"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
"Yes, they are. Now the size of the circus will determine how many animals they'll have. Some circuses are big, some not so big and others are in the middle somewhere." Speed exlained.
"That's the truth, but there's other parts of a circus, strong men, high flying acts, clowns. Some bring along games to be played. All maner of entertainment. Plus whatever else we add to the festivities, now from what I understand, and I could be wrong on this, I'm told that the actual date of the founding was never settled upon, so they decided, based on a rendezvous that was held mid-summer, that July the fourth was a good and proper date, and, that it was the same as Independence Day."
"So that will include a fireworks display, meaning we need to get moving on this as funds will be necessary for the circus and the fireworks and wherever else we want to do." Phin finished his oratory on the subject.
"Well, we never celebrated either one last year, Strange, but then we had the Indians on the warpath at that time. What with the Custer massacre and all, I suppose it would have been a bad idea." Speed voiced.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
"Fireworks?" This intrigued Tully, she'd seen some before, from various hiding places, on Independence Day, and New Year's Eve, and she'd always loved the colorful sparkling in the sky. "Can we do that? Have fireworks? I think everyone should get a chance ta see them sometime...ain't nothin' like that!"
"Don't hurt none ta ask," Addy suggested, glancing at the men. "Don't know how much somethin' like that might cost, nor where we can get fireworks." Maybe Phin would know about that, or where he might find out.
"Well, I'd be happy ta contribute, fer a start." Addy thought for a moment, then chuckled. "Be a way ta get rid'a one'a them bandits' horses I got." After she and the gunsmith Roland had fought off bandits, a couple of the horses had come into her possession. Weedy had his Indian pony, and she'd given one of the outlaw horses to Dr. Danforth for his buggy. "Can put 'im up on raffle, he's a fine mount, might get somethin' fer 'im."
And maybe others would be willing to contribute as well, they'd just need to get moving!
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
"Fireworks are a real possibility." Speed told her, "There would of course be an expense, but we can get them out of the Chinese Community in San Francisco." That he said with a smile. "Closer than getting them from the east."
"Yes, we can get them and we are early enough to get them for the July fourth date. Making the order will be no problem, I mean all we need do is wire for information, not hard. Then place an order, Matter of fact, Pike has a friend over there and that might actually simplify matters." Phin agreed. "The circus, that will be another problem altogether, but not an impossibility, not at all."
"We need to put some feelers out, if the circus idea falls through, perhaps a smaller one might be available." Speed added. 'we have time that's for sure. By jingo! I believe we are on to something here!"
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
"Reckon th' sooner we start, th' better, then," Addy suggested, excited at the idea of a big celebration for the town. "Can start sendin' out inquiries, an' I don't mind puttin' some money up if we hafta, ta get things going, a loan, of course, until th' Council makes arrangements."
That way, they didn't have to wait for funding to get started, and maybe they could get this going by early Summer. "We need a date," she pointed out, "around plantin' an' brandin' an' whatnot. Folks'll be happy fer a bit'a playin'." Of coruse, that would be contingent on booking a circus. "Best not have th' possibility of a circus get around, in case we can't find one." They could do something else, but trying to match the excitement of a circus would be hard.
"Every town needs a newspaper."
"We'll need to get that wire off about the circus, may not be available in this part of the country on July the fourth, so if that's what we intend to do, then yes, need to get a move on!" Phin agreed. "I mean we could get something else, a carnival would be ideal, but if all else fails a big snake oil show, or some such."
"There are options, that's for sure, but remember the part of the country we're in, so we can't get our hopes up too high." Speed said. But I'll head on down and wire these folks and see what's what with them. That's about all we can do right now."
"We can start thinkin' on what else might be nice fer th' shindig," Addy declared. She was starting to get excited about it, even if they couldn't get the circus. It would be a good break for the whole community. "Horse race, maybe talk to th' school teacher, 'bout maybe havin' a pageant, gettin' th' kids involved? Whacha think, Tully?"
Startled, Tully shrank a little in her chair, but she felt safe among these people, especially with Addy here. "Dunno," she murmured softly, "maybe races, ya know, like th' three-legged race, an' potato sack?" Offering a small smile, she looked at the others. "I c'n draw ya up some posters if ya want?"
Tully might not be very educated, nor social, but one thing she could do was draw!
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Speed was smiling, here were four people discussing a big celebration for the town, presenting their ideas and information to the town council and seeing what the town might be willing to do to help out. This was turning out to be an enjoyable day.
"Posters? Oh, that would be really nice, and really helpful too. Thank you, Tully." He said "Now, as to other things, well the big barn dance is a must! And games, like the three-legged race, watermelon eating contest, and things like a quilting contest, and preserves tasting."
"Speaking of races, a good old fashioned horse race! Yes, siree bob! Not to forget a baking contest!" Phin offered. "Now that would be my favorite event, and I'd certainly volunteer to judge such a contest. Why Mrs. Newland's peach pie sets my mouth to waterin' just thinkin' about it!"
This idea was about to take on a life of its own, and if they followed through, and there was no reason to think they wouldn't, it would be the biggest thing Kalispell had ever done!
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
"Don't let Barnabas Pike hear ya say that!" Addy chuckled, "I think he'd them fightin' words!" She laughed, then sipped her tea. "Well, maybe we can make some lists...things that are more fer children, things that are easy ta set up, things that're more complicated. Oh, an' things that'll have prizes!"
She glanced over at Speed. "Reckon there'll be a lotta competition fer pie judgin'. But, we can start makin' th' list now, so Speed'll be at th' top!" That was one of those easy things, putting out notices that they would need entries for pies, cakes, cookies, preserves...
"Reckon we should have a list'a what we want ta judge...fer food, an' what about things like quilts an' paintin' an'..." Well, now it was getting complicated, so that, at least for the organizers, it might not be any fun!
"Every town needs a newspaper."
Lists, That would be a most excellent idea, and I've the paper and pencils on hand for the task. I'd say we list jobs or things that need doing. Then one of Childrens games and contests, and one for the adults games and contests." Phin suggested.
"Lists can be broken down such as adding property which would be needed for this event or that. Securing the barn for the dance, and the musicians to play for the dance, those sorts of things. Also, we need to get out and get some volunteers, we'll need them."
Speed grinned, "Yes, and those volunteers will be vital to this project." He pointed out. "But what a time it will be! I can hardly wait to get at it!"
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
"I don't think we'll have problems findin' volunteers, once we know what we need 'em for," Addy commented, "but I think we got a good start." But then her nose wrinkled up. "We just gotta hope Miss Arrabeller don't catch wind of it too soon, or she may want'a do somethin'!"
Of course, that might not be a bad idea if they could keep the young woman in check.
Addy chuckled. "Seems so complicated now, but in no time it'll be over! 'Course, if we make it annual, we'll pretty quick hafta start next year's plannin'!" At least by then they'd have some idea of what they were doing!