He returned to the kitchen, refreshing their coffee before sitting again. "It's a smart idea, having some sort of documentation that this was your idea, and where you want it to be, and the work you put in. That newspaper man seems a good sort, but I don't know him personally, but it might be an idea to actually bring him in to the planning?"
Leah listened to the idea of having McVay in on the planning. “ I agree, actually. With him involved, and hopefully our ally, that would be an edge. After the judge’s reaction to the idea, I’m not sure I trust the town council because I do not trust him.”
She smiled, and not a pleasant smile. “I have a copy of everything. Every scrap of paper. He has the originals but I have a duplicate set, also signed. My father taught me well. When you involve yourself in a trade, always be prepared for deception and dishonesty, and if there was a man this side of the Mississippi it’s Elias Steelgrave.”
Storyteller / Shared NPC
The knock on the door came as a surprise to Josiah Boone. Being new to town, and in the dead of winter, visitors were scarce, including his former patients. Though most had found semi or permanent housing.
The lad was there on an errand from Doctor Jonah Danforth and Leah Steelgrave, a name he knew all too well, not her in particular, but the Steelgrave name, and all it represented, which was trouble he could well do without. But the boy had mentioned a hospital, and that peaked the man’s interest, so he followed the lad to Danforth’s office.
Once inside, the fire and its warmth caused Josiah to remove his heavy top coat and gloves. He looked the pair, smiling, as there was no reason not to.
“Well Danforth, what’s this about a hospital.” Leah smiled at the directness and decided that Jonah should answer, and she could fill in the details.
She smiled, and not a pleasant smile. “I have a copy of everything. Every scrap of paper. He has the originals but I have a duplicate set, also signed. My father taught me well. When you involve yourself in a trade, always be prepared for deception and dishonesty, and if there was a man this side of the Mississippi it’s Elias Steelgrave.”
"But that makes you the ideal person for this, since you know how he thinks." Jonah smiled at Leah, still impressed that she wanted to help the community, despite what her family might want. She was shrewd and fearless, and he had no doubt the hospital would be a success.
He stood as Dr. Boone came in.
“Well Danforth, what’s this about a hospital.”
"Dr. Boone." He shook the man's hand, then motioned to a seat. "This is Leah Steelegrave. She is planning to build a hospital in town, and later an orphanage. Would you like some coffee?" His thoughts were a bit scattered. "We thought you might have some ideas and would like to help...Oh, Miss Steelegrave, this is Dr. Josiah Boone."
"But that makes you the ideal person for this, since you know how he thinks." Jonah smiled at Leah, still impressed that she wanted to help the community, despite what her family might want. She was shrewd and fearless, and he had no doubt the hospital would be a success.
“He’s not the one I’m concerned about, it’s the town council that has me concerned.” She stated. “He’ll do what he’s always done, attempt to get his way, but it’s whether or not Kalispell wants a hospital of it’s own.” Just then the door opened and Weedy bounded in with Josiah Boone in tow.
He stood as Dr. Boone came in.
“Well Danforth, what’s this about a hospital.”
"Dr. Boone." He shook the man's hand, then motioned to a seat. "This is Leah Steelegrave. She is planning to build a hospital in town, and later an orphanage. Would you like some coffee?" His thoughts were a bit scattered. "We thought you might have some ideas and would like to help...Oh, Miss Steelegrave, this is Dr. Josiah Boone."
“Miss Steelgrave, unfortunately I know of your family, especially your brothers.” He looked at her, as if trying to figure her out. “Coffee, maybe a measure of whiskey, if you have any.” He turned back to Leah. “A hospital you say? What on earth possessed you to want to build a hospital? And then an orphanage as well?” He scrutinized her again. “Your father will certainly not be in favor of such a thing.”
She stared right back at the doctor and said. “Because there is a real need for both. My concern is not my father, it is the town council. I am hoping, doctor, that you will agree to the need and join us in seeing that it is built. Our problem is simple, we have offered the town a trade, land for both projects in return for deeded right a way for the coming railroad. They, well Judge Ben Robertson has those deeds and has chosen to delay until spring any meeting on the subject. This delays our ordering lumber and hiring men to get the job done, not to mention delays in obtaining medical equipment, all of which I have grants for."
Jonah looked at Boone and nodded. "Miss Steelgrave is not only sincere in her objectives, but earnest and dedicated as well. She's started laying the groundwork for all of this, and I have no doubt she will succeed. But she has her family name to overcome, and I'm still new here. We think that your support would go a long way to seeing a hospital actually happen."
He took a sip of coffee, then added, "And, of course, your input on the project would be invaluable. I'm afraid I don't know a great deal about such things, so I would appreciate advice on even things so basic as how many rooms we should be looking at, as well as equipment and such.
