Wellington's Quest - Robert F. Clifton (beach books .TXT) 📗

by the flames, the red, yellow and orange blaze seemed to suck memories out of his brain. Memories, some good, some bad. Good was loving her. Bad was loosing her. Good, was the friendship of Abner Dooley. Bad was loosing him. Deep in thought he heard the chanting voice of Left Handed Woman. He saw again the yellow clay that One Horn used to paint his face. One Horn was replaced in his reverie by Sandy Cahill, a man who truly believed that the Indian was in the way of progress and had to go, one way or another. Unfortunately, there were a lot of Sandy Ca hill’s in America.

The sound of someone calling his name brought him out of his daydreaming. “Jim, Jim, time for supper.” Called Ethel Bush.

“Be right there,” Jim answered.

“It's roast beef, mashed potatoes, carrots and apple pie. Hot damn”, said Ed as Jim took a seat at the table”.

“Watch that filthy mouth of yours”, said Harriet Aikens.

Four months went by. Jim spent most of his time riding the countryside looking at various farms, just as he use to do before he left with Sibley's command. To him, it was boring work. Most of the houses and outbuildings had been destroyed and the fields were covered with ice and snow. Occasionally, there was a thaw. Still, the work did not hold his interest.

Shortly after the first of April, 1865 Sidney Tozer deposited three thousand, one hundred dollars in Jim's account. “As my lawyer, how much is your fee?”, asked Jim.

“As your lawyer, twenty five dollars. As your friend, nothing”, said Sidney.

“You're sure now?”

“Yes, however, as both your lawyer and your friend I want to give you some advice”.

“And, that would be?”

“Follow Milford's suggestion. Invest in his corporation.”

“Why? You and I both know that I'm no businessman “.

“Why? I'll tell you why. First of all it will take your mind off of Virginia and how unlucky you are for loosing the one you loved. Do you actually think that you are the only one on God's green earth that has lost a loved one? How about the mothers, wives, children and yes sweethearts, north and south who have lost those fighting in this war? People have lost sons, fathers, brothers and husbands. So, you see Jim, you are not the only one who has a loss. And, another thing. Get out of this town. Go up to St. Paul. There are too many things here that make you remember the past. Every time the church bells ring, you think of her. You're a good farmer. You can be a good businessman. Milford will teach you. Finally, you can become wealthy. Think what you can do for the Dakota, the children and elderly of the Dakota. Hell Jim, the way I see it if you don't take Milford's offer, you are one selfish, son of a bitch”, said Tozer.

Jim laughed. “Are the riverboats running?”, he asked.

“I think one is due in on Friday”, Tozer answered.

“Good, wire Milford and ask him to meet me at the dock in St. Paul”.

 

 

 

Chapter Fifteen

Hardscrabble

 

When the riverboat pulled up to the dock at St. Paul a military band was playing patriotic songs. From the rail of the upper deck Jim saw Milford Wilcox waiting on the pier.

Jim joined the other passengers as they walked down the short gangway leading to the wharf. On the dock he put down his carpetbag and shook hands with Milford. “What's all the excitement about and why a band?”, asked Jim.

“It's the war. Word reached us about three hours ago. Lee has surrendered. The war is over. The war is over Jim,” Wilcox announced.

“Thank God for that”, Jim replied.

“Come my friend. We'll go first to the house. There, you will freshen up. Then, we'll lunch. I think that you will your accommodations much better than those at Mankato.”

“Thank you Milford, however, after lunch I think I'd want to put up at a boarding house.”

“Why, may I ask?”

“No offense, but I'm a simple man Milford. I'm not use to butlers, maids, fancy things like oysters and caviar. All I need is a boarding house where I get a room and meals. That's all I need. At the same time I pay the rent. Besides, how would it look when the other board members realize that I'm living in your house?”

“Hmm. I must admit that I never thought of that. Good thinking Jim. Good thinking”.

Two days later Milford Wilcox called for a meeting of the board. “Gentlemen, at this time I introduce to you James Wellington. A recent investor in our corporation. As chairman I nominate Mister Wellington for election to the board. And, before we go any further let me say this. I want him on this board. Are there any questions?”, asked Wilcox.

Harry Stevens raised his hand. “I have a question Milford. How many shares does Mister Wellington own?”

“Unless you are willing to open your own portfolio I find your question out of order Harry”, said Wilcox.

“Not so. The members of the board have a right to know the amount of shares the nominee has before he is elected and given the right to vote on any and all decisions that comes before this board,” said George Baxter.

Jim got up slowly from his chair. “Let me answer the question. I am in possession of three thousand shares of this corporations stock”, said Jim.

“Excellent, excellent, that's all I wanted to know. Thank you”, said Stevens.

