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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2032109" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 91 “William Whipple’s Terms”, January 10th, 1882:</strong></p><p></p><p>Kate chuckled. "I don't think we have time to go looking for dead outlaws. If what you say is true, there may be those who'll try that land near the Apache anyway. Oh, and speaking of dead outlaws." Kate dropped her voice. "Curly Bill's body is in Flint's cave, the Apache brought it to him. The want us to collect the bounty and get them some supplies with the money." Chester raises his eyebrows at this, but doesn't say anything. "Wouldn't we have to go to Texas for that?" Ruby asks furrowing her brow. </p><p></p><p>Nanuet says, "Somebody would. The Deputy Sheriff said that there is a bounty hunter from Texas in town, so he might be willing to." Kate asks, "Is there any way we can find out what the bounty is before we approach him? I assume he would pay us and then take the body in and get reimbursed. I wouldn't trust a stranger to take it for us and bring back the cash. I'm sure he would pay us less than the bounty, but it would save us the trip." Nanuet replies "I don't know. Sheriff Hunter said that the bounty hunter was staying at the Long Branch Saloon and that his name was Irby Cole. That was last Saturday so he might not still be there."</p><p></p><p>"So, " Jake starts a sentence and lets it hang a bit, "does anybody want to take a ride tonight with me and bring some miners back from the mountain?" He takes his hat off and runs his hand through his hair and puts it back on. "I mean, how many more outlaws can there be? I'm not absolutely sure I'm going yet, but probably." Ruby comments, "I would like to try out my new pants. but how long would that take?" </p><p></p><p>Kate says, "I think I've had enough of being shot at for today. I'd like to rest a while before we go over to the Lone Star. I'm tired." Kate pushed away her plate of food, still nearly full. Ruby leans over to Katherine and whispers, "Is everything alright? You barely ate a bite of food... plus what we were talking about earlier..." Katherine could see a look of concern on Ruby's face.</p><p></p><p>Just as the meal is coming to a close Maggie Whipple walks into the El Parador. She approaches the table and says that she needs to speak privately to Katherine, Ruby and Jake. Katherine whispers to Maggie "I think we should bring Sonoma too. She was in the bathhouse and overheard our conversation. It's okay, we can trust her." They excuse themselves and head upstairs with Maggie to Katherine's Room. </p><p></p><p>Before leaving, Jake leans over to Chester. "Can you go find MacNaulty and get that load of ore over to the smelter? And get him to talk to the guys that have been helping him out and see if he can hire them to guard the mine for tonight. MacNaulty and the rest of us can ride out and bring back the other miners as soon as you get back." Jake gives him his trademark slap on the shoulder. "Thanks!"</p><p></p><p>Chester replies cheerfully, "Sure thing, Mr. Cook. Are you still going to be here?" Chester leaves the Lone Star and heads over to where the wagon is being loaded. "Good evening, Mr. MacNaulty. Are you almost ready to get this to the smelter?" "Yeah, we're just getting the last of it in now." Chester takes him aside and nods his head toward the others. "Great. Do you trust them? Because Mr. Cook wants you to hire them as guards for the mine tonight. Then we can go out to relieve the miners there." "Aye, lad. I can trust 'em. Is the going rate fine?" MacNaulty rejoins the workers and talks things over with them. He calls out to Chester, "Let's get over to the smelter now."</p><p></p><p>Up in Kate’s room, Maggie says, “Father arrived on the stage along with Cousin Teddy and Teddy's girl Alexis. Tom and I spoke to Father about our plans and Tom presented his idea. </p><p></p><p>Father is very being difficult. First of all, he said that if our Lone Star were actually a success then we wouldn’t need any free labor from him and Teddy to build the next floor. He said that he doubts that either Tom or I could run our Saloon without the other one, so splitting us up would be detrimental to this business’s long-term success. He said that while Teddy is a good Faro dealer he has no managerial ability and would make a poor partner to me for this business. Lastly, he said that if or when Tom ever does come back to Denver he expects it to be as a business partner, with ownership of at least 25% of the business. Father estimates that his Denver Lone Star is worth around $ 20,000 so Tom would need to have saved up $ 5,000 to buy into the business.” </p><p></p><p>“So father essentially shot down Tom’s idea. But my brother had spent the previous few hours mentally preparing for a life with Flossie and he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. He’s