"Everybody can feather their nest, but it's not just anybody that can lay an egg!"
Posted April 30, 2022 / Arabella Mudd
Micah smiled broadly. "Well, why don't you sit down fer a spell so that we can have a visit? And don't worry. I'll fix it with yer boss."
"Huh, I don't care 'bout HIM!" Arabella grumped and she plonked defiantly into the empty chair next to the old rancher.
"You know, I got a spread outside of town, one of the biggest in these parts. My wife died a few years back, and all I got now are my two boys, Jeremiah and Seth, and my darlin' little girl, Rachel. She's just ten years old, but full of energy and, I think, some talent.
Oh sweet Jesus, Mr McGregor wasn't about to ask her to marry him and become housekeeper and step-mother to his brood of children was he?! She immediately started to think of ways to let him down gently. She couldn't really tell him that she was more interested in girls than boys, let alone old men!
"Well,..." he paused to take off his hat and set it on the table. "I don't know where my manners have gone. Anyways, we got us a piano in the ranch house, but, since my wife died, it's just agin the wall, collectin' dust."
Phew! he was trying to sell her a piano! Hold on, where was she going to keep a piano?
"I was a'wonderin' if'n you'd consider givin' my darlin' Rachel some piano lessons. I'd pay you well," he rushed to add.
Ohhhhhhhhh!! That was it. Well that was different.
"Oh, Mr McGregor" she cooed "... the idea of being able to nurture the talents of your wonderful little girl and fill your household again with the happy sound of music, and rekindle those happy hours spent with the beautiful and much lamented Mrs McGregor, why, that would be an honour and a privilege!" she smiled.
"So, er, how much exactly are we talking here? I mean, if your place is where I think it is, well, that's quite a space to go." she added. Arabella wasn't really a mercenary soul, but she and Miriam were saving up to get to New York, they needed every dollar they could get.
Posted May 1, 2022 / Caroline Mundee
Caroline was lying in her bed, she really wasn't sleeping though, much as she wanted to because being asleep would mean she wouldn't have to be lying there thinking about what had happened. It was summer and the second floor was stifling hot, an open window let in a little breeze but not much help so she had undressed. On the fortunately rare hot nights, she actually slept naked.
There was a knock, three raps, not hard pounding but quite audible. With a frown she sat up. It wasn't Arabella, that girl never knocked, just waltzed right in without the slightest concern about privacy. The male voice instantly confirmed it was definitely NOT the girl.
"Caroline? Can you come to the door?" he asked.
It was Fortner. Now what? Was he going to tell her he was firing her?
"Gimme a minute," she answered and slipped out of bed to put on her robe, as she lightly tied it she then called out, "Come on in, it ain't locked."
Posted May 3, 2022 / Micah McGregor
"Well,..." he paused to take off his hat and set it on the table. "I don't know where my manners have gone. Anyways, we got us a piano in the ranch house, but, since my wife died, it's just agin the wall, collectin' dust."
Phew! he was trying to sell her a piano! Hold on, where was she going to keep a piano?
"I was a'wonderin' if'n you'd consider givin' my darlin' Rachel some piano lessons. I'd pay you well," he rushed to add.
Ohhhhhhhhh!! That was it. Well that was different.
"Oh, Mr McGregor" she cooed "... the idea of being able to nurture the talents of your wonderful little girl and fill your household again with the happy sound of music, and rekindle those happy hours spent with the beautiful and much lamented Mrs McGregor, why, that would be an honor and a privilege!" she smiled.
The old fella was bowled over by her eagerness to take him up on his offer.
"Yer right about that!" He agreed. "The place is way too quiet, and there's nothing that'd bring a smile to everyone's face like hearing "Buffalo Gal" or "Listen To The Mockingbird" or even "My Old Kentucky Home". He was so pleased she'd that a liking to the idea.
"So, er, how much exactly are we talking here? I mean, if your place is where I think it is, well, that's quite a space to go." she added. Arabella wasn't really a mercenary soul, but she and Miriam were saving up to get to New York, they needed every dollar they could get.
Micah smiled, a smile as warm and inviting as the territory he lived in. In truth, McGregor Ranch ran between one hundred and one hundred and fifty head of cattle at any given time. So, he had means.
"What would you say, darlin'?" he asked .. the words coming out sincere and not condescending at all.
Posted May 3, 2022 / Franklin Fortner
"Caroline? Can you come to the door?" he asked.
It was Fortner. Now what? Was he going to tell her he was firing her?
"Gimme a minute," she answered and slipped out of bed to put on her robe, as she lightly tied it she then called out, "Come on in, it ain't locked."
Frank slowly opened the door, and entered.
"Is it safe?" he joked, holding up his arm as if to block an incoming brickbat.
He look around her room. Could use a bit of fixing up, he thought.
"I appreciated your help earlier and your discretion. Someday maybe you'll come to realize that, but .. look. How much do you get paid here? I haven't looked through the books yet, so I don't know."
