The Mockingbird's Ballad

"Professor Councill, I hope I can do justice to all my neighbors," the general answered. His words were those of a politician, but his sincerity was true.

Eight year old Joseph Wheeler, Jr. (Joseph) pulled his father's other hand. "Papa, can I drive the buggy home?" It was a short drive from Courtland to Pond Spring, the Wheeler's home. The Courtland campaign rally was winding down.

"Yes, Son, but we have more people to talk with. Go get me some of that lemonade, would you please, sir?" the father said with sweetness and amplified decorum. A miniature of his father, Joseph ran smiling over to his big sister, twelve year old Annie.

"Come on Annie, father wants some lemonade. Let's get some, too." Joseph and Annie had an atypical big sister - little brother relationship; they were partners in sibling politics. Lucy, the oldest, was number one in all things. The two middle ones could barely, together, touch her influence in that position. Four-year-old Carrie, the youngest, and the oldest, Lucy, had special places in the family. The two middle ones, since sister Ella had died at age two, were hard pressed to maintain equality of status. They tried mightily, together. Annie liked Joseph much more than her female competitors. She had the rough and tumble way more fitted for boy's play. She and Joseph thrived.

Their mother was home. This pregnancy was proving to be a difficult one. She had already delivered eight children during her thirty-eight year life. This baby was due in four months. Cataba, twenty years a slave and now nearly twenty years a free person employed by her former mistress, served as Mrs. Wheeler's good right hand. She was tending the baby, Carrie and mother. The Wheeler's household's domestic ruler had laid down the law to her "Miss Da-nella" about this pregnancy. Her do's and don'ts were severe and mostly don'ts. The general had mildly tried to come to his petite wife's rescue after one of Cataba's burst of law giving a few weeks ago.

"General, Sir, we've lost three - three little precious ones, "she exclaimed, "and I'm not burying no more. No Sir, I sure ain't."

The general had no protest to this wisdom and power.

The Joseph Wheeler, II, family of Pond Spring place, Lawrence County, near Courtland, Alabama had evolved into a busy, happy tribe, overcoming the loss of two children with resigned acceptance and measured grief. Mrs. Wheeler's inheritance invested in the New Orleans business her husband had managed right after the war had proved to be sound judgment. They had realized a good profit when it was sold. The general's operation of Colonel Jones' vast farming/business operation had made money in spite of the fickle economy. The money realized had been largely put into improvements for the farm, Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and the building of a less than ostentatious home. "Pond Spring's" main house was one hundred yards south of the railroad. A new stop had been designated "Wheelerton". The rehabilitated railroad had been a success. The general and his lady were significant stockholders. He was board member and the profitable growing railroad's attorney.