Heather Graham - Home in Time for Christmas

A Winters Day

New York City
Christmastide, 1776

P erhaps it was fitting that it should be such a cold and bitter, yet stunning, day.

Jake Mallory took a minute to appreciate the awesome glory of the morning. The heavens were an extravagant shade of blue. Light puffs of soft white clouds were slipping by. The sun, a golden orb, was en route to a high point in the sky as the early hours of the morning defied the darkness of the passing night.

It was, indeed, a beautiful day.

A fine day to die.

They had all known it, known they might be called upon to die, all of them who agreed that the colonies must break from Mother Britain. All those who had set pen to paper and signed the Declaration of Independence. All those who had led the armies. All those who had fought.

And spied.

Not that spying had actually been his intent. He was a soldier. Well, he hadnt exactly wanted to be a soldier, either. Such an enterprise had not been his intent in life. He was a news pa per manor, at least, that was what he had intended to be. Writing was his passion. His home was the small town of Gloucester, but even there, as in all the surrounding towns, the talk had been about politics. About breaking away. Then, there had been the Boston Tea Party.

Blood had been spilled.

He believed deeply in the freedom and equality of man. That and, of course, the editorials he had written regarding the need for the colonies to break free, were what had brought him to stand here today. In the taverns of Boston he had gotten to know many a man handy with a pamphlet, such as John Adams, who in turn had introduced him to another JohnHancock. He had become involved with men to whom the written word was a weapon. And handling such a weapon

Had led to his carrying a different kind of weapon. Andquite sadly, reallyto getting caught.

Ah, there was the rub. Getting caught. Men far too old to be soldiers knew that they would hang if captured by the British, if their cause failed.

So here he was today.

Upon the scaffold.

Truly, such a deplorable state of affairs.

Ah, well. He had written well, and sewn rampant seeds of rebellion. He had taken to the field, running missions; he had picked up a gun, as well. He was guilty of sedition, so they said. Words on paper could shout loudly, and his had been heard, far and wide.

There was a precedent for his death. He wouldnt be the first to die here, hanged for his loyalty to a fledgling nation. Nathan Hale had died just a few months back. Hale had died heroically. Jake could only hope now that he could do the same.

Looking at the sky, one could almost pray for a miracle. There was such awe and wonder in the beauty of the sky. But there werent going to be any miracles. The British were firmly en trenched in the city. No sudden horde of rebels was suddenly going to break through the ranks of Lobsterbacks and save him. Nor was it likely that Hempton, the British major in charge of his fate, would find any way to suggest that they pardon their captive for the holiday.

The holiday

It was almost Christmas.

Well, he was a God-fearing man, so maybe that was a good thing. He didnt blame God for his fate. Things were what they were. It was a war, perhaps an ill-advised one, considering the might and power of the British war machine and the truly pathetic manpower and munitions of the Patriots. It was being fought on dreams and ideals. This morning, especially this morning, he had to keep believing in the dream. He had been in over his head, cast into a des per ate position, and he had chosen the high road.

Of course, hed be a liar if he didnt admit that it was just a wee bit difficult not to regret that choice right now.

Sorry! Captain Tim Reginald said to him. The British officer charged with the duty of slipping the noose around his neck had chafed his cheek with the coarse rope. He swallowed hard, his Adams apple bobbing. Tim was a good enough fellow; theyd played cards together and shared a few drinks during the last days. He was young enough himself, a true Brit, following the way of the British army as his family would have him do. He was a man willing enough to fight for king and country, strong, intelligent and brave.

But executions were not his forte.

Quite all right, good friend, Jake said.

Poor Tim. A good man, yes. War was so strange. Men be came enemies when they did not know one another. If he and Tim did not give their hearts, souls and loyalties to different drummers, they might have been good friends in truth.

It almost looked at if Tim would give way to tears. Ah, a good British officer could never do so. Friend, he said kindly to Tim, dont fear. I do not hold you responsible for my impending demise, nor does God above.

Tim swallowed hard, just appearing more ill.

He could hear the Anglican minister droning on in prayer, advising him to pray, as well.

Jake prayed.

Jake did not pray for a miracle.

He did not waste prayers on what could not be. God helped those who helped them selves.

There fore, there was just one prayer to make.

Dear God, do not let me falter; let me be the best man I am able in this moment. May it be quick; may I not dangle at the end of this rope. May I not cry out, but die with dignity in thy Grace!

As if in answer to his prayer, Major Hempton strode center on the scaffold. A hush fell over the crowd. Oh, and there was a crowd. Church bells pealed because it was almost Christmas, and folks should have been home cooking and thanking the good Lord for their loved ones, but hell, Christmas or no, a good hanging was a good hanging.

And in the sea of faces before him, there were those who criedblessed, lovely women with their tearstained faces, those who rued his fate. Those who believed in the sovereign rights of America, and, of course, there were also those who thought he deserved his fate as a traitor against the mother country.