Chapter 3
Two weeks after dismissing Mr. Norbert Black, Judith found herself in his company once again.
For reasons beyond her understanding, she had allowed Mr. Black to talk her into dinner.
Now as they finished their main course of baked flounder with crab stuffing, she questioned the sanity of having said yes.
All he wanted to do was convince her that she must come to Minneapolis and see her grandfather.
And he seemed unwilling to take no for an answer.
“You need to understand. Frankly, it’s a matter of gravest concern,” Mr. Black reasoned. “Your grandfather is an old man and not long for this world.”
“Why do you say that? Many men have lived well past seventy-five,” Judith said, putting her fork aside.
Mr. Black pressed the napkin to his mouth, then returned it to his lap. “That is true; however, the doctor has made it clear that will not be the case with your grandfather. He has a heart condition that will not allow him to live much longer.”
“I see.” She drew a deep breath. Why did this situation have to fall upon her? Her grandfather had caused nothing but pain to her parents. Why should she yield to his request?
“He knows that you have reason to doubt the sincerity of his invitation, but he truly wants to know you. He has no one left.”
“That was his choice.” She waited for the waiter to take their plates before continuing. “My grandfather made his decision and now regrets it. Why should that matter to me?” She hated how callous her response sounded but didn’t attempt to soften her tone.
Mr. Black leaned forward with a smile. “I know that you have been taught to hate him, but let his mistakes be forgotten.”
“I was never taught to hate my grandfather.” Judith’s brow furrowed. She could feel the tension in her face and forced herself to calm. “My parents never hated him, nor will I. They felt sorry for him and pitied him for the loss in his life.”
Mr. Black looked at her oddly. “Pitied James Ashton Sr.? That isn’t something I have heard said before. Why pity one of the wealthiest men in the country?”
“Because while he might have money, he lacks what is truly important in life. First and foremost a relationship with God. My father said he never had time or interest for God. From what I’ve heard from you, that attitude remains unchanged.”
“It’s true. Mr. Ashton has never been a religious man.”
Judith shrugged. “I feel sorry for anyone lacking a relationship with God. How does a person deal with the sorrows of life without God? How does my grandfather face his own demise without knowing what awaits him in eternity? He must be terrified.”
Mr. Black chuckled. “Your grandfather is a great many things, but I hardly think terrified is one of them. I’ve never known a man with less fear. He cares not for what happens after this life. He’s only driven to see this one well-lived.”
“But it’s not well-lived. Having served only himself and his ambitions, my grandfather forfeited the only things that truly mattered.
He had a family but cast us all aside. He might have known love for a lifetime.
As I understand it, my grandmother and father showed him great affection, and he turned away from them. ”
“He was a man of business. He was driven to provide for his family.”
“At the cost of a relationship with them. Don’t you find that sad?”
Mr. Black leaned back against the chair and seemed to really consider her words for a moment. “I suppose I do. I am not like him in the way that he doesn’t need affection and affirmation in his life. I would cherish the love of a wife and child . . . children.”
Judith smiled. “Most men would. Most women as well. We were not made to face life alone. Even so, a person can hardly be tied so completely to their job and bank account and still have anything left to share with another. My father longed for a relationship with his father. He had to turn to others to fill that void because his own father would have nothing to do with him. And why? Because he married the woman he loved, rather than allow my grandfather to assign him a mate by way of a beneficial financial arrangement.”
“Still, it seems that he is seeking to make amends now. A Christian is called upon to forgive and forget.”
“Forgive, yes. But forgetting is far more difficult, and I might say, both require divine assistance. People are not easily given to forgetting the wrong done to them.”
“True, Mrs. Stanford. Very true. It is hard to forget those things people have done to us . . . hurtful and devastating things. I, too, struggle to let go of the past. That’s why I can understand your hesitancy to forgive your grandfather.
