"I would think we need to have the hospital open and in use before we go looking for funding, I mean, we need to be viable from the start. We can manage, I have invested very well, and if I have to foot the bill until it can stand on its own, I will, so really, there's no rush to go. Maybe mid-July, the weather is far more predictable then."
Josiah smiled, "Sound thinking, though I think a wire to Preabody to feel out the situation wouldn't be a bad idea if the rascal is still employed there."
"You have a point, Josiah, and say, wasn't the governor all in favor of this orphanage you have planned?" Elinor asked. "I will definitely be going along, they need to take some responsibility for what is being done here. Territorial hospital says they have some ownership in this."
"Ain't ya gonna have a big shindig when ya open th' place?" Addy asked. "Ought ya not ta have th' papers here? I mean, more'n just th' Kalispell Union...bigger papers, an' dignitaries an' whatnot? That'd be a good start ta showin' th' place off."
"Oh, and if the time is right," Weedy added, grinning, "you can invite them to the circus, that will make them happy!"
"Indeed," Josiah agreed, "put them in a good, generous mood! But do you think we can have it ready to be open by then?" It would certainly give the coffers a boost if they could have the hospital open amidst a town celebration!
"Oh yes, we are ahead of schedule at this point, the boys helped get the trusses up, which helped a lot, the ground floor is done, I believe," Leah said.
"Getting the dignitaries here might be quite the trick," Elenor advised, "You'll see when you go to Helena, it's no easy trip for them. Was the train already here? Well, that would be different. And Weedy here had a great idea, invite them to this Founders Day celebration, and roll the grand opening of the hospital into it."
Josiah smiled, "That's the ticket, the whole sheebang all at once. There'll be folks from all around here for the circus, throw in the governor and his entourage, that would set them on their ear alright!"
"And that gives us all of June to get it finished and ready." Leah beamed.
"Ample time, so long as the weather doesn't turn bad," Jonah declared confidently, although he really had no idea abut such things, besides measuring what he thought was left to do against what they had accomplished thus far.
"Won't hurt ta invite some'a them big-wigs to th' big celebration," Addy put in, "worst they can do is turn us down, but us just makin' th' askin' will put Kalispell in their pretty little heads!" And that could do as much good as actually having those dignitaries show up.
Angie sat back listening to what was being said around the table. It seemed as though she had arrived just in time. Having the Governor of the Territory invited, and done personally, that would be a real feather in the hospital's cap. It was good to be back around Josiah again, and these new acquaintances; she was beginning to take a real shine to them.
A circus, out here? There were people involved who had a genuine devotion to this community, as it seemed that it would be a lot of work. She wondered what else was planned for that event.
Josiah watched her, knowing she would be listening and watching to see where she fit in with the rest of the staff and their friends. It was her first day, after all. "Angbie, you've arrived at the right time, with the hospital opening, and this Founders Day Celebration, which is going to be a big deal, or so I'm told. Addy here had some input into the idea, and it promises to be the biggest county fair ever seen in the territory. Ever!" He exclaimed, "Ain't that right, Addy?"
"The Marshal's working on it with the newspaper editor, his reporter, and a waif who came up with the idea." Leah cut in, proud of her town and those who pushed the idea for the circus and the rest of the event around it, "And you are right, Jonah, there is ample time for us to make that trip and talk with Governor Houser."
"So we can make proper plans, rather than hasty ones," Jonah said, a bit relieved that there was 'time' so the trip could be planned, and all the better if some of the dignitaries came to them. Even so, as the idea of going to Helena started to sink in, the more appealing it became...getting away from this backwater and experience some real culture, and not the drivel that Arabella Mudd considered class. Wouldn't it be something to take Leah to the opera, or even a proper play? Maybe Shakespeare or Johnson?
"Seems our hospital will serve many purposes, and be all the more reason to consider Kalispell for the territorial seat."
"That'd just bring too much civilization," Addy grumbled, shaking her head. "Regulations an' whatnot, next thing ya know, they'll be takin' our guns at th' edge of town!"
"Civilization will come whether we have a hospital or not, and then they will build one." Josiah pointed out.
"He's right, you know. That was what happened with Chicago, and it keeps growing," Angie piped up, "and those regulations and laws will follow in short order. And you'll need them, Addy, just to try and keep order. But, that will be a long way off."
"Quite a ways off." Elenor stated, "Kalispell is still a small town, the railroad will have an effect, and there will be growth because of it." Leah put forth, "I doubt that we will ever be a large city. Remember, all things change over time. Mines fail, ranches, businesses, they fail like everything else." She giggled, "But there are all of those things that prosper and are a strong part of the community. But change things will."
"I think this trip to Helena will show us what city life is like, and what we want to do differently." She went on, "And how we can keep this a small town even with growth and change. It will come, regardless."
"You do have a good point," Jonah agreed, "about all the boom towns that have dwindled away once the main commodity played out, and if we can develop other things here to maintain the community." He wasn't sure what that might be, but he was good at coming up with ideas, but not so good at figuring out how to implement them.
"Oh, well, we do have Miss Arabeller Mudd an' her fantastical Bible story plays," Addy commented with a grin, "fit fer all who want some culture." She looked pointedly at Weedy, whose cheeks went bright red as he about slid under the table!
"Arabella Mudd? Are you serious? Is that an attraction that would bring people or run them off?" Leah wanted to know.
Elenor looked at Addy, "You mean they actually allow that child to perform Bible Story plays? What does the Reverend Evans have to say about this?"
"I'm afraid they do," Josiah admitted reluctantly. "And the Reverend? I have heard nothing as yet, but I can say that the last performance was what has been called an outrage."
"An outrage doesn't begin to cover it!" Leah added.
Addy chuckled as Weedy's cheeks darkened. "Way I heard it, she come struttin' out as Eve in nothin' but a fig leaf...without th' leaf! Claimed it was a mistake, she was supposed ta be in some sort'a body-colored union suit or somethin', 'stead'a all nikked like that."
Shaking her head, she looked toward Weedy again. "Can't imagine what that must'a been like for good, God-fearin' people ta see a brazen hussy like that!"
"I did hear that it caused quite the scandal," Jonah commented, not quite sure what Addy's glances at Weedy meant, "but she has allegedly declared it won't happen again. But with Miss Mudd...there's no telling." He chuckled. "Brings some flare to our little town, no doubt on that!"