New Plantation Slave

John Childs remembered the first time he met Mr. Harken. It was early spring in 1819, and he was working as a hand for the Overseer. John thought nothing of him and paid him little attention. To John he was just another hired hand. Although he was a white hired hand, he was still treated as such. John did not know of the harsh discipline he enjoyed when Mr. Franks left. When Mr. Franks was moved to the cotton plantation, Mr. Harken took over as Overseer.

John was now riding in the back of a carriage with his father, and Mr. Harken. The Glenwood Plantation was not doing so well the last three seasons, and was ready to sell some property. John was now eighteen, and his father wanted him to participate in the family's business. The ride lasted almost two hours. He had to listen to Mr. Harken's accounts of Cherokee attacks and how slaves should be treated. John tried his best to ignore him as he seemed to be one of those whom found fault in everything.

When the carriage finally stopped, Colby opened the door muttering about how the place looked like it was ran by a bunch of wild animals. John knew his father listened to Colby, as they grew up together. Colby was the best slave his father owned. No one really questioned how John's father treated him as a friend rather than a common slave. Colby also never made mistakes and would make sure the other slaves were in line. Although Colby never whipped anyone, his word was just as powerful as the Overseer's lash. No one dared question his loyalties, as his position often irritated Mr. Harken to no end.

The owners of the plantation greeted all of them accept Colby who stayed with the carriage. John walked with his father around the grounds and remarked how the plantation had fallen into disrepair. The big house needed a coat of paint, and the boards of the front porch were all loose. John walked towards the fields, as his father spoke with the owner on the dilapidated porch.

The easy stroll through the spring crops was nice. He noticed how the cotton fields seemed to be neglected as well. There were some slaves milling about, but no real work was being done that day. When he came to a clearing he saw a lone female slave. She was walking through a small field of wild flowers. Every few steps she would bend over to collect some. She walked towards John holding a mixed assortment of colored wildflowers. She looked to be about his age, and did not have the clothes of the field slaves. She was a petite girl, just barely clearing five feet. She must not have been a field hand, her face and hands showed no signs of it, John noticed.

When she was only a few paces off from John he could make out the sadness in her features. She was quite attractive, and the smell of the flowers she held only added to her allure. John thought she had a beauty about herself even though she walked as if she was dead to the world. Her face looked too young to be so doleful. She did manage to lift her head when she walked by him. With a slight nod upwards, she cracked the smallest of smiles before her gloomy look returned.

John finished his stroll, but could think of nothing other than the bright smile she showed him. When he got back to the big house he saw his father and Mr. Harken inspecting a group of slaves. They were all lined up as they were being poked and prodded. His father and Mr. Harken went down the line of slaves and called out prices. John knew this was his father's offer to buy them. None of the offers were of market price either. John figured his father was going to fleece the owner and probably resell the slaves he did not need. John wanted to laugh as the offers came in and were accepted by the owner.

John walked over and whispered to his father. "There was another one in the fields that looked good too. She may be a good for the house."

John then heard his father mention to the owner about the slave he saw so depressed in the field. The owner surprised John refusing his father's offer. His father was a successful planter for a reason. He knew how to handle situations, and make the best deals possible. He was a shrew negotiator and had proven it to John on many occasions, and today was one of them. John's father then offered to buy nothing and wait for the bank to hold the auction, saying that the auction prices would be much cheaper. The owner relented and nodded his head, agreeing to the low price.

John, Mr. Harken, and his father left the plantation with more slaves then they had anticipated on buying. Colby was left to bring the slaves back with the spare horse. Colby was often allowed to roam freely within the county as everyone seemed to know his freedoms. He was now in charge of the new slaves and making sure they got back to the plantation.

Mr. Harken was now the coach driver. John's father was grinning at the new stock of slaves he just got at a steal of a price. His father then told John how the other planters would not buy from him due to rumors about small pox outbreak at his plantation. His father seemed to be explaining more of the plantation's expenses as if he would someday be in charge. John simply sat back and let his father go on about what he planned to do with the new slaves, he was just happy he did not have to hear the hideous stories of Mr. Harken.

