Story The Truck the Witch and the Blacksmith

[gonewacky]

Jim insisted, “You know the evening how could you ever forget it. You dream about it every night. You see it in every nightmare.”

Tammy insisted, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Jim insisted, “Of Corse you do.”

Tammy cut in, “How could I remember something from twenty years ago.”

Jim went on, “Let me refresh your memory. You were working for a brokerage house called Bleecker. It was 9 at night the entire building was empty except for you. What were you doing there at 9 at night? What were you doing in Mr. Bleecker’s private office? What were you doing taking money out of Mr. Bleecker’s safe? Suddenly you filled with fear and you heard a door open. It was the night watchmen, and he asked you the very same question.”

Night watchmen, “What were you doing at that safe Tammy?”

Tammy replied, “Jerry, you see Mr. Bleecker called me and asked me to come down here and get this money out of the safe and…”

Jerry insisted, “No Tammy. It isn’t so he didn’t ask you nothing of the sort.”

Tammy insisted, “Oh but I tell you He he he…”

Jerry demanded, “No he didn’t tell you nothing of the sorts, besides you’re not supposed to know the combination to the safe. How did you find the combination Tammy?”

Tammy begged, “Jerry listen…”

Jerry explained, “I know Tammy you were tempted, and I can understand that.”

Tammy begged, “Jerry I need this money. It’s not just for me it’s to help somebody. Jerry I’m not supposed to have this combination. Nobody could ever trace this to me.”

Jerry agreed, “I suppose not.”

Tammy begged, “It’s only twenty-thousand dollars. What’s twenty-thousand dollars to Mr. Bleecker? He could afford to lose it. Look Jerry I could give you some of it. Like five- thousand.”

Jerry refused, “No Tammy.”

Tammy insisted, “I’m taking this money, and you can’t stop me.”

Jerry insisted, “I’ll have to report it Tammy.”

Tammy insisted, “I’ll deny it. It’s your word against mine. Now get out of my way.”

Jerry insisted, “I have to stop you Tammy. It’s my duty.”

Tammy disclosed, “You’re and old man and I dint want to hurt you. Now get out of my way. Now let go of me!”

Then Jerry was trying to make Tammy put the money back as she hit and kicked him. Then he fell to the floor and Tammy gasped, “Jerry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Jerry moaned, “It’s my heart the pills in my shirt pocket. Give me…”

Tammy whined, “Jerry don’t, Jerry please don’t die. I’ll put the money back but don’t die.”

Jerry let out one last breath and went limp. Tammy wined, “Nooo.”

Jim added, “But he did die and you didn’t put the money back.

Tammy demanded, “What do you want? Did you come here to blackmail me?”

Jim questioned, “Tell me where you sincere? Would you relay put the money back if you had the chance?”

Tammy whimpered, “Yes it would have saved Jerry’s life if I did it when he asked me.”

Jim revealed, “That’s why I’m here, to give you that opportunity to put the money back.”

Tammy advised, “Put the money back? That money has been gone for years twenty-thousand dollars, and I never had so much as a penny’s worth of enjoyment out of it.”

Jim questioned, “How would you like the chance to put the money back.”

Tammy whined, “How can I put it back? I don’t have it.”

Jim questioned, “How would you like the chance to put it back while he was still asking you to do it?

Tammy questioned, “What are you saying? What are you saying?”

Jim answered, “What I’m saying Tammy and I thought I was saying it clearly. Is would you like to have the chance to put the money back when old Jerry asked you to.”

Tammy replied, “But that is impossible.”

Jim insisted, “I didn’t ask you if it was possible. I asked you if you would do it.”

Tammy replied, “I know I’m not asleep. I’m not dreaming all this.”

Jim informed, “No you’re wide awake. Well your answer?”

Tammy insisted, “Twenty-thousand dollars that was a fortune. I thought it would change my life.”

Jim insisted, “It did.”

Tammy went on, “It made me an old woman long before my time.”

Jim added, “I know.”

Tammy explained, “I had to hide that money. I had to lie about every nickel of it. When Tom needed five-thousand dollars to go into business I lied and said an aunt died, and I inherited the money. It didn’t matter he went bankrupt anyway. I bought stocks that dropped out of site. I bet on horses that never finished the race. It was as if there was a curse on that money. Well you seem to know everything, so was there a curse?”

Jim replied, “Let’s say you should have never taken it.”

Tammy queried, “Would my life have been different?”

Jim mumbled, “Yes.”

Tammy insisted, “Tell me how?”

Jim mumbled, “I don’t know.”

Tammy demanded, “What do you mean you don’t know.”

Jim insisted, “Without that murder on your conscience.”

 

[gonewacky]

Tammy insisted, “Don’t call it murder! It was it was…”

Jim questioned, “What was it? You would have looked at things differently, and had a different attitude. Unless you were a thief in your heart then you’d wind up just about the way you are now. A failure made up of remorse.”

Tammy insisted, “I’m not a thief I never stole anything until that day.”

Jim insisted, “Well you probably never had the opportunity.”

Tammy whined, “Don’t say that.”

Jim replied, “I have to say that, because there is no point in giving you a chance to make amends if..”

Tammy whined, “If what?”

Jim admitted, “If you did the same thing all over again.

Tammy whined, “Do you think I’d, oh lord to get one night’s sleep. To lose the sight of that old man’s face. I would give my soul.”

Jim insisted, “You don’t have to give anything.”

Tammy continued, “Money, once I thought it was everything. Now look what it did to me. I heat it, I don’t want it. Please give me that chance. Give me that chance. Don’t listen to me I don’t know what I’m saying. I must be crazy. Somehow a stranger comes into my house, and he found out a secret about me. For some reason that I can’t understand he seems to amuse himself about.”

Jim affirmed, “I admit this is shocking to you, but there is one way to prove that I’m serous. And that you’re not crazy. Go back.”

Tammy questioned, “Go back? 21 years?”

Jim disclosed, “Yes.”

Tammy uttered, “I’m afraid.”

Jim questioned, “Afraid to be young again, afraid to have another chance, another life time?”

Tammy questioned, “Would a thing like this work?”

Jim informed, “It’s very simple. You agree to go back for the express purpose to rectifying an unfortunate action you committed under stress. You are given an opportunity to do it.

Tammy asked, “Then do I come back here to the present?”

Jim insisted, “That’s difficult to say. You’re going back there. Here won’t happen for another 21 years, so where here is going to be. Will depend on the new life you make for yourself.”

Tammy admitted, “Well what do I have to lose? My wonderful job, this apartment, and my husband ha ha I’m ready.”

Jim warned, “If you don’t put the money back.”

Tammy questioned, “How can you even bring that up? That’s what I’m going back there for isn’t it.”

Jim insisted, “I’d just like to warn.”

Tammy butted in, “You don’t have to warn me about anything you just sold me. Now how do we do it? Oh listen to me I must be crazy I really believe what you’re saying.”

Jim explained, “Just take my hand and we’ll go for a walk.”

Tammy joked, “We’re just going to walk back 21 years?”

Jim replied, “Yes.”

Tammy insisted, “I’m not dressed for walking.”

Jim insisted, “You’re not dressed for 21 years ago either, but don’t worry it will all take care of itself, and once we leave here this place will no longer exist.”

Then Jim blinked them out. On the sidewalk Tammy exclaimed, “Look the coffee shop is still there, but they tore it down ten years ago.”

Just then the Crow landed on Tammy’s head, and a transformation took place. Tammy turned into the young woman she was 21 years ago. Looking down she exclaimed, “I remember this dress, but I haven’t seen it for years.”

Jim insisted, “You best head into work or you’ll be late.”

Tammy whined, “I thought you were taking me to put the money back?”

Jim explained, “I did. You have to relive the entire day then change the outcome at the end. Now get into work.”

Tammy rushed into the building, and got on the elevator. Jim found himself back in front of Najl. Then Najl hit his Axe handle on the ground, and they were sitting next to each other on a log by the Great Columbia River. In a whisper Najl questioned, “Did you like New York?”

Jim replied, “I didn’t even check it out. That Gal was a hand full.”

Softly Najl asked, “Do you think she’ll do the right thing?”

Jim mumbled, “She seemed sincere like she wanted to do the right thing.”

Softly Najl went on, “You know she isn’t Demon possessed. This is just freewill at work here.”

Jim assured, “I knew that. At some point I learned to feel a Demon. I can’t explain it that’s just a feeling I get when I stand next to them.”

Najl praised, “You are doing well my Time Lord. Another fifty years and you’ll be able to do amazing things. Let’s see what happened with our little experiment.”

Najl waved his hand and a little cloud appeared in front of them. The cloud was like a window that followed Tammy around, and they could see and hear what she was doing. Najl pointed out, “Look there she’s standing just outside Mr. Bleecker’s office.”

Jim could hear him on the phone, “I don’t know why we have to change the combination so much, but go ahead, 12 to the right, 12 to the left, then twice to zero. I got it.”

Then Tammy came in and Mr. Bleecker insisted, “Tammy take a note. I Want Mr. Sanders to buy 5,000 shares of international motors.”

Tammy gasped, “But they’re going bankrupt.”

Mr. Bleecker asked, “What do you mean bankrupt? You have some inside knowledge or something.”

Tammy, “No, I don’t know anything about stocks. 5,000 shares of international motors, I got it.”

 

[gonewacky]

Mr. Bleecker went on, “I’m having enough trouble with Janie. I don’t need you going haywire on me to.”

Tammy, “Yes sir.”

Mr. Bleecker added, “Now, I want Peters to buy 2,000 shares of Midwest Steel.”

Tammy, “Yes sir.”

Najl explained, “I didn’t want you jumping around trying to find out how she got the combination. I know you and that kind of thing eats at you, so I showed you. Now let’s see if she changed.”

Najl waved his hand and they were watching Tammy at the safe at 9:00 that night.

Then the Night watchmen came in, “What were you doing at that safe Tammy?”

Tammy replied, “Jerry, you see Mr. Bleecker called me and asked me to come down here and get this money out of the safe and…”

Jerry insisted, “No Tammy. It isn’t so, he didn’t ask you nothing of the sort.”

Tammy insisted, “Oh but I tell you He he he…”

Jerry demanded, “No he didn’t tell you that, besides you’re not supposed to know the combination to the safe. How did you find the combination Tammy?”

Tammy begged, “Jerry listen…”

Jerry explained, “I know Tammy you were tempted, and I can understand that.”

Tammy begged, “Jerry I need this money. I can make millions with it. We can both be millionaires. I know what stocks to buy. I know what horses to bet on. I know all the winners. I’ll put it back I just need it for one day.”

Jerry argued, “I think not.”

Tammy begged, “It’s only twenty-thousand dollars. What’s twenty-thousand dollars to Mr. Bleecker? He could afford to lose it, but I’m putting it back tomorrow. Just think Jerry we could be millionaires.”

Jerry refused, “No Tammy.”

Tammy insisted, “I’m taking this money, and you can’t stop me.”

Jerry insisted, “I’ll have to report it Tammy.”

Tammy insisted, “I’ll deny it. It’s your word against mine. Now get out of my way.”

Jerry insisted, “I have to stop you Tammy. It’s my duty.”

Tammy disclosed, “You’re and old man and I dint want to hurt you. Now get out of my way. Now let go of me!”

Then Jerry was trying to make Tammy put the money back, as she hit and kicked him until he fell to the floor. Then Tammy gasped, “Jerry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Jerry moaned, “It’s my heart the pills in my shirt pocket. Give me…”

Tammy whined, “Jerry don’t Jerry please don’t die.”

Jerry let out one last breath and went limp.

The cloud faded away and Najl whispered, “Sorry my Child, but it’s all about freewill. I know you did your best, but even a Time Lord can’t fix everything. It has been nice to sit here with you. Let’s enjoy the beauty of the river before I send you back.”

Then in a flash Jim was back on the wagon leaving the store. He stopped the wagon and walked across the street to the Dress Shop. Suzy saw him out the window and met Jim at the door. Jim grabbed her and pulled her tight as he whispered, “I just worked real hard to fix someone’s life and failed miserably.”

Suzy made a ball of love and pushed it into Jim’s back as she asked, “You were on a journey?”

Jim mumbled, “Yep.”

 

[gonewacky]

Meanwhile in Lambert at the Doctor’s Office…

 

[gonewacky]

Chapter Six

That night Jim, Suzy and Kathy appeared Before Najl. He gave them their instructions. “I’m sending you first Jim. You will go save Arthur Michael Romano. Arthur was abandon at a Convent as a child, and became a favorite of Sister Linda. The time is 1960, and he’s a part of the Italian Mafia. He thinks he’s not bad because he doesn’t know the stuff he trades is stolen. It’s like a man of God buying gas, but tells himself it’s not sinful. When deep down he knows that the oil came from a country that uses the money it to kill followers of god. In this time all need forgiveness. The world has reached a turning point. Remember there’s always forgiveness, but it has to sought–after. It’s wanted by many people and not all get or find it.

You will find many Demon possessed people on this Journey, but only one deserves having the Demon cast out. You will have to determine which one it is. Now Kathy, make your Time Lord invisible, so I can send him on his way.”

With that Kathy shot a little spark at Jim, and he disappeared. In an instant Jim was on a street in Chicago. A well-dressed man was coming out of a Drug Store. Then Jim saw a car racing around the corner with a gun barrel sticking out the window. Instantly Jim called out, “By the power of Njal I command time to stop.”

There was a tap tap tap and time stopped. Jim walked to the car and saw a Tommy-Gun in the man’s hand. Then he looked at the well-dressed man they were shooting at. Jim didn’t blink, he walked over and touched the man. The man ducted down and ran back in the Drug Store. Jim pulled his hand away, and looked through the glass in the door. Then he touched the man and said, “Step three more feet to your right.”

The man looked around in amazement, and moved over. Then Jim called out, “By the power of Njal I command time to start.”

Then it went back to tap tap tap as the glass flew out of the Drug Store windows. Then the man walked around saying, “That was a Miracle. I just witnessed a Miracle. I should be dead. Oh thank you whoever you are.”

Then Jim found himself back with Suzy and Kathy, as Najl went on, “Now I’m sending you to protect Sister Pamela. Her parents died when she was very young, and she grew up in the Convent. It’s the only life she knows, and she’s being sent into the dangers of the world. Hide yourselves as not to be seen unless necessary. She will be put in the way of danger, but let her endure it. Only if the destruction of her being is in danger do you step in.

My Love Goddess you will know when you find your Demon to cast out, but wait until the right time to do it. Goddess of Light you can whisper in her ear to help her, but not too much. She needs to do this on her own. My Time Lord you shall stay with her day and night. Sleep next to her if needed. You have the power to move her to safety in an instant if needed. Now go forth.”



Sister Pamela insisted, “Sister if I truly belong to you wouldn’t I know. Wouldn’t I feel it inside?”

Sister Ava explained, “You must give yourself time my child these things can’t be harrowed like a field.”

Sister Pamela revealed, “I don’t feel worthy of renewing my first vows”

Sister Ava insisted, “You mustn’t talk like that. The dear Reverend Mother wants to see you she’s with Sister Lily in the infirmary”

Sister Pamela asked, “Is Linda worse?”

Sister Ava replied, “No it’s about something else go on hurry”

Sister Pamela remarked, “Good morning Reverend Mother”

The Reverend Mother greeted, “Good morning Sister Pamela Sister Linda wants to talk to you.”

Sister Linda asserted, “Yes, I’m so glad you’re here sister please sit down. I know how troubled you are sister. I know the signs. I was a novice myself at your age. I remember all my tears and all my unanswered questions. Then something happened, I was teaching in the parochial school, and there was a boy. His name was Arthur Michael Romano. He was a wild unruly boy. He became a criminal Sister. I’m sorry for sending you. For years I wrote to him hoping that the change would take place. He never answered until now. He wants me to come and see him in his fine home.

Sister Pamela remarked, “I’m happy for you Sister.”

Sister Linda went on, “Of course I can’t go now, but I want you to go for me. I want you to see what faith and prayer will do. Will you do it for me Sister?”

Sister Pamela assured, “I’ll have to find a bus that goes past Mr. Romano’s house. Oh dear I do hope it won’t be a long ride I’m exhausted and it’s so warm. It’s a long trip, well I don’t mind I’ll certainly sleep like a log tonight. Even if its in the strange bed at a hotel.”

At Arthur Michael Romano’s home.

The Butler opened the door, “Come in sisters Mr. Romano will be right with you. Please make yourselves comfortable”

Sister Pamela nodded, “Thank you so nice and cool in here Sister Jain did you notice this painting Sister.”

Mr. Romano announced, “How do you do sister?”

Sister Pamela replied, “I’m Sister Pamela this is Sister Jain. I’m afraid the trip has tired her out. Oh no no don’t wake her up. I’d much rather have a little private talk with you. I’d feel much better if you sit down.”

Mr. Romano smiled, “Of course, how’s Sister Linda.”

Sister Pamela informed, “Not well but very happy to hear from you at last. She’s told me all about you.”

Mr. Romano continued, “Yes she’s a very dear lady. She never lost faith in me in spite of everything. For years she kept up with me in prison and out. She sent cards on Christmas, and a letter on my birthdays. I’ve got to hint she still mentions me in her prayers”

Sister Pamela divulged, “I’m sure of it you should be very glad.”

Mr. Romano went on, “I’m glad sister I suppose you think her prayers have helped me.”

Sister Pamela insisted, “Yes I do.”

Mr. Romano questioned, “Have all your prayers been successful too?”

Sister Pamela claimed, “Your home is lovely Mr. Romano you must be a great art collector.

Mr. Romano affirmed, “Funny isn’t it an old heathen like me. You still haven’t answered my question Sister.”

Sister Pamela explained, “Prayers aren’t business deals Mr. Romano. They can’t be judged as successes or failures”

Mr. Romano asserted, “Sounds like your prayers haven’t been working out so well. Then you’re new at the game. You look very young Sister. I suppose you haven’t been at the convent long.”

Sister Pamela pushed back, “No it was a lot better than facing a cold cruel world wasn’t it. Why did you say that because there’s something about you that.”

Mr. Romano declared, “Look sister I’ve been through it all myself. The world’s a noisy messy place full of problems, so it’s wise for trouble if you can avoid it. Then run from it and find a quiet hiding place to retreat. Please I’m not blaming you Sister. That’s not what I got you here for.”

The Butler came to the doorway, “Yes sir.”

Mr. Romano ordered, “Bring it in Arnold. That’s it our business won’t take long Sister, but I hope you and your friend will stay for dinner.”

Sister Pamela revealed, “We had planned to eat at the hotel Mr. Romano. Sister Jain is very tired.”

Mr. Romano answered, “Whatever you say. I wanted to give Sister Linda this.”

Sister Pamela marveled, “It’s beautiful it should look nice in the chapel don’t you think. This is very kind of you Mr. Romano.”

Mr. Romano proclaimed, “I would have preferred handing it to Linda myself, but I went to parochial school there and that was enough and I’ll be blessed if I never set foot in that gloomy old place again.”

Sister Pamela queried, “Yes it must be very old.”

Mr. Romano declared, “About five centuries old it comes from the Medici Palace. It’s a couple of the Donatello it’s priceless. Trying to tell us some beautiful work in bronze, but this is one of his masterpieces. Isn’t it magnificent Sister Jain?”

Sister Pamela spoke up, “Sister Jain look.”

Sister Jain exclaimed, “Oh my goodness did I fall asleep?”

Sister Pamela urged, “Look Sister Saint Francis.”

 

[gonewacky]

Sister Jain insisted, “For the moment I thought I was still dreaming.”

Sister Pamela explained, “It’s a Donatello sister. A priceless art treasure and Mr. Romano is giving it to Sister Linda and the holy name.”

Mr. Romano acknowledged, “How do you do Sister?”

Sister Jain disclosed, “I don’t know what to say Mr. Romano except thank you.”

Mr. Romano insisted, “Now perhaps you’ll change your mind and stay for dinner.”

Sister Jain replied, “I don’t know.”

Sister Pamela added, “Oh Sister Linda will be so happy to see this. I think we better go back to the convent tonight. It would be better than medicine for her.”

Sister Jain agreed, “Yes there is one more train if we hurry.”

Sister Pamela affirmed, “Thank you Mr. Romano.”

Mr. Romano replied, “I’ll have my man get your cab. Tell Sister Linda I’m sorry I never answered her letters. I hope this will make it up to her. Don’t pour it on too thick.”

At the Train Station.

“Train number two arriving on track eight from Chicago south bend Toledo.”

Sister Jain insisted, “Let me carry the statue Pamela.”

Sister Pamela uttered, “No that’s all right I can manage. I just wanted to check the train schedule. I just don’t understand all these little notations. Well here it is we’d better hurry.”

This is when Jim, Suzy, and Kathy appeared, and started following Sister Pamela. They watched as a Stranger walked to them.

Stranger, “Excuse me can I help you Sister?”

Sister Pamela, “No thank you.”

Stranger, “No please, please I’d like to help. I saw it was too heavy for you.”

Sister Pamela, “You uh you know the track number?”

Stranger, “Yes track, this way, you follow me.”

Announcer, “Train number eight the wolverine arriving on track three.”

Jim exclaimed, “Evil! Do you feel that?”

