Incredible Journey of Thomas Johnson 24

The Incredible Journey of Thomas Johnson

Chapter Twenty-Four

"Deep into that darkness peering,

long I stood there wondering, fearing,

doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal

ever dared dream before."

(Edgar Allen Poe)

How Many Others passed this way?

Celeste's remarks concerning the song "White Christmas" before the first of the year disturbed me, bringing a vow to be more observant to what she said and did, as well as those nuances I might determine to be of my time. Although I wasn't ready to admit and succumb to my feelings Celeste was not quite what she claimed to be. Perhaps, she too was a traveler in time such as me, but was I ready to confront her with such an accusation? Mayhap not, especially at this time. What if I was wrong and the song "White Christmas" was a play on an earlier folk song? Could the possibility even exist that there were two travelers at Chapman's Corner, one arriving years before the other?

What the hell was happening to me? Was this all just a dream; a figment wandering around in the mind of a deranged pedophile? Is this a reaction, this other world and time, created in my mind as a result of the lightning strike? I sure as hell didn't know because it was all so damned real to me, here and now!

I decided to give the situation no more thought at this time and just go with the flow. If it was all a dream, it was quite exciting and one hell of an erotic experience; one in which I not only fell in love with two beautiful boys, but enjoyed male on male sex with others in the household as well. I found the family I never had, and they were most willing to share their cocks and asses with me as well!

On those cold winter nights, although we had plenty of coal for the numerous parlor and Franklin stoves, as well as fireplaces, and the fires were banked at night to keep the coals hot, it wasn't the same warmth as the heat in my time, obviously since there was no electricity, and no gas and oil furnaces to automatically keep the house at a constant temperature. Hence, it got cold in the house, especially upstairs in the bedrooms. Although the house didn't get cold enough to freeze, it was still plenty chilly; cold enough warm quilts were piled on the beds and naked bodies snuggled up against each other for warmth and welcomed pleasure!

In late January and early February, there were usually five of us bundled together in my big bed. Jefferson and Colin would trot down the hall from their room and crawl in with us. It meant double stacking most of the time, but Henri and Benjie were used to sleeping in assorted positions on top of me so it just gave them more warm, naked bodies to snuggle up to or on top of (or vice versa). Damn; Jefferson had a big cock! His method of keeping it warm on those cold nights was unique, but not unusual for him. Colin didn't mind sharing Jefferson's dong with others and willing shared himself as well!

Jefferson really knew quite well how to use that amazing appendage of his most effectively and erotically! If anything, he was quite versatile to say the least; he loved to fuck and be fucked – in any position! Slicking up his shaft with lotion and the receiving butt (mine on this particular occasion), he placed that large plum-shaped head, exposed by the retracted foreskin and throbbing, oozing his pre-cum out the slit, up against my anal opening and with a gentle but steady push forward, popped it through allowing the anal muscles to expand, then tighten and clasp around his cock just below the head, anchoring him firmly in place!

After a bit of a rest, allowing my body to adjust, he'd continue to push, stretching me, allowing my inner self to adjust to his length and girth until after passing one barrier and then another, he bottomed out, his balls resting up against my own, and his cock-head lodged into the start of my colon. I could almost feel him rearrange me as he sank deeper and deeper. I wondered how Colin was able to handle him and then I thought, "why not, Benjie and Henri have!"

Stretched out over me, his bare stomach and chest contacting my equally bare back and the curve just above my buttocks, his arms secured under my shoulders, he began a nice languorous fuck! The more he pushed and pulled, the more I met each thrust until our sexual tenseness grew until he moaned, pushed really deep and clenched his ass cheeks, bringing me to orgasm at the same time, discharging his copious seed into me, and bringing me to my peak to meet his! I could feel his dick swell, subside, and swell again with each spurt. Invariably when he was finished, he'd remain hard, yet his cum would leak out around his shaft!

This particular cold night in early January, about the time Jefferson and I orgasmed, I heard Colin voice his release into Benjie and Henri squeal his into Colin. Seems like they were playing "piggy in the middle" and Colin was in between. Winter days would be cold and long, but the nights were warm and enjoyable as far as the lovers in my room were concerned!

Caleb and James bundled Gervais and Parnell up and tucked them between them on those cold nights. They were so protective and proud of those boys. As far as the Twins were concerned, their two Poppas were just perfect in every way! When Mr. Chapman was home, which was now more often than not, the Twins, along with Henri and Benjie, would trot into his room, give "Grand-pere" or "Poppa Chapman," depending on who was doing the giving, a kiss goodnight and head for their own bedrooms. Chapman was a happy man and loved all four boys dearly!

