by Judith Pella
The Thomas home was a stately mansion on a broad tree-lined avenue. A couple of servants unloaded the baggage from the carriage while the butler led them into a finely appointed parlor where Mr. Thomas greeted them warmly.
“I have to apologize,” he said, “for not meeting you myself at the station. I lately find myself embarrassingly disposed by an illness my physician is unable to diagnose. I hope you had a pleasant journey here.”
Joseph nodded. “It was one well worth taking. But I’m sorry to hear about your illness. It would seem we came at an inconvenient time.”
“Don’t give it a thought. I only regret that I will be unable to show you around as I would have liked. However,” he said, taking a seat and motioning for Joseph and Carolina to do the same, “I have made arrangements, and I don’t believe you’ll be disappointed.”
“Mr. Thomas, we certainly don’t wish to put you to any unnecessary discomfort.” Joseph purposefully avoided his daughter’s eyes. He knew how important this trip was to Carolina. She had suffered a great blow with her mother’s intolerance toward continued education.
“I assure you it has been seen to. I have even arranged a special treat as you suggested I might. Tomorrow, you will board the main stem rails and be taken to the place where they are making repairs to the line.”
“Marvelous,” Joseph said, then turned to Carolina. “I suggested to Mr. Thomas we might enjoy going out on the line where the men are working.”
Carolina’s eyes widened in surprise. “Mother would suffer a fit of apoplexy if she knew.”
He smiled conspiratorially. “Well, she doesn’t, so I suppose we will keep it to ourselves.”
“Your rooms have been made ready. Would you like to see them now and perhaps freshen up before dinner?” Philip asked.
“I would imagine Carolina would like to rest a bit,” Joseph said, hoping his daughter would remember her genteel manners enough to take the hint of his dismissal.
When she was accompanied upstairs by a servant, Joseph turned to Philip with concern. Thomas was breathing rather hard and looked decidedly piqued. “You look spent. Is there anything I can do?”
“No, but there is something I have decided to do.” He paused, his face taking on a strained look of sorrow. “You will find out sooner or later, and I’d rather it be from me. I’m resigning from the B&O.”
“What!”
Philip folded his hands across his lap. “I can’t continue like this. My health is failing me daily, and there are other problems as well.” He paused as if trying to decide whether to continue. “There are also those who say it’s time for new leadership. We are only a quarter of the way to the Ohio River—our original goal—which we should have accomplished by now. A great many investors, including those in the government, are questioning my ability to get us there.”
“Philip, I hope you know I am not one of those. I have complete faith in you. Your detractors can’t possibly understand what you’re up against,” Joseph offered. “Giving in to them isn’t the answer.”
“Besides a faithful supporter of the B&O, you’ve become a good friend, Joseph.” Philip looked resigned. “I’ve been at the helm since the company’s inception. We’ve laid over one hundred and fourteen miles of track both west to Harper’s Ferry and south to Washington. I’ve had a good presidency, and we’ve accomplished a great deal, but, Joseph, there are some big problems ahead of this company. Problems bigger than me and my ability to see the company through.”
“Such as?” Joseph was still dumbfounded by Philip’s announcement. When one thought of the B&O, Philip Thomas was just as naturally considered. In the minds of many, Thomas was the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company.
“There are problems getting west of Harper’s for one. We aren’t even certain that line will be built, and there is a great deal of arguing about the best route to take, when and if it is built. We’d hoped to be in Cumberland before now, and because of our shortcomings the line is missing out on a great deal of freight. If we could at least reach Cumberland, we could pick up cargo from the National Road.”
“But you have a fine company. The American Railroad Journal called the B&O ‘the Railroad University of the United States.’ ”
Philip attempted a smile. “I read that article too, but I doubt seriously they’d call us that now. Not if they took a close look at our financial ledgers.”
“Surely it can’t be all that bad.”
“We’re nearly bankrupt. The costs of stone masonry, replacing and building new equipment, and trying to renovate the deteriorating lines are all taking their toll. Why, west of Ellicotts Mills, the road has deteriorated so badly that I’m afraid it will have to be completely taken up and relaid with T-rails. So, you see the difficulty in laying new track when the old stretches are in great need of repair and upgrading.”
Joseph frowned. “But I’d read that total receipts were up nearly ten thousand dollars over last year this time.”
“True, but expenses are up nearly double that. Profits are way down, my friend, and that causes the board of directors, and the stockholders they represent, to give a serious look at the man in the president’s chair.”
Joseph said nothing for several moments. He had expected to hear how well the railroad was doing, and this news of bankruptcy hanging in the wings as well as Thomas’s impending resignation was most discouraging. He thought about his high hopes for starting his own railroad—the Potomac and Great Falls. Was that to be just a fine name for another of his unrealized dreams?
“Are you determined to do this? Resign, I mean.” Joseph watched the man carefully for any sign of hesitation, but there was none.
“I am. I’ve had a good run, and now it’s time to turn matters over to another man. Perhaps a new, younger mind will put life back into the line.”
“Do you have someone in mind?”
Philip nodded. “As a matter of fact, I do. Do you know Louis McLane?”
