WEN: 2260EE
Exhibitor Name: Jeshua Wickham
Division: Creative Writing--
Class: 04 Short Stories (
man had dropped off the plans for the press. Now there was a serious job! Then there was that woman who wanted a table. No, there really wasn’t that much this week. Oh, and of course there was that order they received last week. A wealthy home-owner wanted a set of maple wood cabinets. As an apprentice, Henry was only allowed to help with these. Two were already finished and waiting for the silversmith’s handles. He ran his hand lovingly over the polished wood, and looked up with a start when he heard his name called. “Henry?” He saw his boss walking over. “Yes sir?” “I want you to begin work sanding this table for Mrs. O’Harris. It's due soon, and I haven’t another man to put at it. Once finished, you can report to me for your next chore.” “Of course, sir. Right away sir.” He sighed inwardly. Try as he might he could never seem to please Mr. Johnson. The man’s grim visage rarely was broken by a smile. Henry Sanders was a hard worker, and a favorite with the rest of the men, but nothing seemed to satisfy Johnson. Oh well! With five more years of his apprenticeship to finish, he must be content with things as they were. Whistling cheerfully, he set to work on the table. As he sauntered down the street for the noonday lunch break he noticed a crowd gathering in the town square. Curiously he joined the outskirts of the crowd. One shrill voice cried out, “Liberty! Bah! This is preaching treason against the king!” Another angrily replied, “Yeah, well, what do we have to do with King George? King indeed! He can’t even rule England!” Shouting erupted on all sides. Finding questions to no avail, Henry wormed his way through the tightly packed throng. Squeezing past two heavy set women, he finally glimpsed the object of all this dispute. A paper was nailed to the post of the meeting house. He saw the words “To all brave, healthy, able bodied and well disposed young men. . . Take Notice,” It continued, calling them to volunteer in the service of General George Washington, for the defense of their homes, and the sake of liberty and freedom for mankind. . .” Henry saw no more. A tall man had stepped in front of him, blocking the poster from sight. Well! This was exciting! There was no question in his mind of whether or not he would respond. He must! Was not liberty a cause to be striven for with every effort? But, one obstacle stood in his way. He was underage, not yet eighteen. Would they accept him? Perhaps he could pass himself off as eighteen.
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