“I would like to know your business background sir”, said Baxter,

“Mister Wellington is versatile to say the least. He comes to us as an explorer. As one who fought in the Minnesota-Sioux Wars he is familiar with the land on and near the Missouri River. A place that will soon be settled by white emigrants now that the war is over. Possibly, this is a place for future investments. Who better to tell us of the conditions there than one who fought and lived there? Next, Mister Wellington is an expert on the farmland in Blue-Earth and Nicole Counties, farmland that as you know we have considered acquiring for sometime. At the same time he speaks the Dakota language and beyond that understands the Dakota culture, something to keep in mind in our future operations in the west. Now, I think that Mister Wellington through both his experience and his investment qualifies him for membership to this board. Besides, I want him. I suggest we take a vote. Any objections? Fine, Mister Wellington, welcome to the board.

The next order of business is that I will have a dinner party and ball to celebrate the end of that awful war. I will host it this Saturday night. Casual dress gentlemen. That way your wives won't need to buy a new dress. George, since you are a widower might I ask if your daughter, Doreen will be accompanying you?”, asked Milford.

“If she is free”, Baxter answered.

“See that she is” Wilcox responded.

That Saturday evening dinner was served at eight o'clock P.M. Wilcox sat at one end of the long table. Jim as a special guest sat at the other. He had been introduced to the members of the board of directors only this time he met their wives. When he came in contact with Doreen Baxter, she offered her hand for Jim to kiss. When she did he looked deep into her eyes then reached up and took her fingers in his hand and gave her a weak handshake. He smiled at her when he noticed the bothered look on her face.

During dinner the men talked business with Wilcox. As they did Jim sat quietly deep in thought sipping from a glass of champagne. His thought ans the conversations of the others was interrupted by Doreen Baxter. “So tell me Mister Wellington, were you in the war?”, she asked.

“No, I wasn't”, Jim answered.

“How strange. You certainly are young enough. I have been told that nine year old boys served in the regiments. And, you, a strong young man from Minnesota didn't join the fight to preserve the Union”, she added.

“Nope”, he answered.

“Nope? Is that all you can say?”, she asked.

“Oh, I could say more, much more, but I'm too much of a gentleman

“And, I say sir, that enough is enough. May I remind you that my daughter is a lady and will treated as such”, said George Baxter.

“Shut up George. Let the two of them banter back and forth. I'm enjoying this,” said Wilcox.

Now, allowed to continue Doreen said, “Perhaps Mister Wellington you were, let's say troubled about joining the cause?”

“If you are asking if I was afraid to go to war, the answer is no”, Jim replied.

“Well, lucky for you the war is over. We are at peace now”, said Doreen.

“The late war is over. Now, a new one will begin”, said Jim.

“And just who will we fight I ask. We have already defeated Mexico. England was mart enough to stay out of the last struggle. It must be that the next fight is with Canada. That's the only one left”, said a laughing Donald Fisk.

“It won't be Canada. It will be with the Plains Indians, the Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, all united against the government and its army, Jim explained.

“Sir, right now at this very minute the United States has the largest army in the world. Do you mean to sit there and tell us that a few tribes of savages can do what General Robert E. Lee could not do?”, asked George Baxter.

“That's exactly what I'm telling you. The largest army in the present day world will be downsized. Those commands that are left have never fought the Indian. Those few forts that exist and the new forts that will be built will contain only portions of regiments which means they will lack strength in combat. At the same time the army will be out numbered and out gunned. The tribes have much better weapons then they did years ago. Many have repeating rifles. Some they took off of the dead bodies of wagon train emigrants. Most were bought in trade with white traders who don't give a tinkers damn how the Indian uses the guns. Remember, we here in Minnesota fought against the Sioux. Some say that we punished them. I'm telling you that what we did was force them to unite with their allies. As I see it, the Indian will defeat the United States Army time after time, until the army develops a new strategy in combating the tribes.”

“Well, since you seem to know all the answers perhaps you can tell us just how we can prevent this war, or any war?”,asked Doreen.

“Certainly, it's easy. Simply treat the Indian with respect and honor.

Instead of stealing his land allow him to keep it then work in the same way you deal with whites when it comes to real estate. Either rent his land or buy it. When treaties are made honor that contract instead of changing the wording or definitions of words. That takes advantage of his lack of knowledge of the English language, legal terms and law. Instead of insisting that the Indian change his culture make a point to understand it. Right now, it is inherit that young men seek recognition in their tribes by performing great deeds either in hunting or battle. Allow their young men to achieve recognition in other fields, such as, education, medicine, business or politics. Most important is the need to keep those institutions that deal with the Indian corruption free. As for other wars simply stop the greed of big business and government”.

“Ladies and Gentlemen the orchestra is anxious to play for your pleasure. A buffet of light refreshments has been set up in the ballroom. Please enjoy”, said Wilcox changing the mood.

Jim was the last to leave the table. Milford Wilcox deliberately waited for him. “It seems to me the Doreen got under your skin my friend”, he said.

“Just a young woman wanting an audience by displaying her independence in a businessman’s world.