Joseph nodded. “I do indeed. In fact, we shared our ride up from Washington with him. He was very kind to my daughter and took much time explaining all about the viaduct named after you.”
“McLane is a good man, and he’s a visionary. He’s succeeded with projects when everyone else thought them sure failures. His service as secretary of the treasury and as a representative of Delaware in both houses of Congress gives him a solid background for all the dealings we must have with the government. And as Jackson’s minister to England and as secretary of state, his international credentials are impressive also.”
“I know,” Joseph said. “I met him in Washington when he served the President. Some say he’s hard to work with, but he gets things done. He’s a definite adversary of waste, whether it be in man hours or dollar figures.”
“It’s good to hear yet another positive opinion of the man.” Philip rose to his feet and swayed a bit.
Joseph was immediately beside him offering a supportive arm.
“Ah, this confounded sickness!” Philip complained with great frustration. “It makes a man feel his age more than one wants. Would you care for a drink, Joseph?”
“No, nothing for me, but I’d happily pour for you.”
“Yes, a drop of brandy ought to steady me.” Philip returned to his seat and sat down heavily, then continued as Joseph poured the brandy from a decanter. “Most importantly, McLane knows the European financial market. He’s got friends in England who will do most anything for him, and I’m afraid in order to see the Baltimore and Ohio truly add the Ohio to its list of destinations, we will need to seek foreign investors.”
“And you believe McLane will do this?”
“If it does become necessary, I know he will. We’ve been corresponding regularly for the past few months, and I feel confident in his vision for this railroad. He won’t let it die away like some might. Other men might give up at the first threat of the impossible. Cut their losses and run. McLane won’t. Of this I am sure.”
“From what I remember of his
days in Washington, I believe that assessment to be a correct one,” Joseph answered, handing Thomas a snifter of brandy.
“I hope so.” Philip contemplated his drink for a moment as if trying to decide whether to share the next bit of information with Joseph. “I’m going to suggest he be offered four thousand dollars a year with regular increases,” he finally said.
“Four thousand! Well now, that will be hard to ignore.”
“If he can turn the company around, get them moving forward again, it will be a mere pittance of what he’s truly worth.”
The woman who’d led Carolina away to her room appeared in the arched doorway and frowned disapprovingly. “Mr. Thomas, the doctor instructed you to take a nap before dinner. You’ve barely time to do that now.”
“I’m well aware of that, Aggie, and I’m just now coming.” Philip struggled to his feet, taking the extended hand Joseph offered. “Thank you,” he said, straightening. “We will eat at seven. Aggie, please show Mr. Adams to his room.” The woman in black bombazine and a starched white apron gave a sour-faced nod and, without a word to Joseph, headed up the stairs.
“We will speak more of this later,” Philip stated, “but for the time, I’d appreciate your confidence on the matter.”
“Of course.”
“Feel free to use the house as your own. My carriages are at your disposal, and with the rest of my family away visiting relatives up north, you needn’t fear conflicting with anyone else’s needs.”
“You are a most gracious host, Philip. I believe I’ll just take it easy this afternoon.”
Thomas nodded and walked slowly from the room with Joseph at his side.
Joseph reflected on their conversation the remainder of the day. Even after their quiet meal and after-dinner interlude in the parlor where Carolina entertained them on the pianoforte, he still pondered the effects of Philip Thomas’s planned resignation. It could well destroy the company. If the stockholders misunderstood Thomas’s action and lost faith because of his move, it would bode ill for the operation.
Remembering the delight in which Carolina had shared her interest in the operations of the railroad, Joseph was glad Philip had sworn him to secrecy. Carolina would grieve over the possibility of the B&O’s demise, and since the threat was premature, there was no sense in working her up over it. Then, too, his mind warned him against continuing with his own railroad schemes. If the B&O, with all of its prominent backing, was struggling to stay alive, how could a small private enterprise hope to make it? There was much to consider.
Crawling between the lightweight coverlet and crisp cool sheets, Joseph leaned over and blew out the bedside lamp. His mind was consumed with thoughts. There was also still the matter of strife with Margaret. She had scarcely spoken to him when he’d departed with Carolina for Washington and the depot. A noisy argument only last night had left them at odds, with Margaret choosing to sleep in the nursery with Mary and Penny.
His heart was heavy with the memory of it. Margaret felt he had hopelessly spoiled Carolina, and in truth, perhaps he had. But it was scarcely the child’s fault, he thought. They had enjoyed a life of good fortune and blessings; why not allow the children to reap the benefits of such a life? Margaret plotted and planned for each of her daughters to marry well, stressing the importance for the family, as well as the child. He could understand her reasoning but not her way of bringing these things about. It relegated courtship to covert deceptions and managed circumstance, and while Joseph and Margaret’s marriage had been arranged in such a fashion, he’d never understood the meaning of such until he’d had marriageable daughters. And now, to promote peace in his own marriage, he would have to appease Margaret’s anger by finding a way to shift Carolina’s focus from books and faraway places to domestic training and the artful selection of a husband. Perhaps his daughter would save him the trouble by falling in love of her own accord and turning her interests to more feminine pursuits.
