"I think it's sweet that Speed and Alice are seeing each other. And nothing is written in stone, besides being my husband and a father to our children." Emeline took his hand. "We can take things as they come, and we have the means to take our time making decisions." That was truly a blessing. If one prospect didn't work out and they chose to walk away, there was no urgent need to have something else lined up to replace it.
"A regional hospital will give Kalispell some civilization, and if the train comes through, that should only..." Sighing, Emeline shrugged. "Well, I suppose it could bring in more families, along with solid mores, or just more bandits looking for easy opportunity." Things could get better or worse, there was no telling, but at least it really didn't matter for them in the long run.
"Oh, I agree, Em. The hospital is almost essential and the railroad will need it, even though their 'Hell On Wheels' tent city will be following along just ahead of the track, with their own medical, but how efficient they are is anybody's guess." He agreed, but there was reservation in his voice as he continued, "What the railroad will bring along with it is all that 'Hell On Wheels' brings with it, and then Kalispell is going to need more law, we can't count on whatever law comes with them."
Suddenly he was aware that if Speed were to leave the job, then he would need to make a decision about taking over or staying on under a new Town Marshal. Yet he knew that Speed had talked of the County Sheriff's post which was currently vacant, although he had been granted jurisdiction over Flathead County by the Territorial Governor. Not many knew that fact.
"I won't leave Speed in a lurch." He promised. "Now, investing in the town can be done in many ways that have little to no risk involved. Buying up businesses and buildings. Property is where I'd like to invest. There is plenty of ground around Kalispell that will be needed for businesses as well as housing for those who are coming in on this railroad, and that alone will be a ways off yet, so we've plenty of time to pick and choose what we want."
"I know you wouldn't leave Speed on his own," Emeline commented, "nor the town." If Speed decided to leave, that would put Barnabas in a hard spot...he'd want to take care of the town, at least until another sheriff could be had, so he'd really be torn between town and home. But that was something they could deal with if the time came. No sense fretting until they knew what was going on.
"What's 'Hell on Wheels'?" Apparently something to do with the train, but she'd never been somewhere where the train was just starting to go in, so she had no idea how that worked.
"Hell On Wheels?" He asked, then continued. "Well, it is a tent city of sorts, camp followers, saloons, prostitutes, legitimate businesses of one sort or another to meet the needs of the workers. Sort of a necessary evil for those employed to lay track. Not sure where she'll get built by Kalispell, but it will surely have an effect on the town until it passes us. In fact, I've no idea how far west it will go, its final destination, but Kalispell ain't it."
"It could get wild and woolly for as long as they were close on either side of town, within the five to eight miles of track laid a day, the town might have to deal with the workers of both the railroad and the 'Hell On Wheels' contingent, maybe, two or three weeks until they were too far to come to town." He almost laughed at how busy the town would get while the workers could reach Kalispell. "Now if they run into delays, it could be longer, actually, I ain't looking forward to their stay. Bad elements, and a lot of them."
"My first restaurant was in a tent, in South Dakota." Emeline chuckled and shook her head. "Not the best way to work, but it served the purpose." And gave her the means to move to Kalispell and buy a real building! "So, it's pretty much a moving village? Aren't most of the workers Chinese?" That's what she'd heard, anyway. "I can't imagine that they would cause trouble, but it sounds like trouble is inherent to the railroad."
It might mean a dangerous time, but the town law would need all the help they could get. "Is there a way to cut it short before it starts? Law down the law, so to speak?" She laughed then. "Just give me a shotgun, I'll go out and tell them what is what, they'd be fools not to fear a pregnant lady!"
"My first restaurant was in a tent, in South Dakota." Emeline chuckled and shook her head. "Not the best way to work, but it served the purpose." And gave her the means to move to Kalispell and buy a real building! "So, it's pretty much a moving village? Aren't most of the workers Chinese?" That's what she'd heard, anyway. "I can't imagine that they would cause trouble, but it sounds like trouble is inherent to the railroad."
"That, I couldn't tell you. Probably some, I really don't know, now what I've heard about the Chinese, they were with the Western Pacific Railroad, the east meets west, the golden spike in Utah in '69. And yes, it could certainly be dangerous. But Speed and I'll figger something out. Get more Deputies." He replied, "Now about this moving village, when you are crossing no man's land, helps to have supplies, and all those things that go with it. Need to keep the workers happy, I guess." Then he chuckled. "Bad choice of words, I 'spose."
It might mean a dangerous time, but the town law would need all the help they could get. "Is there a way to cut it short before it starts? Law down the law, so to speak?" She laughed then. "Just give me a shotgun, I'll go out and tell them what is what, they'd be fools not to fear a pregnant lady!"
""You'll do no such'a thing!" He declared. "I really ain't sure if it can be done so easily as that. Like a giant Steelgrave gang. Controlling it won't be easy. Saving grace, they won't be in town long, and hopefully, it will still be standing when they leave, or you may be back to the tent cafe." Making light of it did not lessen his fears about such a situation that could spin out of control in less than a heartbeat!
(Changing Character when I get him back.)
"I suppose it's one more of those things to worry about when it happens." Once they knew more specifically where and when the railroad was coming, they would know better what to plan on. "I suppose it will be a boon to some businesses, the lumber mill, mercantile, that sort of thing." She was confident that Speed and Barnabas could handle it, but that depended on a number of things, including how far from town the camp was and how long it would be there.
But this was vacation and she didn't want to worry on such things. "There will be time for that later. What are the plans for the rest of the day? When is my mine tour?"
"First thing's first, Em. It's down the street to the bank, and find out what's what there. Making the transfer and checking to see if they can verify the balance in Helena. I believe they can. Did you know that most banks have a telegraph line in their office?" He asked. "Should have done that in San Francisco. Then, we'll hunt up Cap and get you on a mine tour." He promised, but there was something in his voice, something distracting him.
What was happening at home? How was Speed making out? Were there problems, and the ranch, how were things there? The herd? And, he had at least one meeting to contend with. He shook it off, there was nothing that could be done no matter what might be going on in Kalispell, or the ranch. They were a long way from home, and it would be a time getting there from here, even with the railroad eating up a good deal of the distance.
"Sorry Em, just got myself caught up in the what if's there for a minute.Got to thinkin' about home." He admitted.
"Well, I admit, the longer we're away, the more I miss it, too." As much as she was having a great time, she was torn with the desire to be home, but also she knew that once they were home, it would be a long time before they could do something like this again.
"I'm sure I can find something to do while you take care of business," Emeline commented, "and tomorrow will be just fine for the tour." There were so many little shops to explore, and there was no point in boring Barnabas with that. Not that she planned on buying anything, but there was no telling!
"Good to know I ain't the only one. Not sure what business I really need to take care of, but I 'spose I'll find out." Barnabas admitted. He Got up and stepped away from the table. "We surely ain' t getting anywhere sittin' here. First the bank, then we can take a tour around town while I look for Cap and see what it is that I really have to do." He held out his hand to her.
"As far as you finding something to do, scares me an' I'm fearless!" He joked, "Cap and I probably need to get down to the crux of the matter up here." He smiled, you know, for all its faults, I miss this place. The view to the east and the sunrise. Spectacular!" Then he changed the subject. "Maybe a couple more days for you to see everything and then, we headed north, my love. Home."