Summary

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As evening falls on a tranquil summer day, the narrator finds solace on the porch of a farmhouse perched on a hilltop. Beside him sits Aunt Rachel, a robust sixty-year-old black woman, whose unwavering cheerfulness has caught his attention. Her laughter echoes as he curiously inquires why trouble seems to have bypassed her life. Startled, she responds, "Misto C——, is you in ’arnest?" Her sudden seriousness prompts him to explain that her perpetual happiness is what he has always observed. Aunt Rachel then adopts a somber expression, ready to share her tale.

The Bonds of Family and Heritage

Aunt Rachel begins to unfold her past, revealing that although she had been a slave, she was blessed with a devoted husband and seven beloved children. Her roots trace back to Virginia, or "ole Fo-ginny" as she calls it, but her mother, hailing from Maryland, was fiercely proud and known for her fiery temper. A vivid memory resurfaces of a day when her young son Henry suffered a severe injury to his wrist and forehead, causing commotion among those present. In the chaos, her mother's scornful voice rose above, declaring, "I wan’t bawn in de mash to be fool’ by trash! I’s one o’ de ole Blue Hen’s Chickens, I is!" She took control, tending to the boy's wounds herself. This phrase, deeply embedded in Rachel, surfaces whenever her temper is stirred.

The Heartbreak of Separation

The conversation shifts as Rachel recalls the time when her mistress's financial ruin led to the auctioning of all her slaves in Richmond. Gradually, she becomes engrossed in her memories, rising in stature as she recounts the harrowing scene. The vivid recollection of her family being torn apart is palpable. One by one, her husband and children were sold, and her cries of protest were met with harsh beatings. Only her youngest, Henry, was left by her side, and she clung to him, threatening to kill anyone who tried to take him. In a whisper, Henry assured her he would escape and earn enough to buy her freedom. Despite the fierce fight she put up, Henry was eventually taken from her. It has been twenty-two long years since she last saw her husband or her other six children.

A New Life Amidst Conflict

Rachel was purchased by a man who took her to "Newbern," likely New Bern, North Carolina, where she became the cook for his family. When the Civil War reached their doorstep, her master, now a Confederate colonel, fled the advancing Union troops, leaving his slaves behind. Rachel found herself cooking for the Union officers who treated her with respect and gave her complete control of her kitchen. Holding on to hope that Henry might have fulfilled his promise, she once inquired if the officers had ever encountered a man with scars on his wrist and forehead. A general's reminder that Henry would now be a grown man, after thirteen years, was a sobering realization.

A Glimmer of Hope

Unbeknownst to Rachel, Henry had indeed escaped northward and spent years working as a barber. Driven by the desire to find his mother, he enlisted with Union officers, searching the South tirelessly. Rachel's home, now Union headquarters, often buzzed with activity, hosting soldier balls where she was especially vigilant about her domain. One particular evening, her ire was directed at a group of black soldiers, irked by their presence in her kitchen. When a sprightly young man danced in with a partner, she dismissively exclaimed, "Gid along wid you!—rubbage!" Her words seemed to pertain to the young man, who briefly faltered in his demeanor. As...

(This entire section contains 764 words.)

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more men poured in with music and pomp, Rachel, standing firm, declared once more, "I want you niggers to understan’ dat I wa’nt bawn in de mash to be fool’ by trash! I’s one o’ de ole Blue Hen’s Chickens, I is!" Again, her words struck a chord with the young man.

A Joyous Revelation

After successfully clearing her kitchen, Rachel overheard the young man express to a companion his decision not to return with the others that night. The next morning, as she busied herself with her baking, the same young man reappeared, seeking her attention. With a penetrating gaze, he locked eyes with her, and in a moment of realization, Rachel understood—it was her Henry. Dropping her pan in shock, she immediately checked for the familiar scars, confirming her hope. Her long-lost son had indeed come back to her.

"Oh, no, Misto C——," Rachel concludes, "I hain’t had no trouble. An’ no joy!"

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