"Where are the snows of yesterday" - Villon
"The town sounds ripe for growth, and perhaps a higher class of people looking to have the finer things that you and these Patterson Forde folk can produce."
"Well, we have to cater for everybody, high and low, rich and poor. The cost of the materials might vary, but I like to think that the quality of the workmanship does not." countered Wus.
"... A lot better than 'off the rack' things from the Mercantile or the General Store. Nothing wrong with mass-produced clothing, certainly not, but quality clothing with exact fit cannot be beat, at least as far as I am concerned." Then again, what would you expect from a tailor?
The other man nodded his agreement.
"Without a bootmaker, it would seem that a man of my talents could ease right in to a position. Of course, I much prefer men's furnishings, but, given the situation with the brothers over there, I'm not quite sure I'd fit in. Perhaps bringing elite footwear to the natives is my destiny. I mean, they could certainly use my talents. Wouldn't you say, Wus?"
"Yes, they are a certainly quaint bunch next door, but the Mother is a sound businesswoman - I'm sure a mutually beneficial arrangement could be reached..."
Pettigrew was more than a little intrigued as to why the famous Ferdinand Lyle (well, famous within Louisiana tailoring circles, that is!) had fished up in this out of the way spot.
"I don't imagine you have your tools with you..." Wus started.
"I do have my tools along, just in case something like this came along. But, is the current equipment the Patterson Forde's property, and do you suppose they might want to sell? I mean, I'd like a day or so to consider it, and of course, there would be the rent. I'm not inclined to toe anyone's line. Gentlemen like you and I certainly need to have our creative freedom."
It sounded more and more like Lyle had come here with the express purpose of finding work.
"It seems clear... you rent the workshop, they and I point customers in your direction. As for living quarters: the hotel is too dear, Jemima, has your mother any space? Jemima's mother runs a comfortable boarding house just opposite: good food, and plenty of it." he suggested.
Jemima glanced up at Lyle's rotund form.
"Guess you'd be wantin' a downstairs room?" she asked: she couldn't imagine him wanting to climb a lot of stairs.
"The suit, they say, makes the man; I say the man gives the suit life."
"You know, Wus, I left New Orleans in a rush, but I have my tools, clothes, and a trunk full of material. I only ask about buying those left behind in the event there was a debt owed or sum such." Ferdy said, "And whether or not there was or is a position open, looking for that position depended on whether you were the Wus I know. And, viola, you are." He laughed heartily. They had been competitors, but they were also friends.
"To explain, you would remember Enrique Lombardi? His fiancée, Miss Cordilia Newman? He accused me of lusting after her, how ludicrous! He would not listen to common sense and challenged me publicly to a duel. Long story short, his shot missed; mine, unfortunately for him, did not. So, here I am, standing in your parlor, old friend." He was quick to relate. The job was not all that important; he was quite capable of finding and opening his own shop, but there were already too many tailors, but a shoe maker? Now, that would be needed for repairs as well as making new boots and shoes, both men's and women's.
"Where are the snows of yesterday" - Villon
"To explain, you would remember Enrique Lombardi?"
"Indeed I do! A jealous Italian of passionate whims, as I recall." Wus replied, pretty sure which way this story was heading.
"His fiancée, Miss Cordilia Newman?"
"For many years, indeed. They still not married then? I'm not surprised, he was always accusing her of dilly dallying with other fellows" Wus recalled.
"He accused me of lusting after her, how ludicrous! He would not listen to common sense and challenged me publicly to a duel. Long story short, his shot missed"
Wus was not so much surprised at the idea of Ferdy philandering, even with as shopworn a piece of goods as Cuddly Cordy Newman, or at the fact that the hot tempered Italian challenged Lyle according to the Code Duello, no - the surprise was that he had missed! After all, Lyle was a pretty large target.
"... mine, unfortunately for him, did not. So, here I am, standing in your parlor, old friend."
Pettigrew frowned and looked about.
"Then where, pray, is Miss Newman? Or is it Mrs Lyle now?" he asked plaintively; after all, it was rather bad sportsmanship to shoot a girl's fiancée and then not marry her yourself. Maybe Ferdinand had left her back at the hotel.