The next day John awoke to the sound of the plantation slaves gathering to see Colby ride back with the dozen new slaves. John got dressed and went to watch as Mr. Harken and Colby assigned jobs and living quarters. Then he spotted her, the girl he saw in the fields. She still had a somber look about her. She wordlessly followed Colby as he showed her the cabin she was now going to live in.

John was happy that she was given the cabins of the craftsmen and house slaves. The other slaves were taken to the field slave cabins further away from the main house. Since it was just her, she did not have to share the cabin with anyone. John had no idea when she would be sharing the cabin or if she would ever share it. He knew his father was strict about slaves moving cabins or sleeping in a place they should not.

The moment she went into her new cabin, John wanted so badly to introduce himself. Her morose disposition bothered him more than he cared to allow. To him it was a shame for such a pretty girl to be so sad. It may be the idea of a new place and the unknown had stolen her smile. John had made up his mind, he would introduce himself. Before he could talk to her, he was called off to meet his tutor.

John resented the fact his father insisted on him still having tutors come to the plantation just for him. John wanted to attend college, but his father still wanted him around the plantation. The only reason he could figure was that his father would be without any family around. His mother refused to live on the plantation until the end of the harvest season. He always laughed at her inability to handle the heat and humidity. John often tried to stay later on in the season, well after both of his parents went to the summer home.

***

The day seemed to drag on. Before John knew it the sun had set, and he had yet to meet the new slave. He was disappointed; he did not even know her name. When John finished his chores he was finally able to get away and walk down to the slave cabins. Holding nothing but a lantern, he made his way to the row of cabins. They were close to the house, and kept in very good condition. Although the slaves were not allowed to roam the plantation at a certain time, some were allowed if their jobs permitted. Colby often roamed around to make sure there was no issues. Slaves would rather speak with him compared to Mr. Harken.

As her cabin came into view he spotted Mr. Harken heading there as well. John's heart dropped. He could make out Harken's sinister grin in the dim glow of his lantern. John knew exactly what he was going there for. He quickened his pace to get there just before him.

When John reached her rough cut wooden door he made his inquiry to Mr. Harken. "Did not expect to see you out around here at such an hour."

Spitting out something before thinking. "Just checking up on the new niggers. Does your Pa know you're out here?"

"About the same as he knows you're out here." John shot back with a strong tone. He never spoke to Mr. Harken like that before. He just knew that Mr. Harken was going to do something wrong to the new slave.

John turned his head, ending the conversation before Mr. Harken could respond, and opened the door to the cabin. As John walked in he saw the new slave standing there at the doorway as if she knew he was going to come inside. As he stepped in to close the door, she walked to the small bed in the corner and sat down. The look on her face was that of fear, panic, and solemn resignation.

John turned his attention away from her to peer out of the small window. He smiled to himself, his little ruse worked, and Mr. Harken retreated back to his own place. When the dim light of the overseer faded in the distance he knew that he'd won a small victory.

John turned around when he heard a quiet soft voice speak. "You gonna have me?"

John didn't like the fear in her eyes as she regarded him, "I am only here so he doesn't touch you." He said to ease her fears.

"I just be figuring you get here before he did, or you be taking turns wit me."

"Nobody is going to be taking turns with you. I came here to make sure of that."

"So you going to sells me then for someone else?" She said on a sigh.

John walked over to her with his hands out in a calming gesture. "My father is not going to sell you, and Mr. Harken is not going to have you."

She stood quickly as something akin to fear flashed over her face. "You be the Massa's son. I dids not know. I thought you just be nother overseer. I saw the way you looked at me and wanted me with the others. Just thinking you wanted me as yours."

John smiled back as he knew he was caught. He was staring at her yesterday quite obviously. "My name is John Childs." He said holding out his hand, "I am sorry I stared at you like that. I was just wondering why you looked so sad."

