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Chapter Twenty
Time Forward 3
Loveland, Ohio
Tuesday 5/7/15
3:55 PM
“You had her committed to the Mad House in Cincinnati you say! When did you and your people do this?”
Still thinking this woman an attorney, and though he and the town counsel ‘thought’ they were doing the right thing, of course to keep the poor woman safe, however he, and the town counsel, just ‘might’ have moved too quickly without the advice of a medical recommendation. Stalling for time. “One moment,” he said as, pretending to consult his calendar, thumbing two pages back, “February, uh, it was on the fifteenth that we had the mad house ambulance come here to town to take her to Cincinitti.”
“Uh-huh.” Stroking her chin as apparently in deep thought. “Was there any person… any relative you might have consulted before committing this poor woman to a facility for the insane?” Agie asked, thinking, Why am I doing this? The thought, rather a sensation of... ‘Power’! Coming to her.
As that female ‘fly on the wall,’ while in attendance in many of lawyer to lawyer or lawyer to client, or even lawyer to the ‘First National Bank’ there was a despised…? A despised ‘undertone tone’, that many of those totally despised ‘Attorneys at Law’ took that— in that ‘under-toned tone’, would cause the other party to seriously consider— ‘you had ‘better’ take notice of what I am saying’.
“And how is this poor lady, this Olivia doing in the…” still stroking her chin, still speaking in the despised attorney under-tone tone—As. bewildered by his wife’s tone and line of questioning, but still receiving the message to ‘say nothing’ as the fingers of Agie’s hand still tightly clasp his — “...insane asylum?”
William E. Forester.”, a pillar in the communities of Loveland, Ohio and surrounding commutes having enough—unquestioned—knowledge to be president and wholly singular stock holder in the ‘Loveland National Bank’, had, in actually inherited the position, along with the fledgling bank when his father, Stanley K. Forester passed away 1883. Making loans, adding interest, collecting money, having enough of this basic banking knowledge pounded into the mind of young William E. Forester.” Rules and regulations, however? Common sense had prevailed when it came to ‘rules and regulations’. Committing Oliva Procter to the Cincinitti Asylum for the Insane did, at the time, seem the proper thing to do, and then to wait a few days after the lady had passed away before having Loveland National Bank take the property in foreclosure…”
In answer to this, Of all things! ‘Female’ New York lawyer’s question. “Oliva passed away six…” drawing deeply on the glowing cigar “... seven days ago.” Forester answered bluntly blowing a cloud of grey smoke.
With Agie’s rattlesnake attorneys tone.“And you…” making a sweeping motion with her free hand covering the entire substance of Loveland National Bank, while dispersing some of the cigar smoke swirling about her head “...placed the dead woman’s property into foreclosure; how long after…” asked accusingly “... would you say?”
Thinking, There was something I was supposed to do! Minute beads of sweat breaking through the pores directly beneath William E. Forester hairline. Once again stalling. “How long after…” angrily “... ‘what’?”
From her own past position and experience knowing, at least in New York City, the foreclosure had to be advertised for three days in a local newspaper before selling the property off. “After…” venom oozing from the rattlesnake fangs “... Olivia Procter died!”
Aware now that he might have a problem if this ‘female’ New York lawyer wanted to push it, and he and Loveland National Bank could be hearing from ‘O.S.B.B.’: the ‘Ohio State Banking Board’ which, for the past number of years had left the most inconsequential bank in the state, little old Loveland National Bank alone and W.E. Forester had gladly left the O.S.B.B alone also.
“How did you…” addressing Morrie “...learn of our, uh, hardware store foreclosure? If you don’t mind me asking?”
Not disliking this man in particular, but well aware of his familiar, anti-female superior attitude, however enjoying her Attorney at Law pretence and watching this man, this pompous ‘banker’ squirm. “We’d rather not say…” sarcastically stated “... if you don’t mind me saying?”
