"You plan away, Miss Fletcher" Wus nodded "But let your father pay. It's not the money, so much, but his reputation... you wouldn't want folks saying 'he didn't even pay for his daughter's wedding' now, would you?" the fat man counselled.
"I would imagine that you are right, Mister Pettigrew. There would be no sense in having my father embarrassed by my paying for my own wedding. But then now is not the time to fight that battle." Alice reflected, and then she laid out the idea which had just come to her.
"Why not? It's really just a matter of co-ordination and tact. I mean, if you were to pick out a canary yellow wedding dress design with pink polka-dots, it would be my solemn duty to steer you away from such an obnoxious idea, but in such a way that you didn't feel you'd been strong-armed by your dressmaker. You see the conundrum. If you think that you have tact enough for such work, the business could well be a go" he ruminated.
She chuckled, "Why Mister Pettigrfew, was I dressed in one of your gowns at my own affair, and perhaps one or two of your dresses, I could sell the idea of proper weddings with all the amenities and everything taken care of except the ceremony itself. Could this be something that could catch on? Would it be possible to establish such a business in this town and its surrounding areas? I believe so!" She smiled.
"Now I know that the number of weddings is limited by the number of people who become engaged. After all, maybe we have two or three a year currently, and that could change, and likely will with the arrival of the railroad. I believe that this could make for a good part-time business. Don't you agree? Kalispell, the place to come for your wedding."
"Where are the snows of yesterday" - Villon
"Now I know that the number of weddings is limited by the number of people who become engaged. After all, maybe we have two or three a year currently, and that could change, and likely will with the arrival of the railroad. I believe that this could make for a good part-time business. Don't you agree? Kalispell, the place to come for your wedding."
"In my experience, Miss Fletcher, and if you will forgive my indelicacy in mentioning it, wedding are very often the consequence of something else. You're will be the first wedding dress that I have made in sometime where I didn't have to leave a little extra 'room in front' as it were." he said coyly.
"Now, just you watch... 4th July dance... I reckon we'll have a spate of weddings along about October time."
"Now, just you watch... 4th July dance... I reckon we'll have a spate of weddings along about October time."
"A spate of weddings? Yes, I suppose you are right about that." Alice agreed, allowing a coy smile. "The dance, and then there are those couples who either have not seen one another for some time due to distance, but those who meet fatefully for the first time, and things get carried away, but then those results can vary as to where they live, if the man doesn't ride on as some do."
All of that was true, and her idea was perhaps ahead of its time, but she instantly saw that there could be a need for such a service, even if such a service were to be seldom used, at least for some time. She could see the possibilities for the near future. And it would be a help to Mister Pettigrew when it was needed. Not only that, she would be able to build a list of those who could be a part of the planning for the event, including meals, if they were to be included. She knew that for weddings in the East and parts of the Midwest, there were dinners and even luncheons for the wedding party.
"I know that we are about as backwoods as a town can get, but I believe that we could create something memorable for couples that wish to get married, and not just a quick ceremony upstairs at the Municipal Building. That's such a terrible name, at least I think it is. Maybe it should be something like the Kalispell Courthouse, or have it named after whoever founded this town. Anyway, I want to give this a shot. I believe I can do it, I just need a list of folks you'd recommend."
"Where are the snows of yesterday" - Villon
"Miss Wigfall - my tablet and pencil!" commanded Worchester, with all the imperious magnificence of Richard the Lionheart summoning his sword and shield before going into the battle.
These items supplied, he began to speak, scribbling down each name as he annunciated it:
Religious celebrant:
The reverent Pastor Gideon Evans for the Methodists and not-particulars
Mr Woodcock of Butte for the Baptists
Father Ignatius from the Lake Mission for the Catholics
Dresses for Bride and Bridesmaids and Matrons of Honor - Mr Worcester Pettigrew
Gents outfits and shoes - Patterson Forde & Partners
Wedding breakfasts: Mrs Jacob Lutz; Mr Albrecht at the Hotel, or Mrs Wigfall by arrangement with a private venue.
Flowers: Mrs Warbouys.
Hairs stylist: Miss Sally Cutts, c/o Stardust Saloon
Rings: Mister Forde Patterson Forde Jr. has some knowledge and experience in this area but a really fine ring would require sending from Helena [cont. over page]
Music: Religious: Miss A.S. Mudd, c/o White Rose Theater
For a Wedding Dance: Miss F. Grimes, c/o Christian Women's Refuge.
Honeymoon Travel: the old Milligan Stage line (under new management - not sure of name)
He looked up.
"Can you think of any other requirements, Miss Fletcher?" he asked.
"I don't thinkm so, this is a very complete list. I mean, I had no idea there were this many people that could be a part of such an enterprise!" She was in awe of the number of people who could be a part of this endeavour. No wonder Pettigrew did not want to be bothered with all of this extra preparation, which had nothing to do with the making of the gowns.
"Alright then, now I believe I am ready to look at some of your gowns, if you have drawings available to look at, which I assume you do. Mister Guyer does not know it as yet, but this is going to be a big wedding. Now I know that the wedding is all about the bride, but this one will be all about him and me."
