Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2010 06:46:41 GMT
From: "tedmack@juno.com" <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.