Woodcutter's Revival (14 page)

He awoke with a jolt. He sat erect in bed in the dark for what seemed several minutes before he could catch his bearings. He lit the lamp and glanced at his watch. “Good, four o'clock. I have just enough time to get ready and eat. I hope they are serving early.”

When Stewart descended the steps, he could see no signs of life. Maybe he could find something to eat a little closer to the construction office. Having made up his mind, he started into the twilight of the city toward Townsend Construction.

As he found his way through the streets, he could see the sun starting to reflect on the higher peaks of the range west of town. He wanted to stay and watch his first sunrise in Wellspring but found it hard to walk and look back over his shoulder for the sun to appear above the eastern ranges behind him. Stewart knew he must not waste any time if he wanted to eat and arrive at the office ahead of Mr. Townsend. Within a few blocks of Townsend's, by Stewarts estimation, he found a little restaurant with the light on. “Hmm, five o'clock. I'd better get something now.”

The smell of bacon and coffee reminded Stewart of his hunger. He thought to himself that he would have found the restaurant without the sign and the light, as the aroma would have led him into the place. Once inside he saw a young waitress of fair complexion. Stewart was intrigued by her mental and physical alertness. She kept the coffee cups filled, took orders and side-stepped off-color comments from rough and crude cowboys, construction workers and other morning men suffering the same fate of having to sweat for a living.

She came and filled Stewart's cup and took his order. Stewart sipped coffee and drank in the smell of food and the atmosphere of the shop. For the first time he began to feel some sort of a warmth to the otherwise cold city. Here, in this little restaurant, he was once again among working men. Although these men were probably not farmers, Stewart found a sense of camaraderie with them.

When she brought his order, Stewart attempted to start a conversation. Although the waitress was busy, she endeavored to be cordial. “I notice you have an accent. Where are you from?”

“I am from Ireland,” she replied, brightening with a smile.

She turned and hurried off to fill other cups and bring orders to the other men. Stewart had never heard an Irish accent. He liked it very much. “Oh, well, time to meet Mr. Townsend. I sure hope he is more pleasant than his wife”

Stewart was the first person to arrive in front of the office. He checked his pocket watch. Five forty-five. Now he could relax a few minutes and collect his thoughts, while the sun began to cast long shadows on the buildings around him. “Let's see, I helped with barn raisings. Dad, Gramps and I built the house. I know how to work in a team.”

“Good morning. Are you Mr. Townsend?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Did Mrs. Townsend tell you I would be here?”

“She mentioned something, but a lot of men have told her they would be here and have not shown.”

“I'm looking for work. I have helped…”

“Hold on, let's go inside and sit down for a minute.”

As Stewart and Mr. Townsend proceeded into the office, Stewart began to feel a little more at ease. Although Mr. Townsend had a hurried demeanor, he seemed to be more pleasant than his wife.

“So, you have come to the city to find your fortune? The farm could no longer support you and the family, and you have built barns and driven horses?”

“How did you know that?”

“A lot of people are coming to the city from the farms.”

“I can work hard and I am willing to give it a try.”

“Well, can you start today?”

“Yes, that is why I am here, but I am on foot.”

That's fine. You can ride with me today. Tomorrow, if you come back, just meet me at the site. The guys start on the site at six. I usually have to come by the office on my way out.”

Stewart was happy to ride in a buggy. He had not been around draft or riding horses since the previous autumn. He was also excited for the opportunity to obtain as much information as he could from Mr. Townsend. At first, he simply enjoyed the city scenes. Even as one not accustomed to city life, he could see this was not yet a city.

It was segments of populations struggling for identity and purpose. He figured the population was growing faster than the city's ability to keep up. Then he remembered that he would have to find the construction site himself tomorrow, so he better pay closer attention to the directions. Maybe over the weekend, he could venture into the original central section of the city.

“Where do most of these people come from?”

“Oh, they come from farms and smaller towns. Some come from cities in the east. Some are from overseas. They hear rumors about wealth and happiness in America.”

While they continued to the site, Stewart found Hagar to be quite gregarious. He asked Stewart several questions about his family, his education and farm experiences. Mr. Townsend even asked about Stewart's goals. Stewart had not really thought about specific goals since he left the farm.

“You know, come to think of it, I have dreams, but I never much thought of goals.”

“Well, you don't reach your dreams until you set and reach toward your goals. Dreams are like the ridge or mountain you are steering toward. Goals are the steps you take to get there. You can change and alter your goals, but keep your dreams in view.”

