The Callahans: The Complete Series

by Gordon Ryan

  The circumstances of Benjamin’s birth helped Tom understand the premium that Katrina placed on her own parental role. He hadn’t known, until the doctor made a remark about Katrina’s good fortune, following the successful delivery of Benjamin, the danger Katrina had put herself in by becoming pregnant again. Learning the truth about her condition and realizing how near he had come to losing her had shocked Tom to the core. It had also increased his admiration to say nothing of his love for her.

  While discussing the birth of Benjamin with Robert Thurston a few days later, Tom’s business partner observed that there was a biblical precedent.

  “Jacob and Rachel’s last-born son was also named Benjamin, but unlike Rachel, who died giving birth, Katrina had been spared. You’re a lucky man, Thomas. God has given you one final child to care for, and has seen fit also to permit you to continue to love and care for Katrina as well.”

  Apart from any specific religious feeling, Tom found himself awed by the responsibility involved in being a husband and father. He never confronted Katrina with his new-found knowledge regarding her medical condition, but was privately pleased when both Katrina and the doctor informed him, together, that she would be unable to have any more children and that medical procedures had been effected to assure her health.

  As 1907 approached, Katrina continued to write in her journal, to pour her heart and soul out to Nana, the one confidant who was privy to all the things, or at least most of the things, that occurred in Katrina Callahan’s life. At twenty-eight, with Sarah Hansen a couple of years younger, she hoped there was yet time for both of their desires to be fulfilled—children for Sarah, and Tom’s church membership for Katrina.

  Chapter 13

  The convocation hall was filled with family members, friends, and neighbors, gathered to watch the commencement ceremonies for the University of Utah, class of 1906. Seated with Robert and Alice Thurston and Anders and Sarah Hansen, Katrina wondered where her husband was and what was taking him so long to arrive. She was visibly nervous and glanced again at her pendant watch, an Easter gift from Tom. The Callahans and Hansens were home less than a week from a hurried trip to Europe, where on May 17, 1906, they had participated in independence day celebrations in honor of Norway’s new nation status.

  The collective buzz in Salt Lake City and in the convocation center still revolved around the disastrous earthquake in San Francisco that had occurred a few days after the Callahans and Hansens had left for Norway. Upon arriving home, Tom had learned from Robert that Gary Simonsen, the San Francisco attorney who had originally purchased Tom’s Alaska gold claims, had been killed, along with over five hundred other people in the catastrophe.

  Katrina looked again at her watch. “I don’t understand it, Robert. He’s never late for such events. I hope nothing’s wrong.”

  “Don’t fret, Katie,” Sarah said, “I’m sure he’ll be right along, or that he’ll have a reasonable explanation, and if he doesn’t make it in here in time, he’ll probably be with the graduates as they form up outside.”

  “I attended the choir’s practice last week, Katie,” Alice said, trying to divert her attention. “The rendition of Bach was overwhelming.”

  “Thank you, Alice. I so love that number. We’re going to sing it in October conference.”

  “That will be lovely,” Alice added.

  The university orchestra began to play, and quiet descended over the auditorium. After several minutes, the orchestra commenced to play “Pomp and Circumstance,” and the graduates of 1906 began to file into the auditorium. Katrina scanned the two lines of gowned graduates, watching for Tom to appear.

  “Surely he wouldn’t miss this moment, after all these years of effort,” Katie said. “He always likes to be on time, and if I’m a minute late, with my hair or something, he’s pacing up and down the hall.”

  “I declare,” Anders said, “you’re more nervous than Tom, Klinka. You’d think you were giving the commencement address.”

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” the officiator began, “tonight we are honored to ...”

  Finally Katie relaxed and began to take interest in the proceedings, content to allow Tom his awkward entry should he arrive during the ceremonies. Following the commencement addresses, and presentation of special awards, the president of the university instructed the graduating class to rise, and the faculty and administration prepared to present the diplomas. The first row of students began to file toward the stage, waiting for their names to be called.