He kept his professionalism in check, though he had to admit that she was a "looker". But, in his experience, it was not a good idea to fraternize with the hired help. One could get his tit in a wringer if not.
"Everybody can feather their nest, but it's not just anybody that can lay an egg!"
Posted May 3, 2022 / Arabella Mudd
Micah smiled, a smile as warm and inviting as the territory he lived in. In truth, McGregor Ranch ran between one hundred and one hundred and fifty head of cattle at any given time. So, he had means.
"What would you say, darlin'?" he asked .. the words coming out sincere and not condescending at all.
Having never had one herself, Arabella had no idea what the going rate for a piano lesson was. She wished that the classically trained Frances Grimes was on hand, she would likely know. Oh well, she'd aim high and he could always beat her down.
"An hour lesson costs One Dollar, a two hour lesson is One Dollar Fifty. Plus milk and cookies for myself and my page-turner, Miss Monahan." She had to rope Bridget into it somehow, as she would need the ginger-haired girl's little pony and trap to get her out to McGregor's place and back.
"I shall come on Sunday's after Church and I will supply manuscript paper and exercises for dear little Ruth to practice on during the week." She was making all of this up, but it sounded pretty good, she reckoned.
She waited to see if this struck the old timer as too exorbitant.
Posted May 3, 2022 / Caroline Mundee
Frank slowly opened the door, and entered.
"Is it safe?" he joked, holding up his arm as if to block an incoming brickbat.
"Course it's safe, boss. But if you really must know I do have a gun hidden under my pillow. Fair warnin', " Caroline replied. She really did not think he would do anything violent. He wasn't stupid, it was far too risky. Oh and Ralph would kill him.
"I appreciated your help earlier and your discretion. Someday maybe you'll come to realize that, but .. look. How much do you get paid here? I haven't looked through the books yet, so I don't know."
"Good businessman like yerself and you don't check yer books? I'm a bit surprised by that. Tildy kept the books daily," the saloon girl commented dryly.
So it was all about money again....figured. The man just did not understand her. Probably because for a lot of saloon gals it was about that very thing. But not Caroline, she was already paid just fine and seldom spent it on a whole lot other than nice outfits. And one only needed so many dresses.
"Look, boss........hear me out. I don't need no raise. I don't stay here and do this job for the money. I love what I do. I love singing and dancing in front of all those men. It's quite a feeling up there, bein' ogled and hearing their whoops and applause. I'm good at it...and I know it."
"But to me my fellow employees.....Ralph and Ara and Mammy .....they're my family. Since I don't have no folks no more and never had any brothers or sisters, they're it. I stay for them. We look out for each other. This is my whole life. And whether you believe me or not - I'm happy here, doing this."
"So.....I don't need no...I don't want no raise. Hope that's clear now," she stopped then, having had her say.
Posted May 4, 2022 / Micah McGregor
The issue was put squarely in front of Arabella. How much would she charge for piano lessons?
"An hour lesson costs One Dollar, a two hour lesson is One Dollar Fifty. Plus milk and cookies for myself and my page-turner, Miss Monahan." She had to rope Bridget into it somehow, as she would need the ginger-haired girl's little pony and trap to get her out to McGregor's place and back.
She did not come cheap! That was Micah McGregor's first thought. After all, he was thinking more like 25 cents per hour. But, then again, a young girl has to live, and giving piano lessons was one of the nicest ways for a such a girl to make some money. It was better than taking in wash or baking pies for neighbors.
He nodded slowly and said, "All right. And you'll pay your page turner out of your proceeds? Oh, and I can have Senora Alvarez, bake up a batch of cookies for you. She's a good cook who we keep on here. She was first hired to help my ailing Missus, but she's stayed on."
Senora Alvarez was actually part Mexican and part Apache. The McGregor's insisted she be called Senora to draw attention away from her Apache roots.
"I shall come on Sunday's after Church and I will supply manuscript paper and exercises for dear little Ruth to practice on during the week." She was making all of this up, but it sounded pretty good, she reckoned.
She waited to see if this struck the old timer as too exorbitant.
"You are not only a wonderful piano player," Micah began. "... but also one smart cookie. My little Ruth is going to take a shine to you." He reached across the table with his big paw and asked, "Shake on it?"
Posted May 4, 2022 / Franklin Fortner
Caroline was determined not to be appreciated, or so thought Frank.
"Good businessman like yerself and you don't check yer books? I'm a bit surprised by that. Tildy kept the books daily," the saloon girl commented dryly.
"Well, it hasn't been only about 24 hours since I bought this place, so I need a chance to catch up."
But she was unrelenting.
"Look, boss........hear me out. I don't need no raise. I don't stay here and do this job for the money. I love what I do. I love singing and dancing in front of all those men. It's quite a feeling up there, bein' ogled and hearing their whoops and applause. I'm good at it...and I know it."
