Gunpowder and Tea Cakes: My Journey with Felicity

I don’t like the sound of this. Maybe actually visiting 1775 makes things too real. The boy continues that he just came from his master’s shop. The Committee of Safety are visiting every store in Williamsburg. They’re on their way here now. The boy says the men are emboldened by the governor stealing the gunpowder. They’re warning storekeepers against selling anything from Great Britain. He hurries out the door.

Felicity explains the king requires storekeepers in the colonies to buy almost all their wares from Great Britain. But some months ago, the colonists who favor independence announced new rules. They say storekeepers must find new sources of goods to sell. And although her father is doing so, he can’t just throw all of Great Britain’s goods away without making a profit first. I suggest we lock up until Mr. Merriman returns. Felicity sucks in her lower lip, thinking. Finally, she responds that her father has no argument with the committee. If he hasn’t returned when they arrive, she’ll hear them out and pass their message along.

Just then, we hear clomping outside. A man strides in, followed by four more. Three wear fancy outfits, and the others look like farmers. They all have grim expressions on their faces. Felicity greets them, but the men have no time for chatter. The man in front demands where her father is, and I have to fight not to take a step back. Felicity says her father is making a delivery. The man says that they need to send a strong message to the king. Mr. Merriman must stop selling British goods immediately. Felicity responds that her father no longer sells tea, and he’s trying to—

The man interrupts that trying isn’t good enough. He glances around and says he sees some British goods. He pulls a bolt of fabric from the shelf and lets it fall to the floor. Then, he steps on it and dances a little jig. His boots are rough and dirty. He laughs. Felicity’s eyes go wide. He’s ruining the fabric! Another man swipes the pretty china from the counter and it falls to the ground with a crash. The plates and cups break into a hundred pieces.

Felicity cries for them to stop. I watch in horror, thinking of poor Mr. Merriman who will no longer be able to sell the china or fabric. The first man grabs a book and begins tearing out pages. Felicity shrieks again for them to stop. I can tell she’s trying hard not to cry.

Suddenly, I’ve had enough with these bullies. I storm around the counter.