Kathy pointed and replied, “Feel it? I see it right over there. That man walking off with a suitcase.”

Suzy acknowledged, “I feel it too.”

Jim reminded, “Remember we can’t interfere only to protect the Sisters.”

Sister Pamela apologized, “Sorry sister we’ll be late thank heavens for that man.”

Sister Jain questioned, “I don’t see him. Where’d he go?”

Sister Pamela informed, “Well I’m sure it’s all right he knows we’re going to try and.”

Conductor, “All aboard!”

Sister Pamela asked, “Do you see him anywhere he must be here. Did he go on the Train?”

Seeing a Conductor Sister Pamela asked, “Excuse me did you see a young man carrying a long narrow brown suitcase, and he had another black one. He was wearing a gray hat.”

The Conductor replied, “Sorry Sister an awful lot of people have gone through this gate.”

Sister Pamela, “He’s not here.”

Sister Jain, “He’s not here.”

Sister Pamela, “He’s got to be here.”

Sister Jain, “Oh sister how could you do it how could you trust that man.”

Sister Pamela, “He’s got to be here.”

Sister Pamela went to the station attendant, and he called the police. Soon a police officer came and took a report. Then he took them to the police station. They looked at some pictures of men, but none of them was the man they saw.

They stayed in a Hotel to return to the police station the next day. The police were rounding up some men for them to look at.

The next day at the police station.

The Detective ordered, “Okay sergeant bring him in.”

The Sergeant barked, “All right gentlemen line up.”

The Detective instructed, “Be sure and look them over carefully Sisters. All the men you’ll see here today have committed the same crime in the past, so we may be lucky.”

Sister Pamela asked, “Can these men see us look at them?”

The Detective replied, “No they can’t sister you have nothing to worry about. All right sergeant have number one step forward.”

The Sergeant barked, “Take off your hats next step back number two step forward, number five step forward you know the drill.”

The Sergeant ordered, “Step back all right take him out Frankie. Lieutenant do you think the man knows what he stole?

The Detective replied, “We’ll be keeping the value quite. If he knew the statue was worth a fortune he’d be that much harder to find. All right sergeant send him in. Frankie.”

Frankie barked, “Come on come on move lively men pick a spot, and take off your hats.”

Kathy leaned next to Pamela’s ear and whispered, “Its number five.”

Sister Pamela looked around to see who whispered. Then she remembered sometimes words from God come in whispers. She thought, There must be an Angel with us.

The Detective asked, “Recognize somebody’s Sister?”

Sister Pamela revealed, “I’m not sure but the one on the end number five.”

The Detective instructed, “Sergeant, number five front center.”

The Sergeant questioned, “State your name.”

The Man, “My name’s uh Andy K Breson. That’s with a B what can I do for you Sarge?”

The Sergeant roared, “I’ll ask the questions what are you doing these days Bryson? Still working the terminals?”

The Man, “Uh you got me all wrong Sergeant. I’m uh newly employed.”

The Sergeant, “Where’s it’s at?”

The Man, “Gramercy Appliance Company over on Fifth Street. I’m in the shipping department there, but I won’t be for long if you guys keep picking me up like this.”

The Sergeant went on, “Not snatching any more suitcases?”

The Man, “I never snatched suitcases that last time was a bum rap.”

The Sergeant insisted, “And that faults charge you served time for was that a bum rap too?”

The Detective inquired, “What do you think Sister?”

Sister Pamela admitted, “It’s the voice the voice more than anything.”

Jim insisted, “That’s the man.”

Kathy replied, “I can see the Demon in him.”

Suzy asked, “Should I cast the demon out of him?”

Jim assured, “Remember what Najl told us, your job is to cast out the Demon of the one that’s deserving.”

The Sergeant went on, “You uh ever go to church Bryson?”

The Man, “Ah what, who me, sorry what are you trying to do convert me?”

Sister Pamela insisted, “He could be the one, he could be the one.”

Sister Jain added, “Oh no sister he was much taller don’t you remember and much younger.”

The Sergeant questioned, “You were hanging around the union terminal Friday night weren’t you.”

 

[gonewacky]

The Man, “Was that Friday night?”

The Sergeant replied, “Yeah say around uh.”

The Man went on, “No no I was out with my girl Friday night sergeant. Uh you don’t believe me ask her. I was there from five to uh midnight yeah midnight.”

The Sergeant, “What’s the name of your girl?”

The Man, “Uh her name’s Bess Mackin she lives at the Rice Avenue Apartments, and I uh never left her joint for a minute.”

Sister Jain demanded, “You see, how could he be the one. We can’t accuse an innocent man.”

The Detective explained, “He’s so much like him. Now don’t let his alibi fool you Sisters. His witness is his girlfriend and you know what that’s worth. We can’t be sure it happened, but what do you say Sergeant?”

The Sergeant replied, “I’m just not sure lieutenant.”

The Detective ordered, “All right sergeant have him step back.”

Later at the Convent Sister Pamela was talking to the Mother Superior, “I wish to leave the order Reverend Mother.”

Reverend Mother, “You can’t know what you’re saying.”

Sister Pamela, “I know reverend mother.”

Reverend Mother, “But you’re not a child sister Pamela you mustn’t respond to trouble like a child.”

Sister Pamela explained, “I thought about it reverend mother I’ve thought and I’ve prayed.”

Reverend Mother, “When a child is naughty it wants to run away from home, but your home is with god. You cannot run away from him.”

Sister Pamela insisted, “I’m not running away from god. I wish to leave the order Reverend Mother I’m not suited, and I’ve known it for some time. Mr. Romano was right about me.”

Reverend Mother, “Mr. Romano? Why should anything that Mr. Romano says affect you?”

Sister Pamela divulged, “Because he knew the truth. Some people retreat to God not advance towards him, and that’s what I’ve done. I’ve hidden myself away from the world for what I know to be selfish reasons.”

Reverend Mother asked, “But is that so bad sister?”

Sister Pamela informed, “I haven’t been honest not with myself not with you and not with god. What happened in that terminal was like a sign from heaven. Telling me I couldn’t be trusted and I failed my responsibility.”

Reverend Mother insisted, “Nonsense poor Sister.”

Sister Pamela whimpered, “Linda what shall I give her my sincere regrets. That statue would have meant so much to her. It was more than a gift of the holy name. It was a reward for a lifetime of work.”

Reverend Mother admitted, “We will pray for its return. Now take hold of yourself.”

Sister Pamela declared, “I’ve got to.”

Reverend Mother continued, “Leave, very well Sister Pamela, but think pray and if ever you want to come back.”

Sister Pamela decided, “I’ve got to leave Reverend Mother there’s no other way of course.”

The next day in the city.

Pamela went to a boardinghouse the Mother Superior told her about. Not known to Pamela to be a friend to the Mother Superior. The nice lady showed Pamela a room. Looking out the window Pamela insisted, “It looks a lot better when the sun comes out and you can see the river and it a good day. I think it’ll be nice and comfy here it’ll be fine thanks.”

The Lady insisted, “Anything else you need you just call me.

Pamela replied, “Thank you.”

Pamela knew Andy Breson was the man that took their suitcase, and she knew he worked at Gramercy Appliance Company on Fifth Street. In her mind the best way to get to him was to get a job at his work, so she was off to see if she could get a job there.



In the Appliance Company office having an interview she asked, “What do you think about girls who come here?”

The Interviewer replied, “Girls that work for us. Eight out of ten of them will end up getting married and having babies. That’s nice for them I suppose, but it’s awfully tough on the personnel department. I see you’re not married or engaged. Well that’s a relief. Your typing test is pretty good. How come you never had a job before?

Pamela replied, “I didn’t need to work.”

The Interviewer went on, “I see, well we do have an opening in the billing department. That pays a little more. Did you ever learn to use a statistical typewriting?”

Pamela replied, “No I’m afraid not I’ve only learned general typing.

The Interviewer continued, “Oh well Mrs. Argument will be glad to get you in the typing pool I’m sure. I’ll process your application, and if it’s okay with Mrs. Erdman you can start work on Monday. I’m sure it’s going to be okay, but here’s an employee’s manual and some other information. You’ll need it. You might as well take it along. Thank you and don’t get married over the weekend.”

Monday

The gal working next to Pamela warned, “Watch yourself Pamela.”

Andy walked up, “Would you like to have lunch with us Pamela? We’re going to the griddle.”

Pamela replied, “Oh no thank you. I brought my lunch today. I thought I’d try and save until payday.”

Andy, “Okay we’ll see you later.

Later Pamela was sitting outside eating her sack lunch by the Food Truck. That’s when Andy walked up with a cigarette in his hand. Andy asked, “Hey you got a match?

Pamela replied, “No I’m sorry.”

Andy informed, “Let me give you a little good advice about this place. Around here you don’t want to be an eager beaver you know. What I mean nobody likes a hard worker around here. They spoil it for the rest of us around here. My name’s Andy what’s your name?”

Pamela replied, “Pamela Camera.”

Andy went on “Camera and a high class name. Like I said honey Social Register stuff.

Andy insisted, “Yeah you can call me Andy if you’d like to see that.”

Then he grabbed her left hand, and Pamela jerked it away saying, “No no.”

Andy exclaimed, “Don’t get excited I’m just looking for the evidence yeah just checking. You know just checking for rings and stuff like that. Everything checks out just fine.

Pamela announced, “I think I’ll get some milk.”

Then she got up and walked to the Food Truck, “One milk please.”

Andy followed Pamela to the Truck, “Listen you live here in town right?”

Pamela, “Yes what are you saying?

Andy went on, “Let’s say you and me taking a movie tonight.”

Pamela stuttered, “Tonight..”

Andy assured, “Yeah, tonight or tomorrow night the night after. You know you ask your social secretary when you’re free you know.”

Pamela didn’t say a word as she slid the straw in the milk carton. Andy followed her insisting, “What’s the matter you got something against me? Or is it the shipping department?”

Pamela stuttered, “It’s not that.”

Andy insisted, “The typing pool ain’t exactly the executive floor or is that what you’re waiting for? Okay okay you had your chance.”

Kathy whispered in Pamela’s, “Don’t let him get away. You need him to get it back.”

 

[gonewacky]

Pamela begged, “No please wait,” as she followed him to the Warehouse.

Andy questioned, “What are you afraid to go out with me alone. I mean you’ve been hearing things about me?”

Pamela insisted, “No I haven’t heard anything.”

Andy revealed, “Oh yeah there’s a little party Friday night. See you know a few friends of mine and someone from the company here. You know just a little party, and I thought maybe you might come over. Here let me give you the address. It’s 200 rice avenue that’s apartment C and the name is Smackin I won’t be able to pick you up. Think that you can find it by yourself. Try to be over there oh about nine o’clock. You got that? I think we’ll have a ball.”

Pamela mumbled, “Yes.”

Back at the Boardinghouse Miss. Wiley met Pamela at the door. “A letter came for you.

Taking the letter Pamela mumbled, “Oh thank you.”

Miss. Wiley inquired, “It’s from a convent you got friends in the convent?

Pamela replied, “Yes.”

Then she opened the letter as Suzy watched over her sholder, “Dearest Sister these past weeks have been empty ones for me since you left the holy name. We speak of you often and pray that someday you will return, as for Sister Linda she was given extra motion last week, but the poor woman survived the crisis. She was well enough by morning to take a little nourishment. However the doctor isn’t very hopeful.”

Friday night at the party.

Pamela was afraid to go to the party, but she had to get the Bronze Statue back. The outside world seemed so evil to her.

Suzy exclaimed, “Everyone is drinking, and half of them are drunk. I’ve already saw three Demon possessed people here.”

Kathy insisted, “Me too I don’t think I can take this Jim. The loud music is making me crazy. Please Jim.”

Jim blinked Kathy and Suzy out from the party, and insisted, “I’ll watch her at the party. If anything happens I’ll stop time and come get you.”

Then Jim blinked to the party and saw Andy walking up to Pamela. She looked like a scared puppy sitting in a chair watching the dancing, and people stumbling around. Some guy was trying to pick up on her when Andy came up.

Pushing him away Andy announced, “Come on bum back to the cheaper seats. There some people that don’t know where they belong princess.

Trying to force a drink on Pamela he pushed his glass to her mouth, “Take a little drink.”

Pamela insisted, “No thanks, really.”

With slurred speech Andy exclaimed, “I can’t get you champagne or anything, but I might be able to get you a beer.”

Andy was joking about the people dancing and went on, “I’m thinking about taking up the minuet you know what I mean. How about you? You want to minuet with me.”

Pamela smiled and Andy remarked, “What do you know, I didn’t even think you could even smile. Maybe there’s some hope for you there princess. You’ll have a lot of laughs when you get to know me. Oh I’m awfully warm yeah. Oh yeah it’s hotter than ever in this joint. Here maybe you and I could go for a little walk.”

Jim got closer to Pamela he feared what might happen. Them with a mean look Andy’s girlfriend called out, “Andy I could use some help.”

Later when people were staggering out of the party Pamela started to leave and Andy insisted, “Hey wait a minute. I’ll show you out.”

Walking to the door Andy went on, “You know the party ain’t over yet. Some of clowns are going to meet me up at the moon garden. You know what I mean. It’s the moon garden, and it’s a real nice place you know. I mean, I think you’d like it. It’s a kind of thing. I think.

Pamela insisted, “I’d better be getting home.

Andy was intoxicated and grabbed her arm and begged, “Wait, look you can sleep all in the morning princess. It’s a Saturday you know. Can you do that? Come on let’s have a look. You’re a nice kid. I mean you just got to relax and have some fun. You gotta have some games you know, and I’m just the boy to show you how to do it. I know all the rules. You know what I’m going to?”

Kathy whispered in her ear, “You need to get away from him.”

Pamela insisted, “Do please let me go.”

Then his Girlfriend came up and pulled him away yelling, “You bum your no good.

Then she slapped him as he yelled, “Come on take it easy man. Come on best take it easy come on take it easy.”

Then he started slapping her around and knocked her in an armchair. Stomping to the door he grabbed Pamela’s arm and insisted, “All right now look I ain’t got all night. You coming with me?

Pamela jerked her arm from him with the unknown help of Jim, as he went out the door.

Andy’s girlfriend questioned, “What do you want what are you hanging around for anyway?”

Pamela apologized, “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.

The girlfriend, “Trouble you don’t know what trouble is. Have you got a hanky? That bum he’s rotten. You were smart not to go with him. You can’t trust a guy like that.”

She took a drink of her cocktail as Pamela suggested, “Don’t drink anymore.”

The girlfriend replied, “Listen don’t give me orders. I take enough orders. There’s a hundred million men in the world and I got to get stuck with Andy Breson. He’s no good and he never was any good the jailbird. Sure he’s out on parole right now. Where are the cigarettes?”

Pamela insisted, “But he’s trying to reform isn’t he. I mean he has a job.”

The girlfriend replied, “You call that a job. He only makes a few bucks a week. He only took that to satisfy his parole officer. He spends more than that on hair tonic. Well don’t just sit there help me find a cigarette for pete’s sake. You think he ever takes me anywhere or buys me anything.”

Showing Pamela her bracelet she insisted, “Look at this it’s very pretty glass that’s all he ever gives me. He’s got plenty of dough to spend on the horses though. For that he hawks everything he can get. Including what he can get from me and all I get back of it is the pawn tickets. Maybe I can find one in the kitchen. I’m fed up, let me tell you what. Watch he’ll come crawling back here tonight only he’s gonna be surprised. I’m throwing him right out on his ear. That’s what I’m doing the minute he walks in here.”

Kathy whispered in Pamela’s ear, “Look on the end table by the lamp.”

Pamela saw some Pawn tickets on the end table and picked one up. “Camera $12.50, Case $1.50.”

The girlfriend came back from the kitchen and saw Pamela with the ticket and questioned, “Hey what are you doing with that pawn ticket? What are you anyway some kind of a fancy snake thief.”

Pamela replied, “I’m sorry.”

The girlfriend barked, “Biz, go on get out of here. You’ve caused enough trouble already.”

Then she yelled, “Out!” as Pamela went out the door.

The next day at the Pawn Shop.

Pamela walked in the door and the man behind the counter barked, “Pawn or bye?

Pamela questioned, “What?”

The man answered, “You want to hock something or sell something Lady.

Pamela replied, “Bye but I don’t know if you have what I want. I’m looking for something ornamental for my apartment.

The man questioned, “Well like what?”

Pamela went on, “Oh I don’t know an interesting lamp maybe.

The man replied, “Sorry I don’t carry lamps.”

Pamela suggested, “Well an interesting antique.”

 

[gonewacky]

The man replied, “If you’re looking for the antique shop lady. You’re in the wrong place. This is a pawn shop.”

Pamela asked, “Well do you have any religious objects?”

The man replied, “I got rosaries, jewelry, and some pictures. Tell me what you want and I’ll see if I got it.”

Pamela claimed, “I’m not sure maybe a piece of sculpture would be nice.”

The man questioned, “Sculpture? You like statues?”

Pamela replied as a strange feeling come over her, “Why yes that would be perfect. Do you have any religious statues small ones?”

The man requested, “Wait a minute I’ll check.”

The man went in the back. Jim watched him make a phone call. “She’s here now.” Then he finely returned with the little statue. Asking, “How about that.”

Pamela’s heart started to pound hard as she admitted, “That’s a real fine piece of work.”

The man insisted, “Lady it ain’t one of them cheap ones”

Pamela asked, “How much?”

The man replied, “Well let’s see. We haven’t been doing too much stuff like this. I’ll let you have him for 20 bucks.

Pamela insisted, “It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. All right 20 bucks?”

Pamela was digging in her Purse when the man replied, “Yeah I’ll do it for you.”

Then he grabbed Pamela’s Purse and dumped it out on the counter.

Pamela exclaimed, “What are you doing?”

The man replied, “Helping you Lady.”

Pamela questioned, “But why? I just wanted to buy the statue.”

The man insisted, “Sure you did. All I want to do is check into your business. I’d like to know who I’m dealing with.”

Just then Andy came in the door and the man exclaimed, “What took you so long? I stalled as long as I could. You just had to come around the corner.”

Andy questioned, “Did you find anything?

The man insisted, “Nothing no gun identification nothing. You sure she’s a cop?

Andy replied, “I don’t know but she’s been acting like a cop all right. That’s why I told you to call me when she showed up here. All right girl you want to do a little talking now sweetie.”

Pamela begged, “Please Andy I just came to buy this statue.”

Andy went on, “Yeah you just came to buy something all right. Best told me about the pawn tickets last night when I came back to her place, but you never figured on it.”

Pamela begged, “I’m not with the police! I swear it!”

Andy barked, “Yeah then why all the noise around here bright girl?”

The man insisted, “I don’t want trouble in here. If she ain’t a cop. Then she’s something. I mean she’s got to be something aren’t you something?”

Pamela begged, “Please I just wanted the statue that’s all.”

Then it hit Andy, “You’re the nun.”

The man wined, “What? She’s a nun?”

Andy revealed, “She was carrying this thing in the terminal. Only how did you find out about me? When you talked to me?”

Pamela explained, “I left the order over a month ago. I had found out where you worked because of the police lineup.”

Andy, “What are you talking about, police?”

Pamela insisted, “I had to find the statue again. Don’t you understand it was a gift to the convent, and it meant so much to them.”

The man whined, “Oh bad luck Andy bad luck robin a nun.”

Andy insisted, “Shut up! I didn’t come to get you into trouble.”

Pamela insisted, “Andy all I wanted was the statue. I swear that.”

Andy pointed out, “Yeah you went to a lot of trouble didn’t you. You got a job down at Gramercy Appliance just so you could get next to me. That statue must be quite a statue huh?

The man whined, “This is some kind mess to me. I don’t like this kind of business. I couldn’t be more careful. That’s valuable it belongs to the convent Andy.”

Pamela insisted, “I wanted to see it back where it belonged. Please let me have it. I swear not to involve you.”

The man whined, “That’s some sacred stuff Andy. We can’t fool around with stuff like that.”

Andy insisted, “You stop bothering me you jerk. This thing is old I should have seen that before. Maybe hundreds of years old.”

The man asked, “So what?”

Andy replied, “So what? This thing may be worth a fortune that’s what.”

The man agreed, “You know you may be right on that. Religious stuff is worth thousands.”

Andy replied, “Maybe we could handle it through some odd collector or maybe we could just handle it through Mike the broker.”

The man asked, “You know what this thing’s worth?

Andy replied, “I’m going to bring Mike in on this. Yeah I’ll bring Mike in on this.”

The man asked, “Why don’t we just handle it?”

Andy replied, “What do you mean handle it yourself? All your nickel and dime stuff here.”

The man inquired, “What about her?”

Andy insisted, “That depends.”

Pamela insisted, “You don’t have to sell it. Please I’ll pay anything you ask.”

Andy tested, “Yeah how much honey? How much do you think? Maybe you could scrape up a couple of grand.”

Pamela insisted, “If you’ll give me time.”

Andy insisted, “Call Mike. You call Mike and tell him to come to us.”

The man insisted, “He won’t come here.”

Andy insisted, “You call him. He’ll come here just tell him what we got here. I got a feeling about this. Yeah I got a real good feeling.”

The man informed, “Its Mike calling.”