  “Wilson Talmage Addison, Bachelor of Science, Astronomy,” the announcer called. A smattering of applause rose from the audience.

  “Henry Madison Baker, Bachelor of Arts, Music.” More applause, from a different section of the audience.

  Katie studied the graduates again, frustrated by the uniform look the caps and gowns gave their appearance. She caught Robert’s eye for a moment, and he smiled at her, giving her a quick wink. He whispered, “They all look alike in their robes, Katie. He’ll be all right.”

  “Geraldine Marie Brubaker, Bachelor of Science, with honors in Mathematics,” the officiator continued.

  “Thomas Matthew Callahan, Bachelor of Science, Economics,” the announcer called. Katie’s head jerked upright, and she looked toward the podium as Tom made his way down the aisle toward the stage. Under the mortarboard, there he was, the University of Utah’s latest graduate in economics. Tom bounced up the stairs, his black gown flowing, then walked briskly across the stage to shake the university president’s hand and receive his parchment scroll.

  Katie beamed as if her firstborn were graduating. She had a quick, fleeting thought of her long-ago dream of attending the university and becoming a teacher. She smiled to herself, quickly dismissing the thought. She looked over toward Robert and Alice who were smiling and clapping enthusiastically. On her other side, Anders and Sarah were likewise engaged. As Tom descended the far side of the stage, filing back along his row to resume his seat with his classmates, Katie took a moment to review the printed graduation program. She traced the names alphabetically down the list and paused as her finger came to the name, Callahan, Thomas Matthew, Bachelor of Science, Economics. Sure enough, after nearly nine years of marriage and seven years of intermittent study, Tom was listed with the other graduates.

  Katie’s tears appeared as she reached for Robert’s hand. “It is a fine evening, Robert. I’m so proud of him.”

  Afterward, during a late supper at the Knudsen House, Tom explained how his punctured tire had forced him, in cap and gown, to scurry up Second South, all the way to the university, arriving breathless and sweaty underneath the robe. He was in fine form and kept the six of them laughing through the evening as he parried the good-natured teasing he took from the other five about his advanced age among so many young college students. Finally, as the evening got late, the couples said good night and went their separate ways.

  Later, in the privacy of their bedroom suite, Tom lay propped up on his pillow watching Katrina brush her hair. After a time, she turned out the light and joined her husband in bed.

  “So, Mr. Callahan, newly possessed of a university degree, has it made you any smarter?” Katie laughed as she snuggled up to him in the moonlight that was coming through the east window.

  “I think not, Katie. The smartest decision I ever made is still the one I made while an ignorant Irish lad, running away from the law—the one I made on the Antioch when my heart sang out to me, ‘She’s the one, Tommy, me lad.’”

  “Mr. Callahan,” she said, rolling closer to kiss his lips. “I think the Irish were born with a degree in linguistics. It’s genetic, I believe.”

  “Why thank you, lass,” he laughed, and pulled her into his arms.

  April conference, 1906, caused quite a stir in the Salt Lake community. In October of the previous year, two of the members of the Twelve had resigned their positions on the Council. When newly called Apostles were read into the record for general membership sustaining vote, thirty-two-y
ear-old David O. McKay was among those sustained. Tom and Katrina were not in attendance, having already left Utah for Norway and the celebrations.

  Now, at the October conference, Tom smiled as he looked down from his seat in the Tabernacle balcony at his old friend sitting on the dais with President Joseph F. Smith and the other General Authorities. Katrina, as usual, held her place on stage with the choir. Tom’s increasing family, however, had added to his space requirement, since PJ, Tommy, and Tess usually accompanied him. Young Benjamin was left at home under care.

  Following the session of conference, the children left the temple grounds with Aunt Sarah who agreed to take them home for the evening, and, if they were good, she had said, to freeze some homemade ice cream. Tom waited as usual for Katrina to arrive following her appearance with the choir. He could see small groups of well-wishers gathered around Elder McKay and his tiny wife, Emma. Since their marriage, the McKays had been occasional guests in the Callahan home, and vice versa, but Elder McKay’s increasing church responsibilities had often taken him overseas for weeks at a time. Those responsibilities, Tom surmised, would only increase with his new calling.