"The suit, they say, makes the man; I say the man gives the suit life."
"Ah yes, Miss Cordilia Newman, it remains that still. There was nothing between us other than a dalliance, perhaps two years ago, but I could not abide the woman as a marital partner." Ferdy said, making a face as if he had just bitten into something bitter. "She is more the peacock than I am, and I would be doing nothing but constructing gowns for her. Horrid thought, her as my wife, but I fled my beloved Crescent City, as I would have been arrested and hanged, if not tracked down and murdered by his friends, who, needless to as, were outraged by my accidental victory."
"So then, how is the law in these parts? Hopefully, I have not leaped from the frying pan into the fire. I have no intention of decorating any of the local trees over this situation." He added. Dueling should be legal in his estimation, but that was not how it was. So long as the wrong ears, if there was such a thing, did not take in his crime to share with the populace of Kalispell.
"Where are the snows of yesterday" - Villon
Wus listened with interest and no little relief as Ferdy recounted how he escaped both a vengeful posse and, more importantly, the hand in marriage of Cordilia Newman. He only hoped the woman didn't follow him here.
"So then, how is the law in these parts? Hopefully, I have not leaped from the frying pan into the fire. I have no intention of decorating any of the local trees over this situation." He added.
Wus chuckled. "Oh, you are pretty safe, here. The old Marshal and Deputy, both very good at their jobs, but not particularly interested in doing Crescent City's lawmen's jobs for them. I...er... presume there are not wanted posters about or a price on your head, like that Tom Love fellow?" he said, referencing the well known road agent who had been seen in these parts of late.
"Anyway, they are supposedly being replaced by some new fellow, one Valentine Caine, of whom we see neither hide nor hair. Still, I should keep you true reasons for leaving Crescent City shady, if I were you. Please feel free to tell people that you came to Kalispell because I invited you, for surely, had I thought of the thing, I should have!" Pettigrew offered genially.
"The suit, they say, makes the man; I say the man gives the suit life."
Ferdy smiled at Wus's offer, "You know, that is a real possibility, you inviting me here to help make shoes and to help make suits or dresses. Yes, that would work out just fine. I have no idea if anyone is looking for me other than his friends. If he actually had any to start with. And Cordilia? Hopefully, she has found a new interest." He liked the idea of it all, the job would be good, and he and Wus had a rapport; these other folks? That would have to develop.
"I had not actually planned on invading your business, but there is a need. Yes. And, I have the talent to help in any way that you might find need of my talents. I'll need to earn my keep, my funds won't last forever." He had paper and coin and wondered about the paper money this far from the 'states.' There was a bank, he had seen it. He would need to see about this.
"Where are the snows of yesterday" - Villon
"... And Cordilia? Hopefully, she has found a new interest."
Wus wondered. He wasn't interested in women that way, but after working for and with the female sex for decades, he knew women. And he knew women like Cordilia Newman: she was the type to be fantastically thrilled by two men fighting over her... killing over her! Despite Ferdy's rather odd looks, she might well have developed a perverse passion for the man. The foppish Mr Lyle might to well to hire some lad to keep an eye on the stagecoach arrivals over the next few weeks!
"I had not actually planned on invading your business, but there is a need. Yes. And, I have the talent to help in any way that you might find need of my talents. I'll need to earn my keep, my funds won't last forever." He had paper and coin and wondered about the paper money this far from the 'states.' There was a bank, he had seen it. He would need to see about this.
"Well, I dare say there will be a certain amount of piece work until something more permanent can be settled" Wus opined. Neither of them knew that Miss Wigfall, busy behind the Singer, would soon be running away with the circus, leaving Pettigrew short handed.
"But first we must get you out of that ruinously expensive Hotel! Jemima, take Mr Lyle here over to see you mother will you?" he turned to Ferdy "Oh, er, if that idea pleases you? Then we shall repair to the Diner for a light lunch, my treat, of course!" he smiled.
The pair of them, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, looked like they'd never had a light lunch in their lives!
"The suit, they say, makes the man; I say the man gives the suit life."
