Southern Rose [Gone with the Wind]

Josephine really doubted whether this "remain" was Thomas, but there was no better test method in this era. The height of the remains matched Thomas' height, and she couldn't tell otherwise, so she temporarily stored it in Robbie. Ladd family cemetery.

Then he wrote to the Duke, saying that someone had sent Thomas's remains, asking if the Duke would send someone to confirm.

The transoceanic correspondence is slow, and it takes nearly two months to go back and forth.

Rhett didn't seem to care how the Duke would respond, and after returning from New York, he basically stayed in Savannah.

Soon, the people in Savannah realized that Captain Butler was pursuing the daughter of the Robillard family who had been widowed several times. Some people thought that Josephine had been widowed several times and her reputation was not very good, but Bart A speculator like Captain Le is still not worthy of her; another part of the public thinks that women must marry after all, and Josephine is still very young. It is normal for Captain Butler to be fascinated by her, anyway, it is someone else's. Don't worry about things, just watch the excitement.

Josephine often went out during this time. She took her little cousin Karin and established the "Savannah Women's and Children's Rescue Association" with several other wives from former upper-class families to take in some lost male family members. Finding suitable housing and jobs for women and children of all colors, which alone is enough for her.

Karin is very happy to work in the rescue society, and her enthusiasm is high. The cousins ​​made a work manual for the rescue society, Josephine paid for it, and Karin and another Miss Michele were the main persons in charge.During the period of urban reconstruction, the demand for all walks of life is huge, and there are a lot of job opportunities, and self-employment is also possible.

Reid saw the market, and decisively discussed with John about opening a bank. Robillard's family came forward, and he injected capital as an undisclosed investor to provide small loans for self-employed entrepreneurs.This kind of business can be regarded as normal. It is not uncommon for private banks before the war to provide small loan business.

Just after the civil war, both the North and the South were devastated, and there would be no more wars for decades. There would be no major social turmoil, and the banking industry would develop and stabilize. This business can be done.

Josephine couldn't help giving Rhett a high look: I didn't expect this person to have a flexible mind and a conscience.Microfinance is now a timely rain for ordinary entrepreneurs, and at the stage of waiting, almost everything can be sold to make money.

Rhett was reluctant to come forward because of his bad reputation.The Robillards, on the other hand, were Savannah "nobles" with a good reputation among the upper class and the common people alike.

John was hesitant at first, and he didn't want to have too much economic dealings with Captain Butler, but he finally figured it out, business is business, just settle accounts, even if he loses, it's Butler's money.

Josephine thought that her father was still too naive, and didn't understand Rhett's chicken thief. If the bank were to go bankrupt, the reputation of the Robillard family would be severely damaged.However, according to Rhett's shrewdness, at least when he is alive, the possibility of bank bankruptcy is unlikely.

Rhett came to visit her every day at noon, and sometimes accompanied John to the gentlemen's club for an afternoon, and returned to Robillard's house after dinner at the club, chatted with Josephine in the living room for a while, and then went home .

I am also willing to accompany Emile to go out to attend wives' gatherings, book clubs and the like, and I can bear my temper, and my attitude is very modest. , will be happy to give a preferential price.

Accompanying Karin to the Women and Children's Rescue Association several times, she wrote a check very generously and donated 2000 US dollars, saying sweetly that the donation was made in the face of the lovely and kind Miss Karin.Karin felt that Captain Butler was really a good man, how could others speak ill of him.

He also took Victor to ride a horse, hired an equestrian teacher with a high salary, and taught him systematically; personally taught him how to practice marksmanship, and promised to take him hunting in the forest in autumn.

I also dote on Little Tom, who is still a baby. I ordered a stroller from Paris, and occasionally I will push Little Tom out for a walk with Josephine. Strangers are often mistaken for a couple with a child, and He Meimei a family of three.

Josephine was busy with the rescue society for a while, and then let go of it when she was on track, leaving Carreen and Michelle to remain her laid-back rich wife.

Rhett didn't talk much about the Rescue Society, feeling that there were too many women and children in dire straits and she couldn't save them all.

"I don't like to hear what you say. Don't stop doing something just because it looks difficult."

"I thought you only liked money."

"I like money."

"But the bailouts obviously can't make money."

"It's no different from how rich ladies donated money to church orphanages in the past."

Rhett nodded. "Indeed. I never thought you would show mercy."

Josephine glanced at him coquettishly, "Who do you think I am? I like money, and I like the feeling of spending money. Of course, money is for spending, and spending is spending wherever."

Rhett smiled, disapprovingly.It's not uncommon for rich ladies to do charity, but he just didn't expect Josephine to follow the trend.He believed that Josephine was just trying to create a good image of the Robillard family and herself, rather than really having good intentions.

