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Suzanne Marsh

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2025

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95 Stories

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The Yankee and the Southern Belle

The Yankee and the Southern BelleAnnabella Purdy glared balefully at Captain Mark James as he glared back at her. She was close to tears; she hid the vials of quinine in her garters; no gentleman would look there. The quinine was destined for the Confederate hospital down the road from the Purdy Plantation. She acted strangely; Mark ordered Mammy to strip her down to her shimmy. Her eyes widened; the dismay she felt at being caught was enough to make her cry. However, he had no idea how protective her Mammy was: “I dun tol you captain, I ain...

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The Great Esccape

The Great Escape Cows are escape artists, every one of them. Cows have been the bane of my existence over the years. Cows were not on my radar; I am a city kid born and raised. My adventures with cows started when I purchased a farm. I had no idea how complicated my life would become in the matter of two years. I purchased a bull calf; I called him Tornado. I remember when he was de-horned by a neighbor. What a sight that was. I was already questioning my sanity for allowing that to happen. Tornado was a very forgiving bull. I began to build...

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Can This Be Hell?

Can This Be Hell?Staff Sergeant Edgar Riley thought his capture at Gettysburg was horrendous until he arrived at Andersonville Prison. The train he was on took him further and further south. He asked one of the guards: “ Where am I being taken?” The guard smiled a toothless grin: “You be goin to Andersonville, I sure don’t envy you Yank.” The train came to a halt, the door opened, the prisoners saw light for the first time in four days. Riley formed the three men from his platoon who were still alive, into a line.. Corporal Martin O’Donnell,...

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House on the Hill

House on the Hill“Father, hurry, please! The redcoats are almost here: we must go now!” Madeline Forte cried as she moved the small hidden lever. A panel slid open; her father William Forte hustled down the steps, Madeline close behind him. They would hide in the escape tunnel until dark, then make their way toward Charleston, South Carolina, and safety. Captain Matthew Carrollton banged on the huge oak door of the Forte plantation. When there was no response, he broke a window and climbed in. The entire house was deserted. How had all the s...

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The Man Who Rose from the Sea

The Man Who Rose from the SeaI found him, covered in seaweed, and weak as a newborn kitten. A large wave brought him almost to my feet. I ran out into the surf and pulled him ashore. His chest moved; at least he was breathing, thus far. He was dressed in a navy blue coat, white shirt, and pants. I thought he might be a naval officer, but at that point, it was difficult to tell who he was or how he had found my island home. I struggled to get him on his feet, and half dragged him, half pulled him to my home on the island, where I could care f...

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Living a Texas Adventure

Living A Texas Adventure “These things happen to other people, but not to me!” I wailed in a panicky voice. I uttered those words as I found myself and our daughter Karen in the hall closet. Just what was I doing in the hall closet? It was six-thirty in the morning when my daughter pounded on my bedroom door, her cell phone in her hand: "Mom, Mom, get up, there is a tornado warning.” I sprang out of bed, with fireman-like haste, grabbed my bathrobe, put it on as I ran, and grabbed the dogs toward the hall closet. We began pulling out jackets...

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Searching for Matthew Starr

Searching for Matthew Starr“Mary” Jack bellowed: “The Comanches are a comin. I can see their dust risin. Take Matt and Sarah, go hide in the brush, I’ll come get the three of you when it is safe.” Mary grabbed Matt’s hand, she carried Sarah in her arms. Jack, quickly ran into the log cabin, slammed the door shut, then did the same to the window. He knew he would have to break the window to fire at the Comanches as they rode by. Suddenly, he began to smell smoke, the roof was on fire. He was going to have to make a choice, either stay in the ...

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Who is Buried in Jesse James' Grave?

