"Well, yes, income is good, and it's rewarding to see the results of hard work." If Speed's ventures worked out like Barnabas' had, Alice was going to find herself overwhelmed with all the things that came with money. And while many people wouldn't have a problem with that, folks like she and Alice weren't the sort to go throwing money around and sometimes the possibilities of what you could accomplish made your brain hurt!
"There's a weight to having so much more than you need. We've set some aside for the future, in case of anything unforeseen, and even after that, there's so much...and then we're talking library, assisting the orphanage, expanding the school..." She shrugged. "If we can, why not?"
Reaching out with her free hand, she scratched a mare's forehead. "This is all so much more than I ever imagined, and I don't want it to change me."
"Somehow," Alice began, "I just don't see that happening to you. I mean, you are kind and giving, I've seen that since I first met you. Like the Christmas party you gave. Opening your new home to the rest of us to share in its beauty And the joy of the season. You and Barnabas have really done whatever you could to be welcoming to others, and not letting the wealth you have crowd out who the two of you are at heart."
She smiled, "Anyway, the pigeon idea, I think, is a great one. It can't be as hard as we think it is." She added. "And don't you worry, I doubt there is anything that could change who you are."
Emeline smiled and nodded. "And having good friends like you certainly helps. I think we can make Kalispell into a good place, where families will want to come." She grinned and chuckled. "But not so civilized as to chase off all the men!"
Even she wouldn't want Kalispell to grow as big as the 'big cities', and even Virginia City was on the too-big side, so that people could get lost in the swarm. Not that she wanted to know everyone, nor everyone to know her, but it was good to have a sense of what the town was about.
"I do think we're far enough remote that, even after statehood, we won't be an area that would turn into a metropolis," she observed, "besides the mining and lumber there's not much that would attract anyone here." Well, besides the opera hall and Miss Arabella Mudd!
"Thank you, yes we are good friends! Our town will grow, I mean it can't help but grow, the miners are sending for their families, and that will cause a building spurt of some size." Aiice said, "And did you hear that another doctor is coming from the east to be on the hospital staff?"
"Speed said that he had heard from Danforth that a woman doctor was on her way from Chicago, of all places." I mean, this is great news. Imagine the fashions she'll have! I can't wait to meet her." Alice was excited about this addition to the hospital. "Something about being a friend of Doc Boone, I guess, from long ago. We need those pigeons!"
"A lady doctor?" Emeline raised her eyebrows in surprise. "I suppose it isn't completely unheard of, and once the hospital is up and running, we can certainly use more doctors."
The hospital would be covering a large area around Kalispell, and doctors would be called away, so that there would still need to be one in town. It sounded like a good arrangement.
"Besides, I think s lady doctor might be more readily accepted here out West than in a more 'civilized', populated location." Just the very fabric of the people who lived in a place like this made them more open to change, and to overlooking norms...mostly!
"Do you know when they expect her?"
"Soon, I'm thinking. Addy was on her way to get her. Coming by train from Chicago, of all places." Alice told her, "Now, Speed, who is sometimes the fountain of information, said that Doc Boone knew her back there, and he enticed her to come west. Goodness me, I have no idea how. I mean, what would be thje attraction to come from a big city to Kalispell, Montana?'
"On the other hand, maybe the woman was tired of life in that big city. Maybe the idea of helping the hospital get started. I mean, there are dozens of reasons people do what they do. Whether it seems logical or not."She added, thinking that without meeting her, there was no way to know what she was about, and perhaps even knowing the reason she made the trip west.
"I think the whole idea is exciting! Now all we have to do is keep her from this 'Kalispell Ladies Association,' if that's even possible. I see no redeeming value in that organization, and certainly no asset to our community."
"Well, I'd like to believe that anyone smart enough to become a doctor would know at least some of what she'd be getting into." There was no secret that frontier life was rough and lacking in some of the niceties that made life in the 'big city' 'easy'.
"I'd love to have her stay with us if we weren't so far out of town." Emeline smiled and shrugged. "But perhaps I can host a welcome supper for her? You and Speed could come, and we could invite other people...of course, Drs. Boone and Danforth, Leah, maybe members of the council...and Granny Miggins, so things don't get too dull!" She laughed.
"Now that's a plan that could work. What I mean is, this place is certainly big enough to host a party; you did it at Christmas! And I'm sure it would be good to get people together to meet her and discuss our town." Alice said. That did seem like a great idea. "Of course, you could have it at the Lickskillet, or the hotel if you wanted to, but here would be so much better.
"Speed could handle getting to folks in town, if you'd like, or better yet, you could bring Wheeler in and make the invitations in person. I know everyone would love to see you both, especially Clara. Oh, that would be such a grand idea, Em, really, you do." Alice pleaded. "It would be such fun!"
"Actually, I think your thought of having it at the Lickskillet is a great idea." Emeline nodded. "It's easier for people to get to, as much as I love to show off the house. I can go in a day early and start getting things ready, and Clara can have a couple days off. They'd be invited, too, of course. We'd need to do it shortly after she arrives, so she can get to know people."
The poor doctor was going to be a novelty, and people were bound to be curious. "Even with Addy tramping around in britches and a lady deputy, they're going to want to know all about a female doctor. I just hope she knows what she's getting into, although I suspect school may have been pretty rough for her, so she must be of strong constitution."
Alice smiled, "I'd almost forgotten about Hanna Cory being a Deputy,not the best job a woman could have and not one most towns would tolerate. A woman owning a business, like you and the Lickskillet, all but unheard of! And yes, I would agree, it had to be hard to get through medical school." That was how it was in that time, women were expected to marry, have children, and be a good wife.
"Speaking of the cafe, you're right, it would be easier for folks to get to to meet the new Doctor. Can you believe it? I mean, a town our size with three doctors? Most frontier towns are lucky to have one! I heard she is a surgeon too. I for one, can't wait to meet her!"