"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Speed Guyer finished looking through the latest circulars he had received through the mail, all six of them. Nothing new or exciting, no one anywhere close to Kalispell, even though he had the jurisdiction of the Country Sheriff since none had been elected or appointed to date.
He sat back, listening to the chair creak under his weight, protesting against his weight on the wood frame and slats. He stood, took the door key off of the peg on the wall, and started for the door. Pike was out to his ranch as there was no need for him to be in town, considering Emiline Pike's condition. Charlie Wentworth was off for the day so it was just him.
Stepping out he locked the door behind him, there was some business he had wanted to take care of and it seemed that this was the perfect time to handle it. He started up the street nodding and tipping his hat to the men and women he passed along his route. He was making part of his rounds, he would get the rest after he made a stop as he rounded the corner.
The sign read "Pettigrew & Packham Corsets." It was scripted fancy enough, and the man was well known to have the finest in fashion available, and that would be what Speed Guyer would want for one Alice Fletcher, the finest money could buy. He was not there to select anything, simply an idea of cost for the most elegant gown ever on display, even rivaling anything Leah Steelgrave owned, if that was at all possible.
He turned the white porcelain nob and stepped inside as the bell overhead tinkled to announce his presence.
"THERE'S SOMEBODY AT THE DOOR!!!"
Jemima looked up from sorting out the button drawer as the door opened and the familiar tinkling of the little bell sounded. It wouldn't be Miriam, she had stepped out for lunch and would be a little while yet. She blinked her little piggy eyes when she saw who it was.
"Good morning Marshall Guyer, may I help you?" she asked formulaically, wondering if the lawman was here to arrest her again. She assumed not, as she had been served sentence some time ago for her attempt to shoot Elias Steelgrave. She had, it must be admitted, broken most of the conditions of her release, but she was pretty sure the recuperated lawman had better things to do than chase her up about staying out after 6pm, carrying a gun, talking to members of the Redmond family and failing to pay reparations to the injured party.
To be fair, she had read out the required apology to Steelgrave, although everyone who was there had plainly seen that she'd got her fingers crossed.
Jemima assumed that the Marshall must be here in connection with his fiancé, Alice Fletcher, although she could hardy imagine the tough lawman was merely running errands for her.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
"Good morning Miss Wigfall. Nice to see you again." He greeted, "I was hoping to speak with Mister Pettigrew if he is in." It was a matter of discussing the possibility of the tailor creating a proper suit for him. He wanted to be prepared for June nuptials, and he would be bringing Alice in for a wedding gown, although, of course, he had said nothing to her as yet.
It was his feeling that he had drug this out just a bit too long, and if they were to start a family, he needed to get a move on. He was sure that the whole town was talking about the fact that they were living together out at the Rafter A, even though her father, Amos, was there as well.
"While you have not carried out the judge's orders exactly as he prescribed, you've kept yourself out of trouble, which I appreciate." He said with a smile. "You've caused me no extra work, and I allow you such freedom as you need outside of those parameters. I think this arrangement is working out quite well, so far."
"Where are the snows of yesterday" - Villon
"Good morning, Miss Wigfall. Nice to see you again." He greeted, "I was hoping to speak with Mister Pettigrew if he is in."
Had Miss Kaufmann been present, she would have politely excused herself and scurried off like a little mouse to find the owner of the emporium and quietly informed him that his presence was required. Miss Wigfall, however, stood rooted to the spot and just shouted at the top of her voice:
“MISTER PETTIGREW! MARSHALL GUYER’S HERE AN’ WANTS TO TALK TO YOU!!!!”
The volume was ear-splitting; no surprise to anyone who had ever been to the Wigfall’s boarding house – the two twins and the mother communicated in this manner all the time, no matter if one was in the cellar and the other in the attic.
Feeling she should make some conversation while they waited for the portly proprietor to make it downstairs, the ungainly, bovine girl gave forth with some scintillating conversation.
“Not arresting me again, then.”
"While you have not carried out the judge's orders exactly as he prescribed, you've kept yourself out of trouble, which I appreciate." He said with a smile. "You've caused me no extra work, and I allow you such freedom as you need outside of those parameters. I think this arrangement is working out quite well, so far."
She sniffed and shrugged.
This exchange of witty repartee was then interrupted by Mr Worcester Pettigrew himself sweeping in through the large stage-like velvet curtain that separated the front of the draper’s store from the workroom at the back where garments were actually cut and made up.
“Ahhh! Marshall, a pleasure I’m sure! And what can I help you with today?! Not here to arrest our Little Miss Hickok here, I hope!” he jested lightly, patting Jemima on her head, before pulling out a hanky with a flourish and wiping his palm.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
"Oh, heavens no, she's doing just fine. Mister Pettigrew, yes as a matter of fact you can help me. Now I realize this is a dress shop, never the less, I find I need a proper suit to be married in, and, I had high hopes that you might consent to make one for me." Odd as all of that sounded, it would be a better suit for him than one he would get through the mail. It would also be needed for meetings with his mining enterprises. Investors would expect the President of the Copper Queen Corporation to appear properly dressed.
"I will be meeting with investors, most likely the railroad, bankers, and the like with this endeavor of mine and I will need to look the part." He included in his explanation, "So you'll understand my needs, and why I came here."
