The Daughters of Jim Farrell by Sylvia Bambola

Author:Sylvia Bambola [Bambola, Sylvia]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Heritage Publishing House
Published: 2015-07-09T04:00:00+00:00

Kate sat in the back parlor listening to Joshua lay out what he claimed was a promising beginning toward proving her father’s innocence. She was glad that in addition to her sisters, Mother was present, too. It was the first time Mother had taken an interest in any of Joshua’s findings.

They all sat quietly while Joshua stood by the hearth, now covered with the hand painted screen Charlotte had decorated in delicate yellow, blue and magenta flowers, and which would remain in place throughout the warm weather.

“What we know for certain, Mrs. Farrell,” Joshua said, focusing on the elder Farrell, “is that your husband did not hire anyone to frighten Roger Blakely into selling,”

“I could have told you that.” Mother sat in the old rocker, knitting a new winter blanket for one of the many bedrooms.

Though her voice was sweet and not a bit condescending, Joshua appeared embarrassed. “Yes, well, I think we can also add this additional fact to our case—it was Martin Roach who did the hiring. Further investigation is necessary, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find that most, if not all, of his colliery sales were coerced. And if this proves true, then based on Samuel Baxter’s reaction today, it’s possible he found out and began blackmailing Roach, which would explain how Samuel Baxter shows two collieries to his credit when, according to the railroad, he was never officially enlisted as one of their agents. Even so, the railroad wasn’t bothered by his involvement, being more than happy to add those collieries to their string.”

Kate watched Joshua smile with obvious pleasure at being able to give them such good news. She then glanced at the others. They didn’t seem excited at all. Mother was the most disappointing, for she hardly looked up from her knitting, and when she did, her face was so blank it was as if Joshua had just read the coal tonnage figures for Schuylkill County.

Charlotte, too, showed little emotion. She just sat in one of the damask-covered chairs with her hands folded, looking a bit confused. Kate sighed. She shouldn’t be disappointed. Charlotte’s disposition had markedly improved since Joshua’s revelation about Benjamin’s grandfather. Her grooming, too. It was as fastidious as it had always been. Even now, she sat with her pretty ruffled dress spread about her just so, and with every blond curl neatly arrayed. But one thing hadn’t changed, she still refused to wear the pearls she was once so proud of.

Virginia was another matter. She appeared deep in thought, her brow knotted. Finally she spoke. “I have two questions. The first is: if, as you say, all this coercion took place, why didn’t the railroad know about it? Were contracts not signed? Opportunities for the truth to come out? How could Martin Roach perpetrate such a travesty, if indeed he did so? And the second question is one I don’t believe anyone has ever asked, even at the trial, and has only now occurred to me as well. What was the information Mr.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.