Marthy's Letter

Unknown

Back to the letters I had my characters write me., telling me what to say in the novel. We've heard from Judy and from Col. Keith. This is Marthy's letter.

There really was a Marthy -- but almost nothing is known of her. She is described in the official records as 'an idiot girl.' I have taken the liberty of imagining her not an idiot but a mute.

To Miz Lane --

I can't mouth the words myself so I'll be right proud to have you speak for me. O, my head is so full of words, rising and falling and trying to escape, like birds in a net. They beat at the back of my throat but still my tongue stays tied.

So you tell my story. Likely if anyone remembers me it'll be as the "idiot" girl what was hung up and whipped by the Secesh. But there was so much more -- and now here you come, offering to give me words and life.

So tell of my love -- my loves. The first and the last. The way my heart swelled in my bosom. The way my heart broke. . .

And tell of the sweet times along with the bad. The happiness of families, the light sifting through the poplar trees, the animals kneeling at midnight on Old Christmas, the fun of our play parties and the feasting after pig killing.

It's a terrible thing not to be able to voice my sorrows and pain. But it's somehow even worse when you can't give tongue to joy.  I want you to do that for me.

                                                       

                                        Your true friend Marthy White