"THERE'S SOMEBODY AT THE DOOR!!!"
Mr Pettigrew immediately withdrew his spectacles from his vest pocket and placed them on his nose, as if they would somehow help him better understand Mr Guyer's requirements.
"I will be meeting with investors, most likely the railroad, bankers, and the like with this endeavor of mine and I will need to look the part." He included in his explanation, "So you'll understand my needs, and why I came here."
Pettigrew nodded curtly. Mission accepted.
"Made to measure suit, suitable for nuptial and business purposes: topcoat, vest and two pair of trousers, good quality standard material, $10. I would recommend a new hat in matching tones, that would make it 12." he added, looking at the beat up tile that usually graced Speed's head. "Required by...?"
The answer made Pettigrew pull out his fob watch as if to say, 'then time is of the essence!'
He immediately gave orders.
"Miss Wigfall, the shades and closed sign please - if Miss Kaufman returns early, she must come in through the back way. Marshall, if you will kindly step into our back room and remove your outer garments, Miss Wigfall will take your measurements." he commanded airily.
Jemima traipsed back from the now locked front shop door and started to rummage around in her pinny pockets for her tape measure.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
"Well then, this will be quite the predicament, an awkward situation at best, but Miss Wigfall, I'll rely on your discretion about this matter. Wouldn't want tales of how I look in my union suit now, would we?" He asked. The idea of her seeing him without clothes, except for his long johns, just didn't sit right with him.
However, he would not be exposed, and chances were Jemima would keep the confidence. It was not like it was Arabella Mudd doing the measuring for the suit, and he would probably need more than one for business.
Material? That was the question, but then that was also Pettigrew's department. To him, it was simple, black or grey. But weight, fabric, lining, all of that he would rely on Worchester Pettigrew.
"THERE'S SOMEBODY AT THE DOOR!!!"
To Mr Pettigrew's immense satisfaction, instead of objecting, as some fellows would, Marshall Guyer look it like a man. Just as well! The master tailor and dressmaker needed to measure Guyer's body, not his current outfit. The lawman was soon denuded of his outer casements and ready for sizing up.
The main problem was Jemima, it turned out - used to measuring up women, and faced with a male of the species for the first time, she was suddenly shy, her hands trembling a little as she pulled her tape measure around Henry's rangy muscular form, chest, arms, stomach... the main sticking point came when she had to accurately measure his inside leg: kneeling before him, she only pulled the tape measure about halfway up his thigh.
Pettigrew frowned.
"All the way to the top, if you please, Miss Wigfall!" he commanded.
Jemima gulped and did as she was bid, the inevitable contact taking place. The more she tried to keep her hand steady, the more it shook and trembled. And yet it had been as solid as a rock when she'd tried to blow Steelgrave's brains out.
"Measurement please!" Wigfall asked, impatiently, of the almost hypnotised young woman.
"About six inches!" she replied agog, then collecting herself, corrected her estimate "Inside leg, 37 and a quarter inches!"
"Ahem" Pettigrew coughed as he noted down the figure. Yeah, his practiced eye had estimated that size himself, just from a cursory glance.
"You may get dressed now, Marshall, thank you." Pettigrew announced, as Jemima stood and gave her former jailer a shy smile.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
"Not the easiest task to be sure, eh Miss Wigfall? You did just fine, and I appreciate that you are use to measuring women and this was not the normal course of events for you." He said smoothly in a comforting tone.
He dressed quickly and pulled on his boots, Alice was always after him to get a pair of shoes, and maybe he should do that, what with a new suit, or two. He was still debating owning more than one.
"Mister Pettigrew, I've a question, where can I get myself a pair of shoes? I know I could order them at the Mercantile, but I wondered if there might be a cobbler nearby that would be better than mail order. And would you suggest a second suit as it might become comment to be wearing a suit more often?" He trusted the man would answer honestly about such a need.
"Where are the snows of yesterday" - Villon
"Not the easiest task to be sure, eh Miss Wigfall? You did just fine, and I appreciate that you are use to measuring women and this was not the normal course of events for you." He said smoothly in a comforting tone.
Jemima gave him a 'don't know what you're talking about!' type shrug and got back to button sorting, while Pettigrew nodded at the measurements on his notepad.
"Mister Pettigrew, I've a question, where can I get myself a pair of shoes? I know I could order them at the Mercantile, but I wondered if there might be a cobbler nearby that would be better than mail order. And would you suggest a second suit as it might become comment to be wearing a suit more often?" He trusted the man would answer honestly about such a need.
"Hmm!" Pettigrew liked being asked his opinion on matters - which is why he was looking forward to the inaugural meeting of the Town Council.
"I have a good stock of ladies' shoes of course, but nothing for gentlemen. Maybe that is a niche in the market. Mr Miller, the saddler, will fix shoes, or attempt to..." Nobody had a very high regard for Jimmy Miller's attempts to furnish leatherwork beyond equine saddlery and harness "... but for brand new I always use a fellow in Helena who has my measurements."
That reminded the rotund master of the needle and thread of Guyer's second question.
"In a similar way, as regards a second suit, I should wait and see how things go: once I have cut your pattern it will be a swift job to make you up another suit: you know my girls are very quick: Miss Wigfall and Miss Kaufmann are now quite expert in the use of the mechanical sewing machine we have in back." he informed him.