Andy assured, “He’s in the neighborhood. He’s only double checking he’s a wise fox. You tell him everything’s okay to come over.”

The man replied, “Mike it’s okay come on over.”

Then the man asked, “What about her?”

Andy insisted, “Just relax don’t worry about it. People disappear; you read about it every day you know.”

Jim stepped close to Pamela and thought, If anyone is going to make her disappear. It’s going to be me.

Then the man asked, “You mean it dude?”

Andy insisted, “That’s right I’m tired of these nickels and dimes. I’m sick of these little deals. I want to reach out for once in my life. I want to grab something golden real gold. You know what I mean. This might be it.”

Then Andy turned to Pamela, “Hay princess come here. Come here get me. Look at me this is a pretty little picture.”

Then Mike came in the door announcing, “I came all the way across town for this, so make it fast and good. Who’s the girl?”

Pamela started to speak, but Mike barked. “Shut up I didn’t ask you!”

Andy replied, “She’s a nun Mike, no kidding.”

 

[gonewacky]

Mike replied, “Don’t call me Mike! It’s Mr. Romano to you! Don’t give me that nun crap. Since when do nuns wear lipstick?”

Fearing for her life Pamela started to speak again.”

Mike insisted, “Please shut up can’t you keep her quiet?”

Andy ordered, “You keep your mouth shut like Mr. Romano said. She was a nun Mr. Romano. Only she left the convent. She was after the statue I swiped from her, and that’s how come I knew the statue was so valuable. We thought that statue might be worth plenty, and we figured that you’d know. We figured maybe we could make a deal. Yeah that’s right Mr. Romano. Only we want a straight cut. We want good terms this time right straight down the middle.

Mike asked, “Uh-huh what happens to the girl?”

Andy assured, “After we’ll take care of her you can trust us.”

Mike insisted, “Yeah I bet I can. You had this thing on sale?”

The man replied, “Well yeah but that was how much um.”

Mike questioned, “What were you pricing it at?”

The man replied, “Well we didn’t know what to put on it you know. I was going to sell it for 20 bucks. Can you imagine a thing like that?”

Mike insisted, “You’re a fool warmer. You melt this down for scrap it’s worth maybe two bucks. Next time you want to handle junk call a junk dealer, but don’t call Mike.”

Andy whined, “Wait a minute, this ain’t going to be worth anything? I mean that nun gave me so much trouble over this.”

Mike scolded, “Don’t teach me my business junior.”

Andy insisted, “It’s got to be worth something out of hand.

Mike growled, “That’s my livelihood it’s a cheap copy of something that wasn’t any good in the first place. There’s a million of them floating around the country.”

Andy insisted, “Yeah but the nun was willing to pay for it.”

Snatching the statue Mike gave it to Pamela and laughed, “That’s what you get for being so stupid Brenson. She doesn’t understand about money. They’ll knock themselves out for a scrap of junk just because it’s been blessed, and you better be careful this one’s liable to say a prayer and send you both to the devil. Not that you don’t deserve it.”

Andy questioned, “What do we do now?”

Mike scolded, “You let her go of course what else.”

Andy insisted, “Oh wait wait wait wait Mr. Romano we can’t do that.”

The man demanded, “We do as Mr. Romano says. We don’t need that kind of trouble Andy.”

Andy leaned into Pamela saying, “All right are you listening, and you listen good to me princess. I swear I’ll kill you, and I mean I’ll kill you if you turn me in. Do you understand?”

Pamela maintained, “I said I wouldn’t give you away Andy. All I ever wanted was the statue.”

Mr. Romano stepped between Pamela and Andy saying, “Just a minute go on Sister, go on out of here.”

The man insisted, “Do what he says.”

Andy complained, “Hey you can’t do that.”

Mr. Romano disclosed, “You said 20 bucks consider yourself lucky.”

Then he pulled out his gold money clip, and peeled off a 20 dollar bill.

The man exclaimed, “Well at least I got 20 bucks.”

Andy bitched, “Oh shut up.”

Outside Mr. Romano asked, “Sister Pamela can I give you a lift.”

On the way to the Convent Mr. Romano apologized, “I said some rough things to you. I mean the day you came to see me. I just wanted you to know I was wrong you’re not hiding from anything.

Suzy whispered, “That’s my Demon.”

At the convent.

Mr. Romano asked, “You want me to wait for you Sister Pamela?”

Pamela replied, “No you don’t have to wait. I’m home now.”

Mr. Romano went on, “Then I’m going to stay goodbye Sister.”

Pamela replied, “Thank you.”

Mr. Romano insisted, “Don’t forget to say hello to Sister Linda for me.”

Mr. Romano drove home to find Jim, Suzy, and Kathy waiting for him. As soon as he opened the door there they stood. Jim was on one side, Kathy on the other, and Suzy in the middle. Suzy wasted no time and make a ball of bright flashing colored light and push it into Mr. Romano’s chest. Holding her hand over it she ordered, “Back to hell with you Demon.”

Then a black cloud in the shape of a hideous monster slipped into the Floor, as Jim announced, “Your good deed has saved you.”

Then they held hands and disappeared. Leaving Mr. Romano to think about what just happened to him.

Then they all appeared before Najl as he asked, “Do you think you did the right thing?”

Suzy replied, “He was the only Demon possessed man we saw doing a good deed. It had to be him.”

Najl replied, “You are truly wise my Love Goddess. I send you all home.”

Then they all disappeared.

 

[Texican]

Wacky,

Thanks for the chapters.

Now what other situations will the good guys get into.

Wacky knows.

Texican....

 

[gonewacky]

Last night at about 11 O’clock I was trying to finish this last Chapter.

That’s when my wife came in and remarked, “It’s kind of dark in here.”

I replied, “I never turn on the lights. I don’t need any when I’m writing. The only thing I’m trying to aluminate is the imagination. I fill it full of illuminations of strange radiations and the eerie glow of scary Demon’s. I need to be in the dark to see the evil. How else can I fight it?”

The wife insisted, “If your readers knew what was running through your head. They would never read your weird stuff again. You weirdo…”

That's what my wife thinks about this stuff I write. She won’t even read it.



Joe..

 

[gonewacky]

This story uses some characters that live in the town, but are only used a few times. I’ve posted the character list in the past, bit I keep adding to it, so I’ll just give you the ones I use in this chapter that are uncommon. There will be Edwin – the County Clerk, Frank Eicherman – the Barber, and Lyle Morgan- the Stable Boy.

My life is in a little bit of turmoil right now, so I don’t know if I will be posting for a little while. I’ll post a line or two in the privet section. Hope you enjoy. No evil or Demons in this one. Just the evil we do to ourselves. It’s one of those things if you’re on one side of the fence it funny, but if you’re on the other side. Oh *(&&^T$%

As always with LOVE from out home to yours Joe.

 

[gonewacky]

Chapter Seven

It was another sunny day in Dention, and Jim was taking the Boy from the jail to do his chores. They were leaving town when Jack the Saloon owner came chasing after him. Jim stopped to talk to Jack as Jack explained, “These two Gunmen came in last night, and I overheard them talking. They’re going to wait for the old Miner to come in to town. He has a Gold Mine hid up in the mountains somewhere. From the looks of him I think he’s barely scraping out a living. You’ll have to ask Paul at the Assayers Office to know for sure.

Anyway the two of them were talking about following him to his Mine, and ambushing him. From the sounds of it I think they plan on killing him. Then working the mine for whatever they can get.”

Jim insisted, “I’ll talk to Albert about it. Do you know where the gun men are now?”

Jack revealed, “There sharing a room over the Saloon, and sure their passed out they tied one on last night. Their Horses are down at the Livery, so you might want to talk to Henry too.”

Jim replied, “I’m on it.”

Then he was off to Mrs. Tomson for John to do his chores. It was about mid-morning when Jim returned with John from doing his chores. Then Jim talked to Albert about what Jack told him.



The night before just outside of Dention.

Jeb heard hoof beats approaching. Then a man on a horse came into his camp announcing, “Evening, stranger.”

Jeb replied, “Evening.”

Then Jeb insisted, “Climb down and squat. Coffee’s just about ready to pour. I’m Jeb Crater.”

Stretch replied, “Stretch Morgan much obliged. I, uh I smelled your coffee bout a about a mile back.”

Jeb disclosed, “Well, way I figure it, a man can’t go far wrong by following his nose. Now, me, I can always smell gold. I been sniffing around after it most of my born life.

Stretch questioned, “Ain’t that coffee just about ready to pour?”

Jeb mumbled, “I reckon.”

Stretch inquired, “So you got yourself a nose for gold, huh?”

Jeb bragged, “Like a hound dog hunting possum.”

They both chuckled and Stretch advised, “Well, you know, hunting don’t always mean finding.”

Jeb boasted, “Son, you’re looking at a man who’s just done a right smart job of finding.”

Stretch asked, “Yeah? Made yourself a pretty big strike, did you?”

Jeb bellowed, “Strike? I got a sack of nuggets you couldn’t hardly lift with both hands. I struck a pocket so rich, it like to bug the eyes right out of my head.”

Stretch replied, “You don’t say.”

Jeb insisted, “You just follow me into Dention and watch me spend it.”

Stretch responded, “Pretty good idea. I was, uh was headed for Dention myself anyway, more or less.”

Then he pulled his gun and pointed it right at Jeb’s face and insisted, “Well, you ought not to have told me about the gold.”

Jeb replied, “What do you mean.”

Stretch repeated, “You ought not to have told me about the gold. See? Never can tell what’s gonna happen, can you?”

Just then Jeb started to reach for his rifle and Stretch barked, “Uh-uh. Don’t go for it. Now, what you ought to have done was hired yourself a bodyguard.”

Stretch laughed, “You handled that rifle just like it was a plow handle.”

Jeb admitted, “You got the cards, mister. What you aiming to do?”

Stretch chuckled and he holstered his gun, “Finish my coffee.”

Jeb questioned, “You want a job?”

Stretch asked, “Bodyguard?”

Jeb informed, “I got me a lot of friends in Dention, but they ain’t all my friends.”

Stretch chuckled, “All right, I’ll do it. But just for grub and drinks, mind you. That word “job,” I don’t like that. It makes me just about as skittish as a filly in fly time.”

Jeb agreed, “All right then. It’s grub and drinks.

Stretch hinted, “And a. and a new hat, and maybe, and a pair of boots.”

Jeb chuckled, “You just string along with me, son, and you’ll be living

high on the hog.”

Stretch replied, “That’s just the way I like to live.”



The next afternoon.

As Jeb came in to town Frank hollered, “Hey look, that’s old Jeb.”

Edwin cried, “By golly it is. He ain’t been in town in six months or more.”

Frank announced, “Hey, Jeb!”

Jeb replied, “Howdy, Edwin, Frank.”

Edwin replied, “Hi. You’re looking as mean as ever.”

They all chuckled as Frank went on, “Well, at least we don’t look scroungy.”

Jeb agreed, “That’s right.”

Frank asked, “When’s the last time you had a bath, Jeb?”

They all laughed then Jeb replied, “I don’t rightly recollect. But I’m gonna have me one in about an hour. That is, if somebody didn’t burn down that old shack of mine.”

Edwin replied, “It was still standing a week ago, Jeb.”

Frank added, “Yeah, still lopsided, same as it always was.”

 

[gonewacky]

Jeb assured, “Lopsided don’t mean nothing. I stand a mite that way myself. Maybe it’s because of what I’m packin’ here.”

Edwin and Frank laughed as Frank insisted, “Oh, we’ve heard that story before, Jeb.”

Jeb bragged, “Well, you just wait till you see some of the nuggets I got here. I really did it this time.”

James and Albert came walking up over hearing Jeb.

Albert announced, “Well, howdy, Jeb.”

Jeb replied, “Howdy, Deputy, Sheriff.”

Albert asked, “Well, Jeb did you make a strike?”

Jeb replied, “I sure did, Sheriff. In spite of what these hee-hawing jackasses might think.

Albert acknowledged, “I knew you’d strike her Jeb if you just kept a-diggin’ long enough.”

Jeb agreed, “I done her all right. I reckon right now I’m the richest one in the territory.”

Albert insisted, “Well now Jeb you’d better get it on down to the bank in Lambert. Put that stuff in a safe place.”

Jeb insisted, “I ain’t puttin’ this in no bank.”

Jim questioned, “Why aren’t you?”

Jeb replied, “Because I don’t trust them that’s why not.”

Albert barked, “Now Jeb listen here. You know Jason’s an honest man. Not only that, but that gold will be a lot safer in the bank than it is out here packing around with you.”

Jeb insisted, “Well don’t you trouble yourself Sheriff. I got me a bodyguard.”

Albert stuttered, “You got what?”

Jeb disclosed, “A bodyguard. Stretch come on up here. This here is Stretch Morgan. Stretch I want you to meet Deputy White, the biggest liar west of the Mississippi. And this here is Sheriff Blocker, the only law around here.”

Stretch replied, “Howdy. How do?”

Albert questioned, “You’re old Jeb’s bodyguard, huh?”

Stretch insisted, “Well, not exactly. More like a friend’s the way I’d put it. Don’t worry. I’d take a hand, though, if somebody tried to hustle him.’

Albert assured, “Well, there probably won’t be any need for that, but I still say your gold’s safer in the bank Jeb.”

Jeb assured, “Stretch here is better than a bank Sheriff. You ought to see him draw that gun of his.”

Albert advised, “Well, let’s just hope he doesn’t have any need to.”

Jeb insisted, “Don’t you worry, Sheriff. Ain’t nothing gonna happen to me. How could it? I have too many friends around here.”

By then a crowd was gathering around to see what was going on.

Jeb announced, “Listen, folks! Y’all come back here tonight to the Saloon, every one of you. Because I’m throwing the doggonedest shindig you ever seen, and you all got a invite, you hear me now?”

All the townsfolk were cheering. “See you there, Jeb.”

Jeb Insisted, “We’re gonna have us a shindig that folks will talk about till the prairie dogs finally bury this miserable old town.”

Everyone was laughing one man yelled, “Yes sir!”

Jeb muttered, “I’m gonna pretty myself up now. I’ll see you all back here later.”

Jim asked Albert, “You reckon old Jeb really has got all that gold?”

Albert replied, “Well, he may have it Jim, but I doubt he’s gonna have it long. That is if he keeps going around town shouting about it like that.”

Jeb yelled, “Come on Stretch!”

At Jeb’s shack he introduced Stretch to his business partner Sholo. He watches over the shack and takes care of things when I’m gone prospecting.

Let’s get the tub out here and start heating some water.

Stretch pored a bucket of water over Jeb’s head and Jeb yelled, “Ah... Yippee! Yowee! Ha! I ain’t never been this clean since the time I almost married the Widow McClintock. Hey, give me my towel boys. Aw I ain’t one to agree with them that says bathing saps a man’s natural vitality and ruins his health, not if you don’t overdo it, that is. Well, once every six months ain’t exactly overdoing it, you know.

Sholo exclaimed, “That’s precisely the right time. By then a man’s dirty enough so’s he can really appreciate it.”

Jeb cried out, “Hey, give me that horse blanket of mine ‘fore I catch my death of galloping consumption.”

Sholo laughed, “Ooh, yeah.”

Jeb added, “If I don’t feel 100% better. You gonna get yourself a bath here?”

Sholo laughed, “Baths is for foreigners and sinners, not meaning you, of course, Mr. Jeb.”

Jeb went on, “Well, why not? I’m a sinner, and I’m gonna be a bigger one, now that I can afford it. Sholo, go in the shack and drag out them go-to-meeting duds of mine.”

Sholo replied, “Yes, sir.”

Jeb ordered, “And brush ‘em up. I’m going whole hog on this.”

After Sholo went in the shack Jeb called out quietly, “Hey, Stretch. Give me a hand here. There’s three more in there. Grab ‘em and come on. Here, throw ‘em in there.”

They moved the gold bags from under the hay stack to a hole under a rock by the well.

Jeb insisted, “Hurry.”

Stretch commented, “You told me you and him had been partners for 20 years. What’s the matter? Don’t you trust him?”

Jeb insisted, “Trust him? I’d trust him with my life. In fact I’ve done it a time or two.”

Stretch went on, “Yeah, but you don’t trust him with the gold, is that it?”

Jeb replied, “No, that ain’t it. But, listen, son, there’ll be a lot of liquor flowing tonight, and Sholo just can’t handle it.”

Stretch asked, “What do you mean?”

Jeb explained, “Well, he goes clean off his head. You never know whether he’s gonna get mean, or mouthy, or sad, or just go to sleep.

Stretch hypothesized, “And you’re afraid he might tell somebody where the gold’s hid, huh?”

Jeb admitted, “He could shout it from the rooftops and never even recollect it. So it’s best not to set temptation to him.

Stretch agreed, “That’s a good idea for anybody, Jeb.”

Jeb yelled, “Sholo! What in tarnation are you doing in there?”

Sholo came out with the duds saying, “Why, I was just a-brushin’ up your clothes, like you told me. They ain’t in too good a shape, though. There’s a whole lot of bugs come a-flyin’ out of ‘em.”

Jeb argued, “Moths ain’t bugs. They’s insects, and Dention ain’t "St. Louie. That old suit of mine will do just fine. Now come on over here and whittle off some of these whiskers for me. Give me that looking glass so’s I can keep a check on you. All right, now start trimming.

Sholo complained, “Well, I don’t exactly know how.”

Jeb insisted, “Well, it’s just like shearing a sheep, only you don’t cut him so close.

Sholo insisted, “I ain’t no sheep man. I never was, and don’t you say it.”

 

[gonewacky]

Jeb agreed, “You’re right, Sholo. Before I took you on, you’d always been a cattle thief. Come on now, start cuttin’. Just get the long ones there. Just even it up, just a mite. I got to look good for Vivian. I ain’t seen her in eight months. I might even marry the gal.

At the Saloon Jeb announced, I’m gonna shine tonight. Friends, Romans and scroungers in general, drink hearty. Starting right now, everything is on old Jeb. So, let the festivities commence.”

The saloon went wild with laughter, cheering, and someone yelling, “Yahoo!”

Jed exclaimed, “Vivian, every time I hit town, you just seem to get prettier and prettier.”

Vivian replied, “Thank you, Jeb.”

Jeb went on, “All the time I was out in them hills slaving away. Shoveling gravel, toting water, starving, and sweating in that blazing sun, the only thing I ever thought about was you Vivian.”

Vivian hinted, “Well, now, that’s mighty sweet of you, Jeb. But, you know what I’m really interested in. Is finding out about this party I hear you’re going to have in here tonight.

Jeb disclosed, “I bet you’re wondering if I can pay for it. Well, it’s liable to be a goodly sum. You rest your soul, Vivian. There’s the wherewithal.”

Jeb pulled out a pouch of Gold, and dropped it on the Bar. Then he loosened the string and dumped out the Gold nuggets.

Vivian laughed, “- Mmm! Oh!”

The Saloon filled with chatter, and murmuring as Jack said, “Let’s weigh this up.”

Stretch looked in amazement, “Is that real gold?”

Jeb replied, “Well, of course it’s real gold, son. Ain’t you never seen gold before?

Jack set a scale on the Bar, and started weighing Gold nuggets as he mumbled, “Well, I don’t know how much is in that poke, but I figure there’s enough there to pay for all the whiskey they can drink, and you too.”

The people started cheering as Jack went on, “Now, just a minute, Jeb. It’s not the whiskey I’m worried about. After midnight, they start breaking up all the furniture.”

Jeb explained. “ Well, if that ain’t enough, I got a lot more hid away in a real safe place. Don’t you worry your pretty head Vivian.”

Jack put the last of it on the scale. I got about 21 ounces. I make it out to be about $420.

People started whistling, and yelling. Vivian agreed, “Well, you’re right, Jeb. That ought to take care of everything, including the furniture.”

Jeb yelled, “Yippee! Set ‘em up.”

Then he requested, “Serve ‘em, Jack.”

The piano music started playing and lively chatter felled the air. Jeb insisted, “All right, fellas, just step right up and help yourselves here.

Stretch saw someone he thought he knew, “ Hey, Cousin Morgan? Hey, Cousin Morgan? Don’t you know me?”

Morgan replied, “Well, I’m afraid you got the advantage of me, stranger.”

Stretch asked, “Aren’t you Lyle Morgan, of the Caddo County Morgans, up in Oklahoma?”

Lyle replied, “Yeah, that’s right, but, uh, I can’t quite put a handle on you.”

Stretch informed, “Well, I’m Stretch Morgan. Why, you’re Sheriff Greenwood’s kid. Your that young fella that used to follow me around everywhere?”

Stretch muttered, “That’s right.”

Lyle replied, “Well, I’ll be doggoned. You know, I wouldn’t knowed you in a million years. Why, you were a head shorter than me.

Stretch replied, “Well, I kind of shot up all of a sudden. Right”

Lyle replied, “Yeah, I’ll say you did.”

Then Jack yelled, “All right now hold it down a minute. Old Jeb wants everybody to dance and have some fun, and this is his party. Let’s do it. Get away from the bar there. That’s it. Need another girl here. Okay honey, all right now we’re all set.

Jeb yelled, “All right, let’s go.”

