Read Online Cradle to Grave by Eleanor Kuhns - Free Book Online

I promise you, Mr. Rees, the town fathers are not going to pursue your friend. In fact, I suspect some of them would assist Sister Moore in removing these children from Dover Springs. They are a constant worry.”
    â€œBecause they might become a charge upon the town coffers,” Rees said sarcastically.
    Cooper nodded. “That’s the most passionately discussed topic.”
    â€œBut weren’t the children born here?” Rees asked. Usually that was the primary requirement for not being warned out. Then the selectmen would take some responsibility for offering aid. He had seen cases, however, where the parents were from another town and as the children were linked to the parents, the entire family was expelled.
    â€œYes. All but Jerusha. She was born in Boston. And Maggie was born here. But she was born to a mother from elsewhere, who left immediately after her daughter’s birth.” Cooper sighed. “Some of the town fathers want to rid the village of Maggie and her family and this is their best chance. I don’t agree but I have no say. Fortunately, Maggie has a few supporters on the board, so they can’t come to a unanimous decision. That Shaker girl almost saved us from the debate.”
    â€œI’d like to attend the meeting anyway,” Rees repeated, although he knew better than to hope his presence would shame the selectmen into taking the moral path. Cooper regarded Rees and finally nodded.
    â€œVery well. Stop at my workshop in town. The meeting begins at eight A.M .” Cooper turned, his black coat flaring, and mounted his brown cob. Touching his hat in farewell, he urged his nag down the drive.

Chapter Six
    Rees turned back to the cabin. Lydia was waiting for him outside the door, her burgundy cloak bright against the weathered wood. “I couldn’t spend one more minute in that woman’s company,” she said. “Those poor children.”
    And poor Maggie, too, Rees thought. But he was wise enough not to speak. Instead he looked up at the sky. It would be dark within the hour but the sky was clear. “We are returning to Mount Unity,” he said.
    â€œWe are?”
    â€œYes. I want to be there tonight, if Cooper’s boys arrive to terrorize the Shakers.”
    Lydia looked at him and smiled. “I suppose you have your rifle in the back of the buggy.” She gestured behind her. He nodded. Her smile faded. “Oh, Will, do you think they are trying to shoot Mouse?”
    â€œMaybe,” Rees admitted. “It could be just kids, as Cooper seems to think. But I fear their purpose is much worse.”
    Lydia clenched her gloved hands together. “Oh dear. The Shakers will not even try to protect themselves.”
    â€œI know,” Rees said, and flicked the whip over Ares’s haunches.
    They reached the Second Family’s central square just after nightfall. The last purple streaks of sunset were fading into black and the entire village was dark except for the ground floor windows of the Dwelling House. Rees guessed that the candles shone from the dining room windows; the community’s kitchen was probably located in the basement below. All of the Shakers were making their way toward the dining room for supper. Rees called out to a young man and asked him to look after Ares. Then he and Lydia joined the throng. Rees hoped to find Elder Herman and speak to him before dinner began.
    He and Lydia parted, each joining their own gender. Rees saw Lydia worming her way through the crowd and assumed she was looking for Mouse. Then he lost sight of her. Elder Herman was striding purposefully toward the dining room. “Elder Herman,” Rees called, attracting several disapproving glances. But the Elder turned around, pausing long enough for Rees to reach him.
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me some of the townspeople were attacking your community?” Rees asked.
    â€œI would not describe it as an attack,” the