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Post by Susannah Frey on Jun 7, 2014 1:23:24 GMT
(This was much better written the first time around)
It was a beautiful, warm day right in the middle of June. Susannah slept in late and awoke to a brilliant beam of sunlight having fallen right across her bed. A warm breeze, perfumed with the heavy scent of flowers and baking bread, blew the curtains back. The chittering of birds filled her ears. It was perfect.
Her dress for the morning was brand new. It was a brilliant sunshine-yellow with a row of tiny little golden bows creeping up her bodice and lining the hem of her skirt. A pair of matching yellow mules adorned her tiny feet.
She rushed down a late breakfast, nearly scalding herself with her tea. A true lady waits until the tea is cool enough to drink. Susannah didn't have the patience to wait. Something about the day - perhaps the way the birds called out to her - implored her to lose not a moment. She needed to be out in the world. She needed to be away from her house.
Draining the last few drops, she set down the cup, dashed out of her chair - and nearly upsetting it in the process. With swift fingers she tied down a small straw hat on top of her head.
"Susannah, I need you to-" Her mother began to call after her but Susannah never heard the rest. She was already out the door and halfway to the street. On that bold, perfect day, Susannah was determined to do the unthinkable. She was determined to be a rebel. Instead of heeding her mother, she was ... going to go for a walk.
Susannah giggled to herself at the mere thought.
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Post by Carl von Donop on Jun 10, 2014 3:08:56 GMT
The good Count was shouting orders to his men in German. He sat atop his horse in a magnificent blue and gold uniform. His badges of the various orders he was a member of shone brightly on his chest. His men had just disembarked from the ships that had carried them over to the new world. He was told New York was supposed to be one of the greatest towns in this country. It stank to him. He felt he could smell the colonies leagues before the ship landed. He almost longed for the voyage again, if only to escape the foulness of this "new world". The prospect of battle though drove him on. His men slowly assembled as their own sub commanders whipped them into formation. Once the soldiers were at attention he yelled with a quick and decisive shout,"Das Gewehr...ber! (Shoulder... arms!). With smartness and precision the men snapped their muskets to their shoulders. Donop would show these colonials what real soldiers looked like. He would show them the folly of their rebellion.
He wheeled his horse about to lead them down to the center of the city where they would receive their quartering orders on the good people of New York thanks to the Quartering Act passed in 1774. Carl drew his sword, pointed down the long street they would be marching and yelled, "Im Gleichschritt Marsch!" (March in step).
He soldiers, resplendent in their new uniforms of blue with various colored trimmings based on their units marched in perfect order. As grenadiers these men were taller than most, strong and stout. Behind the line of blue clad grenadiers were the Hessian Jager Corps clad in green and red. Von Donop was making a statement to the Americas, he had arrived.
As the soldiers marched to their initial postings, von Donop decided he would become acquainted with the town. He rode his horse about until he saw a strange sight, a girl seeming to be of some means walking alone. It was as curious to Carl as it was offensive. He decided he could kill two birds with one stone by escorting her and seeing the city with a tour from one of the colonials. It seemed a suitable proposal. He rode up to the girl, dismounted, gave her a polite bow and in a heavily German accented, yet clear English Carl introduced himself, "Good day madam. My name iz Carl Emil Ulrich von Donop, Colonel of His Eminence, Frederick II, Landgraf von Hesse-Kassel, Graf von Donop. I am... unfamiliar with this city and am in need of guidance. May I have the pleasure of your company?"
He spoke with equal parts delight as he did curiosity. This woman was literally the first American he had ever spoken with. All he knew of the colonies were what his British army friends had told him. Most of which was none too flattering.
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Post by Susannah Frey on Jun 10, 2014 5:00:18 GMT
Susannah appreciated the looks that she received. Some, she was sure, were displeased looks. But some were certainly looks of admiration. She anyway woke up in great looks this morning. Her hair was smooth and perfectly in its place. There were no stray strands or frizzy bits sticking up. Everything about her she was certain was delightful. Besides, what is wrong with a young woman going for a walk? If she lived in the country no one would ever have thought twice of it. To think that there was something so dangerous about living in a city! Of course, there was the war. Her spirits sank a little just thinking about it. But the war was not in New York. It would not dare to come to New York. It could stay in Massachusetts for all she cared.
Her spirits sank further when she saw a man ride up in a resplendent blue and gold uniform. They nearly dropped entirely when he introduced himself. He was not from New York. Maybe the war was coming after all.
Susannah gave him a smile. War or no war, she would not be impolite. And the man seemed important. "That is quite the name," she said cheerfully. "I would hate to have to sign that on letters." She smoothed down the front of her dress in a quick gesture. "I am Susannah Frey, the lady ... daughter of the great,well, I mean the respected John Frey of the .. Frey ... house." She had tried to make her introduction match his and had failed spectacularly. Her cheeks colored as she blushed. "I would be more than happy though I do not know what sort of guide I would make. This is a large city and I seem to be forever finding myself lost." She took the initiative to take his arm. "You must promise me, Mr. Donop, that if we find ourselves lost, you will see it as an adventure and not take it too personally."
