"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,
"Well, there's Worchester Pettigrew," Walter replied, "His place is here on Main Street. You can't miss the place as it's the only dressmaker here in town. Pettigrew doesn't do much in the way of gentlemen's clothing."
Leaning forward, he continued, "In fact, if you ask me, he could do with some competition...if that's what you're looking to do."
Turning the ledger around to face the man, "Now, will that be a double or single room?"
@ [Flip
"The suit, they say, makes the man; I say the man gives the suit life."
"Pettigrew, Pettigrew, hmm, seems I know that name from somewhere. Oh well, I should get settled in and perhaps get around to see him, Worcester, yes, I'm certain that I am familiar with that name, but certainly not from here." Ferdinand considered the name further. "Being from New Orleans, I am sure that I am familiar with the name. Tailors are many in that part of the country, so names are bandied about quite a bit. This should be quite an interesting visit."
With that, He signed the register with his usual flourish. A tailor's name deserved a flourish, at least as far as he was concerned, and the man could certainly deserve a nicer suit than whatever that was he had on. "So, my good man, the room? Where is it?" He wished to get settled in for the evening, perhaps a good meal as the hotel had what appeared to be a nice restaurant. Perhaps the place would suffice after all.
@JulieS
Walter's right eye twitched a little as he turned the ledger back around. He wasn't impressed with the man's signature or the man himself. He turned to the peg board that container all of the room keys.
After he picked up one, he faced Lyle again. Since the man hadn't stated which type of room he wanted, Walter decided to give him the biggest single bedroom the hotel had. The man looked like he could afford it. "Room 16," he replied, "The bathroom is just down the hall but if you want to bathe in your it will cost extra."
A polite smile appeared on his face, "The management of the Belle St-Regis hopes that you will enjoy your stay. If you require assistance, please don't hesitate to ask."
@ [Flip
"The suit, they say, makes the man; I say the man gives the suit life."
"Help with the trunk would be most appreciated. It is full of bolts of fine cloth. Tools of the trade, you see. Hard to make quality clothing without quality cloth." Ferdinand said gratefully, He was not as young as he had once been, and hoisting a trunk full of various weights of fabric was just not something he could do any longer.
"Age, the great equalizer. What could once be done. can no longer be managed. Alas, where I am at in life, but no regrets. I can hand-stitch when necessary. I do look forward to living in this town." He added with a genuine smile.
@JulieS
"The suit, they say, makes the man; I say the man gives the suit life."
He had managed with help to get himself settled in his room, trunks and all. Settled in as well as could be expected, that is. He washed up. thought about changing for dinner, then decided against it as being far too much trouble in a village this size. There was the hotel dining room to explore, but then there was also a quaint little diner just up the street. Wasn't everything either just up or just down the street?
Yes, there were cross streets and homes beyond, but not nothing like New Orleans, or St. Louis, or Savanah. No, this was the frontier, and somewhere he wanted to lose himself. Kalispell would certainly fill the bill in that respect, though he did not yet see himself as standing out, which he certainly would. So it would be the diner, there was plenty of time for the hotel dining room, and there was the tailor to look up, and there was time for both, he figured. Neither seemed to be in a hurry,
He strode up the boardwalk confident as he always was. his caine was carried, as catching it in the space between or in one of the holes in the boards might prove embarrassing should he tumble into the street, but soon enough he arrived at his destination, opening the door to the tinkle of the bell hanging above it.
@Wayfarer
@Javia
"The Law may very well 'be an ass', but a man can travel a mighty long way on an ass."
Frankly, Lewis Reeve was bamboozled. He needed a new suit and had tried his hand in the new tailor's that had opened next to Worcester Pettigrew's place. The main proprietor was laid up with 'Quinsy', apparently, but the man's two sons were there to take up the slack, and boy did they take it up. Reeve had never met such a bizarre pair.
Their manner was as odd as their looks as they measured him up.
"Oh, Sir has such an impressive inside leg!" one of the twins twittered as he ran his tape measure up a region which Reeve was not really used to having invaded by another man.
"Oh, and the shoulders.... so broad!" the other positively groaned with satisfaction as he ran his tape across the top of his back.
Now, Lewis Reeve was no gunfighter or casual brawler, but he liked to think he could hold his own in a fight and display as much bravery and phlegm as any other man in a tight spot; but he had to admit, there was something definitely scary about this situation!
He heard the bell above the door of the tailor's shop tinkle and an outsider come in. Phew! A normal person at last. He turned and beheld...
What was he beholding??? This person looked even more bizarre than the twin Pattison Forde brothers! An oddly coiffured, plump fellow in an extremely over-fashioned outfit: he looked like a figure from the stage!
"Oooooh! What a magnificent waistcoat!" one of the brothers simpered.
"Hello!" waved the other "And whom might you be? We've never seen you before, have we Pat?!"
Reeve frowned "You mean he's not... one of you fellers?"
One of the indistinguishable brothers tittered "Oh dear no, Sir does have some strange ideas!"
Then who was this odd figure?!
"The suit, they say, makes the man; I say the man gives the suit life."
"Oooooh! What a magnificent waistcoat!" one of the brothers simpered.
That caught Ferdy's attention; perhaps it was not meant for him, but perhaps it was, so he turned in the direction of the voice when another.
"Hello!" waved the other "And whom might you be? We've never seen you before, have we Pat?!"
Before Ferdy could respond another voice from the back could be heard, Thus was quite the busy shop indeed.
Reeve frowned "You mean he's not... one of you fellers?"
One of the indistinguishable brothers tittered "Oh dear no, Sir does have some strange ideas!"
"Hello! Ferdinand Lyle at your service, just arrived from New Orleans with accommodations at the hotel presently." Ferdy announced. "I am rather looking for a Mister Pettigrew, whom I believe I may know from Louisiana." He looked around the business, taking in every aspect, "I see that you gentlemen are tailors by trade, as am I, with references from clientele throughout the south as well as parts of the north, though not as many."