4 Chapter 4: Strong Body Strong Mind

Another two years and it soon was 1760, with the new decade upon him John sat under a tall oak as the summer sun passed high over the golden fields in front of him. Taking a deep breath in the clean air filled his lungs, a sensation he always valued after the memories of his rebirth. 'Just thinking about it gives me chills.'

Taking another breath John begins to talk aloud to himself. "Now is the time I can start taking a bit more control in my life." This decision was not made easily, as he truly likes his carefree life playing with his best friend Eli as well as his mother and grandfather. But he finally reached an age where could think rationally and plan long-term. Sure most people believed he was extremely smart, but most if not all of that was his previous life memories not any he made during this life.

Taking out his notebook, as he made it a habit to always have one on him at all times. Looking at the cover he saw the big number three written on the cover. Flipping through the pages he sees previous drawings, pressed plants, and little pieces of occasional writing. Finding the first empty page he pulls out a pencil, a little invention he made around a year ago.

Twiddling the pencil in his hand, "I should show this to Grandpa, We could probably sell these for a lot of money." For a little while longer his mind is consumed by thoughts of selling these and making a small fortune.

Reaching into his small bag he grips his small hunting knife his grandfather bought him for his 7th birthday, much to the chagrin of his mother. It is a small blade with the letters JC carved into the polished hickory handle.

Using it to sharpen the pencil a bit before putting it away he begins to write a small list in the pages.

Step one, get strong, 'I am now old enough that exercise won't hurt my body permanently so if I want to live a good life I need to be physically healthy.' Step two, get smart, 'While I have read a lot I never really read for education only for entertainment. Maybe I can get Grandpa to get me a tutor." Step three, get skilled, 'There are many skills that I should learn that aren't just numbers, I should learn to sword fight, shoot, swim, and a few others that I may need.' Step four, get richer, 'While Grandpa is rich beyond belief I need to get richer to complete these goals. I want indoor plumbing and heating.'

Looking at the list for a bit while longer John earmarked the page and stands up. Walking toward the house he passes through the familiar pastures that make up his grandpa's farm. Reaching the house he looks up at it.

Even after the years he lived there, there is still a feeling of awe when looking at the building. The tall whitewashed building sat on a foundation of limestone and rose two stories high with a square shape to allow for a small interior courtyard leading to the house to have a small Romanesque feeling. Looking to the right he saw the servant's quarters. With his family being descended from Quakers they held strong anti-slavery beliefs leading his grandfather to construct rather nice wooden and brick houses for all the live-in servants who helped in the main house as well as their families.

Walking into his house he took a left and found himself in the familiar location that was his grandfather's office and study. The room was perpetually in a state of disarray as books and papers were put in odd places, but as his grandpa put it, "I put it there so I will always know where it is," and surprisingly he did.

Seeing him at the desk John sauntered up avoiding the piles of papers and stood in front of his grandpa for a few seconds.

With a quick ahem that catches his attention, William looks up and gets a large smile across his face. A face that seemed determined to not age past 40 and retain his youthful look even if some of his hair had started to turn white.

"John, my boy, what have you come here for? I am quite busy but I can always spare a few more minutes for you."

Taking a deep breath before he talked, "Grandpa I was wondering i you could get me a few tutors in some subjects and skills."

John knew that he wouldn't say no to anything from his grandson, but he still felt guilty. "Of course, I can, what subjects do you want to learn, I can call an old friend of mine from the College of Philadelphia who occasionally tutors."

"Thanks, Grandpa, but I was also wondering if I could get a tutor in some non-school subjects, like sword fighting, and marksmanship."

Leaning back in his chair William got a thoughtful expression on his face and he seemed to be in deep thought for a second.

"Well, I can give you shooting lesions, Your mother made me promise to wait till you were ten to do that, but there is an old buddy of mine who may or may not have spent time in the Caribbean partaking in only partially legal maritime jobs."

With this Johns's face lit up like a chandelier, "I get to learn sword fighting from a pirate, that is amazing."

His grandpa chuckled, "Yes that is quite fascinating, just never refer to him as a pirate, in his mind, he was an honorable privateer, not a roving marauder."

"Okay, Grandpa but I have one more question." Saying this William leans in a bit close. "Could Eli also learn with me, I think it would be nice to have someone to learn alongside with."

His grandpa chuckles and shakes his head, "That shouldn't be a problem, but you would have to get his mother to agree. God knows that woman is strong-willed. Come now, let's ask her."

"But don't you have work to do?" Eli asked looking confused.

"Eh" was all the response he got from his grandfather.

Following him for a little bit John found himself in the house's kitchen annex. The kitchen while being rather large did not have a large staff. Being a frugal and practical man William Carpenter did not employ a specialized chef, he simply tasked the maids to do the cooking. The current kitchen smelled like roasting meat and vegetables, a favorite of Williams.

"SUSAN" William called out in a commanding tone into the kitchen looking around.

Quickly hurting over was a woman with long black hair tied neatly behind her neck, pale rosy cheeks with the very same hazelnut eyes that Eli had.

"Yes, sir. You need to speak to me." She said in a confident tone that still granted respect to him.

"Well, my son is going to get a tutor for some subjects. And seeing how your boy is friends with him we wanted to bring him along to learn as well."

Hearing this the almost stoic face she was wearing becomes one of joy as she exclaims, "Oh that would be wonderful, Of course, Eli will join the young sir in his classes and studies."

"Splendid Susan, I'll tell you when lessons will first begin."

Saying goodbye to Grandpa John goes to his room on the second floor and sits at his desk. Pulling out the notebook he grabs the nearby quill on his desk and flips to the earlier earmarked page.

"Well, I'm going to get an education now, but I need to get physically stronger."

Flipping to the next page he sets out a simple training regimen, while he is fit for his age he plans out daily cardio, core, and muscle training. By the time he finished his planning, it was time for bed so he puts out the candles, climbs under the blanket, and finally drifts into sleep.