Portriat
Chapter 5: Illness

The weeks passed quickly. Jamie found himself becoming more comfortable with his situation. Every morning Jamie would stop at the bakery then arrive at the bank before the church bell. Mr. O’Malley would call him in for a morning report and then he would go about the days work.

One morning Jamie receives a note asking him to report to Mr. O’Malley’s office. Jamie knocked on the closed door.

“Come in,” said a weak voice.

Jamie entered to see Mr. O’Malley seated at his desk. Shawn did not even offer to rise. Mr. O’Malley attempts at addressing Jamie brought on a coughing fit. He could do no more than point to a chair.

“Sir, you are not well. I will come back a little later,” Jamie offered.

Mr. O’Malley’s expression told Jamie he should stay. With a Herculean effort Shawn gain control over his affliction and in a breath voice whispered, “No sir, I wish to speak to you. I do not easily give into this weakness.”

Jamie sat down waiting.

“Mr. O’Brien,” began Shawn. “I wish to express my gratitude again for your diligent work. I am very satisfied with the progress you have made. As a reward on Monday, you will be made second in command of this institution. A partner if you will. If I am ill you will be in charge.”

“Sir, this is too much I could not.”

“That is all,” Mr. O’Malley declared cutting across any argument.

Jamie intended to give argument until Shawn began coughing again.

“Sir, is there anything I may do for you?” Jamie inquired very concerned.

“A glass of water if you please,” Shawn choked pointing to a counter.

Jamie arose pouring a glass of water from the standing pitcher. He handed the glass to his employer, who received it thankfully.

“Please, Mr. O’Brien don’t be concerned, go back to work. That’s an order.”

Jamie reluctantly left. On leaving the office Jamie noticed Mr. Finch speaking with a poor woman. After a few moments, a desperate cry issued from her.

“I am lost and my children will starve,” she cried over and over.

Mr. Finch attempted to quite her, but without success. Mr. O’Malley appeared suddenly in his door. Jamie thought he looked stronger then the he had been that morning. The moment Mr. O’Malley saw Jamie looking at him coughed and leaned against the door frame. The cries continued.

“Mr. Finch, what is the source of this noise” Mr. O’Malley demanded coughing as he attempted to speak.

Mr. Finch approached Mr. O’Malley using hushed tones to tell Mr. O’Malley the lady’s problem in confidence. Mr. O’Malley in returned made a comment to Mr. Finch. It was very clear that Mr. Finch did not agree by the gestures he made. Shawn’s expression grew hard and unmoving.

“Yes, Finch I understand. Ask the lady if she would come into my office. No, Mr. Finch I will have none of your arguments.”

Mr. Finch through up his hands.

“Do as I say,” Shawn added a little weaker his eyes upon Jamie.

Mr. O’Malley retreated once more into his office. Finch followed Shawn’s orders with an exasperated look upon his face. Jamie watched this scene with great interest. He glanced at Adam for an explanation, but Adam could or would not explain it.

“Mrs. Jones that bank manager will see you now,” Finch said.

The woman immediately stopped crying whipping her face with a kerchief as she followed Mr. Jones to Shawn’s office.

“Welcome, Mrs. Jones if you would kindly take a seat. Mr. Finch please close the door,” Jamie heard.

Ten minutes would pass before the office door would open again with Mr. O’Malley weakly stepping out. Shawn leaned against the door for support as he called for Mr. Finch.

“Mr. Finch, you are needed,” Shawn wheezed.

Mr. Finch followed Shawn into the office only to exist a moment later directing his feet toward Adam. Finch shook his head as he handed Adam a note.

“Record this,” was all Mr. Finch said before going into the vault.

He then returned to Mr. O’Malley’s office.

“He is at it again,” Adam said showing the note Mr. Finch had handed him to Jamie.

Jamie read, “Withdraw fifty dollars from my account, Shawn O’Malley”

For the third time the door opened this time the woman left the office.

“Thank you, sir. May God bless you,” She declared before taking her leave.

“Think nothing of it Madam. Good day,” replied Shawn leading her from the Bank.

As Mr. O’Malley turned back towards his office he stumbled. Mr. Finch rushed forward preventing Shawn’s fall.

