T.W.

By Xlibris US

T.W. stands for Thaddeus Wellington, a son of a wealthy lawyer from the east. Also a Lawyer himself, T.W. doesnt want to take pride of bringing his fathers name and be known as just the son. Which is why he stands by his initials instead. Equipped with his skills in Lawyering, T.W. goes out to the west and runs into trouble. He works for a gentleman and nobody knows hes a laywer but he ends up saving a family farm.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499054316

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

T he sun was shining through the window of the cabin as the young man awoke. From the shadow cast on the floor, he estimated that it was late in the morning, much later than he wanted it to be. He had wanted to get an early start, but had slept longer than he had inte nded.

His schedule had been off since he left the East Coast. He had been raised in a well-to-do family, the Wellingtons of Boston, and had everything provided for him. He was born Thaddeus Robert Wellington on July 21st 1847, the youngest of five children and the only boy. His older sisters had helped a great deal in spoiling him for the finer things in life. He went to the finest schools and even attended the finest law school, graduating at the top of the class.

He had high hopes of being one of Boston’s finest lawyers, defending only the most influential families in Boston. By defending and representing the most influential families, he hoped to be one of the very wealthy members of society by the age of thirty. Coming from one of the best known family’s in Boston who had connections in all the right places didn’t hurt him any. With all of the finer things in life as his fingertips, the thought of going to the lawless territory of the West was farthest from his mind. That is until the day a choice had to be made between going to jail and embarrassing his family, or going westward and keeping the family name an honorable name in Boston.

He had completed law school at the top of his class. In fact, the only ones invited to the party the Wellington’s were throwing in his honor, were the top ten percent of the class. Anyone below that ten present, at least in his eyes, were the ones who will be needing his services later. Also at this party were Boston’s loveliest ladies, all of them from well-to-do families as well. One lady in particular, Miss Sarah Jones-Smith, looked extremely lovely as Thaddeus scanned the room looking at the wealth that would one day be his.

As their eyes met, Thaddeus began moving across the room, the vision of wealth replaced by this vision of loveliness; his sense of right and wrong, replaced by the sense of desire to conquer this vision of loveliness for himself. As he crossed the floor, he envisioned Sarah on his arm as he made that climb to the top of the wealthy. In fact, he didn’t want to be one of the wealthy, he wanted to be the wealthiest in all of Boston. With his money and the wealth he could receive through Sarah’s family once she became his wife, he knew his plans would become a reality.

He danced several dances with Sarah, and in between, he bragged to his friends. He had them believing that he and Sarah were going to be together and that within a year, they would be wed. Only he and his friends were aware of the arrangements being made, for Sarah had not known about them. While they were dancing, Thaddeus and Sarah only talked about simple family upbringing and how each one was spoiled by their respective families. Sarah had been the youngest in her family as well and had been spoiled by her older brothers.

Thaddeus had seen Sarah several times after that at the many social events that only the wealthy could throw. After winning her confidence and making her feel comfortable, he decided to take her out to dinner and ask her to marry him. Up to this evening, Sarah was unaware what future had been planned for her by Thaddeus. He was very careful not to reveal any of his plans before now.

They had dinner at one of Boston’s finest restaurants, also part of his plan for Sarah. He had ordered the finest food and a bottle of the best wine. The cost was of little concern to him for the meal, having planned more lucrative meals after reaching the top.

Following dinner, they went by carriage back to Sarah’s home. They agreed to share another glass of wine in the study after Thaddeus said he had something important to tell her concerning her future. As they were sipping their wine in front of the fire, Thaddeus revealed his plan to her.

Sarah. As you know, I have been asked to be a partner in one of the most influential law firms of Boston. I want you to be a part of my wealth. Will you marry me? Thaddeus asked the question figuring that Sarah would jump at the chance to be even wealthier.

Thaddeus felt his anger build up inside him. He saw his wealth disappear before his eyes. The look in her eyes infuriated him more than the words. After all the money I’ve spent on you! What are you trying to do, ruin my repetition? His vision of wealth overcome by his ego. No one will take my plans from me. You will be my wife, and you will respect me!

