Chapter One
The town council room was overcrowded and Fred's deputies were having trouble keeping all the citizens of Stockton out who wanted to voice an opinion. Someone opened a window for a breeze and onlookers leaned in trying to hear the proceedings. Women were picketing outside on the boardwalk since they weren't allowed in city hall for the meeting.
Nick Barkley sat on the front bench, always one to be early and he admitted to himself, "I enjoy a good row. Fireworks should be good tonight."
"Here here. Let's get to business. Last week, we approved the permit and land sale for a new hotel in Stockton. The finances were in order and it should be an economic boon to our town. We frequently do not have enough rooms to let when cattle drives, freight caravans and trains come through. It is a simple decision for our community. The decision was unanimous for a reason. I don't see what the fuss is about."
The head of the town council spoke first.
"Well," Judge Owens spoke up, "When I voted yes, I didn't know there was a casino in Taylor's plan. We all just found out that his businesses in San Francisco, Denver and Modesto are gambling dens of iniquity. I wouldn't have voted yes without more questions."
Many heads shook their heads in support but just as many shook theirs side-to-side in disgust.
"We ain't no saints around here. People gamble,"
"Brings in the wrong sort of people."
"We all play cards at Harry's. Why can't we have some more choices?"
"Takes food from innocent women and children."
"That is the loser's fault. Don't blame the rest of us."
"Dens of iniquity. Sin."
"You don't have to gamble but don't tell me what to do."
"Don't tell me you don't play the tables in Frisco or Carson City."
"I did uh I do—don't want it in my town. Stockton is respectable."
"Yes! Bring in manufacturing and not gambling!"
"Yeah, dredge the river for better shipping. And a few gambling boats."
"So send our money to other towns? That's foolhardy."
"God will punish Stockton for sins. What's next? Legal brothels? Shall we sell our children's futures for a timely dollar? No!"
"Seriously? And you think there are no brothels here?" Half of the crowd laughed.
"Destroys our families at the wheel of chance."
"Faro is just a game like whist, gin rummy. Let the men play what they want. You don't have to bet."
"What will the ladies wear who work there? It won't be calicos and bonnets like proper women. Will they steal our daughters away to wanton work?"
"I hope there ain't no bonnets." to the roaring laugher of the crowd.
"Nobody stealing your homely daughter away. Rest easy." from a voice in the back.
"Cards were invented by the devil."
"Smart devil." and the crowd roared in laughter.
The young minister from the new church called out in a ministerial voice, "Please friend. Let's think through this as Christian brothers."
Reverend Stacy shook his head at his youthful exuberance.
"Oh no," he muttered.
"I have seen many lives ruined by gambling, fornication and whiskey. Let us come together and clean up Stockton completely. Where is the outrage over Big Annie's? Harry's? All the saloons? The backyard stills? People living openly in sin—let us pray for cleansing of Stockton. Let this be a new beginning for our town." the young man bellowed.
The applause was shut down by boos and hisses.
The meeting continued for another hour. Nick couldn't get the grin off his face as the men tried to shout each other down and make their points.
He whispered to Carl, "That one over there—-you know he's at Big Annie's every Thursday. And you know we have made money off him at Harry's. Now he's voting against a casino on moral grounds. That wife of his got him by the bollocks. And the new preacher."
The mayor finally got control of the meeting and called for a revote. A petition had been circulated by the women to rescind the casino approval. Many men signed it, unable to look the young wives in the eye as they asked.
"Since the citizens have submitted a petition of enough voters, we will revote."
The clerk called out all nine names of the council.
"The permission to build passes again with a 5-4 vote." the clerk announced.
"Woo Hoo! Let's drink to the vote! And play a hand of poker."
"This ain't over," called out the young preacher,
"The Lord will judge our community for this blatant vote against his will. I call down fire on Stockton." he orated. His supporters clapped and vocalized support for him.
The crowd started to disperse. Nick and Carl made it over to Reverend Stacy.
