The Cogan Legend (10 page)

“My orders are to go to the Cogan road and return, sir.”  

Lewey insisted, “The Lieutenant said the patrol would escort us through the Cogan because this is the most dangerous part of the trip.”

Again the sergeant refused.  “No, sir, my orders are to stop here.  I'm sorry, but those are my orders. I have it right here in writing.”

Lewey was so angry that he did not thank the soldiers for their escort.  He reached under the seat and pulled out a small travel bag which contained his pistols, and then he proceeded to load them.  He prepared himself for the worst as the patrol turned their horses and headed back to Sunbury.  Putting his pistols by his side at the ready he slapped the reins and had the team in a gallop in order to get by the livery stable as quickly as possible. Racing through the narrow gap with the mountain looming beside them, the temperature dropped as the sunlight disappeared behind the mountain.  In the coach the girls sat together, unfolded blankets, and covered their laps.  Lewey slapped the reins again to make sure the team wouldn't slow as they approached the dilapidated livery stable and house.  The girls leaned forward in their seat, looked out the window and to their relief didn't see anyone as they passed the stable.

“I hope I never see those two again.  They are the scariest people I've ever seen,” Rachel blurted out with a quick sigh of relief.

Ann sat back against the seat. “I got a chill just passing the place.”

Further along the trail, Lewey's fears subsided, and he slowed the team.  As the journey continued, they tried to sleep but were unsuccessful.  Rachel's thoughts turned to Christmas and getting home.

She brought up the subject to Ann. “Christmas is only three weeks away, and I have no intentions of spending the holidays away from my family.  Either you or I must ask your father what his plans are.”

“I understand, and I assure you I also want to be in Philadelphia for the holidays.  Last year I really didn't have a Christmas, but this year thanks to you and Phillip, I'm going to have a great Christmas.”

“You hardly know this man, and you're planning to spend Christmas with him.”  

Ann responded, “I intend to know him much better next weekend.”

“Next weekend?”  Rachel fired back as she sat up in the seat and looked at Ann.  “Your father isn't going to allow you to go back next weekend, and do you expect me to go along?”

“Yes he will, and yes, I want you to go along,” Ann smugly stated.  

Rachel stiffened. “Remember what I said, with or without you, I'm going home for Christmas.”  Silence filled the coach for some time.

Trying to think of a way to appease her friend, Ann finally broke the silence.  “We'll be that much closer to Christmas if we return to Sunbury.  Father will want to leave the lodge shortly after our return.  I know he will; you're worrying for no reason.   Phillip's intent is to escort us back to the lodge, and then I'm going to invite him to Philadelphia for Christmas.  I know Father is going to like him.  In addition to meeting Phillip, I enjoyed Sunbury, and it got us out of the area.  Didn't you have a good time there?”

Rachel finally agreed with her friend as she stared out the window.  “I guess you're right.  It will shorten the time until we leave, and yes I did have a good time, except for those two men.”  

They both finally fell asleep.

They made it to the lodge as dusk came upon them.  They were all exhausted and glad to be back.   

Relieved to see them, Charles gave both a welcome hug. “Well, how are the travelers?” he asked.

“Exhausted,” said Ann speaking for everyone. “We had a marvelous time, Father.”    

Charles wondered if Rachel felt the same as he looked at her for a response.

“Well, I think Ann had the best time of all, but I'll let her tell you.”

“Father,” Ann said enthusiastically, “I may have met the man I want to marry.  He's an Army officer from the fort.  He is the most marvelous, handsome, kind, and courteous man I've ever met.”

A bewildered Charles didn't know how to respond. “I don't know what to say; I'm stunned at this news.  You were supposed to be shopping and sightseeing, not falling in love.”

“I couldn't help it, Father, he swept me off my feet --as Mother did you,” Ann reminded him.  “He wants to meet you as soon as possible.”

Charles didn't respond to her comment as he looked at Mary.  

Seeing frustration between father and daughter, Mary said, “Let's have some dinner before you retire.  A good night's sleep will help everyone.”