Jonah looked at Boone and nodded. "Miss Steelgrave is not only sincere in her objectives, but earnest and dedicated as well. She's started laying the groundwork for all of this, and I have no doubt she will succeed. But she has her family name to overcome, and I'm still new here. We think that your support would go a long way to seeing a hospital actually happen."
Doc Boone nodded and then looked at the young lady inquisitively, brow a bit furrowed, formulating his thoughts.
He took a sip of coffee, then added, "And, of course, your input on the project would be invaluable. I'm afraid I don't know a great deal about such things, so I would appreciate advice on even things so basic as how many rooms we should be looking at, as well as equipment and such.
“So tell me, why the hell, with your last name, would you want to do a fool thing like that?” He asked. “Why there’s folks down here wouldn’t give two spits if you lived or died. But I admire your spunk young lady.” He laughed. “Bought the right of way and gave it to the town that likely despises you’n yours, and all you want in return is land to build them a hospital? And an orphanage?”
Leah looked at him eyes and mouth wide open. “Doctor Boone-“
“Doc.” He corrected.
“Doc Boone, I am fully aware of some peoples thoughts, if not most. Well sir, they can go to Hades! This town, and the outlying areas need a hospital, and there are government funds available for an orphanage, so why not us?” Her dander was up. “Judge Robertson may want to keep Kalispell small, but I mean to build that hospital and that Orphanage and I’d like your help with it’s design and needs.”
“Yes Ma’am, I’d be proud to help in any way I can.” He turned to Jonah, “And Doctor Danforth, I’d be honored to work along side you in this most prestigious endeavor.” Then he smiled. “I believe something with a bit more of a kick is in order.” He removed a flask from his inside pocket. “Just one.”
Jonah let out a sigh of relief, glad that he wasn't in this alone...not that he was alone alone, but Leah was handling more of the finances and organization, leaving the working end to him, and he felt completely inadequate.
"It's an honor to have you with us, Doc." Jonah rose and gathered three clean glasses that he set out on the table. "I'm certain I can learn a great deal from you and that you know far more about this sort of thing than I do!"
"It's an honor to have you with us, Doc." Jonah rose and gathered three clean glasses that he set out on the table. "I'm certain I can learn a great deal from you and that you know far more about this sort of thing than I do!"
“That might be young man, but I’ll bet there’s thing’s I’ll learn from the both of you.” He poured the whiskey from his flask into the glasses and hand one to each of them. “The hospital.” He toasted.
“The hospital.” Leah said and tossed off the drink, feeling the burn and grimacing at the result.
“Now, Miss Steelgrave, I know your pa and I now the men in his and your brothers employ. Do not think because you’re his daughter that either of those men will restrain tier hired guns in this matter, if the decide to end your project. Not saying that to scare you, just to make sure you know the risks.”
“Then they don’t know me at all. If they mean to start trouble, they’ll find that I am up to the task.” She claimed. “I doubt that the men of Kalispell will take too kindly to those men attacking the construction site. Especially not Marshal Guyer and his Deputy.”
"It's good that you have the marshal informed and on our side," Jonah commented, nodding. "And we're aware going into it that there may be trouble, and you know your father best." He looked at Leah. "But from what I've heard, he isn't the sort to engage in a frontal assault, so we'll need to plan for underhanded attacks..."
He shrugged. While he wasn't familiar with those sorts of tactics, he could imagine that it would be difficult to fight, since it would be hard to see coming.
"Burning it down before it's complete," he murmured, partly just thinking to himself, then he looked at the others. "That's what I would do. Certainly, it could be rebuilt, but that would take all the more time and money."
It's good that you have the marshal informed and on our side," Jonah commented, nodding. "And we're aware going into it that there may be trouble, and you know your father best." He looked at Leah. "But from what I've heard, he isn't the sort to engage in a frontal assault, so we'll need to plan for underhanded attacks..."
He shrugged. While he wasn't familiar with those sorts of tactics, he could imagine that it would be difficult to fight, since it would be hard to see coming.
“Yes he is.” Leah agreed. “And I am glad that Marshal Guyer is who he is, and not what might have been put in office. Hannah Cory and her father made a good choice. But one man, I just don’t know. Even with a deputy.” Her voice trailed off
"Burning it down before it's complete," he murmured, partly just thinking to himself, then he looked at the others. "That's what I would do. Certainly, it could be rebuilt, but that would take all the more time and money."
Both Jonah and Josiah looked at her.
“That would be just the sort of thing he would try. And that could spell disaster for the whole blamed town! Of course that depends on where the Town Council allots the property, that is providing the dunderheads actually provide the land in the first place.” Boone theorized. “A lot’s riding on what the Council does or doesn’t do.” He shook his head, “We may have to purchase the property ourselves.”
Leah said nothing, simply fumed at the thought that the Town Council would do that to them.