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Sagas of the Wild West
The Pike Family Excursion (Part 2) — In-Character Archives

The Pike Family Excursion (Part 2) July 12, 1876
Complete
Various dates and locations.

5'5
Posted Jan 14, 2023 at 5:26 PM

Posted October 28, 2022

"I wouldn't even mind teaching any of the hands that want it, to read and write...any who don't know yet. If they wouldn't take it as an insult, I'd be happy to teach classes a couple of times a week. Basic education is so important to making advances in life."

Even cowhands should know some reading and writing, even if they had no more plans than cow-handing. "Besides, there is so much adventure and knowledge to be had in books, a way to go places, to live in a castle, or sail the seas!"

Pausing, she glanced over at Barnabas. This was something they really hadn't talked about. Of course, he would have known about her love of books, but she really didn't know about him.

"Are there any books that you've enjoyed? Or would like to read?"

Mrs.
Role
Primary
Height
5'5
Hair
Auburn
Eyes
Hazel
Playby
5/31/1849
Played By

5'10
Posted Jan 14, 2023 at 5:27 PM

Posted October 29, 2022

He grinned, "Read? I think my favorite was 'The Three Musketeers'. Ma and Pa had a number of books and I had read most all of them at one time or another and you're right, there's a lot of adventure in some of those volumes. Lots of history too. Haven't cracked a book in quite some time, but I like to read, that's for sure. Just haven't seemed to have time lately. Poor excuse I know." He admitted.

"You never know about cow hands an what they might be willing to do. It would only take one to get the ball rollin' and, it's not like they would have to go to Miss Bowen's schoolhouse, although, once one of them buckaroos seen her, we'll now that might be a horse of a different color."

Kalispell Deputy Marshall
Role
Primary
Nickname
Pronto
Birthdate
09/24/1843
Height
5'10
Hair
Dirty Red
Eyes
Brown
Playby
Ben Foster
Played By

5'5
Posted Jan 14, 2023 at 5:28 PM

Posted October 31, 2022

"Three Musketeers! One of my favorites, along with most anything by Cooper." It dawned on her that they'd never discussed their favorite authors, but the subject had never come up.

"I'd like a place for a library at the house, start collecting books, I could leave some at the cafe for people who may want to borrow them. Clara has already borrowed several and had an open invitation to take any that she wanted to. "Maybe one day we can have a proper library in town, although the hospital and orphanage take precedence."

First things first, and having a make-shift book exchange at the Lickskillet would do in the mean time.

"I know it's hard to find time to read, and that will likely get more difficult once we have an infant to see after. All the more reason to make certain that the cook has nanny skills, too." She grinned.

Mrs.
Role
Primary
Height
5'5
Hair
Auburn
Eyes
Hazel
Playby
5/31/1849
Played By

5'10
Posted Jan 14, 2023 at 5:29 PM

Posted October 31, 2022

"I believe you're reaching. Nanny skills? Perhaps we will need to hire a genuine nanny. A trail cook is hardly a nanny prospect, and although he cooks, and I would thing a bit better, if not a lot better than the others who were available." He suggested. A trail cook could be gruff and unwilling to tolerate much of anything, he had seen those types. The again?

"As far as a library in the house, we may have to build shelves for books. Or maybe there's a room that could be used. You know, I just don't remember how many rooms there are o the main floor. I've sort of not thought about it. But we'll see. Now as far as one in town, starting with your book exchange might push the idea of a real library. That I think would be something folks might well want. And easier to get than the hospital has been. Hope they get it approved by the time we get back."

Kalispell Deputy Marshall
Role
Primary
Nickname
Pronto
Birthdate
09/24/1843
Height
5'10
Hair
Dirty Red
Eyes
Brown
Playby
Ben Foster
Played By

5'5
Posted Jan 14, 2023 at 5:30 PM

Posted November 1, 2022

"Knowing what I do of Miss Steelegrave, I'm sure she has everything pushed through and construction has started!" The young woman was determined and focused, and Emeline was sure that she'd persist until she gained her goal. "As for shelves, that's hardly a problem, I can make some, if needs be. We may not have a single room to dedicate to books, but certainly I can find a wall or two!"

It was an exciting prospect, to have books at the cafe that folks could borrow, and maybe in Virginia City she could find some good used books to send home for that purpose.

"And don't worry, we won't need a nanny." The children were going to be all hers! She'd been denied that so far, and wasn't going to give it up once she had it. "We'll see, I may need help at some point, but we can deal with that when we need to."