“Mr. O’Brien, fetch the carriage,” Mr. Finch cried helping Mr. O’Malley to a chair.

“You will find it out back. It is the humblest of the lot. Tom the driver should be close by,” Adam told him.

Jamie swiftly went out the back door discovering a line of carriage. It did not take Jamie long to find Shawn’s. Adam had told him it was the humblest. Indeed, it was. The black carriage’s paint was well worn. The carriage had passed its prime.

The horse attached to it was the finest Jamie had ever seen. Other carriages had their drivers busy attending the vehicle or under a tree play a game of cards with others.

“I need Mr. O’Malley’s driver,” Jamie said addressing the men.

“He is not here,” a man said.

“Old Tom stepped out for a pint. Good luck finding him,” another said with a seer in his voice.

Jamie sighed. “Thank you,” he simply said.

Jamie untied the horse from the post. Taking the reins in his hands Jamie jumped up in the driver seat. He encouraged the horse to back up. The horse refused to move. “Back up,” Jamie said.

The horse remained in place unmoved. The drivers around him started laughing. Jamie frowned. He almost gave up when a young boy walked over.

“Sir, Banshee won’t move until you say praise the lord. Banshee use to be a preacher’s horse,” the boy explained.

“Praise the lord,” Jamie repeated with a hint of disbelief in his voice.

Banshee backed up.

“When you want him to stop say Amend,” the boy said.

“Amend,” Jamie said when the horse kept backing up.

The horse stopped. “Thank you,” Jamie called over his shoulder before saying “Banshee, praise the Lord forward.”

The horse responded. Jamie drove the carriage to the front of the bank just as Mr. Finch carried Shawn outside in his arms.

Mr. Finch placed their pale breathless employer inside the carriage.

“What took you so long,” Mr. Finch asked existing the carriage.

Then seeing Jamie behind the reigns. “Where is Tom?” Mr. Finch demanded.

“The other drives told me he went for a pint. Banshee gave me a bit of trouble,” Jamie said.

Mr. Finch made a face. Mr. O’Malley drew Mr. Finches attention back to him.

From inside the carried Mr. O’Malley wheezed, “Mr. Finch, look after the bank.”

“Not until I see you home sir,” Finch replied closing the carriage door. Mr. Finch saw Jamie stepping down.

“Stay in the driver’s seat man,” Finch commanded. “This is part of your job as well.”

Jamie followed the orders without questions. He sat awaiting directions. They were not long in coming. Mr. Finch took a seat beside Jamie in the driver’s seat.

“Go straight then turn right at the end of the street. It is the last house white with blue shutters,” Mr. Finch directed.

“Praise the Lord,” Jamie said.

Banshee moved forward. Jamie encouraged her into a canter. Mr. Finch sat beside Jamie mumbling how Mr. O’Malley’s generosity and stubbornness would see him in an early grave.

“Stop here sir,” Mr. Finch exclaimed as Jamie nearly drove past the house.

“Amend,” Jamie called down.

The carriage halted at a very small white clapboard house. It looked nothing like a home of a successful banker Jamie thought as he dismounted. Jamie opened the carriage door. Mr. O’Malley could not move or speak.

“I beg your pardon me sir,” Jamie apologized lifting Shawn in his arms.

Jamie was shocked at how light Shawn was. Mr. Finch reached his side and once again began giving directions.

“This way Mr. O’Brien,” Mr. Finch order.

Jamie moved towards the house. The housekeeper emerged at the door with a smile on her face. Her smiled faded when she saw Shawn in Jamie’s arms.

“Not again,” she said sadly. “Bring Shawn this way sir.”

She led the way to Mr. O’Malley’s room. It was as humble as the house. The room stood empty except for a bed, a chair and a table covered with bottles. The housekeeper piled up pillows against the headboard. “Place him here sir. Make sure he is propped up,” the housekeeper directed.

“Miss Murphy, where is Meghann?” Mr. O’Malley asked weakly.

“She is out, now no more talking Shawn. Here, let me help you with your cravat.”

Jamie was taken a back by the housekeeper’s familiarity with her employer. Shawn stopped her by putting his hand on hers. She drew back.

“Thank you, gentlemen, I am tired. Mr. Finch bring me the night report,” ordered Shawn.