been so miserable this past year and wasn’t going to let another setback keep him and Flossie apart. So he countered every one of Father’s objections by accepting them as challenges. Oh Katherine, I was so proud of him. Tom has never stood up to our Father. </p><p></p><p>First, he told Father that we could put on the third floor without needing any of his or Teddy’s help. Then he told Father that he and I are each equally capable of running our Lone Star Dance Hall and Saloon without the other and that we would be happy to show that to him during his visit here. Tom then said that he would be able to find me a capable partner for this business and that he would sell his share of the Lone Star to that partner. Lastly, he said that combined with what he has already saved up he would be able to come up with the $ 5,000. </p><p></p><p>Not to be outdone, Father came back with an unrealistic deadline for all of that to take place. He said that he if he’s not needed for the construction he will plan on leaving Promise City next Monday. By then he expects to see the third floor built; to have seen Tom successfully manage the Saloon from tonight until Thursday night without me; to have seen me successfully manage it from Friday to Sunday night without Tom; for Tom to have found a partner who he deems acceptable to sell half of the Saloon to; and lastly to have the full $ 5,000 raised by then. </p><p></p><p>Tom thought for a few minutes and then countered by pointing out that last year it took a month for them to put on the second floor. Tom said that he wanted quality workmanship and refused to rush to finish in it less than a week and thereby have it turn out to be less than perfect. Father is a perfectionist so it would be hard for him to argue against quality work. Tom figured that would extend the deadline then for all of Father’s terms. </p><p></p><p>Instead, Father only cut back on the construction requirement but kept the Monday deadline for everything else. He said that by Monday morning the third floor construction had to have been started, with all materials purchased and a detailed plan and timeline laid out for its completion by no longer than a month from now. Thankfully Father will permit Tom to leave before it is finished, since last year Jeff Mills showed himself to be a very competent construction foreman.” </p><p></p><p>I’m not sure exactly what we’re going to do about raising all of that money. We currently have around $ 1,600 saved up, but I imagine that we’ll need to spend quite a bit of that on construction materials and hiring laborers for the construction. Flossie has around $ 800 saved up for her and Tom to use. Tom estimates that the Lone Star is worth around $ 4,000 so his half of the business would be valued at around $ 2,000. </p><p></p><p>Tony Lucky and Jeff Mills are both unaware of the true nature of mine and Tom’s relationship and neither of them have any money. But Job Kane figured it out a while back and we knew that before today Job Kane had a fair amount of money saved up. So Tom approached him about buying into the Lone Star but after paying that hefty fine he had very little left. </p><p></p><p>And Tom really can’t approach anybody else around trying to sell his share of the business to since his running away with Flossie has to be perceived by as a surprise move, otherwise I won’t be able to petition Judge Isby to have our marriage annulled due to abandonment. I hate have to ask you guys but Katherine had made the suggestion to me yesterday. Would any of you have any money and perhaps be interested in becoming my business partner?"</p><p></p><p>Silence follows. Sonoma is the first to speak: "Ms. Wimple. I am confused. Your father is demanding all of these things of you and your...hus.. um... brother, however don't the two of you own the Lone Star? Is he a silent partner or has he given you capital that you haven't repaid? If not he has no rights to make demands such as he is on either of you. This man although blood is not treating you as family, he is treating you as property something to own and control at his convenience. </p><p></p><p>As I see it you have two choices. You can continue to allow a man who is treating you very badly to continue to rule your lives or you can become the people you came out here to be and run your own life. If your father has given you money to start the Lone Star find a way to pay him back with the same interest he would have made in the bank and be done with it. You have both proved yourselves here and have one of the best places in town. Do not let a man who does not wish the best for you destroy your life." </p><p></p><p>Maggie pauses and says "My, you are direct aren't you. Sonoma right? I see you've given this subject some thought, perhaps because your parents own a Saloon as well and you've had similar thoughts of your own life. I agree with most of what you have said and if Tom were happy staying here I would just tell father to leave. But it is his dream to own Father's business in Denver. I do not wish to deny him that. Father has dictated some terms that will be difficult to achieve, but I believe that with help from my friends and employees we can accomplish them and a week from now my brother and I will finally be happy as will be my best friend."