The piano started playing a upbeat tune well Jeb yelled, “♪ Well, y’all join hands and circle to the south ♪

♪ And you let a little sunshine in your mouth ♪
♪ Halfway around you backtrack back ♪
♪ Single file, Indian style, with the lady in the lead ♪
♪ Now you’re home and everybody’s waiting ♪
♪ And they whirl ♪
♪ Round and round with a pretty little girl ♪
♪ Allemande left with the old left hand ♪
♪ Right your honey on the right, left grand ♪
♪ Big foot up and the little foot down ♪
♪ Make that big foot jar the ground ♪
♪ Meet your honey and you pat her on the head ♪
♪ She don’t like biscuits, just cornbread ♪
♪ Now you’re home ♪
A lot of laughing was going on.
♪ Everybody’s waiting, whirling round and round ♪
♪ With a pretty little girl ♪
♪ First in turn, then you bow to the right ♪
♪ Circle of four in the middle of the floor ♪
♪ Round and round and round you go... ♪

On the other side of the room Vivian questioned, “Why do I get the feeling that you two know each other?”

Lyle revealed, “Probably because we grew up together.”

Stretch replied, “Of course I used to be quite a bit younger than he is. But he used to take me fishing and hunting, and...”

Lyle insisted. “It’s just sure is good to see you, Stretch.”

Stretch insisted, “Oh, come on, let’s go talk someplace over here.”

Can’t we talk later?

Oh, come on! We got five years to catch up with.

Lyle insisted, “I’ll be back.”

Oliver called out “Promenade her!

♪ You know where and I don’t care ♪

♪ You get that galto an easy chair. ♪”

The song ends with whistling, applause and cheering.

Steve looked at Sholo and remarked, “I just don’t understand how an old goat like you has so much luck.”

Sholo replied, “Luck is what a man makes it, and I’ve been working for years to make mine. Hey, Oliver, come on over here.”

Oliver walked over to the table.

Sholo insisted, “Oliver, if you ain’t the best doggone caller I ever heard.”

Olive replied, “Well, I tell you, there’s nothing like a square dance to kind of stir things up, is there?”

Sholo insisted, “That’s right.”

Oliver asked, “Another one, Sholo?”

Sholo replied, “No! I’m Going home.”

Oliver asked, “What in thunder’s the matter with him?”

Jeb replied, “The older he gets, the grumpier he gets. He’s just like a ol’ hound dog. All he wants to do is lay by the fire and sleep or growl.”

Everyone at the table started laughing.

 

[gonewacky]

Rising a glass Oliver declared, “Jeb, here’s to your very good luck.”

Steve said, “That’s just what I told him it was... luck!”

Jeb stood and raised his glass saying, “All right then its luck. So here’s to luck boys. The goldurndest, luckiest night old Jeb ever had.”



About 5:00 in the morning Jeb through down his cards and said, “I’m out. I ain’t even got a pair. Boys, I’ve had me a night. I’m going home.”

Stretch insisted, “I’ll be right with you, Jeb.”

Jeb replied, “No, forget it son. You stay in the game. I don’t need a nurse.”

Jack insisted, “Well, I’ll tell you one thing, this game’s only going to have two more hands, because I’m closing up. Sun’s going to be all the way up in another hour.”

Jeb moaned, “By golly, if you ain’t right. Vivian, I want to thank you for all your kindness. I’m coming back tomorrow and marry you.”

Vivian laughed, “It’s already tomorrow.”

Jeb mumbled, “Well, then, make it the next day.”

Vivian smiled, “All right, I’ll be right here waiting for you. You sure you can get home all right?”

Jeb insisted, “You’ll never see the day I can’t. Night, Vivian.”

Vivian laughed, “Good morning, Jeb.”

Jeb went on, “Been the luckiest, happiest day of my whole goldurned life.”

Vivian disclosed, “Oh, by the way Jeb, you’ve uh, got some credit left. Not much, but some.”

Jeb insisted, “Fine. Buy yourself a wedding gown.”

Jeb got on his horse singing, “Get along home, Old Joe Clark Ah. Get along home, I say Get along home, Old Joe Clark I’ll see you another day Get along home, Old Joe Clark Get along home, I say Get along home, Old Joe Clark I’ll see you another day...”



The next morning at the Jail Jim was getting ready to take John to do his chores. When the Door flung open with a bang. It was Sholo panting trying to get his breath.

Albert asked, “What’s the matter Sholo?”

Sholo barked, “Sheriff! Sheriff!”

Then he was panting as Albert insisted, “What is it?”

Sholo wheezed, “You-you come... Mr. Jeb...! Hurry!

Albert asked, “What’s the matter with him?”

Panting Sholo continued, “I think... I-I think he’s dead.”

Albert insisted, “Be right with you. Truck on.”

Jim proclaimed, “I’m getting the doctor, and I’ll meet you out there. It’s just past the Brother’s wood lot right?”

Albert replied, “Yah that that old falling down shack.”

Jim insisted, “Give me about fifteen minutes before you start time, and I’ll meet you there.”

Then Jim blinked out, and Albert walked over and touched Sholo.

Sholo went on, “Poor old Jeb. Looks like his biggest night on earth might have been his last.”

Albert asked, “How bad do you think he is?”

Sholo explained, “You know, it’s hard to tell. I don’t really know, but it’s amazing. A blow on the head like that would have killed an ordinary man his age, but old Jeb he’s pretty tough.”



At the shack.

Jim got the doc and helped him hitch his horse to his buggy. Then he blinked them just down the road from the old shack. Inside Jeb gasps and mumbles.

Doc insisted, “Easy, Jeb. Easy.”

Albert inquired, “Jeb? Jeb, can you hear me? It’s Albert Blocker.”

Jeb mumbled, “Sheriff.”

Albert questioned, “Jeb, what happened here? Who did this to you?”

Jeb moaned, “Couldn’t see. Couldn’t see! From... behind. I...”

Then he muttered some things that didn’t make sense.

Doc insisted, “Well, I’m afraid he’s not going to be much help to you for a while, Albert.”

Albert acknowledged, “No... no, I’m afraid not.”

Doc explained, “Albert, I’d like to get him out in the buggy as soon as we can and get him into Dention. Then someone can watch over him.”

Albert revealed, “You want to take him to the Jail? We have a cot setup in there now.”

Jeb moaned as Doc insisted, “We’ll need to keep an eye on him for a day or so.”

Albert agreed, “All right, fine.”

Jim asked, “You think whoever did this got the gold?”

Albert replied, “I don’t know Jim.”

Jim asked, “You talked to Sholo about this?”

Albert insisted, “Oh, yeah, from all the sense he made. You’d think he’d been hit on the head too.”



Back at the Jail Sholo asked, “He going to be all right.”

Albert implied, “He isn’t going to die? Doc said he’d be laid up for a few days, but he’ll come out of it all right.”

Sholo admitted, “I’m mighty glad for that Sheriff.”

Albert asked, “Sholo how’d this happen?”

Sholo went on, “20 years me and him been together, maybe even more than that.”

Albert agreed, “Yes, I can imagine it’s been quite a shock for you.”

Sholo told, “I always knowed when he wanted something done without him even telling me. He said I know it by a kind of... of...well, like a dog knows something. You know when me and him was working the claim. He didn’t talk to me sometimes for maybe a week. Then when I’d say something he didn’t even listen. Course there wasn’t no reason for him to. I... I never said nothing important in my whole life. And when I did talk it always come out wrong. People’d would start a-laughin’ at me. But not him he never laughed at me Sheriff. He’s the greatest man in the world.”

Albert replied, “Yes, he’s a fine fellow, Sholo. Tell me, now. I want to know what happened.”

Sholo admitted, “I don’t know. I was asleep.”

Albert barked, “Asleep?”

Sholo went on, “Yeah. It was the liquor Sheriff. I come out to the shack early last night, and crawled in the wagon. That’s the last thing I remember.”

Albert asked, “You didn’t hear Jeb come in?”

Sholo insisted, “I didn’t hear nothin’ till about dawn then something woke me up, and I don’t rightly remember what it was, and then I went in there to see if Mr. Jeb got back from town all right, and I seen him a-lyin’ there on the floor. I thought he was dead. I knowed I had to get help quick.”

Albert questioned, “Well, do you know if his gold was taken?”

Sholo replied, “Huh?”

Albert insisted, “Well, the gold he had left, he said he had it hidden in a safe place. Where was that?”

Sholo replied, “I don’t know.”

Albert barked, “You don’t know?”

 

[gonewacky]

Sholo insisted, “I’m a-tellin’ you the truth Sheriff. I don’t know. Him and Stretch hid it somewheres, and he didn’t tell me where. It was Stretch!”

Albert questioned, “Stretch did what?”

Sholo insisted, “That woke me up! I heard a horse and I woke up. Then I seen him a-riding into town there.”

Albert asked, “You sure of that?”

Sholo insisted, “I swear it. Oh, I knowed all along he wasn’t no good. You find Stretch you’ll find the one that done it. I’m telling you.”

Lyle was opening up the Livery when he heard a noise. Lyle called out, “Who’s there?”

Stretch revealed, “I just wanted to be sure you were alone when you opened up this morning.”

Lyle asked, “How’d you get in here?”

Stretch disclosed, “I busted the catch on your back door. I’m sorry about that Lyle. I just didn’t have any choice.”

Lyle replied, “I thought you were staying out at the old man’s place.”

Stretch admitted, “He’s dead.”

Lyle went and closed the doors to the Livery Stables. Then Lyle questioned, “What do you mean?”

Stretch assured, “It wasn’t me, and don’t you go getting the wrong idea. I found him that way. I rode out after the poker game this morning. He was... he was lying on the floor of the shack there with his head all bashed in.”

Lyle exclaimed, “You told the Sheriff, I reckon. He knows, all right.”

Stretch disclosed, “I saw him riding out there, and the Doctor too.

Lyle gasped, “You mean you didn’t tell him? Stretch who do you figure they gonna think did it? You didn’t do it, did you, Stretch?”

Stretch whined, “See? When you’ve got to ask that what’s everybody else gonna say?

Lyle insisted, “Well, I wasn’t really asking. I know you’re not a killer.

Stretch affirmed, “Thanks. You know, I’m, uh, I’m sorry to be shoving my problems off on you this way. I just didn’t have anybody else to turn to.”

Lyle replied, “That’s all right. That’s what friends are for.”

Stretch added, “Then we’re still friends?”

Lyle replied, “Sure. I mean, I’d be a fine one to go turn my back on my own cousin, just ‘cause he’s in trouble.

Stretch sighed, “I appreciate that. Look, I’d, uh, I’d kind of like to stay here for a couple of days, that is, until I can find a way to get out of town.”

Lyle disclosed, “Well, the Sheriff will be over here sooner or later. He’s bound to find out that we know each other. But I’ll think of something though. You know, I bet the guy who done it killed him for that gold.”

Stretch affirmed, “Oh, there’s no doubt about that. When I got there, the place was pretty torn up. You know I was thinking. It might have been that partner of his. He was in a real mean mood last night.”

Lyle acknowledged, “But then he would have known where the gold was.”

Stretch agreed, “Yeah, sure he did. He’s the only one who did know, except for old Jeb of course.”

Over on the porch of the Jail Doc was standing looking down the road, and up came Vivian. Doc exclaimed, “Hello Vivian. You’re late.”

Vivian questioned, “Late for what?”

Doc replied, “The hoedown. The resurrection. Lazarus has risen, and he’s holding forth in there.”

Doc insisted, “Listen to that.”

Vivian put her ear to the door. And heard Jeb chattering then commented, “Jeb’s feeling better, huh?”

Doc replied, “Better? He claims that blow on his head cured his rheumatism, and improved his eyesight. I’m seriously thinking about using it on a couple of other patients I know of.”

Vivian asked, “Can I go in and see him?”

Doc replied, “I don’t know why not. Half the town’s in there. I’m thinking about selling tickets.”

Vivian laugh as she stepped in the door, and found about ten or twelve people in the jail. It was standing room only. Jeb was laying on the cot talking, “And that, so help me, is all I can recollect, Sheriff. I-I walked in and there was the room, all tore up, and the stones in front of the fireplace pried out. That’s where I had my gold hid, and then suddenly, I was hit from behind, whack! And it was goodbye Nellie.”

Albert asked, “You never saw who hit you.”

Jeb replied, “Not a peep. I didn’t see nothing, smell nothing, or hear nothing.”

Jeb saw Vivian and blurted, “Vivian!”

Vivian replied, “How are you Jeb?”

Jeb insisted, “Teetotally recovered now that you’re here. You come to marry me on my deathbed?”

Vivian insisted, “You don’t look any deader than I do.”

Jeb replied, “Well, if you do say yes, I know it won’t be because of my money, because I ain’t got none.”

Everyone started laughing as Vivian went on, “I’m sure sorry about that, Jeb.”

Albert insisted, “Jeb, I’ll look in on you later. You take care now.”

Jeb insisted, “Well, let Doc take care. That’s his job.”

Albert requested, “Vivian, could I see you for just a minute?”

Vivian replied, “Oh,” and followed Albert out the door.”

Jeb asked, “Deputy, could I have you get me a drink?”

Jim replied, “Well, of course you can.”

Jeb went on, “Talking makes a man feel dry.

Jim replied, “Like I told you, Jeb, it won’t hurt you none if you don’t swallow it.”



Out on the porch Albert asked, “Vivian, what time did Stretch leave the Long Branch last night?”

Vivian replied, “Oh, it was when the poker game broke up, I guess. It was after Jeb left. You don’t think that he had.”

Albert insisted, “No, no, I just wanted to talk to him and I haven’t been able to find him.”

Vivian suggested, “Well, maybe he left town.”

Albert replied, “No, I don’t think so. His horse is still over at the livery stable.”

Vivian asked, “How do you know that?”

Albert explained, “Well, because I checked.”

Vivian replied, “Oh. Well, have you, um, have you talked to Lyle?”

Albert admitted, “No, I haven’t been able to find him either. What’s going on around here?”

Vivian explained, “Well um, Lyle and Stretch are cousins, and apparently they were boyhood pals. Now, there’s the possibility that Lyle’s trying to avoid you.”

Jim came out on the porch as Vivian left.

Albert talked to Jim, “Now this is what I want you to do.”

Then Albert whispered in Jim’s ear. Then Jim headed across the street to the livery. Jim was singing to make noise as he went.

Lyle announced, “It’s the Deputy. It’s the Deputy, hide.”

They could hear Jim singing, and getting closer. Jim cracked the door and slipped in announcing, “Howdy Lyle.”

Lyle replied, “Morning Deputy. How are you this morning?”

 

[gonewacky]

Jim replied, “Oh fair to middling, I reckon. How’s yourself?”

Lyle replied, “Oh, I’m-I’m just fine. Real fine.”

Jim went on, “Say Lyle you ain’t by any chance saw Stretch this morning, have you?”

Lyle questioned, “Stretch?”

Jim insisted, “Yeah, I heard the two of you were old friends.”

Lyle asked, “How come you’re looking for him?”

Jim replied, “Albert wants to talk to him, is all.”

Lyle replied, “Oh. Well, he was working for old Jeb Crater. But I don’t suppose you could have talked to him.”

Jim replied, “Yeah I did. Fact is I seen him just a couple minutes ago, but he ain’t saw Stretch since last night.”

Lyle marveled, “A couple of minutes ago? You mean he’s alive? He ain’t dead?”

Jim insisted, “Dead? Well, golly be no. He got thumped on the head and robbed this morning, but he’s a long ways from being dead. It’s just that Stretch ain’t been seen since then.”

Lyle insisted, “Stretch wouldn’t do anything like that. I know he wouldn’t.”

Jim requested, “Yeah well, If you should happen to see him. You tell him that Albert’s looking for him, will you?”

Then Jim left and Lyle declared, “Come on out Stretch. Did you hear?”

Stretch mumbled, “Yeah, I heard. Old Jeb’s alive and doing fine.”

Lyle went on, “You ain’t wanted for murder. The Sheriff just wants to talk to you.”

Stretch replied, “Sure he does. He thinks I knocked that old man in the head and took his gold. I’m still number one on his list Lyle.”

Lyle replied, “Yeah, but if you went in on your own and explained it to him.”

Stretch whined, “I got to see him.”

Lyle replied, “Good. I know he’ll believe you.”

Stretch insisted, “Not the Sheriff. I got to talk to that crazy old liar. There’s something the matter here. I don’t know what it is, but I aim to find out. I’ll see you later Lyle, if I’m lucky.”

Then Stretch went out the back of the Livery. Coming down the side of the Livery he saw Albert and Jim heading down the street.

Over at the Jail Jeb complained, “Confound it Doc, I don’t need no bandage.”

Doc ordered, “Oh, hush up. I know you don’t need a bandage. I got to keep your brains from falling out.”

Jeb replied, “Yeah, well, don’t you worry about my brains. I got brains to spare.”

Doc insisted, “Well, it wouldn’t hurt if you’d use ‘em once in a while.”

Jeb got up saying, “I’m out of here.”

Doc insisted, “No, you don’t. You just stay right where you are there. You’re not going anywhere. For all I know you may have a fractured skull.”

Jeb insisted, “The man ain’t been born that can break my skull. I’ve had too much practice banging it against stone walls.”

Doc revealed, “Well, I always wondered what in thunder addled you Jeb. You stay where you are; I’ll drop in on you this evening. In the meantime Sholo, you just keep an eye on him.”

Sholo replied, “Yes sir.”

Doc advised, “And if he gives you any trouble, just hit him over the head. He says it don’t hurt him at all.”

Sholo insisted, “Oh, no, I ain’t gonna do nothin’ like that, Doc No sir.

Doc insisted, “Well, suit yourself. You got my permission.”

Then Doc headed to the Horseshoe for lunch.

Jeb insisted, “Bring that bag over here, Sholo. I just want to feel the heft of it again.”

Sholo replied, “Mr. Green says there’s pretty near $700 here.”

Jeb smiled, “Who’d have figured it? Sholo the Almighty moves in mysterious ways to perform his pranks on us struggling mortals.”

Sholo replied, “I reckon.”

Jeb requested, “Say Sholo, you take that over to the hiding place. I ain’t taking any chances.”

Sholo replied, “All right sir. What are you figurin’ on doin’?”

Jeb disclosed, “I’m figurin’ on dragging these old bones of mine out of this bed and standing up by my feet, if you want to know.”

Sholo insisted, “But the Doc says you.”

Jeb complained, “Oh, Doc in a pig’s eye! Jeb Crater wasn’t born to waste his life laying on his back. I’m gonna go out there and greet all my well-wishers and thank ‘em for their magnanimous gesture, bless their little hearts. Now, you get going. Go on move.”

Sholo replied, “Jeb, you may be a blackhearted old sinner, but darned if you ain’t got the luck of a saint.”

Then Sholo went out the door. This left Jeb in the Jail with the Boy locked up in the cell.

Seeing Sholo leave the Jail Stretch sneaked to the Jail and in the door. Seeing Stretch Jeb questioned, “What in tarnation you doing here?

Stretch replied, “Standing here, looking at you.”

Jeb declared, “I figured you’d rode on out. Ain’t nobody seen you around.”

Stretch insisted, “Yeah, I reckon that’s what a lot of people figure, on account of if they had seen me, I’d be in jail right now for robbing you and knocking you in the head.”

Jeb assured, “Son...I didn’t accuse you of doin’ that.”

Stretch declared, “Well, somebody must have, on account of the Sheriff’s looking for me.”

Jeb gulped, “Well, then I’ll just tell him I know it wasn’t you, and then that’ll put a stop to it. Then you can ride on out in peace.”

Stretch questioned, “How can you tell him you know? The way I hear it, you didn’t see who hit you.”

Jeb confessed, “True, true. But I know you son. It don’t take me long to size up a man. And I know you’re just as honest as the day is long.

Stretch added, “Well, that’s real nice of you to say so.”

Jeb acknowledged, “Well, it’s only fitting. Seeing as how it’s the truth.”

Stretch questioned, “You mean you’re sure I didn’t pry up those stones by your fireplace and steal the gold that was underneath?”

Jeb asked, “Did the Sheriff say that?”

Stretch replied, “The Sheriff said you said it.”

Jeb started panting and staggering and said, “I got to sit down, it appears like I ain’t rightly got all my strength back yet.”

Stretch insisted, “Well, now, listen here, Jeb. You and I both know there wasn’t no gold underneath those stones, right?”

Jeb whined, “My poor head. It’s spinning like a windmill.”

Stretch insisted, “Well, it sure started spinning awful fast.”

Jeb replied, “Seems I can’t rightly recollect things so well since I got hit on the head, and pretty near killed.”

Stretch insisted, “Well, maybe you can’t but I can.”

Jeb insisted, “Doc figures I got a real bad skull fracture.

Stretch informed. “Jeb, listen, you and I both know where the gold was hid because we put it there ourselves. It was by the pump.”

Jeb whined, “I ain’t even supposed to try to think. Not for a week or maybe. Did you say "was" by the pump?”

 

[gonewacky]

Stretch insisted, “That’s right. When I came in there and saw you lying on the floor, I thought you were dead.”

Jeb ordered, “That’s enough son. Don’t you say another word. I am an old sinner, boy, and I’m full of forgiveness. I know just what temptation can do to a man. Now, I ain’t one to stand idly by and see a young fella’s life ruined by one mistake. So say no more. You just get your horse and any other of your belongings and you just ride on out of here. Ride as far and as fast as you can.”

