Cantrell walked onto the meeting and nodded a greeting to a few pf the townspeople he knew well. He made his way among those present and took a seat in the public area. He chose a chair closer to the council. Truth be told, Cantrell seldom attended these meetings, but Harriet had felt obligated to clue him in on what was on the agenda.
The idea of a measure outlawing the wearing of firearms in town would rationally be a fine idea and normally be something Quentin would be all for, but with the behavior and actions of the Evergreen crew and the Steelgraves in particular, Cantrell would not feel safe in town without the ability to defend himself. With a peace keeping group consisting of all of two men, Quentin did not expect nor did he depend on their ability to be everywhere at once.
Quentin settled back into his chair and he reached into a pocket, tugging out a leather holder and extracting a cigarillo. He next pulled out a lucifer and struck it alight from his boot heel. He puffed the cigarillo into life and waved the match out before he relaxed into waiting, the blue smoke drifted up as he puffed away...
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Marshal Guyer and Deputy Pike did not have far to go for the Town Council meeting, as it was just upstairs above their office. Both men realized that what they were proposing would meet some backlash, maybe a lot of backlash, but to them, it was worth the effort, even should it fail, and that was a possibility.
With Charlie Wentworth already on duty all three would be in the meeting. Charlie to keep order in the meeting, and the other two as presenters of the proposed City Ordinance. They were waiting for Phin McVay to arrive with a handful copies of the ordinance for those in the audience, and both men expected a crowd.
"Evenin' gents, ready for this? I want you to know that I fully agree with the proposal. We need to do something what with our plans for July fourth, and just about any other time as well." Phin said as he came through the door.
"Thanks Phin," Speed said. "We figure there'll be those on both sides, but it's really the Town Council that has the last word on this thing. It's just an idea, but, I can see the other side of this as well. We've got Indians, outlaws of every kind, and that does make it dangerous to be unarmed."
"Ain't like we'll wave some magical wand and all'a the foks in town'll suddenly be all for no guns on the street," Pike said with a half grin, as to him there was humor in it. "Squse me for grinnin' but if it passes, well, I get the feelin' it'll be worse than it is now, for quite a spell!"
"Best we climb then stairs and be prepared for the worst, whatever that might be. Have to agree Pike, we'll be arresting people over this til Christmas!"
"Every town needs a newspaper."
"I had published an issue attacking you, gents. I have withdrawn it after reconsidering, believing I was being unfair to you and to Kalispell. The folks here will make the right choice for Kalispell." Phin confessed. "Now I want you men to know, I meant no ill will, but you know that I am very capable of writing without thinking, and sensationalizing the most trivial of things. Just wanted to get that off my chest."
Speed stopped, as did Pike. He turned and looked at the newspaper publisher. Phin, it took some salt to admit something we may not have known about. Let me thank you, then, for the courage to admit it."
"Ya know Phin, folks find out you done that in favor of the truth of the situation, well, maybe you'll be selling a batch more of them papers of yers." Pikle added. "So let's just see what the pleasure of Kalispell is on this matter." And with that, they finished the climb and stepped to the open doors of the meeting room.
