Posted December 14, 2022
As they pulled into the Virginia City station, Emeline turned to look at Barnabas, smiling. "I don't want to look yet, I want to wait until we get off the train and I can really take it in."
Once they stopped and the door opened, she took Barnabas' hand, letting him guide her to the platform. Finally, she took a breath, then opened her eyes and looked up.
"Oh!" He was right, the city seemed to be clinging tenaciously to the hillside, in patterns that seemed both ordered and chaotic. "How does it stay?" That was shouted over the pounding of the stamp mills, another point that he hadn't exaggerated. "You'd think with all the vibrations it would just slide down the hillside!"
As for 'Sun Mountain', she could see why it was called that, as there was nothing to the east to block the rising sun, and they'd have to make a point of getting here one morning to see the sunrise.
Posted December 15, 2022
Barnabas laughed at her question, "Guess she's just well built." He took her arm an pointed toward a tall, six story building some two long blocks south. "The International Hotel, where we'll be staying." He shouted, then spotted a carriage, one of several, and flagged the driver who came over and helped with the luggage.
Not much had changed, some new buildings maybe, but she was still the same town he left in seventy-four from the sound of things. Once the luggage was loaded, he helped Em into carriage and then joined her. "Not much has changed here, though I hadn't expected it would." He leaned close to her so he did not have to shout. "We'll get settled then we can do whatever you'd like."
The carriage stopped and two bellmen came out for the luggage, Barnabas stepped down out of the vehicle extending his hand to Em to assist her exit. Then he paid and tipped the driver and they started for the door. Having a front desk on both the C and D Street entrances.
Posted December 16, 2022
"Goodness, it's almost as grand as San Francisco!" Well, except for the noise, but at least she'd been warned about that.
Even though the ride to the hotel was short, she kept her nose to the window, taking in the scenery as they passed. This was more like Reno, and certainly far different than San Francisco, or even Kalispell. There was an elegant crudeness to the buildings, and it made quite the pretty picture!
"I can't wait to see inside!" Hooking her arm into Barnabas', she walked along with him, hoping it was quieter on the inside!
Posted December 17, 2022
"We'll do that in about four or five steps." Barnabas informed her and in five steps the doorman opened the oak and glass door for the, dressed in a long coat and hat, and a ready smile. "Welcome."
Barnabas and Em enter the opulent lobby where a huge mahogany reception desk stood. Four large crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling lit electrically, and dazzling with reflections from the crystals.
"May I help you sir?" The desk clerk asked.
"Yes, reservations for Mister and Missus Pike." Barnabas replied.
"Oh yes, we've been expecting you." He tapped a bell and a bellmen rushed over. "Suite six-three." then he turned to Barnabas. "Mister Pike, you and your wife will be in Suite six-three, you may take the elevator to the right which will take you to the sixth floor, where you will find your suite." He turned to six rows of key hooks, removed one from the top row and handed over the key. "Enjoy your stay."
Their luggage had gone ahead of them while the dealt with the desk clerk. Barnabas took Em's arm and led her to the elevator, "Pretty ritzy." He said as the door slid open and they stepped inside.
"Floor?" The elevator attendant asked.
"Six." Pike replied.
Posted December 19, 2022
While Barnabas made the arrangements for the room, Emeline looked over the hotel lobby, taking in the splendor, and knowing that she'd never get used to all the opulence.
Again, they were in an elevator, and she clung to Barnabas' arm as it lifted them to the sixth floor. This was another thing she'd never get used to, and would never trust!
"I'm sure we'll have a wonderful view from up here," she observed, anxious to see just what there was to see out the windows in the room. "Do you think there will be a balcony?" It might be fun to just sit out, despite the noise, and watch the world go by.
Posted December 19, 2022
"There'll be no better view, we'll be facing east, the one hundred mile view, but a different prospective I'm sure." He said the elevator arrived and the attendant slid the cage like door back for them to exit.
Stepping out on the richly carpeted hallway, he suddenly turned her and kissed her. "I hope you'll enjoy this. After we're done here, I'm taking you home." And he kissed her again. Then he led her to the door of Suite three, put the key in the lock and opened it, their trunks standing open by the two wardrobes, where their clothing was carefully hung.
"Missus Pike, I hope this will be satisfactory." He said, "But I'm afraid there are no balconies. But the view remains."
Posted December 19, 2022
"I can just press my nose against the window!" Emeline declared, heading across the suite for the window, but then she made a detour to grab a rocking chair, that she dragged along with her. After situating the chair, she plopped into it, then gazed out the window as she rocked.
"This is perfect! I don't believe there is any reason to move from here, unless you can think of one!"
She was teasing, of course, there was a lot she wanted to see and do, but the view really was amazing!
Posted December 20, 2022
"Dinner, supper, bed. Them enough for you?" Barnabas offered. "Of course there is room service available if you don't care to go down to the dinning room." He moved up behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. "Some view ain't? We'll have a view at the ranch, not so far as this one, but far enough I figure."
It was then that he thought about the fifteen hundred acres he owned. There was other land to be had adjacent to what he already owned, he would have to look into that. Maybe expand his holdings, and there was always investing in town, if there were businesses available. It was time to look to the future.
Posted December 22, 2022
"That view will be all the better because it's ours," Emeline declared with a smile. "It's out there...well, more to the north, right? But home is out there, past all that, and soon we'll have the horses and cows, a family..."
Looking over the vast landscape it was easy to imagine the future, and feel optimistic.
"It's a beautiful view," slowly, she stood, then turned to face Barnabas, "but I want to see the town from the ground, and there's the tour of a mine you promised." She hugged him, then kissed his cheek. "And while you are in your meetings, I'm sure I can find a way to spend your money!"
Posted December 22, 2022
She made him laugh. It was one of the things he loved about her, her almost innocence about somethings,aAnd her common sense in others. "Our money, darlin'. I know, not a commonly shared concept these days. But you and I have this bond I'm not seeing in others of out time. Everything seems to belong to the man, but that's not for us. It's ours, all of it."
He was right, of course. The women in a marriage were provided for, and in cases of wealth, given an allowance aside from the household budget, groceries and the like, all else belonged to the husband. Barnabas had known a couple that challenged that belief system. He liked what he saw, the woman was not subservient to her husband, but an equal in their partnership. He liked that idea.
"There is a lot to see down on 'C' Street and here on 'B' street, down on 'D' and below, steer clear. Aside from the railroad, those small shanties are prostitutes cribs. Below that the Chinese, though I don't see any real danger there, just some opium dens and laundries, but the cribs, attract drunks, and worse." The he smiled, " We'll go for a walk, maybe grab a bite up ta the Sharon House, or the Tahoe House, look in the stores, fight shy of the saloons. All hundred and ten of 'em!" Too which he laughed.