Chapter Fifteen 15/15 Conclusion to Part II. Part III will begin in a week or so.
Robert Danforth sipped on his Kentucky bourbon and smoked his expensive, imported cigars.
He read over the newspapers sent by messenger from Stockton. He tipped the boy well, knowing the content.
"What say, you now, Jarrod Barkley? What say you now? There is no untrue word, slander, libel, or lie in the story."
"Beauty, like supreme dominion Is but supported by opinion. According to old Ben Franklin. Ha!"
He read the story over and over again. A lawyer had assured him that "Barkley would have no case in the courts, just the court of public opinion."
Danforth frowned for a moment, "I wonder why Catherine the old great wasn't mentioned. I sent the society columns. Maybe the lawyer had second thoughts? Hmmm."
"According to the note, the second story will hit the press dealing with his unscrupulous client, Darby the bigamist, the grafter and the gambler. Let's sink this ship soon."
—-&—-
The buggies drove through the long wheat fields to a rambling farmhouse. The walk to the house was a pleasant one with rambling roses and a picket fence. The large wraparound porch was freshly painted with potted geraniums. Several children's balls were littered around the yard and porch. A well-loved home—
Matthias and his children greeted them at the door. Lissie immediately squealed as Rosie came in her cloak and matching hat, another gift from Audra. Finn's son took their hats and coats to hang up.
The Barkleys and Darbys saw a woman on the glassed-in sun porch in a wheelchair, blankly staring out the window. A serving girl was sitting at her side reading to her.
Finn introduced his sons again and led them into the parlor, "And this is who you have come to see, Mrs. Elisabeth Finn, my grandmother—-and your great Aunt,
Tessa and Zella turned the corner. A tiny woman with solid white hair and large green eyes stood up with a cane, "My nunnas. My sister's pride and joys—-my familj! You girls are the spitting image of us."
The sisters were speechless looking at their own grandmother's face in her sister–their great aunt.
"And to think my own blood nieces saved my Lissie! Ingrid is still looking after me all these years."
A very relaxed and happy Matthias was smiling at his grandmother, "And here are your nieces. Zella and Tessa."
"I can die happy."
"Let's not go that far, Nana. We need you."
She grinned looking at each of her new guests and muttering to herself.
"I am so thankful Matthias thought to lend you Maggie's house. She was the mayor's heir and Matthias will sell it. We don't need it. Especially bought by ill-gotten gain."
Rosemary came into the room holding Lissie's hand.
The older lady gasped, "You must be my Rosemary. Matthias and Lissie have been filling my ears with stories of a faerie child who enchants everyone."
"That's the best description of our girl I have heard. I am Jarrod Barkley, Mrs. Finn."
"Pleased to have your acquaintance and your brothers?"
Nick and Heath greeted her; Jack came up from behind, "Jack Darby at your service. I am Zellas's husband."
Her blue hands clasped his, "So many strong brothers, you have Mr. Barkley Twins marrying brothers? What a gift."
Nana clasped Victoria's hands, "What a beautiful family you have—-so many strong, handsome sons. Matthias says you only had one daughter. I did too. Oh my, I see the resemblance in all of them of you—" as she stared at the family.
Jarrod and Jack just shook their heads, "It wasn't worth the explanation."
The family continued to share introductions and stories. Zella and Tessa sat on each side of Nana while Lissie and Rosemary played at her feet with the horses. Nana would look from girl to girl and run her hands through their red hair. Rosemary's was auburn but the thick curls were the same. Tears filled her eyes as her nieces spoke of her sister.
Jack and Jarrod were enjoying the scene.
A "Boy Howdy" was heard in a lull. They all turned to Nick and Heath. They were looking at an oil painting in an alcove above the buffet.
"I can't get over this," Nick said a bit too loudly.
Nana shivered, "That is my Pieter on our wedding day. He gave me his mother's tiara on our wedding day. It was from the old country. I don't dwell on those days. My family did what they thought was best for me. They loved me, I know. Pieter was fond of drink and cards. Your grandmother tried to dissuade me but when you are sixteen you know everything about life! Pah! But I would do it again to have Matthias and his family and my Elisabeths," she cut her eyes at her grandson, "Both of them."
"I can't believe I wore the tiara on my wedding day."
"God's will, I say."
He nodded, "I must check on Maggie." and he excused himself to the sunroom.
Jarrod's eyes followed him to the room. He watched Matthias. The serving girl left and he put his hand on his wife's shoulder. She did not respond as far as he could tell from the other room.
Victoria walked to the portrait, "Elisabeth, you are the spitting image of her twin granddaughters."
"Yes. The Rhys line is strong. Welsh and strong."
Zella asked, "Welsh? I thought we were German?"
