Always take the long view.
Luke waved, "Bye, Marshal. Best of luck to you as well."
As he watched the Marshal depart, Luke wondered how long it would before other mining companies would be turning. Once word got out that a mining company from the east had set up a permanent office Kalispell, others would follow. He didn't know what it would mean for the town and the surrounding countryside but one thing he did know was that more business for the bank meant the greater chance of getting a promotion and a desk of his own.
A polite cough alerted him to the fact that another customer had arrived. He smiled, put his dreams to the back of his of mind and went back to work.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
With the contract and the property deed in hand, Speed stepped across the street, a broad smile on his face and an excited bounce in his step. The easy part was done. There were a few things he needed to get done, furnishings for the office either needed to be purchased or built, then there was the signage, both for the building and the front window announcing Wood and Guyer Mineral Company.
That thought gave him pause, from roaming the west buying up claims, to opening the first office outside of New York City. He exhaled deeply. This was new territory for him, exciting territory that could grow into a highly profitable business.
He opened the door and stepped inside 'his' building, his office, his home, and actually looked at the place with a new set of eyes. The back room would be his office, the front would contain up to four desks, if that many were needed.
He smiled, he was suddenly a man with two offices. He had questions, so it was time to get some answers. The best place for that would be the mercantile.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
It was beginning to shape up as a busy day. Making his rounds and dealing with his needs for the new office. The mercantile should be able to handle his furnishing needs for the main office as well as his. It was an exciting day for him, much like his getting the Marshals job, but this situation would garner more money than his monthly salary from the township of two hundred twenty-five dollars.
Abner and Mazie Carmichael had a fairly complete mercantile with just about everything a man or business could want, though they may not have three desk sets. Much of what Speed would want, he knew he would find in the store.
As he entered the building the smells of new leather, as well as other fragrances fill his senses. He enjoyed stopping in whenever he had the chance for the sensation. As he entered Aber came out from behind the counter.
“Morning Marshal. How can we help you today? More ammunition?” He asked.
“No sir Abner, I’m in need of three desk sets, I’ll be opening a business next to the dress shop, and likely the accouterments that would go with it.’ He said proudly, “Why I haven’t fired this gun in weeks, and that was at a line of cans.”
“Oh I was just joshin’ ya Marshal. A business now, ain’t that exciting.”Abner said. “What sort of business?”
“Mining, well, buying and selling claims, purchasing mineral and timber rights, that sort of thing. Going to need some help though, can’t neglect my job as marshal. I don’t think folks would ake to kindly to that.”
“You’re probably right on that. We’ve been lucky here in Kalispell as far as trouble and trouble makers go. That can only last so long especially if the mining boom I’ve heard of to the south makes it’s way up here.” The mercantile owner explained, and the man had a point. “Whitefish now, she hasn’t had our kind of luck, what with the Steelgrave brothers and the hands from the Evergreen.”
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
“On that point, it would be hard to argue, and to be frank, I have my concerns about the security of the bank. What I’d like to find is a deputy that would be willing to act as the bank guard.” Speed said. He was aware that it was being done in the east with some success.
“Now that Pinkerton man who was here, he’d be perfect and it’s one of the things they do, but, haven’t seen hm in some time, so he’s likely out of the territory by now. And I couldn’t ask Hannah Cory, or even her pa to take that on. But whichever way I’d go, it would still have to make it past the Town Council, and who knows how that would go.
Abner smiled knowingly. Until there was a bank robbery it would be exceedingly difficult to add another salary to the town budget. “Well have those things delivered likely take a week. I’ll wire the company, speed things up for you.”
“Appreciate that Abner, I’m in no real hurry just yet, but those efforts will make it easier.” Speed said. “My best to your bride.” And with that he headed out the door. It was coming together.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Walking the street, end to end, up one side and down the other was more for relationships with the businessmen and women along the hard packed thoroughfare. He did not stop in at every business every day, but tried to stop in some every day. Of course, he would stop to talk with anyone along the way.
The night rounds were about the security of the town, ensuring doors were locked, or otherwise secured. Darkness has it's way of promoting unlawful activities, for those rounds he carried either a shotgun, or a Winchester, just in case. After all, there were businesses with merchandise worth stealing, a bank worth robbing, and all manner of assaults on the public security and tranquility of his community.
He'd not seen Addy for a spell, so he made that his next stop. Entering the barn he called out, "Hello Addy!"