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Beth considered what he was saying. "So without the slaves, they can't get the cotton picked? I always wondered why people had slaves. We never had them. Pa says we must do our own work. Of course he raised enough of us that he doesn't need help. I don't believe in having slaves, do you?"
"No, but still I'm a southerner. I would naturally sympathize with the south."
"Of course, that's understandable."
"That's right. A cotton farmer would have to hire help and pay them to pick the crops, and it would cost too much to ship it up north so there would be no profit. It's all kind of complicated. And states rights to decide for themselves too, is important. The north wants to take away a lot of states rights, and that doesn't sit well." He said sadly. "With slaves, the south can get their crops to market and there is no problem. Accept…if there is war, the south will suffer greatly."
"Why?"
"Because we have no factories to make things. We have simply sit back on the plantations an grown our crops thinking that would sustain us, and it won't, if we leave the Union, and Texas will no doubt leave the Union. You see right now, we don't
make all the things we need. We depend on the north for such things. We grow the crops that make things, like food, clothing and many other things we need, but we don't actually make them ourselves. So we are dependent on the North in a lot of ways, the same way they are dependent on our crops. So splitting up, means both sides will suffer in some ways."
"Then perhaps Mr. Lincoln will rethink it." She suggested.
"I doubt that. He's been advocating their freedom since before he was elected President."
"And how does this concern you?" She asked.
"I'm not sure. I own a boat, if the war got bad, they might confiscate my boat and use it to ship supplies. Whether I joined in this war or not, I'd be involved. It's not a good time to marry. It could put you in danger. You'd actually be safer here."
Beth put her hands on her hips once more and stared at him in disbelief. "So you came to tell me, you aren't marrying me? That you are going to war, instead?"
"No…not exactly. I came to tell you what is happening. Things could get dangerous. I don't want to put you in any danger." He told her. "You'd be safe here on the farm, until it was over."
"You asked for my hand in marriage. I accepted, now you are rejecting me?" She asked, her brow going up a notch.
"I'm not rejecting you." He came closer, and bent to kiss her cheek. "On the contrary, but I want you to know what you might be getting into. I want to give you a choice, Beth."
"That's considerate of you." She closed her eyes for a moment. "Whether I marry you or not, things will happen that are beyond our control, Wade. Besides, maybe they will not have this war…"
"I wish I could believe that, but I don't. They've been bickering for years, passing one law after another and nothing has been accomplished. I don't think they both speak the same language."
"Are you enlisting in the army or something?"
"No…but I might get involved in things, and I want you to try to understand." Wade explained.
"Involved how?"
"I'm a southerner by heart. You understand."
"Naturally, so am I."
"If the boat is taken over, by…the north, then I would have to go undercover, as a spy." He explained daring a glance at her.
"A spy?" She shrieked.
"Well naturally, I'd want to help the southern cause."
She nodded. "Then as your wife, I'd help you all I could." The way she said that, as though she didn't have to think it over, had him staring in wonder at her.
He stared into her innocent eyes at her complete loyalty.
"I couldn't ask it of you…Beth." He was adamant.
"I don't know much about being married, but I do know what the good book says, we become as one, and I would stand beside you, help you." She smiled. "No matter what you had to do. I'd trust you."
"You have no idea…."