“Thank you. That sounds like good advice.”

Comparing the previous expectations to the present reality almost caught Stewart by surprise. The only goals he had in the last eight months were to help Michael regain his strength and mobility, and to reach Wellspring. Stewart would have given any personal ambitions up in an instant to continue to help Michael. His life had changed drastically and now here he was in the city in which he had imagined himself. Now, on just the second day, the boyish innocence and hope had faded into harsh reality.

“I suppose I want to be in a place that offers more opportunity than I had on the farm.”

“Yeah, money is great. Not everyone can get it though. Even fewer of those who do can keep it.”

“I suppose so.”

“What do you think about being non-union? “

Stewart did not realize his reactions were being scrutinized closely. “I don't mind. I have only heard about the unions. Not much to organize the workers for on a family farm.”

“They will destroy us. They are made up of foreign agitators, anarchists and socialists.”

As they were talking the thought occurred to Stewart, he was not here for the money. He continued to half-heartedly participate in the conversation as he thought about other things. His participation was not difficult as Mr. Townsend, once engaged, was able to carry the conversation pretty much on his own.

“I think I really want to find more opportunity to learn.”

“Oh, you will learn a lot about building, if you can stick with it. I will start you as a hod carrier. Do you know what that is? A hod carrier is a mason's helper. You are not afraid of heights are you? After you learn about bricks and mortar, you will either start laying bricks or help frame. The more skills you learn, the more valuable you are in the trade. “

Stewart realized Mr. Townsend was not hearing him. He asked Stewart questions, but did not always listen to the answers. Stewart could not discipline his own thoughts, let alone convince his new employer of his goals. While Stewart listened he continued to think about Wellspring. He had come for the schools and the resulting professional opportunities. He did not feel like he should tell Mr. Townsend the construction trade was just a conveyance to higher opportunities.

They finally arrived at the site. Stewart was so preoccupied in thought and the appearance of conversation that he could not find his way back if he had to. Mr. Townsend introduced Stewart to the foreman, Big Jim. The building was a three story building of brick and wood frame. Stewart began mixing mortar in a “mud boat” with a tool that looked like an oversized garden hoe with two large holes in it. After mixing he made sure the brick layers kept their boards filled.

As the day wore on and he became increasingly hot and sweaty, he kept one thing in mind. His father always told him, “When you are doing a job, try to keep a positive outlook. Whether you like the work or not, and odds are there will be more you dislike than you like, convince yourself to be happy. You have your health and ability. Learn everything you can in every situation. No experience, no matter how painful or full of drudgery is wasted if you learn and grow from it. Have an attitude of gratitude. If you work with others, try to make them happy. Your day will go faster and you will be well liked.”

Stewart was naturally friendly, but he noticed the other men were a little reluctant to accept the “new kid.” “I better back off a little. They have been here a while and have seen a lot of kids like me come and go. It will take time to prove myself.”

Finally, as the afternoon shadows lengthened into evening Big Jim told the men, “That's it for today.”

Everyone seemed to come back to life as they began to clean the mortar off their tools and prepare to head home. Mr. Townsend had a rule that no one was to clean his tools while he was still on the clock. After all, there was plenty of time after a ten hour day to clean their own tools.

The men learned to pace themselves close to lunch or quitting time. They knew how much mortar or “mud” they needed. By gauging their work they could use it up or stretch it out for the last half hour, if necessary. They were not lazy or duplicitous. They did not want to waste a half batch of mortar.

Stewart knew he had to head south to get back to the hotel. He kept an eye on the west ridge as the sun was setting over it. “My first sunset in Wellspring!”

Chapter Thirteen

B
ack in Discovery, Raymond had a plan! Actually Raymond had two plans, one professional and one personal. The professional plan sounded easy. It was well thought out, logical and sound. Raymond was surprised with himself in the amount of knowledge he had acquired through training at the Mine Institute and from personal experience. The personal goal would take more planning, a whole lot of courage and just plain luck.

Raymond and Mr. Thomas decided on the purchase of a used Ingersoll. It was modified to run on steam that powered an air compressor. The steam engine was similar to some Raymond had seen beginning to appear on the farms down below. Some farmers were actually using those things to pull implements and as a stationary power unit to grind grain, shell corn and even run saw mills.

