Morning Star (28 page)

“Jenny, my beautiful one,” he murmured, and she realized it was his breath laden with alcohol. He came into the room and shut the door. “My wife.”

Anger surged through Jenny, but she determined to remain calm as she turned away from him to button her frock. She fought for composure and finally turned to him. “Joseph, I refuse to even discuss this matter with you. Please leave now and say no more—ever.”

He dropped heavily into the chair and said, “Move the baby to the top bunk.” She folded her arms and stared at him. “Jenny, my dear, I earnestly desire con—connubial bliss.” His tongue stumbled over the words.

“At one time, Joseph, had you snapped your fingers I would have come running. That was before you had a wife. Now I consider this tasteless seduction.”

“The grand lady. You are my grand lady. Remember the ceremony witnessed by Brigham Young, Kimball, and Hyde? Remember the book? Jennifer, the book of the law of the Lord is His will written out for you timid females to see. Will you risk the wrath of the Lord by being coy?”

She could see he was fast losing his befuddled air, and she found herself fearing this cold-eyed man. Taking a deep breath, Jenny searched for words to answer him. Suddenly her world righted itself.

“Why, Joseph, I'm not afraid of the Lord near as much as you think. But tell me, what's there to fear?”

“The loss of your salvation. As your husband I will be god to you. I will take you to the heavenlies with me to reign as queen forever. Without me, you'll never have salvation.”

Jenny was eyeing the door. The baby stirred and her heart sank. It was impossible to reach both John Mark and the door before Joseph would stop her.

He was speaking. “I must remind you that no marriage is valid until consummated.”

“And I will remind you that this is adultery.”

“The Lord has shown me it's all right to have fun; it isn't adultery unless we talk about it to others.”

His words made Jenny pause, and curiosity picked at her. “Where did you get that idea? Of course it's adultery.”

“The Lord has shown me that something can be wrong in one case, but not in another.”

“If that is so, then how's a person ever to know what's right and what's wrong?”

“Jenny, you can take my word for it or you can try the spirits. Just pray for a sign. The Lord will pour out on you such a blessing as you've never had before. I will pray for you, but you must also earnestly ask the Lord for this manifestation.”

Jenny was silent for a long time, then slowly she turned and paced the room, thinking hard. His words had pulled up deeply buried ideas and impressions, and she must study them out.
Manifestation
. Adela.

She studied him keenly, sensing now what had escaped her attention before. “Joseph, you should know better than to reveal your plan to me. Remember, I was there at the diggings. I know about spirits, too.”

“Jennifer, you'll go to hell if you continue to act in this manner.”

“Like Mr. Thompson? I've only heard gossip, but I wonder. What kind of temptation did Thompson give in to? Why did he have to die, and how? Is it possible to control the spirits to that extent?”

“Aren't you fearful?” he asked curiously.

She shook her head, saying, “I intend to talk. The first one I'll tell will be Emma.” She saw him cringe. “Joseph, I am beginning to think I'm not the only woman in Nauvoo who has had to listen to this from you. If I ever find out anything to support that hunch, I'll make trouble. Remember, I saw you with Eliza Snow.”

For a long time Joseph sat slumped in the chair. When he finally sighed and sat up, he said, “Jennifer, I honestly do love you and want you desperately; but more than that, I'm thinking of our future, the eternities, worlds without end. More than losing you here, I don't want to spend eternity without you. That's something, isn't it? I can have any woman I want just by snapping my fingers. Doesn't it matter to you that I
choose
you?”

“No.”

She heard the sound of footsteps and Clayton's muffled, timid voice. “Joseph, you'll have to come before the probate judge.” His voice was apologetic. “I've had to make out new papers, and you'll need to sign them.”

Jenny couldn't understand the word he muttered, but Joseph pulled himself to his feet and left the room. As soon as the door closed, Jenny dropped into the chair. When her trembling ceased, she sat up and smoothed her hair.

By the time John Mark stirred, Jenny was smiling. “Joseph, I'll never be afraid of you again.” She paused to wonder at the change in her response toward the Prophet. Finally she whispered, “Either getting rid of the talisman or reading the books has put a peck of religion into me. But somehow I know I need so much more.” She shivered, remembering that mirrored image.