Stretch insisted, “You must have really got hit on the head.”

Jeb insisted, “Ride, son. Now.”

Stretch agreed, “All right. All right. It’s your funeral.”

Jeb mumbled, “It’s the least I can do. And all the best of the luck in the world to you Stretch.”



Stretch sneaked back to the Livery and kneeled next to the water trough. He pulled up his sleeve and started to reach in. When Albert came around the side of the Livery with his gun drawn and said, “Easy.”

Stretch muttered, “Sheriff, listen, I know it looks bad for me, but you got the wrong man. I didn’t do nothing to old Jeb. I found him that way. I...”

Albert barked, “Save it. You’ll have plenty of a chance to explain. Get your loot out of there.”

Stretch pulled the bags of gold from the water trough, and Albert took him to the Jail. Albert locked Stretch in the Cell with the boy, and sent Jim to find Jeb. Sholo returned as Jim was leaving and asked, “Where did Jeb go?”

Albert replied, “Just have a seat Sholo. My Deputy will find him.”

A little while later Jim came in dragging Jeb in hand announcing, “Got him Albert. I found him down at the Saloon.

Jeb questioned, “What in the dickens you doing here Sholo?

Sholo replied, “Sheriff told me to sit down right here until you got back Jeb.”

Jeb whispered, “What you been a-tellin’ him?”

Sholo replied, “I ain’t been a-tellin’ him nothin’, Mr. Jeb. He didn’t ask me nothin’. He just told me to set right here in this chair until his Deputy brung you back or he’d hang me up by my ears. So I been a-settin’.

Jeb, “Mmm.”

Albert got Stretch from the cell and insisted, “Go on and sit down Stretch.”

Albert insisted, “Well, it looks to me as though I got three criminals on my hands, but, as yet I don’t have any crime.”

Jeb muttered, “Sheriff, I hope I ain’t understanding you correctly.”

Albert insisted, “You understand me all right Jeb.”

Albert looked to Jim, “Get it.”

Abert went on, “We got your gold back for you, all right, and looks like your friend Stretch here is the one that stole it from you.”

Jeb declared, “Oh, I... oh, I can’t believe that, Sheriff. Must be some mistake I’d trust this young fellow with everything I own. Maybe he was just holding it for me till I got back on my feet. I ain’t pressin’ no charges. I’ll just take my property and call it quits.

Albert insisted, “You don’t mind that he hit you over the head?”

Jeb replied, “Well, by gones is bygones. No hard feelings. Maybe I just slipped and fell.”

Stretch insisted, “There you see, Sheriff? I told you I didn’t hit him. I found him that way.

Jeb picked up the bags to leave as he said, “Sure, that’s it.”

Jim grabbed his arm as he said “Jeb.”

Jeb replied, “Yes?”

Jim went on, “It isn’t no use. Albert’s done looked inside of them pokes.

Jeb dropped the bags back on the desk, and Stretch picked up one and untied the string, then dumped it out on the desk.

Stretch exclaimed, “That’s nothing but iron pyrite. Fool’s gold.

Jeb admitted, “Son, you never spoke truer words, and you’re lookin’ at the fool.

Albert asked, “Jeb, the $420 you gave Kitty to pay for the party, that was your entire strike wasn’t it?”

Jeb replied, “Sheriff, I just couldn’t face coming back to town again. After eight months of hard work with hardly nothing to show for it. I wanted folks to think I struck it big for once.”

Jim mumbled, “You danged sure done that all right.”

Albert asked, “Who was it hit you over the head?”

Jeb pointed to Sholo, “That goldurned fool there. And pretty near killed me doing it.”

Sholo divulged, “Mr. Jeb, when I seen you lying there, I could’ve bawled. I just wanted to break my right arm off and throw it away.

Jeb replied, “Well... weren’t your fault. You only done what I told you to. See Sheriff, I figured if we made up a robbery you know folks would still think we struck it rich even if we lost it all. I didn’t know that Stretch was gonna make off with that pyrite. I didn’t know the town was gonna take up that collection. It’s just that nothing went right. Well Sheriff, I reckon you’d better just throw me in jail.”

Albert insisted, “Yeah, that’s exactly what I ought to do. Except I can’t seem to think up any charges that make any sense.

Jed insisted, “I’ll give all that money back.”

Albert went on, “Yeah, and that’s another thing. Now, the people around this town have been real good to you, Jeb. They’ve treated you mighty fair and square, but when they find out what’s really happened they’re going to be mad. I’ll probably have my hands full keeping them from lynching you. I think we’d better just leave that sleeping dog lie.”

Stretch inquired, “Well, what about me?”

Albert insisted, “Well, that’s another thing. I don’t know what to charge you with either. You haven’t stolen anything that was worth anything.”

Jim added, “Besides, we wouldn’t want a nice young fella like old Lyle to know that his own blood cousin was a sticky-fingered thief.”

Jeb asked, “Well, Sheriff, what are you gonna do?”

Albert declared, “All right, I’ll tell you what I’ll do, Jeb. If you promise to get out of town right now, without letting anybody else know about this. I’ll let you go. All of you.”

Jeb uttered, “Thank you, Sheriff.”

Albert added, “Jeb, you got yourself a good grubstake. Now, why don’t you go on out and find some real gold?”

Jeb announced, “By golly, I’ll do it. You know that ridge just over the second valley? I got me a hunch about that.”

Stretch questioned, “Jeb you want to take on your old bodyguard as a new partner?”

Jeb replied, “Why not? If you don’t already know how to swing a pick, you can learn.”

Sholo complained, “I don’t trust him Mr. Jeb.”

Jeb assured, “Now Sholo, at my age I don’t even trust me. He’s got a strong back and a weak mind and evil instincts. A man like that can’t be all bad. Come on, before the Sheriff changes his mind. I’ll bring you a nugget as big as your fist, you and your Deputy both.”

Jim asked, “Albert, you reckon you done right, letting the three of them go like that?”

Albert admitted, “I don’t know, Deputy. I’ll tell you one thing. I wouldn’t go into any courtroom in the world and try and straighten out that story.”

 

[Texican]

Wacko,

What a great tale you weaved about Jeb, Stretch and Sholo.

Texican....

 

[gonewacky]

Link to The Truck the Witch and the Blacksmith Comments..

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday filled with Love, Joy and all the Happiness life has to give.

 

[Mr Bill]

You too

 

[gonewacky]

Belial - In Hebrew culture, Belial is the personification of wickedness or worthlessness. Belial is often used as a name for the devil in the Bible.

Chapter Eight

It was 1851; Scarlett was 17 and Edie 19 when they set out on the Oregon Trail. With their wagon full of dreams and a bag of apple seeds the Rickett’s were on their way. They settled between what would become Lambert and Dention. Edie exclaimed, “This is the spot. Nice big meadow with a creek. We’ll build our house next to the creek and plant our seeds in the meadow. In ten years we’ll have an orchard, and more apples than anyone could dream of.”

In 1866 their dream was coming true. They had more apples than they ever dreamed of. With this wealth that came upon them. Edie decided to build them a house.

Edie revealed, “Scarlett I’m going to build you a house with a kitchen and bedrooms. No more living in that two room cabin.”

The next year Scarlett moved into the home Edie built, and their life was good.

Then in 1871 a late freeze froze the apple blossoms, and the crop was almost worthless. They did have enough to put up for winter, and some to sale. However it was a tuff year, but thanks to Scarlett’s biscuit tin money. They made it through the year.

In 1876 the Orchard had a bumper crop, and he knew he couldn’t pick the field by himself.

The kitchen was the heart of their home, and Scarlett spent most of her time there. The Kitchen was on the back corner of the house. The stove was in the corner next to a side window, and a door on the back wall. The pantry was across from the stove, and next to the hall door. The wall adjacent to the stove had the shelves. A square table sat in the middle with four chairs.

One morning at breakfast Scarlett insisted, “There’s some hard work ahead of you. Take some more ham.”

Edie replied, “I guess I’ll need the energy.”

Scarlett asked, “You want another glass of milk?”

Edie replied, “Wouldn’t hurt.”

Scarlett poured the milk as she heard the squeaks from her friend at the kitchen door. Scarlett reached in the sack of corn, and got a hand full of kernels. Then she went out the door to the dish she had there. Scarlett kept a water bowl and a plate to feed the squirrel. It was the only friend she had other than Edie. Sliding her hand down the squirrels back Scarlett muttered, “Good morning you sweet thing. Here it is, that’s what you want isn’t it. Just wait, all right there you go. Don’t be such a little pig. Looks like you need some water. I’ll fix that. Here’s a little something to drink you nice little fellow. Hay Edie somebody’s coming down the road.”

Edie replied, “It’s a public road. It’s not fancy but it’s a public road.

Scarlett went back to her squirrel, “Pretty little thing you, why don’t you get some water. Hay Edie maybe he’s looking for work. You could use some help. At a $1 a day he looks like maybe you could get him cheaper.”

Edie came to the door, “Well now that makes a little difference. If I can get my Apples off of them trees a few days early. I can get a better price for them. That might make a little difference.”

Scarlett insisted, “Now what does that mean?”

Edie replied, “Nothing, he’s probably broke and hungry. Room and board and 50¢ a day might be all he’d ask.”

Edie walked down the hill to the road and talked to the man. Then the two of them walked back to the house. Coming in the kitchen door Edie announced, “Scarlett this is Belial he’s going to help me pick my Apples.

Belial explained, “I’ve seen the Apples and I figured that you needed someone to help.

Scarlett insisted, “Yes my husband does need some help with the Apples.”

Edie explained, “Of course we don’t let Hired Hands have the run of the house. We got a separate place out back. It’s the old homestead cabin.”

Belial agreed, “Oh that’s all right. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

Edie went on, “Well Belial you can eat here in the kitchen with us, but you come in the back door and you knock. Don’t forget that you knock. All right now you get room and board and 50¢ a day. Well I guess you’re hungry aren’t you.

Belial insisted, “Yeah, I’m hungry all right.”

Edie insisted, “Scarlett you lay some more beans out there for Belial that’ll be enough ham, and there’s plenty of milk. Scarlett get some eats for Belial. Now you just sit down there Belial and eat. I’ll be scattering the picking buckets out in the orchard. I got a contract with a shipper. They won’t buy nothing picked off the ground and the way I see it. It’s better to have them a little green than a little over ripe, and they aren’t getting any bigger. You come on out just soon as you’re done eating.

Belial asked, “All righty you got any more of that bread?”

Scarlett acknowledged, “I’ll slice some more.”

Belial demanded, “Just bring me the bread. I’ll slice it myself.”

Then he pulled out a big knife and it made Scarlett uneasy. He was shoving the food in his mouth like he hadn’t eaten in a week. Scarlett mumbled, “You eat like a hog.”

Belial laughed, “I wouldn’t say eating is my worst habit. It’s just the way I eat. You got a husband you should know that.”

Scarlett replied, “I guess, so where’d you come from?”

Belial insisted, “Nowhere just places.”

Scarlett asked, “But ware where you before you came here?”

Belial replied, ‘Up the road a ways.”

Scarlett asserted, “Is that all you can say is just up the road a ways?”

Belial pointed out, “I could say more but I ain’t.”

Scarlett insisted, “My husband likes to know a little something about his hired hands.”

Belial smirked, “Looked to me like he wasn’t interested in anything, but whether or not I was going to pick his Apples. If he wanted more he ought to ask me then.”

Scarlett declared, “I was trying to save him the trouble.”

Belial uttered, “Wouldn’t be no trouble.”

Scarlett asked, “What’s your other name?”

Belial insisted, “Belial that’s all.”

Scarlett questioned, “Don’t you have a last name?”

Belial maintained, “That’s it, Belial first name middle name last name. That saves a lot of breath doesn’t it?”

Belial kept playing with his knife making Scarlett afraid of him. Scarlett demanded, “Put that knife out of sight.”

Belial questioned, “Does that make you nervous?”

Scarlett insisted, “Yes put it away now!”

Belial groaned, “All right if you say so.”

Edie was coming back from the Orchard to check on Belial. Scarlett saw him coming, and she went out the door to meet him.

Before she could get out a word Edie insisted, “Now I know what you’re going to say. I should have paid him $1 a day. Well if a man is fool enough to work for 50¢. Well then I’d be a fool not to take him up on it.”

Scarlett exclaimed, “You know that’s not what’s bothering me.”

Edie asked, “Now what’s that supposed to mean.”

Scarlett inquired, “Edie do you need him real bad now.”

Edie went on, “Look Scarlett we got a good crop of Apples on the trees, as soon as we get them picked and into the shipper in Lambert. We’ll have a crop of money in the bank. Now that’s all I’m after. If having Belial around makes you unhappy. Well you’re just going to have to be unhappy for a few days. I aim to get these Apples picked and I don’t aim to lose a Hired Hand that I can get for 50¢ a day. Now get on back in there and see that he gets what he wants to eat.”

Back in the kitchen Belial asked, “Did you tell him about my knife Scarlett?”

 

[gonewacky]

Scarlett replied, “No”

Belial inquired, “What did you talk about then? The weather?”

Scarlett replied, “Where you eat.”

Belial laughed, “I guess it looks like I was hired to pick Apples. Not to get lessons in table manners. Besides I get chow at eight don’t I?”

Scarlett replied, “Yes.”

Belial asked, “Is that a pet squirrel?”

Scarlett insisted, “Yes, he’s a pet that comes around here for eats.”

Belial snickered, “He’s a fat one ain’t he. Maybe I ought to kill him, and then you could make Edie and me a stew for supper.”

Scarlett barked, “I’ll take care of supper. You leave that squirrel alone.”

Belial chuckled, “If you say so.”

Edie came in and asked, “You get enough to eat?”

Belial replied, “Just about a couple more bites.”

Edie replied, “Well eat all you can hold. We got plenty of work to do.”

Belial smiled, “That’s kind of a nice squirrel the wife got there. Yeah, a fat one too ain’t it.”

Edie replied, “She feeds that squirrel better than she does me. Don’t you Scarlett?”

Scarlett replied, “No.”

Edie insisted, “Well unless you got some more eating to do. I guess it’s time for us to get to work.”

Belial gave and evil laugh and replied, “This should hold me until supper.”

Edie explained, “Now you start to work here by the house, and I’ll join you just as soon as I finish scattering the picking buckets.”

Scarlett watched out the kitchen door as Belial kicked dirt at the squirrel. Then he walked off. She went to her room upset and heard his Evil laugh as Belial picked up Scarlett’s squirrel and stabbed it. Then he dropped it to the ground, as Scarlett ran to the back door. Out on the porch she saw the squirrel on the ground dead with Belial standing over it. Then Scarlett screamed and it echoed over the land.

Time stopped and Artemis appeared, “Oh my dear friend evil has come to you.”

Then she pulled an arrow from her quiver and shot the squirrel. The arrow exploded and tiny stars flickered all around the squirrel. Then Suzy appeared in front of Artemis and she instructed, “My Love Goddess look around, evil has come to your land. I have put a spell on the squirrel so you can bring it back to life. Unlike humans animals have no consequences for bringing them back. Just cup your hands around the animal like you’re healing someone. Your Love will bring life back to the animal. Now remember this place. You have work here.”

Then Suzy and Artemis disappeared and time started.

Edie heard the scream and came running up and saw the dead squirrel. He looked at Belial and asked, “What’s the matter with you? How did it happen Belial? What’d you kill it for? That squirrel was Scarlett’s pet.”

Belial insisted, “I didn’t mean to kill, but the animal attack me.”

Edie declared, “Attacked you? Why that squirrel so friendly.”

Belial argued, “I can’t help it even friendly animals have always disliked me. That’s why I always carry this knife with me, because no matter how friendly an animal is. It always seems that it takes a dislike to me. It must be my scent or something.”

Edie moaned, “Well there’s nothing we can do about it now Scarlett. You going back in the house and I’ll get a shovel and bury the squirrel. Belial you go on back to work.”

That night Belial announced, “All right I’ll see you in the morning.”

Edie replied, “I’m going to sleep good tonight Belial.”



At the Boardinghouse Jim and Suzy were in bed. Suzy told Jim about what she saw. “Artemis called me to a place somewhere around here. She showed me a dead Squirrel, and a demon with red eyes standing over it. Then she told me to look around, Evil has come to our land. It’s an Apple Orchard around here somewhere. I saw a lady behind him, but I didn’t recognize her.”

Jim revealed, “Albert has told me about people around here. Some of them never come to town. They go to Lambert, and some men never let their wife leave the farm. The farm could be a few miles from here. I’ll ask Albert about it tomorrow. He might know.”

Suzy went on, “I think I’ll take Kathy and go flying tomorrow looking for it.”

Jim replied, “I think that is a good idea. Just call me if you need me.”

Suzy pushed love into Jim and laid her head on his shoulder, and drifted off to sleep.



In bed Edie explained, “Tomorrow I’m going to get up real early, and take that wagon load of apples into Lambert. I should be back by mid-morning. That way I’ll get back in time to do a full day’s work.”

Scarlett insisted, “I want to go with you.”

Edie asked, What for?”

Scarlett disclosed, “I want you to let me off at the hotel.”

Edie replied, “The hotel!”

Scarlett insisted, “Yes, I want to stay at the hotel until that man’s gone.”

Edie inquired, “Now there you go. What did he ever do to you?”

Scarlett insisted, “He scares me, and he killed my squirrel.”

Edie explained, “Yes because the squirrel attacked him. He’s been out with me all afternoon. He’s a good worker, and I need him. I aim to keep him.”

Scarlett begged, “Please just this once?”

Edie asked, “Did he say anything or did he do anything Scarlett.”

Scarlett replied, “He’s got that knife.”

Edie replied, “I’ve seen the knife if he wants to carry a knife that’s his business not mine and not yours.”

Scarlett insisted, “Ethen he didn’t have to kill my squirrel.”

Edie replied, “Scarlett you heard what he said. The squirrel tried to attack him. I don’t care. I guess it’s all right you can go to the hotel it’s a $1 a day plus meals, but you can stay.

Scarlett insisted, “No no no no I’ll stay here.”

Edie went on, “You go ahead, go into town and spend my money. I know I’m not much of a farmer. Nobody ever said I don’t work hard as far as I know. This is the first time you ever said I can’t protect my wife. You might have thought it but you never said it.

Scarlett asserted, “Don’t just say that about yourself. You’re a good husband and a good protector. I trust you no matter what. I love you.”

Edie questioned, “You still want to go to the hotel.”

Scarlett assured, “No I’ll stay here with you where I belong.”

Then the next morning Scarlett was fixing breakfast and Edie was leaving when she asked, “Can’t you wait till daylight. I’ll fix you some breakfast before you go.”

Edie insisted, “No I’ll wait till I get back to eat. Belial will be waking up pretty soon. He said he’s an early riser. You fix some breakfast for him and tell him by the time that he’s finished eating it’ll be light enough to get to work. You hear me? It won’t take me long. I’ll be back sitting down at the breakfast table before you know it.

Scarlett mumbled, “All right.”



At the boardinghouse Suzy was up with Victoria making the bread. The time came to put the bred in the oven, and go feed her bird. Out on the porch Victoria asked, “You going anywhere today?”

Suzy replied, “I was thinking about going riding with Kathy. Why do you ask?”

Victoria explained, “Edie Rickett has an apple orchard about six miles out. If you head five miles towards Lambert then take the road east for about a mile. There is a big Apple Orchard with a two story house. It’s about picking time, and I wanted to see about getting a few bushels of apples. He knows me. He’s sold me apples before, and delivered them to the house.”

 

[gonewacky]

Suzy tossed some more bread out to her bird and replied, “We might just do that.”

Then the bird Jumped to Suzy’s head, and flashes of Scarlett went through her head. Tears came to her eyes as she saw her life. Her husband had almost never let her leave the farm. She lived a lonely life, and the squirrel was the only companion she ever had.”



At the Rickett Farm Belial came in the back door saying, “Morning.”

Scarlett insisted, “Breakfast isn’t ready yet.”

Belial muttered, “I know Edie isn’t back yet. Did he tell you his plans.?”

Scarlett insisted, “That’s right, wait outside till I get breakfast ready.”

Belial questioned, “How come I can’t wait in here?”

Scarlett replied, “You know my husband’s rules hide hands aren’t allowed in the house except Meal Time.”

Belial insisted, “How come you’re so afraid of me.”

Scarlett replied, “What makes you think I’m afraid of you.”

Belial replied. “There’s the way you look. You know that the blood rushes down from your head. Then your face gets all pale. You see that means that you’re afraid of me.”

Scarlett insisted, “That don’t make sense that looking at you makes me scared of you. Why don’t you tell me what there is about you that scares me?”

Belial maintained, “I don’t know.”

Scarlett tried to intimidate him, “You’re lying why did you stop here. You weren’t all that interested in picking Apples.”

Belial laughed his wicked laugh, “You’d really like me to tell you that wouldn’t you.”

Scarlett demanded, “Yes I’d like to know.”

Belial smiled, “Because I could see from out there on the road that you didn’t want me in here. You’re scared of me.”

Scarlett asked, “Why do you want to scare me?”

