Chapter 23 #2
“I was working in an official capacity for the Pinkerton Agency,” Spencer explained. “Any reward is due to them alone. I’m sure they would happily accept a check from the Union Pacific.” Spencer handed the man a card. “This is the man to contact and his address in our Chicago offices.”
The man took the card and glanced at it with a nod.
“It would seem I’ve got all of the needed information.
We will see this matter resolved, to be sure.
It’s hard to believe Eugene Astor was orchestrating all of this deception.
I honestly liked the man. He was quiet and kept to himself, but he was pleasant enough when pressed. ”
Spencer thought of the misery the man had caused him and of the years spent pursuing Astor. Mostly, however, there remained thoughts of Astor’s desire for forgiveness. How was Spencer to go about that? The man had taken so much.
Spencer got to his feet. “I’ll leave you to it, then. I’m sure you’ll have plenty to oversee in this matter.”
“Actually, someone else will be put in charge. My focus is working with the powers in Washington to see this territory becomes a state. We have most of them convinced, but to assure statehood comes this year we must press forward and do so in a very persuasive manner.”
“Well, good luck to you.”
The man laughed. “The Union Pacific doesn’t rely on luck, to be sure. We have too much at stake. Especially given people like Astor, who seem determined to take what they can from us. Those folks in Washington will also take what they can, so we have our work cut out for us.”
“Yes, sir.” Spencer picked up his hat. “I suppose rather than luck, then, I should ask God’s direction and mercy for everyone concerned.”
With that Spencer left the Union Pacific office and headed back downtown to the jail. He wanted to let his father-in-law know what had taken place before going home. Edward Vogel was just pulling on his outer coat and hat when Spencer knocked on his door.
“Spencer, good to see you. How’s it going?”
“Good. I just met with a Union Pacific official and went over the details of Eugene Astor and his thievery. They were shocked at the amount of money he managed to steal but grateful that at the end he wanted to give it back.”
“Are you heading home?”
“Yeah, Carrie will want to know all about this.”
“We can walk part of the way together.”
Spencer nodded and followed Vogel out onto the street. Traffic was as bad as ever, with more bicycles these days than Spencer had ever seen, even back east. The horses didn’t like them, but they were growing in popularity with the people. Carrie had even talked about getting a bicycle for herself.
“So what’s next, Spencer?”
The question took him off guard. “I suppose I’m asking myself that.”
“It would seem God’s giving you a chance to start everything anew. The past is cleaned up and put to rest. Time to focus on something else.”
“I’ve thought of that myself, but there’s something I haven’t yet come to terms with.”
Vogel glanced over. “What would that be?”
“Forgiving Astor. He asked me to, I’m just not sure how.”
“Are you opposed to forgiving him? I mean, he did a terrible thing that changed your life and that of your mother.”
“I don’t feel it’s so much that I’m opposed to it, but I’ve hated him for so long.
Blamed him for every bad thing that happened, including my mother’s death.
It was easier to blame him than accept what was happening around me.
I’ve spent most of my life hating that man and wanting him to pay for what he did. ”
“And instead, he up and died.”
Spencer thought about that for a moment. “Yes. He got away with it all.”
“Did he?”
“What do you mean?”
They paused at the busy intersection of Eighteenth and Capitol while several freight wagons passed.
“Astor’s life was hardly ideal. He might have found ways to rob the Union Pacific, but that didn’t make him happy.
He was close to his mother but could never be with her.
He knew that seeing her, or even receiving a letter from her, would cause him to be captured.
He bore the guilt of what he’d done, and I don’t care how hardened a man you might be, unless you’re just plain evil, that’s going to eat at you. ”
“Astor wasn’t evil. He told me he never meant to kill my father. It was an accident. He was only going to graze him to stop his pursuit. My father moved, and that changed everything. Astor said it haunted him for the rest of his life.”
“So he did care.”
“Yeah, I guess in his way.”
“But he also cared about himself. Keeping alive is what we do best. We fight the elements, circumstances, and other people in order to keep alive. It’s deep in our nature.
We even battle God on occasion, begging and pleading, promising whatever we think might prove our worthiness, all in order to go on living. ”
“True enough.”
“But, Spencer, I can tell you one thing. Harboring unforgiveness is one of those things that will rob you of your life. It will deplete your health and happiness. It will interfere in every corner of your world. Refusing to forgive another person does absolutely no good.”
“I guess I can see that for myself. I want to be forgiven, and the Bible says I must forgive for that to happen. But it’s hard to know how to go about it, especially with Astor.”
“Why especially?”
“Because I’ve hated him for so long. He’s been the focus of my days up until now.”
“Then make something else that focus. Put your energy into knowing the Lord better, making a good marriage with my daughter, deciding what you want to do with your life.”
“And forgive Eugene Astor?”
“I think it probably starts there, son. Just take it one step at a time. Pursue forgiveness like you pursued Astor. One step at a time, one moment.”
Spencer looked at his father-in-law and smiled. God had given him a good mentor in Edward Vogel. Marriage to Carrie was going to have far more benefits than Spencer had ever imagined.
“I’ll do my best, but I would sure appreciate your prayers.”
“Son, you’ve had my prayers since I first learned you were married to Carrie.” He smiled and gave Spencer a pat on the back. “I won’t stop now.”