Chapter 8
Max sat across from his father’s large ornate oak desk, listening as he read from an updated report that came from Max’s brothers just a few days earlier.
The economic news continued to worsen. Additional banks had collapsed, and the largest of the New York banks were resorting to using scrip and clearinghouse certificates to satisfy the needs of customers.
If something didn’t give soon, they feared a complete collapse of the financial institutions in America.
“They also point out that large corporations are shutting down or pulling back on previously agreed upon arrangements. Expansions have come to a halt, and some businesses are stopping manufacturing altogether.” He put down the letter. “The time has come to make some very difficult decisions.”
“Such as burning down the sawmills?” Max couldn’t help himself. He knew his father’s business cronies were searching for the easiest solution.
“It wouldn’t hurt anyone,” his father said, trying to make the idea sound like a reasonable option.
“We’ve long paid premiums and deserve to get our money back.
” He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers.
“I’m telling you, Max, everyone is considering the possibility.
We aren’t the only ones to find ourselves in this precarious situation. ”
“It is illegal to set fire to your sawmill, Father. They call it arson, and it’s very much against the law.”
His father slammed his fists on the desk and shook his head. “You have a better solution?”
“I’ve looked the numbers over again and now agree that we will have to close some of our operations. I suggest work continue at the logging sight, but we’ll cut the hours and delay on moving the logs to the mill. Instead of pay, we’ll continue to offer the men room and board.”
“That’s robbery. If they aren’t working, we need to get rid of them.”
“We have some good teams right now, Father. Losing those experienced and well-trained men would be to our detriment. By reducing their working hours and compensating with room and board, we can save money. They won’t need to eat such massive meals if they aren’t working, so we’ll save on food.
Some of the men may even want to take time away to visit family who live elsewhere. ”
“Just dismiss them and close the entire camp. There’s no sense in keeping it up and running.”
“As I said before, I don’t want to lose experienced workers.
” Max drew a deep breath and let it go slowly.
“Not only that, but while I see the sense of closing down the sawmills, we need to have logs ready for when the economy turns around. Other businesses are ceasing work on everything. We will have a stockpile of logs available when the mills reopen. We will be the only ones able to run at full capacity in the beginning, and that alone will see us with an abundance of finished lumber to sell.”
“It’s ridiculous. I’ve never cared for the lumber business anyway. I only took it on because Ambrose suggested it was a ready crop for Minnesota and an easy return on our investment.”
“Why don’t you just allow me to buy you out? I’ll buy the logging site acreage and business as well as the two sawmills on Boom Island.”
“Why would you want to do that?”
“I’ve always found that aspect of your business dealings here to be the most fascinating.
I’ve made my own investments, as you know, and I believe the lumber industry is a solid one to be a part of.
I plan to expand into it and might as well start with what is already in the family.
If you want to get out, then write me up a contract. ”
“You feel that strongly that the business is worth saving?”
“I do. Even now I’m arranging to build on one of my property sites.
” Max leaned back and casually crossed his legs.
“Minneapolis has quadrupled their population in the last decade, and there are no signs that growth will slow. People will continue to move here, and with them will come the need for more housing and industry. And think of the West. Just look at what the Union Pacific has done to encourage settlement in the states along the rail line. Lumber will be at the core of that westward expansion, and I intend to be a part of it.”
“I must say, you make a good point.” His father considered the matter. “Still, we need to get through this immediate crisis, and my liquid assets are lower than they’ve ever been.”
“I agree, but this crisis is not going to last forever. Yes, we need to make some changes. There are other areas where we can conserve and save money. You may not like the idea of cutting back and doing without some of your immediate luxuries, but it will certainly be better in the long run than burning down your assets for insurance money.”
“What is all this arguing about?” the Duchess asked as she came to interrupt them.
Max frowned at his stepmother. “We aren’t arguing. We’re discussing our options given the financial crisis going on around us. I was just suggesting the best we can do is economize and cut back on expensive items.”