  Katie arrived just as the small gathering around D.O. began to disperse, and the young Apostle started to walk toward the south gate. Catching his eye just briefly, Tom nodded and tipped his hat toward Emma. D.O. walked straight over toward Tom and Katrina.

  “Good day to the Callahans,” McKay said.

  “And a very good day to you, D.O., Emma,” Tom said, once more tipping his hat.

  “I’ve been meaning to catch you one fine day, Tom. I’ve just been carried away with duties abroad and elsewhere in the States. I was present at your graduation, but was unable to find you in the crowd after the ceremonies. My sincere congratulations on a well-deserved honor. I know you worked long and hard on that degree and on your legal training. A lawyer and a banker—a formidable combination,” McKay smiled. “This man is just full of surprises, isn’t he, Katrina?” he laughed.

  “My life has been one big surprise since he came along. A pleasant surprise, mind you,” she added, slipping her arm into Tom’s and smiling warmly.

  “And it seems a measure of honor has developed in your life while we were in Europe,” Tom offered.

  McKay cocked his head sideways and clicked his lips. “Well, I imagine it seems that way to some, Tom, but it is in fact a very humbling experience. There are so many worthy men who—”

  “David,” Tom said, reaching for his hand. “Bishop Scanlan himself has told me on many occasions that the Lord doesn’t always call the most worthy, or the best qualified. But, and this is where I believe both your religion and mine concur, the Lord always qualifies whomever He calls. I think He made the right choice, Elder McKay,” Tom smiled brightly. “And now, if I remember it right from our early-morning walk in Scotland some years ago, ‘What ’ere thou art, act well thy part.’”

  David smiled, nodded his head, and clasped Tom’s hand in both of his. “It seems that perhaps we both have a mission to accomplish in this world, Mr. Callahan. In that regard, perhaps I could come and speak with you at your bank one day soon. President Smith is preparing to clear the final bond indebtedness on the church. I’d appreciate the advice of Utah Trust Bank’s chairman,” he smiled.

  “My door is always open to you, Brother McKay. Please come at your pleasure.”

  “Thank you, Tom, and thanks for your kind words. Emma and I would love to have you and Katrina join us some evening for dinner, if that would suit your plans.”

  “We would love that, Elder McKay,” Katrina said.

  “It used to be D.O.,” he teased.

  “Yes, it did ... Elder McKay,” Katrina repeated.

  “A lovely day to you both,” McKay said, as he and his wife continued toward the south gate.

  Tom and Katrina watched the couple walk away, and Katrina waved to several other choir members who were also leaving Temple Square.

  “Thomas, did you enjoy the choir?” Katrina asked as they began to stroll toward the exit.

  “Were there others singing?” he laughed.

  “Thomas,” she laughed, “you need a new scriptwriter. You’ve been saying that since the first conference you attended.”

  “Aye, and you’ve been asking me the same question, knowing well the answer,” he said, holding on to her arm.

  Katrina blushed slightly. “I’m sorry we missed the April conference. It would have been thrilling to have been here for the announcement of D.O.’s calling. What do you think of it?” she asked.

  Tom thought for a moment as they exited Temple Square and began the walk up Brigham Street toward home. “It’s as I said to him, Catholic or Mormon, the Lord chooses the right men it seems. D.O. has impressed me as a fine man since the day he pulled me out from under the hooves of a wild horse, right over ... there,” he pointed.

  “Well, Thomas, if Brother McKay is the Lord’s appointed, and if he saved your life so long ago, perhaps the Lord used Brother McKay on that occasion also,” she beamed. “Maybe, as Brother McKay said, He has a purpose for you, too.”

  “Let’s not be stretching the meaning, Katie,” he chuckled.

  “We shall see, Thomas. We shall see.”

