"I think it's even more surprising that it's all because of a Steelegrave," Emeline observed. "Who would have thought that someone from that family would do anything good for anyone besides themselves. But I suppose it shows that you don't need to be tied down by your blood. I'm glad Leah was able to step away from it. She's strong and capable, and she'll do well."
Not everyone was brave enough to defy family, especially while staying in the same town. "They say the West makes women strong, or it breaks them, and we've certainly got some strong ladies here." She chuckled. "And then there's Granny Miggins!"
"Granny Miggins? Oh Lord! That woman is sometimes beyond belief! I wonder if the Kalispell Women's Association, or whatever they're calling it, has invited her to join. She could rabble-rouse for them, that's for sure. But then again, I doubt they think she is in their class, I suspect, like you and I," Alice said, amused by the mention of Kalispell's original firebrand.
"Well, this Doctor Lorant sounds as though she's been through the fires of Hades once already, so I'm thinking these women might want to watch what they say and how they act toward her, and you just know they'll want to try and get her goat as quickly as possible, but I also believ this idfea of a reception at the Lickskillet could short circuit that who;d affair."
"Ah, yes, expose the poor woman before the hens have a chance to pick at her!" Emeline laughed. "We'll have to be sure that one of us is notified as soon as she arrives. Of course, I don't think Leah would leave her to the wolves. She knows, of anyone, what that is like, to be ostracized and condemned unfairly."
And there were the other doctors who would do their best to protect the lady doctor. "I'm sure there will be people who will never come around, but there's nothing to do for them...some people thrive on finding conflict!"
"Now, I can't be sure on this, but I heard that Addy Cahapple was going to Helena to pick \up some things stored there for the hospital and to pick her up from the train, the Doctor. And you are right about those women, well, some of them at least. Her being what they call a professional and all, they won't give her a moment's rest." Alice informed Emiline.
"A shame that there are those types of people who have to try to lord it over to make themselves feel more important and better than they truly are. Sad!" She added, "But I think in the end, Kalispell will be glad there is a hospital and three Doctors. No town I know of has three Doctors!"
"Well, I don't suppose there were other females in her classes, so that alone would have stiffened her backbone." Emeline chuckled. "I've no doubt she'll be able to take on anything that comes her way. It's wonderful that we'll have a female doctor, I think once she has a chance to show people that she's able, the idea will be better accepted back east."
While it wasn't every woman who could step into those types of roles, it was good that people like Addy, Hannah and Dr. Laurant could show that there were some who could, and the more relaxed culture of the west gave them that opportunity.
"Kalispell will, indeed, benefit from three doctors...and the hospital. Once we have statehood, we have a good chance of becoming at least a county seat, if not, perhaps even the state capitol!"
"Can you believe it? Three good medical people here in Kalispell of all places. And Speed said that Governor Houser wants us to be the county seat, well, we are the biggest town in this county. And with the hospital? A shoe in, I say." Alice stated emphatically. "Oh, and thje railroad, that cliches it."
"I just want Speed out of that office before the railroad gets here! I know what the track laying brings and it's not pretty!" She stated emphatically, "I almost lost him once, I'd just as soon not have another attempt made on him because he's wearing that badge, sorry, I know you feel the same. It's just always there for me, the thought of the risk."
"Yes, I've heard stories about railroad crews," Emeline agreed, "and they are wild and troublesome. It would be one thing if they could keep it to their camp, but, of course, town is too tempting." She sighed and shrugged. "I agree, I'd be happy if Barnabas doesn't get involved in any of that mess, but you know..."
The unpleasant truth, one she was sure Alice knew but didn't want to say out loud. "Even if they have both left law enforcement, if there is trouble, they will do what they think they have to."
If things got so bad that whoever had stepped in to help Charlie and Hannah couldn't handle on-going trouble, both Speed and Barnabas would go to help. There was no getting away from the fact that both men were lawmen to the core.
"They have a town that follows. Be better to say that this town, often called 'Hell On Wheels,' precedes the track laying for God knows how far. A genuine 'Sodam and Gamora,' or so I've been told." Alice replied. "Heard that from some men that worked on the cross-country rail before I came out here with Pa. They said 'Hell' was a nice way of putting it!" Alice shared.
She looked down a moment, then up, "That's my fear," She added in response to the men doing what they thought they had to do. "And Speed is worried about how this will go. If they have any law on this traveling 'sin city' of theirs, or if the men of Kalispell are going to have to stand up to whatever it brings to us. You know who they'll look to."
"Yes, we both know who they'll look to." Emeline sighed. "And we know that our men will step in if they see the need, even if they aren't asked. The only way to prevent that would be to keep them from town, and we can't do that."
It put the ladies in a tough spot, but then, Emeline knew that the men's mores and consciences wouldn't allow them to do anything else.
"We knew when we married them...agreed to marry them," she murmured, "and we have to accept who they are. I don't want Barnabas to resent me because I'm holding him back. I've a mind, though, if those railroad people start stirring trouble, to just go out to their camp and give them a piece of my mind! I'd stand behind Granny Miggins, of course!" She laughed.
Alice looked at her as she spoke what she too believed about the men in their lives, "I fear that you are right. No, I know that you are right! Badges or not, if there is to be trouble for the town, both would rise to the defense of Kalispell, no matter the risk!"
There was a pause before Alice shook her head as if to shake off the thoughts of coming trouble, "I came out here to tell you about the planning for the Founders Day Celebration, and here we've talked about everything else, Pigeons to trouble with the coming railroad. Not to leave out this handsome young man, who was secretly my real reason for this visit." She added, gracefully changing the subject. Though the railroad and its 'Hell On Wheels' traveling town were a reality in the future, and something to be wary of, both women had a right to be concerned, if not outright worried about this future event.
"All this about the railroad is in a distant future that we have no control over. The celebration, and things like that, we can have a hand in while making the town better. And the pigeons, what a grand idea that is! I can't wait to see if we can get enough information about how to do it, and get started." That had her beaming.
