle: a farmer’s fence! We soared over it,
then over a stone wall and a wood cross pole. After that, I slowed to
a walk and saw a little path I had never noticed before. I turned onto
it and came to a nice open spot where there was a little house that
looked like it belonged to a hermit or outcast. I scanned the property
and a pole caught my attention. A little horse that looked like it was
starving was tied to the post. The horse’s head drooped so low
it was hard to tell if it was alive or dead. Ten feet around the horse
was bare ground. It looked as if the pony had eaten all the grass out
of desperation. As soon as I spotted the little chestnut my heart sank!
As I neared the little pony, it raised it’s head weakly and when
it spotted me it gave a gentle nicker. Bonnet let out an excited whinny.
“Shhhhhhhh!” I slapped her neck. I jumped off and walked
over to the pony and handed it the apple I had brought for myself. I
quickly jumped back to see if he had a mean reaction. But he didn’t,
he just ate happily and blissfully. It was this first accidental trip
that started a series of secret trips to visit the little pony --- usually
at nighttime. The pony became used to my visits and soon we became best
of friends. He almost understood me like Bonnet, but with him, he had
more of a story to tell. Sometimes at night I cried when I thought of
the trauma he lived through.
Chapter 3: A Sad Tale.
One morning, as I was headed to school with my book bag slung over my
shoulder, a girl with curly hair came running up to me. “Hey!
You! Yeah, you! You gots some ‘splainin’ to do! I saw you
on my property last night. And the week before. I thought you should
get somethin’ straight --- that is our property! That means no
trespassing and feeding my pony! So back away varmint!” She shoved
passed me in her ratty clothes. At first she scared me. Then I looked
at her poor clothes and felt a twinge of pity. But that feeling dissolved
as quickly as it arrived. What can she tell me?! That pony probably
has more feelings for me then he ever had for her. I should ask if he
is for sale. I could give him to James as a FEEL BETTER gift --- like
a surprise. Boy, then that fever in his blood would disappear and me
and him could be riding again together! I decided that I should ask
her if the horse was for sale because of my sick brother. She would
probably agree. Even a girl with a hard heart could see how heart wrenching
it is to see a six year old boy suffering from the fever! I walked up
the school building steps, entered the classroom, and sat down next
to the girl. “Hello,’ I said quietly. “Hi,”
she said not taking her eyes off the floor. “What’s your
name?” I asked. “Felicity, why?” “Well, Felicity,
do you think I could have your pony?” “Oh, that mule of
a horse Abigail? For money of course!” I was about to thank her
when she interrupted me. “Uh, wait,” she said. “I
never said you could have him. We already got a better deal then you
could ever give us.” My heart stopped mid beat. “Who are
you going to sell her to?” I asked softly. “To a man of
some sort that wants to sell him for food and since you ripened him
up he looks about ready to go. We should send a telegram to him actually.”
She added a grim smile and when I looked up at her with pure hate and
rage she seemed to enjoy it. RAP RAP RAP! The teacher’s long ruler
tapped on the desk. “Haven’t you heard me call your names,
young ladies? Now do you know the answer to that question?” We
both looked at the board, mortified. It was the most complex problem
I had ever seen. “Well now. I have just spent minutes explaining
the steps to completion of these types of problems. This should be a
snap for you.” She gave us a look and we slumped down in our seats.
“OK, everyone, the rest of you enjoy yourself outside while I
keep these ladies inside to teach them what they have missed.”
Later, as I was playing outside with my doll, Anne, I saw Felicity walk
past. “Hey. Got some exciting news for ya.” “Oh gracious
--- what is it? Tell me quick!” I ran toward her, hoping for good
news. “We’re selling my pony the day after tomorrow! At
full sunrise. My heart fell and it felt like it broke into a million
different pieces.
***
I sat up from my chair next to the window that looked out over the wide
meadow. The wild long grass blew from side to side. Sad was the way
to describe my face. My eyes were dull and glassy from a night’s
worth of crying. My mother questioned what was wrong, but it would be
too hard to explain. She thought maybe I had picked up the fever from
my brother. But later I told her I felt no signs of illness. She questioned
where I had been last night, but that was also an unanswered question.
There was a knock at my door. “Enter.” She walked into the
room. “Leanne, honey, is something wrong?” “Yes, there
is something wrong --- isn’t that obvious?” I thought. But
I didn’t answer her. “Leanne, I know this is hard. Is this
about your brother? If it is honey, don’t be afraid. He will make
it. We all have faith.” Yes, it is partly about my brother ---
but can’t you see that pieces of my heart are being ripped away?
She stared at me. “This doesn’t seem like the right time
to talk.” No, it isn’t. I could have been able to figure
that out if I were blind! She stood up. brushed her apron off, and her
heels went clacking away on the floor. Then I was alone again. I sat
for a minute and then said, “I can’t do this any more. I
have to tell someone!” I climbed off the chair, stood up, and
walked down the stairs through the kitchen and to the barn. I vaulted
on top of Bonnet, bareback, and decided I should bring Penny too. I
gestured to Penny who eagerly followed. I cantered across the grass
with Penny at my side. The sun was shinning on my hair and for that
split second I was happy. Then it was gone.
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. I rapped on Elizabeth’s door. She answered
in person. “Leanne! I haven’t seen you in a long time! Come
in!” “It’s good to see you too. Yes, I would like
to come in. There’s something I need to tell you.” I walked
upstairs and sat upon her bed and I blurted out the whole sad story
about the horse.
* * *
We were trotting up to the entrance of the small old house I had discovered
by accident that day. “Now why did you just tell me this now?”
