The Cost of Liberty

  - a short story - 

    Philadelphia, July 1st 1776

   Elisa's boots clapped along the cobblestones stones as she ran through the streets of Philadelphia, dodging people, horses and carriages in her path. It was early afternoon and stifling hot, making her skirts feel heavy in the dense air. She did her best ignore the discomfort as she rounded the street corner and came within sight of the State House, a large brick building where she knew a long awaited debate was being held. She could see a group of men huddled along the boardwalk outside,  easily spotting her father among them. Her older brother was standing not far off, holding the reins of his saddle horse. She made her way to his side and Myles looked up as she approached.


   “Mother let you come?” He raised an eyebrow, a skill he got from their mother and one Elisa envied.
   “She's as anxious as I am,” Elisa answered between breaths. “Is there any news?”
   Myles shook his head and opened his mouth to reply, but his words were cut short by a disturbance down the street. Brother and sister peered around the group of men in their wait just in time to see three horses gallop up the street and pull to an abrupt halt before the State House.
   “Dr. Witherspoon, sir!” one of the men stepped forward as the mud spattered figure dismounted from his horse.
   “We were detained,” Dr. Witherspoon hastily answered the man's inquiry, before motioning the other two riders to follow him up the steps to the State House.
   “Dr. John Witherspoon?” Elisa watched on in curiosity. “He is a New Jersey delegate, isn't he?”
   Myles nodded and Elisa could sense his excitement. “Those other men with him were as well. He's late and has probably missed most of the debate.”
   “That's bad isn't it?”
   “Yes, but he can be briefed on it. Now that he is here, the delegates will finally be able to vote!” Myles finished breathlessly and Elisa caught on to his excitement.
   “For independence?”
   “No, for freedom of elephants,” Myles smirked. “Of course for independence, silly.” Elisa rolled her eyes, but refrained from further argument and stroked the horses' velvet muzzle.
   Then came the next hour of waiting. The July sun burned down on them and Elisa finally snatched the white mob cap from her head to fan her blushing face.
   All at once, the doors were swung open, making both Myles and Elisa jump. Several delegates exited the building and the group of waiting men crowded the steps expectantly. Elisa stood on her tiptoes and strained to hear through the commotion. She finally made out the voice of Samuel Adams as he announced the verdict.
   “We are brought to a standstill due to a spit in vote between the Delaware delegates. We are in need of a express rider to deliver a message to Caesar Rodney in Dover, Delaware's third delegate, to resolve the matter."
   A murmur of disappointment rippled over the waiting crowd. Finally, one voice broke through the rest.
   “I will go.”
   Elisa turned to see who had volunteered and was stunned to see her father's hand in the air. “I have a horse with me now,” he gestured to where Myles and Elisa stood.
   “Good man,” Samuel Adams sounded grateful as he descended the steps and accompanied their father to where the siblings stood. “Give the message that the debate will resume in the State House at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow afternoon and will be followed by another vote.”
  “Indeed sir.”
   “We are grateful to you.”
   Father shook Samuel Adam's hand before mounting. “Tell your mother that I will arrive home by tomorrow evening.” He smiled down at his two children as Myles handed him the reins. “All will be well.”
    The evening stretched on endlessly for Myles and Elisa where they waited at home. Darkness fell and found both sitting idly at the kitchen table. Their mother walked in with her sewing basket and joined them.
   “If the two of you are hoping for news, then you will be hard put to waiting. The eighty-nine miles to Dover can not be completed in an evening,” she said quietly.
   “Hmm,” Elisa sighed as she absently watched her mother thread the precious sewing needle, their last of the supply that no longer came from England. A bright flash illuminated the kitchen, followed by a deep rumble of thunder that made Elisa jump.
   “Should have figured it would storm tonight,” Myles moaned and leaned back in his chair. “Rain will make it all the harder for Rodney to reach Philadelphia by tomorrow morning.”
   “Maybe it won't rain,” Elisa suggested hopefully. A splatter of drops outside the window followed her words and Myles scowled as if it had been her fault for mentioning it.
   “You ought to be getting in bed,” their mother suggested.
   “I couldn't sleep if I tried,” Myles muttered, dropping his head heavily into his hands. Elisa smothered a yawn.
   Silence followed, broken only by the rattle of rain on the windows and rooftop. Suddenly, Myles slammed an impatient fist into the table, making both his mother and sister stare in surprise.
   “It isn't fair!” he exclaimed. “There is nothing that I can do to help.” He rubbed his fist gingerly.
   “You are too young to join the militia, Myles,” his mother rebuked firmly.
   “I know.” Myles leaned back again and glared out of the dark window.
   “And you're not allowed to run away,” Elisa added, matching his dark glower.
   “Is it that horrible to want to fight for freedom for your country?” Myles protested.
   “War isn't all glory and bravery, Myles! It's killing and death and-”
   “Myles, Elisa, stop,” Mother broke in. Elisa swallowed her words and fell to tracing a pattern on the table to hide the tears burning in her eyes. Mother reached out and took a hand from both her children and Elisa forced herself to look up. “No matter what any of us feel about independence or war, sacrifice," Mother said softly, "is never something to be taken lightly.”
   She looked deeply into both Myles and Elisa's eyes before standing from the table, leaving brother and sister in the last flickering of candlelight.

