The Campfire.. Written Chat Room.. Welcome [Archive]

Grizzy

12-19-2009, 11:09 AM

Ya'll I have an Idea :yes4:

We have the desire to take a break from our work and pressures and just visit, sometimes. This is why we value the chat room sooo much. But if you think about it, the chat room is conversation that just goes a lil faster than the written post (not that much faster haha). As fun as it is in the chat room, it is written word with lil happy faces just like the forum posting.

What if we create our own campfire right here? Bring your cuppa warm or glass of cole an a brownie and let's visit right here! While we listen to the pops an snaps of the campfire and smell the woodsmoke, we can share our thots at the moment, a wish we dream about, a little bit of news about something we care a great deal about, random miscellaneous day to day stuph that is truly.. our lives. Sometimes folks will be here at the same moment and will be able to post back and forth, a slower conversation, but evolving Friendship just the same :) ...

We can try this out, and if it's not acceptable, let this thread slowly sink to the bottom and be forgotten.

I'll go first... Welcome...

It's Christmas, and I want everyone I ever loved near me. I want to hold my father's hand and smell my mother's cooking. I want to laugh with my one daughter who doesn't understand why I'm in Texas. I want to set my table with goodness and breathe in the fragrance of contentment that the room is so full of Love, no worries can ever overcome me again. I want everyone to find and know the peace I have found on my Journey, and I want to dry every tear... I don't want to grow up, and certainly never get ole, and yet here I am, fully growed, a bear cub with a Mother's heart...

~Grizzy~

Native87

12-19-2009, 11:32 AM

Sounds good to me. :)

Grizzy

12-19-2009, 12:36 PM

Native, Hey there :)

Ya know, some folks cannot get into the chat room, or feel ackward trying to keep up with the faster pace in there. So,for whatever reason the room cannot work for them, our warm Campfire offers an option.. But don't get me wrong, I do enjoy using the chat room. Now we have the best of both worlds, yeth? haha

Be Goood Now!
~Grizzy~

CastIronCook2

12-19-2009, 01:41 PM

What a wonderful idea! (Bakes up a Bear Cookie for Grizzy.) Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way . . .

(Be back later; got confections coming out of the oven.)

AlchemyAcres

12-19-2009, 01:51 PM

Excellent idea!
Maybe it'll give this place a new lease on life!
Thus was the recommendation of a "country conversations" board or the like.

One of the things that's severely hurt this forum has been to gestapo-style handling of "general" conversation posts here in "General".

~Martin ;)

Grizzy

12-19-2009, 02:37 PM

(pass'n ~Martin a warm KOOKIE an git'n free fur me :D )

YETH me LIKE this idee...

(note'n Native got raisens in HIS kookie)... HUMPH!

Tanks CastIronCook2 !!! (eyeball'n the sticks an marshmallas)

~Grithy~

sbemt456

12-20-2009, 06:57 AM

Jus a lil warning about cookies and Grizzy, KEEP ya hands on ya cookies or she will be nibblin on em or puttin em in her pocket. lol Grizzy ya know I love yas.

stelly

Native87

12-20-2009, 07:17 AM

yessssssssss. I dont need me hands nipped ;) (haha Mine has raisins) :P

HAPPY SUNDAY TO ALL OF YOU. :)

CastIronCook2

12-20-2009, 09:09 AM

Sure would love to meet all of you in person. 'specially you, Griz.

Elder stepgranddaughter was brought to us for an overnight last night. Such a joy! She'd been up late the night before (10:30, for an 8-year-old, is late) and her parents feared she'd have a meltdown. But not a moment's wobble out of that lovely child. Screech (she earned the nickname one memorable weekend at the ranch) is steady and ready.

She gobbled down Hubbest's boeuf bourguinnone (haphazardly made with one of my more expensive zinfandels--harumph!) and pronounced the Cointreau Cups (with lots of whipped cream, of course) "yummy." Accolades from the junior set are always special.

