"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Speed had to grin at the mention of Arabella, and there might be some truth in Addy's statement, then again, there was that chance that Miss Mudd just might be of some help. But then too, keeping the energetic young performer blind to what was happening might be of bigger assistance.
"Sort of a double edged sword with her, isn't it? I'm sure that most times she means well, but then there are those occasions where the proverbial wheels fall off, and we really cannot risk it in this situation. Not with what we are planning. It's how to keep her at bay that will be the trick."
"And that, that would be a full time job for anyone!" Phin chimed in, "But we've enough to get done before we need to worry about her. Now Young mister Wigfall needs to not say a word of this to anyone!"
"Every town needs a newspaper."
"Well now, I got to get on the next edition, not that there's ever much this time of year, but you never know, I mean, just look what we came up with will ya. This here idea is just about the best thing I've ever discussed in this burg!" Phin said enthusiastically, as he was prone to do from time to time. "And isn't Tully the one that stirred the pot to get us thinking of what could be done."
"Yessir, doubt we would have come up with thinking we could get a circus, but we'll kknow for sure in just a few days from now. I'm on my way to see young Wigfall as soon as we're done here, probably need to make my rounds as well." Speed admitted. "How about you, Addy? About to get busy I'd think."
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Tully blushed at the compliment, not sure what she'd contributed, except maybe the idea of a circus, but truthfully, that was because it was something she wanted for herself, to see all the animals and oddities and acrobats. Of course, she was sure she wasn't the only one who would be excited, who wanted to see all that for themselves.
"Plenty'a work comin' up!" Addy declared with a nod, "An' with th' hospital comin' along, like as not I'll be runnin' ta Helena ta pick up supplies they got stored there." She grinned. "Big changes fer Kalispell comin', an' good ones at that!"
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
"Yes it will, and bringing all those things here will be quite the chore. "Speed agreed. "And, if you were a mind to increase your business, we at the Copper Queen will need wagons to haul ore to the mill. Even if one is built here, which we are hoping for, there will be a lot of work." He had not planned to say anything about the subject with her, but she broached the subject, so he took the chance and let her know that the job was hers if she wanted it.
"And the Milligan sale I'd heard it stalled? Is that true? I mean I can't believe that with all those with the where with all to bid on it that someone didn't snap it up." He added.
"Certainly makes no sense not to have had someone match the bid. I doubt Millegan will lower what he wants, not with what he has tied up in the business. Which is a great deal!" Phin contributed.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
"I'll certainly take yer offer inta consideration," Addy told Speed. "Might could put Weedy ta work on helpin' me figure out what we'd need ta do. I'd need another driver'er two, couple'a wagons, horses...not too hard, 'cept maybe th' drivers."
She knew where she could likely get wagons and horses, especially if she was running into Helena, and she had the means to get them. It was just a matter of figuring out how to run a business, although it didn't seem that hard...maybe!
"I'd be right happy ta work with ya, Speed. I'll start lookin' inta what needs doin'...so long's I'm able ta keep usin' th' Millegan barn."
That was something she hadn't considered...Mr. Millegan had let her use the barn, since she took care of it, and all the stock, including the company horses. But the new owner, whoever that might be, may not want to continue that relationship, and she'd have to find another place.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
"I've a connection or two up my sleeve, I believe if you need any help please, do come to us." He said, "Be glad to have you, but I do agree that the hospital has to come first, we'll get by until you are freed up or have the men and wagons to take on the job."
Speed wanted to offer as much of the work he would want to have done to locals. To his way of thinking it was his responsibility to his community to keep as much of the payroll in Kalispell where it would benefit the town, its merchants, and its residents, and aside from actually working at the mines, as he did have two, there was a host of jobs associated with the mines.
There was a lot to get done with both the celebration and the mines. "I need to get over to the telegraph office and get the wire sent. The sooner we get it out, the sooner we get a reply and know where we stand." He said getting to his feet.
"We'll stop back by and let us know it went so we can all be anxious about the response, but how could they turn down a town like Kalispell? Right?" Phin interjected with a grin.
"I'd best be gettin' on ta work, too," Addy declared, standing and glancing at Speed. "I'll ask around Helena 'bout rigs next time I'm there. Don't think it'll be hard ta at least get one set up." She grinned and held out her hand. "It'll be good doin' business with ya."
Start small, see if she liked it, then carry on. If it suited her, she could expand, if not, Speed would likely buy what she had and run it himself.
Once the visitors had left, Tully started gathering mugs. "Ya wantin' more coffee, Mr. Phin?" she asked, then she smiled. "I do hope Mr. Speed can get th' circus here, would be a thing ta see! Do ya really think all that's true? 'Bout tigers an' elephants an' men no taller'n a tick?" She knew she was gullible in some ways, but this seemed a bit much!
"Every town needs a newspaper."
Speed paused as he got up and was about to head out as Addy spoke to him, "I'd best be gettin' on ta work, too," Addy declared, standing and glancing at Speed. "I'll ask around Helena 'bout rigs next time I'm there. Don't think it'll be hard ta at least get one set up." She grinned and held out her hand. "It'll be good doin' business with ya."
Speed shook her hand and watched her walk out of the door. "I'll let you know soon as there's any news." And with that he followed the teamster out the door.
"I do hope Mr. Speed can get th' circus here, would be a thing ta see! Do ya really think all that's true? 'Bout tigers an' elephants an' men no taller'n a tick?"
"Yes Tully, I believe if we are lucky enough to get that circus here, well they'll have animals a plenty most folks have never seen, except maybe in pictures." He smiled even thinking about it, "Well know inb no time, the telegraph is a wonderful thing!"
"So, what kind'a a advertisement do ya think we should do?" She was anxious to mimic some of the figures on the current ad in the paper. "Even if they don't come here, I don't mind drawin' them things. Do ya think there's someone who might have a book with better pictures? Maybe even some actual photographs?"
Seeing drawings was one thing, but being able to see photographs would be more convincing that the beasites were real, and maybe there'd even be other creatures, more exotic than the ones in the circus ad.
"Like as not I can do better drawin's from real likenesses." She grinned. "And I'd like ta see somethin' like that."
"Every town needs a newspaper."
"Advertisement? Well now, yes, we'll need to put forth advertisements, both in posters and print. So you drawing them would be wonderful, but we'll need to come by some wood cuts, of course, now if you can carve out the images, we can make our own." He said, the explained;
"A woodcut is a block of wood with an image drawn on it and carved out in relief, meaning the raised areas would be inked and printed. It would be a good deal of work, and unfortunately, new techniques are available. However, we would need to have them done in the East and shipped back to us, which might not be reach us before the event."
"There is yet another option that has been done before. The circus, in this case, prints up posters and mails them to us as soon as the dates are set. Then, all we need to do is local advertising." he smiled, using your art work."