Belial maintained, “Because that’s the way I am, and that’s what I like. A lot of people are scared of me Scarlett, especially women. You see other men they get invitations from women, but I don’t get that kind of invitation. See what I get from women is the other way around. They always say to me stay away from me. Now just like you say “I didn’t say that.” You know it used to bother me, but it don’t bother me anymore. You had better get them flapjacks on the stove, because I’m supposed to have my breakfast and be out working by the time that Edie comes home.

Scarlett barked, “He’s going to be right back here. Now you better leave me alone.”

Belial insisted, “I haven’t laid a hand on you.”

Scarlett complained, “You talk back to me you know.”

Belial announced, “I’m going to have some molasses on my flapjacks.”

Scarlett barked, “It’s on the shelf.”

Belial ordered, “Come and get it for me.”

Scarlett snarled, “No you get it!

Belial commanded, “Oh no you get it. That’s it you know it used to bother me that women didn’t like me around. They still don’t and did you know that one time a woman told me to get away from her, and I made that woman sorry that she ever said that to me.”

Scarlett inquired, “Belial what did you do to her?”

Belial laughed, “You’d really like to know that wouldn’t you.”

Scarlett insisted, “Yes I’d like to know.”

Belial just laughed his scary laugh.

Scarlett insisted, “I’d like to know what you’ve done to that woman?”

Belial got up from the table as Scarlett turned his pancake. He walked behind her and he ran his knife across her back, as he took the molasses from the shelf.



Back in Dention Suzy and Kathy got horses from Henry and headed out. About a mile from town they put the horses to graze. Then they flew to the orchard. They flew around the farm and saw the picking buckets out in the orchard, but no one working. After seeing the lay of the land, they flew back and got their horses. Then they headed out to the farm.



Back at the Apple Orchard.

Coming in Edie saw Belial shoving a bite of pancake in his mouth and complained, “You should be out in the Orchard by now. What happened?”

Belial explained, “It’s that wife of yours. She slower than molasses, and I think she don’t like me.”

Edie bragged, “Prime quality that’s what they said in Lambert prime quality, but you know about that Belial. Now all we got to do is just get the rest of them picked off these trees.”

Belial insisted, “Yes sir you got yourself a real fine Orchard. Prime quality Scarlett You here that.”

Then he made that Evil laugh as he stared at Scarlett.



After eating they went out into the Orchard. As they were working Belial uttered, “That woman of yours is just a little peculiar sometimes isn’t she.”

Edie questioned, “You have trouble with her?”

Belial declared, “Oh she’s just a little bit scared of me that’s all.”

Edie divulged, “But Belial that squirrel didn’t attack you there’s no way. Why did you kill it?”

Unknown to them Scarlett was empting the buckets into boxes, and put them in the wagon. She was hearing everything they said as they worked.

Belial answered, “I don’t like animals I kill every one of them. I figure I can get by without the love from them myself. I figured that’s the reason I kill the squirrel. I thought that’s what you’d want.”

Edie confessed, “It gets on my nerves watching my woman feed that squirrel. She’s got enough to do just to feed me. That’s why I married her, and I don’t like to see her spread her work too thin.”



Suzy and Kathy saw the farm house and picked up the pace. Kathy pointed to the field where they were picking, and they rode out to the wagon. Edie saw them and came down from his ladder, and walked to the wagon. He looked at Scarlett empting a bucket into a box on the back of the wagon. Then to Suzy and Kathy on their horses as he asked, “What can I do for you.”

Suzy replied, “Victoria sent us to make a deal for apples for the Boarding house in Dention.”

Not wanting Belial to hear what he was charging for the apples Edie replied, “You tell her I’ll give her the same order as last time for the same amount.”

Suzy replied, “I’m Sure that will make her happy to hear. Have a good day, and don’t work too hard.”

As they started to leave Edie yelled, “Tell her at the end of the week.”

That evening at the table Edie asked, “What happened to you today Belial?

Belial insisted, “I’ll be all right in a minute I’m just tired.”

Edie declared, “I don’t know why you shouldn’t be tired. We didn’t get many Apples picked today.”

Then looking at Scarlett Edie complained, “What happened to you Scarlett?”

Scarlett insisted, “Nothing.”

 

[gonewacky]

Edie complained, “Something must have this chicken tastes like leather. I can’t turn out a good day’s work on feed like this. Well Scarlett?”

Scarlett replied, “I don’t know, I just don’t know what happened?”

Edie insisted, “I can’t understand women. You’ve been cooking for me over 20 years, and never late with a meal. Best cook in the county and all at once. Well taste it yourself.”

See what I mean? Well I guess you got the right to cook one bad meal every 12 years.”

Scarlett mumbled, “Thank you.”

Edie demanded, “Speak up Scarlett.”

Scarlett insisted, “Nothing.”

Edie muttered, “Nothing, all right then nothing.”

Belial spoke up, “Hey was that wind?

Edie announced, “Sounded like it”

Edie went to the back door and looked out saying, “Yeah there’s a Leal Thunderhead coming up in the southwest. Scarlett I thought you told me it was clear weather.”

Belial agreed, “That’s right, well a little raining isn’t going to hurt your apples.

Edie went on, “Well the rain wouldn’t hurt or little hail, but I’ve seen hail this time of year beat the apples right off the tree.”

Belial asked, “Did you ever lose a crop to hail?”

Edie replied, “No, but there can always be a first time. Scarlett where are you going?”

Scarlett replied, “To bed.”

Edie exclaimed, “Without doing the dishes?”

Scarlett insisted, “It can wait till morning.”

Edie insisted, “No! do them tonight. I’ve heard how you laugh at women for leaving their dishes overnight. Do them tonight.”

Scarlett replied, “I’ll wait till Belial is through. I need some rest.”

Then she went off to the bedroom.

Edie insisted, “Belial you better turn in. We got a full day’s work ahead of us tomorrow.”

Belial replied, “Yeah I guess you’re right good night.”

Edie replied, “Good night

Belial called out, “Night Scarlett.”

Edie insisted, “She answered you.”

Edie went to the bedroom, and saw Scarlett on the bed. “All right come on let’s hear it.”

Scarlett wept, “Please Edie.”

Edie insisted, “Now you owe me some explaining. Up until noon yesterday I couldn’t ask for a better wife, and since then I couldn’t have a worse one. I want to know why?”

Scarlett declared, “I’m scared of Belial.”

Edie insisted, “Well you’ve told me that. I want to know why you’re scared of him. He’s done the work of two men. He’s making me money.”

Scarlett insisted, “You’re scared of him too.”

Edie asked, “What are you scared of me too now? You act like you’re trying to get rid of me or something. What’s the matter with you?”

Scarlett insisted, “Talking don’t help.”

Edie insisted, “Well then we won’t talk about it, but you start acting right you hear me.”

Scarlett whined, “I heard you talking to Belial in the orchard.

Edie questioned, “Is that against the law or something?”

Scarlett revealed, “You told him that you married me to have somebody to feed you. Is that why we never had any children?”

Edie insisted, “Now Scarlett you know that is just man talk. That don’t mean anything.”

Scarlett insisted, “Don’t it?”

Edie replied, “Of course not. We’ve been married over 20 years, and I’ve never even looked at another woman. You know that don’t you.”

Scarlett replied, “Yes, you’ve been a good husband.”

Edie asked, “Then what’s all this talk about?”

Scarlett whimpered, “I don’t know.”

Edie went on, “I guess I just don’t understand, but your still scared of Belial. Well you’re just going to have to get used to him. I got my Apples to pick and he’s going to be around for at least three more days.”

Scarlett whimpered, “Yes I guess I just got to get used to Belial.”

Edie insisted, “Well good, now don’t you think you better get in there and do your dishes.”

Scarlett whimpered, “I’ll be there in a minute.”

Edie informed, “Well don’t forget them I’ll be in the parlor enjoying my pipe.”

Scarlett got a blanket from the closet and laid it on the bed. Then she put some clothes on it and tied the corners together. Carefully she slid up the window, and dropped the clothes out on the ground. Then she slipped out the window.

Meanwhile on the back porch of the boarding house Henry was enjoying his pipe, and Jim and Albert were watching the Lightning. Albert spoke softly, “It looks like dry Lightning to me.”

Henry replied, “I hope it don’t start a fire. That happens this time of year you know.”

Jim added, “Maybe we’ll get lucky and some rain will come with it.”

Henry replied, “We could use it about now, but this time of year we mostly get just Lightning. I don’t know about you, but I’m calling it a night.”

Henry went to his room, and Albert waited for Suzy, Kathy, and Rebecca. Soon one by one they showed up. Albert requested, “Maybe I could drive the truck there with Rebecca. It’s only five or six miles, and would only take about fifteen minutes.”

Suzy insisted, “He just wants to take Rebecca on a night ride.”

Jim replied, “Then I’ll ride with him. He’ll need a chaperone you know.”

Kathy snickered, “Get used to it Albert. They treat me that way with Seig you know.”

Suzy questioned, “So if the three of you are riding in the truck. What about me and Kathy? Are we supposed to ride in the back?”

Jim exclaimed, “No, you can fly.”

Suzy barked, “In a Lightning storm?”

Jim gave in, “Well I could blink you there, and you could wait for us to get there.”

Suzy smiled, “We’ll fly there silly guy”

Then they huddled together as Albert called out, “Truck on.”

Time stopped, and Jim blinked them all out to the jail. Albert looked around announcing, “I see Lyle is already covered up on the cot, and the boy looks to be out like a light. Yep the jail looks good.”

Jim insisted, “I’ll get the doors. You just drive the truck out.”

Then Jim blinked out and Albert and Rebecca went to the truck. With the doors open Jim jumped in the truck and demanded, “Onward oh great Hangmen.”

The Truck pulled out and headed down the road, and Suzy and Kathy took flight.



Back at the Apple Orchard before time stopped. Belial was hitching up the team to the loaded wagon. That’s when he saw Scarlett slip out the window, so he pulled his knife and ran to the front of the house. Scarlett slipped down the side of the house ducking under the windows, but when she got to the corner of the house Belial grabbed her. He put his hand over her mouth and held the knife to her neck. He made his scary laugh and explained, “I’m taking this load of Apples. You do know that everybody else in this Valley pays $1 a day for picking Apples, but old Edie pays me 50¢. Yes sir I’d love for you to scream so Edie would come on out here and try and protect you. I’d like to see what old Edie would do. I’d shove this knife deep in his belly, and watch him slowly die. Then I could have you and the farm. Yes I’d take it all. I’m going to take my hand off your mouth now. What are you going to do?”

 

[gonewacky]

Then time stopped, and they were frozen in place. After some time Suzy and Kathy saw Belial holding a knife to Scarlett, so they landed in front of them. Suzy exclaimed, “This is a predicament, if we touch her he comes to life. We will have to deal with both of them.”

Kathy informed, “Look Jim and Albert are coming.”

Suzy replied, “Good maybe they can think of something.”

Suzy and Kathy walked to the Truck, and Albert stopped and waited. Walking to the truck a lightning bolt came down in the Orchard. The storm was right over them, as Suzy explained what was going on.”

Jim informed, “I’ll hide over by the barn, and Albert can cut the lights. Then start time, and I’ll watch for an opening. When I see it I’ll blink in and blink her out. Then we can fight the Demon. What do you think?”

Albert insisted, “I’ll stand ready in case things go south. Then I’ll stop time if needed.”

Jim announced, “Ok, everyone get out of sight.”

Albert turned off the lights and the Truck, and Belial came to life. He pulled his hand from Scarlett, and she gasped. Belial ordered, “Scream damn it!”

He grabbed for her dress as Jim blinked in and out with her. Seeing this he freaked out and ran to the wagon with a crack of thunder echoing in the air. He jumped on the wagon and whipped the rains and yelled. The wagon was going through the Orchard, and Suzy yelled, “No you don’t!”

Jim had reappeared by the truck with Scarlett. They all watched as Suzy put one hand in the air and pointed the other at the Demon. A Lightning Bolt came down from the sky hitting Suzy’s hand and shot out the other one at the Demon. The Lightning Bolt was so intense it knocked him off the wagon to the ground. Suzy stomped up to him making a ball of bright flashing colored light. Then she leaped at him pushing pure Love into him yelling, “Back to hell with you demon!”

There was a bright flash and little stars filled the air, and faded away as the Demon lifted from the body. Then a black cloud in the shape of a hideous monster slipped into the Ground. Walking back to the truck Suzy made a ball of bright flashing colored light, and pushed it into Scarlett. Suzy exclaimed, “We’re not done yet.”

Then she looked to the house and yelled, “Edie get out here!”

Scarlett begged, “No don’t hurt him.”

Kathy stepped next to her and Rebecca moved to the other side. Then Kathy insisted, “We’re not going to hurt him. We’re going to free him, and give him back to you.”

Rebecca added, “We’re going to make you feel Love again. You see there’s and evil thing inside of your husband making him that way. We’re just going to take it out.”

Suzy turned around and made another ball of bright flashing colored light, and pushed it into Scarlett. Then she insisted, “You scream and get him out here.”

The warm feeling of Love over took Scarlett and she yelled with all her mite, “Help! Edie help me!”

Albert was dragging the demon body to the truck, as Edie came out the front door. Suzy wasted no time and made a ball of bright flashing colored light. Then she ran at him pushing pure Love into him yelling, “Back to hell with you demon!”

Then a black cloud in the shape of a hideous monster slipped into the Ground. Albert commanded, “Clutch pedal in Winch P.T.O. low, Clutch out.”

Pulling the cable up over his shoulder Albert pulled the cable out, and he wrapped the cable around the Demon’s neck and hooked it to itself. Then Albert yelled, “Clutch pedal in Winch P.T.O. Reverse High, Clutch out.”

With that command the cable pulled tight and pulled the Demon to the front bumper of the Truck.

Suzy walked Edie over to Scarlett and pushed love into Scarlett. Then she barked, “See that Demon hung to the bumper of the truck. Next time it will be you. Now I want you to take your wife to town once a week. You will also take her to the Dress Shop and have a new dress made for her. A nice house and a full belly isn’t enough for a woman. She needs companion ship from others. Now dig up the squirrel I want it.”

Edie just stared at Suzy, so she shot a little lightning bolt at his foot and yelled, “Get!”


Edie went and dug up the squirrel, and took the squirrel to Suzy, she brushed the dirt from its fur, and cupped her hands around it. The squirrel started to pulsate and glow. Then it squeaked a few times and came to life. With a smile Suzy handed it to Scarlett.

Scarlett hugged the small thing and looked at Suzy in wonder. Suzy insisted, “You can go to your porch and watch us leave.”

Then she pushed more love into her as Kathy whispered, “Don’t you have to push love into her husband?”

Suzy whispered, “Nope, I want him to remember the Demon hanging on the bumper, and think he could be next.”

Then she made a ball of bright flashing colored light and threw it in the air, and shot it with a lightning bolt. Thousands of little flashing stars rained down on them as Jim blinked them to Wind Walker and Birdman’s farm in 1982.

And another Demon bites the dust…

 

[gonewacky]

Chapter Nine

It was the peak of summer and hot as hell when Carl rode into Dention. The boy stopped at the Livery and asked, “Can you feed and water my horse?”

Lyle replied, “That’ll be 25¢.”

Carl replied, “I’ll settle up after I see the Sheriff. Do you know where I can find him?”

Pointing to the old Feed and Seed Lyle disclosed, “Right across the road sweating his ass off.”

Carl set off across the road, and Jim saw him coming through the window. Then he announced, “Albert you’re never going to believe this, but the boy from Silver Creek that road the Blacksmith’s horse to death is coming.”

Albert questioned, “To the Jail?”

Jim replied, “Yep he’s coming up on the porch now.”

The boy appeared from the open door saying, “Oh good Sheriff. Do you remember me.?”

Albert joked, “The horse killer from Silver Creek?”

The boy dropped his head and mumbled, “It still hurts me that I did that to this day. I have nightmares about it.”

Albert replied, “You shouldn’t Boy. You saved an entire town with that selfless act. I can’t remember your name though.”

Carl replied, “Its Carl sir. When we got back from Lambert the town voted to make Ethan Sheriff. He sent me to you for help. The entire town has gone out of control. Mylo was driving his wagon fast through town, and he ran over a little girl and killed her. They had a trial and they sentenced him to hang. They’re going to do it tomorrow, and Ethan sent me to get you. He thinks he’ll need the help of you and your Deputy. He said to tell you the town was a stick of Dynamite, and the fuse was already lit.”

Albert got up from his chair and walked to Carl and insisted, “Come with me.”

Albert took him to the livery and told Lyle to put Carl’s saddle on a good horse. Then Albert explained, “You take this fresh horse and get back to Silver Creek, and tell Ethan we’re on our way. Now ride, but don’t kill this one.”

Carl replied, “You got it Sheriff.”

The boy rode out of town as Jim questioned, “Does this mean we’re going to Silver Creek?”

Albert replied, “I think we should talk to Suzy and Kathy first.”

At the Boardinghouse Jim blinked Suzy and Kathy to the Jail, and Albert explained what was happening. Then Kathy asked, “Is there a Demon involved here?”

Albert replied, “I don’t know.”

Kathy insisted, “We need to know.” Then she yelled, “Najl.”

Time stopped and they all appeared in the street in front of Najl. His voice echoed in the air, “I know of this, but I’m not sending you to be seen. There is a Demon, but not the one that’s blamed. The little girl was called to the other side. She is with her grandmother now, but her mother and father are needed here. The accident was predetermined, and no one is to blame. The man works for the Silver Mine owner. He is a greedy man and sent him to get supplies fast. Now the wickedness of this town thinks killing him will make it better. You will need to find a way to make the town accept him. Hanging will help no one. I will leave this up to you. Use what you’ve learned, and remember you have the power to overcome all the Evil there. Now go forth.”

In a flash they were standing back in the Jail. Jim asked, “Albert what if the rope brakes when there hanging a man?”

Albert looked at Jim and pondered, “Well I would guess that would be Divine Intervention. You’d have to let him walk away. Why?”

Jim replied, “Then that will be what we’re going to do. We’ll all go there invisible so we can see just what’s going on. When it comes time to hang him, Albert will stop time. I’ll cut the rope and fray the ends. Then I’ll hold the ends together with my hand over it to squish the rope together. Then people won’t see its cut, and when they hang him it will pull the rope out of my hand. What do you think?”

Albert insisted, “The timing well have to be right. It will have to be right before they pull the lever, because they can still see the rope through your hand.”

Kathy insisted, “I can stand by the hangman and when he puts his hand on the lever I’ll help him. Albert will start time and I’ll slap my hand over his and jerk the lever.”

Suzy smiled, “Now that sounds like a plan, but how are people going the react?”

Albert replied, “When a deity becomes actively involved in changing something. People tend to just stare in awe. An overwhelming feeling of wonder and admiration comes over them. They tend to have a profound respect for what they just saw.”

Jim insisted, “Now that we’ve worked this out. Let’s get Charlie and Patty and hitch them up to the wagon. Then tell Henry we’re going to Silver Creek.”





The Town of Silver Creek was made of rotting wood and was ugly. It broiled under the sun like a mangy animal wanting to die. This Town had a virus shared by its people. It was the germ of squalor, hopelessness, and loss of faith. For the faithless and the hopeless the misery-laden Town engages in one of the other pursuits of men. Then they begin to destroy themselves.

After driving the wagon out of town Suzy made a ball of bright flashing colored light, and Kathy shot it with a little spark. Then Suzy threw it in the air, and shot it with a lightning bolt. Thousands of little flashing stars rained down, as little sparks danced around the stars. As the stars came down they all turned invisible and Jim blinked them out.”

They appeared at the homestead and put Charlie and Patty out to graze. Then Jim blinked them to Silver Creek. There were two men finishing up the gallows. Jim and Kathy looked the gallows over for their plan, and listened to the two men talk. “This is just the thing to set him up fine for a hanging. Don’t you think Paul?”

Pal replied, “This is a first class gallows. It’ll be the best thing he’s ever had. Too bad it will be over so fast Burt.”

Burt replied, “Yep, it’ll be just bang, snap, and it’ll be all over. It’ll be a lot faster than it was for that little girl. Too bad it happens so fast.”

Paul went on, “I know. I can almost hear him begging now.”

Jim walked over and looked over the gallows. Pointing Jim whispered, “I think if you stand right there you won’t be in anyone’s way. Then you can push on his hand Kathy.”

Just a little ways away was the Sheriff’s office. It was a newly built building about twenty by twenty. The building had a door in the middle and a window on each side of the door. The window on the right had no glass and two bars with shutters. People were gathered in front of the barded window, and the prisoner was looking out with a hand on each bar. One man yelled, “Tomorrow’s the day you’ll be dancing on the gallows. The Sheriff got a new hemp rope just for you.”

Another man shouted, “Child killer!”

The Sheriff barked, “Ok that’s enough! Break it up!”

Kathy stepped up behind Suzy and confessed, “I don’t feel anything, and I don’t see the shadow of a Demon in him.”

Suzy whispered back, “Najl told us he wasn’t Possessed, but there is Evil here we just have to find it.”

As they walked around town the hanging was all people were talking about. People were asking others if they were going to the hanging, and some were saying how they felt sorry for his children. Suzy listened and found he had three children. He had two girls five and seven and a boy nine. Their mother had died from scarlet fever just after the youngest girl was born. This left the father and her dad to raise the children. Now all the children had was their grandfather with their father going to hang.

