“Do the expo coordinators have everything ready for tomorrow’s opening day?” Pearl asked.
“I think so. They were going to lay the last bits of sod tonight after the University of Washington graduated its classes and ended the school year,” Otis replied.
“It’s all so very exciting.” And Addie meant that too. There had been very little that she’d taken such pleasure in as she had the expo’s birth and development. She had watched the area come to life as the men built grand and glorious buildings, fountains, and gardens on property belonging to the University of Washington. Of course, there was a bargain tobe made. Those in charge of the exposition agreed to build several permanent buildings amidst the temporary ones, so that the college could use them after the expo. Locally, it was seen as a great boon for the school and the city.
The plan was for millions of people to attend and learn about the various cultures represented in Alaska, the Yukon, and the Pacific. The focus of the exhibits on Alaska was meant to encourage a push for it to become a permanent territory or even a state. It was hoped that there would be renewed interest in people wanting to settle there if visitors knew about the place and its peoples. The emphasis on the Yukon exhibits would also be tied to the rapid development of the local area. Seattle exploded with people in 1898, when the gold rush was on. There were to be several displays devoted to the requirements for each citizen heading into the Canadian wilderness. Lastly, the Pacific exhibits would focus on anything and everything in the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Representatives for Hawaii would share its culture and history, as would those for the Philippines, Japan, and other locales.
Despite whatever might happen in the next few months, Addie, and many others, thought the expo had already changed Seattle for the better. There had been new streetcar lines added, the sewers and electric services had been extended, and new neighborhoods were springing up faster than anyone had expected. Added to this was the betterment of the university. Even if the expo should fail overall, Seattle had benefitted.
“Do you think the girls will do well, Addie?” Otis asked, sounding a little more anxious than she’d heard him before.
“Of course. I’ve had them over there every day to learnthe locations of everything they could. They know the position of the shop and where it stands in contrast to various buildings and amusements. I think most of them could find it blindfolded.”
“And they understand all about the camera. Are you sure we don’t need to call them together tonight?”
Pearl responded before Addie and patted her husband’s arm. “It will be good, Otis. You’ll see. The girls will do well. It might be rocky at first, but I believe by the end of this grand event, they will be quite comfortable and have sold every camera you have available.”
“I hope you’re right. We’ve invested so much.”
“Otis, I believe it will be a complete success.”
He still looked worried. “But you know the last expo did not do well. The one in Jamestown was a huge failure. Millions of dollars were lost.”
“That’s true,” Addie admitted, “but I don’t believe it’s going to happen to us. The newspaper said they were poorly managed and had overly ambitious goals that they knew they could never accomplish. The planners here have been very wise and the people equally supportive. Just look at all the money they were able to raise from regular citizens alone.”
“She’s right, Otis. It’s going to be just fine.”
Addie smiled. “Besides I’ve already told you that if all else fails, I’ll buy your entire inventory and sell it elsewhere. You two are the only ones who know that I have plenty of money in the bank to do exactly that.”
“No, no. I want to earn the money myself,” Otis said, shaking his finger at her. “I will build my new shop with my own blood and sweat. This is a matter of pride. My fatheralways told me anything worth having was worth giving your all. Sometimes chances have to be taken, and this is that time for me.”
“Then do not give it further concern, husband.” Pearl smiled so sweetly at the man. Theirs was a true love match, and Addie couldn’t help but be a little envious.
Pearl began again. “We prayed about this and felt it was the right thing to do—the thing God called us to do. Satan wants us to doubt. We cannot spend all of our time in worry.”
He drew a deep breath and refocused on the food. “You are right. I will stop my fretting.”
Hiram Bryant was tired of being bossed around, but as a part of an early release agreement with the Canadian government, he and Shep had signed on for the hard work in order to get out of prison.
They had been sentenced to ten years for an armed robbery that had resulted in a man being severely wounded. After serving seven of it, they were offered a deal. If they would participate in helping with the heavy lifting aspect of moving artifacts to Seattle for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, they would receive an early release. The news was well received by Hiram and Shep, who had more than wearied of life in prison.
“You fellas have done a good job,” the overseer announced. “I have paperwork here that declares you’ve served your time and met all of the requirements for early release from prison.” He handed out the envelopes to a dozen men and smiled. “The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition is going to be better for allof your work on the Yukon exhibit. You’ll find a small amount of pay included in your release papers. You’re welcome to spend the night in our tent, but tomorrow it’s coming down.”
Not a single man there cared one whit as to whether the exposition would be better, nor did they have any interest in staying in the prison tent. Hiram took his papers and elbowed Shep.
“Let’s go into town. I’m sure we can manage to find something else. At least a decent meal, and maybe some female companionship.” He took up the sack of their worldly possessions and threw it over his shoulder.
Shep nodded and followed his brother away from the Yukon exhibit. As they neared the front gate area, a man called to them.
“Hey, you two. Wanna earn some money?”
Hiram stopped, and Shep ran into him. His growl was enough to cause Shep to jump nearly three feet to the right.
“What did you have in mind?” Hiram asked, turning around.
“I’m helping with landscaping. We’re laying the last of the sod tonight. I could use a couple more fellas to help with carrying the sod from the wagons to the areas where it will be planted. It pays well.”
Hiram considered it only a moment. “I suppose we could.”
