Free Mockingbird's Call by Diane T. Ashley Page A

newcomer.”
    Her cousin raised an eyebrow and started talking about her taking the town by storm, but Amelia didn’t pay him much attention. She wasn’t interested in making a splash in Knoxville society.
    Where had Jared gone? Had he left for the evening? Disappointment pulled her lips down, but then she straightened her spine. She would not allow the absence of one guest to disturb her. She had more important things to worry about. Like how little Nebo was doing. Amelia could hardly wait for the party to end so she could return to check on the child.
    Momentary regret for her involvement with the Underground Railroad was pushed to the back of her mind. What choice did she have? She would never be able to live with herself if she didn’t do what she could to make the slaves’ flight successful.
    Even as she smiled at her cousin and pretended to be flattered by his compliments, part of her mind made a list of necessities to smuggle to the hidden refugees.

Seven
    As he walked across the campus, Jared pulled up the collar of his greatcoat. The rough wool scratched his chin, but the material kept cold air from reaching his neck. He waved at one of the freshmen as they passed each other but did not stop to talk. It was far too brisk out this morning, and he wanted to get to class in plenty of time to hear the lecture. He lowered his head and trudged onward through the cool, morning air.
    â€œWait up.” Benjamin’s deep voice drew his attention from the frosty ground.
    Jared looked over his shoulder and let out an exasperated sigh. “I thought you were going to march with the early parade and go to Whitsell’s makeup class since you performed so poorly on that last geography exam.”
    A shrug answered him. Benjamin’s mischievous grin appeared, raising Jared’s suspicions. “Maybe I wanted to hear the infamous newspaper editor.”
    â€œI wish William Brownlow had been able to come.” Jared turned back to the pathway leading to North College, the name given to the northernmost building of the university.
    Benjamin caught up with him and slung an arm over his shoulder. “I know. But after all the strife he was igniting with the anti-secession views in his newspaper, it’s no wonder he had to run for his life. If the people of East Tennessee had gotten their way, you and I would be Unionists instead of Johnny Rebs. Since the occupation of the Confederate Army, things have been tense between the two groups, and his inflammatory pieces weren’t helping much.”
    â€œInflammatory pieces?” Jared shook off his friend’s arm. “Didn’t he have the right to print what he believed?”
    â€œDon’t get angry with me.” Benjamin raised both his hands as if he was preparing to ward off a blow. “I didn’t say there wasn’t some truth in his articles, but you read them. In fact you read several of them to me. You have to admit Parson Brownlow doesn’t know the meaning of tact.”
    â€œIt’s not a newspaper’s job to be tactful. Every newspaper has a duty to inform its readers of the facts. Don’t you remember studying Thomas Carlyle’s reference to reporters as the Fourth Estate? He believed it was more important than the church, the nobility, or the middle class. Although I disagree with his putting journalists above the importance of the church, I do believe they hold great power and even greater responsibility, especially now that we are at war.” Jared realized he’d stopped walking. He was going to be late. And he’d wanted to be early. “I don’t want to debate this with you, Benjamin. I’m going to class. I’m sure Martin Stone has a lot to say about the importance of newspaper publishing. He is the editor of the Tennessee Tribune , and it’s become the largest publication since Brownlow’s Whig was put out of business.” He started walking