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Ninety Days Inside The Empire: A Novel by William Appleman Williams

A Visit with The Judge

Page 36

"You think I can help?"

"Yes."

"You think I owe you?"

"No, Mr. Frankel. No, you don't owe me cow pies. It's just that some of us care about these things and so we try to help each other."

Mrs. Frankel blurted it out: "I think maybe I can guess who that person is. Old William who works here is worried about her."

-- So it's out.

"Yes."

Mr. Frankel stepped down, one leg at a time, off the porch.

"You want my advice on the land?"

"Yes. Please."

"When?"

"Next Thursday about ten, starting from my place."

"I will be there, Mr. Harland."

"Thank you, Mr. Frankel. Thank you very much."

The next day Marsh called Mrs. Langdon to tell her that there was no need to come in on Wednesday.

"You scared to tell me to my face you can't help me."

"I like your face....

-- That's not very professional, Marsh. Watch it.

"What I mean is, Mrs. Langdon, is some of us will be out on Thursday 'bout ten to ride the land and give you some ideas."

"I'll be down by the gate. Thank you, Mr. Harland."

Between then and Thursday Marsh largely forgot about Mrs. Langdon and the others. He was busy getting the bank to extend two loans, drinking with a Tulane classmate who worked on the sly for the NAACP, getting his horse shod, and putting new shingles on the weather corner of his cottage. And keeping Marlene a good two arm lengths away.

But on Thursday he had the breakfast dishes washed by eight and was fussin' with his horse. Henry arrived with two others that Marsh had helped now and again.

"What'd you do to Frankel, Marsh? He came down yesterday and said he'd be along."

"I think I don't rightly know. Take it and see what happens."

"Well, here he is."

The five of them rode off down a draw towards Mrs. Langdon's land.

"Pretty wet down here," said somebody.

"I talked about some work for their sons."

Henry moved his horse along side Marsh.

"You thinkin' serious about this lady?"

-- Don't know, damn it.

"Serious about banks and the government and the land."

"Don't want to lose The Judge." He wacked the rump of Marsh's horse and made him look foolish just as they came on Mrs. Langdon.

She saw that and smiled. "Well, gentlemen, shall we see just how poor I am?"

Marsh introduced them and said he'd leave the farming to the experts. Two days later Henry ambled past Marlene, closed the door and announced that he had a thirst. Marsh poured the bourbon and Henry lifted his glass. "Well, you good for somethin' new, Mr. Judge."

"What's that?"

"You makin' a neighbor out of Frankel. You gave him something to do and got him out of his head."