Free Touching the Sky by Tracie Peterson Page B

mother. “I cannot stay. My daughter is seeing to the bill.” She wrung her hands. “I am quite distraught.” She lowered her voice and glanced around the room for a moment. “The colored troops ransacked my house.”
    “What!” Mother looked at Laura in disbelief. “What are you saying?”
    “They came and destroyed my home. Never mind that we faithfully supported the Union. They were drunk, and they carried off most everything that wasn’t nailed down. They took my beloved rosewood piano.”
    “No,” Mother gasped. “How can this be?”
    The woman leaned in closer and narrowed her eyes. “You have not yet heard the worst of it. They broke into the family vault behind the house. They . . . they . . .” Her voice broke and a sob escaped. “They destroyed Baby’s coffin. They spilled the bones on the ground.”
    Laura’s hand went to her mouth while Mother looked as if she actually might swoon. Laura took up her fan and waved it furiously to calm her mother. “Mrs. Meuly, surely you should tell General Russell about this.”
    “I did,” the woman said, straightening. “He said nothing could be done. I believe the white officers are afraid of the blacks. If you ask me, I think the Colored Troops are out of control and the white officers can no longer keep order.”
    “This is most distressing news,” Mother said, shaking her head. “I cannot believe such a violation would go unpunished. To desecrate the grave . . .” Her words faded as she looked to Laura.
    “Is there anything we can do, Mrs. Meuly?” Laura asked.
    “No. If my Conrad hadn’t succumbed to yellow fever, he would have never allowed this to happen.”
    Laura had heard that Mr. Meuly had died earlier in the month while in Brownsville. For that reason alone, Laura was startled that Mrs. Meuly was even allowing herself to be seen in public, but the times had wreaked havoc with traditions. Especially the customs of mourning.
    “We are so sorry, my dear,” Mother finally replied, patting the woman’s black-gloved hand. “Do let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you. These are most troubling days. I suppose it shall take a long time to see order reestablished and for life to return to as it once was.”
    “This used to be such a wonderful city.” Mrs. Meuly shook her head. “I must go now.”
    “Please accept our condolences once again on Conrad’s passing.” Mother leaned forward to give the woman’s cheek a kiss through the veil. “If you need anything, do let us know. You are always welcome to come and stay with us.”
    “You are a good friend, Agatha,” the woman said, turning to her daughter. “But I will be well looked after.”
    “I cannot understand why the men in charge of this city fail to keep order,” Mother said as they watched Mrs. Meuly and her daughter depart.
    “I wonder if it might help were we to speak to Captain Reid,” Laura said thoughtfully. “He seems an admirable man, and he is good friends with General Russell. Perhaps he could convince the general to do something more for Mrs. Meuly.”
    “That’s a wonderful idea,” Mother replied. “I do like Captain Reid, and he seems more than a little sweet on you. Has he given you any indication that he might come to call?”
    Laura thought of his comments at the party, but shook her head. “I find him to be attentive, but he hasn’t really shared his thoughts on such matters.”
    “Well, I have faith he will. In fact, your father has been approached by several other would-be suitors, but they were not acceptable.”
    Laura looked up in surprise. She had been about to eat a shrimp, but instead put the fork down. “What suitors?”
    Her mother shrugged. “Mostly older war veterans returning to start their lives anew. Certainly no one who had come to call before the war.”
    “Most of them are dead,” Laura admitted. She remembered sadly reading the casualty lists with her mother and sister and commenting on all the families