She had money, her money, and she was suddenly going to have a wedding that would set Kalispell on its ear, after all, he was their Marshal, and she was the woman that caught him. That called for pulling out all the stops.
"So, let's get started!" She said.
"Where are the snows of yesterday" - Villon
"Miss Wigfall, the folio!" ordered Wus, and the bovine skivvy was soon approaching them bearing a large folder. The proprietor of the dress shop took it and commanded Jemima to take up position behind the counter again. Miss Fletcher he led behind the velvet curtain that separated the two worlds of front and back of house and up some stairs to a comfortable sitting room, the inner sanctum where only those actually commissioning a bespoke garment were ever invited.
Wus indicated a comfortable but straight backed chair next to an occasional table large enough to house the opened portfolio.
"A glass of Madeira, before we start deliberations, Miss Fletcher?" he asked in courtly fashion.
If, gentle reader, you are concerned and shocked that our heroine is alone with a gentleman unchaperoned, and who, even worse, is offering her distilled spirits, we can only reassure you that Mr Pettigrew's tastes did not run to members of the fairer sex and that he would anyway, in due course, have the dear young woman wearing next-to-nothing in his fitting room as he took her exact measurements.
"I'm sorry, sir, I am not a wine drinker." She refused pleasantly, and the truth was, she did not imbibe. The fact was, Alice Flketcher just wasn't a drinker; she tried it more than once, only to realize she simply did not like the taste of anything alcoholic, while Speed may have the occasional beer, usually stopping at the saloon whenever he felt the urge.
I am excited to see what you would consider for me, and from what I have heard, your work is impeccable, and since I have made the decision to have a first-class wedding to a first-class man, I need a first-class gown by the best in the Territory, at least, that's what I've been told. I suppose that Leah Steegrave has one or two of your creations, and Anæsthesia Orr, of course. " A case of the nerves had her in its grasp.
Alice had never in her life had a gown or a custom-made dress, nor had she ever had the money to afford one, but the mine had been delivering profits with regularity, not perhaps what it would deliver, but enough over the last few months that they had a tidy sum in each of their accounts. Speed had insisted they each had an account at the bank. Now, the Pikes were busy trying to use those profits they had garnered for improvements around town.
"I will trust your judgement, Mister Pettigrew." She said.
"Where are the snows of yesterday" - Villon
"I suppose that Leah Steegrave has one or two of your creations, and Anæsthesia Orr, of course." A case of the nerves had her in its grasp.
A conflicting series of emotions cast their shadow on Wus's phiz.
"Ahem, Miss Steelgrave has formally had her dresses made in Helena, but has promised me her next commission..." but, remembering their conversation in the Town Council meeting, wanted to add, 'but only because she wanted something from me!' "As for Miss Orr, I make them for her, but she designs them herself..." which explained why the girl swanned around town looking like a pink and white, very sickly and sweet, wedding cake!
"If you wish to see my true art, you might observe Miss Mudd. I know the girl is a little bit...erm... well... but I design and create all of her clothes now, she provides a sort of ambulatory advertisement for my craft, you understand. In fact, once we have the first rough cut of your dress made up, I'll have her in to model it for you - you have similar figures." he said.
"I will trust your judgement, Mister Pettigrew." She said.
"You are a wise young Lady, Miss Fletcher" he responded as he lay out some of the latest fashion plates from Paris on the occasional table.
"I want a dress that is well, a dress with class, but also a dress that would not embarrass Speed or me, and one that would do you and tie town justice. We are growing and becoming a place that people who'll be setting here, doing business here." She smiled. I know that the Marshall may not be the Marshal by then, but he is also a mine owner and a business owner here in town, so every bit helps with the appearance of the place."
Kalispell might have a ways to go yet, but the railroad was supposedly on its way, and attracting businesses was only a part of what was happening. "And with the hospital, and then the orphanage coming perhaps by next year, there will be a lot going on here. There will surely be people of means moving in here, don't you think?" She asked.
"Where are the snows of yesterday" - Villon
"I want a dress that is well, a dress with class, but also a dress that would not embarrass Speed or me, and one that would do you and the town justice. We are growing and becoming a place that people who'll be setting here, doing business here." She smiled. I know that the Marshall may not be the Marshal by then, but he is also a mine owner and a business owner here in town, so every bit helps with the appearance of the place."
Wus nodded politely. The woman seemed easily to get distracted from the all important subject of her wedding dress to a general discursion on her husband-to-be's standing in the community.
... "And with the hospital, and then the orphanage coming perhaps by next year, there will be a lot going on here. There will surely be people of means moving in here, don't you think?" She asked.
"Er, yes, er, now then... about the sleeves... as you can see, these match the pleated ruffles on the skirts of the dress and add a certain symmetry..." he rumbled on.
There was a knock on the door and from without came an light voice with a southern drawl as long as Mr Pettigrew's.
"Aw yooo-hooo? Mr P.? Miss Fletcher? May I intrude?"
The door cracked open and the elfin face of Miss Arabella Mudd peeped in.
