Deborah Barker
Seamstress, Tailor, Printer
June
1775
“Mom! Have you heard? The British are coming and the army is looking for young men to become minute men!” Tyler Jordan announced at breakfast. “Is that good?” I asked afraid of what Tyler was getting at. “Mom, I want to enlist in the army.” He replied. “Tyler, you…” I didn’t know what to say. “Mom, please, I’m plenty old enough, and I’m strong.” He sighed. ”I want to fight for our freedom.” I thought for a minute, and then I made my decision. “Okay. When do you sign up?”
* * *
After Tyler went away to war my life got harder. I had to keep everyone posted on the war because I’m the printer, and since I’m a seamstress too I had to mend and make soldier uniforms. Gracie May couldn’t help me because this was too important, and too hard for her. To top that off, I’ve been worrying about Tyler. He’s been at war for 3 years and he hasn’t been writing like he usually does.
“Ding Dong!” “I’ll get it” Gracie May said. “MOM! TYLER’S HOME!” Gracie May yelled. I ran to greet him. “Why did you come home?” I asked him. “I heard how busy you’ve been, and that you might need some help.” He said with a smile.
After that I taught Tyler Jordan how to publish, and he did the newspaper for me until the war was over. Everything was back to normal, except the fact that we were free!
