"I had no idea that there was a Ladies Temperance Society out here, though I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by it. I mean they are all over the country. I had heard they had a convention over in St. Paul, Minnesota last year, and I was told it was quite large." Angie told them. If there's one here, it could be real trouble for, was it Simmons?"
"Now I heard that there was a group, the Kalispell Ladies Association. And you are right, I'm thinking, another show like that they might well burn the place to the ground with them in it!" Josiah Added.
"Oh yes, I had heard about their Ladies Association. Only certain ladies are invited to join, and certain ladies are excluded, like those at this table." Elenor stated, and then laughed. "It makes them feel superior to the rest of us, and that's alright. I mean, what have they done? Have they come forward to help with the hospital? Raise funds for the school, for the hospital, for anything worthy?
It's alright, I mean, they will do whatever it is that they decide is a worthy cause in their eyes, if anything." Leah added to the discussion.
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"They're just pissier'n a ol' polecat what lost his stink because they got no fun in life!" Addy chuckled. "Too busy darnin' socks an' warshin' diapers ta know th' joy'a muckin' stalls an' mendin' fences."
Jonah nearly spit out the food he was chewing. "Miss Addy, I declare, you are certainly the Prairie Poet! I don't know that I could have put it better myself!"
Laughter spilled out across the table. Addy had said it plain as day what most thought of these types of groups that discriminated against a certain class of people.
"I realised when I heard the names of some of the women in this association what my chances of being in evolved were," Leah said while still laughing at Addy's remarks. "How small \most of these women are, and, I wonder, what is it they plan to do for the community as a whole? Where is their outrage at the Arabella incident, which was no accident or wardrobe malfunction!"
"I doubt you'll see or hear anything about it from them on that. They are too busy looking down their collective noses at the rest of us." Elenor added.
Josiah simply shook his head in disgust at the idea of this ladies organization. He'd seen it before where ladys were gauged by their wealth or position rather than on their merits as human beings.
"From my experience, such as it is," Jonah commented, "the best course of action is just to ignore them as much as you can. Addy is right, that they have too much time on their hands, and they really want attention, so if no one pays them any mind, it will take the wind out of their sails."
"So then they just squawk louder," Addy chuckled. "But Doc's right, it'll irk 'em no end if we don't pay them no mind. 'Sides, I know I'm too busy workin' an' mindin' after Weedy ta worry 'bout what no fussy chicken's are cacklin' about!"
"They will persist and they will make themselves somewhere between relevant and a nuisance!" Josiah said p[mainly. His experiences with these kinds of organizations had never been uplifting. "But you know, if they were presented with the idea of helping out at the hospital, or this Founders Day idea, then perhaps they would change their tune a bit."
"Yes, yes, there's an idea that just might work. Instead of ignoring them, invite them to participate in some civic activity. What a grand idea!" Leah stated.
"I have seen that work before, and it's not the size of the organization that matters, but their willingness to accept such an invitation." Angie said.
"I doujbt there is anything to lose by approaching them." Elinor added. "Call their bluff!"
"Oh, cheese an' crust, don't be doin' that!" Addy blurted, "them ladies'll find all manner'a ways ta ruin anything fun. 'No bakin' contests,'" she declared in a gravely voice worthy of Grandma Miggins, "'t'ain't fair judgin' one lady's cookin' over t'other, an' no racin', too dangerous!'"
Jonah joined in her laughter. "I think she might be right, they seem to be bent on ruining any sort of frivolity. Perhaps asking for specific input is the way to approach it?"
Angie burst out laughing at Addy's imitation, "Who is this Granny Miggins? I have to meet her!" She blurted out.
"You may regret that wish, Angie. The woman is a holy terror!" Leah said.
"My God, is that woman still alive?" Elinor shrieked, "Angie, she is as onry as mamma grizzly with cubs!"
Josiah just laughed, "Reckon she's got you ladies buffaloed, alright. Now, I ain't saying the woman's not fiesty, cuz she is. And mean as can be, but there's a side of her most ain't never seen. But, maybe she'll be showin' that side of her to you, once she meets you. And, if she takes a likin' to ya. She has some ailments common to us older folks that plumb upsets her."
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"Ohhhh..." Addy grinned and raised an eyebrow, "am I sensin' someone's sweet on Granny Miggins?" She was teasing, of course, and had the notion that, when she was ancient like Granny, she would be just as grumpy and crusty. She knew that Granny had been one of the pioneers, and had gone though some tough times to get to this point. Not that it was any less fun to joke about her!
"Good heavens!" Jonah cut in, "then we'd have Josiah and Mrs. Granny Boone move in here! No doubt Mrs. Armentrout would quit and I'd have to take up the cooking! Lord help us!"
"Ohhhh..." Addy grinned and raised an eyebrow, "am I sensin' someone's sweet on Granny Miggins?"
Josiah snapped his head around, but before he could say anything,
"Good heavens!" Jonah cut in, "then we'd have Josiah and Mrs. Granny Boone move in here! No doubt Mrs. Armentrout would quit and I'd have to take up the cooking! Lord help us!"
"By the Lord Harry, that's thee most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, Danforth!" Josiah bellered. "And just one more reason I might have to cut short your engagement to the lovely Miss Steelgrave, permanently!" But it was clear he bore no ill will toward his colleague, and that what was said was all in jest. "Except, she would never forgive me, so I'll have to forego the pleasure.
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"So, now, double weddin' is it?" Grinning, Addy raised an eyebrow, enjoying poking the bear! "Make things easier, won't it? Just gotta invite folks once, make a cake an' all once..."
"Now, don't go getting ahead of ourselves, Addy," Jonah chuckled nervously. He was just getting used to the idea of getting married...not that he wasn't anxious to be officially wed to Leah, but, well, in all honesty, he'd be happy for it to just happen...Leah, her mother, justice of the peace, no pomp and fuss, just done.
"And what of you, Miss Chappel? Seems you are in the market for a good man? There's plenty come to town recently, right?"