Read Online Trouble in the Town Hall by Jeanne M. Dams - Free Book Online
Authors: Jeanne M. Dams
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permission to pull down a row of perfectly sound houses which rent cheaplyâto students, for the most partâand put up cracker boxes in their stead. Can we doubt that the rents will be far higher? Can we doubt that the profits will be far higher than if the existing houses were simply renovated?
âThis is the man who asks you to give the Town Hall into his hands. I ask you all: Is there anyone here who can point to any action in Mr. Pettiferâs past that shows his concern for the public good? Is he a notable contributor to any charity? Has he, in fact, ever given a shilling to the poor or even rescued a stray dog?â
The murmurs had been growing, and now one workman spoke loudly enough to be heard. âSacked me once, âee did, for nothinâ at all!â The mood of the crowd had changed, as is the fickle way of crowds. As the level of sound in the room rose and took on an ugly undertone, I felt a moment of panic. Was this meeting going to degenerate into a riot?
5
âN OW, LADIES AND gentlemen.â Mrs. Dean raised her hands in placatory fashion, and spoke in tones that were honeyed, clear, and low enough that people were forced to hush in order to hear her. Clever, I thought. The workmen sat down again.
âYou must not think that I wish to assassinate Mr. Pettiferâs character.â Chuckles and a couple of jeers. âNo, indeed. If that were my purpose, I have more serviceable weapons at my command.â More laughter, with a mean-tempered edge to it. I thought for a moment that she was going to refer to the murder, and Pettifer looked up sharply, but Dean was apparently not prepared to stoop so low. Or maybe she thought the insinuation was sufficient.
She went on. âI am simply trying to impress upon you that he is not the man we need for the job at hand, which is to save the Town Hall. I have a plan, ladies and gentlemen, and I ask you to listen carefully andâwithout prejudiceâdecide whether it is not a better plan for the purpose.â
The languid majority sat up and perked their ears.
âUntil now we have put our faith in grants from outside Sherebury. As the Lord Mayor has told you, all these appeals have come to naught. It is time to look to our own community, time to take our fate into our own hands. I have, therefore, in the past several days, had conversations with the leaders of Sherebury: political, religious, commercial, and educational. Everyone was most eager to cooperate in a massive fund drive for the preservation of one of Shereburyâs most important pieces of history. To be specific: Our lord mayor, Councillor Daniel Clarke, has agreed to open his home for a fête in aid of the cause. The Very Reverend Mr. Kenneth Allenby, Dean of the Cathedral, proposed that one night of the forthcoming Cathedral Music Festival be dedicated to the Town Hall, with all proceeds being donated to the fund. A number of businessmen and women have agreed to allow solicitation of funds at their places of business, and many have promised personal or corporate donations, as well. And finally, the vice chancellor of Sherebury University has agreed to enlist the aid of a number of students, not only as solicitors, but in the planning of benefit projects.
âLadies and gentlemen, if this much support can be generated in a few days, is there any question that we can raise our share of the necessary funds? We must prove to English Heritage that Sherebury has the will to save the Town Hall. We must do it, and we shall!â
The crowd was with her now. Cheers and shouts of âHear, hear!â sounded from all sides. As the Lord Mayor began to restore order, rapping on the lectern, and the people resumed their seats, one woman rose from her seat on the aisle and marched to the nearest microphone. I recognized her after a moment as the owner of a gift shop in the High Street. She was dressed in a bright yellow suit, somewhat too tight, and her fiercely
âThis is the man who asks you to give the Town Hall into his hands. I ask you all: Is there anyone here who can point to any action in Mr. Pettiferâs past that shows his concern for the public good? Is he a notable contributor to any charity? Has he, in fact, ever given a shilling to the poor or even rescued a stray dog?â
The murmurs had been growing, and now one workman spoke loudly enough to be heard. âSacked me once, âee did, for nothinâ at all!â The mood of the crowd had changed, as is the fickle way of crowds. As the level of sound in the room rose and took on an ugly undertone, I felt a moment of panic. Was this meeting going to degenerate into a riot?
5
âN OW, LADIES AND gentlemen.â Mrs. Dean raised her hands in placatory fashion, and spoke in tones that were honeyed, clear, and low enough that people were forced to hush in order to hear her. Clever, I thought. The workmen sat down again.
âYou must not think that I wish to assassinate Mr. Pettiferâs character.â Chuckles and a couple of jeers. âNo, indeed. If that were my purpose, I have more serviceable weapons at my command.â More laughter, with a mean-tempered edge to it. I thought for a moment that she was going to refer to the murder, and Pettifer looked up sharply, but Dean was apparently not prepared to stoop so low. Or maybe she thought the insinuation was sufficient.
She went on. âI am simply trying to impress upon you that he is not the man we need for the job at hand, which is to save the Town Hall. I have a plan, ladies and gentlemen, and I ask you to listen carefully andâwithout prejudiceâdecide whether it is not a better plan for the purpose.â
The languid majority sat up and perked their ears.
âUntil now we have put our faith in grants from outside Sherebury. As the Lord Mayor has told you, all these appeals have come to naught. It is time to look to our own community, time to take our fate into our own hands. I have, therefore, in the past several days, had conversations with the leaders of Sherebury: political, religious, commercial, and educational. Everyone was most eager to cooperate in a massive fund drive for the preservation of one of Shereburyâs most important pieces of history. To be specific: Our lord mayor, Councillor Daniel Clarke, has agreed to open his home for a fête in aid of the cause. The Very Reverend Mr. Kenneth Allenby, Dean of the Cathedral, proposed that one night of the forthcoming Cathedral Music Festival be dedicated to the Town Hall, with all proceeds being donated to the fund. A number of businessmen and women have agreed to allow solicitation of funds at their places of business, and many have promised personal or corporate donations, as well. And finally, the vice chancellor of Sherebury University has agreed to enlist the aid of a number of students, not only as solicitors, but in the planning of benefit projects.
âLadies and gentlemen, if this much support can be generated in a few days, is there any question that we can raise our share of the necessary funds? We must prove to English Heritage that Sherebury has the will to save the Town Hall. We must do it, and we shall!â
The crowd was with her now. Cheers and shouts of âHear, hear!â sounded from all sides. As the Lord Mayor began to restore order, rapping on the lectern, and the people resumed their seats, one woman rose from her seat on the aisle and marched to the nearest microphone. I recognized her after a moment as the owner of a gift shop in the High Street. She was dressed in a bright yellow suit, somewhat too tight, and her fiercely
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