Port of Errors (5 page)

“Six crowns!” bid the auctioneer, without so much as a look of an offer in return. “Five crowns!” still nothing. “Do I have four? Four crowns bid for this young lad.” He hadn’t much to say by way of decent regard. The minutes passed in silence. It became obvious that Joseph was never to be sold.

A few jeers sounded through the gathered throng of on-lookers. “Get on with it! … Move on,” employed the restless crowd, anxious to see the next.

Finally, from within the booming cries of this merciless collection of buyers and observers could be faintly heard, “Four bits, I say, four bits!”

The auctioneer glanced curiously through the many faces and spotted the pleading woman holding fast to her husband’s hand. Charles and Roselynn Stirvin were attempting to make their way to the front of the crowd. Nearly out of breath, Roselynn pled kindly, “Please sir, I bid four bits. ‘Tis all we have, sir. Please, will you take four bits for the kind lad?” Roselynn extended the offer toward the auctioneer. “Will you not take it, sir?”

The auctioneer looked grudgingly down. “Never’ve I sold the least of these for as little as four bits. Can you not offer more than four
,
woman?”

“Sir, I can offer this only, we’ve no more. ‘Tis all we have. Please, sir, four bits I beg of you.”

From behind Roselynn came a hand and a voice. “We will add four crowns to her bid four bits.” Countess De Paul released four shiny crowns from her hand and into the collector’s purse. “Let her taker the child. She will make a fine mother. I know the look of a woman born to be a mother, yet with none in her care.” She then looked to Roselynn, “Now, take the lad.”

“Alright then, four crowns and four bits it is,” grunted the auctioneer. “This is surely the best offer for such a scrawny child. I’ll take the four bits and you can take the boy.” With the four crowns already in the purse, Charles extended the remaining remuneration in the amount of four bits to the collector and walked from the crowd with Joseph and his wife. Countess De Paul congratulated Roselynn and was gone before a kind gratitude could be offered.

In the coming days, Roselynn gave Joseph a new name, which Charles agreed upon. Charles and Roselynn recognized that it might take some time to become acquainted. They didn’t have much and couldn’t provide for him, as they would have liked. They managed to make do with what they had and that was good enough for young Joseph. Although he was thankful for truly loving parents, he seemed to be forever consigned to an aching for his dear friend, Davy.

Over the next few years Davy grew up in a wealthy home, yet his parents were somewhat controlling due to their social and political status. Davy’s entire future was prearranged. But, Davy possessed his birth father’s adventurous spirit. And though he was held high to higher expectations, he would not listen to the deep-rooted traditions of his aging father. Davy’s mother just loved him and wished nothing more for him than to be happily content.

Early one morning, Davy’s mother rode in to town in the company of a maidservant. While at the marketplace, which she did not frequent very often, she happened upon a familiar face. This woman was obviously poor and humble and of a much lower class than she, no doubt. Davy’s mother curiously approached from behind. “Excuse me.”

The woman turned and immediately recognized that Davy’s mother was of a higher class by her manner of articulation alone. The woman was surprised that such a person would pollute herself a mere acknowledgment of such a poor and unclean pauper as this woman was.

“Oh! Me Lady,” she respectfully responded, without eye contact.

“Have we previously been acquainted, you and I?” asked Davy’s mother.

Bashfully the woman looked to the ground and reverently replied, “No, Mum. I don’t think we’ve ever been in the same company. Well, not before this day Me Lady.”

Yet persistent Davy’s mother continued on in the same manner, “Are you certain? May I ask your name?”

“Roselynn Stirvin, Mum. I am not acquainted with fine people as you appear to be in my eyes. Forgive me Mum, but I think I should have remembered. I’m not so old yet, you know. You’re a beautiful lady, Mum, and very memorable indeed.”

“But, your face – it is so familiar to me. Have you a son? I have a son. Perhaps they are familiar with one another, through school or other means?”

“Oh, no, Mum. I do have a son – that much be true. But we’ve not the means for any sort of social to do’s. He’ll soon begin work ‘board his father’s vessel – a whalin’ ship – very dangerous for such a young lad. He’s no reason to school, Mum. The boy’s father’ll teach’m all the need-t’-knows for his future days.”

“That is such a pity, woman.”

“No, Mum, we do have love and that is all we need. My Daniel’s adopted, you know. I’m not able to bare any of me own. We tried for many a year, but…”

“Ah! That is where I have come to know your face, my sweat lady, I am sure of it,” said Davy’s mother, as she looked all too delightfully upon Roselynn. “That is who you are, indeed!”

“Sorry, Mum? What’s that you be talkin’ ‘bout?”

“You were there. You were in St. Thomas at the town auction those many years ago. That is where I came to mother my own son as well. I can remember it perfectly.”

“We’re so poor, Mum and ever have been. I do remember you now. You gave four crowns for my son that he might come home with us. Bless you, me lady, bless you indeed. And someday, I do wish to pay you back for such a deed. We’re poor, but do manage under the Lord’s watchful eye.” Roselynn had become so excited and had to calm down. “Well, I’m so sorry, Mum. Forgive me for not askin’, but what would your son be named?”

“My son’s name is David, his birth name. We, my husband and I, thought it best to allow him to keep his given name. Besides, we were blessed to have him carry our last. We found that to be of most importance.”

Surprised, Roselynn curiously asked, “Forgive me Mum. Did you say his given name was David?”

“Yes, that’s right. David was his birth name.”

“Me son often speaks of a lad from the orphan place. A lad he calls Davy. They were best o’ friends – like brothers, they were.”