“Tomorrow morning and sooner,” added Miss Murphy, in a voice, which would allow no arguments from anyone.

“Yes sir,” said Mr. Finch bowing.

“Gentlemen, please follow me,” commanded Miss Murphy.

Jamie’s eyes fell upon a painting as Miss Murphy led him from the house. It was a brilliant portrait of two people sitting side by side. Their eyes seemed to look into his soul not unlike Mr. O’Malley’s eyes.

“Come Mr. O’Brien, we must get back to the bank,” cried Mr. Finch from outside the house.

Jamie rushed outside.

“Do you not think we should call a doctor?” questioned Jamie.

“Miss Murphy is the only doctor he will need. Her will alone could bring a man back to life.” Mr. Finch replied coldly.

For the first time Jamie seemed to understand a little bit about the sedate Mr. Finch. He did not say much but he held great admiration for his boss yet felt that Mr. O’Malley should curve his generosity.

This made Jamie interested in learning more about this his co-worker. Try as he could, Jamie could not engage Finch in any conversation except for banking. He would tell no secrets or spread gossip.

Adam on the other hand was prepared to tell all. Later that evening as they sat in Mrs. Vargo’s inn parlor, Adam began asking questions.

“Well Jamie, you have been into our master’s kingdom. What did you think of it? Did you see Meghann? Now come sir, we are friends. Speak.”

“There is noting to tell. The only thing I saw of consequence was a painting,” said Jamie.

“A painting?”

“It was a portrait of two people, who they were I can to tell. I did not have much time to study it. If I had to I would guess that is our Mr. O’Malley and his sister,” Jamie said.

Adam became board with this line of conversation attempted to begin another line.

“Did you meet Meghann?”

“She was not at home. Miss Murphy was present. Now there is a force to be reckoned with. She could destroy any man with just a word. She has the last word in Mr. O’Malley’s affairs. From what I learned she is only the housekeeper. I know I would not tolerate her in my service,” Jamie said.

Once the words left his mouth he felt a bit guilty. He had followed Mr. Finch’s example but had gossiped. How he wished he could have taken back those words. “You must promise me you will not repeat my words,” Jamie said.

“Indeed,” Adam replied finally satisfied. “Since you shared that bit of confidence with me, I also have a story to tell. You remember the lady in the bank? The one Finch tried to get rid of.”

Jamie indicated with a nod he remembered.

“Well, it turns out she applied for a loan. She was dire straits. If she had been turned down her new resident, debtor’s prison. She had no collateral so of course Mr. Finch denied her the loan.

Mrs. Jones husband had died leaving her with two children and debts. Mr. O’Malley always seems to have a soft heart when it comes to widows. That is why he called her into his office.

Mr. O’Malley inquired after the amount of her indebtedness and gave her the sum plus more. He took the funds from his own account. She states she will repay. I am sure she will be like all the others.”

“Others, there are others?” Jamie asked.

“Almost every widow in this town owes Mr. O’Malley some sum,” Adam explained.

“No wonder he lives in such a humble home,” Jamie mused.

At that moment Mrs. Vargo entered the room with a frown on her face.

“There you are son,” interrupted Mrs. Vargo. “Why are you talking with the customers when there is work to be done?”

“We were discussing Mr. O’Malley. He has taken ill again,” said Adam, knowing this would distract his mother from her lecture.

“That poor man. He is such a good man. Unlike yourself, you lay about now to work with you,” Mrs. Vargo said.

She placed a broom into Adam’s hand as she left the room. Adam arose and went about his duties. Jamie smiled to himself picking up a book. He took a seat in the library with a sigh he began reading.

Jamie had not even finished a chapter before Adam returned this time he had two posts in his hand.

“These came for you. One is from Mr. O’Malley. The boy who delivered it said it was most urgent,” Adam remarked.

Jamie opened Mt. O’Malley’s first. His eyes flew over the contents. As he read he could feel Adam’s questioning eyes upon him.

On finishing it Jamie turned his attention to Adam. Mr. O’Malley informs me he will not be at the bank on Monday. His sister will be there instead. I am to show her the same courtesy as I would him. That is all,” Jamie remarked.

“The Temptress comes,” Adam remarked leaving the room.

Jamie opened his second letter that was from his father.

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