Woodcutter's Revival (11 page)

Chapter Ten

C
hristmas Eve came to Discovery. The winter was fairly mild, for winter in the mountains. There was about a foot of snow on the ground in places where it accumulated without being cleared. Some of the newly fallen snow hid the coal soot and airborne wood ash that rolled from the home chimneys and the smelter.

The miners were in good spirits as they reported for work. They knew they would only work a half day today and not very hard at that. They also knew this would be the one night Edward Thomas would feed them and not charge any of his silver tokens.

At noon, Raymond pulled the long blast on the whistle to indicate the end of the work day rather than the shorter noon whistle he normally blew. It seemed to him as if most of the men cleared the mine before the end of the whistle blast. As the miners passed, tugging on their coats and hats, Raymond said, “Merry Christmas, see you at the dinner tonight.”

Several answered with variations to the same theme, “You better believe we'll be there.”

Raymond arrived at the Silver Horseshoe, which was closed early; to help move tables around so there would be room for the party. They also kept a little space open so couples could dance after dinner to the music of the local musicians. This was the only night of the year most of them were able to celebrate collectively.

They could usually not afford to hang around the saloon or were simply too tired from work. Most of the family men could not justify visiting the saloon even if they did not imbibe. Tonight, the Silver Horseshoe was not a saloon. It was a place of celebration for families and friends.

As the guests started to arrive, most brought something they could share, a pie, a plate of cookies, or maybe some nut bread. Mr. Thomas had informed them he would provide the meat and vegetables. He also offered free alcohol, but encouraged the miners to only drink in moderation. A couple of men who liked to show off their hunting skills brought fresh game they shot that afternoon.

The atmosphere was quite congenial during the dinner. After everyone had time to eat, get seconds and visit the dessert table, Victoria signaled Raymond to announce the presentation portion of the party. During this segment, Mr. Thomas gave his remarks, congratulated people, gave the Christmas bonus tokens and received his present from all the workers. He always managed to act surprised as the gift was given and words of exaltation were bestowed upon him. In several of the private conversations around the room, more remarks were exchanged:

“I don't know why he acts so surprised, the contributions for the gift are mandatory.”

“Yeah, and besides we buy it from his store. He actually makes a profit from the sale.”

Out of hearing distance from the previous conversation someone said, “It's getting very difficult to think of something to buy.”

“I know, he already has everything.”

Mr. Thomas was thinking something else. His thoughts were, “I really don't need this stuff, but I am so glad they show their true respect. They must really think I am a great leader and provider.”

As the evening wore down, families with young children began filtering out so they could get home and put the young ones to bed. Some of the couples, with no children or with children old enough to take care of themselves, stayed to dance. Raymond found himself dancing almost every dance with Victoria. They could tell most of the eyes in the room were glued to them - especially the eyes of Mr. Thomas.

Some more conversations could be heard in various places around the room:

“I think something's beginning to develop there, don't you?”

“I think it's quite obvious.”

“I wonder how long it'll take Victoria to break that young colt.”

“She already has. I wonder how long it'll take Mr. T. to break him.”

Finally, only one couple remained besides Raymond and Victoria. “It's getting late. May I see you home?”

“I'd be delighted. I didn't even notice Father leaving.”

On the way to the Thomas house, Raymond noticed Victoria had a glove only on one hand - the hand further from him. He gently reached for her bare hand and said, “This might get cold.”

“I think it'll be protected.”

“Victoria, there's something I want to tell you, but I don't want to tell your dad.”

“I guess, but I don't know why you wouldn‘t want me to tell him. I tell him everything.”

“This pertains to work. I'm afraid he might misconstrue my thoughts. I really don't know if I'm cut out for what I'm doing.”

“Oh, it's natural to have doubts about your new job. My father will go a long way letting a person learn the job, if you confide in him and he feels you're totally committed to the mines and to… him,” she responded in an attempt to encourage him.

By this time, they were standing in front of the door, and paused a moment to finish the conversation. I mean I am not sure I will be happy doing this forever.”

“If you stick with it, you have a chance to become very wealthy.”

“I know, but I don't know if I'll be happy.”

“Oh Raymond, you just lack direction. You don't know what you want out of life,” Victoria replied, beginning to demonstrate a certain level of exasperation.

“I know what I want, but money isn't part of it.”

“Raymond, you have to set your sights upon professional accomplishments too. Money isn't everything, but it can sure release you from some of the burdens of life to enjoy the things you like.”

“Victoria, your dad knows exactly what he wants and would do anything to achieve it. I just don't know if it's worth it.”

“Raymond, I'm not sure I know exactly what you mean, but please take my advice and never speak ill of my father.”

The sharp rebuke stung Raymond like a slap across the cold cheek. He told Victoria, “Good night,” and was on his way. He had hoped this would be the night he gave her his first kiss, but was not as sure as he had previously been regarding where he stood with her.

