Chapter 5 (part 1)
Aaron stepped out of the office of his mill. Even though Harve had taken over the daily running, Aaron still did the books and once in a while would employ Joshua to work on them as well. Today, the sun was shining and there was no hint of the usual rainy weather. He looked out and saw that the work was going well. He saw Harve with Jonathan Bolt showing him how to fix the belt on the mill's saw. Jonathan was paying very close attention as he helped Harve replace the ruined belt.
"Harve," said Jonathan, "I have been reading up on the latest in equipment for sawmills and read that the Deloach steam powered saw is a great improvement in the equipment for a sawmill. Do you think that Mr. Stemple will purchase one?
Harve laughed. He laughed because he knew that Mr. Stemple was always ahead of everyone when it came to purchasing new equipment and training the men who worked in the sawmill about safety while working. He did not tolerate anyone who drank or came to work in such a disgraceful manner. He had a reputation of having the safest Mill in the Washington Territory.
"Jonathan, my boy," Harve said: "Aaron is way ahead of you. He uses some of his time in reading and purchasing the latest equipment as well as providing training on the new equipment. How long have you been working with us now?"
Jonathan looked at Harve and said: "About 6 months sir."
Harve nodded, "I think it is time for you to learn more about how a sawmill is run. Let me show you!" Harve walked toward the sawmill's equipment and Jonathan noticed the boiler, the engine, and all the other equipment that was there for the express purpose of running a mill.
"Harve," Aaron called: "Could you come up here and bring in Mr. Bolt as well."
They arrived in the office and Aaron was looking at some papers. "Well, Harve, how is our young apprentice doing?"
"He is learning a lot of sir. I was just going to show him how to work the boiler and get the engine started when you called us." Harve said firmly.
"That is good! Jonathan, how do you feel about working a sawmill? Do you think that you are ready to actually take on the duties?"
Jonathan looked at Mr. Stemple then at Harve and said: "Mr. Stemple, sir, I know that you are teaching me how to do this, in fact, I think it is good that I am learning the ropes, I can see where it will help me in the future when I am running the logging camp."
"Go on Jonathan," Aaron said.
"Well, I know with my father being ill, Joshua and Jeremy have had a rough time making sure that the loggers have the contracts met. I was just listening to Uncle Josh and I think that if they had an extra crew, we could get the logs cut in no time and then I could run over to help here at the sawmill" He looked at both men. And waited to hear what they thought.
Aaron and Harve looked at each other, then Harve asked: "Jonathan, do you understand that working both jobs may cause a health hazard?"
Aaron said: "Your father did not work both jobs, in fact, running the operation is a full-time job already. Who were you going to use for an extra crew, and have you discussed this with Joshua and Jeremy?"
Jonathan looked Aaron straight in the eye and said: "No, I have not! I was going to tell them the idea tonight at dinner. Dad will be able to be up so he can also vote yes or no!"
Aaron smiled, 'Ah, the Bolt brothers democratic process', He thought.
"Jonathan something you will need to learn is that sometimes decisions are made at the moment something happens. For instance, if you were topping a tree and realized that your equipment was not going to hold you or that you might fall with the tree, you would have to decide as to what you would do! It is nice to think that you have the time to ask, discuss and vote in your family but, Mr. J Bolt! This needs to be decided now, not tomorrow, not tonight!"
Aaron Stemple looked Jonathan and waited for his reply. If Jonathan said yes, to working for Aaron, he would have one extra worker, that would be able to help him get his products to the customers. If he didn't say yes, he would then be forced to wait on the Bolt's once again.
Staring at Johnathan, Aaron and Harve, waited expectantly. It was very quiet in the room while Jonathan thought things through. He wanted to say he would work for Mr. Stemple but yet, he knew that his family needed him. He was about to say yes when Jeremy came to the office.
"Oh, here you are Jonathan, your father is calling for you." Jeremy said as he walked in the door. "Oh, I am sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, what is going on here?"
Aaron looked at Jeremy and said: "I was waiting for Jonathan to give me an answer as to if he was going to continue on with me or go back to the logging camp. What is your answer Jonathan, I need to know now!"
Jeremy said: "Jonathan, would you step outside with me for a minute!"
Jonathan, was glad to do as his Uncle Jeremy asked. He did feel a bit nervous about the decision he would be making.
Aaron said: "I really need an answer right now, Mr. Bolt!" he looked straight at Johnathan so there would be no mistake as to who he was talking to.
"Mr. Stemple sir, I will be back, my Uncle needs to talk to me!" He said this anxiously and went out the door. Jeremy nodded to the men and went out as well.
Aaron was left speechless!
Jeremy asked Jonatan what was happening.
"Well, when we found out dad was hurt, I thought that if I helped Mr. Stemple and learned what they did at the sawmill, when we had contracts, I would be able to gage what we could and could not provide! After all, since dad is hurt, I should take over running the logging camp!"
Jeremy looked at him, he shook his head, this young boy, he had watched growing up was trying to fill some pretty big shoes. Well, he had raised Christopher, and Jake and had to teach them a thing or two as well.
"Jonathan, for one thing, there is no reason for you to run to Stemple just because your father is ill! For another, whose idea was it to have you work at the mill? I don't t-t-think Jason would have approved, certainly not Josh or I…."
"Jeremy, I was trying to help, I did not run to Stemple but I thought what he said made sense!"
Jeremy looked at Jonathan and said: "I don't feel right in letting you make this decision to work for Stemple until we have talked it over as a family, you, me, your dad and Josh. I think you should wait, Stemple may just be 'railroading' you into a decision that you may…what are you looking like that for?"
Jeremy had stopped, it had been a long time since Jonathan had a serious look on his face. That was when he was ten and had disappeared for a few days.
Jonathan looked at Jeremy and realized that he was the same height if not a bit taller than his uncle, also, he was just as strong as him too!
"Jeremy, am I or am I not 21 years old!"
Jeremy looked at Jonathan and said: "yes, you are, but…."
"Then I am old enough to make decisions for myself?"
"But Johnathan, your decision not only affects you but also the family and the whole town of Seattle!"
"Yes, I know that Uncle Jeremy! I know that very well!" He then went into the office and a few minutes later came out.
Jeremy stood there at the door and was about to go in to stop him when he came out of the office with a smile on his face. Jeremy was surprised and with a questioning look on his face asked Jonathan what his decision was:
Jonathan said: "We will talk about it at dinner tonight!" and left Jeremy standing there not sure what to say or do.