A Life Worth Living

by Irene Brand

  She’d often heard that opposites attracted one another. Was that true?

  Suddenly aware that she’d been so busy with her thoughts that she’d forgotten her companion, Dora felt her face flushing.

  “But back to my current decision,” she said quickly. “I told Father I don’t want the responsibility of the mill, but as usual, he won’t listen to me, so I haven’t heard the last of the subject. It doesn’t seem to occur to him that I would be completely out of place in a rural setting like this. It’s been interesting to come to Asheville for a short time, but I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life in North Carolina.”

  ❧

  Allen sensed that she was more or less talking to herself, that she didn’t want an answer, so he remained silent.

  “You’re the only friend I’ve made here. If I’m forced to do what Father says, will you work for me—be the general manager of the mill? I won’t interfere with your decisions.”

  Allen doubted that statement, but he didn’t comment on it. At this point, he wasn’t the least bit interested in her offer. He didn’t know what he might do in the future, but that would be soon enough to set up some rules if he agreed to work for her. “Would you stay in Asheville or would you return to New York?”

  “Oh, I’d have a residence here to satisfy Father’s demands, but I’d probably spend most of my time in New York.”

  “That’s just what I suspected.” Without hesitation, Allen said dogmatically, “I’m a carpenter, not a textile mill worker. I haven’t had any experience managing anything except my own personal affairs. I wouldn’t take responsibility of running the mill unless the owner is on hand to oversee the work. Living conditions are not as bad as the few mills I’ve visited, but if I were the manager, I’d probably want to improve on their lifestyle—give them more time off, bonuses for good work, and make their lives as happy as possible. You’ve never supervised a group of workers, so the workers might take advantage of your lack of experience. I’d be honest with you, but some men wouldn’t. It’s unreasonable for your father to force you into this position, but it seems you don’t have much choice. Accept the mill or lose your inheritance?”

  She shrugged. “That’s what he threatened.”

  “If he’s that kind of scoundrel,” Allen continued, “then you’d be better off to let him cut you off without a penny now and stop depending on him. However, I figure he’s bluffing. You’ve indicated that he’s always tried to dominate you, so he won’t give up easily. Frankly, I think it would be good for you to stay in North Carolina for a few months and see how the rest of the world lives.”

  “I don’t have to make a decision now. As I understand, the present manager is retiring due to ill health, but we won’t gain possession of the mill until April. I’m returning to New York soon. It’s a big decision to make.”

  “In the meantime, I’d suggest that you take a tour of the mill and the towns of Asheville and Fairfield before you decide on anything.”

  “I’m sorry to impose on you, but will you go with me through the mill? I feel as if I’ve known you a long time, and I trust you.”

  Her comment surprised as well as pleased Allen. He wondered how she could have formed a favorable opinion of him in such a short time. “When are you leaving for New York?”

  “I was to leave with Father yesterday, but the Vanderbilts have insisted that I should remain another week or so, and I’ve decided to stay.”

  “I’m doing some carpentry work at the mill. I go in after the plant closes for the night. I could come to Biltmore to get you Monday afternoon around five o’clock. The manager takes himself seriously, so he may not want you on the premises during work hours. But as the new owner of the mill, you certainly have the right to look over your property. You’re sure the transaction has already taken place?”

  “Father said the papers have been signed and a down payment made. The ownership passes to me in two months. Father has his faults, but he never lies, so I know that’s the way it’s going to be.”

  “I wouldn’t mention to anyone around here that you’re going to own the plant. I figure some of the workers would be superstitious about a woman boss, so it will be good for them to see you before they know you’re the new owner. Any change in ownership of a business scares the employees. Wages are low and most of them live from hand-to-mouth, and they face starvation if a business closes. If you’ll take my advice, I think you should see the mill before you go. Tomorrow is Sunday, and there won’t be many people at the plant. It might be better to go then. I’ll be glad to be your guide.”

  Hesitantly, she agreed to his plan. “What time should I be ready?”

  “I attend worship services at Bethel Community Church in Fairfield on Sunday morning. If you’d like to go with me, I’ll come by for you at nine o’clock. We can tour the mill after that and eat our dinner at Aunt Sallie’s Boardinghouse.”

  She shook her head, and a determined expression crossed her face. “I won’t go to church, but I’d like to tour the mill and eat at Aunt Sallie’s. I’ve noticed her quaint little cottage, and I’ve thought it would be interesting.”

  Although Allen was disappointed at her response, he wasn’t surprised. He’d been in her presence enough to know that she was strong-willed, obviously a trait she’d inherited from her father. That was all right. He also had a stubborn streak, and he vowed silently that if Dora stayed in North Carolina, he would eventually see her converted to the same faith he followed. Stubborn streak or not, he was in the winner’s seat because he had God on his side. One of the Bible references he quoted often was from the book of Romans, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

  Allen was distressed about his interest in Dora, and he knew that if he didn’t depend on God for direction, he’d say or do something that would betray that interest to her. In spite of all her wealth and prestige, he sensed that inwardly Dora wasn’t happy. He would like to help her, but could he do that without endangering his own heart?