Celeste fixed up a trundle bed, just off of the kitchen, for Rachael, where it was warm and gave her some privacy. Antoine and Absalom were in the bedroom formerly occupied by Jefferson and Antoine. I was certain Antoine's back was warm where Absalom's stomach contacted it as well as Absalom's stiff cock, buried in a nice warm, tight place!

February and March also allowed us to celebrate the tenth birthdays of Henri (February) and Benjie (March). Mrs. Davis baked each of them a cake and we celebrated with a meal of their choice. They both loved pot roast with veggies so that's what it was. I celebrated their birthdays by doing what they both loved; a nice, gentle, loin-shuddering suck on their hairless balls and penis, followed by a slow, orgasm producing fuck in those sweet, tight, small puckered openings on their butts. They'd squeal with delight when I reached bottom and after making love to the point of release, clench their cheeks tight and almost milk me dry!

Winter was also the time for us to plan our activities and business for the next year. Working with Hannibal, Mr. Chapman, and James, we put together farming operations goals concerning what to plant and where. With the additional farms and the rail siding now complete, we could expand our grain and livestock operations. We concluded if there was any excess grain available, we'd ship it, but concentrate on shipping the hogs and cattle first. Small and large packing operations were beginning to spring up around the state and there was a market for the livestock. Chapman also wanted to invest more in some of these packing plants. All of this was a way for us to expand the wealth of Chapman Farms and make life more comfortable for all of us, in addition to providing employment for the people here.

There was still a great deal of black prejudice in the country and in our area, although we were of sufficient number in Chapman's Corner we had little difficulty, but we were still concerned for our safety and the safety of the children after the incident with Rachael and Jubal. Thus, Jefferson became our official, unofficial, armed guard for them, driving the enclosed carriage loaded with children he'd pick up along the way to the school and drop off after school hours. In my times, it would've been a motorized school bus, but this would work just fine. While in school, the children were now relatively safe with two adults teaching them and located within limits of our little town. Never-the-less, Jefferson still carried his double-barreled shotgun and now was armed with a pistol as well. He took his position very seriously since he now decided to actively patrol our property and community on a regular and sometimes nightly basis. I guess Jefferson felt it was his duty to protect us, with his life if necessary as he proved last summer, and seemed dedicated to doing so. We weren't about to take any chances and pleased and proud of him!

James inquired, during one of our planning sessions, why we didn't use the abundant maple trees along the river for making maple syrup, something he'd appreciated in the north. Personally, I loved the stuff, but thought the only place it could be made was in Wisconsin or Vermont. I did know, from what I read, it takes forty gallon of maple sap to make one gallon of syrup, but, since the trees along the Des Moines River were the "silver" or "soft" maple, if they could be used for making syrup. James decided, as he traveled around for us, he'd begin checking on the possibility of doing so.

"While I'm at it," he announced, "I'm going to see what the process is for making wine. We have plenty of grapes out near the orchard and what the ladies don't dry for raisins and use for jellies and jams, I'd like to see if we couldn't make some wine."

Chapman also felt it was time we built a small church for Reverend Miller to use while in the area and add a small general store and post office. The small depot on the rail line was manned by a railroad employee, with financial assistance from us, and provided telegraph service for Chapman Corners as well. He felt all three were necessary as our community continued to expand. I couldn't agree with him more since having a small store here that handled food products and some hardware would be convenient, but also might prove to be profitable, if we had the right person to run it!

The blacksmith shop needed to be expanded as well as the carpenter shop. Hiram already had two men working for him since he was not only involved in repairing our own equipment, but people in the surrounding area were starting to bring their items for repair to him as well. I found it interesting those white people who usually wanted nothing to do with our Negro population, would be more than willing to bring their stuff to us for repair. We didn't care, their money was just as good as anyone else's! I did find, however, the majority of the whites who did business with us or associated with us, were fine, friendly, and accepting and that was good. Still, there were those I just didn't trust, black or white.

Colin's work in the carpentry shop, along with the furniture maker we had there, was improving and, when he wasn't working on bee hives, he was busy with furniture making. The furniture they were producing was of fine quality and quite marketable. Anything they built which was not for our use, was advertised and sold. If the orders kept coming in as they had the past couple of months, especially from Keokuk and Ottumwa, we'd have to expand that shop as well and add more help!

