Partridge Mills

By J P Lawrence

Recovery for a northeastern dieing town? How would this be able to happen?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: J P Lawrence
• Release date: Jul 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201544355

J P Lawrence

The author, J P Lawrence, currently resides with his wife and several cats in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He is a retired electrical and process controls designer. Now, he enjoys reading, writing, bird watching and working on miniatures. He is working on a collection of short stories, four in all, for now. The fourth one titled, Mystery at Pelican Roost is in progress. All four stories are fiction. Also, in the works is a novel titled Partridge Mills about a dying mill town.

Book preview

Dedicated to:

To my wife and lifelong partner and our beautiful daughter and her family

Table of contents:

1 Maggie & Stephen at The Wall

2 IFS

3 The Bookies

4 Hope

5 Nothing = Something

6 The Down-Trodden

7 A Bad Feeling

8 Defenders of the Poor

9 The Awakening

10 The Segment

11 The Stand

12 PM Here We Come

13 The Plan

14 The Plan is a Reality

15 A Good Fair

16 BUSY, BUSY, BUSY

17 A SPEED BUMP

18 IT’S A DATE

19 The Beat Lives On

20 A SHOT IN THE ARM

21Year End Feasts

22 Christmas in Partridge Mills

23 Two in One

24 The Cigar Factory

25 Change is in the Wind

26 Progress

27 A Godsend

Epilogue

1

Maggie & Stephen at The Wall

Maggie Haden sat at her new desk at the firm of Snyder and McAlister Investment Consultants. Most office chairs seemed a bit too large for her slender frame. Her long blonde hair was pinned up to keep it out of her way while working. They were a moderately successful firm, but one with a good reputation, located on Wall Street near South Street.

This was Maggie's first job at an investment firm and she hoped her ideas on profitability would help her make a name for herself. After college she taught school for a year, then worked for a few companies with the intent of learning how they made money. Some were obvious, but some proved to be so difficult that it was a wonder they made money at all and often didn’t. Teaching was an occupation she wanted to get back to once she had more working experience.

She had almost finished outfitting her desk when her phone rang. It was the office manager and vice president of investments, Nicholas Gorobets. Nicholas had grown up in war torn Europe. He was hardened from his childhood experiences and a hard worker, expecting the same from those around him. His features were trim and strong with piercing blue gray eyes. His voice matched his appearance.

Ms. Haden, would you come into my office for a minute?

Yes, Mr. Gorobets, I’ll be right there. When she entered his office, she noticed another man with brown hair, dark eyes and a strong looking face sitting with Nicholas at a small conference table opposite his desk.

Ms. Maggie Haden, meet Mr. Stephen Harper. You are both starting work here today.

Steve was already standing before she shook his hand. He noticed her blue eyes seemed to be looking inside him and not at him. He found it appealing.

Call me Steve.

Call me Maggie. She saw that his face was really kind and open, although having strong young features.

It would be good for you both to spend the rest of the week learning the office; such as who does what and sitting with one of our senior advisors for a while to get a feel for how we like to deal with our clients. Most of what you will need to know, however, is in our office procedures booklet. Here are your personal copies. Also, we picked up a few new clients just last week and I’ll be assigning one to each of you to get started. So, familiarize yourself with the funds and companies that we usually recommend. Any questions you have just ask the senior advisor you will be assigned to.

Maggie asked, Is there a process for adding companies to our recommended list?

Yes, it’s all in your booklet.

She smiled timidly, thinking that was not a good move, asking a question before reading the procedures.

Nicholas stood, a lean figure in his late fifties, signaling an end to the meeting. That’s all for now. Welcome to Snyder and McAlister.

He shook their hands and went back to his desk while Steve and Maggie headed for theirs.

2

IFS

Derrick Williams, Kit O'Day, John Ellis and Hank Stoner sat talking excitedly waiting for Liz Grey's arrival. She had mentioned she had news they were hoping for. These five had been friends now for eight years, ever since their first few days in philosophy class at college.

A knock on the door. John was first up to open it and to welcome Liz back from her trip. You all look like you're expecting to hear something, Liz said with a smile.

We are, said Kit, a young shapely woman with red hair and green eyes. Not artificial, she came that way.

Well then, in a word, Partridge Mills.

That was two words, Liz, piped in Derrick with a smile.

You always were the smart one. Reaching into her bag she took out a map that had several notes on it and laid it out on the coffee table. Take a look at this map. Note this area right here, she said pointing to a small town in a neighboring state. Not much going on here, especially in Partridge Mills. It’s a small town and getting smaller as we speak. I had always wanted to see this part of the country for myself, so, I made a point to go through there on my way home. It was horrible the way it was run down but good because it may be exactly what we are looking for.

Kit asked, Is this farm land?