“Mary is right, Father; I'll tell you all about our trip in the morning.”

Charles agreed, but he was curious and wanted to know more about this trip, so he decided to question Lewey.

When Lewey entered from the stable, Charles immediately began to question him. “Lewey, how could Ann have possibly met an Army officer if you were escorting them everywhere?”

“I was with them everywhere, Charles,” raising his voice slightly, Lewey was now on the defensive.  “It was more like he met her.  We were walking through this huge building when he saw us, saw Ann.  He walked over and introduced himself.  What should I have done, demanded that he leave us alone?”  

After Lewey explained, Charles calmed down. He put his hands on the table and stood up.  “I'm sorry, Lewey, my thoughts got carried away.  Apparently there was nothing you could do.”  His questions then turned to the trip itself.  “Did you encounter any problems?”

“No, no problems.  It was just a long trip squeezed into one day.  I did take the short route through Hanes Gap, as I had told you I would.  I took a road called the Cogan Road.  It was a rough ride but a short cut to the village of Herndon where we spent the night.  We took the same route back.  You can make it in a day, but it was exhausting for everyone including the team.”

Satisfied with details about the journey, Charles' interest returned to the soldier.  “What do you think about this Army officer?”

Lewey yawned from exhaustion and sat back in the chair, “His name is Phillip Matter.  He's a lieutenant and second in command at the fort.”  Lewey paused to gather his thoughts. “Charles, he seems to be a fine young man.  He's well known in the area and well respected by his men.  He bought us dinner at the finest restaurant in Sunbury on Saturday night.”

This brought a slight smile to Charles' face, “Well, that's a plus.”

“This huge building we toured is called the Market House, and it's incredible.  It's a giant building where all types of merchants gather and display different wares under one roof.  I've never seen anything like it.  It's open Thursday through Saturday.  We spent most of the day just looking at the wares.  Lieutenant Matter never left our side the entire time.  It was obvious to me that Ann was his attraction.”

Lewey never mentioned the dance; he feared Charles would've objected or gotten angry.   “He seems like a gentleman to me, Charles.”

“Well, we shall see!” Charles said.  “How did the girls behave?  Ann didn't get too demanding, did she?”

Lewey assured him, “They behaved as ladies, and I had no problems.  Is there anything else you'd like to know?”

“Yes, is there any money remaining from the trip?”

Lewey reached into his back pocket, pulled out the envelope with the remaining cash and handed it to Charles.  “Do you mind if I retire?”

“Go ahead, you look exhausted,” Charles said as he pointed to the stairs.

Lewey wearily headed up the stairs to his room after thanking Mary for supper.

After the travelers retired for the evening, Charles asked for Mary's thoughts on Ann's news.  

“Perhaps this is a good thing, Charles.  Maybe her actions in Philadelphia were brought on by her mother's death.  She may have found what she was searching for.  At this point in her life, she needs someone to be able to touch, even love, someone more than just a father or a friend.  A lot of single women want that,” Mary remarked, throwing out a hint and then continued, “This could even be a passing thing she may not want to discuss tomorrow.”

“I hope you're right about the passing thing, but I don't think so.  I'm her father, and I must and will do what I feel is right for her.  I have plans for her, and they don't include a husband.  I intend to enroll her in school as soon as we return.  Hopefully, this infatuation will pass.”  

Charles made no effort to get the girls out of bed the next morning and allowed them to sleep as long as they wanted.  Charles sat at the table drinking coffee and chatting with Mary, who was in her usual routine of preparing breakfast.  She sat next to Charles while peeling potatoes.  He bent over, gave her a peck on the check and commented, “Mary you're an amazing woman.”  

Walking over to the stove to fry bacon and looking at Charles, “Yes I am; don't ever forget that,” she countered with a smile.

Soon they saw Rachel coming down the stairs and heading for the bathroom.  Ann was only minutes behind.  

“Mary, it smells so good!  You sure know how to wake everyone up,” Rachel said in passing.   

