Рита Браун - Tall Tail

Francisco Selisse was from the Caribbean and Marcia West Holloway’s mother was mixed race, but in the eighteenth century dark enough to be identified as African American. Ailee would have been deemed an octoroon, meaning she was one-eighth African American, her father being white. Those who read history will recall the famously glamorous Octoroon Ball in New Orleans, which was celebrated for decades. As so many have written about it, it must have been one of the best parties in New Orleans, which is saying something.

But both Francisco and Ailee carried the genetic trait, which probably meant that Marcia had full-blown sickle-cell anemia. If two people who carry the trait mate, the numbers, if they have four children, are one without, one with full-blown sickle-cell anemia, and two that carry the trait. It is for this reason that most states now mandate a screening of infants. As adults, they will be able to make informed decisions about whether to have children if they marry someone who also carries the trait or if they have disease as opposed to the trait. If they do go ahead, they can be vigilant about their offsprings’ health.

Human beings for centuries, millennia even, could describe illnesses. We often knew which ones were hereditary. Today we have much more information and instead of saying dropsy runs in the family, we can be precise.

What we can do about such diseases when they present themselves is another matter. When you start reading all the literature about cancers, sickle-cell anemia, multiple sclerosis, et cetera, it’s a wonder any of us stay upright for long.

Mother Nature will work her will one way or the other.

As for Moses, he more than likely carried the gene as well, given the pains for which his father, DoRe, suffered. When Moses’s years of work were up, he remained in York. He’d learned of Ailee’s suicide when Charles wrote Bartholomew. He continued to work for the Graves, displaying an aptitude for math. Bartholomew taught him and they worked on many projects together.

Moses married in his forties. He never spoke of Ailee. He doted on his two sons, who also became mathematicians.

Jeffrey and Maureen Holloway lived a good life. If Maureen felt any guilt about killing her first husband, she never showed it. When she died, Jeffrey married the much younger, gorgeous Marcia West. It was a fruitful marriage.

The Schuylers and the Wests became part of the Underground Railroad, although there were no trains then, so the term wasn’t used. That’s another story.

All our ancestors made decisions that affect us today. It has always been thus. They did the best they could with what they had, and so must we.

For Ruth Dalsky, my old polo teammate.

She never let me down on the pitch and she doesn’t in life, either.

Dear Reader,

I am not fat. I have big bones. When I eat, I have good manners. You should see Tucker eat. Furthermore, she’ll eat anything. I, at least, display discretion.

Mrs. Murphy and Tucker are either criticizing me or telling me what to do. When I need a second opinion, I’ll look in the mirror.

Yours,

Dear Reader,

Why respond to Pewter’s complaints? You couldn’t make her happy if you blew a fan on her in Hell.

Now, to this book. Walking along the creek mentioned herein, there are rock outcroppings and small caves. I didn’t mention it, but lingering in these old hideouts I could smell ancient tobacco odors, the tang of long-ago fires. Made me think about the cats and dogs who traveled with the fugitives, warning them of danger. I’m sure some of them were tiger cats.

Guess we never will know all of our history, but anything that happened in this country happened to us, too. Still does.

Ever and Always,

Dear Reader,

Virginia harbors many spirits, some even before the English came in 1607. We dogs can feel them, smell them, and sometimes see them. The spirits are human as well as animal, domesticated and wild. But since humans refuse to acknowledge other dimensions, they miss the wisdom these departed souls can impart. Still, humans can often feel spirits even if they won’t admit it. Harry feels them at the Avenging Angel tomb.

Pewter denies most of this stuff but she, too, knows we aren’t alone. Part of her lack of interest is the departed bring no food.

My mother told me when I was a puppy, “When you drink the water, don’t forget those who dug the well.” I don’t.

I guess the spirits have their realm and we have ours but I have to share mine with Pewter. Not fair.

Your best dog ever,

Books by Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown

WISH YOU WERE HERE • REST IN PIECES • MURDER AT MONTICELLO • PAY DIRT • MURDER, SHE MEOWED • MURDER ON THE PROWL • CAT ON THE SCENT • SNEAKY PIE’S COOKBOOK FOR MYSTERY LOVERS • PAWING THROUGH THE PAST • CLAWS AND EFFECT • CATCH AS CAT CAN • THE TAIL OF THE TIP-OFF • WHISKER OF EVIL • CAT’S EYEWITNESS • SOUR PUSS • PUSS ’N CAHOOTS • THE PURRFECT MURDER • SANTA CLAWED • CAT OF THE CENTURY • HISS OF DEATH • THE BIG CAT NAP • SNEAKY PIE FOR PRESIDENT • THE LITTER OF THE LAW • NINE LIVES TO DIE • TAIL GAIT • TALL TAIL

Books by Rita Mae Brown featuring “Sister” Jane Arnold

OUTFOXED • HOTSPUR • FULL CRY • THE HUNT BALL • THE HOUNDS AND THE FURY • THE TELL-TALE HORSE • HOUNDED TO DEATH • FOX TRACKS • LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE

The Mags Rogers Books

MURDER UNLEASHED • A NOSE FOR JUSTICE

Books by Rita Mae Brown

ANIMAL MAGNETISM: MY LIFE WITH CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL • THE HAND THAT CRADLES THE ROCK • SONGS TO A HANDSOME WOMAN • A PLAIN BROWN RAPPER • RUBYFRUIT JUNGLE • IN HER DAY • SIX OF ONE • SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT • SUDDEN DEATH • HIGH HEARTS • STARTED FROM SCRATCH: A DIFFERENT KIND OF WRITER’S MANUAL • BINGO • VENUS ENVY • DOLLEY: A NOVEL OF DOLLEY MADISON IN LOVE AND WAR • RIDING SHOTGUN • RITA WILL: MEMOIR OF A LITERARY RABBLE-ROUSER • LOOSE LIPS • ALMA MATER • SAND CASTLE

About the Authors

RITA MAE BROWN has written many bestsellers and received two Emmy nominations. In addition to the Mrs. Murphy series, she has authored a dog series comprised of A Nose for Justice and Murder Unleashed, and the Sister Jane foxhunting series, among many other acclaimed books. She and Sneaky Pie live with a collection of other rescued animals.

SNEAKY PIE BROWN, a tiger cat rescue, has written many mysteries—witness the list at the front of this novel. Having to share credit with the above-named human is a small irritant, but she manages it. Anything is better than typing, which is what “Big Brown” does for the series. Sneaky calls her human that name behind her back after the wonderful Thoroughbred racehorse. As her human is rather small, it brings giggles among the other animals. Sneaky’s main character—Mrs. Murphy, a tiger cat—is a bit sweeter than Miss Pie, who can be caustic.

ritamaebrown.com