"The suit, they say, makes the man; I say the man gives the suit life."
Monday Afternoon, May 15, 1877 Intermittent drizzles throughout the day under cloudy skies. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The afternoon stage from Fort Benton, Montana Territory, rolled into Kalispell as the afternoon light was beginning to fade. Lights were seen in almost every window of the business along Main Street, one that had no real name other than Main Street. There were a good number of people out, even in the current dismal weather. In the coach were two men of very different backgrounds: Simon Dasby, a whiskey drummer from Great Falls by way of Fort Benton.
The other, Ferdinand Lyle, a tailor by profession, of both men's and women's clothing, and a cobbler, as well. From New Orleans, Louisiana, where tradesmen of his expertise were flourishing on their name alone. Out beyond the States, most towns could use both, but it was the women who used the services of a tailor, unless they were men of means, businessmen, politicians, or gamblers. Cobblers were used by almost everyone in need of shoe and boot repairs. Newly constructed shoes and boots could be had, and they would be made to fit, unlike the selections available in most Mercantiles and general stores.
This was to be Ferdinand's first trip to the West, and he hoped that this Kalispell would be far enough to evade his recent past. Dueling, you see, was illegal, not just in Louisiana, but in most of the states and a good many Territories as well. But for the man on the run from the East, as he was, no one paid much of a mind to a new man, and if the local law had no 'paper' on him, he was fairly safe
However, a man of his talents would have still been in New Orleans if Enrique Lombardi had not become jealous of Ferdinand, thinking he was lusting after Miss Cordilia Newman when, in fact, he was making a gown for her, which meant they spent considerable time together, and that was because of the changes and alterations Miss Newman wanted. So, that led to a drunken Lombardi challenging 'Ferdi,' as he was called, to a duel publicly.
Long story short, Ferdinand was forced to select pistols, as Lombardi was far younger and a known swordsman. Yes, Ferdinand had been proficient with a blade when he was younger, but that time had passed, so on that fateful morning, standing in the drizzling rain on the field of honor, a mahogany box with two dueling flintlock pistols inside.
No one was more shocked than Ferdiand Lyle when Enrique's shot missed, and his did not. The ball pierced Lombari's chest, killing him instantly. That meant he would barely have time to pack and leave town ahead of Enrique's friends and the New Orleans authorities. And that launched a race to Texas and beyond.
Both men stepped down, Ferdinand stepping up on the boardwalk outside the Brll St. Regis Hotel. With luggage in hand, two carpet bags, and a trunk coming down and set on the hotel porch, Ferdinand Lyle stepped to the door, set down one bag to open it, picked it up, and stepped inside the hotel lobby, Mister Dasby going into the restaurant.
Ferdinand set down his bags before the registration desk and tapped the bell for the desk clerk, announcing that Ferdinand Lyle had arrived.
@JulieS
Walter was finishing with another hotel guest when the service bell rang. He made his apologies to the guest before returning to the the desk. The man standing there was dressed impeccably but it was his odd hairstyle and the way he had shaped his beard that stood out. However, being the dutiful clerk he was he chose not to ask the man about it and instead went into his usual spiel...
"Good afternoon, sir. Welcome to the Belle-St. Regis."
@ [Flip
"The suit, they say, makes the man; I say the man gives the suit life."
"Good day, sir. I will require a room, which should be obvious. I have luggage, a trunk and I have a question or two." Ferdysaid. The name is Lyle, Ferdinand Lyle, late of the city of New Orleans." He paused, thinking he probably should not have announced that, but then, would anyone really know about his duel with Enrique Lombardi, or would they care?
"Is there a men's tailor in town, or one for the women? I am a tailor for both, but presently, or should I say recently, I was among the best of men's tailors in that city. But here I am way out west, hoping there is a market for fine men's and or women's clothing. I have been known to create a shoe or two along the way." If there was a tailor in town, perhaps he could catch on with whoever that was, and in short order show him or them his talents.
The trunk contained few actual clothes of his; it contained fabric, the latest from Europe, and some fine silks from the Orient, so the trunk would be heavy. He carried the two carpet bags containing his clothing, along with two pairs of shoes. and other personal items of his. This was going to be a grand adventure, or so he hoped.
@JulieS,