Read By Way of the Rose for Free Online

slaves, but hired servants. But, you know momma, that would be something to think on. You've got a great idea!”
    “What?”
    “I could get rich, buy slaves and then set them free.” He smiled brightly.
    “That sounds like a wonderful plan to me. Keep dreaming big, my boy. You're going to make a difference in this old world, I just know it.”
    Sometimes, when the weather was fair, John took Sarah and snuck up to the school house. They'd sit under one of its open windows and listen to the lessons being taught. Other times they went to the general store and browsed through the book stock. John would hand Sarah a colorful picture book to look over as he read.
    “How are you and your little shadow doing this fine day?” Mr. Hamilton, the store owner, asked as they sat there looking at the books.
    John smiled as he nodded, “Pretty good, sir. Just stopped in to see if you have anything new.”
    “That's fine, John,” Mr. Hamilton looked over the rim of his round spectacles, “just don't dog-ear the pages, folks won't buy them if you do.” He handed Sarah a piece of candy. “Here you are, little miss.” She laid it to the side as she continued to gaze upon the pretty pictures. “I declare, John, if she ain't just like you about the books.” He chuckled. “You know, you should help me with the ordering, I never know what to stock. You can help me by telling me which titles are best and what folks around here might want to read. It sure would be a favor to me if you would.” The store keeper, sympathetic to John's appetite for books, knew that by doing this, he'd be sure to get the titles that John wanted.
    “Do you mean it, sir?” John's eyes widened in excitement. “I would be so happy to help!”
    “Then take this catalog home when you leave today and go over it. You can make out the order. I'll trust you to stock good books for me.”
    “How many do you need?”
    “Right now, just a few. Maybe three or four. But keep an eye out and when the stock goes down order again. It's your job to keep my book shelves stocked. For payment, you can read all you want just so long as you take good care of them.”
    “I will, sir! Oh, I will! Thank you!”
    “No, thank you. You're doing me a great favor.” Mr. Hamilton's gray-blue eyes twinkled.
    That evening when they started home, John handed the book catalog to Sarah and proudly hoisted her upon his back. “Hold on to that, my Princess. Now we're going to have any book we want to look at!” He bounced along the way as Sarah giggled in delight. “We can have anything we want!”
    “We can have anything?” Sarah's voice squeaked in excitement while her large brown eyes sparkled. Sarah was a happy child and an adventurous and bright spirit that intensified at good news such as this.
    “Well, any book and that's like having anything because books have everything in them!”
    “Even a book about fairies?” She peeked around his shoulder.
    “I bet there's books out there about fairies, sure!”
    “I want a book about fairies then,” she exclaimed.
    “All right, sweetie, we'll get one for you.”
    That night John went over the catalog searching for books. He found a book called Fairies of the Fields for Sarah and wrote it down on the order form. “What cha’ got there?” Nathan snatched the form from John.
    “I'm trying to order books for the store. I can order what I want to read.”
    “You want to read about fairies?” He burst out laughing as he threw the order form back down to John. “You are such a girlie, little tit baby!”
    “Shut up and leave me alone! That's for Sarah.”
    “Sarah can't even read, fairy boy! I know who it's for.”
    John jumped up and pushed Nathan. “Shut up and leave me alone!”
    “Momma, John pushed me!”
    “Who's the little tit baby now? Tattle tale!”
    “You two need to settle down!” Agnes scolded. “Momma's busy. Can't you two get along for a few minutes at least? Nathan, you know that book is for Sarah.