She looked down at his hand, wary of the formal gesture. She looked up to him and placed her small hand in his, "Mr. Laurens called me Jasmine," she said, "my Pa named me Michael cause he wanted a boy. Be changing it to Michaela when I be born. Massa did not likes that so he called me Jasmine after the flowers in the fields."

John pulled the chair from the only table in the room to sit down in front of her. "I can call you Michaela if you like?"

Jasmine laughed as she sat across from him on the bed. "Be bit lates for that seeing how everyone knows me as Jasmine. No matters, Mr. Laurens not be thinking he gives me a white girl name. Guess I gots one over on him."

John smiled at Jasmine as her body seemed to relax from talking. "Can I ask why you were so sad?"

Jasmine eyes glassed over as she opened up. "Pa got solds when Mr. Laurens got the bank notice. He gots rid of all the old field hands. Be wishin I knew wheres he went."

John got up and sat next to her, putting his arm around her for comfort. "I will ask Colby if he can find out where he was sold to. He knows all the plantations in the county. I bet he can find your Pa."

Jasmine looked up as she smiled briefly. "You would be doing that for me?"

John got up to leave. As he left he told her. "I will first thing tomorrow." John stood to leave, "Just don't tell anyone about it. Don't even bring it up to Colby. If he found out it is for you, he will think you will get ideas about running."

Jasmine nodded her head in agreement. John and Jasmine exchanged smiles as he stepped out of the cabin. John quietly walked back to the house trying not to wake his father or any of the other slaves. When he reached his room he stared out the window for a time to see if he could watch over her cabin. Although he could not see anything the idea of protecting her made him feel at peace.

***

John woke up to the sounds of a working plantation. Although sleeping in was frowned upon, John found that he could get away with it from time to time. He was happy that his father was busy enough not to realize and that most of the house slaves gave him no notice.

The first thing John did was spring up to the window and peer out to Jasmine's cabin. He told himself it was to check if it was disturbed but he'd hoped to get a glimpse of her. When he saw her with a wash basin cleaning clothes he took a sigh of comfort knowing she did not run. Mr. Harken was not around either, so he took this as a good sign, and got his day underway.

When John got downstairs he was told that his father, and Colby had left to go to the Market place with a few of the new slaves. His father was dropping them off at the auction to be sold this week. The thought of Mr. Harken left alone with Jasmine...(left him uneasy). He had a suspicion that Harken wanted to bed her, and will inevitably try to again.

With the light work load given John, he was able to stroll about the plantation with very little to do. Most of the skilled slaves did not need direct supervision. It would not be uncommon to see them walking about tending their own garden, or relaxing on a hot day. The overseer was normally watching over the field slaves and the main work of the plantation. John suspected he must have been out in the fields when he had not seen him around.

John said hello to those he passed including Jasmine, he did not want to arouse any talk by only greeting her. Although he did nothing special, Jasmine grinned with the relief that he was close to her. John felt a twinge of guilt. He was the reason she was here, living with the fear of Harken at every turn. He must cheer her up. John immediately knew how.

There was a patch of wildflowers not too far off that John knew of. He raced there as quickly as possible yet slow enough to not arouse anyone's curiosity. He quickly picked the best ones he could find in the shortest time, stashing them in his shirt as he walked back to the main house with a mind to find a vase. When they were in the vase, he left them in his room before heading back out to the fields. John knew that he still had to do some work before his tutor arrived.

Once John finished his studies and met with his returning father, supper was ready. The evening was spent listening to how his father made money off of the new purchases. John heard how the slaves he sold could have been used, but the ready cash would be needed for other endeavors. He really did want to be interested but his thoughts lay with Jasmine.

John waited till his father was in the study reading before sneaking out the back door. Old Millie was there to close the door for him. It was as if she knew what he was up to. John always had a good relationship with her. He trusted Old Millie and knew she'd lie for him if necessary. When she saw the vase full of flowers in his hand her eyes lit up with a knowing look. Did she believe he was going to bed some girl?