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Post by Carl von Donop on Jun 10, 2014 5:15:43 GMT
Without betraying it on his face, Carl was a little dismayed at her introduction. If this is what passes for gentility here it is surprising the British found need of my services he thought to himself. His mood changed a little though as she continued speaking. She seemed, different, curious. Her mannerisms differed greatly from those he had encountered in Europe. He had heard the name Frey before but doubted she was of or closely related to the Freys he knew in Germany. He decided he would take her up on this "adventure" she proposed. If anything he could speak to her about the state of mind of the colonials. He prayed silently that she wasn't one of those oblivious and childish women who ignored the daily affairs of the world. While this information would probably be more useful from a man, women sometimes had access to knowledge that men did not or were willing to share more than men might so she might prove useful yet.
Carl gave her a handsome smile, laughed a little and offered his arm to her, "Ah frauline. I am pleased to make your acquaintance and I thank you for your company. An adventure sounds lovely! I have been dreadfully cramped on that boat. Some good exercise would be excellent. So tell me, what is this city like?"
He spoke cheerfully and with genuine curiosity. While everything he had seen so far and smelled was distasteful at best, perhaps this young lady could show him something different. He doubted it would amount to much in comparison to the beauties of Paris, Berlin, and his wonderful home of Kassel but he had to get his feet wet somehow.
[Apologies, times were different back then!]
Edit: 100th site post W00t!
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Post by Susannah Frey on Jun 11, 2014 16:35:12 GMT
(No apologies needed ... Susannah agrees with Carl's beliefs)
"The boat? Oh, of course you sailed here in a ship. You must tell me all about it. I adore ships. My father, in fact, owns a good many. They're mostly brigatines but you should see them! He is quite wealthy, you see and does all he can to defend his cargo so every one of his ships are fitted out with fourteen guns with a total metal of three hundred and ninety two. He has a privateer too or he just fit one out to attend to his ships. I believe he is concerned about this war." She prattled on and on without realizing that giving exact details about her father's ships could prove beneficial information. She threw a glance in the direction of the harbor. The mainmast of a ship could just be seen sticking up above a building. "Sometimes I'm tempted to dress as a boy - breeches and all - and sail away on one of his ships. I've never been to sea but I long to experience it."
They walked on a few moments. It was true that her father had just fit out a privateer. Some people scoffed at it. But the saying at home was Money before Honor or at least that is what it seemed like in this instance. He would do anything to protect his precious ships from Rebels ... from the English ... from those who would use the excuse of war as a rationalization to snap up any unsuspecting ship. Of course, she couldn't argue with his thoughts. Privateers, enemy ships, and even the possibility of a blockade ... all could destroy their livelihoods in a very short amount of time.
"I suppose it is like every other city. It's large and crowded and noisy. But there are many good people here and the harbor is beautiful." She sighed. "I'm afraid you may find your stay disappointing. There is only one topic of conversation on everyone's lips and that is this war. No one cares for it. At least no one I know."
Susannah may not have understood most of what was said - politics were a foreign language to her - she did listen and remember. One thing, at least, had been made very clear. In her circle - the wealthy and elite - nearly all were against a Revolution. Not only did most owe their fortunes to King George and Mother England; there was too much to risk losing.
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Post by Carl von Donop on Jun 11, 2014 21:54:50 GMT
Carl walked steadily with his new companion. Her words immediately caught his attention. He had pegged her correctly in assuming she was of America's elite. She knew quite a bit about her father's operation and of ship's armaments. This young lady would definitely be an associate Carl would try to keep close. He listened intently until she mentioned wanting to dress as a boy and sail away on a ship. Perhaps she is a bit touched in the head, he thought to himself but then he considered that such naivete was often the mark of a pampered young lady. Carl, of course, dismissed such a notion in his mind. He just gave a her an almost paternal smile and continued walking. He didn't enjoy ships very much. They were too dank and crowded plus you were always so close to the rabble of the ship's crew. Carl never trusted a sailor. He was convinced they were all thieves, pirates, and vagabonds.
Perfect, he thought as she mentioned the war. This is what Carl wished to really speak of. He nodded as she spoke of the city and the war. He stopped walking, held her and and looked at her in the face, "And what of you and your father? What do you think of this insurrection?"
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Post by Susannah Frey on Jun 12, 2014 3:56:19 GMT
"My father?" She thought a moment. "Well, he hates this war like everyone else. And so do I, for my father's sake." She dropped her eyes to the ground. "My father had nothing when he was young. He worked hard and saved up and bought his first ship. And then he bought another. And another. He built his fortune. But it depends entirely upon his ships. I've ... I've heard him speak with his associates, I assume they were. There's concern about a blockade and not being able to get his ships out. And he's spoken of privateers and the chance of his ships being snatched up by a English man of war."
It was a terrifying thought and that fear betrayed itself in her eyes for just a moment. What would happen to them if he lost his ships? They would be ... poor? Susannah didn't know how she could stand it. She couldn't imagine how anyone was poor. It was dreadful. There would be no more parties, no dresses, and no one would ever wish to marry her. She would end up old and poor and alone. It was enough to make anyone drop dead at the mere thought of it.
"You know, that has given me a thought though I daresay my father has already thought of it. He already has one privateer. If it comes down to it, I suppose he could always fit out his brigatines as privateers. There must also be fortune to be made during war. Or there would never be another war if there wasn't."
The thought hit her as a new idea. She couldn't wait to bring it up to her father. There may be a way to stop worrying.
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