Heaven's Gate Bridge fourteen

HG fourteen

The children were fortunate that there would be no school on the Monday following Easter. Many families had other members that they would visit out of town. However the Miller children used this time to help their mother by doing as many duties as she directed them to. In their spare time they played with Buddy, and then practiced their spelling words for the spelling bee that would be in about a week’s time.

Mr. Miller remembered that he had been told that Harriet would need to come into Dr. Carson’s office to check her ears for wax and do further tests. Since the appointment was for the afternoon, he could go open his shop and leave it in the good hands of his assistant, Taylor Munson. This young man has such a business knack that one day he might even manage another shop if Mr. Miller had decided to have one. If that idea did not suit Taylor, then he might supply his energy and talent in the new Sears and Roebuck’s store. Taylor always had big dreams and stated that he would like to live in a big city where he could meet more than ten people in one day.

Mr. Miller rode in his Ford car to his store. He parked it in a lot that was vacant. He was so happy when he and Frances had sat down to discuss the benefits of spending their money on this new invention. The whole family was thrilled in their first ride in the vehicle. He was of course nervous as the driver. Frances held on to her purse with one hand and her hat with the other hand. The girls and boys squeezed into the back but laughed and shouted all the way on their first experience. Everyone agreed that to be seen in one of these cars was just out of this world.

As Mr. Miller approached his store’s front door, he noticed that Taylor was walking up to there with a newspaper under his arm and his lunch in the other hand. Taylor enjoyed reading during his lunch break and would often find some special piece of news that would either start a brilliant conversation or keep everyone in stitches. Taylor was a thrifty person and would carry his newspaper home to share with other men in the apartments that he lived in. The arrangement was that other men would share something back with him. He claimed to have saved enough money to put into the bank and start thinking about buying a car for himself.

“A very good morning to you sir,”said Taylor to Mr. Miller as he followed him into the store. The store smelled a little stuffy since it had been closed for a day and a half.

“The same to you Mr. Munson. I trust that your Easter day was relaxing and enjoyable.”

“Oh it was truly one of the better Easter days that I have seen. I visited my sister across Heaven Gate’s Bridge and stayed all day. She and her husband are expecting their first child in two months and I promised to be in close contact with them. He wants to be in the military because he knows that the wars in the Balkans are just the tip of the iceberg in the political unrest over in Europe. Matilda is frantic but Arthur was from a family who had been in the military for a long time.” says Taylor as he checks his appearance in the mirror.

“Now. Now. The President Woodrow Wilson is a very intelligent man. He is an educated man. He went to Princeton. They are thinkers there and keep a good eye open for any signs of trouble. “replied Mr. Miller as he hung up his coat.

“Ah but sir, he cannot compare with the education and brilliance of former President Taft. Why he was dean of a law school. Can anyone top that?” he responded as he walked to the back to check on items that were hung up and deemed ready to be completed for delivery today.

Mr. Miller smiled at the comments that the young man had made. They often had special little discussions when no customer was in the store. It seemed to make the day start on a lively note. He walked to the counter where he noticed a note. It was written by the one lady who did some extra sewing on the fine work or when he was busy with many orders. It was left Saturday after he left.

“Dear Mr. Miller, I am sorry to say that I might be in late on Monday. My young son is ill with the measles that is going around and I want to take care of him for part of this day until his aunt can come over to watch him for me. Please be assured that if necessary, I will stay an hour extra to make up for this inconvenience. Sincerely, Joan Smith.” Joan had the most beautiful hand writing. She had also been a very trusted person to work for him. It was unfortunate that the measles had his this part of the town so hard.

To William’s relief, the first customer did not arrive until about an hour after he opened the store. This gave the men time to do a small inventory check on the material that they had used during last week. It also seemed to them that the needles and pins were falling on the floor and sometimes being swept away. He would have to make sure that everyone knew that carelessness cost money that could be deducted from their pay. Also he noticed that the tape measures that they used were torn and would need to be replaced. Things seem to need replacing much more often these days.

“”Oh Mr. Munson, I will need to leave today at 3:30 to take my daughter to the doctor. She has a small ear problem and I promised Mrs. Miller that I would drive them. I think that it looks cloudy outside. I don’t want my little girl and wife to get wet.”

“Certainly sir. Then you will be back to close up. If not I will lock up and put the unfinished suits in the back.” he said as he brought a bolt of cloth to the front for Mr. Miller to examine.

“Oh I should be, but if I am not back by,” Mr. Miller stopped to look at the cloth that Taylor had unfolded.

“Oh is that the new material that we order ten days ago?” he stepped closer leaned over to give the material his full attention.

“Yes I think it is. I think that they might have sent us the wrong order. Do you want me to get the order form copy to match with the receipt?” he said as he walked over to the desk.

“Please do. We have a good customer coming in tomorrow and if this is the wrong style, then we will have to ask him to come back. That will be a first for me because I have not made a mistake in all of my years here.” he carried the bolt to the back to check the box it came in. He was hoping that there might be some other clue as to why the mistake had occurred.