Free After the Rain: My America 2 by Mary Pope Osborne

After the Rain: Virginia's Civil War Diary Book 2
    (My America Series)
    Mary Pope Osborne

    Washington, D.C.
    In a little while, our train will arrive in Washington City -- or "Mr. Lincoln's Washington," as Pa calls it.
    Much of our trip has been lovely. All the leaves are changing. Bright reds and yellows flash by.
    Our lives are changing, too. We are moving from Gettysburg to Washington City. Pa and Jed are finding new jobs.
    Best of all, Jane Ellen is changing -- she is going to have a baby in April! She says that we must call the baby "our baby," for it will belong not just to her and Jed -- but to me and Pa, as well. Imagine, in a few months, I will be a ten-year-old aunt!
    I must close now and comfort Jane Ellen. The movement of the train is making her feel a bit sick.
    Later ,
    It is near midnight. We are only minutes away from Washington City. I can hardly wait to see Jed.
    Jane Ellen and I have been worried about him. Two weeks ago, he came here ahead of us. He was planning to start his new job and find us a home.
    In that time, he has only written two letters. In neither did he mention his work or where we would live. I fear this means he is unhappy.
    Pa and Jane Ellen are talking about
    President Lincoln now. They desperately hope he will be reelected next week. Jane Ellen thinks President Lincoln is the only man in the world who can put an end to slavery forever.
    November 3, 1864
    When Jed met us at the station, all three of us hugged him at the same time. Then we rode a buggy through the dark rain to our new home.
    Jed has found a house that has three small rooms and a small kitchen. We get our water outside.
    Jed and Jane Ellen have a bedroom that is hardly bigger than a horse stall. Pa has a small room, too, and I sleep on the sofa in the parlor.
    Jed said he feared we would be disappointed. But we quickly assured him we were not.
    I fear Jed is the one who has been sorely disappointed. When he arrived here two weeks ago, he discovered his friend, Mr. Hoke, was away gathering war news about General Sherman. Mr. Hoke was not here to help Jed get a job as a reporter. Since the paper was in great need of someone to set type, Jed was given that job.
    Jane Ellen urged Jed to telegraph Mr. Hoke about his complaints. But Jed won't. He says Mr. Hoke has far more important concerns at the moment.
    I am shivering with cold now. I had better close so I can cover my head with my blanket.
    November 4, 1864
    Again this morning, Jed said he was sorry about our shabby rooms. He hopes he will be given a reporter's job within the month. Then we can all move to a nicer house.
    Pa said he was not unhappy in the least, for he will get a job very soon. Pa wants to play his violin at one of Washington City's theaters.
    I told Jed and Pa that no matter what happens, I will not be disappointed. This is a great adventure, I told them. Jane Ellen put on her most cheerful face, too.
    Later
    A cold rain falls outside.
    Jed has gone to the newspaper. Pa has set out to look for work.
    After they left, Jane Ellen and I stared out the parlor window without speaking. All we could see were shabby wooden buildings and a muddy street.
    We saw many Negro people walk by. They have come to Washington in search of freedom from slavery.
    Confederate deserters and bandaged Union soldiers also straggled by. They fought for different armies, but they all looked much the same -- sad and weary. Both sides are desperate for the war's end.
    Jane Ellen finally broke our gloomy silence. She said that she and I should be very grateful, for we are luckier than most.
    Evening
    I have just lit the gas lamps. Pa and Jed should be home soon.
    This afternoon, Jane Ellen helped me with geography and arithmetic. She will teach me until we can afford a real school.
    After our lessons, she and I scrubbed our small rooms. While we scrubbed, Jane Ellen became sick. I urged her to go back to bed.
    I must confess I worry a great deal about Jane Ellen. She says her daily