Halfway to Freedom
High School: Grades 9–12
Story
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"Speeches and petitions won't end slavery! It's time for action! How long can we wait for freedom?" Shepherd questioned. "With all due respect Mrs. Jones, how long can you wait ?"
"Shepherd's right. No black person can be free until every slave is free," John agreed. He turned to Hannah. "My wife's parents weren't slaves; neither were my parents. But, because we're 'persons of color' we need papers to prove we aren't slaves."
"Ending slavery is only the first step! After abolition, what happens then?" Shepherd demanded. "Will we be treated as citizens?
"I don't understand," Hannah said, puzzled. "Aren't you free? Aren't you citizens now?"
Mary smiled sadly. "Not really. The Black Laws of the state of Illinois say if you're a person of color, you can't hold a political office. You can't testify against a white person in court. You can't join the militia. And you can't vote."
"We're not free!" Shepherd's voice quivered with suppressed anger. "We're only half free!"
John paused before he responded with quiet determination. "Soon we will win freedom—all of it!"
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Hannah stayed in Chicago for three more days while the snow melted. Shepherd offered to find another hiding place, but Mary Jones insisted upon keeping the young woman. Hannah was grateful. She cherished Mary's friendship, and after the dark hours of shivering, alone in fear, playing with Lavinia restored Hannah's spirit. After dinner, she listened attentively while John told her about blacks who fought in the American Revolution. Best of all, Shepherd stopped by whenever his errands brought him to the neighborhood. He came so frequently, during the day as well as in the evening, that Hannah suspected he invented excuses to call at the house.
On the fifth night, a small noise outside the back door woke Hannah. The sound was so soft she probably wouldn't have heard it, even if she had been awake, but it was the signal her ears were trained to detect—the tune of "Wade in the Water." She padded to the door. Pressing her cheek to the wood, she hummed the five-note reply. The humming on the other side got stronger. She opened the door just enough for Shepherd to slip inside.
"Quick! Hide!" he whispered urgently the moment she closed the door again.
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