Free A Promise to Love by Serena B. Miller

myself, Mr. Wilson.” The judge gazed thoughtfully at the remnant of the First Cavalry that had come to support Joshua. “In my opinion, no one knows a man’s nature better than those who have fought alongside of him. Your words carry a good bit of weight with me.”
    â€œThey do?” Private Lyman Wilson looked startled.
    Judge Carver picked up the gavel he had brought with him and twirled it in his hands.
    â€œBased on the fact that there has been no evidence whatever of foul play, based on the fact that there has been no evidence provided of strychnine or any other poisonous substances found upon the premises of the Young or Hunter farms, based on the fact that the doctor who examined the body saw no basis for doing an autopsy or for believing Diantha Hunter was poisoned, based on the character witnesses I see today in the presence of the men who served with Mr. Hunter, and based on the fact that I am due in Port Hope in four hours—I am hereby ruling Diantha Hunter’s death one of unknown causes.” He hit the table with his gavel. “Court is dismissed.”
    Ingrid saw Mr. Hunter whisper a few words into his oldest daughter’s ear, and then he walked to the back of the room to talk to the former soldiers who had come to support him. Several people pumped his hand and patted his back as he made his way through the crowd. People in the courtroom, tired from sitting and surfeited with about as much drama as they could absorb, began gathering their things for their journey home.
    Suddenly, there was a stir up front. She saw Diantha’s parents in deep conversation with the judge, and then she heard the judge’s gavel come down hard.
    â€œWill everyone please take their seats?” the judge said.
    People sat down but looked at one another, puzzled.
    â€œAnother serious matter has been brought to my attention regarding this case,” the judge said. “Richard and Virgie Young are accusing Joshua Hunter of negligence in his parental duties and have petitioned the court for protective custody of all five of the Hunter children.”
    â€œYou can’t take away my children!” Mr. Hunter exclaimed. “They’re all I have left!”
    â€œI sympathize with you, Mr. Hunter,” the judge said, “but it is not the court’s responsibility to protect the parent’s feelings. It is the duty of the court to protect the best interests of the children. From what little I’ve seen today, the Youngs’ accusation that you are overwhelmed and unable to give your children the care they need is justified.”
    Ingrid saw Agnes try to tuck the torn lace of Ellie’s pantalets out of sight.
    â€œPa’s doing the best that he can,” Agnes said, unwittingly hammering the nail deeper into her father’s coffin. “He can’t help it if he can’t cook nothin’ much but corn mush and Polly don’t have no diapers on most of the time when she’s playin’ outside. He can’t help it if he can’t iron Trudy’s dress without burning a hole in it. That’s no call to make us go live with Grandma and Grandpa.”
    â€œIt will only be temporary,” the judge said kindly. “In a year I’ll come back through here and reevaluate the situation. Perhaps your father will have found a new mother for you by then.”
    â€œBut Grandma won’t even let Pa see baby Bertie!” Agnes protested. “If you do this, she won’t let Pa back inside the door. She won’t let us see him at all, and Judge . . . our pa really needs us.”
    â€œYou girls need a competent woman taking care of you.” The judge’s face grew stern. “I’ve made my decision.” He raised the gavel.
    Ingrid saw Mr. Hunter’s eyes dart around the courtroom, as though desperately searching for an answer. She didn’t blame him. She would not want her children being cared for by someone