Mrs.
Role
Primary
Height
5'5
Hair
Auburn
Eyes
Hazel
Playby
5/31/1849
Played By

5'10
Posted Jan 14, 2023 at 5:30 PM

Posted November 2, 2022

"Of course," He said drily, but with a smile. "Shouldn't be a problem, honestly. I mean I know you'll see it as a problem, and likely me too, but people been doing it for lots a years, carin' for their young. We'll be no different."

"I can't say as I actually remember exactly how many rooms are in the house, plenty upstairs, an' several maybe downstairs. Kitchen's the biggest room in the house, pantry an' all. I think maybe there was one room that might just work for this library you're wantin'. Can't say for sure, but if I remember right I believe there's a room for it." He had not thought a great deal about the place since they had been gone, he did however remember that it was going to be big!

Kalispell Deputy Marshall
Role
Primary
Nickname
Pronto
Birthdate
09/24/1843
Height
5'10
Hair
Dirty Red
Eyes
Brown
Playby
Ben Foster
Played By

5'5
Posted Jan 14, 2023 at 5:31 PM

Posted November 4, 2022

"We should have room, then, until we have more children." Emeline smiled wistfully. "I've always wanted a library...a room of books, and a desk with a globe, maybe a map of the territory on the wall." These were things she had thought would be nice, but had never hoped she could have. "We can have a place where the children can read, or draw and paint, and a rocker by the fire where I can...we can read to them."

It all sounded wonderful, and was actually a very likely possibility, instead of just a dream. Laughing to herself, Emeline squeezed Barnabas' hand, then stopped and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you, Barnabas Pike, for everything."

Mrs.
Role
Primary
Height
5'5
Hair
Auburn
Eyes
Hazel
Playby
5/31/1849
Played By

5'10
Posted Jan 14, 2023 at 5:32 PM

Posted November 5, 2022

"That all sounds real good to me, so I think we shall have it one way 'er tuther. Wouldn't be to hard I don't think. I'm not the handiest man with a hammer, but I can get things done. But, we'll have time to get it done." He admitted. He could build, that was not the problem, it woiuld be the time he could devote to it.

"Now, if there's a room like I remember, it'd just be a matter of either buying bookcases, or building them. Either way, we could get it done., child or no child. Well, maybe not like that, but you know what I mean." He explained. "Books can be ordered and shipped to us, alla them classics like they call 'em. History books an' such. Yes Ma'am, we'll have us the finest collection of books in Kalispell!"

Kalispell Deputy Marshall
Role
Primary
Nickname
Pronto
Birthdate
09/24/1843
Height
5'10
Hair
Dirty Red
Eyes
Brown
Playby
Ben Foster
Played By

5'5
Posted Jan 14, 2023 at 5:33 PM

Posted November 6, 2022

"Shelves won't be difficult." Heck, push-come-to-shove, she could stack used crates with planks to make a bookcase until something better could be done. "I'll ask around town about books before we buy any, and that's certainly not urgent just yet."

It was all beyond anything she could have dreamed, and she was still trying to wrap her head around it all. "All I can do now is imagine what it's going to be like, but when we are home and can actually see it..." Well, mostly the process was going to start again, with having a large, well-appointed house, land, cattle, horses...

She couldn't even begin to speculate on what it would be like, but she couldn't stop speculating!

They were back at the hotel, and she was ready to be in for the night. "How about we have them send up some tea, or coffee, if you'd like, and some pie?" Then they could snuggle into bed and rest for the next day!

Mrs.
Role
Primary
Height
5'5
Hair
Auburn
Eyes
Hazel
Playby
5/31/1849
Played By

5'10
Posted Jan 14, 2023 at 5:34 PM

Posted November 6, 2022

"No, shelving won't be difficult, but books, now there could be a challenge. Books are precious to those that read, that's a known fact. A lending library sort of thing like you suggested at the Lickskillet is a good thing. But what if we found a vacant store front, and there's a couple of those, and opened a real, honest to goodness, library? I mean a place where folks could come checkout books or even read 'em right there? Why not? I mean what would we have to lose?" He smiled at her.

"We could do that you know, with little to no trouble. Buying books from dealers in the east, well, east of us, like Helena and have them shipped in. Imagine, having that for folks to enjoy." He added and then said, "Now, pie and coffee sounds almost as good as snugglin'. But puttin' it all together, yep I believe that's a great idea!" He gave her a side hug as they walked along back toward the hotel.

Kalispell Deputy Marshall
Role
Primary
Nickname
Pronto
Birthdate
09/24/1843
Height
5'10
Hair
Dirty Red
Eyes
Brown
Playby
Ben Foster
Played By