Garnet or Garnets Curse

job, but I accomplished the chore. I looked for something to season the meat. I found no salt, but remembered seeing an herb garden alongside one of the old shacks. I laid the meat out next to the stove and went out to see what I could find.
    It was peculiar to see smoke rising from the chimney of the shack. I looked in every direction, saw no one and proceeded to pick a handful of rosemary, garlic and parsley. I gathered up my skirt to form a basket. I had just straightened up my back when I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder. I turned and found myself face to face with Ox. He was smiling, with his head tilted to one side like a child. “Here’s,” he said, holding out a bunch of carrots.
    Slowly I reached out and took them from him. He began to laugh. It was then I realized he was a simpleton, not a monster. “Pretty lady, pretty lady, took my carrots, took my carrots,” he said, as he jumped up and down.
    “Thank you,” I said, looking into his distorted face.
    “Ox live here,” he said, and extended his hand toward the shack.
    “Bye-bye,” I replied, and hurried back toward the house. My guess was he was not dangerous, but another one of Nell’s tenants that no one came back for.
    In the distance, I could hear him chanting, “Pretty lady, pretty lady, took my carrots, and took my carrots.” I prayed to myself, “Please dear Lord, let my father come for me soon.”
    When I entered the kitchen, I was alarmed to see the kitten standing on the rabbits, eating the raw flesh. I quickly lifted her off without scolding her. She was hungry too. I cut off a hunk of the meat for her, then washed the rest and dropped it into the pot with the herbs and carrots.
    In a short time the house was fragrant with the smell of the stew cooking, which gave the house a more homey feeling. I was feeling more at ease there, but Nell’s dark room was haunting. I was determined not to think of it and went into the library.
    I stopped first at the piano. I did not play too loudly, for fear I would not hear if someone approached. I played a few tunes I knew by heart. When I got bored, I turned to the shelves to look for sheet music. I saw one piece of music which almost seemed to be on display. All the other shelves were wedged with books and papers, but this one hosted only the single sheet of music, a photo album and a small silver box.
    It was a piece by Julia Ward Howe. I had read about her in the newspapers. Her name was associated with the feminist movement and many social issues in America. The piece was written in 1870 and entitled “Mother’s Day Proclamation.”
    I opened it up and scanned over the words:
    Arise, then, women of this day!
    “Arise, all women who have hearts, whether our baptism be of water or of tears!”
    Say firmly: “We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies, our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause.”

    The words did not offer much appeal and the score seemed difficult. I was not up for the challenge. I started to return it to the shelf when a letter fell out on the floor. I picked it up and saw it was not sealed. It was addressed to a Captain Julius LaBranch.
    I knew it was dishonest to read a letter that was not intended for my eyes. Yet, feeling its content might offer some clues or provide me with needed ammunition, I took it out of the sleeve and read:
    My dearest Julius,
    By the time you read this letter, I will be on my way back to England. I know my words will sound unjust, but you must hear me out.
    Since our wedding day, I have brought nothing but curses upon you. First, two days after our union, your father dies. Shortly thereafter tragedy strikes again, two of your ships are lost a sea. I prayed that I could bless the man I loved with a child, but three of our children died in my womb.
    Desperate to be a mother, I secretly sought advice from a known mystic medicine woman in the village. I was at first reluctant that the treatments she performed on me were not all-together Godly. However, once I was with child, I laid aside my fears. With her help, I carried the child to term.
    Then my horrible sin was birthed. I delivered not one, but two children. One was deformed and the other a fraud of nature. The doctor said it was his humane responsibility to destroy the babies. If I had given my consent, your only knowledge would have been the babies were born dead. However, I was too weak and I shared the burden with you.
    The