Suzy felt sad and went to Jim and said, “I’ve seen enough. I want you to take us to Lambert. We can eat dinner there and stay in the Hotel. Then we can come back tomorrow. I heard the funeral is going to be at ten in the morning, and they’re going to hang him at noon.”

Albert agreed, “I know all I need to know I think that’s a good idea.”

 

[gonewacky]

With that Jim blinked them to the alley in lambert. Like always there was Anvil drunk with a bottle in his hand. Suzy commented, “I think he’s passed out this time Jim.”

Jim replied as Kathy shot everyone with a little spark, “Looks like it.”

They went out to the street and down to the Hotel. Making a stop at the Mercantile on the way, so Suzy could get some peppermint sticks. Then they got rooms and went to dinner.

The next morning after they ate they went to Jim and Suzy’s room. Kathy made everyone invisible and faded out. Then they joined hands and Jim blinked them to Silver Creek. Arriving they found people were lining up and down the street for the funeral. They joined in along with the others. Then a big burly man pulled a wagon up in front of the trading post.

Vicente parked his wagon next to the Trading Post and walk the street announcing, “Ladies and gents, it’s me, Vicente Pike, back from Lambert. I’ve stocked up with everything that’s necessary for kitchen and barn and the dry throat, or the swollen tongue.”

Stopping at the window with bars at the Sheriff’s office Vicente exclaimed, “Young Mr. Rannells, I believe. Now, this is a very special day, isn’t it? Now, let’s see. What is this special day, eh? Ah, now I remember. It has just at this moment come back to me. Today you’re going to get hanged. Today, young Mr. Rannells, killer of children, dances on the gallows.”

Then looking at the Sheriff watching the street Vicente teased, “Well, what will it be for you today, Mr. Sheriff? Don’t need any more rope, do you?”

Then looking back at the man behind the bars he went on, “You ought to see the fancy, five-strand hemp I sold the town for your party Rannells. It could lift five of you. Any more at home like you Rannells?”

Looking back at the Sheriff Vicente asked, “Well, what will be your fancy, Mr. Sheriff?”

Ethan replied, “What do I fancy Pike? I’ll tell you what I fancy. I’d like you to take your fat carcass and your loud mouth out into the open air. This is a small town and it’s the hot time of the morning.”

Vicente joked, “Well, what about you, Rannells? What would your pleasure be? Nice hacksaw, maybe? There’s going to be a funeral procession down that street Rannells. You better go to the window and watch. They’re burying the little girl that you mutilated under your wagon. You remember the little girl don’t you? You got in a hurry and you raced your wagon down that street, and what you did to that poor little girl... Uh-uh, Rannells. Hey, you’ll have plenty of chances to move around this afternoon. You’ll be able to kick and kick and kick.”

Pulling a bottle from his pocket Vicente offered, “You ought to take a drink of this Sheriff. It’s a good tonic. It’s just the thing to set you up fine for a hanging. It’ll make you strong and firm.”

Ethan insisted, “I don’t touch dog meat Pike.”

Vicente laughed, “You talk big behind a badge Sheriff.”

Ethan replied, “Just sounds big to you because you’re a midget Pike.”

Vicente declared, “You know, I always had a little question about you. You always had a thing for foreigners and strays but you’re mighty tight-lipped when it comes to one of your own.”

Ethan barked, “You’re not my own Pike, so don’t claim any kinship. As for that boy in there he had his trial and today he’s going to swing for it. There’s nothing in his sentence that says he’s got to be tormented by a pig who sells trinkets at funerals. Go on Pike. Get out of here.”

Vicente asked, “When this day is over, which one will you weep for Sheriff?”

Ethan insisted, “I have tears enough for both. Mr. and Mrs. Shepard, I’m real sorry about this.”

The wagon with the coffin passed the Sheriff’s office, and Pike walked out to the little girl’s parents walking behind it. He followed behind as it went down the street.

Pike took off his hat and walked up alongside them saying, “My condolences to you. This afternoon will be a lot more cheery. Yes, we going to string up the dirty little animal that done this. She is going to be avenged. You can set your mind to rest on that score. We’ll string up that mangler of children if it’s the last thing we do.”

The Sheriff walked out and grabbed Pike’s arm pulling him away saying, “Some other time, huh Pike? Some other time, you act like a man with no brains but not now. Now you keep quiet.”

Vicente went on, “Now, look at that will you? Ain’t that the most gall you ever seen in one place? The old man shows his face in town in broad daylight, and during the funeral procession too. Somebody ought to take a horsewhip to that.”

An old man and a little girl stood at the end of the street waiting for them to pass. When the parents reached the old man he took off his hat and whispered to the girl and she repeated, “My grandfather wishes for me to tell you that his heart is broken. That if he could... If he could give... His own life in return. His own life in return, he would.”

The old man whispered some more and the girl went on, “He would do so with great willingness. He, he understands...”

The father spoke, “Get out of the way, little girl. Get out of the way. Can’t you see that we’re burying our daughter today?

The old man begged, “Oh, please, please. My son did not mean to do it. He’s a lover of children as you all are.”

The funeral procession continued on, and the old man walked into the town. People where gathered alongside the street to pay their respects. He begged them to not hang his son. Someone threw a rock at him and the Sheriff barked, “That’s enough of that! Anyone dose that again and I’ll lock them up.”

Someone yelled, “He needs not to be here.”

Another hollered, “Get out old man.”

The Sheriff put his hand on the old man’s shoulder and said, “Take your little girl home. They will hurt you if you stay. Please, go home now.”

The old man said, “My lucky coin. It is said one can make a wish on it.”

Luis yelled, “Go home, old man. Make your prayers and make your wishes.”

The Sheriff insisted, “Luis is right. You’ll do no good here.”

The old man whispered, “You’ll never understand, Mr. Sheriff? You never felt such misery rising in you that salvation seemed to look at you? You never felt pain? Such pain that you had to ride through the night and not look behind you? My son was hungry and he felt such pain. He rode down the street not looking, not seeing, and he had sadness, deep inside. He had the sadness that there was not enough to eat, and sadness that he would have no work. The sadness was in the earth all around him and was growing barren in the sun. He did not see the little girl. He never saw her... For an instant.”

Kathy had spotted a Demon and was following it.

Vicente went to the little girl, “Wait. Now you stay here. I won’t hurt you. Don’t be afraid. You go tell your papa. You understand? Tell your papa I want to help him. You tell him that his coin is no good. It’s worthless. But that I have a magic dust that turns hate into love but it is very, very precious very expensive, comprehend? Understand? ow, ow, you tell your papa to bring 50 dollars to my room in one hour and I will sell him the magic dust that makes people love and forgive. You understand, eh? Tell your papa, comprehend? Good, now you go.”

Vicente pulled a tobacco pouch from his pocket, and dumped the last of it on the ground. Then he filled it with dust from the dry ground and laughed, “That should be 50 dollars of Magic Dust.”

Kathy gasped, “Oh nooo.”

Vicente spun around saying, “Who’s there?”

Not seeing anyone he smiled and went on his way.

Kathy went right to Suzy and told her about the deal the old man was going to make with the Demon. Suzy smiled, and informed, “If its Magic Dust he needs. Then we can make our own. Is it a Demon or a Demon possession?”

Kathy replied, “Demon possession?”

Suzy replied, “We don’t have time now, but I’ll get him when we’re done here.”

The sheriff saw Mr. Jones and his wife heading to the gallows with their six kids in the back of the wagon. The Sheriff walked out to them and Mr. Jones stopped the wagon.

The Sheriff barked, “It’s a hanging.”

Mr. Jones asked, “You mean the kids? They ain’t never seen a hanging. I figured it was time."

 

[gonewacky]

The Sheriff asked, “Why?”

Mr. Jones replied, “Why not? They’ll learn a lesson. They’ll see what happens when you kill kids.

The Sheriff replied, “I guess that’s pretty vital. How do you teach them pain Mr. Jones? Do you shoot one of them in the arm?”

Mr. Jones ordered, “All right, you kids. Get down and stay together.”

As the men were walking Mr. Rannells to the gallous they went by the youngest girl about six. She pointed to Mr. Rannells and questioned, “Is that the man they’re going to put the rope on?”

Passing Mr. Rannells replied, “Yes, little one. I am the man.”

The two men walking him stop as the girl asked, “Will it hurt?”

Mr. Rannells replied, “If god wills it.”

Then they continued to walk him to the gallows.

Someone yelled, “It’s about that time.”

Another shouted, “I’m ready Sheriff. Come on, let’s get it over with.”

They slipped the noose over his head and he kneeled and prayed, as someone yelled, “Should’ve done that in the jail, hang him!”

Another hollered, “What are we waiting for? Let’s get to it.”

Then others started yelling, “Come on sheriff, do your duty! Get it over with!”

The grandfather was making the deal for the Dust with Vicente Pike.

Vicente questioned, “The little girl told you?”

The old man replied, “Yes, she told me. She said that you had the dust. Dust with magic properties.”

Vicente continued, “That’s the idea, old man. Little of this sprinkled over the heads in the crowd will make them feel sympathy for your son. It’s very rare Magic you know. You brought money with you?”

The old man replied, “Yes.”

Then he dropped the gold peace’s in his hand. Vicente exclaimed, “Gold! Where did you get them?”

The old man insisted, “All my friends, and I sold our wagon, our horse, and some I borrowed. It will work, Mr. Pike?”

Vicente held the bag of dust up swinging it back and forth as the old man asked again, “The magic dust, it will work?”

Vicente insisted, “Yes.”

The old man declared, “You sold the rope to hang my son. Now you sell me that which will save him?”

Vicente revealed, “Well, I’m a businessman, old man. I sell that which is needed. I make no distinctions. This will work. I told you, it’s magic.”

The old man took the dust and ran out with Vicente following him. Then

The old man mumbled, “I’m coming, my son. I’m coming!”

At the crowd Vicente yelled at the old man, “Throw some over their heads! And then watch the magic. Yeah, that’s right. Then watch the magic!”

Then the crowd started yelling things, “String him up.” “We waited long enough.” “Let’s not stall it.” “Get it over with.” “What are we waiting for?” “Hurry it up Sheriff.”

The old man yelled, “Wait! Wait! Wait! You must pay heed to the magic now. You must stop all of this and pay heed to the magic.”

That’s when Suzy started throwing balls of bright flashing colored light in the air over the crowd, and shooting them with a lightning bolt. Thousands of little flashing stars rained down on them as Suzy whispered, “Let the Magic of Love touch you all.”

The old man yelled, “You must pay heed to the magic. All of you! The Magic of Love and compassion will overcome you all magically, so that my son can live. As you yourselves once used to live.”

Then the time came and Albert called out, “Truck on.”

Then time stopped and Jim cut the rope, as Kathy stood ready to push the Hangman’s hand. Jim frayed out the ends of the rope and held them together. Albert called out, “Truck off,” and time started as Kathy pushed the Hangman’s hand. The trap door opened and the old man cried, “Nooo!”

Then Mr. Rannells fell to the ground. The crowd gasped and stared in amazement. The frayed rope swayed in the wind as everyone went silent.

Vicente mumbled, “But it was a new five-strand hemp rope. Nobody could have broken it. It couldn’t have gotten broken.

The Sheriff looked at the dead girl’s parents, “What about it, Mr. Shepard, and Mrs. Shepard?”

The old man cried, “Oh, please, please. It’s the magic. You cannot try to defeat the magic.”

Someone yelled, “Let’s try it again.”

The Sheriff barked, “There are only two people here who have the right to ask for an eye for an eye. What about it, Mrs. Shepard?”

She looked to her husband and whispered, “No more today John. He killed our child, and part of himself while doing it. He’s suffered enough.”

Mr. Shepard replied, “Sheriff, there must be another hand in all of this for the rope to break like that. Maybe it was the hand of providence.”

The Sheriff asked, “You want to stop it then Mr. Shepard?”

Mrs. Shepard whispered, “John?”

Mr. Shepard insisted, “We leave it like this? One victim is enough. I think we should all go home now.”

Mr. Rannells questioned, “I’m free?”

The Sheriff looked at him as he sat on the ground under the gallows and replied, “Are any of us free? Well, you can go home now, you have that much freedom.”

The old man exclaimed, “It was the magic. It was the magic dust. It brought back love to the people.”

Mr. Rannells insisted, “Yes, father, it was magic. It’s time to go home now. Please, let’s go home now.”

Vicente mumbled as Suzy walked up, “New rope it was a Brand-new rope.”

She made a ball of bright flashing colored light and pushed it into his chest and called out, “Back to hell with you Demon.”

Then a black cloud in the shape of a hideous monster rose up into the air. It was twisting around as it made a squalling sound. Then it was sucked into the ground. Then Vicente walked over to the old man and dropped the gold coins on the ground in front of him exclaiming, “I’ll get nothing but Evil from that money. Take it.”

Jim blinked them to the Homestead and got their team and wagon. Then Jim blinked them behind the Church in Silver Creek. Kathy made them visible and they went into town. Albert seen Ethan and called out, “Hay Sheriff we made it.”

Ethan walked to the wagon and informed, “You’re late. You just missed a miracle. Come on in the office and I’ll tell you about it.”

The town changed that day, and everyone treated each other different. They were kind and respectful of each other. The Rannells family got there horse and wagon back, and paid back the money they borrowed. Yes it was a good day.

 

[gonewacky]

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and may your days be felled with all the Love, Joy and Happiness life has to offer. We send our best wishes for you all.

With Love Joe & Eva

 

[Mr Bill]

Thanks and very Merry Christmas to you all as well

 

[gonewacky]

I posted a story A Demon Hunters Christmas

 

[gonewacky]

I’ve posted an update in the Comments Thread. Hope you like this Chapter.

https://www.timebomb2000.com/xf/index.php?threads/the-truck-the-witch-and-the-blacksmith.639641/post-9992468

 

[gonewacky]

Chapter Ten

Amos had developed a drinking problem over the past year, and others had been picking up his lode. Jim and Albert had been filling the wood box most of the time, and Suzy had been getting things from the cellar for Victoria. It was Friday morning when Victoria asked, “Has anyone seen Amos? I haven’t seen him for three days.”

Everyone had agreed they hadn’t seen him and Emily divulged, “He’s been buying laudanum at the store. He started getting it a little over a month ago. When the Doctor was in town back when Jeb got hurt he saw Amos. The Doctor came and talked to Hank about it. He might just be using too much of it.”

Albert got up from the table and announced, “I’ll check on him.”

Albert went down the hall to Amos’s room and knocked on the door and called his name. There was no reply, so Albert tried the door. It wasn’t locked so Albert went in then yelled, “Deputy!”

Suzy looked at Jim from the kitchen as she felt fear and said, “He called you, “Deputy,” James.”

Jumping up Jim replied, “I heard.”

Going down the hall Jim saw Albert standing outside the door. Albert looked at Jim and softly mumbled, “He’s gone James.”

Jim looked in the room and saw Amos in his bed with his leg hanging off the side. It looked like he was trying to get up, but never made it. Jim pulled the door shout and whispered, “We have to tell them.”

Albert insisted, “I’ll do it.”

Albert walked into the dining room and announced, “Well, Amos is gone. It looks like he went a couple of days ago. I’ll take care of things today.”

Mable got up from the table and went out the door to the porch. Then she sat in Victoria’s chair and wept. Rebecca went to go to her room, but in the hall she couldn’t pass Amos’s door and went back to the dining room. She went into the kitchen and hugged Suzy who had a stunned look on her face. Victoria stabbed the knife in the cutting board and cursed, “Damn it.”

Then she went to her room and cried. Kathy faded out and no one even noticed. Emily Just stared in to space not knowing what to say or do. Albert Insisted, “Come on James we have to go find Herm to make a box.”

They stopped at the Store to see Hank and tell him about what they found. Then Albert told Hank about Amos, and Hank informed, “The Doctor talked to me about it. He told me I couldn’t say anything it was Amos’s place to do that. He said Amos had Cancer or as most know it Karkinoma. Either way it’s all the same outcome, you die from it. He told me there would be a lot of pain in the end, and I should keep laudanum on the shelf for him. The doctor said he’d pay for it, but I couldn’t bring myself to charge him. I thought Amos had more time, but it might have been better that he went fast.”

Albert revealed, “I need to find Herm to build the box. I’m going to have James open the Blacksmith shop. I’m going to make the nails for the box myself. It’s the least I can do.”

Albert went and talked to Herm then he went to the Preacher’s house, and made arrangements for Saturday afternoon. Then he went to the Blacksmith shop and made the nails. Jim had made a deal to get a fresh roast from Josette. Suzy picked it up from the Restaurant on Saturday morning. In the afternoon they put Amos in the ground, and went home and had the roast dinner. Victoria sat at the table like it was a Sunday dinner, and they all talked about some of the crazy stuff Amos had done. Victoria broke down and cried, and they all gathered around and hugged her. Mable cried with Victoria and seemed to be taking it hard as well.

It was Monday afternoon when Jim and Albert where coming back from Lambert. They had just dropped Kathy off at the Hotel, so she could ride back to town with Seig on Tuesday. Albert admitted, “You know Jim I didn’t think this romance would last.”

Jim confessed, “I worried about it too. She only gets to see him on Tuesday and Thursday, but it seems to be enough for her.”

Albert announced, “Look at that wagon up ahead.”

James replied, “He might just have stopped for something.”

The closer they got the stranger the wagon looked. Albert insisted, “Looks like he’s slumped over.”

Jim replied, “Yep, looks like he slumped over on top of someone.”

Albert slipped his hand to his gun and looked around. He thought he had a murder in his hands. Jim pulled the wagon to a stop and jumped down. Albert was cautious and kept his hand on his gun as he got down. Jim called out, “This guy is burning up. I’m getting the doctor.”

Then Jim blinked out, and appeared in the alley in lambert. Like always there was Anvil leaned against the wall. Anvil announced, “You’re back.”

Jim pulled a silver dollar from his pocket and tossed it to Anvil saying, “Here you go Anvil.”

Anvil replied, “Thanks Deputy.”

Then he walked to the doctor’s office. Patrick was just finishing wrapping a bandage on a boy’s arm and announced, “You need to quit climbing trees young man. Do you hear me?”

The boy whined, “Yes sir.”

Patrick looked to the boy’s mother and instructed, “You need to keep it clean until it scabs over. He should be fine in a few days. That’s if you can keep him out of the trees. That will be 10¢.”

Collecting the Dime Patrick asked, “Why Deputy what can I do for you.”

Jim informed, “I’m here to kidnap you.”

Patrick insisted, “Just let me get my bag. Are we walking or doing the other thing.”

Jim replied, “The other thing.”

Patrick mumbled something under his breath and Jim insisted, “You can close your eyes if you wish.”

Standing next to Jim with his bag Patrick insisted, “Just do it before someone comes in.”

In a flash they were standing next to Albert on the road. One look and Patrick insisted, “I can tell from here by the yellow skin its most likely Yellow Fever.”

The doctor walked to the wagon, and pulled out his stethoscope. Then he put it to the woman’s chest and announced, “She’s gone.”

Then looking at the man the Doctor hypothesized, “I only give him an hour or two. If you take me back to town I’ll get a couple men to bury them. I say we do it right here alongside the road.”

Then that’s when they heard it. It was the cry of a baby coming from the wagon. The doctor lifted the blanket behind the wagon seat, and there it was. A small baby just a few months old wrapped in a blanket. The doctor insisted, “Deputy get over here. Can you stop time?”

Albert barked, “Truck on.”

 

[gonewacky]

Time stopped and Jim touched the Doctor so he would come to life. The doctor explained, “The baby is unable to put its hands in its mouth, so it might not be infected. I’m going to unwrap the blanket and take the baby holding its arms. Then I need you to take us back so I can wash the baby. Did either of you touch them?”

Jim replied, “I touched the man.”

The Doctor insisted, “Then we need to wash you and burn your clothes. This blanket has to be buried with them. The Doctor picked up the baby saying, “It’s a girl.”

Then Jim blinked them back to the doctor’s office. The doc washed the baby and gave it to his wife to care for and stripped his clothes and made Jim do the same. After Patrick washed up and Jim was down to his underwear he blinked out to his room. After putting on clean clothes Jim blinked to the road with Albert and they waited for the Doctor. Albert disclosed, “I think he stopped breathing when you were gone.”

Even though the road was well traveled no one went by as they waited. The Doctor showed up with two men on horseback, and parked his buggy on the other side of the road and insisted, “We have it from here.”

Albert asked, “What about the baby?”

Patrick insisted, “I’m keeping the baby for a week, and if the baby doesn’t show signs of Yellow Fever. Then we’ll decide what we’ll do with her then.”

Albert and Jim headed back to Dengion. At the livery they told Henry about the baby. Henry exclaimed, “It’s going to be hard to find a home for a girl. Most men see them as a burden. Now if it was a boy, well… you know.”



That night in bed Suzy asked, “Remember Scarlett and her husband that own the Apple Orchard. I know she would want the baby. What do you think?”

Jim replied, “I think that would be a great idea. I don’t think that Mr. Rickett would be too happy about it, but I’m sure you got him thinking about what Scarlett wants.”