“Oh bother, Maxwell. You are always such a negative soul. I can see why you haven’t found a woman to tolerate you.”
Max thought of Evie Turner and the wonderful day they’d shared Saturday. He might have smiled, but he didn’t want to give his stepmother power to ruin his memories.
“If avoiding expenses is important, how is it that you’ve bought yourself a house and arranged to move away from your father and me?” she continued. “It seems to me that was a most foolish decision.”
“Not at all. Since people are finding themselves in a bind, some of those who have taken hard losses are selling property. Property is always a good investment. Besides, at thirty years of age, I believe it’s far past time for me to move into a place of my own.”
“He’s right, Duchess,” Max’s father said, gathering his papers into a single stack.
“I applaud his decision. It’s a lovely home in a desirable neighborhood.
He bought it for a good price, far less than it might have sold for even last year, and it is furnished.
He made a good choice, and I will not chide him for it. ”
“Well, it just seems that money could have been saved in that way.”
“Money could have been saved by staying in Minneapolis rather than living in New York for two months,” Max replied. “It could certainly have been saved by purchasing a less expensive wardrobe and artwork for this house.”
“You are always so tedious, Maxwell. I am weary of your frugality. My spiritualist says that good things are coming, and I should not concern myself with money. She said that the free flow of coin will be to our blessing and benefit.”
“So long as a good amount of that money flows over her palm, eh?” Max stood. “I meant what I said, Father. If you wish to draw up a contract, I’ll take everything related to the lumber industry off your hands.”
“I heard that you spent the day in the company of the Turners’ eldest children, as well as the Knutssons’ son and daughter. Saturday, I believe.” His stepmother gave a smug, defiant look his way.
Max shrugged and turned his attention to putting papers back in his satchel. “I see the gossip mill continues to entertain.”
“I simply wanted to commend you for your good taste. It’s been some time since you were involved with anything other than reading your books and .
. . this.” She waved at the paperwork on the desk.
“I was cheered to hear that you were particularly in the company of Evelyn Turner. Although I can hardly approve of her desires to work at her father’s side as a nurse, she is one of the most desirable choices for a wife that I could hope for you.
At least from a financial aspect. Her family is from old money on her mother’s side, and she has already come into an inheritance. ”
“Well, that is gratifying, Duchess. I’ve finally done something of which you approve.” Max moved toward the door, satchel under his arm. He picked up his hat and glanced back, giving it a little shake in Josephine’s direction. “I shall have to go and celebrate.”
He didn’t wait to hear what else she might have to say.
His stepmother was all about the appearance of matters and the cost of everything.
He had never known her to concern herself with his needs nor desires.
Therefore, Max felt no obligation to tell her that Evie Turner was one of the most charming and gracious women he’d ever met.
Nor would he mention that he intended to know her better.
“I’m glad we ran into each other,” Max said as he took a seat at the table of one of Minneapolis’s newer restaurants.
Evan Turner’s smile widened. “Me too. I had a lot of fun on Saturday.”
“Yes, but I think very little of it had anything to do with me.”
A waiter appeared at the table and offered them each a menu. “Would either of you gentlemen care for something to drink? I have iced tea and lemonade as well as hot tea and coffee.”
“I think the iced tea sounds good,” Max replied, studying what the menu had to offer.
“Yes, definitely something cold. The heat has me longing for the lake once again,” Evan said, running a finger under his collar. “I am looking forward to twenty below.”
Max chuckled and put the menu aside. “I don’t know that I would go that far.”
“What looks good?” Evan glanced down at the choices. “Oh, they have a steak. That’s good enough for me. I need look no farther.”
“I was thinking much the same.” Max found it easy to be in Evan’s company. The young man was intelligent yet not at all pretentious.
They placed their orders when the waiter returned, then sat back to enjoy the iced tea and discuss their day.
Evan shared that his firm was involved in some conflict resolution between two rival flour companies but didn’t get into the details.
“Confidentiality is critical in any business, but in this situation it’s an absolute necessity. ”