"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted January 31, 2021 / Henry Guyer
"Robertson’s sent several to the gallows. In fact, some say his inability to get Elias is why he retired. Can’t say that’s true. More likely his age and health.” Doc said without clarification on the man’s heath."
"Well then Doc, I reckon he just might want to take this on. Maybe not. Might be real interesting if that circuit judge showed up and Robertson wanted to try those two."
"Might indeed. I'd think that the circuit judge would have jurisdiction, but I could be mistaken, not that I haven't been before." Doc Boone smiled with a light chuckle. "Either way, I see them both swinging. Speed nodded in agreement, as he could see no way out for them.
"So, about Miss Steelgrave and this hospital and orphanage plan of hers, as you probably have guessed, I, along with Jonah Danforth are both to be on staff when it gets built. My question to you Marshal is, where do you stand on the issue?"
"Why, get it built! That's where I stand on the issue. Saw too many a good man die for lack of a proper hospital. And before you say it, it was war." Speed emphasized , "Far too may. The county and the unincorporated towns around us need it."
"I saw you with the lady in question at the dance, anything to that?" The older man asked. "I'm far from alone with that question."
Speed sat back, brow furrowed in wonder at the question. "I escorted her to the dance, yes. I called on her to see if she wasn't going to attend, as I figured it was a grand opportunity for her to promote the idea among the Ladies present. She does have a Ladies Society meeting where she'll do just that."
"Yes, I know. But there is some interest as a result of you escorting her to the affair. There are those who will want to know if there is something between the two of you, something about your ability to separate your intentions and your duty."
"Every town needs a newspaper."
Posted January 31, 2021 / Phineas McVay
“Hey!! Hey!!! Mr. McVay! I seen the whole thing!!” she yelled at the man as she ran toward him.
McVay stopped and turned, hearing his name called, and the phrase “I saw the whole thing.” He smiled, nothing like an eye witness to the crime, or was it crimes? “Yes young lady, yes, saw it all did you? I suppose you and I need to talk then.”
Retired Characters and NPC Writer.
Posted January 31, 2021 / Jay Ryker
Jay had waited for Addy to bring the boys inside and used the moment to get his bearings back. When she came back outside and sat next to him, he knew there was some need for talking. After all they hadn't seen each other since the dance which had so abruptly ended for him.
He wasn't sure whether she was angry and hadn't had a chance to touch base with her because the old lady had blackmailed him into working night and day on that huge fence.
He felt her hand and his and was quick to curls his fingers around hers, then he looked at her and smiled softly.
Posted January 31, 2021 / Quentin Cantrell
Oh, probably didn't make it real clear, one of my short comings, I 'spose. What I meant was, we fan out , not all that far, three, four yards maybe, where we can see one another until one of us finds the track we looking for. Then we regroup and take out after him." Speed explained. "We have this one print, so maybe he walked it a few yards then laid sours to him, which would tear up the ground and give us a clear direction, that's what we're lookin' for.
Quentin nodded. "And that's why you're the Marshal...sorry for doubting..."
"Sometimes my mind outruns my mouth. Let's get to it then." Roberson swung out to the left, Speed swung to the right leaving Cantrell in the middle.
Quentin leaned and tugged his Winchester from its scabbard, letting rest in the crook of his left arm with his left hand holding the reins as he watched the ground intently. letting Paladin walk slow but steady in the direction he had intended. He kept an eye to each side to make sure he wasn't moving ahead of his companions.
Posted January 31, 2021 / Clara Redmond Lutz
Clara quickly explained the good doctor did nothing wrong, "That is Dr. Danforth. He escorted Bridget into the building, I let them in. I told him he could help himself to something to drink and eat. He had my permission. If I overstepped my authority, you may take it out of my wages."
"No, Clara, that's fine." Taking a deep breath, Emeline smiled and nodded. "I commend you for giving them refuge." She glanced at Bridget. "Are you all right, Miss Bridget? I think pie is in order...for everyone."
She looked back at Clara. "We'll give out what food we have prepared, I won't be serving dinner tonight...I'm just..." she shrugged...Clara would understand.
"Of course, you just sit down. I will take care of everything. Let me bring out some plates and then we can finish however much pie and later I can give the rest away to whoever wants some," Clara was eager to help and headed right for the kitchen...well not quite, she paused to speak with Bridget.
"I wonder if you might help me for a few minutes?" she asked of the redhead, not because she needed the help because she did not but Bridget might like to feel like she was doing something useful.
"Shaken?" With the young harridan gone to torment the newspaper man, Jonah had ventured into the dining area of the cafe, carrying a tray that had mugs and the coffee pot on it. "Have a seat, dear lady, and allow us to take care of things."
"Oh, well, thank you." Sitting, Emeline took the mug of coffee, her hands starting to tremble now.
"Everybody can feather their nest, but it's not just anybody that can lay an egg!"
Posted January 31, 2021 / Arabella Mudd / With Phineas McVay
McVay stopped and turned, hearing his name called, and the phrase “I saw the whole thing.” He smiled, nothing like an eye witness to the crime, or was it crimes? “Yes young lady, yes, saw it all did you? I suppose you and I need to talk then.”
