by Judith Pella
“Is that what you call it? Flirtatious adventure?” Carolina relaxed a bit. “My, my, but I would have given it almost any other name.”
“That bad, eh?”
“Utter misery,” Carolina replied dejectedly. “After all, Virginia has discarded those men for one reason or another.”
James chuckled at this and added, “Yes, but consider Virginia’s intellectual standards and the things she considers important in life.”
Carolina seemed to brighten at this. “I’d not thought on the matter in that light. I suppose you have something there. Those young men might be rather wonderful. Although perhaps it is not too complimentary of yourself.”
He put one hand to his chest and the other to the air. Striking this melodramatic pose, he said, “ ‘But love is blind, and lovers cannot see the pretty follies that themselves commit.’ ”
“Shakespeare at a time like this?”
He dropped the stance. “Of course. When better? Then again, I suppose this discussion is most inappropriate. You cannot hope to be objective, and in fact, neither can I.”
“Still, you won’t have to dance with those men.”
“I should say not,” James said, breaking into a hearty laugh. “And strange this party would be if I did. Why can’t you get Georgia to help you? She looks to be coming along in age. Isn’t she old enough to be seeking suitors?”
“Not quite. She’s only thirteen and not even out of common school. Her beaus might well have to court her while climbing trees and jumping fences. Although Mother would have us all married by sixteen if she had her way.”
“So you’re nearly out of time,” he teased and watched her obvious discomfort played out in the nervous lacing and unlacing of her fingers.
She wasn’t given a chance to reply because her father chose that moment to burst into the room.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything critical.” Joseph strode into the room, an animated expression on his face, a glint in his eye.
“Not at all,” James said, getting to his feet. “We were actually discussing the party.”
“Well, take a look at this,” Joseph said, extending a recent copy of the National Intelligencer. “Charters have been granted for over ten proposed rail lines.”
James gave a cursory glance at the article. “People are excited about the railroad. It’s evident in things like this. Individual lines are bound to increase.”
“I’ve long considered the benefits of supporting other lines and in fact have already made a few investments, but until now I’ve never considered the idea of starting one of my own.”
“Oh, Papa!” Carolina exclaimed and jumped up. “Are you truly going to form your own railroad?”
“I don’t know, but the thought is an intriguing one. Just imagine what people around here would say.”
“Imagine what Mother would say.”
Joseph chuckled and replied, “She would blame the wanderlust for sure. But seriously, James, do you think it a conceivable notion?”
“Certainly. All of the major railroads have been started by private citizens. Usually several men work together to bring such a thing about, however.”
“Several men, but no women, eh?” Carolina piped up.
Joseph’s eyes sparkled. “Perhaps there have been no women who were interested in owning a piece of a locomotive.”
“Then here’s the first one,” Carolina announced. “Oh, Papa, if you start a railroad I want to be involved, too.”
Joseph put an arm around her shoulder and offered her a squeeze. “I wouldn’t dream of excluding you on such a venture. What do you think I should do first, James?”
“I’d suggest a long talk with Philip Thomas at the B&O. He was instrumental in the start of that railroad, and if anyone could give you advice it would be he.”
“Wouldn’t he see me as a rival?” Joseph asked seriously.
“Perhaps. But what of it? The positive promotion of the railroad can only benefit the Baltimore and Ohio. Choose a path that won’t threaten the B&O, and Thomas will probably be quite supportive. Maybe he would even allow you to purchase locomotives from his shops at Mt. Clare.”
“I’ll post a letter immediately,” Joseph replied. “It certainly can’t hurt to get more information. In fact, James, what with your interest in the railroad, maybe you would consider coming in on this project with me.”
“I have no capital to invest, sir.” James could only think of his family’s financial affairs and how imperative it was that he marry in order to boost those poor ledgers for the future.
“Bah, who’s talking money? I’m talking about what’s up here,” Joseph said, pointing to his head. “You have a vision for the railroad in general. You have designs and ideas for engines, and you could easily guide me in decisions related to how we could approach this mission.”
James was definitely taken aback by this idea. Working with the B&O had seemed as close to his dream as he could imagine. “It would take years to actually get the thing off of paper and into reality.”
“And what of it? You could spend that time expanding your knowledge of the business. Go to work for the B&O and get experience building your engine designs. In the meantime, I could be raising the needed capital and deciding a course for our road.”
“Don’t forget me,” Carolina said. “I could help in keeping your books and correspondences. Maybe even venture out with you to study the land.”
“Exactly right! This is sounding more possible all the time. What say we include your father, as well?”
James remembered his father’s negative attitude toward the railroad, but the idea of Leland Baldwin joining in simply to promote good relations between the two families seemed at least a remote possibility. “I’d be happy to ask him at the party.”
“It’s settled then. We’ll discuss it at length after Christmas.” Joseph left after giving Carolina a hearty pat on the back. He seemed quite happy with himself and even forgot to take the paper back when he exited the room.