I'd laid in a stock of some of the fine old-time games, so we played Chinese checkers. Then after dinner she asked to use Hubbest's jig saw. Turned out the cutest little wooden Christmas tree, which he helped her paint dark green. Enchanting to watch them work together, grandfather and granddaughter.

At bedtime, I got out Buffy, the stuffed teddy bear DearIvy (my mom, now 95) made for me some years back. He's seen a lot of lovin', which has lost him his appliqued nose and has pushed some stuffing out of place, but the lad's got a few thousand hugs left in him, and what better time to log a few? So they toddled off together, Screech and Buffy, and they're in dreamland yet.

Christmas bliss is a loving grandchild.

Dayzee

12-20-2009, 10:19 AM

I love campfires. I'll bring S'Mores! (toast-your-own marshmallows, Hershey Bar, and graham cracker "sandwiches" - yum!) We can even tell ghost stories if anyone is in the mood, or whatever occurs to anyone.

My only family, son and grandson, are coming from So. Calif. for Christmas. I am always so thrilled to see my guys! For Christmas evening supper, I think I will make reservations, and then for Christmas day, we are invited to eat with my son's "outlaws" (ex-in-laws) who also live in this town. They and I stay good friends because we have a grandson in common.

Now I need to get back to work on getting ready. I am going to form a chapter of Procrastinators International--as soon as I get around to it.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e14/Starrphyre/Christmassign.jpg

Grizzy

12-20-2009, 12:13 PM

deeker

12-20-2009, 05:25 PM

I am an conciencious objector of chats.

sbemt456

12-20-2009, 05:38 PM

*puttin on catchersmitt, deeker I dont know what ya said there with them 50cent words, but come back to chat an see us ya here. lol It is nice to be able to share your thoughts and blessings Griz, and the folks that I have met online and in real life from here have all been super nice folks.
Friends are only strangers ya havent met yet.

Have a great day!

stelly

jen_in_southtexas

12-20-2009, 05:48 PM

I want to see my Grampa and hug him and tell him how very much I have missed him. I want to visit him early mornin' and get the bbq fire goin' and hear the music playing on his radio. I want to go fishin with him again and sit there with him and enjoy even the quiet moments wif him. I want to hear his laughter and see his smile again. I want to see him walk again.

I want to see my Gramma again in the best health and walk into her home to the smell of her homemade molasses cookies or a warm down homemade meal. I want to hug her and feel her hands again and kiss her on the cheek. I want to sit there at the foot of her recliner while she sews her little projects together and bring her a cold glass of home brewed tea or a cup of warm coffee. I want to hold her hand again while we go for a little walk no matter how slow or brief. I want to see her smile and laugh again while we sit and visit with her. I want to hear her talk about her childhood again and learn from the old ways.

I want to wake up at my country place on a beautiful cold crisp quiet morning to the sound of dove and quail. I want to walk my land and enjoy the beautiful mornings and amazing sunsets and all of the beautiful things that nature has provided for us. I want to smell the smoke of a camp fire and enjoy good eats to the company of family and good friends.

*stokin the fire

I want good health for me, my family and friends near and far. I want and want and want but I am thankful for the good people that God put in my life and thankful for all the good things he has given me the privilege to enjoy and for the bad things as well that I have learned by.

Thank you Grithy for starting this thread.

-"jenny"

Grizzy

12-20-2009, 06:52 PM

(read'n thru wet eyes) Bearhugs Jenny... Thank YOU.

~Grithy~

CastIronCook2

12-20-2009, 08:26 PM

Brews a cup of tea for Jen and Grizzy.

Grizzy

12-20-2009, 10:21 PM

Make a whole Pot! (Set'n down a Boston Cream Pie) Lemon? Shugga? Milk?

~Grithy~

Native87

12-21-2009, 04:01 AM

Now I need to get back to work on getting ready. I am going to form a chapter of Procrastinators International--as soon as I get around to it.

Yes. I think this needs to be done immediatly. Tomorrow OK?? hehehe

momma_to_seven_chi

12-21-2009, 04:12 AM

Isn't it something? Taking a peek into one another's treasured moments?

