Tomcat Serenade

Disclaimer: Dic owns Sarah, James, Henri, Moses, and I'm pretty sure they own Udney too. All historical domain characters belong to themselves.

Philadelphia, PA, March, 1777

"Mail's here!"

Henri loved his self-assigned role as the mail receiver. It was the only time everyone in the house came running when he called. At not-quite-12 years old, he had very limited autonomy and almost no authority, and thus savored what little power he did wield.

Moments after Henri's announcement, Sarah, James and Moses were in the front room of the print shop, clamoring for the coveted letters Henri held aloft.

"One at a time, one at a time!" Henri chastised, grinning as he swept the sealed letters back and forth. He knew the drill; Moses got his mail first, as it was usually something from the boss, or information about important orders. Then Sarah, who wouldn't rest until she knew if there was mail from either of her parents. Finally, James would be given any dispatches from the various contacts he had made on behalf of the Pennsylvania Gazette. On occasion, the postman would accidentally deliver mail for Dr. Franklin's daughter Sally to the print shop, and it was Henri's duty to see that it got into the right hands. He especially loved those days, as it gave him an excuse to escape the print shop for the day and play with Sally's children, who seemed to be the only people on earth who could match Henri's energy level.

After successfully fending off his housemates, Henri sorted through the stack of letters.

"Moses, from Dr. Franklin. And another from...Walling...ford...Supply Co." Henri stumbled over the hastily scribbled name, handing both letters to Moses.

"That'll be the ink shipment," Moses said as he accepted his mail.

"Sarah!" Henri waved the next letter as he announced the recipient.

"From Mother, I presume?" Sarah said, reaching for the paper.

"Nope. This one's from Mssr. William Temple Franklin." He gave Sarah a teasing grin as she grabbed the letter from him.

"Really, Henri," Sarah scolded, turning red as she looked over the name. "Can't two friends correspond?"

"Sure, 'friends,'" Henri said, looking to James for affirmation.

James merely grimaced. He chose to ignore the remark, turning instead to Henri. "And the rest of it's for me, right?"

Henri handed over the last two letters. "From Morristown," he said. "Who do you know in Morristown?"

James tore into the first dispatch. "Two of my contacts, Corporal Wolf-Hutchinson—you remember Udney—and Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton. Col. Hamilton promised to write once he got settled into his new job as Washington's main secretary."

"Is that who the big letter is from?" Henri asked, pointing at the second, noticeably thick letter in James' hand.

"Must be," James replied. "This one's from Udney. He's not much for writing, but I guess Hamilton is. I heard Hamilton was the one who wrote that pamphlet we read in New York last summer. You know, Sarah, the Farmer Refuted?"

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Yes, I do remember. 'Publius' and 'the Farmer,' as they called themselves, were quite rude and abrasive to one another. I'd hate to see what a row they'd cause if they were allowed to debate face to face."

James laughed. "I can see it now! The Farmer on a soapbox in the middle of the square, with Hamilton trying to shout him down. What a sight that would be! He'd do it, too. Hamilton loves to argue."

"Why is he calling himself Publius?" Henri asked. "I thought his first name was Alexander?"

Moses chuckled. "It's not uncommon for people to write under a pseudonym. It's a way of protecting their identity and avoiding sounding too arrogant. Publius is Hamilton's pseudonym, while the Farmer is the pseudonym chosen by another man."

"A tory," James added. "Rumor is he's a preacher from Connecticut by the name of Seabury."

"He's a man voicing his opinion," Sarah said firmly. "I thought the whole point of this Revolution was to give people the right to do just that."

James held up his hands. "Okay, fair enough. Still, Hamilton has the better argument. It's long, but it's really good."

"This Hamilton seems to me the sort whose last priority is keeping the peace with his neighbors," Sarah said. "I'd just as soon avoid him, if it's all the same to you."

James shrugged. "Your loss. But he really is a genius."

Sarah hummed disapprovingly and turned back to her letter.