Tossing to his right side and back again to the left, Joseph knew little peace. Philip’s announcement to resign took a decided position in the background, however, as Joseph contemplated how to keep his family from pulling hopelessly apart.
42
Unexpected Companion
“Ah, here he comes now,” Philip said to Joseph and Carolina. “I told him to meet us here at seven.”
Carolina looked up to find James Baldwin striding toward them as though he hadn’t a care in the world. The shock must have registered on her face, because James laughed out loud.
“I suppose this must be a surprise to you both,” he said as he tipped his top hat and bowed low over Carolina’s gloved hand. “I had to be in Baltimore on business for my father. There was more than enough time to depart from the tedium of Uncle Samuel and join you two for a bit of fun.”
Carolina was aghast. James Baldwin was the last person she’d thought to have to deal with. Why, it had been weeks since she’d even laid eyes on him, longer still since she’d had to speak with him face to face. Lowering her gaze, she frowned at the plain blue serge suit and white shirtwaist she’d chosen to wear. Mr. Thomas had warned her of the dirt and debris that accompanied all construction sites and suggested she dress quite simply. Then, too, the new summer warmth was making things a bit sticky and uncomfortable, so the outfit had seemed her best choice. Now it felt quite dowdy, and Carolina wondered why it should bother her so much.
“James, I’m delighted to have you come along with us,” Joseph replied.
“I knew you all to be quite close,” Philip said. “I met Mr. Baldwin some time ago, and his motivation to learn impressed me greatly. He called on me last week to say he was in town on business for his father, and naturally, I asked him to join us. It is especially fortuitous now that my health has been poor. I’ve asked Mr. Baldwin to tour you about the station yards and to take you on a ride west to the work camp. You’ll be in good hands with young Baldwin, here.” It was clear Thomas had the utmost confidence in James Baldwin.
James frowned slightly, then said rather hesitantly, “Excuse me, sir, but I didn’t know this was to involve a journey by rail.”
“Did I fail to mention that?” said Thomas. “No doubt since I only came up with the idea a day or so ago. You won’t mind, will you?”
“Well . . .”
Why was he so hesitant? Carolina wondered. Could it be her? Had her display at the coming-out party so disgusted him? It hadn’t appeared so at the time, but it was the only thing she could think of, and he had acted strangely that night. She was about to speak up, to somehow help him bow out gracefully, when he spoke.
“I’d be happy to,” James said. “I merely have to rearrange a couple of small things, then I can be ready to go.”
“Splendid!” Joseph said. “By the way, Mr. Thomas, has James bothered to tell you he’s engaged to marry my oldest daughter, Virginia?”
“Why, no.”
All eyes turned to James, who shrugged. “It’s a rather new concept for me.”
The men laughed, and Carolina thought James seemed uncomfortable with this sudden attention to his betrothal. She decided that might be the cause of his hesitancy. Just awkwardness about impressing his father-in-law-to-be.
While James spoke to one of the depot workers, Joseph joked with Philip about married life. Carolina couldn’t focus on the words. She suddenly realized she would be spending the entire day with James. First in the close quarters of the private railcar Philip had lent them, and then throughout the day as they surveyed the work on the line. The thought of being out around the railroad rowdies was invigorating enough, but adding James Baldwin to the picture disturbed Carolina greatly. How would she ever manage to keep her feelings in check? She’d just have to. That was all there was to it.
Joseph was walking away with Philip, intent on discussing some last-minute matter, when Carolina looked up and noticed that James was staring at her with a strange expression on his face. If she didn’t know better, she would have sworn it was regret.
“Have you been keeping up your studies?” he asked in a surprisingly gentle voice.
She nodded, realizing he was trying to put her at ease. “I just finished The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper.”
“A great book. I’ve read it several times.”
“I’ve read it twice myself,” she admitted.
“What did you like best about it?”
“Are you two coming?” Joseph called from up ahead.
Carolina put a hand to her loose bonnet ribbons and gave them a tug. “We’d best hurry or Papa will grow impatient.”
James took her elbow. It was only a polite gesture, but Carolina jumped as though he’d touched her with hot coals. “I can manage,” she said and struck out ahead of him.
Rushing up beside her, James was undaunted. “Have I somehow offended you? You’ve hardly spoken to me since the night of your birthday party. You surely aren’t still embarrassed about your outspokenness to Milford, are you?”
Carolina stopped dead. “Say nothing of it, I beg you. No one has risen up to accuse me, and I’d just as soon keep it that way. York has been kind enough to say nothing of my participation, and I’d appreciate the same courtesy from you.”
“So it is the party,” he said. “I wondered why you managed to make yourself conveniently absent whenever I was around. I assure you, Carolina, you have no reason to be embarrassed. Of course, I’ll say nothing. Don’t let it come between our friendship any longer.”
Carolina pushed past him with an exasperated sigh. He couldn’t possibly know how difficult this was for her or he’d not even broach the subject. She climbed into a passenger car that greatly resembled a stagecoach. If he wanted to believe her to be troubled over the party, then let him. At least she needn’t explain her emotions and further embarrass herself.
Joseph received her with a questioning glance. “Are you all right? Is something wrong?”