</p><p></p><p>Jake speaks up next, "So you are looking for partners you can work with that can come up with $2000? What else do you expect from your partners and what could they expect in return?" Jake ignores the slightly disappointed and embarrassed looks from Katherine that he appears to be only worried about the money.</p><p></p><p>Maggie gives Jake a stern look and says "There is no reason to take that tone with me Mr. Cook. It was Katherine's suggestion that you three might be interested in investing in the Lone Star.” Jake replies, "Ah, well I don't mean to be abrupt. If you want business partners, then we need to be able to talk business." He shrugs and looks at Katherine. Maggie says, “If you would prefer I would actually just need a short-term loan, of only a week. Once Tom is gone I would be able to approach one of the bankers in town about a loan and then I'd be able to repay you."</p><p></p><p>"So... are you looking for a loan or would we be partners?" Ruby asks. Ruby and Kate had already had this argument about helping Maggie. Ruby hadn't believed that Maggie and Tom would actually come to them, they had not known them long enough to trust them. And Ruby was extremely hesitant to do anything with her money that she couldn't get it if she needed it quick. Just that morning she had put money in Jake's bank, something she had not done in years, and that alone was a tremendous step. Ruby was going to wait to see what everyone else thought.</p><p></p><p>Kate says, "I'm sorry, Maggie. I didn't mention the idea to Jake because I didn't think you or Tom thought much of it. I think Jake has been doing business all day, and is in the habit of speaking plainly. But he is right that before we enter any kind of arrangement, we should know what our expectations of each other would be. Today I entered into an informal arrangement to invest in a ranch, and I can't go back on my word. But I should be able to split what funds I have between the two. No matter how much money we have, I doubt we'll be able to buy 200 acres, even if it's available." </p><p></p><p>Kate sat down on the bed and pulled Maggie down with her. "It's been a long day for you," she said gently, slipping her arm around Maggie's waist. "I'm sure the talk with your Father was stressful, and all these questions are coming at you a bit fast. Let's start slowly. Would you prefer partners, or would you rather own the Lone Star in your own right?" Tears well up in Maggie's eyes, her posture droops and she starts to move towards the door sobbing "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have bothered you with my problems." Kate watched helplessly as Maggie headed for the door, at a loss for what to do now.</p><p></p><p>Jake moves over to Katherine and whispers in her ear, "We have more resources available. There were other items brought out of the caves." Jake then steps away without looking at her reaction and sits on the edge of the bed. Ruby saw the hurt look on Kate's face, which bothered her more than Maggie's tears. </p><p></p><p>"Hold on," Ruby said while jumping up and walking over to Maggie. She sighed, "We didn't say we wouldn't help you, right Jake. Kate's idea is a good one." Ruby shoots him a look. "I'm not sure that we will have all that money but we will try to come up with it." Jake says aloud to no one in particular, "Heh, we are pretty resourceful. I'm sure money is not a problem if we really think hard enough about it." Ruby takes Maggie's arm and leads her back to the chair. "What do we need to do and when?"</p><p></p><p>Maggie says "Well, the only thing that we need to do right now is make sure that Tom has a successful night while Father is watching. And I can't help with that, I have to stay away so that Tom can show he can do it without me." "Tonight I'm guessing?" Ruby says. Kate interjects "I think Jake was planning on bringing some friends into town tonight. I'm sure he could recommend the Lone Star as a good place to spend their evening. Why don't we discuss the money situation tomorrow?" </p><p></p><p>Kate reached out and took Maggie's hand. "And I never want you to feel bad for bringing your troubles to me, you understand? It's a pleasure to help. Now, do you have any recommendations for us tonight?" She replies, "Father will be watching Tom the next three nights. I really hope that Job has good nights at the table. Tom needs to prove to father that he can run a successful gambling establishment." Ruby exclaims, </p><p>"Well, then we'll have to make sure your father sees that you can, right? Don't worry Maggie it will be fine." Once again Ruby was repeating fairy tales that she didn't believe in, but hopefully Maggie would.