"Well, and what did Case do, anyway?" Of course, they both knew the answer to that, so it was rhetorical. "I mean, it isn't as if he's going to hang or go to prison. It's more a matter of Steelegrave pride...'No one locks up a Steelegrave!' Nonsense! They need to learn that they aren't above the law any more than any man in town, and that they have to own up to it when they do stupid things."
And really, was the loss of life worth soothing a wounded ego? Even Elias Steelegrave couldn't be that arrogant.
"Well, and what did Case do, anyway?" Of course, they both knew the answer to that, so it was rhetorical. "I mean, it isn't as if he's going to hang or go to prison. It's more a matter of Steelegrave pride...'No one locks up a Steelegrave!' Nonsense! They need to learn that they aren't above the law any more than any man in town, and that they have to own up to it when they do stupid things."
And really, was the loss of life worth soothing a wounded ego? Even Elias Steelegrave couldn't be that arrogant.
Pike just listened to her rant about the Steelgraves, probably a mistake to mention Leah’s men, but it was true, they had made the difference. And judging what old man Steelgrave might or might not do, was fools play. He was capable of anything, and word was leaking out of the Evergreen that he was seldom sober anymore, and that, with his temper, could mean anything was possible.
“Well, ‘lias Steelgrave is unpredictable. There jest ain’t no tellin’ what he might or might not do. And yer right a’course, they need to be taught they can’t ride roughshod over Kalispell. Meybee ten year ago, but not now. This here town ain’t no wide spot in the road no more, she’s growin’ into a little city, with high ambitions!” He shook his head. “His own boys ain’t even around, an’ ain’t likely to be. Case made his bed, shore enough, time he laid in it!”
"It's a pity," she observed quietly, "but Case and his brothers are the result of their father, of the way they were raised. I don't think most people are intrinsically evil."
That said, she did realize that there were some souls who were just not right from the start, and even the best upbringing wouldn't change that.
"It's a fine line, I think, between a proper amount of discipline and leniency." She took a breath, shaking her head. "Our children ill be all right, perfect little angels!" Well, she knew that wasn't going to be true all the time, but she had no doubt that they'd become wonderful adults.
He had to laugh at the description of their as yet unborn children. He might argue that some are just bad, while others slip into a life of crime. “Now abusers, them that beat say women or children, I figger they was raised that way, so that’s what they know, but ain’t nobody no perfect little angels.”
“Take them Steelgraves, Leah she may be a number of things both actual and suspected, but look to what she’s doin’. Case, now that man’s got him a mean streak plenty wide, not that many see it, but it’s there. Ever notice how his brothers ain’t ever in town? How there ain’t no mention of ‘em at the Evergreen? And the missus, she plumb fled. Oughtta tell you somethin’.”
Emeline gave him an indignant look. "I was a perfect angel! Do you doubt me?"
She laughed and kissed his cheek. "At least Mrs. Steelegrave had the gumption to walk away." She knew that everything hadn't been all peaches and cream in her town while she was growing up, but on the surface everything had seemed ideal. Oh, sure, there were rumors, and she had seen the distance and expressions that some couples gave each other, but she knew the strength that it took for a woman to just walk away from a bad relationship, especially when children were involved.
And the same went for men, for there were ladies as well who didn't make suitable spouses, and sometimes they needed to be left behind.
But then a thought occurred to her.
"How long ago did Mrs. Steelegrave leave? I can't imagine leaving my children behind with a man that I felt I needed to flee."
Smiling, she took Barnabas' hand and gave it a squeeze. "On the other hand, it might do him good to be stuck with the squallering darlings!"
“What I heard was late fall maybe winter, ain’t real sure when it was she left, but leave she did.” He said. “Now gumption may not'a played no part it it, leastways from the rumors. But then, they was jest rumors. Said she run off with some younger hombre."
“Now then, about you bein’ a perfect angel, I wouldn’t hazard a guess, since I weren’t there. And that Ma’am, is what is called a loaded question. I ain't fer tootin' her horn, but young Leah’s showin’ some gumption. Reckon takin’ on this whole town oughta count fer somethin’."
"Oh, an’ in case you hadn’t noticed, them other boys of the Steelgraves have plumb disappeared as well. So there’s that.” He added.
"That would be so sad," Emeline murmured, "having all your children abandon you...and your spouse, but I suppose it was Elias' doing. I wonder if he knew what he was doing? That he was going to eventually drive his family away, or is he just too mean and arrogant to know?"
And the really tragic thing was that, from what she had heard, and certainly in Case's case, the boys had all been tainted by their father's misdeeds.
"All the more reason we should do what we can to support Miss Steelegrave. She is fighting to break the ties with her family, and she's alone in that." Emeline shrugged. "She should be admired and supported, and we can do that for her."
It might not be much, but Emeline figured that any little encouragement was something.
"That would be so sad," Emeline murmured, "having all your children abandon you...and your spouse, but I suppose it was Elias' doing. I wonder if he knew what he was doing? That he was going to eventually drive his family away, or is he just too mean and arrogant to know?"
“Doubt it, Em. A man that’s drive like he is, well, he had a woman that was drive like him, together they built whatever empire they believed they had. I figger maybe he just forgot there was childern to be payin’ a mind to, an’ a wife. But fer some men like him, the quest is all they can see.”
And the really tragic thing was that, from what she had heard, and certainly in Case's case, the boys had all been tainted by their father's misdeeds.
"All the more reason we should do what we can to support Miss Steelegrave. She is fighting to break the ties with her family, and she's alone in that." Emeline shrugged. "She should be admired and supported, and we can do that for her."
It might not be much, but Emeline figured that any little encouragement was something.
“Well, yeah, standing by someone tryin’ to look out fer her community with the buildin’ of the hospital, an’ later the orphanage, ain’t hardly a choice in the matter. She’s earned support I’m thinkin’ by what she done to get where she’s at with railroad right’a ways an all. Speed’s standin’ with her an’ so’m I.”
"So there's no question this will be done," Emeline declared, "and Elias Steelegrave be hanged!" Strong words from the lady!
"I'm certain that most of the community will get behind Miss Steelegrave, once they take the time to listen, and will pressure the council into making the right decisions. And if there's trouble, the town will rally around."
Grinning, she kissed him on the cheek. "We might not all take up arms, but we'll do what we can, so you'd best prepare for that...talk to Speed about how we can get involved in defending our town."
“We ain’t gonna see ‘lias hang, nor Case neither. Well, least ways, not this go ‘round. Fact is, I got no idea what this Circuit Judge is about. Heard he was tough, though.” Pike pointed out.
“Case, pullin’ a gun on the laws purdy serious. But there’s nothin’ on the old man, so far. Could be Case might see some time up to the Territorial Prison at Deer Lodge, course, he could swing just as easy. Up to the judge how it goes.”
“Hopeful of the community standin’ with Miss Steelgrave. Hard to be rid of a family’s bad name. But if anybody can do it, Leah Steelgrave’s the one to do it. But you an’ your faith in folks, well, that’s gotta count fer somethin!”