Addy nodded slowly, mulling it over, then shrugged. "Not sure how that works? Ya give me some money an' then what?" She grinned. "Yer gonna want it back, right?" How that was accomplished, she didn't know.
"Oh, I may be the least qualified here, but let me say that I do understand the process as my father explained it to me on a project of his that required investors." Angie admitted,
"And that is where I can be helpful, as can Leah. Investors are what we need to see this project through. Now, People invest money into a project, which is the practice of purchasing assets, such as stocks or bonds, with the expectation that those assets will earn income and or increase in value over time. Now the assets would be the wagons and horses, or property that you might purchase for a barn, that sort of thing.: Elinor explained.
We might issue stock in your company," Leah began
"Company? What company is this?" Josiah askedas he, Jonah, and Weedy reentered the room. "What happened while we were gone?"
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Addy glanced over as the gents came back into the room. "We're just talkin' about my freightin' business," she explained, a bit uncomfortably, confused about all the talk of investors and stock and whatnot. "I'll be gettin' more business, what with Speed's mine, an' th' lumber mill, an' how I can..." she shrugged. "Get help buyin' wagons an' horses." She didn't mention that she didn't understand a lick of the proper stuff!
"Expanding enterprises," Jonah said as he settled into a chair beside Leah, "always a good investment, and I'm sure you'll do well, Miss Chappel, especially with the likes of the Ladies Steelegrave assisting you." He might consider investing, but he was barely getting by as it was, and he doubted that chickens and jam could buy horses or wagons!
"That is exactly what we were discussing. Mother and I had discussed helping out, and Angie here was willing to help as well." Leah said with a smile as the men settled in, which includedWeedy, though there was no telling how much of the talk he would comprehend. They knew that Addy would require some help and understanding, but both Elinor and Leah were pretty sure the woman was a quick learner. Investing was at times difficult to comprehend, but it did have a simpler side as well.
"So then what I'm hearing is that our favorite teamster hjas a growing business, and needs some assistance to make her business more profitable? Is that the gist of it?" Josiah asked, already sure of the answer. "You know, I was set on retiring next year, but now that the hospital is a reality, I believe I have a few more good years of service, so I'd be real interested in investing in your company, Addy."
What in the dickens was going on here? Talk of investing in Addy Chappel's business venture started by the women? Not that the women at the table were not qualified to discuss such things, especially not the Steelgrave women; Lord knows they were well versed in the world of investments. Both were well off because of it. Yes, both had learned the tricks of the trade from Elias Steelgrave, who was no slouch when it came to investing. Josiah was thinking to himself.
He had capital tucked away, money from his own endeavours in investing, and yes, he felt certain he would be working at what was about to be known as Kalispell Regional Hospital, until no longer could, so, what better thing to do than invest in the future of Kalispell, Montana. But he was also thinking that something was missing in this plan of theirs. And that was the need for the formation of a corporation to protect the Chapple Freight Company, or whatever she was going to call it. Then, too, perhaps one for the hospital. They would need an attorney for that. A good one!
He listened to the banter about investing in Addy's venture that was a surefire success already, not to mention the new contracts that would expect service after the thaw, as Northern Montana was not out of the woods yet, as Mother Nature could blow in a blizzard at any moment, just because she hadn't was no reason to think she wouldn't!
There was a young man in town, Lewis Reeve, an attorney. Harriet Mercer, who had a practice, had not been in town for some time, so Mister Reeve would be a start. Of course, he could always prevail upon Dutton Peabody if all else failed. Just a thought.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
"I'd be happy fer yer help," Addy told Jonah. She trusted him most, since he was old and wise, so it put the whole notion of investors at ease. Still, she didn't understand how it worked. She'd been seeing to business for some years now, keeping track of transactions in her head, putting money in the bank, taking out what she needed.
But that was when it was just her, with regular clients, getting paid as she worked. But things were changing, and she knew she'd need help to keep everything in order. And she reckoned that, if it didn't work out, she could just go back to one wagon, the way it had been.
But then, what about any 'investors'? Would she have to keep things the way they were, even if they weren't working out?
"Reckon we've got plenty ta discuss when we get together fer lunch," she commented to Leah and Elinor, then to Josiah. "We're havin' a meetin' at th' Lickskillet ta talk about such things, an' yer invited, if you've a mind."
"A meeting would be a good first step in this process. Yes sir, a meeting with notes taken so we know what was agreed to, and some of what was said." The resident senior medical man agreed.
"Exactly," Elinor stated. "With everything on paper as we go along. We'll be able to sort it all out, and everyone involved will know where everything stands."
"Then we can get everyone together again, and open up the investing locally, before it goes out beyond Kalispell," Leah explained. "Not to leave anyone out, but of us all, I do believe that Mother and I are well versed in investing and investments." Which would ring true, even though Josiah Boone had made some investments, and most likely Jonah Danforth as well.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
...beyond Kalispell? What did that mean?
"I truly do think that's a good idea," Addy agreed, more perplexed than ever over the whole thing, and having second thoughts. She just wanted to run her wagons and freight, and save money for Weedy to go to a proper college some day. All this talk of investors and whatnot was taking the enjoyment out of it, but first she'd listen to what they had to say on it.
"Weedy can join us, take notes," she added, since she certainly wasn't skilled enough at her letters to do that sort of writing.
"Sure thing!" the boy piped up, excited for any excuse to get out of school!
"It sounds like a good idea," Jonah pitched in, "making sure you have everything laid out before getting too far into things. But I think you've got the beginnings of a great business here, a good chance for profit." He figured the poor woman needed some encouragement!
"Believe me, Addy, this is more than a good idea. This will be you and Weedy's future all rolled into one, and we'll be there every step of the way." Leah promised. "We will find the best of the best to show us the way, not that we are not experienced, because we are."
"We know the ins and outs of investing, we know when to take profits and invest them to create a steady income for you both. As investors in your company, it is in our best interest to make sure all of this is done right." Elinor said in support of Leah's statements.
"As Jonah here said, you've got the beginnings of a great company. And we do want to make sure it grows and is profitable." Josiah pointed out. "So when do we want to meet at the lickskillet?"
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Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
At least Addy trusted all these people. Well, maybe not Elinor so much, because she didn't really know the woman, but as part of this group, she was willing to listen to her thoughts.
"Reckon tomorrow's a good time fer me," Addy commented, "got a couple'a jobs in th' mornin', but after that...how about once school's out, so Weedy can join us?" She gave the boy a wink. "Can't never learn business too early, right?"
Weedy's nose wrinkled up in distaste, but then, he might learn something useful, and he'd certainly get some of Clara's yummy apple pie!
"Well then, I'd say tomorrow after school is fine," Leah said, smiling, "and to have Weedy as our official scribe? That is so much the better!"
"Here here!" Echoed Josiah, slapping his knee in celebration of Weedy's inclusion. It would do the boy good, was his thinking. "Make it a real job with pay for his work, maybe, oh, say twenty-five cents a week?"
"A fair amount I'd say." Angie added in support of the lad.
"Yes, I agree." Elinore agreed, echoing support for Weedy. "ASo long as Addy agrees, that is."