Who Is Buried in Jesse James’ Grave? JESSE JAMES, SHOT IN THE BACK BY BOB FORD.The Saint Joseph Gazette banner headline read. The outlaw was dead, or was he? Governor Thomas Crittenden smiled. Bob Ford kept his word. Crittenden quickly wrote out a pardon, an agreement he had made with Bob Ford and his brother. Jesse was very much alive; the bullet should have splintered his skull, but instead traveled through and exited from his throat. Frank James arrived and began to devise a plan to keep Jesse alive and out of the way of the law. Frank sh...

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One Small Victory

One Small Victory “We interrupt this broadcast. President Jason Murphy has been seriously wounded. Police have a suspect in custody. His wife, Patricia, accompanied her husband on this campaign trip to Utah, where he has been gathering strength for a second term as President. We will interrupt this program as this story unfolds.” The most important part of the entire deception was that President Jason Murphy was in critical condition. The Vice President Madeline Concha was rushed to Air Force One from her speaking engagement. There, everyone...

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A Dog Named Nick

A Dog Named Nick “I want the male runt of the litter.” I told my youngest daughter that she put the collar on the puppy. We took the puppy from our home in Louisiana to our home in New York. Several days later, the oldest daughter called and asked if we had the other female. I picked up Nick and discovered that Nick was not Nick. She had already learned her name, so Nick she was. The veterinarian’s assistant looked at the dog’s name, then at the dog: “Are you aware this is a female?” That was the wrong question to ask me: “Yes, I know it is ...

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The Man in the Blue Scarf

The Man and the Blue ScarfSuzanne MarshHe slipped silently into the shadows, listening for the sounds of regular traffic. He fingered the blue silk scarf around his neck as he thought about his attempt at suicide with a shard of glass, cutting his own throat, to keep from being tortured. He was forced to sign a document that was false. When he cut his throat, he was sure death would come quickly; instead, a guard saw him hack at his throat, just as he was passing out, they took him to a nearby hospital. He was released from the hospital. He ...

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Time Goes so Slowly

Time Goes so Slowly“Get the men up, we have a long march today. According to orders from headquarters.” The voice of a lad not yet sixteen yelled: “Hey, Sergeant, where are we goin'?” Sergeant Norbert Reed turned to glare at Private Nehemiah Johnson. The sergeant replied: “Don’t know, boy, just get your gear and prepare to march. Private Johnson was not happy about the answer, but he knew he was treading on thin ice. He joined Mr. Lincoln’s army, lying about his age; he wasn’t sixteen, he was thirteen. He was a tall, heavy-set kid; that did ...

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The Long Way Home

The Long Way Home “I can’t go home now, my mom just passed away, and my dad is trying to adjust. He also has a lady friend. I can’t impose on him.” I was frantic, going through a divorce, attempting to get my life together. I called my dad several days later, cried, and told him most of the heartbreak I was feeling. I asked if I could come home. I had to have a place to begin again. Divorce is never easy; the lies and hate are the most difficult. I packed my things and drove home to Buffalo. The divorce was ugly; I lost everything, including...

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Grandpa was a Preacher

Grandpa was a Preacher“Give me that old time religion, give me that old time religion, give me that old time religion, it’s good enough for me.” “Friends,” Grandpa Willie began, “we gathered here to pray for deliverance from evil. The evil our fathers brought onto us through their sins!” His long gray beard, balding pate, jeans, shirt, and boots that was grandpa Willie Moultree, my grandpa, and a preacher to end all preachers. Grandpa Willie preached the word of God all over the Smoky Mountains. Sometimes I can still see in my mind; grandpa ...

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Times Change and so do People

Times change, and so do People“I want to be an airborne ranger, honey, honey. I want to be an airborne ranger, babe, babe. I want to be an airborne ranger, I want to kill the charlie cong honey oh baby mine. Go to your left, your right, your left. Go to you left your right, your left.” The platoon sergeant’s boisterous voice rang in Mark Christopher’s head. He knew without asking that he was going to Vietnam, away from his family and his girl, Michelle Markham. An entire year or more away from everyone he loved. He shook himself and concentr...

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