Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2010 06:46:41 GMT From: "tedmack@juno.com" Subject: The Vanderkill Legacy: chapter 6 This story is copyrighted by the author. It is intended for adults only. Please do not proceed if you are under age! THE VANDERKILL LEGACY by Ted Macklin Chapter 6 Harry rushed down the stairs to the parlor where he found Tommy sitting off by himself looking very sad. The other boys were, however quickly gathering around him. They had all known moments of sadness and hard times. Ronny put a consoling arm around Tommy's shoulder. Harry went and tapped lightly on the door of the room where Betsy lay. The doctor called out softly "Come in." Betsy was on the bed with her eyes closed but Harry could see that she was breathing gently. The doctor whispered into Harry's ear, "I think she will be fine. The worst is past." Just then Betsy opened her eyes and looked around the room."Harry," she said softly, "I don't know how to thank you." "You can thank me by getting well and taking care of things for me. There's a little cottage in the back for you and Tommy. I just hired him to handle mt horses, by the way, so that should keep him out of trouble. You just get well now. That's your Job for the moment. I'm afraid that I have to go back to the city for a few days. I am sure that my wild herd of boys will keep you occupied. I'll find someone to watch them until your well, however, and don't dream of getting out of bed until your well." "You have your own boys now?" she asked. "Well yes, I have three. My son Ronny and then two orphans Ronny dragged home on Christmas Eve who I am going to adopt. I'll have old Sally send you in some good nourishing soup. Oh, I'll also send in your son who is very worried about you." Then he left the room went over to Tommy and said gently. "Your mother is going to be fine. Why don't you go in and cheer her up.?" Tommy was soon in his mother's room excitedly telling her about his new horse. Harry then approached his boys. "Men," he said, "I'm afraid that I have to go into the city on business. Sally Farnsworth will be in charge of you until your new Aunt Betsy is well, so please behave." The next morning, worried about his boys, Harry was back in his private train car rushing to New York City. He had a lot to do and was in a hurry to get it done. All the way in on the train he kept images of Ronny on his mind but once he and James were in a carriage with Culver and Drin he was all business.He was determined that there was going to be a new way of doing things and that the draconian methods of his father were to be a thing of the past. First he insisted on going to his old home to check on Sean and Mary. Finding them all right he then astounded them by telling them that the house was theirs. He also told Sean that he had a job for him- in addition to seeing to his old property. He then call on Mr. Corbett and outlined plans to build a new mansion on the small behind his old house and that he wanted Mr. Corbett's sons to be in charge of security. He then went back and asked Sean if it would be all right for him to take Patrick with him to visit the boys in the country. He promised to have him back in time for school. "My boys will have to be back to go to school as well," he added. He then told Patrick that he would be back to pick him up the next morning at eight as they had to catch the nine o'clock train for Albany. Then he was back in the coach with James and on his was to the Vanderkill building. There he ran into a whole slew of lawyers, all of then brandishing bits of paper and trying to be all heard at once. Finally making it inside the building he went into his father's old office and listened patiently to his father's attorneys who assured him that everything was now his.Quieting the babble he then asked," Who is in charge of our construction division?' After being given a name he said quietly," Fire him. I have someone else in mind for the job and close down all projects for the rest of the year." Turning to the real estate attorney he said, "Sell my father's mansion and give the money to charity. In fact, here," he said pulling out a card from the East Side Christian Mission that had helped his boy, "give the money to them." There was a sudden silence in the room. "Gentlemen," he added, "there is going to be a new way of doing things. Go with it or get out of the way. Now I am tired. It has been a long day. Let's go James. I'll be back right after the New Year. Be here ready to work with me or find yourself a new job. Culver, lock up the office, then you and staff take the rest of the year off. I'll see you all next Monday and go from there." With that he left the office and went with James to find a good hotel. After having a fine dinner he went up to his room where he was soon asleep dreaming of his boys. In the morning he was up breakfasted and off to pick up an excited Patrick. After a hurried conference with Mr. Corbett about the new Mansion he james and Patrick were on their way.