Elizabeth asked. “Well, I would have told you earlier. I tried
to get you, but you weren’t here.” “ I was having
manner lessons and plus, if you waited 15 more minutes…”
“Shhhh! Be quiet. The old man and the girl could be out. I usually
come here at night, so he probably wouldn’t recognize me. But
if it is the girl, Felicity, then we’re in trouble.” “Who
is Felicity?” asked Elizabeth. “Some mean country girl from
school.” “And she owns the pony?” “Exactly.
We might wanna tie up our ponies here and crouch down so they don’t
see us.” “OK,” agreed Elizabeth. We tied the reins
to a log and set off to a hidden place. We sat down and watched an old
man limp out of the house. He had a long whip in his hand as he walked
over to the horse. He cracked it hard on the ground and the horse squealed
and backed up. He cracked the whip on the animal’s hindquarters
and the whites of the pony’s eyes showed. I turned my head to
look at Elizabeth and saw that my friend’s face was dripping tears.
“How atrocious! How awful!” “I know!” I answered.
“I’m going to do something about it!” she said. “
No!” I lunged out to grab Elizabeth, but it was too late! She
was already sprinting across the grass. The man’s head turned.
“Hey! Who are you? Get off my property!” Elizabeth ran up
to him, snatched the whip away, and threw it on the ground. She stomped
on it until it broke into three pieces. They looked at each other. “What
the hell did you do?” he screamed. “Get off my property,
you twit!” he grabbed her by the apron. Elizabeth untied it and
sprinted across the grass. “Come on!” I ripped the reins
off and vaulted onto my horse. “LET’S GO!” I cried.
She hopped on behind me and we galloped away. “That was real close
Elizabeth! Why did you do that?” “ I dunno’ she cried,
her voice carried away by the wind. “That was stupid -- real stupid,”
I said.
* * *
That night, before blowing out the candle, I looked at my money jar.
I could almost make out 15 dollars. “Tomorrow I will set out and
go buy that horse!” I thought. And I crawled into bed and blew
out the candle.
Chapter 4: The Deal.
The next morning, I sat at the table and ate my bacon and toast. I spread
some jam on it and drank a little of the milk. “So, your brother’s
doin’ better, doncha think?” said Harriet. “Oh yes,”
I answered, even though when I had peeked in on him last night he looked
as pale as a sheet. I finished up and went to see Bonnet. “Oh
wait! Your mama said to go tend to the garden. The sun is full up!”
Suddenly I remembered what Felicity had told me! When the sun was full
up a day after tomorrow was when they were going to sell the pony! And
that was today! “Oh thank you, Harriet, thank you!” I ran
to my room, grabbed the jar of money, put it in my apron pocket, and
ran to the stables. “What was that all about?” Harriet said
looking puzzled.
I galloped on the back of Bonnet to the small trail in the woods. Those
slaves were yelling and hollering at me to get out of the fields again,
but this was a time of desperation! I must get there in time and there
was no time to lose! I galloped down the once thorny but now well-used
trail. I galloped as hard as I could, dirt flying loose behind us. As
soon as we there, there was a commotion in the house. I flew off Bonnet
and ran to the door. “Gosh dang it! You offered me 20! You know
how much that is --- and you now offer me 7! Hold on. I need to get
the door.” The door swung open and I ran inside and saw two men
and Felicity standing there. “I’m here on a deal for the
horse,” I gasped, completely out of breath. “Well, young
lady, looks like you have got no deal.” The man said abruptly.
“I am technically the horse’s owner now, so sorry little
numkin.” “No -- never mind him. Come over here and show
me how much are you offering?” said the other man. I walked over
and the man smelled quite foul. I dumped a little of the money on the
table. He counted it up. Only 6 dollars. “You’re a dollar
short.” The other man grinned. “No wait,” I said.
I dumped the rest out. He counted it up and said, “15 dollars.
You know how much this is kid?” I opened my mouth to answer but
I was shut-up. “I don’t care where you got it. Get your
self off my property within ten seconds and take the horse with you!”
I ran outside, untied the horse at the post and, as quick as we could,
the horse, Bonnet, and me were out of there.
Chapter 5: Thankful for What I Have.
I brushed off my apron. I had been out feeding the horses. I walked
through the kitchen and no one was there. I walked to the main house
and I heard weeping upstairs. I ran upstairs to James’ room. There,
everyone was perched by his bedside weeping. Mother walked over to me
with a tear-stained face. “Leanne, your brother passed away a
few minutes ago. I tried to get you, but I had no clue where you were.
Come here and pay your respects to your brother.” It felt like
I had just been punched in the stomach. I walked blindly into the room
beside his bed and kissed his clammy forehead. A tear fell from my cheek
onto the bedspread. He did not look as though he were dead; he looked
happy. Not exactly happy, but content, as though he knew it was his
time to meet the Father. I looked at his little face and my heart wrenched.
***
I cantered swiftly through the meadow in the August sunshine on James’
7th birthday. I stopped and let the horse graze. I walked over to the
large tree where there first was one grave, but now there were two.
One for my father and one for my brother. I kneeled down by that grave
on that warm day and I prayed. I prayed for all the good things in my
life that I had been given: my horses, my friends, my family. I prayed
for my brother and for his strength in heaven, and also I prayed that
no more sadness would ever come to this family of mine. I pulled out
of my pocket the half of the peppermint stick that I never had the chance
to give to him. I kissed it and laid it on his grave and remembered
all the good times with him. Though I will never see him again, I know
that he forgives me and still loves me.
I am Leanne Wessing, girl of 1776.