"So, what does Temple say?" Henri asked, stretching to read over Sarah's shoulder.

"It's none of your concern," Sarah said. "He's simply telling me of the goings on in Paris. The sort of correspondence you'd expect between friends."

"Yeah, right! You know how much he likes you!"

Sarah turned red. "And what if he does? Is a man not allowed to show interest in a woman?"

"Do you like him?"

"Henri! It's really none of your business!"

"But that's the fifth letter he's written you since he and Dr. Franklin left for France. He must be in love!" Henri clasped his hands together and fluttered his eyes in mockery. He failed to notice James behind him, who glowered and gave a low, barely audible growl.

"Henri, leave Sarah alone," Moses scolded. "Let her enjoy her private letter."

Henri giggled. "Oh, I'm sure it's very private!"

Sarah spun around to glare at him. "Henri!"

"Okay! Sorry. I was just teasing. But I thought you didn't like him. You said he's from the East End, whatever that means."

"East End London," Sarah said. "That's where he was born. His father abandoned him young, but his grandfather was quick to take him in. He's not exactly of noble birth, but he's learned so much since he came to stay with Dr. Franklin. He's the sort that's not hard to turn into a gentleman. It helps that Dr. Franklin is a very good teacher. For one thing, Dr. Franklin has taught Temple the critical importance of taking responsibility for one's actions."

"A lesson Mr. Bill Franklin failed to learn from his father," Moses added.

"Which would explain their unfortunate falling out," Sarah said.

"Oh, that's not why Dr. Franklin and his son aren't getting along," James chimed in. "Bill Franklin is a tory, plain and simple. He thinks his dad is a fool. And since his kid was born in London, don't be surprised if Temple turns out to be just like him."

"James, I can't believe you!" Sarah said. "I know you and Temple don't see eye to eye, but that remark was completely uncalled for! He had no say in where he was born, and just because he's a Londoner, that doesn't make him a bad person. Nor does his father's loyalty to the crown make him a bad person."

"The same loyalty that made him abandon his London-born kid?"

"The subjects are not remotely related! You are just looking for excuses to speak badly of Temple, and I can't imagine why!"

James crossed his arms. "I just don't think he can be trusted."

"And why not?"

"Because...he just...I just don't trust him, that's all."

"Is it because he spent all his time while he was here trying to impress Sarah?" Henri suggested.

James turned red. "No! That's...that's not it at all! I couldn't care less what he thinks of Sarah! It's not important!"

Moses shook his head. "Then I suggest you drop the subject, James," he said. "Temple isn't here, so there's no point in swinging at phantoms. Tell us instead what your friends in Morristown have to say."

James pouted for a moment before turning to Udney's letter. "Oh, this is good! Udney says he's heard rumors about a new spy ring Washington wants to set up in New York City. A Major Tallmadge is going to be in charge of it. He suggests I come and interview Tallmadge if I can and let Udney in on it."

"Does Udney not realize he's putting himself and Major Tallmadge at risk just writing about it?" Sarah said.

"According to Udney, it's no secret that Tallmadge is Washington's new head of intelligence," James replied. "And as a responsible journalist, I of course wouldn't dream of publishing anything that would compromise any operation Washington currently has going in New York. But I've gotta meet this Tallmadge."

"I think I'll go along, if you don't mind," Sarah said. "I've been meaning to get out of the house, and I would like very much to meet up with General Arnold, who should be in New Jersey about now."

"You just want to see Ugly again," James teased.

Sarah glared at him. "I don't understand you, James. You take issue with Temple's advances, but have no problem bothering me about Udney."

"I like Udney," James said. "I don't like Temple. Just like you have your own list of people you do and don't like."

Sarah sighed, but let the subject drop. "I'm going to get ready for our trip. I suggest you do the same."

"You coming along, Henri?" James asked.

"Of course!" Henri cried. "I want to know about the new spy ring too!" With that, he dashed off to the barn, where he shared an apartment with Moses.

"Keep an eye on that boy," Moses instructed the two teens.

"As always," James said.

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