The two interlopers did not realize the latter part of their conversation was overheard by Mr. Thomas. He waited up and could overhear Raymond's concerns very clearly from his seat between the door and the window. He thought, “Good going, Victoria, thank you for the defense.”

He also thought, “As long as Raymond confronts my daughter instead of me, I have him right where I want him. If he has no dreams, I'll give him mine.”

“Um, uhg, Is that you Victoria? I must have fallen asleep while I was waiting for you.”

Raymond had unwittingly become a greater challenge for Mr. Thomas. He was not calculating, but the amount of reluctance he demonstrated, became a goal for Mr. Thomas to overcome. After all, what could this young man know about leadership that he could not himself demonstrate?

Raymond was invited to the Thomas' for Christmas dinner. As he was getting ready to go, he could think of no other place where he would rather spend Christmas, or any other day for that matter. In spite of Mr. Thomas' ominous presence, Raymond enjoyed time there very much.

He spent most of his morning eating breakfast at the inn and sitting in the dining room reading and drinking coffee. He noticed that Sarah was serving in fancier cups than usual. She also poured the coffee from a pot that had a matching bear design on it. She kept them on the wood stove that was used to heat the dining room and keep food warm between servings.

All the flatware and serving dishes were nicer today than the usual daily wear. They were still in no way as nice as the everyday items found in the Thomas alcove. Raymond wondered if Sarah had to request the holiday ware, although Mr. Thomas did seem more sentimental than usual during the holiday season.

Raymond did not want to be alone for any part of the day. He thought about home and the family. He wondered what they would have for dinner, what his sister had received for a gift, what Mom and Dad bought or made for each other.

He returned, in his mind, to his favorite subject of thought. Victoria could cook like no other woman he had ever met. Sure Mom was a great cook, but being on the farm, she was more of a meat and potatoes cook. The food prepared by Victoria was the best one could obtain in the winter. Mom had canned all vegetables the previous summer for their winter provisions. Whether they were in the mountains or on the family farm, he knew the food up here cost a lot, but it was sure worth it. He tried to estimate how much it cost to ship canned vegetables and fresh or processed fruit by rail to this remote area.

Of course, the taste and aroma of the food was secondary to Victoria's company. He thought how his affection seemed to be reciprocated. Then, he wondered if the sharp rebuke from the previous night might overshadow the day. After all, he trusted her and had no basis from which to form an opinion since he had never been in a situation like this before. He wondered if anybody else had felt this certain and confused at the same time before.

Raymond figured the food and spending time with Victoria was worth putting up with Mr. Thomas. He always stressed his point in conversation and had a need to be right, even if the point was hardly worth arguing. An example was the previous Sunday when Raymond had casually mentioned something about Lincoln being born in Kentucky. Mr. Thomas began to argue a little combatively, as if sparring for sport. Raymond said, “With all due respect, I believe we could look it up.”

Mr. Thomas had become irritable. Raymond, with stern glances from Victoria, as tactfully as possible, changed the subject. Mr. Thomas later interjected into the conversation of Raymond's confusion about the states. At first, Raymond thought it a trifle and shook it off. Later, he seemed troubled by the vindictiveness and the need to be right exhibited by Mr. Thomas.

No matter, this was Christmas day and Raymond was spending it with Victoria. He finished his coffee, went back upstairs, put his book away, splashed some water on his face and took a last look in the mirror. He strolled over to the house, whistling.

They had a wonderful dinner, as usual. After dinner, they exchanged gifts. Mr. Thomas seemed more preoccupied than usual and shortly excused himself. “Where does he go when he leaves?”

“One time I asked him. He reminded me his job was to watch over me and we should not get the roles reversed. I've heard he goes to the saloon to play cards with some people visiting town.”

“Who would be visiting on Christmas Day?”

“I don't know,” she said abruptly.

Raymond remembered back to meeting Mr. Conner on the train, but he did not want to mention to Victoria they had met. Raymond knew better than to dig too deeply into the topic, so he changed the subject. “You're so different than any of the town people. In fact, I have never met anybody like you. Where did you get your fascination for books?”

“I lived with my Aunt Whitney for a time. My mom died after she came to Discovery. Father built a big new house for her, but the flu came through and she did not make it through the winter. He kept me in private school and thought I would be in better care if I stayed with Mom's sister, at least for a while. When I left on the train, he never thought it would be four years.

“Before he came here, he and my Uncle Michael tried everything, but could not keep the farm. Father decided to stake a claim and prospect. Amazingly, he struck it rich, unlike so many others who failed and returned home, broke. He was only making enough to support one person, at first.

He sent for Michael and they agreed to be partners. Michael built the smelter and they began to prosper. He started to get the town established and sent for Mom and me when the railroad finished its spur line into Discovery. Michael was gone to war for a short time. During that time my mother died, and I was sent off to Aunt Whitney's.

“Whenever I would object about his working the others too hard, taking short cuts on safety, or using placer mining after it had been banned, he would say, ‘Oh, she got her liberal views from her crazy aunt and her big city education.'