Addy Chappel Posted December 28, 2018

"Marshal." Nodding, Addie touched the brim of her slouch hat and gave the man a nod. "Good day to ya." Then she took off the brake and snapped the lines, and in a jingle of harness the coach lurched forward.

"If it gets a bit warn fer ya, I keep a parasol under th' seat, it'll keep th' sun off yer skin." The coach settled into a steady pace as the four big horses dropped into an easy trot, and Arnie relaxed back. "So, teachin' school, are ya?" she commented by way of conversation. "Never did go ta proper school myself, but then, reckon ya figured that part out!" She laughed and gave the young woman a friendly wink. There was no shame, she might not have book learning, but she knew a powerful lot about things far more important to living out here than could be found in books!

Kate Bowen Posted December 31, 2018

"Well as far as I am concerned, one is never too young to learn."

Watching the countryside around her go past her, she smiled, "Learning for me is a lifetime commitment. There's always something new to find out. Take this trip to Kalispell. I've seen more of our country in the last few weeks then I have had in whole lifetime."

Turning her head to Addy, she continued, "As a stage coach driver, I'm guessing that you probably know a lot about Kalispell. Is there anything I should be aware of?"

Addy Chappel Posted January 2, 2019

"Just steer clear'a th' Steelgraves...nothin' but trouble, that lot." Of course, 'steering clear' was no easy feat in a town that that clan ran. "Just be wary that he says what he don't mean an' he wants ta control everything. Elsewise, it's a nice place if ya don't crave too much culture." Laughing, she shrugged. "Not so bad, really. Ya got talent fer ridin'? I can help get ya set with a good mount from th' livery, a buggy, if ya know how ta drive...if yer plannin' on goin' outta town on occasion."

After all, the school house was right there, so, technically, she'd never really have to leave town, but who wanted to be confined to a few dusty streets? Renting a horse or buggy now and then provided some freedom. "Got a nice boardin' house in town, 'less th' school board is offerin' a place?"

Katherine Bowen Posted January 7, 2019

On 1/2/2019 at 2:09 AM, Adelaide Chappel said:  "Just steer clear'a th' Steelgraves...nothin' but trouble, that lot." Of course, 'steering clear' was no easy feat in a town that that clan ran. "Just be wary that he says what he don't mean an' he wants ta control everything. Elsewise, it's a nice place if ya don't crave too much culture." Laughing, she shrugged. "Not so bad, really. Ya got talent fer ridin'? I can help get ya set with a good mount from th' livery, a buggy, if ya know how ta drive...if yer plannin' on goin' outta town on occasion."

Katherine frowned a little at what Addy had just said about the Steelgraves and the Marshall especially. He seemed to be such a nice man but she knew things weren't sometimes what they looked like and Addy was a local so there would be some truth in what she was saying. She would reserve judgement on the Marshal for later when she knew more about what was what and who was who. She then turned her attention to question of horse riding, "Yes I can ride, and I will take you up on your offer of help, once I have settled in."

On 1/2/2019 at 2:09 AM, Adelaide Chappel said:  After all, the school house was right there, so, technically, she'd never really have to leave town, but who wanted to be confined to a few dusty streets? Renting a horse or buggy now and then provided some freedom. "Got a nice boardin' house in town, 'less th' school board is offerin' a place?"

"I will be staying with Pastor Evans and his wife. I understand that they look after the community church in Kalispell."

Addy Chappel Posted on January 11, 2019

"Ah, right, good folk, they are." Addy nodded agreement, although, personally, she thought it would be a little stuffy living with the preacher and his wife. Sure, it was good to be good, but, to her thinking, there was such a thing as too good! Still, they would take care of Miz Katherine. "Miz Evans makes mean chicken an' dumplin's, an' her rhubarb pie always takes first place at th' county fair! If yer not careful, she'll have ya all plump an' bustin' seams in no time!"

She laughed as she reined the horses into a small yard off the road, in the middle of nowhere. "Gonna stop here fer a short break, switch out horses, give ya chance ta use th' outhouse." She nodded toward a small barn that had a fenced in pasture on one side. Opposite that was a cabin, a small thing, but sturdy. "There's a water pump in there if ya wanna wash up, once I change out the horses, we'll be on th' road again."

Katherine Bowen Posted on January 11, 2019

Katherine got down off the stage and made her way to the outhouse. Not knowing how much longer it would before she arrived at Kalispell, she may not have another chance and she didn't particularly want to relieve herself out in the open or to stop the stage.

After she had finished, she made her way over to the cabin. It was a one room building, obviously meant for a short stop as there seemed to be very little furniture and most of that wasn't in good condition. As she washed her hands, she wondered if this would be the last stop. If it was then she would have get inside the stage, so that the town's first impression of her would be as a gentlewoman and not as a somewhat adventurous one.

Going outside, she could see Addy still at work changing the horses. As she walked over to the stage, she took a little time to take in her surroundings. The countryside seemed to be very pleasant and as soon as she was settled, she would take some time to find out more about it. As far as she was concerned at the moment, she was sure she had made the right decision to come out here. There would be challenges ahead and she would do her best to meet them.

Stopping a few feet away from the stage, she said, "I was wondering how much further it is to Kalispell and if this would be the last stop before we get there?"

Adelaide Chappel Posted on January 12, 2019

"I was wondering how much further it is to Kalispell and if this would be the last stop before we get there?"

"Got about three or four hours, dependin' on th' roads," Addy answered as she tightened a buckle, "an'..." She looked up, startled, as they were interrupted.

"Yes Ma'am, this'd be yer last stop cuz, well, this here's a holdup!"

"Are you..?" Addy's initial reaction was ire, who the hell had the audacity to try to rob her? But she had her passenger to think on and that tempered her actions. Shifting slightly, she made sure she was between the teacher and the men, and that a horse was blocking her, at least partly, from the men.

"Now you on the porch, you get down the box 'er the mailbag too, if'in,ya gots one. Be quick about it too, we got no problem shootin' women, though tuther one's mighty pretty."

"Get in th' cabin!" Addy hissed to Kathleen, "bar th' door!" Hopefully, the teacher would notice the shotgun behind the door, and hopefully, she would defend herself.

As she spoke, she gigged the big horse beside her, knowing he would balk, and indeed, the animal tried to lurch forward, squealing in protest, not anything that would change the odds, but hopefully enough of a distraction that Kathleen could get to the cabin, and she could drop to the ground and seek shelter under the coach.