  Although he knew there were too many barriers between Dora and himself for them to be anything more than friends, Allen wanted very much for her to share his Christian faith. At least their lives could be joined together in a spiritual sense. He would never be satisfied until he knew that Dora believed in and worshipped the same God he did. Although he’d felt this way about the eternal destiny of many people, for some reason Dora’s salvation seemed more important than any other’s right now.

  Mentally, he placed his concern before God, and reminded himself that with God all things were possible. “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove.”

  three

  Bethel Community Church had at one time been a country church, established by an itinerant preacher, Jeremiah Spencer, whose Christian calling had been to gather a congregation in an area that didn’t have a house of worship. Although Asheville had several churches, none had been built in the town of Fairfield until Reverend Spencer arrived. The church had originally been a log structure, but it had been covered with weather boarding two years ago. The organist was playing the introductory music to “Rock of Ages” when Allen entered the building. He moved into the left rear seat, took a hymnal from the rack, and joined the singing.

  “Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

  let me hide myself in Thee;

  let the water and the blood,

  from Thy wounded side which flowed,

  be of sin the double cure;

  save from wrath and make me pure.”

  The preacher’s text for his sermon was taken from the fourth Psalm, when David had said, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.”

  As Reverend Spencer presented his carefully prepared message emphasizing the watchful care of the heavenly Father, Allen recalled one of the most frighten
ing experiences of his youth. He and one of his younger brothers had been fishing from a boat in a creek that flowed into the Atlantic Ocean not far from the city of Charleston. The water was smooth, and the weather was peaceful. Suddenly the water roiled around the inlet, and an offshore tidal wave forced itself over the peaceful waters of the creek. The canoe capsized, and his brother sank out of sight. Knowing that the child couldn’t swim, Allen, praying continually, kept diving until he found his brother and hauled him to safety.

  It was one of Allen’s most poignant memories. In spite of the fact that he’d saved the boy’s life, when they returned to their home, his parents had heaped recriminations on Allen because he’d put the boy in such a dangerous situation. That was the time Allen had made up his mind to leave South Carolina and, at the age of fifteen, he joined his cousin Vance Bolden’s caravan and moved to North Carolina. That had been years ago, and he hadn’t seen any of his family since. Timothy would be a young man by now, and he wondered what had happened to the boy.

  As he listened to the pastor’s message, and thinking of Dora’s situation, he wondered if his reaction to his parents’ rejection was any worse than what she was facing just now. Perhaps if he could direct her to a better relationship between herself and her father, he might learn how to deal with memories of his family and the past.

  When he reached Biltmore, Dora and George Vanderbilt were seated on one of the enclosed porches, and George walked to the buggy with Dora. Although Mr. Vanderbilt had never appeared condescending to Allen, he still felt inferior to the man. And why wouldn’t he? The Vanderbilt family was one of the most prosperous and prestigious families in the world. Allen had neither wealth nor prestige. His personal assets amounted to a few thousand dollars, and it had taken a lifetime to accumulate that. Furthermore, his parents had been sharecroppers on a farm near Charleston, and there wasn’t any prestige in that occupation.

  And you’re foolish enough to keep company with a woman whose father is probably as rich as George Vanderbilt, he castigated himself. Although Dora didn’t seem condescending to him, what could she see in him? Just somebody to break the monotony of a trip to the mountains?

  “How do you like the news that Dora is soon to be owner of the local textile mill?” George asked when he reached the buggy. That comment didn’t do anything to make Allen not consider his inferior standing compared to the Porters and Vanderbilts!

  Allen secured the reins of the horses and stepped out of the buggy to shake hands with Vanderbilt. He forced a smile. “I have a feeling it will take a while for the workers to grow accustomed to the change, but I’m sure Miss Porter is capable of handling the business.”

  “With your help, my good man. With your help! She’s counting on you.”

  Allen considered Vanderbilt a pompous man, and he was uneasy in his presence, so he turned his attention to Dora. Without commenting on Vanderbilt’s suggestions, Allen took her arm and helped Dora to settle on the buggy’s seat. He joined her, untied the reins, and lifted his left hand in a farewell gesture to Vanderbilt.

  “I don’t know how long it will take us to tour the mill,” Dora said to George, “but I’m sure I’ll be in good hands.”

  “We’ll be back before nighttime,” Allen called as he guided the horses around the circular drive and headed toward Asheville.

  “You probably sensed that George isn’t favorable to the idea that I’ll own the mill, and he likes to joke about it,” Dora said. “I had supposed Father would have asked his advice about the purchase and his subsequent plans to give the mill to me.” She frowned. “Apparently that wasn’t the case, and Father went his own way as usual.”