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2032109, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 91 “William Whipple’s Terms”, January 10th, 1882:[/B] Kate chuckled. "I don't think we have time to go looking for dead outlaws. If what you say is true, there may be those who'll try that land near the Apache anyway. Oh, and speaking of dead outlaws." Kate dropped her voice. "Curly Bill's body is in Flint's cave, the Apache brought it to him. The want us to collect the bounty and get them some supplies with the money." Chester raises his eyebrows at this, but doesn't say anything. "Wouldn't we have to go to Texas for that?" Ruby asks furrowing her brow. Nanuet says, "Somebody would. The Deputy Sheriff said that there is a bounty hunter from Texas in town, so he might be willing to." Kate asks, "Is there any way we can find out what the bounty is before we approach him? I assume he would pay us and then take the body in and get reimbursed. I wouldn't trust a stranger to take it for us and bring back the cash. I'm sure he would pay us less than the bounty, but it would save us the trip." Nanuet replies "I don't know. Sheriff Hunter said that the bounty hunter was staying at the Long Branch Saloon and that his name was Irby Cole. That was last Saturday so he might not still be there." "So, " Jake starts a sentence and lets it hang a bit, "does anybody want to take a ride tonight with me and bring some miners back from the mountain?" He takes his hat off and runs his hand through his hair and puts it back on. "I mean, how many more outlaws can there be? I'm not absolutely sure I'm going yet, but probably." Ruby comments, "I would like to try out my new pants. but how long would that take?" Kate says, "I think I've had enough of being shot at for today. I'd like to rest a while before we go over to the Lone Star. I'm tired." Kate pushed away her plate of food, still nearly full. Ruby leans over to Katherine and whispers, "Is everything alright? You barely ate a bite of food... plus what we were talking about earlier..." Katherine could see a look of concern on Ruby's face. Just as the meal is coming to a close Maggie Whipple walks into the El Parador. She approaches the table and says that she needs to speak privately to Katherine, Ruby and Jake. Katherine whispers to Maggie "I think we should bring Sonoma too. She was in the bathhouse and overheard our conversation. It's okay, we can trust her." They excuse themselves and head upstairs with Maggie to Katherine's Room. Before leaving, Jake leans over to Chester. "Can you go find MacNaulty and get that load of ore over to the smelter? And get him to talk to the guys that have been helping him out and see if he can hire them to guard the mine for tonight. MacNaulty and the rest of us can ride out and bring back the other miners as soon as you get back." Jake gives him his trademark slap on the shoulder. "Thanks!" Chester replies cheerfully, "Sure thing, Mr. Cook. Are you still going to be here?" Chester leaves the Lone Star and heads over to where the wagon is being loaded. "Good evening, Mr. MacNaulty. Are you almost ready to get this to the smelter?" "Yeah, we're just getting the last of it in now." Chester takes him aside and nods his head toward the others. "Great. Do you trust them? Because Mr. Cook wants you to hire them as guards for the mine tonight. Then we can go out to relieve the miners there." "Aye, lad. I can trust 'em. Is the going rate fine?" MacNaulty rejoins the workers and talks things over with them. He calls out to Chester, "Let's get over to the smelter now." Up in Kate’s room, Maggie says, “Father arrived on the stage along with Cousin Teddy and Teddy's girl Alexis. Tom and I spoke to Father about our plans and Tom presented his idea. Father is very being difficult. First of all, he said that if our Lone Star were actually a success then we wouldn’t need any free labor from him and Teddy to build the next floor. He said that he doubts that either Tom or I could run our Saloon without the other one, so splitting us up would be detrimental to this business’s long-term success. He said that while Teddy is a good Faro dealer he has no managerial ability and would make a poor partner to me for this business. Lastly, he said that if or when Tom ever does come back to Denver he expects it to be as a business partner, with ownership of at least 25% of the business. Father estimates that his Denver Lone Star is worth around $ 20,000 so Tom would need to have saved up $ 5,000 to buy into the business.” “So father essentially shot down Tom’s idea. But my brother had spent the previous few hours mentally preparing for a life with Flossie and he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. He’s