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   Elisa slept fitfully through the night and dashed from her bed as soon as the sun broke over the horizon the next morning. She found Myles already buckling his shoes and was grateful that he didn't protest when she followed him out the door.
   They hurried to the State House, splashing through puddles and avoiding the mud spray from passing carriage wheels. By the time they reached the State House, several delegates had already arrived. Both searched intently for any sign of their father or Mr. Rodney, but found none.
   “Mr. Franklin, sir!” Myles called and Elisa watched as the Philadelphia printer turned to greet them.
   “Good morning Myles,” he answered kindly and tipped his hat to Elisa.
   “Is there word of Mr. Rodney?” Myles asked anxiously.
   Mr. Franklin shook his head. “I'm afraid not, but there is still time before the debate is to begin.”
   “Why was Mr. Rodney not present yesterday?” Elisa ventured.
Mr. Franklin sighed. “He was called home on urgent business. Frankly, I am sorry that we were forced to call him for this matter.”
   “Won't he vote for independence?” Myles asked.
   “Of that I am certain. Caesar Rodney is a very strong Patriot. But it is not that that I feel badly over. The truth is, Rodney is ill with a form of cancer. The only doctor known to have any cure is in England and he was planning a voyage there in an attempt to be cured.”
   Elisa's mouth dropped open. "He can still travel, can he not?"
   "Perhaps.... if another English ship can be found to take him." Mr. Franklin offered her a quick smile. We can only hope, child." He tipped his hat, then strode quickly up the stairs of the State House.
   Elisa glanced at Myles to see him staring after the old printer. "I had no idea," was all he said.
   They waited outside the state house for the next few hours, both wondering if the storm had stopped Rodney in his journey. Their question was answered barely five minutes before 1:00, when a horse galloped madly up to the State House. Elisa gasped as the Delaware delegate nearly fell from his horse and both siblings rushed to assist him. His clothes were covered in mud, as was his entire body, but Myles and Elisa helped to steady him as he stood.
   “The vote,” was all he said and the siblings helped him walk to the stairs. Another man came to relieve Elisa, but she stayed close behind as they half carried Mr. Rodney through the State House and burst through the doors of the hall where the debate was being held.
   All eyes fell on the exhausted delegate, who managed somehow to stand to his feet. His face was disfigured, from illness or exhaustion, Elisa wasn't certain. But despite his ragged appearance, his voice was strong as he spoke.
   “As I believe the voice of my constituents and of all sensible and honest men is in the favor of independence, my own judgment concurs with them. I vote for independence!”*
   Elisa watched in silence as the vote was taken.
   It was unanimous.
   Myles came to stand beside her. The room was quiet as rays of sunlight splashed through the window, the first rays of sunlight to shine on the United States of America.
   “Gentlemen, the price on my head has just been doubled!”* John Hancock's voice broke the silence and the rest chuckled. Elisa then glanced at Mr. Rodney.
  “He won't be going to England will he?” she asked Myles softly. He didn't answer and when she looked up, there were tears in her brother's eyes.
   “No, I don't think he will.”
   Elisa remembered her mother's words as she watch Mr. Rodney drop into an offered chair. His eyes were tired, but his smile looked satisfied.
   Sacrifice is never something to be taken lightly.
   Samuel Adams rose from where he sat and the brother and sister watched as he cleared his throat.
   “We have this day restored the Sovereign, to Whom alone men ought to be obedient. He reins in heaven and, from the rising to the setting sun, may His Kingdom come.”*

   Elisa, Myles and their family are a product of the author's imagination, but the story you've just read is based on true life events. During the original vote for independence, Delaware came to a deadlock between its two presiding delegates and Caesar Rodney was sent for to break the tie. He made the eighty nine mile trip from Dover to Philadelphia in seven hours through one of the worst storms of that season, having to walk his horse parts of the way due to excessive mud and water. His vote for independence changed the course of America's future and, as stated in the story, sealed his own fate. He would never sail for England after missing his original ship. 

*Information on delegate Caesar Rodney, as well as the above famous quotes, were found in the book The Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall and David Manuel.