WEN: 2260EE
Exhibitor Name: Jeshua Wickham
Division: Creative Writing--
Class: 04 Short Stories (
the favor seems all on the Brits’ side. But, we are not men to give up easily. No, liberty is too precious to be given up without a fight. “Yes father, indeed it is. Do you know, they have posted notices in the town, calling for volunteers for the army they are collecting.” Mr. Sanders chuckled. “Yes Henry, I know they have. I also know what you are thinking. You want to join, don’t you? Now, now, I don’t need you to try and persuade me,” as Henry began to defend his choice. “Your mother and I have already talked it over. And though we don’t like the idea of you going into so much danger, we agree that this cause is worth fighting for. Indeed, that is one of the reasons I married your mother. She was so determined about what she held to be right. And one of those things she holds is the pursuit of liberty and freedom. We cannot keep you from this cause. Enlist if you will,” he continued, laying his gnarled, workworn hand on the lad’s slim shoulder, “you have our blessing.” “Now Henry,” added his mother, “that doesn’t mean you are to heedlessly run into danger. Try and be careful. Serve General Washington as best you can, and, though you may not be rewarded, you will be doing good service to your country.” Lottie, eyes dancing, broke in. “Henry’s going to war. How exciting!” He’ll become a famous man and maybe a general himself!” “No, no,” gently corrected Anna, three years older, “Henry will just be a simple soldier. Not everyone can be generals. Besides, he may be killed, and it won’t be exciting then. Only dreadful!” Lottie, eleven, assented after pondering this. “Well, if he gets wounded, won’t that be romantic? Of course, t’wouldn’t be a serious wound. . .” The younger children started to chant, “Henry’s going to wa-ar, Henry’s going to wa-ar!” “Hush, hush now, go and play outside now.” Mrs. Sanders silenced them. “Sallie May, Anna, and Charlotte, please begin work on the dishes. Oh, and, Lukey, be a good boy, and run and tell Peter and Charles that their supper’s getting cold.” Peter and Charlie soon came in from the fields, stamping their boots on the porch, and washing their hands at the kitchen sink. Since Mr. Sanders had begun banking, both boys had taken over the task of farming and caring for the livestock. Sallie May, seventeen, teased them about the fact they came in dirtier every day. Laughing they settled down at the table, and, upon hearing Henry’s plans seemed to heartily approve, though neither showed a similar
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