After considerable thought, I changed my position on coal mining; well not really "coal mining" but the owning and operating of mines by Chapman Enterprises, as I began referring to the business ventures of Mr. Chapman. Iowa wouldn't be a national player in providing coal, if I remembered my history correctly, but it'd still be a substantial economic force in the southeast part of the state for a number of years, at least into the first part of the Twentieth Century, by providing employment to almost eleven thousand individuals.

As I explained to Mr. Chapman and James, without revealing my sources of information from my previous life, the work and responsibilities along with the possibilities of health issues for employees and tunnel collapse if mines were underground instead of open pit such as the small vein we mined for our own use, could prove to be costly. Perhaps, I ventured to say to him, "we might find a better way to profit without the problems."

Obviously, this appealed to him, especially when I pointed out to him there were several mines operating north of us near Ottumwa and were marginally profitable, but could be in the future, depending on the railroad's interest. I emphasized "there seems to be" the possibility, given the Ottumwa mine, significant deposits of coal running southeast to northwest in the State, starting near us and extending somewhere around the Des Moines area."

Much of the land where I believed, again if my history served me correctly, coal deposits existed appeared to be marginally productive farm land and might present opportunity to either own or seek some sort of control over.

James seemed to take an active interest in this part of the discussion, indicating that he too was familiar with the area, and asked, "What exactly are you proposing, Mr. Jeansonne?"

"What would happen, James," I proposed thoughtfully, "if you knew someone from your military career or university days who might be a mining engineer or expert in minerals such as a geologist who, for a fee of course, could travel with you to these areas and point out some of these prospective sites which might interest us?"

James's face lightened in a smile, seeming now to understand the general direction I was headed with this conversation.

"Then, you could approach the land owner and offer to purchase the mineral rights, not the property, just the mineral rights, along with a small stipend or percentage paid yearly if anything should be found and mined; coal or otherwise. This arrangement would be a win/win for both of us. The land owner would keep his land, receive an upfront cash payment for selling the mineral rights, and the possibilities of future residual payments. We'd own the mineral rights and anyone who wanted to mine coal or any other mineral or rock would have to pay us. Granted, there'd be land that would probably never be mined, but some would and it'd make the venture profitable. I know the railroads, using more coal than wood, would want to build spur lines to those mines to access the coal for their steam locomotives."

Chapman hadn't said a word during this presentation, but when I finished, said, "I've always thought you knew a lot more than just government secret stuff. You've traveled a great deal as well and kept your eyes open too," and nodded his approval.

James just happened to have an acquaintance from his university days who'd be perfect and sent a letter off to him with our proposal! The response a couple of weeks later put him on board with us. We agreed as soon as spring was officially here, James would be off, exploring and obtaining mineral rights agreements. He thought they should be able to complete everything by mid-summer at the latest, if all went well. He wouldn't be gone more than two weeks at a time so Caleb and the Twins wouldn't be without "Poppa" Jim too much. After school would be out in May, I'd try to make certain the Twins and Caleb had the chance to take a trip with James.

Several days after our meeting, Chapman and I sat in his study visiting and enjoying a brandy.

Chapman, contemplating the clarity and aroma of the brandy in his glass, looked up and asked, "Mr. Jeansonne, I know I have considerable wealth in land and other ventures, but do I have enough cash available, say, to build another wing on this big house along with everything else we need and want to do?"

I was about to answer but he held up his hand, bidding me patience while he continued; "James and Caleb and the Twins really need someplace of their own and I'd like to keep those little fellows close. I enjoy them like grandchildren and they see me as their grandfather. Rachael and Jubal will marry someday soon and they will need a place to stay while Jubal is home from college. Someday, hopefully, they'll settle back here at Chapman's Corner and build their own house. If we provided a place for James and Caleb, say a two or three bedroom living quarters, it would free up a bedroom on the top floor of this house. Jefferson and Colin could take over Henri and Benjie's room since they sleep with you and we'd have three bedrooms available for guests. I don't' want to move you and the boys since I want to keep my sons close to me in this house, if you catch my drift."

Yes, I did; there was no doubt the farm and Chapman Enterprises would be owned by Benjie and Henri when Chapman passed away and he wanted to make certain they knew and understand the business as they grew up. Chapman definitely improved in health over the winter, but he also had curtailed his traveling and was really enjoying growing old around family and friends.

"If our business ventures continue to grow," he continued, "we may need to entertain more people on a regular basis just to keep us in contact with those from whom we can profit."

