The Lumber Baron

I'm always so sad when Christmas is over.

Are you packed?

Just one more thing to do.

I thought your Christmas holiday was over and you were

leaving this morning.

I, I am.

But I nee-I need to talk to you first.

It's about medical school.

My grades are a bit lower than they should be and

it-it looks as if I'm going to have to retake some classes. So,

it'll mean another year before I can graduate.

I gave you a choice

between medical school and law school

You chose medical school because as you stated I want to help

people, and I can do that better as a doctor than a lawyer.

And I still want to do that, but the schooling is rigorous;

I just need some extra time to fully grasp--

If it's not one thing, it's another with you.

For years you've given me suggestions in how to run the

business all of them unsound.

I was only trying to be helpful. I just thought that.

You have no business sense.

Stay in medical school an extra year if you desire it,

but I expect you'll soon be coming back with your tail

between your legs.

But Father, I-I did--

Welcome, Thomas, to our home.

I'm glad you and your family could be here tonight.

This is my wife Elizabeth,

my oldest daughter Mary Catherine,

my other daughter Adeline, and my son Colin.

We are pleased to meet all you. This is my wife, Anna,

and our children, Benjamin and Sarah.

Mrs. Taylor, I have been looking forward to making

your acquaintance. Have you had the opportunity to meet

any other ladies in town?

No, this is actually our first social engagement since

moving from Chicago. And, oh, please call me Anna.

Then let me introduce you to the other guests.

Claudia and Priscilla Lynch, may I introduce Anna Taylor.

How lovely to meet you. You should arrange a meeting with

my son Byron and your son Benjamin, is it?

-Yes. -I'm sure Byron could guide him

in the mores of proper society in our locale.

I believe they're already acquainted. Benjamin mentioned

that Byron had stopped by the office earlier this week.

Of course, Byron would think of that. A meeting the junior

partner of your family's father-son law firm

would be in order.

Yes, of course. I must tell you,

your home is absolutely lovely.

I really don't think I've seen a more beautiful house.

This mansion is the envy of every lumber baron in the

Chippewa Valley.

Really? I would just think with so much wealth they could

afford anything they wanted.

It would seem,

but Joseph Lindler had a way of topping them all.

Shall we join the others?

Yes.

I was so hoping Daniel would be here. But medical school calls.

Daniel?

My brother. He returned to Madison several weeks ago.

Daniel and I are, of course, very good friends.

There you are, Byron. You must meet Sarah Taylor.

Sarah, this is Byron Lynch. Priscilla's brother.

A pleasure, Miss Taylor.

Shall we?

So, what is your occupation, Mr. Lynch?

I'm a lumber baron.

-He's one of my competition. -Mmm. What are friends for?

Mary Catherine, many are requesting that you play.

Would you mind?

Not at all.

Mother?

Mother?

Daddy!

Mr. Rimsdale! Mr. Rimsdale!

Mr. Rimsdale?

-Mr. Rimsdale? -Yes?

This telegram just came for you.

Thank you.

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,

till thou return unto the ground;

for out of it was thou taken:

for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

I'm so sorry.

Mrs. Rimsdale. Thank you for coming.

My sympathies to you in the loss of your husband.

-Thank you. -Please, be seated.

The financial stability of your fortune is

tenuous at best.

My father left a sizable inheritance.

He did.

However, the money that Joseph Lindler left to your husband and

you has been severely depleted over the last twenty years

since his death.

But how have we continued in our lifestyle

if we have little money?

Mr. Rimsdale, in the past few years,

sold portions of your landholdings.

He sold parts of my father's land?

Yes, yes, yes, Mrs. Rimsdale. Umm. I, I'm, I'm sorry that

this comes as such a shock. I had assumed that you were

aware of these transactions.

And there is something else that it seems like I need to make you

aware of. The remaining land is mortgaged to the bank.

Are you telling me that I don't even own the land that is left?

As long as you make mortgage payments,

then it is still yours.

Did my husband make those payments?

He did, but your account balance is low.

Umm, You have enough for four more payments after which,

if other funds are not found,

the bank will have no choice but to foreclose on the land.

Is there anything I own that is free and clear?

Your home.

At least he did not mortgage that.

Mr. Rimsdale did meet with me just about a week

before his death to discuss that possibility.

But you have not moved forward with it?

No, ma'am. But the, the papers are here,

but there is no signature, yet.

Daniel, what am I going to do?

Nothing. Do nothing, Mother.

Something must be done. You see the figures.

Yes, but you mustn't rush into anything.

Father has only been in the grave two days.

We have only four months until the bank forecloses!

At least this is your last year of medical school and

the tuition has been paid.

How I wish your Grandfather was still alive.

He would know what to do.

But now,

I want things to always be just like they are just you and me.

Well, I won't always be here.

Someday I'll grow old and frail.

-But that's a long time away. -Yes, and I tell you what.

I won't leave you without memories.

And something else.

Something else?

A treasure.

A treasure that I will hide right here in the belvedere

For you. So that when I'm gone

and you need me once again, come up here.

I love you, Daddy.

I have some bad news.

I've deliberated as to whether or not to share it with you,

but have decided that you need to know.

Mother, you're not ill, are you?

Not physically.

Your Grandfather Lindler's legacy is gone.

What do you mean gone?

The money that was left to me and your father

has been used up.

This will mean significant changes for us.

How significant, Mother?

We have to scale back our expenditures

which includes our social life.

What about the lumber business? Isn't it making in money?

Apparently not, or at least not enough to keep us

in the style of living that we have now.

We're not going to have to sell this house, are we?

I'm not sure what's going to happen.

The books have to be gone over in order to determine

exactly where things stand with the lumber company.

Mother, who's going to run the business now that

father is gone?

I don't know. Daniel has to return to medical school and--

I'm too young.

You're not thinking of selling the business?

Mrs. Rimsdale, please.

If you would wait here, sir, I'll let her know.

Hmm.

Miles said you wanted to speak to me.

What can I do for you, Silas?

Actually, I was hoping I might do something for you.

Please.

As Daniel's friend I feel obligated to do whatever

I can to help ease the burden of his untimely death

I would be willing to purchase this mansion as well as make

a generous offer on the remaining lands.

The remaining lands?

You talk as if some of the land has already been sold.

But it has. I was the one who purchased it.

I thank you

for what I'm sure is meant as a kind offer,

but nothing is for sa--

Mrs. Rimsdale, I am aware that your husband has spent

your family fortune. I'm afraid for your survival and that

of the children you will be left with nothing.

Do not presume that you know the financial

state of my affairs, Mr. Lynch.

Some resources I may choose