Posted October 5, 2021
Barnabas scanned the list nodding as he went over it, finding the charges to be very reasonable. "Good, yes, a fair price I would say. And expirin' ain't hardly in my plans any time soon, 'specially not on this trip. Reckon the wife wouldn't be none to happy with an expired husband to lug back to Montana."
He gave some thought to the delivery options as far as the things that need no alteration. "Tell ya whot Charles, jest deliver alla it when it's ready. No sense doin' this piecemeal. And I believe I might have a look overt this Cicarelli's an' see whot they got that catchs the eye." He grinned and stuck out his hand. "Pleasure doin' bidness with ya, Charles. A real pleasure."
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted October 5, 2021
"Indeed." Smiling, Charles shook his hand, then nodded. "Thank you, it is easier to deliver all at once. I'll get right on this, hopefully it won't take as long as four days. Do enjoy your time in Portland."
Posted October 6, 2021
"Thanks Charles, we intend to do just that! And I'll be headed over to 'Cicarelli's' afore goin' back to 'Lulu's', that might be a wait, ain't sure. You have a good day, sir." With that Barnabas stepped out through the door, got his bearings in the bright sunlight, and made his way across the street to 'Cicarelli's.
Taking his time, he browsed the shop, picking out four stick pins that he liked, making sure to mention that Charles across the street at 'Wigfall's' had recommended the place to him. With that accomplished he walked back across the street to 'Lulu's', opened the door and stepped inside, the small bell over the door announcing his arrival.
Posted October 7, 2021
Much to Emeline's relief, the matter of underpinnings had been taken care of fairly quickly, and could serve to support most of the dresses without getting too elaborate. While the corsets weren't overly tight, the bustle apparatus just seemed...like a lot of fuss, and she was wondering what it was going to be like to try to function in all of this. Of course, she wasn't going to be doing any of the cooking and cleaning that she did at home, but it was going to take some getting used to.
When Barnabas walked in, she was standing patiently as Eleanor marked the dress she had on for alterations. It was one of three that she'd picked out, and the most elaborate, an evening gown, white with red roses as trim.
"Do you like it?" she asked, smiling widely. "Did you get everything you need?"
Posted October 7, 2021
He grinned, "Yup, perfect. That the only one? Or there more of 'um I should have a look at? Pref'ferbly with you in 'em." He liked the dress, liked it on her, liked the way she looked. Almost a pity they'd be going back to Kalispell and leaving all of this kind of life behind, almost. But Kalispell was where they would really be the happiest. The ranch, Cafe, the folks in town. That was where they belonged.
"Well yep, picked a couple suits, shirts, boots, even a top hat. I'll not embarrass you with the way I look, 'member, I done this before." He pointed out. He sat down as Eleanor went about her tasks.
Posted October 8, 2021
"There are a couple more," Emeline told him, shrugging. "I have been told that I need a dress for day, and for evening, and then something like this for more formal times." She gave him a stern look. "You know that you'll have to take me dancing now, right?"
"And the lovely couple you'll make!" Eleanor smiled brightly, then glanced at Barnabas. "Give us a moment." She steered Emeline to the back room and a few minutes later, they came back out, and now Emeline was in a blue dress, a little more simple, but again with the flounces, laces and bows.
"This is the last I have to measure, then you can be on your way," Eleanore declared through the pins she held in her teeth.
Posted October 9, 2021
"There are a couple more," Emeline told him, shrugging. "I have been told that I need a dress for day, and for evening, and then something like this for more formal times." She gave him a stern look. "You know that you'll have to take me dancing now, right?"
"Good, good, reckon ya'll be wearin' all of 'em, just like the lady said.ain't be traipsin' around in what cloths we brung along." He said, happy that she found clothes she liked. "Dancin'? Till yer feet hurt! You can count on that! An' in some of the nicest places. Must be one close by here."
"And the lovely couple you'll make!" Eleanor smiled brightly, then glanced at Barnabas. "Give us a moment." She steered Emeline to the back room and a few minutes later, they came back out, and now Emeline was in a blue dress, a little more simple, but again with the flounces, laces and bows.
"Thank ya ma'am." Barnabas was well aware of what a 'lovely couple they made,' the day he met her. That fact was then and as he stood there, He and Em were as handsome a couple as ever walked the streets of Kalispell, let alone Portland, San Francisco or Virginia City.
"This is the last I have to measure, then you can be on your way," Eleanore declared through the pins she held in her teeth.
"You take yer time, we ain't in no hurry." He assured her. "Well, she might be to go dancin', after we experience some o' thet seafood. Send us a couple wires back home."
Posted October 10, 2021
"Oh, yes, I'd like to let Clara know we got here safely," Emeline comment, "I can write her a letter and post it before we leave, but yes, a quick cable is a good idea." It would take a letter several days to get to Kalispell, but a cable would be much faster, and she wanted Clara to know they were all right.
It only took a few more minutes to get the measurements for the alterations, then Eleanore glanced at Barnabas. "These should be ready in three days, this is the cost." She handed him a paper, and Emeline was more than glad not to have to see how much this was costing!
Posted October 11, 2021
"Oh, yes, I'd like to let Clara know we got here safely," Emeline comment, "I can write her a letter and post it before we leave, but yes, a quick cable is a good idea." It would take a letter several days to get to Kalispell, but a cable would be much faster, and she wanted Clara to know they were all right.
"We'll just walk on over there and send a wire. Need to let Speed know where we are." He said with a smile. "You happy with the dresses? Got all the doodads that got with 'em? Picked me up a couple stick pins I fancied.
It only took a few more minutes to get the measurements for the alterations, then Eleanore glanced at Barnabas. "These should be ready in three days, this is the cost." She handed him a paper, and Emeline was more than glad not to have to see how much this was costing!
Barnabas took out his wallet from his inside jacket pocket and paid Eleanore, still smiling. That she was worth whatever the price for the clothing went without saying. "Misses Pike? Shall we?" He asked , then "Thank you Eleanore, for this and sendin' me up ta Wigfalls."
Pleasantries exchanged, Barnabas and Emeline walked over to the telegraph office and stepped inside. Barnabas, grinned, you go on ahead first Em. Best you get yers off ahead of mine. Sides, I need ta figger out what I need ta say."
Posted October 12, 2021
"What is there to say?" Grinning, Emeline took his arm as they headed into the telegraph office. "We made it to Portland without trouble, we're having a delightful time, and we miss everyone! Well, except maybe Miss Arabella!"
And that's what she sent to Mrs. Clara Lutz, Kalispell, Montana...except for the last! And also that there would be a letter to follow soon. But then she glanced at Barnabas. "I guess I should tell her we're at the Astor Hotel, if she wants to send a reply?" A letter would take time, but a telegraph was just a matter of a day or so. "She can use funds from the cafe for it, I don't mind." No sense Clara using her own money.