"That new preacher is a fireball." Carl laughed.
Nick added, "Good one there, Wheeler."
Reverend Stacy shook his head, "He's got some good points and he's right. But men don't change by the law or we wouldn't need the New Testament. Played a little poker in my day and I use whiskey medicinally. Stirring people up using God's name. That doesn't set well with me. I may ride out there and try to talk to him. As a much older brother in the Lord."
Nick checked his watch when he heard the train whistle, "Better go pick up Pappy and his new lady friend. They are due in at nine. The way that young preacher is firing people up, I better be their chaperone."
Carl slapped him on the back, "Nursemaid."
—&—-
Jarrod helped Miss Davina Franklin gather her shawl and book from their first class seats. She gave him her beautiful smile and dipped her head modestly. He charmingly winked at her as he took her arm. Her blonde hair and large blue eyes were very attractive to him along with her sense of family and modesty.
She was a stark difference to the women he had seen after Beth. Women who lived for the moment, had pasts and knew much of the world—women he could never bring home to Victoria Barkley. He had his choice of lovely women in San Francisco but this was his first return to a woman he could marry and begin a family with. His mother's approval and push was still strong in his heart.
He had been seeing Judge Franklin's daughter for three months. They were rarely alone at her aunt's home or in town. They had come from seeing her family in San Francisco. He had legal business to attend to and they had been gone two weeks from Stockton. He had offered to escort her to the city to see her family. Jarrod had an ulterior motive. To spend time with Davina without the watchful eyes of Stockton. He supped with her family each night and took her to the opera and parks. He was extremely pleased with her affection and returned his courtship. The only negative was that Judge Franklin was a teetotaler and no alcohol was present in his home. He had to wait on his scotch until he returned to his brownstone each night.
"It's a small price to pay for the lady's attention," he told himself.
Davina had been living with her aunt in Stockton to help her recover from a broken leg. She was one of Victoria's oldest friends and the ladies plotted to introduce the beautiful Davina with the handsome Jarrod. It had worked and they began seeing each other weekly. Victoria and her aunt believed an engagement was imminent. Davina confided in Audra the same.
Jarrod was pleased that he had been able to see a young lady again without remorse for Beth's death. He concentrated on the future again—-He admitted he was lonely and quite ready to start a family. Davina was perfect in his eyes and he felt like he was genuinely falling in love with her.
Her aunt's livery was at the station; Jarrod hid his disappointment hoping to garner a few more kisses and moments alone before she returned to her aunt's home.
"Jarrod? I know your family fancies Reverend Stacy and I do myself. I know it's forward of me—-but would you escort me to the new church in town. I heard the young preacher twice before we left and I would like to again."
"Of course my dear. Your wish is my command." he winked and kissed her hand. The driver loaded her bags and headed off to her aunt's home.
Nick and Carl rode up, "Already lost your gal?"
Jarrod laughed, "It seems I have. She left a moment ago with her aunt's driver."
"A lot has happened since you left. Let me tell you about the town council. It was better than a hootenanny."
—&—
Grete and Kai closed up the Danish Bakery for her cousin.
The widow and her son had been in Stockton for a month. Kai went to school for two weeks until the term ended. His thick Danish accent had been a source of teasing from the local boys. Where he had grown up in Wisconsin, his accent had been perfectly normal for their Scandinavian community.
"I miss Fader."
"Me too son. It will be a year next month since the day the Lord took him home."
"I hate lumber camps."
"It was an accident, Kai, pure and simple. We have to live for Fader."
"I miss my friends at home. I am glad Cousin Adolf found a job for us.—i know there were no jobs at home and we didn't have the rent."
"The Lord provided Cousin Adolf and his bakery; he lost Cousin Marjie and needed a baker. I am glad to have good honest work," and not have to marry an old man to survive.
They walked along the boardwalk lost in their thoughts of Wisconsin and Fader.
"What are the men on the street yelling about?"
"I don't know. Let's take the alley home."