If we could just pause for a moment, and only see the love we have for the ones in our hearts... and let that leak out some... so that it saturates everything around us, there would be no war, or hatred, or strife, and perhaps, just perhaps, we could find a way for wisdom, kindness and good judgement to guide our steps to a place where all could prosper...

We only get one life, one chance... Make it Count...

~Grizzy~

Wise advice. This life seems to pass so very fast. All my family except me is gone, Mom, Dad, sister, grandparents. I am the elder of the family now. Of course I have my husband and our family, but my family just looks at me like I am supposed to know what to do in situations! Gosh! I wish I were smart enough to give wise advice to all the kids, neices, nephews, grandbabies and young ones! I am going to give them your advice, "a wise bear once told me you only get one chance at one life, make it count."

Mom5farmboys

12-21-2009, 05:56 AM

Dawgus

12-21-2009, 06:59 AM

rAcErRicK

12-21-2009, 07:39 AM

Tossin a log on the fire and getting some coffee.....

I've missed talking to y'all, I'll be back soon, promise.

Despite a bad experience at Thanksgiving,(someday I may explain but Grizz knows and she an share if she likes) we set out sights towards the needy and "adopted" four low income families for Christmas. We got a LOT of new toys and clothes, along with $600 cash. We spend 4 hours shopping on Friday, and 5 hours wrapping yesterday. Today I'm heading out for a few last things for these kids and something small for the parents. It makes me happy to know that these kids will have something to open on Christmas morning, because 3 weeks ago, they wouldn't have. So......this has kept us pretty busy. Shopping, wrapping, and running around picking up donations the past few weeks.

If all goes well, I'll have enough money left over to get that backup beeper for jen's truck......hehehe *waits for the slap*

Hi good PPL :yes4: Yes, I too have enjoyed meeting many folks there, and here as well. Sitting around a campfire visiting and sharing with friends has always been one one of my fondest memories too. Friendly ribbing and innocently "joshing" around is "good medicine" I think.

Dawgus, that is truly a wonderful thing you are doing there. What Christmas is really about. Have missed you there, and looking forward to your return. As to the "beeper", don't you think we need to put one on the chainsaw as well ? :sarcastic:(duckin also)

Thanks also to Griz for the thread, and for being who you are.

I would like to wish all my friends a very merry Christmas, and hopefully, a better new year in spite of the hard times we find ourselves in today. Thanks to all for your sharing in the lighter moments, and your contribution toward the sincerely friendly atmosphere both here and there. I have enjoyed you all.

rick:)

Grizzy

12-21-2009, 02:45 PM

I came home from work, the grocery store, the bank, running a few errands, git'n Gas ($2.36 gal) rush rush (pant pant)... an sit down here with something refreshing while me rest muh tard doggies... and what do I find? I find a beautiful Song being sung. Everybody is on key, well, ~Martin TRIES OK? :D an each verse I hear in my heart reminds me that we all have such warmth inside (AFter morning coffee) and we all remember better times (giggle'n think'n bout Jenny's chainsaw), have special places in our hearts (gently hand'n CastIronCook2 lil Buffy) for LOTS of everbodies (wrapping up "Good Advice fur Idjuts" an fluff'n bow on momma_to_seven_chi's present) but jus think, this Song of Friendship has brought Dawgus back home an WHEN did I ebber git to bissit with Mom5farmboys? She is here now, nibble'n a gingerbread guy hum'n with us and me lub it. Of course she din't git RAISENS on her kookie like NATIVE did (growl'n) but issa good kookie coz Stellybear made it an she is a GRrGgGRReat Cooker!

(pause'n to look up above the dance'n fire, and the tendrils of smoke, up to where the stars twinkle and shine)

Now, when Deeker git's done mend'n the hole inna chatroom floor :rolleyes: an before we eat alla goodies here, am hope'n that he an rAcErRicK will far up the BHM SnaoooMobile (is turbo charged) an see if ya'll can go an find some more frends to bring back here... We got plenty of hay bales all aroun and Oliver might even spring for a peeg we can cook inna hole inna groun :yes4: ...

