Marylanders, an Excerpt



Holters store stood along the Jefferson Pike near a branch of the Ballenger Creek. It was a modest ramshackle establishment that served as community meeting place as well as general dispenser of staples, canned goods, hardware, nails, farm supplies, tobacco, butchering items, candies, patent medicines, and a selection of wares so varied that the proprietor sometimes forgot their existence. In the front and at the sides stood two saddled horses, three teams hitched to various conveyances, and four lop-eared mules with a wagon load of corn, all awaiting their owners who currently were inside. Several dogs of various shapes, colors, and sizes lounged about, scratching, sniffing, dozing.

Several men sat on wooden benches in back of the store. Peck Handley was holding forth on the days events. I tell you, Holter, it dont make no sense to concern ourselves with secesh. Hell, if them states leave the Union, whats it matter to us. I aint worried a bit whether they got the niggers as slaves or not. I aint got none and I dont want none, but if them secesh want em, let em have em, in or out of the Union. Peck leaned over and splashed tobacco juice into the cuspidor.

Squire Henry Fulmer was having none of it. Peck, youre more full of crap than one of my wifes geese. Dang it, this here is a great country, and if we break it up, why well be no better than them people in Europe, quarreling and fighting among ourselves all the time.

Hiram Matthews leaned over to spit and broke in, Hells bells, Squire, were doin that already--fightin and quarrelin--and its gettin worse. Far as Im concerned, let em secede. We dont need em.

What if Maryland secedes? Whatll you say then?

Thats not so bad neither. All the politicians are crooks anyhow, pickin our pockets ever dang chance they get.

Yeah, thats right, Peck said. With Maryland outta the Union, why hell, squire, thered be only that bunch in the state to rob us, not a bunch here and in Washington too.

Peck and Hiram broke into raucous laughter, amused at their own wit.

The Squire was unconvinced. You fellas can laugh all you want, but you dont know how serious this is. Wed always be fightin among ourselves, and before you know it, them foreigners, England and France and the like, would be over here again, messing in our affairs. Dont you think so, Sam?

Until this point, Sam Zimmerman had avoided the debate, listening with some amusement. Well, he said, all you men make good points, but theres other things that worry me. Suppose Maryland secedes and then suppose the federal government, whoever is President, asks the governor to call up the militia and the guards to put down what they call a Maryland rebellion? Whatre you men gonna do?

Could they do that? Hiram asked.

I think they could. What about men like you, Hiram? You been in the army. You gonna stand with the country or the state?

Dammit, Sam, Peck said, whyd you have to go and get me all mixed up?

Ed Holter shrugged. All I can say, boys, is that somebody better come up with some good ideas quick, or this here country is gonna be in a helluva mess. He turned toward the front of the store when he heard the bell over the door clatter.

Hell, look whos here, Peck muttered.

Howdy, Mister Horine, Holter addressed his customer, what can I get you today?

Ben Horine glanced at the group in the rear of the store. Um, heres a list from Missus Horine. Ill need some liniment too.

Horine squinted at the group. Sam, he nodded to his neighbor.

Sam met his stare. Benjamin. Hows the family?

Fine, thank you, sir, and yours?

Very well, sir, very well.

Horine looked over the group again and nodded. Gentlemen, he murmured and turned away.

Only Hiram replied, saying, Mr. Horine.

Horine counted out a dollar and eight cents silently, picked up his supplies and departed without looking back. The atmosphere in the store relaxed.

I dont think he likes us much, Matthews said.

Well, I dont like him, thats for damn sure, Peck replied.

First Ive seen him for a while, Sam said. The way he looked at us, I felt like an enemy. If hes secesh, maybe I am his enemy. Maybe we all are.

Elections the problem, Holter said. Aint a one of them candidates I can hold to. I hear Horine and his cronies are pushing for Breckenridge, thats just askin for trouble.

Lincoln aint no better, Peck said. Hell , all him and them abolitionists want is to free the niggers.

I aint sure of that, Sam said. What Ive read of his speeches, he just wants to stop slavery goin into the territories, but I believe Bell is a better choice.

Damn if I can see that, Sam, Hiram said. We always been Democrats. Whats wrong with Douglas?

Nothin, except the south dont want him, so he cant win.

I dont see how none of them can win, Peck said. North wont go for Breckenridge. South hates Lincoln. No matter what, its gonna be a mess.

Outside the animals were restless as leaves scraped across the dry October grass. Sam heard his horses rattle their harness. Time to go, he said. This conversation riles my innards.