Clearing his throat, The Gall! Forester took two quick draws on the cigar causing him to cough, and to — his face turning crimson— continue.
Not really a smoker, placing the smouldering cigar into the glass ashtray on the man’s desk then, waiting until the man was able to take a clear breath, “Show us our ledger, if you will.” Morrie asked.
”Of course.” Putting his into the ashtray also, Forester stood, went to the filing cabinet, opened a drawer and, thumbing through a number of alphabet labelled ledger sheets, returned to his desk placing the sheet marked ‘Pink, Morris’ between Agie and Morrie showing a two thousand-five hundred ‘$2,500.00’ dollar deposit dated 5-4-2015.
“Withdraw the three hundred, will you…”
“And give us a receipt showing the withdrawal was for payment in full for our purchase of the Procter Hardware foreclosure.” Agie added.
Turning to Agie. “And something else…” Morrie said “...make this account
in the names of Agnes and Morris Pink and we’ll open a new business account in our two names also soon as we get our bearings.
This coming as a welcomed surprise, “Thank you, dear.” Leaning to the side, kissing her husband’s cheek.
How unusual.. the banker thought ...who’d of heard of such a thing everything in a ‘woman’s’ name! And especially this woman.— This woman who’s non-respectful demeanour and definitely unfriendly attitude rattling Forester each time she had the nerve to open her mouth.
A thought coming to Agie’s mind:. Charlie Tenner. Opening the Accounts Payable Ledger, the last entry, actually a notation made by a much heaver hand than Olivia’s, obviously written by Kenneth Procter dated 10/2/14 stating ‘ ‘Niagara Hammer and Tool Company’s’ quarterly inventory inspection was scheduled for 11/9/14. Was it delivered? No entry of it being delivered or paid for, possibly the reason Charlie told us the store might be going into foreclosure.
“This…” tapping the ledger “...shows there was an inventory made at Proctor’s back in November. Do you know if it was shipped or received?”
“How would I know!” Taking the watch from his watch pocket, glancing at it and angrily snapping the lid shut. “It’s getting late…” pushing from the desk, preparing to stand “... and I think we’re finished with business here.”
Which came across to Agie as, ‘I’ve said all I’m going to say so get out now’! Maybe yesterday, but not today! Not to this presumed ‘Attorney at Law’, whom had not the slightest idea of...
“You don’t seem to know much…” in her attorney ‘undertone tone’ “...do you, Mister Forester?” Speaking softer yet, but no less venomously. “Like state of Ohio’s banking rules you’ve broken with what you’ve…” waving the receipt showing the three hundred dollar payment in full for the purchase of the Procter Hardware foreclosure. “... done here!”
Hands flat upon the desk, legs crooked in a half standing position, Shit! Crimson faced, the man dropping back onto his padded seat.
Eyes piercingly upon eyes. The banker and the female — presumed— Attorney at Law sat in thick silence for five full seconds, until…
“Alright, it is possible we here at Loveland National made somewhat of a mistake…”
Twisting the knife, “ ‘Somewhat’?”
Holding both hands palms forward, “Truce.” Waiting as Agie nodded her head. “What’s been done has been done, and if you and your husband agree here’s what I’m going to offer.”
Unable to believe she had really won , Agie squeezed her husband’s knee.
“Don’t know if you’ve heard, but Chevrolet is coming out with a five cylinder automobile that’s said to be able to travel at thirty-five miles an hour … If you can believe! So we’re thinking our little city will be growing, and who know about this war we’re getting into? So what I’m going to suggest is that, if you want —we’re in the process of construing three two bedroom homes for people thinking of moving to our little city to look at that will be priced at fifteen-hundred-fifty dollars, that we’ll give you your choice of and make your price an even fifteen-twenty-five.”
“Fifteen-twelve and you’ve a deal!” Agie said.
Reaching across the desk, the banker shook hands with the female Lawyer.
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