been so miserable this past year and wasn’t going to let another setback keep him and Flossie apart. So he countered every one of Father’s objections by accepting them as challenges. Oh Katherine, I was so proud of him. Tom has never stood up to our Father. First, he told Father that we could put on the third floor without needing any of his or Teddy’s help. Then he told Father that he and I are each equally capable of running our Lone Star Dance Hall and Saloon without the other and that we would be happy to show that to him during his visit here. Tom then said that he would be able to find me a capable partner for this business and that he would sell his share of the Lone Star to that partner. Lastly, he said that combined with what he has already saved up he would be able to come up with the $ 5,000. Not to be outdone, Father came back with an unrealistic deadline for all of that to take place. He said that he if he’s not needed for the construction he will plan on leaving Promise City next Monday. By then he expects to see the third floor built; to have seen Tom successfully manage the Saloon from tonight until Thursday night without me; to have seen me successfully manage it from Friday to Sunday night without Tom; for Tom to have found a partner who he deems acceptable to sell half of the Saloon to; and lastly to have the full $ 5,000 raised by then. Tom thought for a few minutes and then countered by pointing out that last year it took a month for them to put on the second floor. Tom said that he wanted quality workmanship and refused to rush to finish in it less than a week and thereby have it turn out to be less than perfect. Father is a perfectionist so it would be hard for him to argue against quality work. Tom figured that would extend the deadline then for all of Father’s terms. Instead, Father only cut back on the construction requirement but kept the Monday deadline for everything else. He said that by Monday morning the third floor construction had to have been started, with all materials purchased and a detailed plan and timeline laid out for its completion by no longer than a month from now. Thankfully Father will permit Tom to leave before it is finished, since last year Jeff Mills showed himself to be a very competent construction foreman.” I’m not sure exactly what we’re going to do about raising all of that money. We currently have around $ 1,600 saved up, but I imagine that we’ll need to spend quite a bit of that on construction materials and hiring laborers for the construction. Flossie has around $ 800 saved up for her and Tom to use. Tom estimates that the Lone Star is worth around $ 4,000 so his half of the business would be valued at around $ 2,000. Tony Lucky and Jeff Mills are both unaware of the true nature of mine and Tom’s relationship and neither of them have any money. But Job Kane figured it out a while back and we knew that before today Job Kane had a fair amount of money saved up. So Tom approached him about buying into the Lone Star but after paying that hefty fine he had very little left. And Tom really can’t approach anybody else around trying to sell his share of the business to since his running away with Flossie has to be perceived by as a surprise move, otherwise I won’t be able to petition Judge Isby to have our marriage annulled due to abandonment. I hate have to ask you guys but Katherine had made the suggestion to me yesterday. Would any of you have any money and perhaps be interested in becoming my business partner?" Silence follows. Sonoma is the first to speak: "Ms. Wimple. I am confused. Your father is demanding all of these things of you and your...hus.. um... brother, however don't the two of you own the Lone Star? Is he a silent partner or has he given you capital that you haven't repaid? If not he has no rights to make demands such as he is on either of you. This man although blood is not treating you as family, he is treating you as property something to own and control at his convenience. As I see it you have two choices. You can continue to allow a man who is treating you very badly to continue to rule your lives or you can become the people you came out here to be and run your own life. If your father has given you money to start the Lone Star find a way to pay him back with the same interest he would have made in the bank and be done with it. You have both proved yourselves here and have one of the best places in town. Do not let a man who does not wish the best for you destroy your life." Maggie pauses and says "My, you are direct aren't you. Sonoma right? I see you've given this subject some thought, perhaps because your parents own a Saloon as well and you've had similar thoughts of your own life. I agree with most of what you have said and if Tom were happy staying here I would just tell father to leave. But it is his dream to own Father's