Pirates of the North

 Chapter Two

—Memory Gift—

The next day, Arcelia rose from bed early and was almost done chores when the rooster crowed to show the day had begun. The Whittimore’s hens had been killed by vultures just a few years back. That is why they had one rooster and no chickens.

Arcelia paused and looked at the clouds. There were so many different shades of blue and pink, orange and yellow. But it all looked so beautiful to Arcelia. Mama says Papa and Author are thousands of miles beyond the sunrise. 

She kept thinking for a brief moment and then heard her mother’s call. “Artie! Arcelia Rose, come here!” Arcelia ran inside and stopped at the doorway. Mother was again in her rocking chair. She had become quite sickly. This time though, she was holding a wrapped box. A very little box, big enough only to carry a little trinket or two. 

In the little town of Jamestown Virginia, 1752, food was scarce and there was many a time when families had no where to sleep. Children barely received any gift or toy at Christmas time, or any time of the year. Arcelia, being twelve years old, was very mature about it. She understood the reasons why some folks starved, and some lived in fancy white houses and had metallic black carriages and tall kingly stallions. 

Arcelia walked in and went over and sat by her mother’s side. Her mother handed the box to Arcelia. 

“This gift—” Mother began wondering if she should even say a word. “The cost of this is precious.”

 But before she could say any more, Arcelia cried, “Oh Mama, you shouldn’t have bought me anything! Look at our house, the food, the animals. Oh, Mama, I don’t deserve such a thing.” 

“Oh no, darling. This gift is free. It’s been tucked away in the attic all this time. Your Father wanted you to have it. We were waiting until you come of age.” She handed the box to give to Arcelia. Arcelia carefully unwrapped it trying not to rip the page. Paper was also important in those days. 

She finally finished unwrapping it and found a purple leather box with real gold lined around the outside. On the box was a keyhole. But Arcelia saw no key. “It’s beautiful. But where is the key?” She asked worriedly. 

Mother sat up and began looking around. “Oh, Artie. I guess later when I’m in town, you’ll have to search through the attic. But for now, keep that box safe, and finish your chores.”

Arcelia gave her mother a big hug, and dashed out the door to try to finish her chores as quickly as possible.