The saloon was unusually busy for the middle of the day and Mabel was rushed off her feet. The patrons were unruly today and small fights were breaking out for various reasons. Someone was caught cheating at cards or someone bumped into someone else and spilled a drink. An irrate woman led a cowboy out by the scruff of his neck. 'An unhappy wife', Mabel thought. She wagered she wouldn't be too happy either if her husband spent his hard earned money on liquor and card games. Well, thank goodness she didn't have a husband.
Jack had been in several times to break up the skirmishes, so the day hadn't been a complete loss.
She was serving a table of poker players when she noticed corporal Bennett appear in the doorway. He settled himself at the bar. Zack was pouring him a coffee when Mabel returned with her empty tray.

"Good afternoon Mabel." He smiled pleasantly. "I was just telling Zack about the town meeting tonight. I hope you will be able to attend."

"As much as I would love to Clive, I have to work. Besides, your town meetings tend to turn into witch hunts." she replied sarcastically. Zack filled her tray again and she returned to her duties.

At 6 p.m. Zack closed up the saloon, hung a sign on the door 'Closed for meeting', he and Diane had convinced Mabel to attend as well, "It's a good chance for you to become involved in the goings on in Bordertown", Diane had told her.
Not wanting to appear uninterested in the well being of her new town, Mabel reluctantly agreed to go with them.
As they hurried along the dusty street she felt apprehensive, why couldn't they have their stupid meeting in the saloon, where she was comfortable. Oh, that's right, it was a Canadian matter. Jack had commented earlier how "You Canadian's are always holdin' meetin's fer one thing er another." So it would be held on the Canadian side of town. But Zack and Diane were American, what interest would they have in a Canadian matter?

Upon entering Confederation Hall she paused to look at the faces around her. Some she knew from the saloon, "Howdy Miss Mabel", they greeted her cheerfully. Their wives did not seem to be as friendly.
Finding three empty seats in the second row, Zack waited for the women to be seated before he took his place between them.
Mabel's feet were sore, why did they make women's shoes so tight? This was the first chance she'd had to sit down in six hours, but given the choice, she would rather be working.
Then came the unmistakeable sound of Joanna Radway's voice somewhere in the crowd behind her. 'It just keeps getting better' Mabel thought.

Clive Bennett took the floor. "Ladies and gentlemen!" As the crowd fell silent he cleared his throat. "I've called you all here tonight to inform you of a situation that concerns both the Canadian and American residents of Bordertown." He looked in Mabel's direction.
Now what did I do? she thought to herself.
The corporal continued, "In regards to our previous meeting and the subsequent firing of Miss Mabel Nestor as the school teacher here, I sent word to Fort Edmonton that we were in need of a suitable replacement at once."
Mabel turned to look at the doorway, she could make a run for it. Just get up and walk out and leave these people to have their miserable meeting. But there, leaning against the door casing, arms folded across his chest, was Jack Craddock. She had caught his eye, he smiled and tipped his hat. Mabel decided to stay.

Clive was still talking, "I would like to read to you now, the reply I recieved from the superintendent of education."

Mabel's gaze fell to the floor, she watched as a small bug make his way carefully around the throng of feet in it's path. She wished she was a bug and could sneak away without anyone noticing. The she realized that if she was the bug Mrs. Radway would surely step on her. As she thought about the events that had taken place, and the way that woman had looked down on her, Mabel felt herself getting angry.

Clive continued reading, "...and so, upon reviewing your concerns about the suitablity of the teacher in question, it is my opinion that Miss Nestor is more than qualified for the teaching position in Bordertown. If, however, you still see her as unfit for the position, I must inform you that due to the shortage of teachers at this time, it would be impossible to find a replacement on such short notice. The earliest a teacher could be available would be next spring, after graduation, and even then I can not gaurantee that Bordertown would receive future consideration."

Placing the letter on the table in front of him, Clive took a moment to look at the faces around him, "I think we need to discuss the options....."

"She's a saloon girl corporal ! Surely the superintendant doesn't find that acceptable !" Mrs. Radway's voice cut through the air.

Mabel rose to her feet and walked to the front of the hall. With an angry look on her face she reproached the woman, "Mrs. Radway... did you attend finishing school by any chance?"

Surprised by the question, Joanna answered, "Well... no, but I don't see what my education has to do with this."

" Well I did attend finishing school Mrs. Radway, and the first lesson a young girl is taught, is that it is not polite to interrupt someone when they are speaking. Now if you will do Corporal Bennett the curtasy of letting him finish, then I'm sure we will all be interested in hearing what you have to say."

Joanna sat with a scowl on her face, as a man at the back of the room clapped his hands before being silenced by an embarressed wife.
Mabel glanced at Jack who stood quietly, with a grin on his face. Ardamous Boone was sitting near the door, he obviously had no interest in whether or not the town had a school, but the saloon was closed and he had nowhere else to go. Standing briefly, he weaved back and forth in a drunken haze and saluted Mabel, military style. She couldn't resist the smile that spread across her face. Turning to Clive she gave him back the floor.

Clive Bennett stood, as Mabel returned her seat. " It appears that Bordertown may never have a school, or at least, not this year anyway. In my opinion, Miss Nestor would be an asset to this community. If we do not encourage her to remain here, she will no doubt seek employment elsewhere... and as the superintendant of education stated in his letter, she will have no trouble doing so."
Motioning towards Joanna, he continued, "You may have the floor now Mrs. Radway."

"I think we should wait for a suitable teacher to arrive. Do you really want this bar maid educating your children?" she asked the crowd. " We all know what goes on in those saloons, how those girls make their money." She hissed.

Wendell MacWherter cleared his throat and rose to his feet, " I believe we fired Miss Nestor in the first place because she was an indian, now you say she's unsuitable because she's a saloon girl. I think a grave injustice has been done here. I believe we owe Miss Nestor an apology... and I for one am apologizing." Turning his glance to Mabel he continued, "I hope you can forgive my ignorance ma'am, and it would give me great pleasure if you would stay in Bordertown."

A vote was held and Mabel was reinstated as the school teacher. Zack kissed her on the cheek and told her she would be missed at the saloon. As people shook her hand, some congratulated her, some apologized, but all seemed to be happy with the outcome. All but Joanna Radway who left immediately following the vote.

Jack was still standing in the doorway and grabbed Wendell's arm as he passed by, "Good move MacWherter."

"What?" Wendell asked, puzzled by the remark.

"You definately won Mabel's affection with that speech. She'll be spoonin' after ya fer sure now." Jack said with a serious look.

Wendell hurried out the door.

As she made her way through the crowd, Mabel noticed Ardamous asleep in his chair. She crouched down in front of the old man and shook him gently,"Ardamous... It's time to go home." He opened his eyes, and seeing the familiar face he insisted, "Git me another whiskey Mabel!"

As Jack and Mabel helped the old man find his way home, the marshal snickered, "Thought you told me the first thing they taught ya at finishin' school was how ta shoot a gun?"