business in Denver. I do not wish to deny him that. Father has dictated some terms that will be difficult to achieve, but I believe that with help from my friends and employees we can accomplish them and a week from now my brother and I will finally be happy as will be my best friend." Jake speaks up next, "So you are looking for partners you can work with that can come up with $2000? What else do you expect from your partners and what could they expect in return?" Jake ignores the slightly disappointed and embarrassed looks from Katherine that he appears to be only worried about the money. Maggie gives Jake a stern look and says "There is no reason to take that tone with me Mr. Cook. It was Katherine's suggestion that you three might be interested in investing in the Lone Star.” Jake replies, "Ah, well I don't mean to be abrupt. If you want business partners, then we need to be able to talk business." He shrugs and looks at Katherine. Maggie says, “If you would prefer I would actually just need a short-term loan, of only a week. Once Tom is gone I would be able to approach one of the bankers in town about a loan and then I'd be able to repay you." "So... are you looking for a loan or would we be partners?" Ruby asks. Ruby and Kate had already had this argument about helping Maggie. Ruby hadn't believed that Maggie and Tom would actually come to them, they had not known them long enough to trust them. And Ruby was extremely hesitant to do anything with her money that she couldn't get it if she needed it quick. Just that morning she had put money in Jake's bank, something she had not done in years, and that alone was a tremendous step. Ruby was going to wait to see what everyone else thought. Kate says, "I'm sorry, Maggie. I didn't mention the idea to Jake because I didn't think you or Tom thought much of it. I think Jake has been doing business all day, and is in the habit of speaking plainly. But he is right that before we enter any kind of arrangement, we should know what our expectations of each other would be. Today I entered into an informal arrangement to invest in a ranch, and I can't go back on my word. But I should be able to split what funds I have between the two. No matter how much money we have, I doubt we'll be able to buy 200 acres, even if it's available." Kate sat down on the bed and pulled Maggie down with her. "It's been a long day for you," she said gently, slipping her arm around Maggie's waist. "I'm sure the talk with your Father was stressful, and all these questions are coming at you a bit fast. Let's start slowly. Would you prefer partners, or would you rather own the Lone Star in your own right?" Tears well up in Maggie's eyes, her posture droops and she starts to move towards the door sobbing "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have bothered you with my problems." Kate watched helplessly as Maggie headed for the door, at a loss for what to do now. Jake moves over to Katherine and whispers in her ear, "We have more resources available. There were other items brought out of the caves." Jake then steps away without looking at her reaction and sits on the edge of the bed. Ruby saw the hurt look on Kate's face, which bothered her more than Maggie's tears. "Hold on," Ruby said while jumping up and walking over to Maggie. She sighed, "We didn't say we wouldn't help you, right Jake. Kate's idea is a good one." Ruby shoots him a look. "I'm not sure that we will have all that money but we will try to come up with it." Jake says aloud to no one in particular, "Heh, we are pretty resourceful. I'm sure money is not a problem if we really think hard enough about it." Ruby takes Maggie's arm and leads her back to the chair. "What do we need to do and when?" Maggie says "Well, the only thing that we need to do right now is make sure that Tom has a successful night while Father is watching. And I can't help with that, I have to stay away so that Tom can show he can do it without me." "Tonight I'm guessing?" Ruby says. Kate interjects "I think Jake was planning on bringing some friends into town tonight. I'm sure he could recommend the Lone Star as a good place to spend their evening. Why don't we discuss the money situation tomorrow?" Kate reached out and took Maggie's hand. "And I never want you to feel bad for bringing your troubles to me, you understand? It's a pleasure to help. Now, do you have any recommendations for us tonight?" She replies, "Father will be watching Tom the next three nights. I really hope that Job has good nights at the table. Tom needs to prove to father that he can run a successful gambling establishment." Ruby exclaims, "Well, then we'll have to make sure your father sees that you can, right? Don't worry Maggie it will be fine." Once again Ruby was repeating fairy tales that she didn't believe in, but hopefully Maggie would. [/QUOTE]
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