Chapter 21
The late afternoon October sun filtered through the brilliant red and orange leaves on the trees. Jonathan walked along the road from the schoolhouse to his home, enjoying the fall foliage. As he arrived at the cottage, a young man approached him.
“Are you Jonathan Carver?” he asked.
“Yes, what can I do for you?” Jonathan replied.
“Mr. Worthing at the cooperage sent me to deliver this to you. It arrived yesterday.”
He handed Jonathan a folded leather pouch. Jonathan recognized it as a postal letter carrier.
“Thank you.”
The young man turned and trotted off. Jonathan entered the house. Rebecca was sitting on a rocking chair by the fire, nursing his son. He went to her and kissed her on the forehead.
“Hello, Jonathan,” she said smiling at him.
“Hello,” he replied. “How ha
