Too much is going on. Too many issues are swirling around in Henry’s head. He learns that a runaway slave he had helped has been caught and killed. He is also disappointed by the behavior of his best friend, Waldo. They have an argument about whether or not Waldo should speak out publicly against slavery and against the war with Mexico. Henry thinks he has convinced his friend to do so. He runs to the...
Too much is going on. Too many issues are swirling around in Henry’s head. He learns that a runaway slave he had helped has been caught and killed. He is also disappointed by the behavior of his best friend, Waldo. They have an argument about whether or not Waldo should speak out publicly against slavery and against the war with Mexico. Henry thinks he has convinced his friend to do so. He runs to the church and rings the bell to announce to Concordians this important speech by this important man – only to be met by Lydian, Waldo’s wife, who is sent to make her husband’s apologies for not appearing. No wonder Henry has a nightmare of a bloody war scene, with Waldo standing in as the President, Sam Staples as a military sergeant, and other people he knows as participants in the siege. Even his beloved and long-dead brother John shows up, only to die again. This is a horrible mess. He is awakened by Sam, letting him know that he is being released from jail. Now he knows what he must do.
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