| Subject: The New World - Part #66 |
Author:
Wanda
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Date Posted: 21:05:04 07/13/03 Sun
PART #66
Bow called for Manobo, and the men unloaded the office furniture from the carriage. Catherine had been cleaning out a downstairs room while they were gone, in which to set up the office. This room was across the hall from Joshua’s old office. She thought she might also have Marguerite work on the plantation books when she became more familiar with bookkeeping principles. The men brought in the desk, file cabinet, and the chair. After that, they dragged the safe into the room, and placed it in the back corner. When the furniture had been arranged where Catherine and Marguerite wanted it, Marguerite asked, “Bow, would you please see to it that I have a gun in here?”
Bow seemed a little surprised at the request from Marguerite, but went along with it, for he realized she had been through a lot recently. He answered, “Sure, Marguerite, you can keep one of the Spencer repeating rifles in here. I will fix a place where it will be out of sight, and you won’t have to worry about Jean Baptiste getting to it.”
That evening when everyone had gone to bed, Bow decided it would be best to talk to Catherine about George. He told her he had spoken to George about not trying to pursue a relationship with Marguerite at this point. Catherine smiled; and Bow said, “Why the smile?” She said, “Because, my dear husband, their case seems somewhat similar to us. I was a recent widow; that didn’t stop you from looking or pursuing a relationship, did it?” Bow said, “Catherine that was different.” “How is that different my husband?” she asked. He said with a sly look, “I loved you from the first day I saw you seated on that upside down punch bowl.” Catherine snorted, “Oh sure, there I was sea sick, and had been for three days. You’re going to tell me I looked so fantastic you immediately fell in love with me?” Bow was sitting on the edge of the bed twirling his mustache, and grinning from ear to ear. “That’s my story,” he said.
He also told her more fully about the incident at the saw mill, and how he did not feel George would be the one to manage the saw mill. He was different from the people of the area, and the timber workers would make his life really difficult. He was afraid it would not be a good mix.
Catherine listened for awhile, then she said, “Bow, you know the people around here a whole lot better then I do. We need the income from the saw mill; if you definitely feel it would not be wise to have George consider that position, then do what you feel is best. That would also take the pressure off George, and he can take his time getting acquainted here. Perhaps he will be interested in doing something else, or it may come to the point he will welcome returning to England to the silver business. I know he is unhappy there with the work situation. My father and uncle are trying to hold onto the old ways. George tells me the processing equipment for the silver needs to be updated. At least that is what he feels should be done. He is running into two older men who are saying, “Let’s do things the way we have always done things.” He is frustrated; so he does have to make a decision regarding his own future.”
Bow said, “Catherine we have silver mines here in this country; perhaps George would want to start up a business here in the Americas of producing silver products. Catherine’s eyes lighted up as she remarked, “Bow, I think that sounds like a fantastic idea. I will speak to George about it.” Bow could see his lovely wife wanted George to remain in the Americas. He hoped he hadn’t spoken unwisely. Bow was not sure he was a loyal fan of George’s. But he knew George was part of Catherine’s family, and family was very important to Catherine.
The next day Bow went to visit Marguerite’s father, and asked him about assuming the position of manager at the saw mill. Bow knocked on the door of the Robichaud home; and a dark haired, older woman answered the door. Bow said, “I was wondering if Mr. Robichaud is at home, and if I might talk to him.” The woman yelled out, “Reuben, there’s someone here to see you.” Soon a large, burly man appeared and said, “I’m Robichaud, what can I do for you?” Bow introduced himself and stated the reason for his visit. He asked Mr. Robichaud if he would consider working as the manager of the Sallier saw mill. He told him Mr. Sallier was now dead, and the saw mill was presently owned by Bowregard LaFaye and his wife, Catherine. He also explained that Marguerite was now living at the plantation, and would be helping with the book work.
Reuben told Bow he felt he was getting a little old for that type of work. He had more or less retired. His wife looked over at him from her sewing, and said, “Tell Mr. Bow how happy you are now that you are retired.” Reuben rolled his eyes, and said, “To tell you the truth, I hate being retired.” Bow asked, “Would you consider doing this to get us up and running? If you find after a while you don’t want to continue, maybe we could find another man to assume the position. We really need to get the saw mill running again.”
Bow also told him he was looking for some good men to work at the saw mill. He asked Reuben if he knew three or four good men, and he said, “The best I know are my sons. Of course you would have to see if they are willing to leave the jobs they now have.” “What would it take to persuade them?” asked Bow. Reuben said, “It would take someone convincing them they would be treated fairly. They have put up with some pretty shabby treatment where they now work.” Bow asked, “If you were the manager, would that convince them?” Mrs. Robichaud said, “Reuben, take the job, if not for your sake, then for the boys. You know they need to get out of the place they are working.” After some more thought, Reuben said, “I will contact the boys. When do you want to get started?
To be continued...
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