The Preacher

By Billie Conner

Reverend Nathaniel Wolde is trying hard to cope with the changes that have come into his life. Though now a prosperous man, he'd never believed himself poor. All his friends told him it was progress, and he'd have to deal with it. This book deals with the many facets of his life. He is a partner in a real estate venture, and is a Aide to 6th District Congressman William Willey. He is heavily involved in the efforts to gain statehood for western Virginia. Reverend Wolde attended a session of the U.S. senate and at the urging of John Breckenridge, read the Constitution. He buys the old Morgan estate for his wife, Baroness Mary Catherine MacTavish. Marion county hosts an Independence Day gala there. Ian MacTavish comes for a month-long visit; young Riley comes home after 6 months in Scotland, and bonds with his older brother, Roy. it tells the story of David Sullivan, and how he stole his college sweetheart away from her home in New York City, to come live in the mountains of western Virginia. It tells the story about Reverend Wolde's adopted father, a Red Coat Sergeant in the Kings Army, and how he became friends with a British Admiral, and both men settled in western Virginia. Reverend Wolde becomes an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church, and his friends built him a church. The entire Wolde family, and several friends accompany Ian and Riley when they return to Scotland aboard the family's clipper ship, The Catherine Ross.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 19, 2011
• ISBN: 9781469119809

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Copyright © 2012 by Billie Conner.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Contents

CAST OF CHARACTERS

PART ONE

Roger Shelton

PART TWO

The Admiralty

PART THREE

Esther Weinburg

PART FOUR

The Game

PART FIVE

Esther Sullivan

PART SIX

The Barony

PART SEVEN

Riley Comes Home

EPILOGUE

CAST OF CHARACTERS

NATHANIEL (NATHAN) WOLDE—Adopted son of Ethan and Sarah Wolde. Farmer/Preacher, Husband of Mary Catherine Collingsworth. Parents killed in Indian wars. Adopted by Ethan and Sarah Wolde.

MARY CATHERINE COLLINGSWORTH—Born out of wedlock daughter of Baron Robert MacTavish, Scotland, and Judith Conaway. Raised by Maddie (Judith’s sister) and Clarence Collingsworth as their own child. Married Nathaniel Wolde. Mother of five children. Step-sister of Ian MacTavish.

ROY, RALEIGH (RILEY), MARTHA, SARAH, LUCY WOLDE—Children of Nathan and Mary Catherine Wolde.

ETHAN WOLDE—Former British soldier, released from service due to severe wounds. Husband of Sarah. Adopted Nathan in Pittsburg at age 6.

SARAH WOLDE—Hospital nurse in Philadelphia. Tended to wounded Ethan Wolde, then later, married him.

CLARENCE COLLINGSWORTH—Metal worker/Machinist/Blacksmith—Husband of Maddie, foster parent of Mary Catherine, but actually, her Uncle.

MADDIE COLLINGSWORTH—Wife of Clarence, sister of Judith Conaway—foster parent of Mary Catherine, but actually her Aunt.

JUDITH CONAWAY—Sister of Maddie, Mistress of Baron Robert MacTavish, mother of Mary Catherine

BARON ROBERT MAC TAVISH—Son of Augustus MacTavish, Dundee, Scotland, Companion of Judith Conaway, father of Mary Catherine Wolde, father of Ian MacTavish

ANN LEIGH MAC TAVISH—Wife of Robert MacTavish, Dundee, Scotland, mother of Ian MacTavish, died following childbirth.

SYLVESTER ROTHCHILD—Solicitor in NYC employed by MacTavish Ltd, Dundee, Scotland.

LAWRENCE ROTHCHILD—Grandson of Sylvester

ALBERT SAWYER—Former Captain of China Clipper Ship. Retired from sea. Married to Martha. Captain of Steamboat on Monongahela. Owns commercial warehouse, partner with Nathan in real estate venture

MARTHA SAWYER—Wife of Albert. Schoolteacher, God mother of Martha Wolde. Mary Catherine’s dearest friend.

JOSEPH (JOE) AND LUCY WINTERS—Migrating from New Jersey to Ohio. Lost all possessions when tornado hits barge carrying wagon down the Ohio River. Comes to live with Nathan on farm. Joe is killed in accident while cutting timber. Lucy marries Patrick O’Connor.

