"Ah, well, that makes more sense," Jonah agreed, "so, it's a gamble on the part of the investors." After all, if the hospital didn't turn a profit, or worse, failed, the investors wouldn't see a profit, and could well lose their money altogether. "Let's do that, then. Perhaps talk to the Pikes, maybe Marshal Guyer?" There were a few folks in town who had a good income and might be interested in helping with something that would benefit the who community.
"Is there a minimum you'd expect? Or can anyone who likes contribute a little?" It would all add up, right?
"There you go Jonah," Josiah exclaimed. "The boy's a quick study, he is. They take a risk, just like we'll be takin' a risk on this hospital, and as far as I'm concerned, they got a right to whatever dividend we can pay, and we will be able to pay a handsome dividend one day. You mark my words!"
Leah was still smiling, that was how it worked, and she should know, with all of her investments and the returns she had received. It was those investments that were building the hospital. Without them, it would still be a dream.
"I have faith in all of you with this project. It can't fail! The Territory needs it, and you all have already invested so much of yourselves into it. No, there's just no way it will fail. I am so proud of all of you." Elinor said as their dinners arrived.
"
"After all the work that's been put in, it had better not fail!" Jonah chuckled, although he was completely serious. Leah especially had put so much into this, it couldn't fail!
He raised his glass in toast. "Here's to all of Leah's successes! I'm sure they'll be many." After all, there was still the orphanage, and who knew after that? And Jonah was happy to be with her every step of the way, helping where he could, and knowing he'd learn a lot along the way, whether he wanted to or not!
"I know these won't be big money makers, but as long as the hospital can support itself, and we can continue to make improvements, we've won, right?"
"It is not about the money that either might make, it is about fulfilling a need, and not just for jusr this community, but for our little corner of the territory where both are lacking." She explained simply. "And thank you for the toast, though I have no idea what else I might do to follow this up. But whatever it is, your sentiment means the world to me."
"Young lady, what you have undertaken here should have been done by, say, a group of men with the money to invest in seeing this completed, but you have persevered when others thought you would cave in. That says something, not just for you but for Elinor here, and dare I say Elias as well," Josiah insisted. "You didn't come by that ramrod of a backbone out of a Montgomery Ward's catalog!"
"Why Josiah Boone, what a nice thing to say." Elinor declared, "Yes, you are correct, she is very much like her father, but without the greed and the hate. For that I am grateful. Even I may have contributed to the woman you see today, but she is even more different than I, much different, and I could not be prouder of her." She smiled and looked at Jonah, "You will be a part of those successes, so let's enjoy this meal and the wine and quit with this love fest!"
"Of course, and this is a fine meal!" Jonah ate, he had access to food, and never went hungry now that he had established his business here, and he was grateful for anything that filled his belly. He'd gone hungry enough in the past, so he was grateful for anything he got.
But, the food here was exceptional, and the prices reflected that. It wasn't necessarily a way he'd want to eat every day, but he was certainly going to enjoy it when it was presented.
"I must say, the food here rivals the best restaurants in St. Louis and Dodge. Kalispell is fortunate to have some great services. Once we're established as a county seat, there'll be no stopping us!" That, of course, was contingent on statehood!
Josiah laughed, "Oh, I agree, it's just where does Montana sit on the list of applicants in the halls of the U.S. Congress. That's the real issue."
Elinor also smiled at the reference, "There are a number of applicants, or so I've heard. It could be anywhere from next year to the turn of the century before we're selected. They are taking their time with this, especially after the war. Twelve years or not, it's still fresh on a lot of minds in Washington."
"Could that be the delay in the coming of the railroad, do you think?" Leah asked, her connections had said nothing about that.
"Honestly, isn't statehood inevitable?" Jonah speculated, "So I'd think that anyone speculating on bringing in a railroad would want to do it while the actual dates for statehood are unknown, because once that's announced, won't land prices go up? Especially since it's been shown that this region is suited to a rail line."
He didn't know much about land dealing, but he did know that things like railroads and proposed municipal buildings could make prices shoot up.
"It's the United States Government, Jonah. Nothing is inevitable with those folks." Josiah said distastefully. "My guess is they're still digging out from under the war debt, but if anything, yes, statehood is inevitable. My guess is maybe they will have the states all reintegrated by sometime this year if all goes well."
"Oh Josiah, you're just bitter," Leah stated.
"Hardly, I served in the Union Army as a surgeon, and then after that, I treated veterans of the conflict even after I moved west. Getting help for those boys who were fast becoming men. Oh, they authorized medical care for veterans in '65, but are they getting it?" Then he paused and took a deep breath. "Please, I sometimes get carried away about this nation's government, and the debt they owe to those boys."
"Nothing I haven't heard around town." Leah added, "You're allowed, as they all are." Then she smiled, "But becoming a state, how exciting, and yes I believe it will be soon!"
"You should be able to question the government. Everyone should," Elinor said firmly. "Things will be changing in the not to distant future. Believe me. Anyway, the food here is as good as I remember it!" Effectively changing the subject. Politics was always a sticky topic at best.
"The food is wonderful," Jonah agreed, "a fine compliment to the Lickskillet. Of course, two very different types of cuisine, but both excellent, and I think the fare here wouldn't be special if one was to eat it every day."
It was a bit of a funny idea to him, to think that he'd ever grow weary of steaks and the other amazing foods offered here, but he was certain he'd prefer the more 'home' style of food at the Lickskillet.
"What do you think," he mused, "if we can afford it, of providing complimentary care to veterans?"
Leah looked up at the statement, "Of course." She responded quickly. "I know they have a doctor out to the post, at least I believe there's one. But veterans? I don't know that they would qualify for help out there."
As far as I know, a veteran could go out there for help and likely as not get it," Josiah stated. "There's the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, but there are eleven regional campuses that provide medical care and room and board for veterans, but that's back east, so there's not really anything like that out west anywhere I know of, although I could be wrong."
"Then Jonah here has hit upon something that is needed," Elinor spoke up. "Vitally needed. Yes, it's been better than ten years since the close of the war, but wounds and injuries suffered tend to get worse with age! We can provide this care, well, you all can provide the care, Others can provide the funds."
Josiah set his fork aside and smiled. "We can apply to the Federal Government for help." He looked around at the people at the table.