“Sure I did, sure!” declared Arabella, reaching the editor of Kalispell’s premier (and only) newspaper. “Arabella Sumpter Mudd, Miss, at your service!” she said, panting and enthusiastically thrusting out her hand.
“You might remember my name, I left a note at the Newspaper Offices last month offerin’ to write a ‘Advice for the Lovelorn’ column in the Union for ya, and advisin’ you to write more stories about Tom Love and his outlaw gang. He’s my favourite. Cole Younger, close second.” She looked around at the carnage and devastation around them. “I mean, look at this mess, Tom Love and his boys would’a done a much better job of robbin’ that ol’ bank than this!” she told him in no uncertain terms.
“Anyhow, here’s what happened. I was just walking down the street like this…” she mimicked walking on the spot. “… and then poor Mr. Olsen came a flying out of the bank like this…’They’re robbin’ the bank boys!’” she mimicked the late gentleman’s look of excitement and his last words in his last few seconds on earth. “And then he got shot like this… Bang! Arrrgghhhh!” She clutched her hand to her chest and fell in a dead heap on the ground, she lay with her eyes closed for a second, and then scrambled to her feet and dusted herself off.
“Anyhow, then I was real scared, case they shot me too, so I ran screamin’ all the way to the saloon, that’s where I live, see, and I ran in and said to Mr Flandry, he’s the barman, see, I says ‘Mr Flandry, they’re robbin’ the bank!’ and he says ‘Don’t you worry Arabella, I will protect you!’ and I said,…”
She carried on for a good five minutes at poor McVey, mostly about her own non-role in the whole affair and how Mr. Flandry had gallantly rescued Mrs Blakeley, stopping every now and again to check he was getting it all down and spelling out hard words for him like M.u.d.d. and F.l.a.n.d.r.y and M.s. E.m. finally she finished, at the point where she had run up to him and totally wasted his time.
Finally, spent on that topic, she took a deep breath, then asked “So, how come you never wrote back to me about ‘Ask Aunt Arabella’?
Want... dolls!
Posted January 31, 2021 / Bridget Monahan
"No, Clara, that's fine." Taking a deep breath, Emeline smiled and nodded. "I commend you for giving them refuge." She glanced at Bridget. "Are you all right, Miss Bridget? I think pie is in order...for everyone."
Bridget nodded enthusiastically, this was all very exciting: a bank robbery and free pie all in the same day. The first event, she took quite placidly, even the witnessing of Mr. Olsen biting the dust. Things like that had felt like an everyday event in Deadwood, although it was a bit of a shock to see it happen in this usually placid little town. Free pie, though, that really was extraordinary.
She looked back at Clara. "We'll give out what food we have prepared, I won't be serving dinner tonight...I'm just..." she shrugged...Clara would understand.
The red haired girl frowned now, Ms Em, that strong, calm figure: so like the Mother she only half glimpsed in her oldest of old memories, was starting to seem a little rattled, now the initial, unreal shock of the events was wearing off, and the reality of what had happened, and worse, what could have happened was hitting home. The fussily dressed, and maybe a little dim-witted girl put her parasol down and instinctively went over to Emeline and gently put a comforting arm around her as Clara got her to take a seat.
"Of course, you just sit down. I will take care of everything. Let me bring out some plates and then we can finish however much pie and later I can give the rest away to whoever wants some," Clara was eager to help and headed right for the kitchen...well not quite, she paused to speak with Bridget.
"I wonder if you might help me for a few minutes?" she asked of the redhead, not because she needed the help because she did not but Bridget might like to feel like she was doing something useful.
Bridget nodded, and dumbly followed Clara. Mr Pike had gone, but the handsome and dashing Doctor, who had helped the striking-looking piece of gingerbread out of danger a few minutes ago, moved in on the pretty auburn-haired pie lady. Was no-one safe from his charismatic medical charms?
"Shaken?" With the young harridan gone to torment the newspaper man, Jonah had ventured into the dining area of the cafe, carrying a tray that had mugs and the coffee pot on it. "Have a seat, dear lady, and allow us to take care of things."
"Oh, well, thank you." Sitting, Emeline took the mug of coffee, her hands starting to tremble now.
As they entered the kitchen, Bridget turned to see Doctor Danforth comforting the Diner’s owner with a brimming goblet of his hot and heady percolated potion. She tapped Clara on the shoulder so she could see, too. “He …” she closed her eyes and forced it out “… He likes ladies.” She observed, innocently.
"Every town needs a newspaper."
Posted January 31, 2021 / Phineas McVay
McVay stopped and turned, hearing his name called, and the phrase “I saw the whole thing.” He smiled, nothing like an eye witness to the crime, or was it crimes? “Yes young lady, yes, saw it all did you? I suppose you and I need to talk then.”
