The saloon owner seethed as this Mr. Orr not only refused to give in but even insulted them with his snide remarks. Matilda regretted not sending Caroline here to this meeting because by now the high strung entertainer would have already stood up and punched the fellow right in the face.
Three girls including Arabella who was her ward now attempted some sort of recital or poem or whatever only to have Orr demand the lead girl's arrest by the local lawmen. Seriously?
"So now you are going to throw children in jail? That is simply outrageous, you are a brute!" she snapped.
Fortunately the marshal was having none of it. This drama was then interrupted by the sudden arrival of none other than some real territorial big shot, the governor even! Seemed everyone in Montana had gotten wind of this town council meeting?
Arabella, Miriam and Bridget had been just about to throw a protective ring around their delicate leader and poetess, Miss Orr, to ward of Deputy Wentworth's never-to-be-executed orders, but instead had been the first to come face to face with the august party who now invaded the meeting.
"It's the Territorial Governor!" gasped Anaesthesia, amazed. Arabella goggled at this news. "Do we have to kneel?!" she asked, thinking that's what you would do if a Territorial Governor or a King or a President or a Grand Vizir should happen to amble in on you while you were half way through a tableaux vivant.
"No, curtsy ladies, curtsy!" ordered the well bred Miss Orr.
A smile on his face. “Very nice, ladies." To the girls. He walked to the front of the room. "Good evening. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Thomas Samuel Houser, Territorial Governor Samuel Thomas Houser.” He looked then to the members of the Town Council. This gentleman is Territorial Senator Lincoln Ellisworth, and, and you all know Dutton, Duton Peabody who now serves as my Aide, and the man who insisted I come to your fair town."
Orr stood, as much out of shock as respect for his political boss, and glanced over to Leah Steelgrave, who looked as amazed at the turn of events as himself. He somehow managed to pull himself together, and addressed these most inconvenient visitors:
"Governor, Senator, Am I to assume that you are here to make a gubernatorial intervention into the sovereign affairs of this municipality?!" he asked with a dignified mien.
“Gentlemen, I’m not here to take over your meeting, not at all, however I, I see that Miss Steelgrave is present, which is the reason I am here. Hullo Leah” Governor Houser began, turning back to those present.
“You, you’ll forgive me for the intrusion, and I’m sure that none of you have any idea of the work this young woman did on your behalf, just to be permitted to build a hospital, and yes, later, an orphanage, once the railroad is built.”
Hello Leah? For a few prurient minds in the room, the penny dropped.
"Oh Governor, may I assure you, that we have heard all about Miss Steelgrave's efforts many..." Dick Orr looked daggers at the girl who never shut up about herself and her dang hospital "... many times." But the head of the territory merely continued to eulogise the attractive brunette.
“I am just as sure that none of you realize the amount of money expended by her to make this dream of hers a reality.” He then slowly scanned the council members, then back to the citizens. “Now, now, it would seem to me, that the gift of these right of ways would conjure up some feelings of, of gratitude. And, and maybe you gentlemen of the council, might see your way clear to forgive her last name, and, and to allow her to select the site for these buildings, oh, which she has said that, that the construction costs will be borne by her and not town funds.” He smiled and nodded. “And, and through some shrewd investments on her part, the hospital should remain self-sufficient for, for years to come.”
"My sentiments exactly!" cooed Orr, who could smell which way the wind was blowing.
"Oh Father! You said that the hospital would be an ulcerous hotbed of disease and the orphanage would attract useless waifs and strays from miles around!" gasped Anaesthesia, aghast at her own father's duplicity. But Tricky Dicky just laughed "Oh ho ho, dear daughter, it is merely my duty to play 'Devil's Advocate' in these matters, to make sure that the Council discusses all sides of the argument, takes on board all possible views. Now, Mr Wigfall, if you would just... MR WIGFALL!!"
While every single other person in the room had been staring fixedly at imposing figure of the venerable Governor, Hector alone hadn't even noticed him and it was only now that he drew his eyes away from Miriam Kaufmann's beautiful, bare shoulder!
Storyteller / Shared NPC
“An ulcerous hotbed of disease, you say? That the orphanage would attract what was it? Oh yes, useless waifs and strays from miles around. Well, well now, that’s a matter of opinion, yours in fact.” He pointed out, very clearly repeating Orr’s remarks. Then he turned back to those present, the meager few who had ‘gotten wind’ of the meeting.
