Welcome to Avonlea

Chapter 18

I made sure to have everything together, my stories ready to hand over and my letter to Gilbert. But I also knew Anne had one for him as well. I really didn't want her to send it but there was nothing I could do. I didn't mention to disregard her letter mentioning about the gold since it had a high percent to be false. "I'm allowing you two to go on this trip against my better judgment." "Marilla, I assure that once we return from this adventure, you'll realize your decision was correct!" "Adventure?" "Not an adventure... per se. A... a restrained travel endeavor for personal edification and familial socialization. And Gilbert's letter will be sent across to lands unknown." Marilla glanced at me knowing I was writing him but I only looked at the floor. "Do not put me in a position of having to defend any disruptive behavior to Mrs. Barry." "Understood." "The Barrys are traveling there for important business." "Double understood." "Any foolishness will have conse-" Matthew calmed Marilla which helped at the moment. "I will be as calm as the Lake of Shining Waters on a sunny day or moonlit night, depending on your preference." I turned to the door hearing a horse. "We will be back as soon as we can. You don't need to worry about a thing. Let's go Anne." I grabbed her arm pulling her out the door. I was almost over the moon getting back to Charlottetown to get my books ready, send my letter, and see Aunt Josephine.

"I'm bored! When are we going to be there?" I smiled at Minnie May. "Mr. Barry, I know it's indecorous to ask about financial matters, but I'm so curious about this gold business!" "Yeah, well, what would you like to know?" "Where to start?! Well, I'm bewitched by this notion of how money moves country to country. It seems like magic." "I can see how you'd perceive it that way." "Minnie May. Please be careful." "So, your money travels from England to Charlottetown?" "It's like a telegraph but with cash instead of words." I caught the look on Mrs. Barry's face that she was at a total loss that he was talking to Anne about money. "You must be receiving a substantial amount since you're not only testing your soil, but your also-" "There will be enough for many, many Avonlea families to test the value of their land. I believe a rising tide should lift all boats." "Then you'll distribute the money to those in town who want their soil to be tested in town?!" "It will all go to Nathaniel. He collects it directly in order to expedite the process for everyone." I looked at Mrs. Barry in disbelief. "Mr. Barry doesn't discuss our finances." "Mr. Barry, with all do respect, for what you're doing for anyone. Has he showed you a sample of his own that he's collected?" He looked at me as though I asked him the wrong question. "He had a certificate stating there was. It had the stamp from New York and it is very much legitimate." I looked out the window. "Of course."

"Thank you for helping me send this Rollings." "Official-looking correspondence." "It was important to me that the form of the letter match its contents. This letter could be life-changing for Gilbert." I moved over to Rollings. "It's all ready." He took my letter looking at it then nodding. This wasn't the first time I sent him a letter. "Rollings will investigate the boy's whereabouts, won't you?" Aunt Josephine looked at me and winked since I already knew. "I've said I would yes." "If he's indeed on a steamship, it shouldn't be too much trouble to discover which one and where it will dock next." "I may need to spend a few coin in the process." "Yes, yes, grease whatever palms you need to." "To think that my words will be sent across an ocean, delivering news of gold!" I sat down next to Aunt Josephine and took deep breaths feeling happy that no one suspected anything since Rollings hid my letter in his suit jacket the moment I handed it to him. "Is that the gold certificate? Did Nathaniel want me to have it for my banking transaction?" I winced a little knowing he was slightly drunk. "No..." "It's a letter sir. The one we just discussed. At length. Moments ago." "Rollings." "Well, it looks like it." "Perhaps you're overtired, dear. Best to set that aside." "It's medicinal." I shifted uncomfortable as he stood and looked unsteady for a moment. "Time to retire. Come along dear." I stiffened a little seeing how he was treating Mrs. Barry. She stood on her own ignoring him which I was actually proud of. "Come along Minnie May." "Night-night."