CHAPTER 27—Problem

7 JANUARY 1860

It was my birthday yesterday, but no one remembered. Except Sally. She assembled a bouquet of holly and greens and presented it to me soon after I awakened in my lonely house.

John left for Mobile two days ago. “Weldon can run the business while I am gone. See how he likes it!”

I suppose I am not alone, given that we have boarders. They no longer share meals with us but eat up at the slave cottages next to the factory. Sally cooks their breakfasts before dawn. This arrangement works well since they work very early until very late. 

Imagine my surprise when, last evening a Mr. Oaks stopped in. He stated that Mr. Weldon and Mr. Joe LeBois had hired him the day before to be the lead ginmaker and shop manager. 

“Forgive me, Mr. Oaks, but I was unaware of you coming or even that you were working for Mr. LeBois,” I said while standing in the front door. His rough appearance kept me from inviting him to the parlor and besides, his family remained in the carriage. “Please come again when Mr. LeBois has returned from Mobile.”  Whenever that will be, I added in my head.

“Begging your pardon, Mrs. LeBois, but we are here now, and we need a place tonight,” he emphatically stated. “We ain’ sleepin’ in no barn or slave cottages.”

“Begging your pardon, but did you mention that you have a wife and children? Several of them?” At that point, I was beyond caring about manners.

“Cain’t say that I did. Oh, I think I said family… But look, ma’am, I ain’ no spring chicken like those young fools up at the factory, so course I have family. Most are grown and gone. The ones in the carriage are my wife, three unmarried daughters and my son, who will be working as a printer. The ad for the job said wages plus room and board. Can you show us where we will be?”

Sally was present for most of the conversation, hidden in a dark corner. She tapped on my shoulder. “I should go fetch Mr. Rufus,” she whispered in my ear. “Maybe these folks can come into the kitchen. I have soup in a big pot which is still hot.”

I nodded, told her to hurry, and to show the family to the kitchen before she left to get my son. Entering the house, Mrs. Oaks hugged me, a little too long, before following Sally.

After a half hour, Rufus appeared in the parlor, blood on his shirt, his hat and coat missing. “Sally told me you have a crisis here. Good thing I was working on Mrs. Hamilton’s teeth and not already home. Now, what is the matter? And what is that ruckus?”

By then, I was sobbing. I had gone to my room where I hid a small flask deep within my trunk and I chugged down all the contents. I lost whatever control I had left over my emotions.

“Mother? Have you been drinking?”

There was no point in denying anything because I still held the flask in my hand.

He looked at me with a mix of concern and disappointment. “I understand you’re upset, but drinking is not the answer.”

I nodded, wiping my tears. “You’re right, of course. It’s just been... overwhelming.”

He sighed, his expression softening. “I know, Mother. Now, tell me about these people.”

I explained as best I could, my words still slightly slurred. Rufus listened intently, his brow furrowing deeper with each detail.

“This is quite the predicament,” he said finally. “Father and Joe should have informed us about hiring Mr. Oaks, let alone promising him lodging for his entire family. But we can’t turn them away, especially with children involved.”

“But where can we put them?” I asked, feeling helpless. “We don’t have enough room.” Then I realized. Nan would be in Mobile for a few more nights. The family could stay there.

Rufus paced the room. “If you think it would be all right for them to stay next door at Auntie’s place, that would be best.”

I nodded, grateful for his approval. “What does Mr. Weldon know of this?”

“I have not talked to him the last few days. Frankly, this comes as a surprise. I will go speak to Weldon this evening to see if we can figure out a more permanent solution,” he replied. 

As we made our way to the kitchen, the noise grew louder. Female voices mingled with the clatter of dishes. Sally was trying to feed the unexpected guests while maintaining some semblance of order. The young women were in their twenties, maybe older, while the son appeared to be on the verge of adulthood. He stood in the corner, a silent observer.

“Mr. Oaks,” Rufus called out, his voice cutting through the din. The room fell silent, all eyes turning to us.

“I’m Dr. Rufus LeBois,” he continued. “I understand there’s been some confusion about your accommodation.”

Mr. Oaks wiped his hand on his trousers before shaking Rufus’s.

“I hope we ain’t causin’ too much trouble. Your ma here’s been mighty kind, but I can see we’ve put y’all in a tough spot.”

“Welcome to Greensboro. I apologize for the confusion. We weren’t expecting you so soon, but we’ll do our best to accommodate you.”

Once the family had settled in at Nan’s, my son turned to me. “Mother, we need to have a serious discussion about the changes happening in the business.”

I nodded wearily. “You’re right. But your father... he’s always been so independent, so sure of himself. I fear he’s struggling with the idea of letting go of any control.”

As Rufus left, I sank into a kitchen chair, feeling utterly drained. I wondered how much more I could bear.

Sally busied herself cleaning up, casting concerned glances my way.

“Miss Louisa,” she said softly, “why don’t you go rest? I’ll bring you some tea.”