Free By Way of the Rose by Cynthia Ward Weil

than that! I know a way for us both to make more money than we could ever hope to make haulin’ ice. But it's not without the risks.”
    “What is it?” John sat up on the edge of his bed. “Tell me, I'll do it! I don't have a thing against more money.”
    “Then stick with me and we'll go places! I'm not gonna be waitin’ for my life to start. I'm takin’ action!”
    “What are you rambling about? It sounds like it's something bad. Is it against the law?” John frowned. “I don't mind having a piece of the pie, but I want to make sure it's on the up and up. A pie turned wrong side up makes an awful mess!”
    “Well, ‘tis considered illegal, but in my opinion there's nothing’ wrong with it,” Doug smiled. “'Tis just a wee bit on the dangerous side. Now, there'll be those who won't agree with this sort of work. But I'll be agreein'!”
    “Tell all, Doug! I want to know.”
    “Are you tired of this rat infested hole-in-the-wall? If so, we could be out of here by tomorrow. There's this fine place where we can stay if we do some work for a certain man.”
    “And just who is this man?”
    “A Mr. Emerald Clyde Tyson. One of the richest men in Rochester. I'm tellin’ ya, he's rich as cream! While I was deliverin’ ice to his grand place he calls me to the side and asks about that runaway slave, Sam. I tried to deny that I'd be knowin’ him, but Tyson grinned and said ‘Sam's told me about you and your friend helpin’ him. We need men like you two in our cause'. He'd already takin’ a likin’ to me from when his wee one took sick with the fever and he credits my promptness in gettin’ the ice to her that made her well. So, he comes to me today offerin’ the both of us jobs makin’ ten times the money we get now. I tell you, ‘tis odd the way he makes on over us helpin’ a runaway slave and such a small thing as ice. ‘Twas just doin’ me job.”
    “Could be he's thinkin’ you have healin’ powers,” John said in an exaggerated Irish accent. “Some sort of leprechaun magic that healed Sam and his girl. Or, maybe he just wants to corner you and get your pot of gold. John rolled as he laughed. “You do remind me of the little people I've read about over in your part of the world.”
    “Very funny, John... I come to you with a chance to make better and you poke fun. You'll be laughin’ out the other end when I'm sittin’ in that grand house and you deliverin’ me some ice.”
    John regained his composure and wiped the tears from his eyes. “All right, all right. I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. But what will we be doing?”
    “From what I can understand, Mr. Tyson's a big supporter of the underground railroad here in Rochester. We'll be protecting and helping those in these underground operations.”
    “We'll be helping slaves escape. Is that it?”
    “Yeah, but nothin’ we ain't done before.”
    “That's a good way for a man to get lynched!”
    “Ye ain't a coward now, are ye?”
    “Yes! If wanting to live makes me a coward, then that's what I am.”
    “Well, that makes the both of us cowards then, but will you be in or out?”
    “You know I'm in.”
    Christmas came and John sent money and gifts home for everyone. No one had expected so many fine things and they were flabbergasted. Marion and Daniel counted the money over and over again. “This will fill the jar slap to the top, Daniel! We can afford that extra land you've had your eye on and a new plow too!”
    “This can't be right. What is that boy doing? How can anyone have this much money to send home and live too? Lord, don't let him be breaking the law!”
    “Oh, pooh on your ‘breaking the law’ mess! That boy has studied and is working hard. This is what an educated mind can get you, Dan.” Marion smiled. “I knew that boy was going to be something. He just had it in him.”
    Nathan rolled his eyes as he unwrapped his first store-bought shirt. It came with a comb and candy cane in the pocket. Cora got a new pair of