“Do you think Father’s proposal a possibility?” Carolina asked James when they were alone.
“I think that man can accomplish anything he sets his mind to,” James replied in sincere admiration. “Now I see where you get your determination.”
28
A New Venture
Leland Baldwin rearranged himself uncomfortably on the blue brocade armchair in one of the Oakbridge drawing rooms. The highly ornate Gothic frame seemed hardly sturdy enough to hold his weight, and it made him increasingly more nervous by the minute. Light strains of music filtered in through the closed doors. This was followed by much laughter and singing as the gathering of guests joined the piano with a hearty chorus of “Deck The Halls.”
He should be with the others, toasting the holiday and sampling the splendid fare laid out on long sideboards. Instead, he found himself spirited away by a very animated James, and now he awaited his son’s return with some trepidation. While he was relieved to see James acting more his old self, Leland always became suspicious when his son singled him out for private discussions.
“We’re here, Father,” James said, entering the room with Joseph Adams.
“Leland, forgive me for taking you away from the party, and after you braved the inclement weather to come out,” Joseph said, giving Leland a hearty handshake. “I won’t keep you here long.”
Leland awkwardly rose in greeting. “I am just honored to be your guest, Joseph. Now, what’s all this about a private proposal?”
Laughter sounded again when a sour note was struck on the piano, and the chorus was started again.
James went quickly to close the door, only marginally shutting out the party. “Perhaps another time would have lent itself to a more businesslike atmosphere,” Joseph said, taking a seat across from Leland, “but I feared it would be past the New Year before I’d have a chance to speak with you again.”
“Is there a matter of urgency?” Leland questioned anxiously.
James pulled up a chair. “Not really urgency, Father, but something that has taken the interest of Mr. Adams.”
“Not only me, but of my daughter and your son as well,” Joseph replied.
Leland smiled. Ah, he thought, so there is to be an engagement announced for Christmas. He’d not thought James would be so joyous about the situation, but relief flooded though him as he imagined what his son’s union with Virginia Adams could mean for the Baldwin affairs.
“This is good news,” Leland gave an enthusiastic nod of approval directed toward James. “Mrs. Baldwin will be delighted.”
James frowned. “I don’t see why Mother would find this of any interest.”
“Good grief, son! You’re her only child. Of course she will find this of interest. After all, it isn’t every day you send your son off to be married.”
“Married!” James exclaimed and Joseph laughed heartily.
“I’m afraid I gave you the wrong idea, Leland. This is an entirely different matter.”
James reddened at this, and Leland tensed and drew in a tight breath.
“Then what is this all about?” Leland said rather testily. “You mentioned my son and your daughter.”
Joseph rubbed his muttonchop whiskers. “And so I did. I spoke of Carolina, however, not Virginia. And the proposal I’m seeking to include you on is one based upon railroad interests.”
“Railroad . . . ?”
“That’s right. In the last few days your son and I have done some talking, and after searching through many of the newspapers and journals, I find that railroads are being created very nearly every day. James and I have discussed the possibility of starting our own rail line, and we wanted to include you in the project, if you were of a mind to join us.”
Leland’s disappointment was evident. “I’ve no time for such foolery. The railroad will see its day and fade away. It can’t hope to last. Why, James is evidence enough of the serious problems to be considered. That accident cost the B&O a small fortune. Phineas Davis is dead and my James is left wounded, maybe for life. Even with the dangers aside, I’ve told you before it’s a very risky business. You can’t hope to see a decent return on your investment, at least not for a long, long while. Maybe not even in your lifetime.”
“Don’t be so pessimistic, Baldwin,” Joseph replied. “The B&O is still doing quite well. There are a multitude of other rail lines as well, and all are showing some margin of profitable business. I propose a line that would run from Falls Church to Washington. It would link all the families in this area and be small enough that the price would be quite contained.”
“If it’s that small, what possible merit would there be?” Leland shifted his weight and silently wished the conversation could be concluded. He’d hoped with the accident that James’ interest in the railroad would be at a standstill, if not an end.
“There’s a great deal of cotton in this area that could be shipped on the rail, not to mention passenger traffic into the city. If a line were to be laid from Falls Church, I could actually ship my cotton to New York City and eventually even Boston, without it ever having to leave the rail cars.”
“Shipping via the river and canals is cheaper,” Leland suggested.
“Not necessarily, Father,” James joined in. “The canal is having a great deal of trouble. There are constant battles for right-of-way, and the cost of usage is rising.”
“And your railroad is not suffering the same effects?”
“Not to the degree of the canal. The railroad, once laid, won’t cost as much in upkeep. It will still need to be maintained, but slave labor of the area plantation owners could assist in that and save the line a small fortune. Each plantation owner could pay a fee to use the line, and part of that fee might well be to offer up the use of slaves to improve or maintain the line.”
“Not to mention that once the line is actually in place, the number of people simply riding in and out of Washington will help to support it,” Joseph stated.