He gave her a quick explanation before making an even quicker exit. "It's not what you think. Just to make someone feel better is all."

Old Millie smiled as John left the house. "Just don't be lettin' ya Pa finds out. Lord, heaven knows what will happen."

John chuckled to himself even as she said it. He knew she knew more gossip than anyone on the plantation and yet she never told a soul her secrets. John was quick about his pace and made his way to Jasmine's cabin faster than the night before. As he got closer he could see her waiting by the window with none else inside. John visibly sighed with relief.

Jasmine quickly opened the door to let John in. Once inside he gently moved her aside to place his unlit lantern at the doorstep. If Mr. Harken did come by, he would know who was inside. He closed the door and smiled at Jasmine. He wondered how she'd accept her gift. Would she smile? Her full brown lips would pull back in a smile and the gleam in her eye would light up her small heart shaped face. Jasmine looked at him as if waiting for him to speak. He then realized he was staring again. He quickly pulled out from his coat and presented her a glass vase filled with an assortment of flowers from the field.

"I thought you might like these, and maybe help cheer you up." John said, as he cautiously waited for her reaction.

Jasmine's smile was brighter than he'd hoped, lighting the drab room with joy. "Thanks too much Mr. John. Theys beautiful." John returned her smile, as his heart felt at peace.

"Don't know hows I can thank ya," Jasmine began then her smile began to fade, " 'less you gots a way in mind."

"No, no, I just came by to make sure he was not here," John rushed to explain, hating to see her gloom return, "and to make you feel a tad bit better about yourself."

Jasmine's smile returned, softer somehow, and more sincere. John gaze lingered longer than he intended, so he simply nodded and turned toward the door.

"I reckon he won't be round tonight nows you here. You gonna stay a spell?" Jasmine said her back turned as she placed the vase of flowers on the beat up old table, pausing to smell the sweetness of the flowers.

John wondered why she would ask knowing he was just about to leave and she was unhurt by anyone. "Mr. Harken won't bother you tonight, I am pretty sure he saw the lantern outside the door." He said reassuring her.

"When you leaves, reckon he be thinking it's his turn." She said before lifting her fearful gaze to his, "Also thinkin he not hears us, and might be wondering if we really doing it."

John did not want to believe she was right, but knew it might be true. John again for the second night tried to ease her fears. "I will leave my lantern out front as a warning. Just take it in and hide it in the morning."

Jasmine gave a look as if her life was hanging in the balance. Without saying a word she nodded her head to John agreeing to the plan. John sneaked out into the dead of night and back to the main house. His last worry now was the night and finding his way without any source of light.

At the main house John found the side door left open for him. The only one who would do that was Old Millie. John knew he would have to thank her in the morning. John crept to his room making as little noise as possible. He finally took a deep breath when he closed his door behind him happy he had gotten away with something. John's heart was racing so much he could barely sleep, thinking about trying not to think about Jasmine.

The next day John made a point to see Old Millie before leaving the house. When he saw her she smiled and walked away as the sound of a ringing bell called her. Before she left she only winked and nudged John toward the side door. John took her nudge as a sign of something to do, and he went outside.

Outside, John saw Mr. Harken standing near the smokehouse. He had his eyes trained on Jasmine as she was bent over a washboard scrubbing clothes. Her covered hair was hanging out on the sides, and the top of her chest was exposed as she scrubbed fast on the washboard. John found himself watching as well. Jasmine's breasts swayed each time her body and arms moved on the washboard, her skin covered dampened by the water.

Suddenly Mr. Harken moved, making his way towards Jasmine. Some of the slaves stopped what they were doing and watched as Harken crossed towards her. They all knew that Mr. Harken had set his sights on her and could only imagine what was going to happen. John acted quickly, walking to Jasmine and making it there before Harken by a good five steps.

Once John was in front of her she looked up at him then Mr. Harken. John announced loud enough for Harken and the slaves that were watching to hear. "Need you in the main house to help out there. Kitchen staff is shorthanded. I want you working with Millie from now on."