“Sure I did, sure!” declared Arabella, reaching the editor of Kalispell’s premier (and only) newspaper. “Arabella Sumpter Mudd, Miss, at your service!” she said, panting and enthusiastically thrusting out her hand.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Arabella Sumpter Mudd. A pleasure indeed.” he said politely and shook her hand gently.
“You might remember my name, I left a note at the Newspaper Offices last month offerin’ to write a ‘Advice for the Lovelorn’ column in the Union for ya, and advisin’ you to write more stories about Tom Love and his outlaw gang. He’s my favourite. Cole Younger, close second.” She looked around at the carnage and devastation around them. “I mean, look at this mess, Tom Love and his boys would’a done a much better job of robbin’ that ol’ bank than this!” she told him in no uncertain terms.
“Tom Love? Is he about? Hadn’t heard he was in the country.” Phinn asked, as this would be the first he had head of Love and his gang. “As for Mister Younger, I believe he is currently doing time, presently.”
“Anyhow, here’s what happened. I was just walking down the street like this…” she mimicked walking on the spot. “… and then poor Mr. Olsen came a flying out of the bank like this…’They’re robbin’ the bank boys!’” she mimicked the late gentleman’s look of excitement and his last words in his last few seconds on earth. “And then he got shot like this… Bang! Arrrgghhhh!” She clutched her hand to her chest and fell in a dead heap on the ground, she lay with her eyes closed for a second, and then scrambled to her feet and dusted herself off.
Phinn sat, mouth somewhat agape as he watched the demonstration before him. It was as if he were at the theater, not getting a first hand report of the robbery and murder that had just occured.
“Anyhow, then I was real scared, case they shot me too, so I ran screamin’ all the way to the saloon, that’s where I live, see, and I ran in and said to Mr Flandry, he’s the barman, see, I says ‘Mr Flandry, they’re robbin’ the bank!’ and he says ‘Don’t you worry Arabella, I will protect you!’ and I said,…”
Phinn Had ceased trying to write down the story of the event and just watched the performance on display in his office. He thought to say something, but figured that saying nothing might be the better tact to take as he was unsure exactly what might happen should he interrupt. So he pretended to be jotting in his notebook instead.
She carried on for a good five minutes at poor McVey, mostly about her own non-role in the whole affair and how Mr. Flandry had gallantly rescued Mrs Blakeley, stopping every now and again to check he was getting it all down and spelling out hard words for him like M.u.d.d. and F.l.a.n.d.r.y and M.s. E.m. finally she finished, at the point where she had run up to him and totally wasted his time.
Finally, spent on that topic, she took a deep breath, then asked “So, how come you never wrote back to me about ‘Ask Aunt Arabella’?
All but stunned, Phinn looked at Arabella a long moment as he composed himself. “Oh yes, your note. I have and am considering it, however it needs questions to be asked by the, ah, lovelorn before we could do much of anything in the way of a column, and at present, expenses outpace income, though we are growing.
He paused, looking at the young girl. “Aren’t you a bit young to be advising these people in matters of the heart?” And the moment it was out, Phinn regretted having asked.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted January 31, 2021 / Adelaide Chapell
Sometimes words weren't necessary, and for now, Addy was content to just hold his hand, any questions or doubts she'd had about his feelings for her dispelled by the simple gesture of holding hands.
"Ya know," she finally spoke, "I talked ta Marshal Guyer 'bout Weedy, finally, that telegram we got at Christmas, an' since we haven't tracked down any information on th' boy, nor kin, he'll be mine...stayin' with me."
She smiled a little as she looked over at Jay. "Gonna get us a proper home, do ya wanna see it?"
She surely wasn't much one for talking, and she had no idea how to talk about what she needed to...what they needed to...heck, she was having a hard enough time admitting to herself that they even had to have that talk. And out here in the open wasn't the place to o it.
Posted January 31, 2021 / Emeline Pike / With Clara, Bridget, Jonah / Where: Lickskillet Diner
"Thank you, doctor." Taking a sip of the coffee, Emeline smiled. "I'll take some chamomile tea later, once everything is settled." As much as she'd like some of the soothing concoction now, there were still things that she needed to see to, although Clara was doing a fine job, and she was certain that Bridget would be a good helper to her.
"Then, dear lady, if you don't need my help, I'll go out and see if anyone needs my services." And disappear before the hooligan came back! "I'm glad you are well." He gave her a nod, then stepped out into the day.
For a moment, Emeline just sipped the coffee, taking deep breaths, then she finally stood and went to the kitchen. "Ladies, thank you so much for your help." She gave Bridget a light hug, returning the young lady's earlier gesture. "You should set aside a pie to take home with you, if you'd like."
Then she addressed Clara. "Would you mind wrapping up a dozen or so biscuits for me? I'm going to take that and some stew and pie over to the marshal's office." She wasn't sure if Barnabas was going to be there, but it didn't matter, she knew that with everything that had happened, there would be a lot of activity there, and that likely food would be an afterthought, and she wanted to make sure they had what they needed. Besides, she wanted to close up as quickly as they could, so the food that had already been prepared for lunch needed to be portioned out.