  “So you’ve decided to take over management of the mill?”

  “I’ve lost a lot of sleep worrying about it, and I’ve concluded that I don’t have much choice. To be honest, all my life I’ve had almost anything I wanted handed to me on a silver platter. I’ve never worked for anything. I’ve ‘played’ most of my life. I actually think that Father doesn’t expect me to be able to operate the mill, so I have an ulterior motive. I’m going to accept ownership of the mill just to show Father that I can do it. I suppose it boils down to the fact that I want to prove to myself as well as to him that I’m capable of operating a business.”

  As she talked, Allen’s heart warmed and he said en-couragingly, “There isn’t a doubt in my mind that you can manage the mill.”

  She touched his right hand where he held the reins. “But only if you’ll help me.”

  “I’ll help you,” Allen agreed. It wasn’t something he was deciding on the spur of the moment. In their short acquaintance, he’d decided that Dora had the temperament to accomplish anything she wanted to do. He’d already decided that if Dora asked for his help again, she’d get it so he didn’t hesitate in promising to advise her.

  “I’ll want you to tell me when I’m wrong and give me advice. I may not like it, but I know I can’t do it with-out you.”

  “I’ll do anything I can, but I’m not a businessman or a miracle worker. However, now that you want my advice, I’m telling you that unless you’re ready to devote one hundred percent of your time to the mill, you should tell your father to forget it. I suggest that you wait until you have a tour of the mill and see what you’re up against before you make your final decision. You’re going to witness ‘life’s other side’ this afternoon.”

  Dora looked at him with an incredulous expression on her face, but she didn’t comment as they headed toward the small village. When they reached the outskirts of Fairfield, Allen slowed the horses. Smiling, he said, “I know this town can’t compare with the cities you’ve seen, but I’ll take you on a tour of Fairfield. On the left is the textile mill you will soon own.”

  “Gracious! It’s a rather shabby building, and a big one.”

  Allen shrugged his shoulders. “All textile mills look like that. There are large fans in the ceilings to blow the lint and other elements that gathered in the air through high windows in the structure.” Driving slowly, he pointed out a few of the other landmarks, including a brick church with a tower.

  “That’s Bethel Community Church, which I attended this morning. It’s been here longer than the town itself. The church was established about fifty years ago, and this was all country then. The textile mill was built ten years later, and the town grew up around it.”

  Many people were strolling along the tree-shaded streets, evidently enjoying the sun and the invigorating breeze wafting down from the mountains. Most of them waved, and Allen returned the salute.

  “Twenty acres of forest were cleared for the con-struction of the mill,” Allen explained as he tightened the reins and brought the team of Morgan horses to a slow walk. “The lumber was used to build the town itself. I lived in the town of Canaan, several miles north of here, but I’m a carpenter, and I came here to help build the houses and mill. I didn’t necessarily intend to stay after the mill was in operation, but I like it here, so I’ve stayed on.” When they passed Aunt Sallie’s Boardinghouse, Allen said, “That’s where I lived until I saved enough money to buy a small farm outside of town. I have a small cabin on the land now.”

  From the puzzled expression on Dora’s face, Allen suspected that he might as well be talking a foreign language, so he added, “When I came to North Carolina, where my cousin established the village of Canaan, he distributed land to his friends and neighbors who had traveled with him. I could have had a parcel of land in that settlement, but I didn’t want to be a farmer. So I became a self-taught carpenter and helped build the little town.”

  “But you’re a farmer now.”

  “I own a small farm, but I prefer building things with my hands rather than tilling the soil. That’s one reason I didn’t get along with my father. He wanted me to work for him on the plantation near Charleston. I couldn’t see any future there because many residents were still living in the past—thinking that
the old carefree days prior to the War Between the States would return. I didn’t think that was going to happen; besides I prefer to look toward the future instead of dwelling on the past.”

  “But you like it here and intend to stay?”

  “So far. I’ve never put down roots anywhere, so I don’t know. Farming is sort of a hobby for me. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a poor way to make a living, but combining that with carpentry, I’m doing all right.”

  When they reached the mill, Allen secured the buggy and horses then helped Dora to the ground. He opened the huge metal doors and motioned for her to precede him into the mill.

  ❧

  Dora’s first impression of the textile mill was that the huge room was dark and dirty. She sneezed as Allen opened two other doors in addition to the one they’d entered.

  “There’s usually lint from the fabrics floating around this building. That’s what caused the sneeze.”

  Inside, the building seemed even larger than it did from the outside, and numerous machines were situated around the room. Most of them had fabric of different kinds in the process of being woven. Large bolts of cotton were stored on shelves.

  What a terrible place to work, she thought and wondered why her father had invested in the place. No doubt he’d been able to buy the mill at a low price and was convinced he could double his money in a short time. If she accepted this gift from him, she vowed to herself that she’d improve working conditions for her employees. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to work day after day in such a place.