“Now, now I ‘m sure some of you believe that Elias Steelgrave is somehow involved with this project of hers, and, and that’s fine. That’s fine. I have known Elias Steelgrave, and his entire family for better than a decade. And yes, he would love nothing better than to do what his daughter had been able to accomplish. Would he attempt to undermine the project? Of course. He cannot stand to be upstaged, especially from his estranged daughter, or anyone else."
"So, so yes, you all certainly have the right to decline her proposal. And, and yes, should that be the case, well, we have an alternative site for the hospital and, and the orphanage. Since the right of ways are in the name of the town of Kalispell, well, well, they are yours.” He paused, smiled as if he was witness to a good joke. “Again, I, I’m sorry for the intrusion.” He turned to the council members present, “Proceed gentlemen, proceed. I’m sure there are matters of great importance to your community on your agenda.” There was a slight pause, “Good to see you again Dick.”
And with that, Territorial Governor Houser, Senator Ellsworth, and the Territorial Marshals left the room, the doors being closed behind them. Dutton took a seat next to Leah patting her hand.
It's not a question of who's right. It's a question of what's right.
As the Territorial Governor and the Senator walked into the meeting, Matt frowned. As he listened to the Governor, he was a bit dismayed by the over familiarity between the man and Leah. Even though it was a platonic relationship by all accounts, doubt had now been thrown on that. From now on, people would be wondering just how much Leah really did to get what she wanted.
So, in the end the Governor would give Leah what she wanted if the town council voted against it. She was in, as his cousin Ben would say, a win-win situation. Maybe if Leah had taken time to foster some goodwill and not try to rush it, she might have stood a chance with the town council.
What happened next would depend on Orr.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
The Governor’s party crossed the dusty street to the hotel, and Dutton Peabody was quick to catch up with them. They were hungry and tired after the their trip from Helena. It was long, hot, and dusty. Most of all, the food along the way was not the best, filling, but hardly what any of them were used to in the larger city. All except for Dutton Peabody of course, who had tested and tasted the fare along the trail more than once.
As they stepped up onto the boardwalk at the front doors of the Belle-St. Regis, Houser stopped. “John, would you mind going back and getting Marshal Guyer for me, have him join us for dinner, and, and John, don’t take no for an answer.” He started to take a step, then paused, turning toward the Territorial Marshal. Take McNue with you, and John, whatever is going on, allow it before you ask the Marshal. “And, and John, Miss Steelgrave as well.”
“Yes sir.” John Cook replied. “McNue, you ask the lady, I’ll get the Marshal.”
“Right.” McNue said. And at the point, before the pair was out the door, Dutton spoke up.
“Perhaps I should go back, I’m thinking they’ll make something of your friendship with Miss Steelgrave. Something that derails everything she’s tried to do here.” Dutton pleaded, knowing how people were, and what just might happen because of it.
“Now, now Dutton, no. I came here to support Leah, not force the issue.” Houser stated. “This is their community’s issue to solve, or, or not. They either vote for it, or they vote against it. In which case there is an alternative.” He shook his head. “The woman did a lot of work for this town, but it is their town, not hers, not mine. They will do what they want. Too bad Dick Orr pulled a fast one on these folks. Too bad indeed. I too fear we have done damage to Leah’s plans.”
Dick Orr, for his part, couldn't be more delighted. He had thought to 'talk out' the motion - to filibuster until time ran out and the decision to build the confounded hospital adjourned to the following meeting. However, the Governor's unexpected and baffling appearance and then disappearance on the scene seemed to have breathed new life into the members of the public in the room, and they were filibustering for him. At the moment a very old man was standing up and orating painfully upon the complete history of plans to build hospitals in Kalispell.
"... and then old Josiah Pendlebury was planning to build one on main street. That's not the same Josiah Pendlebury as the Josiah Pendlebury I mentioned before, this was his son, but they were very similar both in looks and temperament. But, of course, that was stopped when the war broke out. Not the late war, you understand, I mean the Mexican War what we fought again General Santa Claus... er, Santa Anna. You see young Josiah Pendlebury... the son not the father, you understand... well he..."
When someone had called on the Council to 'shut the silly old fool up' Orr had indicated that it was 'imperative' that they listen to 'the voice of experience'. Hector Wigfall had given up trying to make notes on it all, and just sat mooning over Miriam Kaufmann, who, along with the other girls, was now ensconced on the front row of the public seats. Next to her was Arabella Mudd, and Arabella Mudd was painfully close to where the newly minted Deputy Charles Wentworth Jnr. was standing guard on the proceedings.
