WEN: 2260EE
Exhibitor Name: Jeshua Wickham
Division: Creative Writing--
Class: 04 Short Stories (
Yet if they asked him his age he knew he would have to answer honestly. He had been strictly brought up never to lie by his religious parents. His parents! Surely his mother would object. His gentle, caring mother. She would never let him go without a fuss. But he was mistaken. . . . . . As he sat at supper that evening, laughter and cheerful banter surrounded him. The last rays of evening sun fell through the window, illuminating the heads of his sisters, so that they looked like spun gold. The heavenly smells of fried bacon and corn cake, rising from the laden table, would have tempted one far less hungry than he. A hush fell as Mr. Sanders raised his hand. All the children bowed their heads, and listened as their father blessed the food before them. As grace was concluded the noise broke out again. “Sally, the butter please.” “Mother, can I have some ham?” “Hey Luke, ya wanna go fishin tomorrow?” “Charlotte dear, please mind your manners.” (Mother was the only one who called Lottie by her full name). “Do you want to go fishing tomorrow,”she corrected. “And no, Charlotte, you may not go fishing. Tomorrow is wash day, remember? Henry ventured to broach the subject. “Father?” “Well Henry? And how was work today?” inquired his father. Firm, but loving, Mr. Allen Sanders was the respected head of his household. He had raised each of his sons to work diligently and hard, be courteous to those around them, and to be men of their word. “It went well. I was put to work at a table for Mrs. O’Harris.” “Ah, she is a good customer to have.” “Yes sir, she pays well. Especially now as the war has taken most of the business . Most don’t want tables, chairs, or cabinets. Instead they want weapons and canon. And most of that is blacksmiths’ work. “Aye son, that it is. The war is a hard thing for most businesses at this time. None want my services as a banker now. I am concerned for what the future holds. General Washington seems a capable man indeed, but we colonists are no soldiers, and the militia are not an army to lean upon. No,
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