During breakfast, Ann again brought up the young man she had met.  Repeating basically what she'd stated the night before: “His name is Phillip Matter and he's handsome and courteous.  He's a lieutenant and is second in command at the fort.  His men seem to respect him.”

Calmed from the previous night's discussion, Charles now started talking about enrollment in school.  “Ann when we get back to Philadelphia it is my intent to...”

Ann quickly interrupted, “He wants to meet you, Father.”

Charles, giving her a strained look and raising his voice, continued, “As I was saying, when we return to Philadelphia, you will be enrolled in school somewhere. Now, what's this business about this lieutenant wanting to meet me?  You're being pretty presumptuous, young lady.”

Since Charles' voice was escalating, Rachel kept eating and never looked up.

Ann interrupted him again.  “Father, did you forget why we're here?  You wouldn't allow me to have any callers, and I defied your wishes.  I'm on the verge of eighteen and many girls my age are married and have children.  Why can't you understand that?”

Charles turned red with anger at Ann's tone.  Tapping his right hand on the table and pointing his finger, “You're my daughter.  You're my responsibility, and I'm going to do what I deem best for you.  Do you understand that?”

Chastened, Ann quickly apologized, “I'm sorry Father. You're right.  I spoke out of turn.  I know you only want what is best for me, but I'm not a child anymore.  I like this man, and I think he is wonderful.  I'm sure you will like him too, and besides I'm not talking about marrying him.”

Charles' anger subsided.  “We are close to leaving for Philadelphia.  How and when could this meeting possibly transpire?” he wanted to know.

“Next week.”

“Next week?  Does he know how to get here?” Charles questioned.

“Lewey, did you give him directions?”

“No, I didn't give him any directions.”

Looking directly at his daughter and anticipating an answer, “Well Ann, how do you think he will find us?”

“He's going to escort us back.”

“What do you mean?”  

“I'm hoping you will allow me, us, to go back to Sunbury.  He will then accompany us on our return.”

Upset and angry, Charles sat motionless for a moment.  His voice grew louder, but he was trying to control himself.  “You were just on a long dangerous journey, and now you want me to allow you to go back there again.  Absolutely not!”

They didn't speak to each other for the remainder of the day, but Ann was determined and not about to give in.  The next day she started again.

Adamant about his decision and in a calm voice, “No, I didn't change my mind Ann.”  

With Christmas only a few weeks away, Charles wanted to spend the holidays in Philadelphia.  His intent was to ask Mary to accompany him.  After denying Ann's request again, he asked Mary, “What are your thoughts on their return to Sunbury?”

She responded without hesitation, “I think her feelings for this officer are genuine, and if you refuse, it could drive a wedge between you.  She is at an age where she wants, even needs, some independence. I believe that's why she enjoys Rachel's company.”  

Again he valued her opinion, and all afternoon he weighed his decision.  He put on his coat and walked out to the stable.  It took a few minutes to catch Lewey's eye.

“Sorry, I didn't see you there,” Lewey said as he continued to comb one of the horses.  

“I want to ask your thoughts about another trip to Sunbury.”  

“Well, I'm rested, and now I know how to get there without directions.”

“What about the team?  We're going back to Philadelphia in a few weeks.  I want them to be well rested.”

“They'll be fine.  Actually, the trip helped condition them.”

“Thank you, Lewey. Please go about your business.”  Satisfied with the conversation he walked back to the lodge.

Mary was knitting what appeared to be a blanket as Charles entered and sat down beside her.

“Is that for me?”

“Perhaps.”

“Mary, I should have asked you sooner, I apologize.  But since all the talk of Christmas seems to be echoing in the room, I want to know if you'd accompany me to Philadelphia for Christmas and the New Year.”

She put the knitting needles on her lap and turned toward Charles.  “I'd love to accompany you.”  Putting her hand on his cheek brought a smile to his face.

His thoughts returned to Ann. “I guess I'll allow this trip even though I constantly worry about their safety.”