PATRICK O’CONNOR—Irish immigrant who lost wife to influenza. Meets Nathan who allows him and family to come in live in old home place in return for help on the farm. Father of Sean, Michael, and Megan.

LUCY O’CONNOR—Widow of Joseph Winters who was killed in accident cutting timber. Marries Patrick.

SEAN, MICHAEL AND MEGAN O’CONNOR—Children of Patrick O’Connor

JAMES MARSDEN—Vice-president for Construction, B&O Railroad. Currently involved with extending B&O tracks through Fairmont to Wheeling. Hires Sean O’Connor whom he plans to train to become his assistant.

IAN MAC TAVISH—Son of Baron Robert MacTavish, Step-brother of Mary Catherine Wolde, mentor of his nephew, Charles Raleigh Wolde

THOMAS PATRICK—Warehouse manager for MACTAVISH Ltd. in NYC

HANS AND INGA WILHELM—Long time members of the household staff and the MacTavish estate in Scotland who travel with Ian when he comes to America

CAPTAIN THOMAS STUART—Captain of the Clipper Ship, Catherine Ross, owned by MacTavish, Ltd.

DAVID SULLIVAN—Nephew of Lawrence Rothchild. Came to territory to seek his fortune. Lived briefly with the Woldes. Business partners with family and extended family.

WILLIAM C WILLEY—Sixth District Congressman

JANIE WILLEY—Wife of William

C. J. WILLEY—Father of William

GEORGE GRAY—Owner of Feed and Seed Store, Grant Town

FRANCES H PIERPONT—Chairman, Board of Delegates, Wheeling, Va.

JOHN WILSON SR—Banker and mine owner

ELIZABETH WILSON—Wife of John—DuPont heiress from Eastern Shore, Maryland

JOHN WILSON JUNIOR—Son of John Senior and Elizabeth. Partner of David Sullivan. West Point Graduate. Degree in Engineering.

TOM LEWIS—Warehouse manager for Albert Sawyer

JENNY LEWIS—Wife of Tom

ARTHUR STANLEY—Big Lumberman and Saw Mill operator in Valley Falls, Barrackville and Mannington. Eventually merged with Roy and Michael’s construction company

SAM JENSEN—John Wilson’s attorney

ED BARLOW—Head Teller in John Wilson’s bank

WILFORD BOB JAMESON—Publisher of weekly newspaper

BESSIE JENKINS—Owner of Boarding House and Resturant, Barrackville, on Bufallo Creek

LEWELLYN LEW SMYTHE—Head of construction company owned by Roy Wolde and Michael O’Connor

PART ONE

Roger Shelton

Reverend Nathaniel Wolde awoke Wednesday morning as the sun began looking over the mountain tops. Mary Catherine lay beside him, still asleep, he thought, so he sat up slowly, turned quietly, dangled his legs over the side of the bed, and put his feet firmly on the floor. He sat still for a few minutes yawning, then stretched both arms over his head, reaching as high as he could, and moved them up and down, up and down. After a few minutes, and then, holding his arms straight out from his shoulders, he moved them back and forth just like Junior had showed him.

Nathan, she demanded, if it’s your intention to get up and start your day, for heavens sake, please go do it, and stop flinging your arms around like that before you hurt yourself.

A cherry good morning to you too, dear. Nathan growled. I was just trying some things Junior told me they make you do in the army to keep your muscles built up. I told him I could do the same thing with a double-bit axe and some tree limbs.

Well now dear husband, in that case, the axe is in the woodshed and the trees are up there on the hillside. Go enjoy yourself, I’m going back to sleep. she said, and pulled the covers up over her head.

Nathan could not help but chuckle, but was determined to have the last word. I won’t be here when you and Martha finally get out of bed. Soon as I finish the feeding, I’m going to ride over and talk to old man Boothe’s ugly daughter and pick up the mail.

Mary Catherine was wakened a couple of hours after Nathan’s departure, by noises coming from the kitchen. This sort of tickled her because she knew Martha was really just trying to get her out of bed and she couldn’t keep from laughing out loud when her big biscuit pan hit the floor. All right Martha, you can quit banging on my pots and pans now. I’m awake, I’m up, and I’m heading for the kitchen. Let me tell you sister, after all that racket you made, I better find me a cup of coffee sitting on the counter.

She found Martha sitting on a stool in the kitchen, with elbows on the counter top, laughing. "Where’s Nathan?" she asked.