Nana laughed," That was the Knights; Ingrid went along with it. They didn't like the Welsh miners that came through. "
"I won't mince words at my age. Too much water has passed under these bridges not to be clear. Pieter did love me in his way; just like Matthias's father did my daughter. Matthias has spent his life thinking he has to make up to me and Maggie what we lost. He never accepts he is a better man than all of them combined."
Jarrod put his hand on the frail woman's arm, "We see that clearly."
"Thank you, Mr. Barkley. You boys better all settle out this mayor's race in the study. I will not stand for a family tearing each other up over a ballot box."
Victoria laughed, "Amen, Elisabeth."
The serving girl brought them lemonade and cookies. When Nana wasn't looking, Jack put a drop of vodka in his and Jarrod's from a small silver flask.
Jarrod tasted his and raised his eyebrow at Jack.
Jack grinned back, "No smell— for emergencies and uh, negotiations. For the meeting after lunch."
"Who is the client here?" Jarrod smirked, "But thank you. I was wishing I had a drink too.
"What do you think Matt has on his plate? The last two days have been nothing but a surprise."
"I admit, Jack. My curiosity is set upon fiercely."
"Lunch is served."
Nick took Nana's arm, "My favorite words aside from breakfast and supper."
"You are a growing boy." she laughed.
He gave her a Nick smile and a kiss on the cheek, "Now that we are family and all."
—-&—
After a large lunch, the ladies retired to the sunroom. Tessa and Zella introduced themselves to Maggie Finn. She tried to turn her head and blinked at them sideways.
"Mama likes you! That's what two blinks mean," Lissie announced.
At her daughter's voice, she moved her left hand to her chest.
Elisabeth smiled, "Good Maggie. Keep trying. We know you are there."
Victoria shared a look with Tess and Zella. She didn't share that hopeful opinion.
Elisabeth entertained the ladies for several more hours of stories about growing up with her sister in Knight's Ferry. Tessa and Zella shared their own. The conversation was delightful until Tessa told how Rosemary had learned to write PAP in the cabin.
Her great-aunt looked a little startled, "if you don't mind me asking, were you a widow?"
All three ladies shared an uncomfortable silence.
"No Aunt, Jarrod is my first husband—-and only."
"Oh. I read the article in the newspaper and was confused. Oh dear, oh my. I shan't bring it up again. These things happen. I know. Blazes—-I eloped. Oh, forgive my language. I am so sorry, niece. After Matthias sister up and left with a man—He who is without sin cast the first stone."
The ladies had forgotten the little girls playing until Rosemary popped out with, "Mam says not to throw rocks."
The elderly lady nervously agreed, "Your mam is right."
—&—-
Jarrod and Matthias took copious notes to make sure the gentleman's agreement was understood by both men. Matthias drove a hard bargain and as head of the San Joaquin Regulators, he had the muscle to make sure Jack kept to his word. They may have found out they were family but both Jack and Matthias were self-made men. They were never naive about other men's intentions.
Matthias would withdraw from the race and Jack would establish a town council. He would appoint Matthias as its head. His propositions would be fairly voted on by duly elected councilmen.
Jack would institute a two am curfew; Matthias would agree to allow legal gaming in the city limits with mandatory deputized security. He realized the backroom games would pop up with its ban. A limit of marks, loans, and credit lines would be adhered to by each licensed parlor.
Both agreed to run the opium dens out. Both agreed to protect the Chinese and Mexican immigrants from exploitation as well as mining crews.
Alcohol would be served at any time of the day except Sunday by license. Inebriated customers were to be denied service. No credit was to be extended.
Prostitution would be illegal in the city limits which was the best compromise Jack and Matthias could come to. Any bribery of city officials of such said profession would be dealt with harshly.
The sale of the Mayor's mansion would go towards an orphanage. Items like boardwalks and extension of sidewalks to the train station were unanimous, along with new drainage canals for winter rains.
Additional hiring of more deputies was also an easy agreement. Both would interview a new sheriff and county clerk.
Jack and Matthias signed the agreement. Jarrod witnessed it as well as the foreman of the farm.
"Jack, I don't believe that Dorothy is your wife. Didn't know the whole story when I brought her here under my brother-in-law. Even more so since I see you with my cousin, Zella."
"Your cousin Zella would castrate me if it were true."
The men burst out laughing.
"Matthias, pay Dorothy what you owe her." Jarrod finally found his opening to speak up.
Jack frowned.
"Let me finish, brother. After she is paid off, I will take care of my part of this problem. Peter Doolin. Dorothy will be gone and we will be rid of her."
"What about Archer?"
Jarrod sneered, "Oh him too. He won't get off with a fishing trip this time."
To Be Continued