"But to me my fellow employees.....Ralph and Ara and Mammy .....they're my family. Since I don't have no folks no more and never had any brothers or sisters, they're it. I stay for them. We look out for each other. This is my whole life. And whether you believe me or not - I'm happy here, doing this."
"So.....I don't need no...I don't want no raise. Hope that's clear now," she stopped then, having had her say.
"Fair enough, but I always try to treat my people, meaning my workers, well. It's the only way to that I've ever found to attract and keep good people."
He leaned back against her door until it clicked shut.
"This wasn't an offer for blood money. I've planned on giving everyone, Ralph, Mammy and Arabella a hike in pay. You're just the first person I've raised the subject with. But I hear what you're saying and, for God's sake, I don't want to be on your bad side forever, so just know that the offer stands open."
He looked across at her dressing table and the mirror that rose up the back of it. It was a poor mirror, not ever clear, and it had a crack that ran across the right bottom corner.
I would think that a good singer and entertainer such as yourself ought to have a better dressing table. Tell you what. The next time my people head to Cheyenne for supplies, I'll have them look for a new table and mirror for you. How's that? It's just a capital investment -- nothing more."
"Everybody can feather their nest, but it's not just anybody that can lay an egg!"
Posted May 5, 2022 / Arabella Mudd
Arabella could see from the look on old McGregor's face that she had maybe pitched a little high. She quickly took remedial action. "I mean, just think, a shave and a haircut costs two bits, so that's six days worth of shaves: why if you just grow a beard, that'll pay fer it!"
"Oh, and who can put a price anyway, on the wonderful memories that hearing dear little Ruth playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on her dear departed mother's ivories will bring to one and all!?" she further bleated.
He nodded slowly and said, "All right. And you'll pay your page turner out of your proceeds?
"Oh, we won't need to pay her anything, she don't even know what day of the week it is. Dumb as a stump, our Bridget." Arabella assured him breezily. "She will be requiring of the cookies, though, and plenty of 'em."
"I can have Senora Alvarez, bake up a batch of cookies for you. She's a good cook who we keep on here. She was first hired to help my ailing Missus, but she's stayed on."
Ah! The old 'hired housekeeper' routine, eh? Arabella immediately imagined the dark eyed Spanish beauty slipping strychnine into old Mrs McGregor's 'strengthening broth' and then seducing the poor old devil until he became the wreck they saw today, and then getting herself written into his will while the names of dear little Ruth and her brothers were struck out!! Ooh, she liked a bit of melodrama!
Of course, it wouldn't be one of Arabella's fantasies if she didn't feature in it strongly herself: yes, that was it, she was the beautiful and clever piano teacher who uncovered Señora Alvarez's evil plan. The Señora would try and poison her with arsenic coated cookies, but luckily Bridget would eat them all first, thus uncovering the plot. Arabella would go to watch Señora Alvarez hang, then... then the fantasy started going a little strange with the dark eyed Spanish beauty for some reason giving her nemesis a passionate kiss on the scaffold and the pair of them shooting their way out of there and escaping in Bridget's pony and trap.
Arabella shook her head and was suddenly back in the room.
"She sounds nice, I can practice my Spanish on her!" she beamed.
"You are not only a wonderful piano player," Micah began. "... but also one smart cookie. My little Ruth is going to take a shine to you." He reached across the table with his big paw and asked, "Shake on it?"
The Clinch Mountain girl jumped to her feet, spat generously onto her palm and smacked her hand into Micah's. "It's a deal!" she grinned.
Posted May 7, 2022 / Caroline Mundee
"Well, it hasn't been only about 24 hours since I bought this place, so I need a chance to catch up," the man attempted to deflect her implied criticism.
"It might seem like a day ta you, boss, but it's been a good week," Caroline only smiled.
That was beside the point, there he was trying to bribe her again. It might be how he was used to doing things and that was none of her business but some folk weren't bribeable and Caroline liked to think she was one of them. Hardly made her a saint though, for she had helped her cheat an old drunk and caused him to lose his farm and he and his family were now going to be homeless. That would never sit well with her.
He seemed almost ready to leave but had one last thing to say.
"This wasn't an offer for blood money. I've planned on giving everyone, Ralph, Mammy and Arabella a hike in pay. You're just the first person I've raised the subject with. But I hear what you're saying and, for God's sake, I don't want to be on your bad side forever, so just know that the offer stands open."
"You give folks you want whatever raise you want, I've never been one to tell my bosses how ta run a place. As for how long you'll be on my bad side....we'll see. Me...I wonder how long Poteet's wife and child are gonna be without a home," she replied calmly.
"I would think that a good singer and entertainer such as yourself ought to have a better dressing table. Tell you what. The next time my people head to Cheyenne for supplies, I'll have them look for a new table and mirror for you. How's that? It's just a capital investment -- nothing more."
"That mirror was only recently busted....my fault too. Maybe that means I'll have seven years bad luck. Buy what you want.............just remember this - I never asked for it," she pointed out.