Exactly. And it looks like it was good farming at one time. Now there are only a few farms operating and they look like they’re having trouble.

What about the local government and is it incorporated? John asked.

It’s a town council made up of three selectmen and I did find out that it is incorporated. However, it doesn’t look like they do much other than try to collect taxes. I think they have some sort of police. At least there was a small local jail. I didn't stop, so I don't know if it was even operating. Other than that, I think they rely on the county government for most of their services, although the whole county looks a little depressed from what I saw. Most of the stores in town are empty.

Hank got to the point, How about property? Did you see a lot of 'For Sale' signs?

I counted thirty-five. Fifteen were in town and the rest were homes from an acre or two, to farms with at least twenty or more acres. There were two farms with over a hundred acres, but they looked like they were abandoned years ago. It just looks like nothing happens there, but we could make it happen. By the way I just got back from a long trip. How about some wine and a snack?

John said, Sit still I got you covered.

Let's look into this closer. How about this weekend we all visit Partridge Mills? Hank asked.

They set about planning their trip and reviewing their plan for reviving a town over a couple of glasses of wine and pizza. Tomorrow night when they meet with the group, they would share this news.

This all started three years to the day when these five friends got together and formed a group of individuals with a specific purpose in mind. They wanted to create a community that was as free as possible. They called themselves ‘Individuals for a Free Society’ (IFS). It was a loose organization with mutual respect. They didn’t have rules or regulations, nor any parliamentary procedures. They believed in individual rights and a peaceful existence. Their goal was to find an area or town that they could settle in and hopefully have a positive impact on the community and local government. There already were some good examples scattered about the country that could be borrowed from to create an enjoyable and exciting place to live. They hoped all their ideas would lead to a peaceful place to live.

They started by sharing their ideas with other friends and before long there were several interested people. Some were single and some married with children. All had one thing in common, a desire for a better way of life through their own efforts along with their friends and neighbors.

They met once every other week to exchange ideas and work their philosophy out. They also wrote articles for the local paper and a few were published. These attracted a few more members to their group. They got another boost from a local television station. Apparently, this station was doing a series on local groups and organizations in the area and asked them if they would like to appear with two of their members. It was an immediate, YES! The group voted to send John Ellis and Liz Grey.

On the night of the interview while driving to the television station John said, I don't mind telling you, I’m a little nervous.

It should be easier then talking to an audience. And you do a good job with that. I'm a bit edgy myself.

Well, it’ll be a first being on television. We’ll be there ahead of time to get used to the place. That should help.

The station was not as intimidating as they had imagined. In fact, it even seemed comfortable. The moderator, Jane, introduced herself and suggested they get a little make up before going on. They looked at each other a little bewildered. Neither had given make up a thought, especially John. He felt a bit foolish, but agreed.

The show started.

After a few introductory remarks such as the name of the group and when they met; the moderator asked, "You belong to a group that advocates a free way of life, is that true?

John answered, That’s a loaded question given our current idea of a free way of life.

Jane asked, Would you explain?

Many think that living a free way of life gives them a blank check to do as they please, regardless of how it may affect others. A person should be free to do what they want as long as it doesn’t interfere with the rights of another. If a person’s actions get to be a problem and they do nothing to correct the problem then it would be a legitimate case for court. In short, we should have freedom but not if it in any way harms others and their right to freedom. The more things you want to do that could cause strife, than the more land you should have to insulate you from your neighbors. By the same token, if you live in a close neighborhood then you should be prepared to deal with everyday living noises and activities.

Jane asked, How will you deal with problems that arise?

Hopefully in a civil manner, answered John, "by using an agreed upon mediator and if need be, a judge. One thing we do not want to do is use violence or unrighteous force in any form.

Unrighteous force? Asked Jane, puzzled.

Yes, as seen in our conquest of this land by the concept of Manifest Destiny. Whenever one group thinks they have more rights than another, then there will be criminal or unrighteous thoughts and then actions."

Jane looked a little surprised and asked, Do you think that’s what is happening today in our communities?

Yes, indeed, said John, but it’s disguised as law. Look at ‘eminent domain’, which can take a person’s home in favor of the community’s interest as defined by those who rule. How would you like to have your home, where you raised your children and poured out your life’s energy and money taken away from you for the GOOD of the community? Personally, I’d say to hell with the community. If you can’t have a small patch of ground for your own, then what can you have? If you have a government that can take away the rights of an individual for whatever reason, then you have a government that will be able to take away the rights of all. If you want to fear something, then fear that.

Does not the fifth amendment include just compensation for property taken?

John continued, Yes it states that, unfortunately it’s the governing body taking the property that decides what just compensation is. They often come up with inadequate amounts.

Has there not been a benefit in cleaning up blighted areas?