The two go so closely hand in hand. It must be difficult for you to let go of the wrongs he has done to you and your family. ”
Judith didn’t care for the implication that she couldn’t forgive her grandfather. Before Norbert Black had shown up, she hadn’t given the old man much thought. The poor in Philadelphia consumed her time and efforts, and James Ashton Sr. was but a vague consideration. Until now.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Black. I suppose I seem harsh.
Believe me, I am not. Since your first visit, I have thought of my grandfather and wondered whether I made the right decision.
Seeing you back here so soon sends me yet again down a path of contemplation.
It wouldn’t be that difficult to board a train and go west to at least speak to him. ”
“I truly don’t think you would regret it, and he has authorized this to sweeten the deal.” Mr. Black reached into his coat and produced what appeared to be a bank draft. When he handed it to her, she realized that was exactly what it was. She was shocked by the amount of money represented there.
“What is this for?”
“Mr. Ashton knows that taking you away from your charity work is something that concerns you and affects your decision. He offers this donation as a means to provide for those charities while you’re gone.
Now you can come to him unconcerned by what your absence might mean to them, having already provided for their needs. ”
“I see.” She studied the draft for a moment.
Ten thousand dollars was a great deal of money.
Certainly more than she had to share on her own.
The benefits it could provide for the destitute were too great to ignore.
She couldn’t allow her pride and frustration with one old man to determine whether or not someone in need had a meal or warm place to stay.
“Very well,” she said, looking up at Mr. Black. “It would appear that I can be bought.”
He shook his head. “I don’t see it that way at all. I see that you regard the needs of others above your own desires. That makes you quite admirable in my thoughts.”
“Well, I’m not sure I’m deserving of your praise, but I can hardly allow such generosity to be forsaken.”
“We can leave tomorrow. I have your grandfather’s private train car at the ready.”
“I will need a couple of days to put my affairs in order. I couldn’t possibly leave until Friday.” Judith was already making a mental list of things that would have to be done. Leaving for any great amount of time would require putting additional responsibilities on Helen.
By Friday, things were set in motion to allow Judith to leave Philadelphia without great concern that others would suffer in her absence.
Helen would distribute her grandfather’s money according to her instructions.
Thankfully they hadn’t yet sent invitations for the garden party and would wait until Judith’s return to move forward on their plans.
It would make for a good midsummer event.
Helen had readily accepted the additional responsibilities.
She would oversee the charities as well as Judith’s household.
Judith knew that Mr. Barnes, her business manager, would be more than capable of handling all the riverboat financial affairs and her other investments.
Oh, the blessing of having capable assistants.
Norbert Black was on her doorstep precisely at the agreed-upon hour of ten. Judith had her staff load her trunks onto his hired carriage. She’d had little idea of how long she’d be gone and so planned as concisely as possible. Still, it was difficult to know exactly what to bring.
Her grandfather was known to have one of the finest houses in Minneapolis, according to Mr. Black.
Therefore, she was certain they would dress formally for the evening meal.
Black had also told her that her grandfather was not given to evenings on the town or social gatherings.
She’d decided against bringing any of her finer things for events like operas and ballroom parties.
If such occasions arose in the short time she planned for her visit, Judith would simply beg off.
At the train station, the crowds were overwhelming.
The rush of people coming and going was enough to make Judith question her sanity.
Thankfully, James Ashton Sr. had a well-appointed private rail coach for travel, and she wouldn’t find herself packed into the overcrowded passenger cars.
The Ashton coach would allow for comfort and privacy.
Perhaps too much privacy, where Mr. Black was concerned, but given that the porter would be constantly checking in with them, Judith felt it would be acceptable.
Thankfully he would be sleeping elsewhere.
“I think you’re going to like traveling this way. It’s quite refined, and your grandfather spared no expense.”
She was rather impressed by the car, though for its sensibility rather than its opulence. The walls were paneled in walnut, and the upholsteries were done in a sturdy damask. The sage-green background with cream-colored fleur-de-lis patterns made a stately, almost regal appearance.