A Darkies Vanity

Thomas, dressed in his coachmans uniform, felt uncomfortable and strange that Aunt Jane would ask him to be included in this photograph. Aunt Jane told him she would be back from town and he was not to go with her as he usually did. It made him feel out of place as he waited in the drawing room with Beth. Thomas thought perhaps there was going to be guests arriving but began shaking when Beth came from the kitchen and served him tea. He watched as he then watched her serve the photographer tea. Thomas, bewildered, could not even contemplate why he would be served tea at all, let alone served before a guest. Thomas loved Beth with all his might. He longed to tell her how he felt, but a sense of propriety forbid him from any confessions. He remained quiet, which to him whenever he had questions seemed always the best choice to take.


Aunt Jane felt she was a woman of independant thought and means. Arriving back from town she worked with diligence to bring her boxes from town into the drawing room. Aunt Jane could not wait to tell Thomas her news. His news. Thomas had been in service as a houseboy for the Stewarts since he had been a small boy. He made a good keeper to her children as they grew and Aunt Jane had grown accustomed to his sense of dignity deciding to have him be her coachman when he became of age. So many years ago, but now he had grown into a fine young man. Aunt Jane had a gift of determined endearment. She was compelling to even the coldest stranger and this was not wasted on poor Thomas.
"Thomas, Do you know what today is? Today is your emmancipation. It is the day the Constitution has been ammended freeing you and all your kind."
Thomas dressed in his coachmans uniform looked to Aunt Jane perplexed not really understanding.
"Thomas! It means you no longer have to be in service to me or this household. You can go and find your way, or if you like you may stay on and continue to serve as my coachman. I have set up wages for you to earn and will be paid including room and board."
Thomas, felt his head spinning with excitemnet and emotion could not hold his eyes to Aunt Jane any longer. His comprehension came upon him fully of what this meant. Dressed in his coachman's uniform he had to turn away for fear of spilling over with pure zeal. He looked up and a beam of sunlight from yonder window caught his eyes and a sense of self and freedom set upon his being. With pride, he straightened his tie, looking to the future for himself.