****

Tom found the late June day only pleasantly warm. He nudged his mount, urging the mare to keep up with the carriage moving smartly along the road to Dixon. As he flicked the reins, he glanced at the occupants. Joseph and Emma were visiting her sister in Dixon, Illinois, and from the Prophet's expression, Tom guessed he'd had enough of woman-talk. Emma's sister bobbed her head to emphasize each word.

Joseph caught Tom's eye and he mouthed, “Horse.” Tom nodded. As the carriage turned up the lane, he noticed the mounted rider waiting and touched the gun on his hip.

“Hold it, Joseph,” he warned, spurring his horse. Tom didn't recognize the man, but when he saw him eye the carriage and slip from his horse, Tom relaxed.

The man's voice was soft, “Judge Adams sent me. Governor Ford let it slip secret-like that he'd signed a writ from Missouri. They're coming after Joseph Smith.”

Joseph was standing beside them as the fellow finished and touched his hat. “I'm to offer no advice, and to leave promptly.” He touched his hat and turned.

Tom saw the pinched look on Emma's face as she asked, “What will you do? You can't continue to run from them.”

Joseph studied her face and said slowly, “That's just what I was thinking. Emma, if you can stand it, I think now's the time to test the Nauvoo Charter.” She paled and he turned to Tom. “I'm not inclined to leave just now. Go into town and nose around, see what you can find out and then get back here.”

Two hours later Tom arrived back at the house to find two men with the Prophet. There was a sardonic smile on Joseph's face as he said, “These fellas are sheriffs from Missouri—Wilson and Reynolds. They suggest I come into Dixon with them.”

“That's a good idea.” Tom kept his voice level and relief brightened Joseph's eyes.

By the time Tom located Cyrus Walker and returned to the tavern, Joseph had an audience.

The top story of the tavern served as the jail. Now Tom saw that the upstairs window was open; Joseph was leaning out, thundering at the crowd gathered in the street below.

As the cheers and laughter swept through the crowd, Tom tightened the reins and paused to listen.

In his best Sabbath-morning voice, Joseph was delivering a discourse on marriage. As the fellow beside him roared, Tom said, “What's goin' on?”

“Aw, they shut him up and he's been leaning out the window scorching our ears with Missouri talk. Old Jake found out who he was and asked for a sermon. Funny, he is.”

Joseph caught sight of Tom and the man behind him. Hastily he concluded his sermon and withdrew his head.

Walker was in good humor as he followed Tom up the back stairs. After introductions he said, “Timmons says you're looking for counsel.”

“I want the best there is. Are you that man?”

“I'm campaigning for Congress. I don't have time to take on a criminal case now.”

Joseph winced. “What's your price?”

“That you make it worth my time to give up campaigning. Ten thousand and the promise of your vote in the election. You gave it to the Democrats last election; the Whigs need it now.”

Joseph nodded and Cryus got to his feet. “First I'll file suit for assault and false imprisonment against the Missouri fellas downstairs; then we'll head for Quincy. Judge Stephen A. Douglas is holding court there. It's going to be interesting. We'll have to trail out of here with the sheriffs from Missouri holding you while they're being held by a Dixon sheriff.” He was chuckling as he left the room.

“Wouldn't be so funny if it was
his
ten thousand,” Tom muttered.

Joseph grasped his arm and Tom saw the fear on the Prophet's face. “Tom, head outta here right this minute. I want you in Nauvoo to round up the Legion.” Tom saw the beads of perspiration on Joseph's face as he paced the room.

“These fellas are going to do their best to slip me over the river to Missouri. I feel it in my bones. The only hope is to cut them off. First, get Wight and a few others to take the
Maid of Iowa
to Grafton. They're to head off any boats coming down the Illinois River. I know they're not in this alone. I'm too big a fish for just two men. I want the Legion to meet us at Monmouth.”

“Joseph, that's nigh impossible!” Tom gasped.

“My life is at stake,” Joseph said softly. “I feel it by the spirit.”