The advantage of running a compressor to power the drill was that the airlines could reach further into the shafts. The compressor continually blew air into the shaft, which normalized the air and tended to ventilate the shaft by introducing fresh air and blowing out the stale. The normalizing effect was due to the fact that a few feet into the mines, the air stayed a constant fifty-five degrees. Working in an enclosed area or near the opening could get pretty stale and humid. The forced air, as opposed to steam kept dry air moving in the shaft.

Raymond calculated the amount of work the compressor would save. Mr. Thomas wanted to know how much more could be produced by using the compressor. Raymond stalled in answering stating, “We will have to get used to it to see how much we can actually increase production.”

The old method with the single and double jack involved a man driving a bit similar in appearance to a large chisel into the rock. As he drove, he rotated the chisel a quarter turn with every hit. This provided neat circular holes in the rock. Double jack drilling involved two veteran miners taking alternate turns in synchronized unity to drive the bit.

They followed the loose quartz when possible as it was most likely to yield the silver and was easier to move than the tightly packed granite. The tunnels had to maintain a certain width and height, in a somewhat straight direction to accommodate the mine carts and rails. So there was a lot of drilling and blasting between the loose veins.

Raymond's plan included getting the men used to the changes in digging due to the mechanization, which would cause fewer people to be involved in the drilling right at the face of the shaft. He wanted to use some of the other men to busy themselves with cutting and placing shoring in the caverns at five or six feet instead of the ten feet Mr. Thomas had been requiring.

Placing shoring at six feet would increase the safety tremendously, but it came with the trade-off of using more man power in the safety aspect than the actual mining. He hoped Mr. Thomas would not inspect the shaft and notice the precautionary improvements. Raymond knew Mr. Thomas wanted the men to be digging and recovering silver, rather than wasting time cutting and placing timbers.

The steam engine, compressor, lines and hammer drill arrived the day before and Raymond was busy supervising the installation. The clerk came to the mine shaft to tell Raymond that Mr. Thomas wanted to see him. As Raymond climbed down the rocky grade, he thought, “Oh no, what have I done now?”

Raymond paused as he entered the office. As he glanced into Victoria's office, he could see that she was watching for him. “Will you be able to make it over for dinner on Sunday?”

“I wouldn't miss it.”

As Raymond stood there smiling at Victoria, Mr. Thomas noticed he had entered the office foyer and motioned him to come in. “Raymond, I want you to meet somebody. This is Winston Barlow. I just hired him as a temporary consultant. He has worked in several mines and has some experience with the Ingersoll. This is Raymond Warren, our Foreman. He just came back from a training session on the Ingersoll at the Institute.”

“”Hi, I am glad to meet you. Where do you come from?”

Raymond had a strange feeling that Mr. Thomas appeared to be chummier with Winston than he was with most employees. He also wondered why Mr. Thomas hired Winston when he had instructed Raymond to make recommendations in his efficiency reports about the optimal number of employees for the work being completed.

“I am glad to meet you too, I came up from Wellspring. I have been around several of the mines, mostly out here in the San Juan's.”

“Why don't you show Winston around and then you two can get back to the Ingersoll.”

As the two walked, they made small talk. “How did you like the Institute?”

“I thought it was the most intensive two weeks of learning in my entire life.”

“Do you think you will be ready for the Ingersoll?”

“Yes, we have Stephen, who has done some mill-righting. He is placing the steam engine and aligning the compressor. We have some other guys building a shack around it to keep the rain and snow off the wood, coal and the machinery.”

“Have you had any miners talking about unions?”

“Not really. They feel Mr. Thomas treats them well enough. If they were interested in a union, I don't think they would discuss it with me.” Raymond watched Winston's expression as he answered and noticed that Winston was probably doing the same to him. It was an awkward moment, as both men attempted to discern the other‘s motives in their questions and answers without appearing to be scrutinizing.

They reached the construction project and Raymond introduced Winston to the other men. Raymond watched as Winston got into the action and began assisting in the assembly of the machinery. As Winston worked with different men, he kept a constant conversation going. Raymond thought his questions were sometimes too personal for just having met these men.

The miners carried on just enough conversation so as not to be rude, but kept their thoughts to themselves. They were not too quick to warm-up to strangers and some of them had heard reports from friends and relatives working in other mines to not reveal anything about how you felt about their employer or the working conditions.

