Posted January 21, 2022
If ever there was a 'tourist' look, Emeline had it in spades as she gazed around at the floors of balconies that surrounded an open area that was six stories high -- Emeline counted! And when she moved farther in and looked up, she gasped. There, overhead, where the ceiling would be, was a huge domed stained-glass window showing a ship in full sail on a turbulent sea.
"Look at that!" she gasped, standing there like an idiot, head tilted back as she stared up. "That's amazing! I wonder how they did that? Or if Mr. Penderson had anything to do with it."
The whole place was incredible, and Emeline thought that she could easily get lost looking around.
Posted January 21, 2022
He gazed up at the domed ceiling and was awe struck at it's beauty. He was taken aback by the obvious talent that it took to create such a beautiful thing. "Dang near as pretty as you, Em." was his comment. "Took 'em a while to get that done. Never seen the like."
And that was a fact. There had been nothing that he had seen before to compare to the glass domed ceiling, nothing. He suddenly felt out of place, something odd for him to feel, at any time, in any place, but it struck him here in this place. The sheer beauty of it touched him. What man could accomplish given the opportunity
"Now 'at's somethin'. Best we see what other marvels they got in this place. May not have time ta see everything." He pointed out.
Posted January 26, 2022
"It's just like walking through Montgomery Ward catalogue!" It was one thing to see the etchings on paper, but quite another to actually see them as they were in full size, in color and three dimensions. "Some of this is so...gauche. Elaborate is one thing, but some of these are just too much, the frills actually distract from the piece."
Of course, that was her opinion, others must feel differently, or these things wouldn't be here. Still, she couldn't imagine such things in a house with children and pets running around.
Then something caught her eye and she tugged on Barnabas' sleeve. "Look here!" Eagerly, she tugged him over to shelves sporting wooden boxes inlaid with various patterns, and one was open, revealing it to be a music box, with a shiny metal cylinder that would play a tune when the box was wound.
She opened one, and it started playing a merry tune, then she opened another and gasped, looking up at Barnabas. Inside, a little metal bird popped up and started singing and moving back and forth, flapping its wings.
"That's amazing! Oh, Barnabas, can I send one to Clara? Just a small one?" Impractical, but unique and lovely, and everyone needed something like that in their life!
Posted January 28, 2022
Barnabas looked at the box and then at his wife, and, back to the box again. "Don't see why not. I mean, it would be something that'd be unlikely in the mercantile back home, something I think she'd like, and it's a nice remembrance for what she's done for us."
Remembering people was something that was important in life. Clara had agreed to the work in the cafe while they were gone, that kept the Lickskillet open and turning a profit, hopefully, so a gift out of nowhere, perfect. And hopefully there would be a financial gift at the end. He would not mention it as it was not his place, or so he thought.
"So with luck, the proprietor here can get it mailed to Clara." He added. A good idea.
Posted January 30, 2022
"I'm sure they'll find a way if they want to make a sale." Emeline knew business, and if the price was right, you could get about anything. Of course, she wasn't willing to be taken advantage of. "I'm sure they do this sort of thing all the time, and it will be a nice surprise. She is so humble, and would net think of such things for herself."
In truth, Clara would be just as happy for some old books, and now that she thought about it, Emeline would look into doing that for the girl as well...especially things that would be good for a child, since Clara was due soon.
"And...as long as we're sending something home, maybe a music box would look nice in our parlor?" Smiling sweetly, she batted her eyes at Barnabas, then laughed.
Posted January 31, 2022
"I'm sure they'll find a way if they want to make a sale."
"No doubt, an' yer right, they'll have a way of gettin' up ta Kalispell. I'd bet on that. Surely would."
"I'm sure they do this sort of thing all the time, and it will be a nice surprise. She is so humble, and would net think of such things for herself."
"So'd you, was it tuther way 'round." He pointed out. "You're a good woman, Emeline Pike. I'm lucky ta have ya, so sure, we'll do that." He should have expected what was coming next.
"And...as long as we're sending something home, maybe a music box would look nice in our parlor?" Smiling sweetly, she batted her eyes at Barnabas, then laughed.
"Blinkin' them eyes at me ain't gonna do the job. You jest set me up an' slipped that right on in there, didn'tcha? 'course now, lookin' at it another way, are kids'll love havin' one about the house. See how thet sounds better'n how it'd look in are parlor?" He grinned, like she couldn't have just about anything she wanted. "Mister, ken ya wrap up a couple 'o these here musical boxes an' ship 'em ta Kalispell Montana?"
"Yes sir we can most certainly do that for you. All we'll need is the shipping names and addresses, and they will be on their way." The clerk said with a smile.
Posted February 3, 2022
"Oh, I know my way past your defenses, Mr. Pike!" Emeline laughed, then indicated to the clerk which of the little singing birds to send to Clara (a blue one with red-tipped wings), and music box in an in-laid mahogany case that had interchangeable cylinders.
"This is to go to Mrs. Clara Lutz, care of the Lickskillet Cafe in Kalispell, Montana, and the music box to Mrs. Barnabas Pike at the same address."
Beaming, she hooked her arm into Barnabas', then looked up at him. "Thank you, husband, I think this will entertain not only our children, but theirs as well." Before, she hadn't considered things like keepsakes for future generations, but now, the thought was thrilling!
"Imagine...our offspring will be touching this a hundred years from now!"
Posted February 5, 2022 · IP
He looked at her, "A hunderd years?"
"Why, yes sir, properly cared for, there's no telling how long these might last." The clerk said as he finished write down the instructions.
"Well, that'll be somethin' fer sure. A hunderd years on, well now, that is amazin'. Guess we outta be gettin' back." He said as he drew out his pocket watch and looked at the time. There was plenty of time to return to to hotel and allow Em to freshen up. "Been most helpful, sir. We appreciate it. 'mon Em, times slippin' away."
The invite was for an early dinner, less people faster service, not that the Place was not known for fast service and more time to talk, was what he figured. Maybe some reminiscing of past times. It would be good no matter.
Posted February 6, 2022
It already had been a very long day, and while Emeline was enjoying every minute, she was grateful for the chance to just settle in and relax. And she was looking forward to meeting any friends of Barnabas -- she really didn't know much of his past, nor his present, outside of their world, for that matter.
Back at the hotel, she was tempted to take a 'quick' nap, but knew if she did that, she'd either sleep for ten hours, or wake up befuddled and drowsy.
So, after a little sprucing up with Lillian's help, she sat to write in her journal, and was ready when Barnabas was.
Posted February 8, 2022
Barnabas looked at the time, and it was nearing the hour, so, with a smile he said, "Well then, it's time we headed on down to the dining room and Mister Bill Sharon. Likely bore you to death with talk of old times and mining operations, but mayhaps he's married, or has him a gal. Anyway. Time ta mingle with some high society."
And like a gentleman he offered his hand as she rose from the chair. Men would never know the utter discomfort of wearing a corset. Then handed her her wrap. Donning his hat, he led her to the door, offered his arm to her as he opened it, and then closed it on their way out.
"Need I say that you look beautiful tanight?" He smiled as the walked to the elevator.
On the ground floor they exited the elevator and walked to the palatial dinning room when a waiter approached, "Mister and Misses Pike? This way please." He said without waiting on an answer, ushering them to another room, one with the glass ceiling. "Mister Sharon is there, at the back table. Welcome to the Garden Room. His favorite." He bowed slightly as he backed away.
Lawman, gunfighter Pronto Pike looked around in disbelief, the woman on his arm, their clothes, the room. Dinner with Bill Sharon, in the Garden Room. Far cry from the Stardust Saloon, or the Belle-St. Regis Hotel at home.