Tom sprinted down the stairs. “Old girl, I hate to do this to you,” he muttered as he jumped on the horse and dug in his heels.

The Legion had just crossed the Fox River when they caught up with the carriage carrying Joseph, Walker, and the two sheriffs. The bewildered sheriff from Dixon was still holding his gun and looking around when Tom reached the carriage.

He heard the Prophet's half-sob as he exclaimed, “These are my boys. We're not heading for Missouri!”

Tom tried to cover his embarrassment, saying, “There's more, but they ruined their horses gettin' here.”

Within an hour Joseph had talked Walker into holding court in Nauvoo, while the Legion relaxed in the shade. “We need a rest tonight or we'll never make it,” Taylor said when he heard the verdict, and Tom agreed.

It was two days before Joseph's caravan reached the outskirts of Nauvoo, but the Legion band and all the townfolk were there to meet them.

When Mark arrived home that afternoon, Jenny met him at the door. “Mark, I've been hearing guns. What's happened?”

“Nothing except the Prophet has come home, complete with Cyrus Walker, attorney and candidate for Congress, two sheriffs from Missouri and one from Dixon, as well as an escort of a hundred and fifty troops from Nauvoo.”

“The guns?”

“Just celebration. The people and the band marched through town and the Legion popped off a few rounds. A little exuberance. The Prophet's to address the folks in the temple grove this afternoon. Put on your party clothes and dress up the little one. I'll take you in.”

By the time Mark and Jenny arrived at the temple grove, people were moving in from all directions. “Mark, there are so many—will there be room for all?”

“Looks like thousands,” Mark admitted. “It's good they cut those trees out of the grove. It'll be standing room only.”

As they worked their way through the crowd, Jenny murmured, “It's hot already. Oh, look, there's Eliza Snow and Sarah Pratt. I see Sally and Andy on the other side of the Laws.”

The crowd began to roar. Standing on her tiptoes, Jenny saw Joseph and several strangers moving toward the platform.

Joseph took his place and the crowd began to quiet. Jenny shifted the baby on her shoulder as she thought of the last time she had seen him. She found herself wondering,
Would he be wearing that happy, confident grin if I were to tell the truth about him?

She shuddered. The speeches had begun, but Jenny was busy visualizing the horror on people's faces if she were to make her accusations. She glanced at her husband. Even Mark. Never would he believe that horrible story. She shifted uneasily and Mark took the baby from her.

Joseph was telling of his arrest. She listened. “The state of Illinois has given Nauvoo her charter. We have rights no one can take away. If our enemies will fight to suppress us or oppress us, they will fight against our rights. If the authorities of state and nation will not defend us, then we'll claim defense from higher powers.”

A murmur swept through the crowd as he continued. “The persecution which I have suffered is not condoned by heaven. Before it happens again, I promise you I'll shed every drop of blood in my veins and, in the end, I'll see my enemies in hell.”

“Mark,” Jenny whispered, outraged, “he doesn't have enemies.”

There was a hiss and they turned again to listen. Joseph was saying, “To bear the oppression of the enemy any longer is a sin. Shall we put up with sin?” The grove trembled and shook under the
No!
and Jenny was filled with the memories of Missouri. The Saints and the sad-faced people of Missouri all lined up to march across Jenny's imagination, and with the memory she felt a cold chill sweep through her.

She whispered, and Mark bent close to hear, “Will it come again, the fighting?”

Joseph's words swept across the crowd, “If Missouri refuses to hold back the hand of revenge, I will restrain you no longer.”

The chanting was sweeping through the crowd as he said, “In the name of Jesus Christ, with my authority under the holy priesthood, I turn the key! No longer shall the heavens restrain your hands. I will lead you to battle if you are not afraid to die for our cause, or to shed blood. I ask you to pledge your lives and your energy for the cause of freedom. If you will help me, then lift high your hand for the cause.” Bewildered, Jenny looked around at the sea of hands.

She glanced at Mark's ashen face and cried, “Oh, Mark, let's leave! This is Missouri all over again.”

As she turned to make her way through the crowd, Jenny heard Joseph say, “It does my heart good to see your love and support. It is an honor to lead forth people so virtuous and honest.”