“You mentioned your son’s name to be Daniel. Is that not correct?”

“To be sure, it is, Mum. But at the orphan he was called Joseph before the Good Lord blessed us so. He goes by Daniel now, he does.”

“My David has been in search of such a boy.”

“But it can’t be, Mum, can it? Please, forgive a foolish old woman for the askin’, but do you live very far, Mum?”

“Don’t worry, that is just fine. I live close to town, north of here. My David is your son’s friend. He is the reason we offered to pay the price for your son’s cost.” Pausing for a moment in thought, Countess De Paul recomposed herself and stood straight and dignified. “Roselynn, you and your family must join me for supper at my home.”

“Supper, Mum?”

“Forgive me for assuming but you do take to eating, do you not? Or have you not enough for the proper provision? You are still alive and well, so I take it that you and your family do sit to supper every now and again. Do you not?”

“Oh, of course, Mum. But, we’ve never been to an estate of fancy before. I fear I’ve not the clothin’ for such a fine table, as I’m sure it is, Mum.”

“Nonsense, you’ll come to my home for supper two nights from this and you can be rest assured, you will enjoy every last bite.” She proceeded to make clear the directions to her husband’s estate. Both women promptly returned to their respective residence to relate to their sons all that transpired at the marketplace.

Upon entering her run down shack, Roselynn called to her son, “Daniel, Daniel!”

Suddenly, from the rear door Roselynn could hear the sound of boots knocking against the rotting floorboards and through the door poked Daniel’s mischievous head. “Yes, my lovely mother?” he playfully quipped.

“Quickly, dear, come, I’ve some news for the sharin’ if ever there was.”

“I’m in no need of such news, Mother. My Life is well enough off with you and Father. I’m so excited to venture on with him, working side-by-side. I can’t wait much longer.”

Silencing Daniel, his mother amorously pled, “Please Daniel, open your ears and quiet your mouth while I speak. I’m still your mother and ever will be.”

“Sorry, Mother. Go on, I’m listening.”

“You’ve told me stories all these years of a young lad you once knew from the orphan place.”

“Davy?” inquired Daniel. “What of him?”

“Well, David be his true name, is that not so?”

“His birth name is David if that’s what you’re asking and I do miss him.”

Unable to hide her feelings, Roselynn blurted out the good news. “I spoke to his mother just this very day at the marketplace.”

Daniel stared silently through his mother, gazing intently as if she were completely transparent. Allowing this unexpected news to soak in, Daniel finally spoke. “You spoke with my Davy’s mother, face-to-face?”

“Daniel, we’re to have supper at his home two days hence. Oh, Daniel, a fine Lady she was and she used such fine words. They’ve a home of fancy and…”

“Two days?” interrupted Daniel.

“Aye, two days,” she confirmed, “But I’ve not the dress for such a home.”

“Don’t worry about that, Mother. His family must be unbelievable. I know you’ll come to love Davy as I do.” They continued to converse, while Daniel recalled countless stories from his time spent at the orphanage with Davy.

Far across town, where large estates and wealth were the norm, Davy sat to dinner with his own parents. The discussion was much the same as the dialogue had by Roselynn and Daniel, who was once known to Davy as Joseph. The memories that filled Davy’s mind ran wildly in the conversation with his parents. Davy’s mother had never seen such happiness fill his countenance. They spoke through all courses of dinner, Davy being the most dominant voice due to his excitement upon finding out the news of his mother’s meeting at the marketplace.

Though, in this joyful time, Davy’s heart found sadness also, knowing he would be unable to introduce Joseph to Lorien Bell, a young girl that he had been secretly courting. Lorien was of a lower class than he and such a relationship was frowned upon, most especially by his parents. Davy was to wed someone of their choosing within the same high class as they.

Like clockwork, Davy excused himself from the dinner table when he was through, attributing his leave to some close friends as always. However, he instead made his way to the home of his sweet Lorien Bell, who was home alone.

Lorien Bell had several admirers, most of which saw her as easy prey in her lower class. Richard Anderton, an officer in King’s Royal Guard, was one such admirer. And he fancied Lorien in the most lurid fashion.

A stranger had taken notice of Richard’s indulgence, with respect to Lorien in the previous weeks. On the day subsequent to Davy’s anticipated dinner, this stranger found Richard taking leave from his post. “Hey there, boy,” he snidely addressed.

Richard swiftly brought the edge of his steel blade to the stranger’s neck.
“I, Sir, am no boy! And if you ever again address me in such a manner, I will be so inclined as to slice your neck wide open with the edge of my blade without further warning. The next time we meet you will address me proper. Am I understood?”

“
Aye, sir, aye!”
submitted the stranger, stepping back a few paces. “Of course,
Sir
.”

Richard lowered his sword.
“How may I be of assistance?”

“Forgive my taking notice, Sir, but you fancy a young woman, goes by the name of Lorien, do you not?”

Pulling his sword to the privateer’s throat, Richard cautioned, “You had better check yourself, Sir, and say no more for you are walking on extremely frail ground. I am an officer in the King’s Royal Guard. Explain yourself or I’ll be forced to make my own assumptions. And my assumptions are not the kind that would leave you standing. So, choose your words carefully.”

Without a drop of sweat and calm as night this loathsome stranger explained, “Please, you needn’t be so antagonistically hostile. I’ve only come to offer a proposition of your liking I’m sure.”

With his sword still at the stranger’s neck, Richard curiously questioned,
“And what is it you are to propose?”