Verity Mitchell had decided to give the household servants a rest by doing her own shopping, but she hadn't expected to see the daughter of a very prominent Loyalist family in the market, dressed in homespun instead of silk.

"Good morrow, Anne. I didn't expect to see you in the market today. Don't tell me you've joined the Daughters of Liberty, have you?"

Anne smiled, and nodded a confirmation."My parents are quite furious, but it is a noble cause, and I pray that my parents will see the good in opposing our tax-loving king."

Obadiah entered the marketplace walking slowly and casting a careful eye over those already there. Selecting Verity as the most likely to respond favorably, he approached her, bowed politely and said, "Pardon, miss, I am Obadiah Witherspoon, late of Yale College. Could you direct me to the estate of Mr. Joseph Barnwell? I am told that he might share certain scholarly interests of mine."

In reply to Obadiah Witherspoon (msg # 2):

Verity smiled sweetly, and answered " Oh, Mr Barnwell? Oh, yes. Just go on straight from here for a while, then turn right and you'll find it."

In reply to Verity Mitchell (msg # 3):

Obadiah bowed again, raising his hat, and said "I thank you very much, miss." He hesitates a moment and adds, "I do not know if Mr. Barnwell will be willing to extend his hospitality to me. Is there a respectable inn hereabouts that might suit me if he does not?"

Thomas and his husband Frederick entered into the market place, hands held close together, gladly celebrating They had decided to look for new coats, seeing as the winter was coming soon.

In reply to Obadiah Witherspoon (msg # 4):

Verity thought, and answered, " There is The Whispering Inn. It's just a block away. "

In reply to Verity Mitchell (msg # 6):

Obadiah says, "I thank you very much, miss. I will take the precaution of securing a room at the inn before I seek out Master Barnwell. That way, I shall not appear to be presuming on his hospitality."
Seeing Thomas and Frederick enter, he looks speculatively at them and murmurs, "Arcades ambo?Still, "et ego in Arcadia" though not with such ...ephebic tastes."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:20, Mon 08 Apr 2019.

Obadiah realizes his last remark may have been incomprehensible to those without a classical education, and explains. "I believe those two young men are very close friends indeed. But it is no concern of mine."

In reply to Obadiah Witherspoon (msg # 8):

Verity nodded. "Yes, I do agree."

Obadiah glances over at the young men again and says, "If they choose to come our way, I daresay they might profit from your knowledge of the town, as I have done. But if they choose to go their own way, I should benefit by your advice and seek our the inn and then Master Barnwell's estate." 

His shoes made, to him, a loud clicking sound as he walked over the cobblestones and turned into the opened area that was the daily market.   Some of the area consisted of well-made stalls, other parts were horseless wagons with the wares being offered from the back of the wagon, while other areas were merchants on chairs, small benches, or blankets selling things to those that passed by.   His goal was to look for anything that might be of interest, with his real objective being the shop of Hall and Sellers, or if he must, Franklin’s.  The latter was seen as being center of discord with the Colonial Governor and the Penn’s.  Matthias really didn’t want to have to explain buying paper from the same printer that was printing broadsides against his bosses.

Obadiah notices the newcomer and remarks to Verity "It seems we have another visitor; if he is seeking out the printers, I hope he may prove to be a man of some education."
OOC: Logically, Obadiah's remark should probably go after the question about the printers, as before that he would not know that was the goal. I am assuming he overheard the question.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:28, Tue 30 Apr 2019.

He had paused at one of the stalls that had various sized candles, beeswax dipped and larger molded candles, looking for a few for his room.   The light would help as he worked on the required maps.   He counted out the few smaller coins into the opened hand of the woman who had made them.  He asked, “could you point me the way to Hall and Sellers, the printers, I need  to get there before they lock up for the day.”

Obadiah addresses Mathias, "It seems that we may share a common interest in books; as a fellow citizen of the Republic of Letters, may I accompany you to the printer?"
OOC: Obviously, Obadiah does not understand why Mathias is really  going to the printer, but I leave that to Mathias to explain if he chooses.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 03:21, Mon 20 May 2019.

“Good day, to you both, and well met,” he said with a smile and a slight bow as he tipped his hat.  He took them in via quick scan as he stood up and extended a hand to the gentleman. She was dressed in a well-cut homespun cloth that did not seem to match the well-made nature of the gown.  He was well dressed, his face aged but framed with darker hair.  His face was sharp, angular, or as his mother would say a Massachusetts man.  His speech punctuated the words with a clear, distinct learned tone.

“Matthias Wendt, at your service,” he said with an extended black-gloved hand to the older man.  He assumed the man was the woman’s guardian, if not a direct family member. “I would be delighted to have the company, and direction to Hall and Sellers.  Although books are not my purpose, I must confess.  Rather paper of the highest quality for a set of maps in response to the warrants I was requested to survey for the Board of Property.   Will be burning a few of these for certain in the nights to come.”

He held up the candles and smiled.

In reply to Obadiah Witherspoon (msg # 12):

Verity nodded. "Yes, it would seem so."

Obadiah responded, "Fine paper is almost as precious as a fine book for those with the skill to use it. I take it you are a surveyor? That is a profession that requires both learning and practical skill."

“ja, just back from a month in the field,” he said as he slipped the tapers into the pocket of his long coat and joined the two newly met shoppers.  “I apprenticed for some time, read what I could at the Library Company, and then took up work with Board of Property.  Tried to be out when the brush, pests, and such were not attacking my feet, face or hands.”

He took a few steps and then realized he had committed a bit of a social faux pas.  “Please, forgive my forwardness, I don’t believe I gave pause to catch either of your names, too much time amongst the rocks, trees and streams it would seem.”

Obodiah replied, "Obadah Witherspoon at your service, one-time scholar of Yale College, and now a wanderer in search of wisdom. I hope we may share useful knowledge together."

“I am willing to share what I know, discuss what I suspect, and learn about what I don’t know.” He responded to Master Witherspoon.  He shifted his glance towards the lady in their midst and asked, “and, if I may be so bold, Good Lady, are you traveling with your Uncle or Cousin?“

As Verity did not immediately answer, Obadiah replied a bit awkwardly, "I cannot claim kinship with this excellent lady. She was simply giving me some useful advice as she knows the town better than I since I have only lately arrived here."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:00, Wed 29 May 2019.