“You’re most welcome.” James’ voice was warm when Alice tucked her hand in the crook of his arm allowing him to guide her down the main street. “Indeed.” He replied, flushing ever so slightly. He thought that the wage he was being paid was a good one, but his money was still rather tight. Though he’d paid for his housing so that was covered even if he had to scrimp to keep himself fed properly. When she casually mentioned the possibility of him getting a higher wage, his jaw dropped briefly before he snapped it closed, praying she hadn’t noticed his astonishment.
“Socks would be good I suppose.” He said thinking about it. He could also use more drawers but given his upbringing, James wasn’t comfortable discussing such with a lady. “I don’t want to take advantage of the Marshall’s generosity.” He stammered after a moment’s consideration. James was grateful for the job and didn’t wish to lose it.
"I wouldn't worry about that." She began, "Speed said to outfit you, and that's what we're going to do. A man can't only hve one set of clothes, you got the work clothes for the office, now we need to get you set up for the open country. That includes long handles and socks. With what's coming for this business, well, you'll need these things." And to her way of thinking, things were going to explode, or maybe just get really busy.
They entered the mercantile and were confronted by Missus Anderson. She looked James up and down. "So, the young fella needs range clothes, I expect." She said. "You're in luck, probably have your size, just did get a shipment in from Helena." Then she smiled. "Right this way."
James’ smile turned rueful since he would worry about it, though in private. He did have more than one set of work clothes, though nowhere near as many as he’d used to have when he’d been back in England. James hoped that Alice couldn’t tell that he had no idea what she meant by long handles. Given that she had paired it with socks made him think that it was some kind of undergarments.
James smiled at the older woman who clearly ran the store, trying his best not to blush again as she looked him up and down consideringly. “Yes ma’am.” he said, in response to her comment about his needing outdoor clothes. “That’s fortunate.” he nodded as he followed her through the store.
John? John Anderson? We have a young man that's in need of clothes. So, get in here and help out with this. No sense embarrassing any more than I already have." Mary Agnes was no fool, she could see that a woman helping this young fellow was not something either he, or she wanted."
"Coming dear." He replied. and came out of the back room "Hello, ah James Vaughn, not hard to remember your name. How can I help?"
Mary Agnes took Alice by the elbow and steered her away from the two men, "That's the correct answer, Alice. Yes dear, and coming dear. You remember that. Over time, things change between a couple, and with phases like those, well, you know he still cares." Then she chuckled. "Now, I suppose that whatever the charges they gon on which account, Speed's business, or the mine account."
It was up to her, and she smiled. "The mine account, it's what they're for. We're going out to another property we own to see what's there and what's needed. The other side of Lost Lake." And with that, they were in conversation.
"Trousers, two pairs, of shirts, two medium or large? Long Johns, two, socks four pairs. We'll measure your waist." John Anderson rattled off. "They'll be long, the trousers, but like most folks, you just roll 'em up 'till you can get them taken up. And, by God, let's get you a hat! What size, Mister Vaughn?"
James flushed again, though, from relief or embarrassment, he couldn’t say. “Thank you, ma’am.” He told her softly, bowing slightly in her direction, a rueful little smile tugging at his lips as he spoke.
Turning to the other man, James nodded back, offering him his hand to shake. “I need to be outfitted for the countryside city living I’m afraid.” He shrugged, “I need….” James ran down the list of things Alice and Speed had suggested he buy.
James followed the other James towards the back so he could try on the clothes, not having an idea of sizes of the such things. He did want a few more in the way of underthings but he still didn't want to take advantage of their generosity.
“Very well.” James said with a quick grin, “Do you think that’s enough?” He looked down at the clothing in this section of the store feeling a bit perplexed. “Medium….?” He faltered wondering since he didn’t know if things like hats would be the same here as they were back in England. “What do you think?” He asked the other James.
"Well Mister Vaughn, I'd say you're ready for the Prairie! Now, what we need is to measure your head, our selection is a bit limited, but we have several sizes in John Stetson's hat they're calling the Boss of The plains. That should be, yes," He slipped the measuring tape around James' head, "We have that in your size." Then he shook his head, "We are out of most of the others, though this one the plains hat, We do have that, and it will provide the shade needed. Now then, have you a pistol? We have a fine selection, even with the new gunsmith in town."
James let out a faint sound, combining a snort with a chuckle at the shop owner’s words. “Thank you very much, sir.” He told him, even as the other man encircled the crown of his head with the tape measure to determine James’ hat size. He glanced at himself in the mirror, lips quirking when the stiff fabric resisted his movements. James turned quickly when asked if he had a gun, “No sir.” He stammered giving a shake of his head, his shaggy brown hair falling forward into his eyes. “Miss Alice does, however.” He told him, voice faint and rather uneasy. James had never fired a pistol in his life. Not that he would admit such, that much he’d learned would cause most men to look at him with pity at best, and derision at worst, for not owning a gun or knowing how to shoot.
"Well, not to be concerned young man, many do not shoot. Many. Guns, as prevalent as they are, and as necessary as they might be, are still misused by too many men, causing far too many problems as a result." Anderson said. "That looks good on you, what do you think?" He asked as they both looked at him in the hat.
"He looks the part John, that he does. A western man. Yes sir Mister Vaughn, that hat fit you to a 'T'!" Mary Agnes stated. She looked to Alice who added;
"Yep, James, that is the hat for you." She stated. "Well, if they'll let you change intro those new duds, I'll get the buggy and we can be on our way."
"Of course, of course. Just in the back there is a curtained dressing booth, James." John Anderson said, "Feel free."
Still feeling a bit awkward James merely nodded, a twisted little smile on his thin face. “I couldn’t agree more.” Letting out a relieved sigh, turning his gaze back to the mirror upon being asked what he thought of his new hat, he cocked his head slightly to one side, his soft hazel eyes thoughtful as he studied himself in the glass. “It’s different…” He mused slowly, “But I rather like it.”
Color rose to stain his cheeks as he turned to look over at Mary Agnes. “Thank you ma’am.” He didn’t think he really looked like a western man, being pale and gawky but too much the gentleman to contradict the lady.
“Can’t wait.” James said with forced cheer, reaching to gather up what he would need to change into. “Is it alright if I come back later for the rest?” He asked hopefully, not really wanting to take all of his new things with him on the jaunt to the mine.
Clutching his new attire James made his way to the dressing room, drawing the curtain closed behind him and hurriedly changing into them for his little adventure with Alice to the mine. He added what he'd worn into the office to his other new things to be collected later.
"You certainly may. Just set your thing on that barrel there and they'll be here when you get back." Mary Agnes said with a smile, "And James, that hat is perfect on you!"
"It does at that, now James it's time to be going, we're burnin' daylight. as Speed might say. "Thank you Mary, John. Be bak before supper." Alice promised and led the way out the door.
They had to walk to the livery where the buggy stood hitched and waiting. There were two large canteens and a box with sandwiches and jerked beef. Alice had thought of everything. Hold this, she handed him her Henry rifle as she climbed aboard, then reached for the rifle. "C'mon, James, hop up here."