Suzy replied, “You know it. He had Mable make whatever she wanted. She got a nice Sunday dress and an everyday dress. With that new sewing machine Mable whipped them out in no time. Best investment I’ve ever made not counting you.”

Jim pulled her tight to him and insisted, “And you better not forget it. You want me to blink you somewhere?”

Suzy pushed Love into Jim and exclaimed, “Right here with you my love. Now go to dream land.”

The next thing Jim knew Suzy was getting up, and he could hear Victoria in the kitchen. The days went by and it had been a week, Albert and Jim where taking Kathy to Lambert like any other Monday. They stopped at the Doctor’s office to check on the baby. Patrick divulged, “I’ve had no luck finding a home for this little one. You have any luck finding a home?”

Jim revealed, “I think we might have one, but we’re not sure.”

Patrick asked, “Are you taking the baby with you?”

Kathy insisted, “You know it. Suzy is taking it back with them.”

Patrick questioned, “Oh she came with you?”

Kathy rocked the baby as she answered, “No, she’s flying here. We’re going to get muslin and linen to make diapers.”

Patrick asked, “Have you found a wet Nurse for the baby?”

Jim replied, “We got Infant formula and a bottle.”

Patrick insisted, “I don’t even want to know where that came from.”

Jim just smiled, as Suzy came in the door asking, “You ready Kathy?”

Kathy handed the baby to Albert and joked, “You can practice up for when Rebecca has her baby.”

Albert replied, “This one is going to be enough for a while.”

At the Mercantile Suzy held up some flannel and insisted, “Look Kathy, Mable could make some nice pajamas for the baby out of this.”

Kathy insisted. “That’s cute. Add it to the stack.”

After they picked out their fabrics and had them stacked on the counter, Kathy pushed Suzy out of the way and said, “I’m getting this. I’m the one that is stinking. You’re just filthy.”

Suzy laughed, “You might be right.”

As they put their stuff in the wagon Kathy revealed, “You know Jim has been taking coins to the future and trading them for gold. I’ve got quite a bit myself from him doing that for me.”

Suzy replied, “I know, I saw the gold bars added to my stack in my pot. He’s been going to the mint in Carson City to get the coins.”

Albert and Jim came out with the Baby, and Albert handed it to Suzy. Kathy insisted, “Let me buy you lunch before you go.”

Suzy took the baby and they all headed to the Restaurant. Then Jim, Suzy and Albert headed home with the baby. Outside of town Suzy handed Jim the baby. Then she made a ball of bright flashing colored light, and threw it in the air. Then she shot it with a lightning bolt. Thousands of little flashing stars rained down on them as Jim blinked them outside if Dention.

Back at the Boardinghouse Rebecca was all over the baby. She had to do everything for it. She insisted that it sleep with her at night.

Meanwhile down at the Jail Vivian came in and informed, “Mr. Hanson is in an uproar over a cattle thief. He’s been looking for you all day. I think you should go down to the Saloon and talk to him.”

Albert replied, “Head on back I’ll be right down.”

Albert looked at Jim and asked, “You want to go down and see your Grampa with me.”

Jim replied, “I’ll let you handle that angry cuss yourself Albert.”

Albert went down to the Saloon and saw Mr. Hanson at a table with Vivian sitting on his leg. He pushed her up saying, “Give us a moment. We have some business to discuss.”

Mr. Hanson announced, “Sit down Sheriff, you want a drink?”

Albert replied, “No thank you. I’m fine. I heard your having a problem with cattle rustling.”

Mr. Hanson went on, “At first I thought it was just normal loss. But then it turned into a pattern, and now I found Edie Rickett has been selling beef to Josette. Now we both know Edie’s an apple farmer, so where is he getting beef? I think he’s stealing it from me. He just sold Josette a side of beef all dressed out. I’ve told my men if they catch him with any cattle with a Hanson brand on it. They should string him up. You know me. If it was someone that was starving or something I give then a calf or something, but don’t steal from me. ”

 

[gonewacky]

Albert scolded, “You can’t do that. He deserves a trial first.”

Mr. Hanson insisted, “That’s your job. If you can’t do it, I’ll take care of it myself. You know cattle rustling is a hanging offence.”

Albert insisted, “I’ll look into it.”

Then he headed back to the Jail stopping at the boarding house on the way. He went in and asked Kathy and Suzy to meet him at the Jail.

At the Jail Albert talked to Jim about what his Grandfather told him. Jim explained, “Correct me if I’m wrong, but if he has let a Demon back in him. We are not allowed to remove it unless we are sent to do it.”

Albert replied, “That’s my understanding, but I’m waiting for Suzy to confirm that.”

Soon Suzy and Kathy came in and questioned, “What’s up guys?”

Albert told them about Mr. Rickett and the cattle problem. Suzy gasped, “Oh no! I didn’t say anything, but I flew out there last week and talked to Scarlett. I didn’t say anything, because we didn’t know for sure we were getting the baby. Now that I know he might be Demon Possessed I can’t put the baby in a home like that. I have to know for sure. Kathy shoot me. We’re going to find out right now. I’ll fly us there.”

Kathy shot Suzy with a little spark and faded out. Suzy took her hand and pulled her outside and they shot up in the air. Suzy landed next to the Barn. She was going to check the barn when she heard Scarlett scream. She turned and walked to the house to see what was happening. Kathy followed right behind her. Through the kitchen window Suzy saw Edie slap Scarlett knocking her to the floor. Suzy became angary and went to the back door as Kathy whispered, “He’s Demon Possessed, but this is a powerful Demon. It has horns and is red not black.”

Suzy tried the back door and slammed it open with a bang. Then she shot Edie with a lightning bolt knocking him against the wall then she stomped over and kicked him between the legs. He exploded with a shock wave that shot Suzy out the back door onto the ground. She got up as Edie came out the back door. The Demon in him yelled, “Show yourself Angel!”

Suzy flew strait at Edie and grabbed him taking him up into the air. About a hundred feet up she pushed him away and watched. The Demon didn’t fall to the ground. It just floated slowly down. Suzy didn’t know what to do. She hadn’t fought a Demon like this before, so she swooped down and got Kathy and flew off.

Kathy questioned, “What happened? I’ve never seen something like that before.”

Suzy replied, “I have, but it didn’t have a soul. I’m thinking about it, but I didn’t know what to do.”

Suzy landed at the Jail and sat on the steps. Kathy sat next to her, and Suzy pushed love into her.

Kathy faded back and asked, “No one’s around you want me to shoot you.”

Suzy mumbled, “Go ahead.”

Jim came out and asked, “What’s the matter?”

Kathy explained as Albert came out, “Suzy just fought a powerful Demon and lost. We had to leave.”

Jim exclaimed, “No way!”

Suzy whispered, “It’s as powerful as the Witch, but it has a soul and I’ve casted one out of that soul already. I’m forbidden from saving him again. He has to ask for forgiveness first. Then Najl will send me to do it. I have the power to do it but I’m forbidden. Albert could do it too, but he’s also forbidden to take a life that has a soul. Were trapped.”

Albert insisted, “I can do something.”

Albert went in to the Jail and unlocked the cell. Then Barked, “Go home Boy I’m commuting your sentence, but you still have to do the wood and water chores.”

Then he pulled the shackles from the wall, and went across the street and got a horse from Henry. Jim watched as Albert rode out asking, “Where do you think he’s going?”

Suzy insisted, “You know where he’s going Jim. He’s going to go arrest that bastard and put him in Jail. Didn’t you see the shackles hanging from his hand?”

Jim insisted, “I better go out there and back him up.”

Then Jim blinked out and appeared in the Apple Orchard. He leaned against a tree watching the house waiting for Albert. It was six miles and Jim knew it would take about fifteen minutes, but it seemed like an hour. Then Albert rode up and yelled, “Edie Rickett this is Sheriff Albert Blocker. I’m here to talk to you about Mr. Hanson’s cattle.”

Then the barn door opened a crack and Jim heard a Boom! A bright beam of light shined from Albert right back to the rifle. The light surrounded Edie then turned into a million sparkling stars, as Jim blinked to Edie. Jim grabbed the rifle and gave it a jerk as the stars faded away. Then it flew to the ground and Edie backhanded Jim knocking him back about ten feet. Albert jumped from his horse and ducked around the corner of the house, as Edie picked up the rifle. Jim blinked in behind Albert and asked, “Are you all right? There’s a hole in the back of your shirt.”

Albert replied, “I didn’t feel a thing. I think it went right through me.”

Jim asked, “You bleeding up there?”

Albert replied, “Nope, just the hole in my shirt. There isn’t even a mark on me.”

Feeling Albert’s back Jim insisted, “Same back here, nothing.”

Albert peeked around the corner and boom! Edie took another shot and wood splinters flew from the house.

Albert cried out, “Truck on.”

Time stopped and Albert insisted, “He’s trying to kill me! I got him now. Assault with a deadly weapon, Attempted Murder, and Rustling are all Major Felonies, and carry two to twenty years in prison. I came out here to arrest him for Rustling. I was hoping to put him away for at least two years, but now that he tried to kill me. I got him for attempted Murder and Assault with a deadly weapon. Let’s go get that rifle, and put the shackles on him.”

Jim revealed, “You do know he shot a bullet right through you, and you should be dead.”

Albert winked, “I know, kind of strange isn’t it.”

Jim remembered the very first Demon they did. He saw the same light shoot out of Suzy. Later she told him what happened, and that she thought she was Immortal. Jims head was spinning. He was trying to understand what he was. Albert handed Jim the rifle and said, “Hold this well I put on the shackles.”

After Albert put on the shackles he called out, “Truck off.”

Time started and Edie was disoriented for a moment then he started kicking and screaming. “I’m going to kill you! Get these damn thing’s off me!”

Albert took the rifle from Jim. Then he hit him in the head with the butt of the gun. Edie fell to the ground out cold as Scarlett came out the back door. Jim looked and gasped. Her face was black and blue, and she was walking with a limp. Jim questioned, “Are you all right Scarlett?”

 

[gonewacky]

She replied, “I don’t know what happened to him. He just went crazy. He’s been doing all kinds of crazy stuff. Then he started beating me a few days ago for no reason.”

Albert advised, “I’m taking him to Jail, and I don’t think he’ll be coming back.”

Scarlett fell to her knees and cried, “What am I going to do now?”

Albert called out, “Truck on.”

Time stopped and Albert insisted, “Blink to town and have Suzy and Kathy bring out the wagon.”

Jim blinked to the Jail and Suzy and Kathy were still sitting on the steps. Jim went out and announced, “We need you to get Patty and Charlie hitched up, and go out and pick up Scarlett. I also need you to bring me a horse. We’ll be waiting for you.”

Suzy questioned, “You got him?”

Jim replied, “He shot Albert, but we got him.”

Kathy asked, “How bad was he shot?”

Jim replied, “Suzy knows, she had something like that happen to her. It was the first Demon we went after.”

Suzy questioned, “Was there light and stars?”

Jim replied, “You should know.”

Then Jim went back in the Jail and blinked back to Albert. Albert started time, and Jim explained, “We have someone coming for you Scarlett. We didn’t think it would turn out this way, but we’ll figure something out.”

It took over a half hour, but finely Suzy and Kathy showed up. Suzy got down from the wagon to talk to Jim and Albert. That’s when Scarlett ran to her and hugged her crying. “It all went so wrong. He went crazy and started doing strange things. I think it’s in the house too. I hear voices talking in my head. I just want to get away from here.”

Suzy pushed love into Scarlett’s back as she hugged her and whispered, “We’ve got you now you’re going to be fine. Just get up on the wagon with Kathy. Jim untied his horse from the wagon as Suzy kneeled down and made a clicking sound. Jim looked in wonder as the squirrel came running to her. Picking it up Suzy took it to Scarlett saying, “We’re taking this guy with us.”

Scarlett hugged the squirrel and rubbed its soft fur on her face. Kathy petted the pet and said, “Emily is going to love this.”

Jim explained you can go ahead and head home. We’ve saddled Edie’s horse, so Albert and I’ll bring him in and lock him up. You better hurry if you’re going to make it for Dinner.”

Suzy, Kathy, and Scarlett headed to the Boardinghouse, and Albert tethered Edie’s horse to his. Then He barked, “I don’t want to hear any crap out of you. If I do I’ll knock you out again.”

Edie replied, “That badge makes you real tough don’t it Sheriff.”

Albert replied, “I could have just shot you. Consider yourself lucky.”

Jim and Albert road side by side to town with Edie in tow. Neither one of them talked much they just thought about what happened. At the jail they found Liam waiting for Oral to get off work at the Restaurant. Jim drug Edie into the cell and undid one of the shackles. Edie let out a burst of energy that knocked Jim back out the cell door. Albert barked, “Truck on.”

Time stopped and Albert went in and took off the shackles careful not to touch him. Then he closed the cell door and locked it. Putting out his hand to help Jim up Albert explained, “I’ll go back over by Liam and you can just stand here by the cell door. Then I’ll start time. That is the best we can do.”

At the Boardinghouse Suzy went in and got Victoria. She came out and sat in her chair, and looked Scarlett over. Suzy was standing on one side and Kathy was on the other. Then Victoria questioned, “What’s that you got in your hands?”

Scarlett insisted, “It’s my squirrel. He’s real good and won’t be a problem.”

Victoria went on, “I’ll tell you just like I told Emily. If it stays outside it’s fine, I told Suzy the same about her bird. Homes are for people. I guess you can have Amos’s old room. Its five dollars a month and I’ll knock some off if you help out around here.”

Scarlett replied, “Thank you mam.”

Victoria asked, “Who’s helping me with dinner?”

Suzy replied, “You know I do that Victoria.”

Meanwhile down at the Jail. Albert explained, “I’m going to ride down to the Saloon and see if Earl wants to ride out to the Rickett’s, and identify the Steer hanging in the barn. Maybe you can get Liam here to get you something for you and that Demon. I won’t be back for dinner, so I’ll stop by the house and tell Victoria we’re getting something at the Horseshoe. Tomorrow we’ll take Edie to Lambert and turn him over to the Marshal. Bill can hold him until the Judge comes to town.”

Then Albert went to the Saloon, and there was Earl with Vivian sitting on his lap. Mr. Hanson saw Albert and questioned, “Well did you talk to the thieving bastard?”

Earl pushed Vivian from his lap as Albert took a seat and replied, “Better than that Earl I caught him read handed, and it turned into a shootout. Now I got him for Assault with a deadly weapon and Attempted Murder. I’d like to add Cattle Rustling to that, but I need you to come and identify the Steer hanging in the barn. It’s half skinned with the “H” brand on it. After that you’ll have to go to the court trial and testify. I have to have your testimony to get a conviction.”

Earl demanded, “Well don’t just sit there. I’m not buying you anything, and daylights a burning, let’s go.”

Looking to Jack Earl barked, “A few of my hands will be here in a few. You tell them two of them need to head out to the Rickett place. Make sure they know I’ll be waiting for them.”

Outside Albert informed, “I have to stop and tell Victoria I won’t be back for dinner.”

Earl questioned, “How’s the old gal doing now days? I thought she’d be married by now.”

Albert replied, “She’s got a bad taste in her mouth for men. She told me once. Only one in fifty men are worth anything, and there already married. She thinks it gets worse with every wagon train that comes through.”

Earl replied, “That woman will never change.”

They made the stop and headed out to the Rickett’s place.

At the barn Albert pulled open the barn door, and they went in. Earl looked the steer over and insisted, “Yes that’s one of my steers all right.”

Pulling out his Knife Earl ordered, “Well don’t just stand there. Get your knife out and help me finish skinning this thing out. No sense letting it go to waste.”

 

[gonewacky]

Albert pulled his Knife and started skinning the steer and saw little sparkles around the edge of the blade as he slid it along. He moved to the other side so Earl wouldn’t see it. Earl talked as he worked, “I think I’ll split the Back Strap with you. You can take it to Victoria. The rest I’ll give to Josette. The Preacher and her can use it to help some of the single mothers around here.”

Albert replied, “I don’t think Josette’s working today. I think this is her day off and Oral is working.”

Earl replied, “Then I’ll tell Martin about it. He’s been buying all the beef for the Restaurant anyway. He’s the one that told me about Edie Rickett selling beef to the Restaurant.”

Albert announced, “Look there is riders coming.”

Earl replied, “Looks like my son George and Ray Johnson.”

Albert was rolling up the Skin from the steer when Earl asked, “What are you doing?”

Albert replied, “I have to keep this for evidence. I’ve got to go into court and swear this came from a steer he stole from you. Then you will have to swear it’s yours.”

Earl complained, “The leather in that hide is worth five bucks.”

Albert insisted, “I’ll salt it so it don’t stink up the Jail, and give it back to you after the court trial.”

Earl told his son George what to do. Then Albert went into the kitchen and washed up. Pumping the water for Albert Earl insisted, “When we get to town I’ll buy you dinner at the Horseshoe, but you have to promise not to tell anyone what I did with the meat. I have a reputation to keep you know. If that gets out everyone will be wanting something.”

Albert replied, “I’m not buying it, but I’ll let you think that.”

The next morning Albert got up early and went out on the porch. Victoria was sitting in her chair and Suzy was feeding her bird. Albert questioned, “Suzan can you throw a pancake in a pan for me. I need to go take over for Jim so he can come and eat.”

Suzy tossed out the rest of the bread and headed in. Putting the pan on the stove Suzy asked, “Do you think they’ll hang him Albert?”

Albert replied, “If it was a horse they might, and if he killed someone they would for sure. For cattle rustling a few steers two to five years. For trying to kill a law man twenty years. The Judge will most likely run everything together, and give him twenty years.”

Suzy beat the batter and poured some in the pan and continued, “I just hope Scarlett can get over him. There’s no coming back from what he’s done. I feel like it might be because of me not making him forget.”

Albert insisted, “Don’t ever think that Suzan. He had free will. Even a Demon possessed person has free will. They just choose to follow Evil, so don’t blame yourself.”

At the Jail Albert sent Jim home to eat, and visited with Liam until Jim got back. Then it was off to Lambert to turn Edie Rickett over to the U.S. Marshal. It all went without a hitch and Bill informed, “It’ll be at least three weeks before the Judge comes back through town. Just check in and I’ll tell you when I get word.”

When Albert and Jim got back to Dention, John Sutherland was in the Jail with Liam. Albert questioned, “What are you doing here boy? I sent you home.”

John replied, “My mom kicked me out. She said I had to serve my time. There’s no free pass in life.”

Albert shook his head, “Alright then. You’re in Jail but I’m not locking the door. You just sleep here until your time is up. If I got someone locked up you use the cot. Got it?”

The boy nodded and went to the cell. Then Albert insisted, “Liam when your wife brings you dinner have her bring soup and bread for the boy.”

Liam replied, “Can do Mr. Sheriff. Does this mean he teach me numbers again?”

Albert raised his voice, “You hear that Boy? You still have to teach Liam math. You’re not off the hook for that.”

The boy mumbled, “Damm Irish people.”

Albert barked, “What’s that?”

The Boy hollered, “Yes Sir!”

Albert replied, “That’s what I thought you said.”

The days went by and the Boardinghouse was a little upside down with the baby. Suzy wanted to give the baby to Scarlett, but now that she didn’t have a husband that had changed. Rebecca had been taking over the Baby at night and most of the day. With so many women in the house they all shared the responsibility Victoria, Emily, Mable, and Rebecca did most of the care. Kathy just wanted to spoil the girl. Scarlett’s life was in turmoil, and she was afraid she would become attached to the baby, so she shied away from the girl.

The days went by and there were some bad nights. The baby was getting spoiled, and Rebecca had to sit up all night. If she laid the baby down it would cry nonstop. After three nights of this Rebecca was exhausted. Suzy couldn’t take it anymore, and insisted Jim take them to the future. She got the baby from Rebecca and Jim blinked to Walmart.

At the store Suzy insisted, “We’re going to the baby department.”

Once there Suzy started checking the baby blankets. She found the softest fuzziest baby blanket they had. Jim looked at the label, “A cute warm soft cozy lightweight and comfortable plush baby blanket. Flannel Fleece 100% Polyester.

Jim insisted, “You can’t get this. Its100% Polyester, and that won’t be invented for another sixty years in our time.”

Suzy grabbed another blanket and asked, “Rebecca will have to keep it in her room. You want to sleep at night don’t you? Now I have to see if I can find some plastic baby pants for the nights. That’s if they even make them anymore. You know everyone uses disposable plastic covered diapers in this time. I don’t want her to have to wash the blanket every day.”

Jim complained, “There you go again. I don’t know when Plastic was invented, but I know it was not even a dream in our time.”

Suzy found the Plastic Pants and exclaimed, “Wow twenty dollars! It’s the name “Gerber,” Plastic Pants 4 pairs. We’re done. Now we have to see if my credit card works.”

Jim smiled, “It’ll work believe me.”

Suzy asked, “What time are we in?”

Jim mumbled, “Three days after I finished the truck.”

Suzy got a can of baby formula a bottle and some Pampers. Jim complained, “You’re getting out of control. We can’t even try to disguise this stuff back there.”

Suzy explained, “This is for us here. We have to make a test run to see if this is even going to work.”

Jim questioned, “Test run? Test run for what?”

Suzy replied, “Something my grandmother told me about babies.”