Liz took this answer. It has done that and more. Thanks to Berman v. Parker (1954) the Fifth Amendment has been revised to read not only that property may be taken for ‘public use’ but also ‘public purpose’. Paving the way for the governing body to take property from a private business and give it to another private business. Certainly, our rights are being eroded, and much of the time without our knowledge or consent.  

What are the goals of Individuals for a Free Society?

They both started to answer. John motioned to Liz to continue.

We’d like to locate a small town that is on the verge of becoming a ghost town and buy up the property for sale with the idea of settling there and hopefully revitalizing the area. We would also want to participate in the local government and hopefully establish a society that is free to work in and live in peacefully.

That sounds like a noble idea.

John added, We hope it will be a reality. If not, it won’t be for lack of trying.

The interview ended with that thought and contact numbers for the group.

Now off set, Liz turned smiling to John, You want to clean that lipstick off your face before we leave?

Cute, I’ll be right back.

They weren’t in the car more than ten minutes when John’s cell phone rang. It turned out to be the first of some new members.

Now just six months after the television interview, IFS had a hundred plus members and they were meeting to learn about Liz’s find and the proposed investigative trip. Suddenly all their theorizing and planning was looking like reality. The meeting turned into excited talk. Would they all remain ready to act if Partridge Mills looked like it was the right spot?

They rented a van for their weekend trip to Partridge Mills and set out early Friday morning. Derrick and Kit had Friday’s off, but John, Hank and Liz made arrangements to have a three-day weekend. The trip took all of five hours and took them from a busy city, neat suburbs, through prosperous farm land and finally to an area that looked depressed. They were nearing Partridge Mills. Their destination was west of interstate route eighty-one. They came into town on State Road 4A, which became Partridge Mills Road once in town. The first two blocks on the left had some abandoned buildings, on the right old homes. The next block showed a little improvement. The town hall was on the right, to the left was a town square, a bit overgrown and across from the square they could see a diner that looked open. They headed for the diner and something to eat. There was plenty of parking spaces all over town. The silence was broken by the noise of a large dump truck driving through the middle of town, turning right onto Partridge Mills Road speeding out of town. That explained why that corner looked broken down and run over.

The inside of Ed’s Diner looked like one out of the fifties. There was a counter with several stools and that is where most of the customers were, all five of them. Three more customers were at a table. The rest of the diner was empty and it was lunch time. They sat down at a round table with metal trim and chipped linoleum top. Their waitress introduced herself as Joan with a bit of a Southern accent. Her clothes looked a little worn, but clean. John noticed her hazel eyes were bright and she looked intelligent.

Liz asked, What are your specials today?

"We only have specials on the weekends. Our cook does a good job with a grilled ham and cheese, a Rueben sandwich and a half pound loaded hamburger. Among the five of them they tried all the suggestions from Joan. While they were waiting for their orders, they noticed the other patrons glancing at them from time to time. Once again, they heard the rumble of a large dump truck.

3

The Bookies

Maggie Haden walked from the bus stop to her aunt’s home in Brooklyn. Her uncle had provided well for her aunt before he died. The brownstone was in fine condition and paid for. It was located opposite a small park. The park was mainly concrete but had a few trees and bushes surrounded by a rod iron fence. Maggie felt lucky to have a nice place to live so close to work. She may not have taken the position had she not been able to live there. Aunt Ellen had one boarder, who lived on the third floor, who also worked on Wall Street.

Stephen Harper was not as lucky. He rented a room with board several blocks away from where Maggie lived and it took about fifty percent of his salary to pay for it. Like Maggie, he was close to work.

It had been a busy week learning the office procedures and who did what. Both Maggie and Steve brought home information for completing the Uniform Application for Securities Registration or Transfer form. They wanted to see how much of the form they could fill out themselves. This would be a necessary step to becoming a broker with Snyder and McAlister.

At dinner, Aunt Ellen introduced Maggie to Jim Allen, her boarder.

When I first moved in, I realized more time at the gym would be needed after tasting your aunt’s cooking, he said with a smile.

Jim was in his early fifties, casually well dressed and had a kind smile. Maggie liked him from the start.

Your aunt was excited about your moving here.

It has been a while since we have seen each other. I’ve been moving around since college.

Ellen tells me you have a job at Snyder and McAlister.

My first job on Wall Street. I’m hoping to become a broker.

Well, if you need help, let me know, although I’m usually not here on the weekends.

Thanks

Jim had been a broker for some years now. He was hoping to retire early in life to Vermont where he had a house. Vermont was his weekend retreat.

Maggie had the feeling that she had landed in the right spot.

She was up early the next day and at her laptop at the kitchen table. She had made coffee. Her aunt was still sleeping, so she decided to have an egg in a nest, when Jim came in.

"I smelled the coffee, thought someone was