Oh, I ran him off about daylight, Mary Catherine replied, smiling. "I kinda’ roused up a little and looked over at his side of the bed, and Martha, this is funny, but don’t you dare say anything about it. He was sitting up straight as a statue, sticking his arms up in the air, and going up and down, up and down, with them for a few minutes, then he stuck them straight out from his shoulders, and began swinging them back and forth. I couldn’t stand it any longer without laughing, so I sort of snapped at him and told him to get up and go before he hurt himself. Last thing I heard, he’s going over to the post office and talk to ‘that ugly Boothe girl’ and pick up the mail. Can you believe that?"

They both practically howled with laughter, bringing tears to their eyes.

Martha, I know I ought to be ashamed of myself for the way I tease that man, but, I swear to you, sometimes he gets so serious I can’t help it. But you know something, I’ve begun to think he’s onto my game, cause lately he’s been giving it right back to me pretty good. Talking to that ‘ugly girl’, my foot! You see what I mean?

Yeah I do sister, but I think it’s great how you all treat each other. I think you’re fortunate to have a man like Nathan standing beside you. Me and Albert were a lot like that, and I miss it. Lord, Mary Catherine, if I teased James Marsden the way you do Nathan, he’d have a stroke. No, I shouldn’t say that. James is a good man through and through, but he’s not spent much time around women. I know that might cause some people to speculate, and I’m not going there, so don’t ask. Do you want me to fix you something for breakfast?

No dear sister, I’ve laughed so much, I’ve lost my appetite. I’m just going to grab a couple of biscuits left from last night, warm them up a little, put some butter on ’em and try out Lucy’s apple jelly. Want me to fix you a couple while I’m at it?

"That would be great, but I’ll help you get it all sorted out. I meant to ask you what Nathan thought he was doing, sitting there on the bed."

Him and Patrick went down to Barrackville supposedly to see what John Junior and David Sullivan were up to. Well, as you know, they had to go past Bessie’s place to get there, and you also know they’re not going by that place without stopping to eat. So I asked Nathan if they did. He said they did, and both of them ate a nice steak and had one of Bessie’s big old baked sweet potatoes too.

Wait Mary Catherine, you can stop right there. I know all about sweet potatoes. I believe I do remember Nathan mentioning something about them, but I was more concerned with the rest of the things he was telling us, so I didn’t pay much attention to what it was he said. I’m still curious what any of this has to do with Nathan waving his arms around.

David said they were both getting too fat from sitting around and eating all the time instead of doing an honest day’s work. He said Junior needed to show them how the army kept it’s men in good shape by making them do exercises every day. I think Junior gave them a demonstration, and again, you know how my husband is, he took it straight to heart. I think that’s what he was trying to do, sitting on the side of our bed.

Well, sister, Martha said, "we both know what the real problem is, come on, let’s do it together, ‘it’s a man thing’ they yelled, and began laughing all over again.

"Mary Catherine, since we’re both in such a happy mood, you reckon we ought to try and get a little work done today. What do you think?"

Martha, I’ve got a dirty, stinking, messy job I’ve been putting off for almost two weeks now, so maybe this is a good day for me to do it. I’ve got a few good pots, some pans, and a bucket or two, out there in the shed that I need to scour out with some lye soap and sand. They’re in decent shape, mostly just blackened, but some are messy where food burned and stuck to their bottoms. I’ll have to let those soak a while and then I’m afraid they’ll need a little elbow grease. If you’ll give this house a good cleaning, in case Pierpont does show up, I’ll go out back and get started. I’ll come help you in a few minutes, while the pots are soaking.

About two hours later, Nathan called out as he entered the house, "Mary Catherine, I’m, home, dear!"

Martha stuck her head out of the kitchen. "She’s out on the back stoop scrubbing out some old pots and pans. I don’t know what’s got into her Nathan, she’s near worked me to death this morning. After I made all the beds, she had me sweep the floors, while she followed behind me, dusting everything. I told her I was tired and needed to sit down for a few minutes. You know what she said?

I need to sit a spell myself, she says, and then adds; I think I’ll get that box of clothes that need patching out of the closet, and we can fix a few of them things while we’re sitting here resting our feet. Now I’m supposed to clean everything in the kitchen till it shines. She’s out there cleaning some old pots and pans, but I don’t know exactly what for, since she’s not going to be using them.