  “You may well be right, as you often are,” he smiled. “For now, let’s go home and have some of that fine roast beef. Robert and Alice should be over in an hour or so.”

  “What was it Robert wanted to talk to you about?”

  “I don’t know, actually. He’s always got some scheme or another afoot.”

  “I’ll see the roast beef is rare enough for him,” Katrina laughed. “He practically likes it to walk in from the kitchen.”

  “That he does,” Tom laughed.

  Chapter 14

  “But, Thomas, I don’t want to go without you.”

  “Katie, we’ve been all through this several times. Please understand. I need to be here. The union issues are extremely volatile right now. In fact, they have been for some time. The bomb explosions at the Hotel Utah construction site last year were no accident. I’m afraid we can expect more of the same, if the militants have their way. Robert and I need to work closely with the other mine owners, and the governor, if we’re to bring some sanity to these issues.”

  “I do understand that, Thomas,” she said, cutting a sandwich in two and putting the plate in front of him. “But why must I go with Momma and Poppa back to Norway?”

  “You know your parents are going anyway. It’s 1911, Katie. Your father hasn’t seen Norway since he first came to America in 1895. Lars ... well, Lars has made it plain that he thinks he hasn’t got much longer, and, from what your mother says, his doctor agrees. He wants to see Norway again before it’s too late. And your mother, bless her heart, will be by his side every step of the way, but she can’t really take care of him. She’s not all that well herself.”

  Katrina sat down across from Tom, put her elbows on the kitchen table, and, resting her chin in her hands, she stared at her husband.

  “Thomas Callahan, who do you think you’re really fooling? Not since you bought me that new car for my birthday, and told me it was for the bank, have I let you mislead me so,” she smiled. “But this is serious. You want us out of the way because of the danger. Some of the other mine owners’ wives have been talking. Their husbands feel the same way.”

  “And rightly so,” Tom said, standing and filling his glass with milk, then setting it next to his plate. “Katie,” he said, moving to stand behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders, and rubbing her neck. “Please do this for me. I’ll feel so much better about what needs to be done if I know you and the children are safely away from Salt Lake and any possible trouble.”

  Katrina leaned her head back and looked upside down at Tom. “You know PJ can’t, or more likely, won’t go. He’s determined to stay and keep his place in the bishop’s new Boy Scout program.”

  “I know. I can deal with PJ, if the rest of the children are with you. He�
��s thirteen, quite sensible, and he can pretty well take care of himself. Besides, he’ll spend some of his time with Anders and Sarah while they’re home from Washington. But if Tommy, Tess, and Benjamin are with you, I’ll be able to relax a bit more.”

  Katrina stood up, turned around, and put her arms around Tom’s neck. “The last thing you’ll be doing, Mister Callahan, is relaxing. If no one is here to demand that you come home, you’ll spend twenty hours a day at that bank. And what about Robert and Alice? I suppose you’ll make him work long hours, too.”

  “Alice is probably having this same conversation with Robert right now. He wants her to go down to St. George and stay with her sister.”

  “Fine,” she growled. “Get all the women and children out of town and fight it out with the union. That’s no answer.”

  “No, it’s not,” Tom said, exasperated. “But what choice have we got, Katie? We’ve put a lot of effort and years into this enterprise, and I don’t intend to see it frittered away because a bunch of immigrants want to drag us down.”

  “Thomas, I’m surprised at you,” Katie exclaimed. “We’re both immigrants. You know that.”

  “Of course we are, Katie,” he replied, his voice softer, “but we’ve tried to contribute to our world, not just demand that everything be given to us.”

  “In all fairness, Thomas, you have to admit, the Lord has blessed us greatly. There are some appalling conditions in those mines, and in the homes where those poor mothers have to raise their children—it just makes me want to cry.”

  He nodded and resumed his seat. “Indeed. They remind me of the coal mines in Ireland and the shacks throughout the village. But I’m only one man, Katie, and I’m not the sole owner of any of the mines in which UTB has an interest. I’ll try, but if we give these union people an inch, the negotiators will rip our hearts out.”