His rage caused all reasoning to leave him. He threw the wine glass into the fireplace and he grabbed her. He ripped the clothing from her body and he savagely attacked her. He not only attacked the body of Sarah Jones-Smith, but he also attacked her rejection of him and his future for her. He had seen his wealth disappear with her rejection.

He realized too late that his future as a wealthy Boston lawyer was over. He tried to tell Sarah how sorry he was that he had attacked her as her brothers and father came into the study. He tried to make them believe that she had brought it all on. They called the local marshal and had him arrested, telling the marshal that they would press charges later. Unfortunately for Sarah’s family, and fortunately for Thaddeus, the Wellington’s had more connections then even Thaddeus realized. He was immediately brought before the magistrate and given the ultimate of moving west, or going to jail for a long time. Neither choice was desirable for Thaddeus, but his father had a lot of power over him. Thaddeus chose to go west rather than go to jail. In either case, he knew he had lost his wealth, but by going west, he would still be free.

His father gave him $1000.00 and purchased a ticket for a one-way fare westward away from Boston on the late night train. His family wanted to save face by having him leave after dark. The only thing he was able to take with him was the money his father gave him, a change of clothes, his ability to handle a gun, and his scheming ways to make money. He knew that he had to change his name because he could never be a Wellington again. If he tried to claim the Wellington name, his family would never let on that they knew him. He had no choice. The life he had known before would never be his. The only dignity he was allowed to keep was knowing that he had graduated from one of Massachusetts leading schools of law. Maybe out west he would be able to set up a new law practice. He wouldn’t make as much money as he would in Boston, but somewhere out there, money can be made. Only time will tell, and the road to get it, would be long and hard.

CHAPTER TWO

T haddeus had been traveling westward for two days, arriving in the Midwestern area of the country. He had been a little rowdy on the train, trying to get even with the world for what Sarah had done. The conductor had him escorted from the train and left him standing at the station as the train continue d on.

He still had money in his pocket and he needed to travel further west. He found the local livery and purchased a horse for the rest of his journey. He didn’t know how far he needed to travel to ensure he would be far enough away from his father’s influence, but he felt that this small town wasn’t far enough. He felt he needed a drink, so he walked his horse through town looking for the closest saloon. On the way, he stopped at the general store and purchased a saddle, saddlebags, grub, and a pistol. Most of his money had now been spent, but he felt he had enough money left to get him some distance away.

After saddling his horse and stowing everything in his saddlebags, including his pistol, he headed for the local saloon. He felt that carrying his gun into a saloon was not a wise thing to do because of the anger that still burned inside of him. It was probably the wisest thing he’s done in the past few days. He recalled how he reacted the last time he had been drinking and how Sarah had been hurt.

All eyes had been on him as he entered the saloon. It was obvious that he was out of place in that saloon by the way he was dressed. He looked around the room at those sitting there and headed for the end of the bar away from everyone else. He wasn’t sure what to order because things were different out here.

The bartender approached him with a grin on his face. What will you have stranger? he said.

I’ll have a glass of wine. Thaddeus said. Right after he said it, he knew he had made a mistake.

Wine? This isn’t no fancy bar from back east. The bartender mused. We got hard liquor here and beer. So, what will it be?

Thaddeus had never had hard liquor before. He knew he didn’t want a beer because he didn’t care for the taste. Give me a whiskey, he finally said.

He stood at the bar slowly sipping his first whiskey. That first drink burned all the way down and took his breath away. Because it was so late in the day and the whiskey was making him feel good, he decided to have a couple more drinks. He could either find a hotel to stay in or pull up a chair around one of the empty tables. He decided to pull up a chair around one of the tables and moved toward it.

As he began drinking his fourth glass of whiskey, his talent for bragging began to come out. He was soon surrounded by several rough-looking men who were listening to his every word. It had been a good idea to put about two hundred dollars in his saddlebags when he stowed the rest of his gear because he was about to lose what he carried on him. They began to plan on getting what he carried by buying him more drinks. They waited until he had passed out. They had picked his pockets clean, even taking the priceless pocket watch his father had given him before he left Boston.

When he could no longer pay for drinks, the bartender had him thrown out of the saloon into the street. He laid there only a few minutes when he was arrested for being a vagrant. He was locked up in the local jail overnight in order to sober up. He tried to explain that he had been robbed by the men in the local bar. The sheriff explained that most of the