There were also hints Delphine was going to marry one of our new settlers who also worked as a farm hand for Hiram. Delia definitely was going to marry Paul Doucet. Paul was one horny son-of-bitch and blessed with the Doucet Dong, loving to bury it balls deep in her every chance she gave him, which was often. He planted enough seed in her during the winter she was starting to ripen like a thick field of weed, ready to pop open and deliver an abundant harvest any time soon. I only hoped the baby or babies, by the size of her, would just wait until Reverend Miller was able to perform the marriage ceremony. Delphine and her husband would live with Hiram's, but Delia and Paul would need a place to live.

Chapman finished and waited for my answer. "Yes, you have sufficient cash reserves to do all of that and more," I responded positively. "As long as we watch our expenditures and don't spend foolishly, you'll be able to grow not only your accounts, but Chapman's Corner as well. It'll mean we'll have to hire outside help such as carpenters and others to do the work since our own people will be busy with farming and other activities."

It could be a bit tricky hiring help since there were some whites who just wouldn't work with or around "colored" people, but I'd manage somehow, with James's help, in locating either individuals or companies who'd do the job we desired. There was an increasing population of Negros in the southern part of our state, as well as in the larger cities, so we'd start there. I also knew the town of Buxton would soon grow into a predominately black city with doctors, druggists, lawyers, and others. There is always hope, I concluded!

Winter slowly melted away the ice left in the river, creeks, and ponds; the waterfowl and Passenger Pigeons began their northern migrations and we feasted on the abundance of them. It was the first time I'd ever tasted swan and found the huge bird, when roasted properly, was quite tasty. Catfish and other fish were soon being caught and a welcome change from our winter diet. March was a month of transition, although it clearly was a harbinger of spring and summer.

As April crept closer, I became more nervous. Would I suddenly be transported back to my own time on April 1^st as quickly as I appeared one year ago in 1865? Needless to say, I was extremely apprehensive and fearful as the date approached! Part of me wanted to return to the Twentieth Century with the more modern conveniences and familiarity it had for me, yet the other part of me desired to stay here, with people I loved and who loved me. I was important to them for what I could offer and they were important to me! Benjie and Henri felt my tenseness, my edginess, and lovingly brought me to sexual release as one method of relieving it, but more importantly than the sex, their closeness, their words of love, and forgiveness expressed their deep love for me, a man fifteen years older than they and desperately in love with both of them!

April 1^st dawned bright and clear and stayed that way all day and I felt no tug, no pull, nothing ripping me asunder and catapulting me forward in time. In fact, I woke the next day, April 2^nd, knowing today President Johnson would formally end the Civil War in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. I also stood, watched the tearful goodbyes by Gervais and Parnell as James mounted his horse and started on the first of his trips seeking mineral rights.

James made several trips during April and the beginning of May. Fields were being prepared, crops planted, and gardens prepared and planted, following the necessities of spring so we could eat the rest of the year and sell crops and livestock. School was out in mid-May and the first crop of hay was down and drying in the fields. The crews I hired to do the construction work for us were doing quite well with little disturbance and little overt signs or actions of prejudice. There were more black workers than white, but they seemed to get along well and the work they were doing was of the highest caliber.

The addition to the main house was framed in, sided, and roofed, now it just needed the interior work. Our post office/general store was fast taking shape and we hoped we could have it operational before the end of August. Chapman and I puzzled long concerning who we would operate the store for us. I hoped we wouldn't have to go "outside" our community, but it turns out we didn't. Malik approached us one day and made a very convincing case why he should operate both the store and the post office when it opened. He was educated, having been taught by Celeste; had an outgoing personality; definitely was wise to the ways of the street and wouldn't be taken in by hucksters; was honest as the day is long, good looking, and eager to please Mr. Chapman. Those four boys he's rescued from the streets years before had a loyalty to him that couldn't be matched and they'd give their lives for him! Mr. Chapman decided Malik Chapman would become our storekeeper and postmaster and so it'd be when it opened. Malik was happy, the rest of the family was happy, and we knew it'd be a success.

I still had my doubts about Celeste's origins, but decided this wasn't the time or place to pursue it! There was so much happening and I was extremely busy. All was going well, I thought, until one sunny day in mid-May when James returned for a short stay, he received a telegram and it brought him, Caleb, and the Twins to my office; tragedy had struck the Andrews Family and James was needed, as soon as possible! We hustled about securing a carriage, team, supplies, and extra cash for travel for James, Caleb, and their boys. The four of them left the next morning to face whatever had befallen his family.

To be continued.

***

Thank you for reading "The Incredible Journey of Thomas Johnson" – Chapter Twenty-Four.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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