"Psssst, Charlie!" came Arabella's whisper. "Pssst!!!" As soon as she managed to catch the lawman's eye, she pointed at his symbol of authority. "I like your badge!"
"Pssst!..... Pssst! Charlie! ... d'ya like my outfit?" she hissed next, indicating the sack she was wearing in her guise of 'Little Orphan Arry' "It's kinda draughty!" she half whispered, half laughed, indicating her bony white knees and shins. Normally she would have been scandalised to show even her ankles, but this was fancy dress, so it was all right.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
John Anderson sat facing the small crowd that had shown up, despite the best efforts to keep them away. He knew that Orr was opposed to the hospital, he had no idea why, but he knew that to be the man's stance on the issue.
He also reflected on the appearance of the Governor and his entourage, but Anderson was looking at it from a different point of view, one that was purely business. Maybe there had been a liaison between the two, and maybe there had not. Perhaps, and he was leaning toward this explanation, the Territory had expended a great deal of time effort and money behind this project of Miss Steelgraves. The man had shown up to protect the Territory's interests, it could be as simple as that.
What he also considered was the fact the Governor could not have known about this meeting in advance. That he may have come to see what the hold up was. Dutton Peabody would have filled Houser's ear about Leah Steelgraves problems with the project and the Town Council. All of that seemed relevant and believable.
John leaned over toward Dick Orr and asked; "Why are we listening to this fool's babbling about nothing?"
Jonah was wondering, too, what the old man was going on about. He appreciated the history lesson, but it really was moot, and he wasn't going to hesitated to say so. But what did make him hesitate a bit was the collective murmur that had gone up when the Governor had spoken up for Leah...of course, the lesser minds had dredged up the possibility of 'favors owed', and he was afraid, for her, that the same mutterings would be directed at their relationship, and that speaking for her would just encourage that.
Still, there was too much at stake to not push the agenda of the meeting.
"Take a vote!" he called, standing. "Previous efforts to establish a hospital have no bearing on the current issue. As for a 'hotbed of disease', you do realize that there is disease here regardless. At least a hospital will help us contain it and treat it, rather than having to take care of the ill at homes scattered around the town."
Matilda was far too jaded to think the governor's arrival here out of all places in Montana was no mere coincidence, she didn't believe it that sort of coincidence. Apparently the old guv liked the pretty young Leah, well it wouldn't be the first political alliance based on sexual favors. Frankly she didn't care either. The point was to get this town a damn hospital.
Matilda had all she could do to not interrupt that old fossil droning on about......the past, it was the future that was supposed be discussed. That bastard Orr was letting the man blather on to use up precious time. Finally the town doctor had the balls - glad someone did - to call out.
"Take a vote! Previous efforts to establish a hospital have no bearing on the current issue. As for a 'hotbed of disease', you do realize that there is disease here regardless. At least a hospital will help us contain it and treat it, rather than having to take care of the ill at homes scattered around the town."
"Well amen to that, doc! Take a vote! I second that.....stop the stalling and take a vote," Matilda didn't bother to get up but her saloon volume voice was clear enough thru the whole room.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Marshals Cook and Nue crossed the street again, theirs was not to fathom what was transpiring inside the meeting room, upstairs in the Municipal Building, their job was to protect the Governor and the Senator. Montana was a long ways from being accepted into the union and everyone in Helena knew that, a steady hand on the tiller is what they needed, and Houser was that hand.
They mounted the stairs, spurs jingling loudly in the hollow stairwell. Each looked to one another and Cook opened the door. They stepped in as one man, well dressed was calling for the vote. Both men paused for a moment, until the man finished speaking, then each moved to their specific person. Cook siding up next to Marshal Guyer and in a voice barely above a whisper said, "The Governor would like you to join him for dinner after this." Speed looked at him and simply nodded. "Hotel dining room." Cook added.
Moments later, hat in hand, Bill Nue sat down next to Leah Steelgrave, "The Governor'd like you ta join him fer dinner after this is over at the hotel, Ma'am." He said in low tones. Leah looked at the man and simply nodded. Bill got to his feet and started for the doors and Cook did the same. Both men met at the door and slipped out, only the sound of their spurs to mark their passing as the old man droned on.
"Ever see the like, Bill? Folks fightin' over somethin' they need like is was ta be harmful to 'em?" Cook asked as they descended the stairs."
"Not that I remember, but ya know it's how government works, folks say what they want, but the big fish in the little pond do what they want anyhow." McNue replied, adding, "Local politicians, oughtta ride 'em outta town on a rail, if ya ask me!" The two crossed the street and entered the hotel.