"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
"Alright, sir, that sounds fair enough. Fact is, I hadn't thought about that, the measurements and your ability to make other suits as they are needed." Speed said as it had been some time since he had been working in New York wearing suits. It seemed like a distant experience, far removed from his life in Kalispell.
"The shoes then will present a problem. Meaning, I need to see what the Andersen's might have, if any. Or perhaps order them from some reputable firm in the east." He accepted. "Maybe we need a cobbler in this town, and I'd say a men's tailor, but Worchester, we don't need one with you available."
"Where are the snows of yesterday" - Villon
"Alright, sir, that sounds fair enough. Fact is, I hadn't thought about that, the measurements and your ability to make other suits as they are needed." Speed said.
"And think, Marshall, why just a few months ago, after your disagreeable injury, you'd lost a considerable amount of weight. Now you are back to your fighting trim. In a couple months time, and especially after the effects of married life and regular home cooking hit in, I imagine you might even be approaching my considerable girth!" he chuckled "No point having then a suit that fits you now."
"The shoes then will present a problem. Meaning, I need to see what the Andersen's might have, if any. Or perhaps order them from some reputable firm in the east." He accepted. "Maybe we need a cobbler in this town, and I'd say a men's tailor, but Worchester, we don't need one with you available."
Pettigrew frowned. It was the frown of a man who had been playing about with an idea in his head for some time; enjoying it without the attendant difficulties of actually having to go about making it come to fruition. Saying it out loud might take away that pleasure, but somehow it forced its way out and into the world anyway.
"Well, to tell you the truth, Marshall, I have been toying with the idea of opening upstairs up as a gents' tailor; or even buying up next door and knocking through. Shoes could well be part of the offerings in such a concern. I'd need help, though. I'd need a working partner or at the very least an apprentice tailor to bear some of the strain, couldn't run the two places at once."
Now the idea was out there, he warmed to his subject.
"Yes, a young feller, willing to learn the trade and, well this might sound strange, but a well set up handsome fellow who would look good in a suit. No point employing a tramp to try and sell suits - you need someone a feller's going to look at and say: by gum, I wish I looked like that!"
Judging by the sight of Jemima Wigfall, still busy sorting out the button drawer, the same requirement wasn't necessary in ladies' wear.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
"Wish I could help with that. But you know I'm sure there's got to be a young man that fills that bill here in Kalispell. As a matter of fact, I'll keep my eyes peeled for someone matching your description." Speed put forward, considering he saw a good many men during his daily rounds of the town, having one modeling Pettigrew's suits was a perfect idea.
"Yes sir, a men's tailor would be great to have here in town. I know that would cut down on the mail-order suits, but I suppose the material that would be ordered would more than make up for that loss." He smiled, "If that's it then I'll be on my way. Never know what I might turn up so far as a lad looking for a job."
"Where are the snows of yesterday" - Villon
"Wish I could help with that. But you know I'm sure there's got to be a young man that fills that bill here in Kalispell. As a matter of fact, I'll keep my eyes peeled for someone matching your description."
"I've been looking for a young man like that for some time. I thought Mr Connolly at the butcher's might fit the bill. But I fear he is happy enough wielding his chopper and serving the ladies of the town with sausage." Pettigrew replied sadly.
"Pity, he did look well in the suit I made him for his sadly unsuccessful visit with Miss Monahan at the Wentworth's. I'm afraid that we shall never see that young lady again."
"Yes sir, a men's tailor would be great to have here in town. I know that would cut down on the mail-order suits, but I suppose the material that would be ordered would more than make up for that loss." He smiled, "If that's it then I'll be on my way. Never know what I might turn up so far as a lad looking for a job."
I will thank you sincerely for any kindness you can do me in that particular direction, Marshall" Pettigrew declared happily, offering the lawman his hand.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Speed gripped the man's hand and was surprised by the firmness. "Well sir, I'm going to stop in and see Phin at the the Union office, see what he thinks about the tailor idea. I mean, he's be an ally to have going forward. Fact is, he just might be indispensable for news of the progress and advertising. Just a thought, but I believe I'll look into it."
The idea was one whose time had certainly come for the small Montana town. And, with the opening of the Copper Queen, that may well bring in people other than miners who would need the services of Mister Pettigrew and his seamstresses.
"Good day to you sir, and I'll keep you posted." Speed said in farewell as he strode to the door, opened it, quickly stepped out into the wind, and pulled the door shut behind him, light snow pelting him as he pulled up the collar on his heavy wool coat.
"Where are the snows of yesterday" - Villon
Speed gripped the man's hand and was surprised by the firmness. "Well sir, I'm going to stop in and see Phin at the the Union office, see what he thinks about the tailor idea. I mean, he's be an ally to have going forward. Fact is, he just might be indispensable for news of the progress and advertising. Just a thought, but I believe I'll look into it."
"Oh well, I would rather it did not become front page news just yet!" Pettigrew quibbled "But yes, it would be interesting to hear if Mr McVey thought it was a 'go', though, I'm sure he would forgive me for saying that he himself is not exactly a model of sartorial elegance!"
At this, the nearby Jemima snorted back an ill-suppressed chuckle.
"Good day to you sir, and I'll keep you posted." Speed said in farewell as he strode to the door, opened it, quickly stepped out into the wind, and pulled the door shut behind him, light snow pelting him as he pulled up the collar on his heavy wool coat.
Pettigrew frowned and headed back through the curtain. Jemima wondered, trying to imagine Brendan as a the frontman of a gentleman's outfitters. She tried hard, but couldn't make it work.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Speed felt a whole lot better about the suit situation. True he could have had one ordered for him, but to have it tailor made? There would be no comparison, not in material or construction, and he was positive that Alice would like it. Of course, he would be taking her there for a fitting, he wanted her to have a wedding gown that was custom made for her. She would need several dresses for business as well as his need for other suits.
On the walk back to the Marshal's Office he couldn't help but think about what Pettigrew had said about a young man that could model a suit correctly. And he realized that yes, he would be modeling a suit, but he was not what the tailor had in mind, he was not a 'young' man and that was what was wanted, if not needed. Yes, it was apparent that a younger man would fill that bill perfectly, now all he had to do was find one for Pettigrew, one he would accept.
Why Weedy came to mind was beyond him. But young Weedy would one day become a you man, but a suit? That would be one thing that time would tell. He chuckled to himself as he reached the office. Finding that there were no notes left for him, meant all was well in town, at least until things warmed up. he dropped into his chair to think a bit about who would make a good model for Worchester Pettigrew before he got on with his day.