Nathan laughed at Martha’s complaining, but didn’t make any response because all of a sudden, his wife came charging through the back door, acting as though she’d heard nothing, glared at Martha, and said, "Didn’t you hear me tell Lucy a while back that I had some old utensils Mary Ruth O’ Shaunessy could use if she didn’t have any? I’m not about to give the poor lady something that looked like these did. I know you too well, Martha Sawyer, you wouldn’t do it either. Some of them I decided weren’t worth me spending my time cleaning so they’re going to the scrap heap."

No, you’re right of course, Mary Catherine, Martha replied, and I do sort of remember you talking to Lucy too. I need at least another hour to finish cleaning the house.

Well, that’s the end of that. My plan for the afternoon just got shot full of holes, Nathan said, rather gloomily.

What plan was that, Nathan, Martha asked.

I was sort of hoping you would come down to the office this afternoon and help me sort through the paper work and get it in some kind of order. Nathan replied.

I suppose I could do that, Martha said.

No you can’t, Mary Catherine shouted from the back porch, and then came charging into the kitchen again. "I won’t stand for you both going off galivanting around the countryside, leaving me here alone, all by myself, and expecting to see Frances Pierpont ride up any minute. No sirreeee! Nathan, you and Patrick are just going to have to find yourselves somebody else to look after things at your office. Anyway, Martha will be going with me, wherever and whenever I make a trip for Frances."

Just calm down now, Mary Catherine, her husband said. Me and Patrick were talking about that very thing this morning. He suggested I ask Senator Willey if he knew someone we might hire, and I happened to remember Janey saying she had a brother that lived somewhere around Fairview.

Then what you should do this afternoon, dear husband, is put that saddle back on Prince and ride on over there and find the man. If he’s anything like his sister, he might be the person you’re looking for. Mary Catherine said.

I don’t have to put the saddle back on Prince. He’s hitched out there to our porch rail, and frankly I’m surprised he hasn’t ripped the rail loose from the porch and run away

Martha took a quick look at Mary Catherine, trying to hold back her laughter. Poor Nathan was in for it again.

"I don’t understand you, Nathan. Are you saying that you rode Prince right past our house on down the hill to Patrick’s, and then rode back up here, thinking Martha would go with you to the office. Surely you didn’t have in mind for Martha to ride double with you all the way to Grant Town? I believe Prince would’ve had something to say about that. Or, were you going to ride Prince back down to the barn, put him in the lot, and hitch poor Rosie to the buggy and bring it up here, only to have me say, no, Martha’s not going?"

I agree, Mary Catherine, it don’t make much sense when you put it that a way. I was a little, what do you call it, preoccupied, that’s it, with my thinking I suppose. Lucy gave me some dinner, which was a good thing, cause I don’t smell anything cooking up here.

Mary Catherine was not about to let go, even though she could hardly keep from laughing. Her poor husband was absolutely floundering and she knew it was mean of her, but she decided to take their conversation a step further.

Nathan, dear, she began, sweetly now, "why do you think you were, what did you call it? Oh, preoccupied."

Nathan knew his wife very well, and thought he’d sensed a little warmth in the tone of her voice, and for sure, he’d glimpsed a ray of sunshine. So he rewarded her with a smile. Martha, who had been a silent observer throughout their conversations, was watching with great interest wondering how it would all play out, and doing her best not to laugh.

"You see, Mary Catherine, I picked up a letter at the post office I thought might be important since it was addressed to Sir Patrick O’Conner, Esq., which, in itself, was sort of puzzling to me. So I rode on down there and gave it to him. It was clear to me that the letter surprised him, but Patrick didn’t make any kind of explanation for why it was addressed that way. Lucy had fixed me a plate of food so I sat down at the table and ate while she read the letter. It was from that feller who’s bringing his family here to live with them. Something’s going on here that I don’t know anything about, and that’s why my mind was preoccupied. That, and thinking about finding Janey’s brother too."

Don’t fret, dear. she said, all sweetness now. "Whatever it is, I’m sure Patrick will tell you all about it, but if he don’t, Lucy will tell me. Now, be off with you and find that man."

He’d almost reached the door, when Mary Catherine called out to him. "Dear, would you like to know what the man’s name is?"

Of course I would, Mary Catherine, he replied, but you two women are beginning to exasperate me. What’s his name?

It’s Roger Shelton, she said, smiling. and he’s been to college too.