“That’s right, Father. The Washington Branch charges two dollars and fifty cents per trip between Washington and Baltimore, and in the four months since that line opened, they’ve already carried more than ten thousand passengers.”
“That’s unheard of!” Leland exclaimed. No one had told him this before, and he found it hard to believe.
“It’s true enough,” Joseph announced. “Several months ago I invested in the B&O, and the figures James quotes are directly from Thomas. They are increasing their passenger loads each month, and the freight revenues are increasing as well. In one year the B&O grossed $260,000 in revenues.”
“And you believe there would be enough interest from the folks of this area to support your short line into the city?” Leland was quickly starting to rethink his attitude toward the railroad.
“I believe in time and with the right laying of the line, it will pay for itself. It shouldn’t take all that long, either.” Joseph seemed more than confident in his beliefs. “James and I have even discussed the possibility of extending the line southwest to Fairfax and maybe eventually south, all the way to Richmond. Just imagine the possibilities there.”
“But don’t these things require a charter?”
“Indeed. And that, in all honesty, may well take the bigger portion of our patience. Still, while we are waiting, we can start putting together the funds. I have enough capital to put up in order to show our ability to see the project begun. You could help by soliciting some area investors and maybe even government officials to consider purchasing subscriptions in our line. That will speak volumes to the legislature.”
“If we can get at least half of the projected funds lined up through pledged and actual subscriptions,” James interjected, “other investors and plantation owners will soon follow suit and see the merit of investing.”
“And you believe people would be willing to do this?” If this were indeed true, Leland was already seeing the possibilities for benefits to his own financial needs.
“Of course they will. There are many wealthy people out there who have a desire to see the railroad move forward. They will see the development of another line as a boon to the entire industry.”
“Remarkable,” Leland muttered. “But what of the fact that little visible progress will be evident at first. I mean, it will take time to obtain a charter, and monies will surely have to be laid out in order to have surveys performed and such. Then, too, what if the charter is never granted?”
“That’s always a possibility,” Joseph replied. “But this is where I come in. I have friends in the capital, and I can provide some of the initial funds to get things going. We purchase the needed surveys and set down our plans on paper. James will be able to establish good connections for us with the B&O shops, and when the time comes perhaps we can even count on one of his designs to grace our first tracks.”
Leland pulled out a handkerchief and mopped his perspiring brow. The Christmas merriment outside the room was already forgotten. The singers, though just as rowdy and boisterous as earlier, were scarcely of concern to Leland in light of this new information.
“And investors, even government investors, will understand that these things take time and that the money needs to be in the bank ready to draw against, even when there is no evidence in the physical nature of the promoted rail line?”
“It’s very common in these things,” James assured. “It also allows us the ability to request pledges rather than actual funds. This way people can raise the money gradually, and we can show strength for the charter.”
“But again, what if the charter is never granted?”
Joseph shrugged. “Then we return the money or rearrange our plans and try again. Of course, the funds already expended for the charter and surveys will simply be losses that the investors will risk.”
Before Leland could say another word, a light knock sounded on the door. Joseph rose to open it, and Carolina entered the room, carrying a tray of drinks. “I’ve brought some Ch
ristmas cheer,” she said brightly. Leland grunted and struggled to his feet, as did James.
“You’re just in time, daughter.” Joseph took the tray from her and held it out to serve first Leland and then James.
“In time for what?” Carolina took a cup as it was offered her and waited while her father claimed the remaining portion.
He held his cup up high. “I propose we toast the formation of a new rail line.”
Carolina grinned, and Leland thought she looked every bit as delighted by the prospect as his son. What a queer young woman to find interest in the making of masculine corporations.
“Are you with us, Father?” James asked.
“Yes, Mr. Baldwin,” Carolina chimed in, “are you going to join us in our venture?”
Leland held up his cup. “How could I resist such a lucrative proposition?”
“Then here’s to the Potomac and Great Falls Railroad! The P&GF!” Joseph declared.
“To the P&GF,” James and Carolina said in unison.
Leland smiled and touched his cup to theirs. “To the P&GF!”
“You’re terribly quiet, my dear. Are you unwell?” Edith Baldwin asked her husband on their journey back to Washington. She snuggled close to gain warmth, and Leland absentmindedly put an arm around her shoulders.
“I’m quite fit,” he answered, deep in thought. The prospects of what he’d learned this night had intrigued him. To imagine people would invest their money in a project that might take months—more likely years—to show some type of action, much less any type of return. He was beginning to realize the possibilities for what could eventually turn his financial woes around.
“It was a lovely party, and our James seems quite content to escort Virginia Adams. I don’t think he left her side for more than a few moments all evening. That is, after you finally joined us.”
“It couldn’t be helped. There was some business to discuss, and it took a little longer than we’d intended.”
“Well, no matter. I hear from Margaret Adams that her Virginia is quite taken with James, and confidentially, she believes we will hear something of an engagement announcement by spring.”