They never knew if a stranger might be a union organizer who had infiltrated the ranks, or possibly a Pinkerton spy, working for the owners to ferret out any malcontents and head-off union activity before it started. Whether the stranger was totally innocent or worked for or against union organizing, the men with secure jobs did not want to be caught in the middle. It was better to say nothing rather than to attempt to give an account of what you really meant later, when emotions could outweigh reason.

By Saturday afternoon, the progress on the steam drill project neared completion. Raymond was happy because he would have a good report for Mr. Thomas on Sunday. Raymond had procrastinated on moving from the inn as he was still uncertain whether he needed to be looking for a house or to put-up at the boarding house. After lunch, and a bath, he decided to visit The Mercantile to look over the book selection. He thought a leisurely afternoon, a nap and some reading would be a good way to spend the remainder of the day away from work.

At the Mercantile, he found Victoria looking at books. They spent more time starring into each other's eyes than looking at books. Finally, they each found something to read and Raymond asked, “Would you like to get a cup of coffee?”

“I would love one.”

They sat in the inn's dining room for hours until they were finished drinking coffee and just engaged in idle talk. They were totally oblivious of any other people getting a late lunch, eating a dessert or drinking an afternoon cup of coffee. Raymond could not remember a more pleasant afternoon or one in which the time had slipped by so fast. “Would you like to stay for supper?”

“Sure, the roast smells good. I had no idea it was getting so late.”

After dinner, Raymond walked Victoria home and said good evening. Upon returning to his room and reading some more, he went to bed, knowing the sooner he went to sleep the sooner it would be Sunday and he would see Victoria. He drifted into and out of conscious thought, unable to distinguish between reverie and actual dreams. The theme was consistent, as the only thing he could focus on was a future with Victoria. He could put up with Mr. Thomas forever if his future included Victoria.

Raymond arrived at his usual time on Sunday. He seemed nervous and edgy and notified Mr. Thomas early in the conversation that he needed to talk to him about something. Victoria gave her usual look of intolerance as she repeated, “No shop talk on Sunday!”

“Oh, this isn't really shop talk. I have a personal matter to discuss with your father. Man talk.”

“I suppose!” she exclaimed with a sigh.

After dinner, Mr. Thomas said, “Well, if you two will excuse me.”

“Sir, could I have a minute before you go?”

“Sure, walk with me down to the office.”

After about a half hour, Raymond returned. Victoria could not decide if he looked more nervous or excited about something. As they finished the dishes together, she asked, “Alright, what was so urgent that you had to discuss with Father?”

“As soon as we finish the dishes, we can talk.”

Raymond could not think of a time when he wanted to do something more but was more scared to do it. He kept stalling Victoria about the talk he promised. He finally got the courage and decided to get it over with before he talked himself out of it again. He asked her to sit in the big chair in the living room. He got down on a knee beside her and fumbled for something in his vest pocket. “Victoria, will you marry me?”

Victoria looked surprised. She should have seen this coming, but somehow it still took her by surprise. Raymond felt like time had been suspended in the few seconds it took for Victoria to respond, “Of course!”

Raymond jumped with joy. He could not have looked happier than if he had just discovered the mother lode of silver. “So that's what you had to talk to Father about? What did he say?”

“He said, 'Thank you for asking me. She is a head strong woman, just like her mother. Go ahead and ask her. She makes up her own mind.'”

“So, he didn't mind?”

“Not that I could tell.”

“You were gone a half hour. What took so long?”

“Oh, after I talked to your dad, I had to take a walk to rehearse what I was going to say.”

“You should not have been so nervous. Couldn't you tell how I felt about you?”

Raymond responded, “Matters of the heart are never certain. Hopes and emotions can cause you to read a lot into a situation.”

Raymond calculated his timing, gazed into Victoria's eyes, and gave her a second kiss.

As Raymond made his way back to the inn, he walked past the mining office to see if Mr. Thomas was still there. As he walked past the lighted window, he could see Mr. Conner in the office talking to Mr. Thomas. He decided not to stop.

Inside the office, Mr. Conner asked Mr. Thomas, “So, how is our boy working out?”

“Do you mean Raymond or Winston?”

“Oh, I know how Raymond is working out. Is Winston gaining the confidence of the other workers?”

“I think so. It is early to tell. I think we need to keep the arrangement with him communicating with you, and then you with me.”

“Sounds good, I will probably talk to him in a week or two. It will be interesting to see if he thinks he needs to convince them he is an organizer or just another employee.”

“Yep. Let's get over to the saloon. Your vest pocket looks like you have some money that needs losing.”