"Amen". Over sixty attendees moved slowly from the hot mid-afternoon sun of August 1886. The deep brown loam was fragrant over the new grave. Encircled by green grass it appeared as a scar on nature. A mature mound beside the new one looked in place, not raw like the new one.
Lou's arms rested protectively over her sons' shoulders, Jim on the right and Joe on her left. Jim's sobs were deep, his face red and wet, his nine-year-old body heaved to restore his steady breath. Joe's mouth was tight, his eyes fixed on the ground before them. He looked like he dared anything to be in their path.
Alex walked beside them. Tears were drying on his stricken face. His ordinary talkativeness and good cheer was absent. Grief and loss occupied him this day. Turning from his feelings he said philosophically, "End of an era, Sister. The descendent of the pirate and Sherwood Forest outlaw is gone. Mighty sad . . . " His words trailed off and he hugged the three as they walked.
Solon, Reverend Hawkins, the Methodist, and Brother Scott, the Campbellite, stood for a time at the fresh grave. Solon looked at each in turn and shook their hands.
He said, "Much obliged. Mr. Fields didn't give y'all much slack about religion that's for certain. Today with your kind words you've shown me Jesus summons all sorts for his work." He didn't smile with his backsided compliment but his tone and eyes relayed his appreciation and regard.
"Well said Brother Stevenson, yes mighty right," the Methodist acknowledged with his own off-center response.
The Church of Christ preacher, not to be outdone by a Universalist and a Methodist, added, "Solon, Miss Lou and Mr. John L. and Miss Bear have been the best of neighbors. I'll leave it to the Lord to sort out the goats from the sheep."
All smiled and went quiet for a few moments letting the humor fade and letting the feelings only preachers knew when they stood over a fresh grave - hope, wonder, edged by fear. Solon had conducted the service for John Longstreet Fields (1798 - 1886) with quiet dignity and solemn significance. Now, with the words said his eyes teared up and chill bumps came up even on the near 100-degree day. He swallowed hard and nodded his head, put on his hat and walked away from the two. Lou, Alex and the boys were over near Bee Spring Church. Nancy had just taken the buggy home to get ready for the callers. He walked away from the graveyard and church to the woods. He walked fifteen feet into the cooler shade of hackberry, hickory, cedar and gum trees. Taking his bearings, he walked twenty more, took off his hat, pulled his clean bandana out of his right back pants' pocket and wiped his face of sweat, taking in the cotton clothes smell of lye soap and sunshine.