That’s good to know, my sweet, kind, and oh so generous wife. What’s he studying to be, do you know?

Yes I do, Janey’s told me a lot about him. He plans to be a lawyer, dear, she replied, and began laughing.

Nathan stormed out the door, slamming it behind him. Mary Catherine and Martha looked at each other, and said, in unison; Men!

The sound of their laughter carried outside to where Nathan had just got seated in the saddle. It didn’t make him mad when he heard it, it only made him more determined. So, before he dug his heels in Prince’s flanks, he leaned over toward the horse’s left ear, and said, "Prince, I’m sure happy you’re a man. Now let’s me and you get on away from them two conniving women. It’ll take more’n them to get the best of Nathan Wolde. Me and you are going to Farmington and see old man C. J. Willey." He gave Prince a little tap in the flanks with his heels, and the black horse took off like he’d been shot from a cannon.

An hour later, Nathan walked into the store and saw Mister Willey way in the back, talking to a young man with a broom in his hands, but whose back was toward him. Nathan figured he was someone the old man had helping out in the store, since he was obviously in the process of sweeping the floor.

Nathan began walking toward the two of them causing Mister Willey to notice him, and call out, "Nathan, good to see you. Give me a minute and I’ll be right with you.".

He then resumed talking to his helper a few more minutes, so Nathan walked back to the counter at the front of the store. True to his word, Mister Willey was soon there, with his hand outstretched.

Well Reverend Wolde, what brings you to our little community? I only ask because I suspect it’s not to just pass the time of day chatting with an old man.

"That’s partially true, Mister Willey, but I have to say that I enjoyed the conversation we had a few weeks ago. I admit though, I really came here for another purpose. I’m looking for a young man named Roger Shelton and wondered if you might know where I could find him. I believe he’s a brother to your son’s wife, Janey."

Is that so. Mister Willey responded. If you don’t mind me asking, why on earth are you looking for him? I do know of him, and what I’m told is that he’s sort of a shifty feller. Do you have a warrant for him? If you do, I’d be glad to go with you and we’ll arrest him.

Nathan was dumbfounded, to say the least, when he heard Mister Willey say hard words about a young man who was a brother to his own daughter in law. All of a sudden, a shout came from the back of the store.

"I resent that, you evil old man, and I’ll not sweep another inch of this filthy floor for you." After saying that, he flung down the broom and began striding toward them making threatening motions with his hands.

Nathan didn’t know what was going to happen next, but was preparing to protect the old man from harm, when he suddenly began laughing, and a handsome young man stopped right in front of them.

Nathan, said Mister Willey, meet Roger Shelton.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir, Roger said, reaching out his hand, I knew who you were of course, but I had to let C. J. have his little bit of fun. It’s a shame when a man gets old like he is and forgets his good manners."

"Now Roger, said Mister Willey, pretending anger, you’re taking an awful big advantage of our friendship, and Reverend Wolde, I’m still waiting for you to answer my question. Why were you looking for Roger?"

"Mister Willey, I wanted to talk to him about a job, but it seems he already has one working for you."

"Work? Hah! That’s hardly fitting for what he does around here." Then sobering a little, Mister Willey continued.

"Roger is a lot of help to me though, and he comes pretty cheap, except he eats a lot. On the other hand, he does things, like lifting the heavy sacks and stocking goods on the top shelves, and such things that I can’t do myself, so it sort of evens itself out. He has one bad failing though, he sticks his nose in them law books every time I turn my back. The boy could sure use some cash money, and I wouldn’t stand in his way of earning some. Roger, it’s going to sound like I’m butting in on your affairs, but tell me, Nathan, what’d you have in mind for the boy to do?"

"Roger, Patrick O’Connor, Martha Sawyer, and me, are partners in a real estate business. Martha’s husband, Albert, was the original third partner,but sadly, he’s gone now. David Sullivan, along with Martha, ran the business for a while, and we were fortunate to have them, because of their experience in setting up and organizing things. A short while ago, David became partners with John Wilson Junior and they bought a lot of property along the West Fork River, and plan to develop it into small farms or building lots. So David’s gone, and we all wish he and Junior well in their venture.

"Martha had an agreement with Albert before the flood, saying she would give up teaching at the end of the school year and help David, but made it clear she had no intentions of becoming a permanent fixture. When David left, Martha agreed to stay until we found and hired a permanent manager for the business.