"Yes, and that was where I had intended to go. I realize the dining room at the hotel. I do like the name, 'Belle St. Regis,' reminiscent of our Crescent City, don't you think? Though Lickskillet, now that begs to be tried. I would imagine it it is good just from the name alone." Ferdy said and then went on, "Paper money from the States? It was good in Helena, and in other places I used it along the way. Oh, it is just sooo good to be here and done with traveling, at least for now. I mean, who knows what's next?" Tangentiality, it has been called, and Ferdinand Lyle suffered from it on occasion.
"But first we must get you out of that ruinously expensive Hotel! Jemima, take Mr Lyle here over to see you mother will you?" he turned to Ferdy "Oh, er, if that idea pleases you? Then we shall repair to the Diner for a light lunch, my treat, of course!" he smiled.
"Oh, gracious me, yes! That would be splendid, and this boarding house might be just the thing, you know. So long as they have accommodations for me, that will be splendid. Of course, depending on what happens, I could either move into one of these businesses or perhaps open a shop of my own to dabble in a bit of everything." He said, considering all of the options of the moment that might be available to him. "The hotel is trendy to say the least, and well-appointed, but also a strain on one's budget."
"Where are the snows of yesterday" - Villon
"Yes, and that was where I had intended to go. I realize the dining room at the hotel. I do like the name, 'Belle St. Regis,' reminiscent of our Crescent City, don't you think? Though Lickskillet, now that begs to be tried. I would imagine it it is good just from the name alone." Ferdy said.
"It's mighty fine eating" confirmed Wus "And girl who waits on is mighty obliging. The girl who runs the place can be a little frosty, but she's usually in the back cooking"
Wus encouraged Ferdinand to check out the Wigfalls' boarding house first, though.
"Oh, gracious me, yes! That would be splendid, and this boarding house might be just the thing, you know. So long as they have accommodations for me, that will be splendid. Of course, depending on what happens, I could either move into one of these businesses or perhaps open a shop of my own to dabble in a bit of everything." He said, considering all of the options of the moment that might be available to him.
Jemima was up now, her beady little eyes fixed on Lyle as he babbled away.
"The hotel is trendy to say the least, and well-appointed, but also a strain on one's budget."
"My Ma aims to give value for money" Jemima thought she'd better big up the family business. "If you like it I'll help you move your traps from the Hotel" she added flatly. It probably didn't sound like much of an offer, but then Mr Lyle hadn't seen the muscular young woman in action.
"Very good, I shall see you at the Lickskillet in precisely one hour!" beamed Wus, pulling out an oversized 'hunter' from his vest pocket and popping up its lid to display the watch face.
As they trudged across the broad main street of Kalispell toward the boarding house, Jemima looked up at Lyle and asked, in that deadpan voice of hers, "Are you related to Mr Pettigrew? You look like him" Or maybe all men from New Orleans were big fat and ginger.
"The suit, they say, makes the man; I say the man gives the suit life."
"My Ma aims to give value for money" Jemima thought she'd better big up the family business. "If you like it I'll help you move your traps from the Hotel" she added flatly. It probably didn't sound like much of an offer, but then Mr Lyle hadn't seen the muscular young woman in action.
"Excellent! It is sounding better by the moment! We can discuss what my next move might be once we meet once more at the Lickskillet." Excitement filled Ferdy's voice
"Very good, I shall see you at the Lickskillet in precisely one hour!" beamed Wus, pulling out an oversized 'hunter' from his vest pocket and popping up its lid to display the watch face.
"That you shall, old friend, that you shall!" He replied. It would seem that Kalispell might work out after all. "Come, Miss Jemima, let's be on our way."
As they trudged across the broad main street of Kalispell toward the boarding house, Jemima looked up at Lyle and asked, in that deadpan voice of hers, "Are you related to Mr Pettigrew? You look like him" Or maybe all men from New Orleans were big fat and ginger.
"Oh, heavens no. We were competitors in the cotton district, off of Canal Street. Actually, across the street from one another, and we became friends, having the same tastes in food, clothing, and gaming establishments." He explained. "Now, how far from the tailor shops is this boarding house? I am not opposed to a good walk?"
