Five for Freedom by Underground Railroad

There was another, more fascinating reason why the long days passed more quickly for Taffy this summer. Her birthday wish kept her mind alert. Even as she went about the daily work of helping Susie cook and maintain a clean and organized kitchen, her mind was focused on learning to read and write.. She eagerly looked forward to the twilight hours, secure in their own cabin, when she could sit by the window with her mother's book and pencil and paper. Every evening Susie helped her to spell out and write down a few more words. Every night the list of words was growing, and she was able to read more and more at a glance. This was so exciting to Taffy, she sat there until the fading light made her squint and hold the book closer to her eyes. That the book had belonged to her own mother made it all the more special to Taffy. “Susie, I wonder who taught my mother to read, do you know?” “We never had much chance to just talk together, alone, but I sort of remember that she did say she had learned to read when she was only a child. Yes, she said it was always easier to learn, the younger you were. That's why she pushing me to spend all the time I could, in learning as fast as I could. Taffy, the other slaves will wonder what's the matter with you, staying inside these hot nights. Put the book away, now, and go and join the group for a walk. I can hear them now out in the pine grove, passing by. I'll follow along in a little while with the next group I hear going by out there. We don't want anyone poking around here, being curious about us. Remember, we can never be sure who we can trust. Somebody had to tattle to Master Davis about your parents knowing how to read and secretly teaching others to read as well. You and I have no way of knowing who that could be...whether it's somebody right here on this plantation or someone from another place.” Sam was worried, too. The next time he went to town for his own Master, he also had supplies to deliver at the Davis Plantation, so he pulled up by the hitching post near the kitchen entrance. Taffy was on an errand out to the smokehouse so he had a chance to talk to Susie alone. Sam sat down at the kitchen table and slowly ate a piece of pecan pie Susie placed before him. “I don't like it. There's a lot of rumors going around now about slaves secretly learning to read. You better have a safe hiding place for your book and writing papers. There's more in the newspapers, too, about the north going to war against the south over slavery. There's a lot of tension, and who knows what that means for us? The paper I picked up in town this morning for Master Shelton says some white masters are thinking of selling off some of their slaves soon, just in case there is really a war coming. Far as I can tell, they are afraid that if slavery is abolished, they will be stuck with all their slaves as free American citizens they can no longer sell. In fact, they will have to pay us wages, just like white folks, if that ever happens...Susie, this is mighty fine pie...you would be worth some fancy wages up north as a cook if you are free, do you realize that?” Susie didn't answer, and Sam continued talking while he ate. “Susie, I think you better start thinking about escaping to the North by the Underground Railroad. I'm helping a group make plans right now. There's four who say they are ready to be “runaways”. I'm thinking I should go myself this time, but I don't want to leave you behind, you know that.”