But is she a heartless woman?She might be an unfortunate woman with bad eyesight, looking for a short-lived husband; other than that, he didn't seem to pay attention to whether she was a "good" woman in the traditional sense.

What is "kindness"?Is it compassion for the misfortune of others?Is it overflowing sympathy?Or put your heart in the shoes of others and put yourself in the shoes of others?He can tell the difference between truth, goodness and beauty and hypocrisy at a very young age. His mother is kind, his sister is kind, Mrs. Melanie Wilkes is kind, Mrs. Ellen O'Hara is kind, and even the mediocre Yura Mrs. Li is also kind; as for hypocrites, he has seen many more.

He suddenly realized that he had never defined Josephine in terms of "kindness".Josephine seems not interested in other people, and the life and death of others has never been related to her, but she is willing to spend a lot of money to start the Women and Children's Rescue Society, and she has really done practical things for some financially distressed people , beyond his imagination.

He felt weird in his heart. Josephine was not like Melanie, who looked at everything and everyone in a bright and positive way; but she was not like Scarlett, who was shallow and selfish, lively and prudish.Josephine can't talk around corners, and she never needs to please other men; Josephine can get what she wants, and Josephine never hides herself.

Josephine noticed that Rhett was distracted.

"What are you thinking?" she asked suddenly.

Rhett quickly recovered, "I'm thinking of you."

"Miss me?" She raised her face slightly from under the lace parasol, her bright blue eyes were clear, "but I'm right here."

He couldn't help smiling, "Yes."

"Scarlett wrote a few days ago to say that Tara is doing well. She bought new tools, bought some mules to plow the land, and hired some laborers, but because she couldn't find a suitable foreman, she didn't dare Hiring too many workers."

"Is she still going to the ground by herself?"

Josephine smiled, "She doesn't need to plant cotton anymore, but she still doesn't want to spend money to make new dresses."

"I think she's very poor," Rhett said casually.

"Probably yes. By the way, you promised me to give her my $5000. When will you make a trip, don't entrust anyone else."

He hurriedly said, "Then I'll go there this week. Do you have anything I can bring to her?"

"Bring her a letter. Go see Suellen again, and Mr. Kennedy. Are you still working with Mr. Kennedy?"

"A little business."

"How much business do you have?"

At first Rhett refused to say, "Honey, you don't need to know."

"Then if I ask how much property you have, I should know it in advance, right?"

Rhett was taken aback.

She added: "I don't think we can learn about your and my property from both parents like ordinary people."

Yes, Rhett had to agree.Ordinary men and women can learn how much property they can have after marriage from the economic conditions of their families, but neither of them applies.

"I think it might take a ledger to let you figure out my fortune."

"There's no need to be so troublesome. Tell me the amount of cash, and then tell me how much income you can earn from your investment in a year."

Adorable and straightforward.Rhett didn't feel offended, if she asked obliquely, it wouldn't be her!

He said happily: "Cash...not too much, about hundreds of thousands. But there is a lot of gold, which is scattered in the vaults of many banks."

ha!Sure enough!He did grab the Confederate gold!

"What are you going to do with the money?"

"I don't know yet."

This sum of gold must be too huge for him to use casually, otherwise others will know that he is corrupt.

Rhett made a trip to Tara and gave Scarlett $5000 in gold coins. Scarlett was overjoyed; he stayed in Atlanta for a few more days, talked about business with Frank Kennedy, and visited Mrs. Kennedy.

Scarlett complained that Su Lun never returned to Tara after she got married, nor did she write a letter home. She was a white-eyed wolf; Contribute too!Scarlett scolded Su Lun's appearance, which made Rhett feel funny and funny, and advised her not to think too much, Su Lun can't count on it, she can just count on herself.

Scarlett said angrily that Captain Butler would talk nonsense.

As Tara gradually resumed production and everything was back on track, Melanie thought about returning to Twelve Oaks Manor with Ashley.The mansion at Twelve Oaks was burned, but it is still home. The two younger sisters of the Wilkes family, India and Honey, still live in the servant’s room. The elder brother Ashley does not go home, which is really outrageous .

Scarlett tried her best to keep her, and told Melanie that there is no foreman in the field now, and she wants to take on the responsibility of the foreman and patrol the world every day; Sheldon is a housekeeper at home, but Sheldon has to take care of the demented Ouyang Papa Hara is already very busy, how can it be decent if no one manages the family affairs?Besides, how sad it would be for Ashley to look at the burning Twelve Oaks every day!She even offered to take India and Honey to live in Tara.

Melanie was persuaded, and soft-heartedly decided to live until after Christmas, and she had to go back after New Years anyway.