Ya'll... all differences aside, viewpoints and opinions... we're blessed to be sharing our Journey togevver. Ya'll bless me. (set'n down a shawl where me hopes dgr will sit) Now if you'll excuse me, am going down to the barn wif Dayzee to see how Mellee an Cinok's lil goat is (git'n Dayzee's mittens an jacket). Anybody gotta canny cane we can take to em?

~Grithy~

deeker

12-21-2009, 04:09 PM

That hole in the chatroom floor....there is a huge conspiracy.....you...and a few...keep up under the cover of the rug...broke my hind leg in there.....

My wife thinks (LIES) and says I have found a few new victims (again a LIE) for my "old" and moldy jokes...(a bald face LIE)......

I still don't like cats, dogs or kids....

And she force fed me too many goodies last night....still stuffed.....

Oh, did I tell you the one...about.........................

Grizzy

12-21-2009, 04:31 PM

That hole in the chatroom floor....there is a huge conspiracy.....you...and a few...keep up under the cover of the rug...broke my hind leg in there.....

My wife thinks (LIES) and says I have found a few new victims (again a LIE) for my "old" and moldy jokes... (a bald face LIE) ......

I still don't like cats, dogs or kids....

And she force fed me too many goodies last night....still stuffed.....

Oh, did I tell you the one...about.........................

How come is a bald face lie... why not booshyfaceLies?

(Smack'n yas wif a Mullet)

~Grithy~

deeker

12-21-2009, 04:37 PM

How come is a bald face lie... why not booshyfaceLies?

(Smack'n yas wif a Mullet)

~Grithy~

Don't forget.....I am shy....and just found out.....I may have been born......nekkkked.

Sooooooo be nice.....or I tell jokes...:eek:

Grizzy

12-21-2009, 04:47 PM

Wail... haha am gonna turn yas obber to Stelly.. She's "Nummer One" inna Bear UNNERgroun see... (smirk'n)

~Grithy~

sbemt456

12-21-2009, 05:06 PM

deeker

12-21-2009, 05:12 PM

Ok maybe I make some more cookies to bring to the campfire tonight. Maybe bourbon balls would be good. I sure hope nobody is opposed to a lil bourbon.:wink: Ah heck I can jus go buy some cookies and bring the bourbon, dont think anyone will mind.
Griz lemme know if we git the pig to cook, I dont mind helpin get the wood in if Jenny brings her chainsaw. But I aint usin no splittin maul, no siree. I jus got 10 fingers and 10 toes an am gonna keep em all.

stelly

I have heard of "tennis elbow"....but bourbon.........................?? I don't know about that.

sbemt456

12-21-2009, 09:33 PM

Well golly Deeker stuff happens, gimme a break. But I had surgery on the right one and is all fixt fer now. kekeke

stelly

gregabob

12-21-2009, 09:44 PM

Tossin' a shovelful of Breathitt County coal on the fire, sippin' chocolate soymilk....jus' listenin'....

sbemt456

12-21-2009, 09:58 PM

*switchin Greg's soymilk fer SPIKED real milk. :sarcastic: We he says ya cant tell the difference.

Whats sanny claws bringin ya'll fer Christmas? I know I aint gittn nuffin this year. sigh.............

stelly

gregabob

12-21-2009, 10:21 PM

Watch ya mailbox stelly----and yes I can tell real milk from soymilk! ;)

dgr

12-22-2009, 08:19 AM

Dadgummit.....Why is muh screen all blurry and muh coffee is tastin kinda salty??

Dayzee

12-22-2009, 09:58 AM

Ok maybe I make some more cookies to bring to the campfire tonight. Maybe bourbon balls would be good. I sure hope nobody is opposed to a lil bourbon.:wink: Ah heck I can jus go buy some cookies and bring the bourbon, dont think anyone will mind.
Griz lemme know if we git the pig to cook, I dont mind helpin get the wood in if Jenny brings her chainsaw. But I aint usin no splittin maul, no siree. I jus got 10 fingers and 10 toes an am gonna keep em all.

stelly

Yeah yeah! Right on! Bourbon and cookies will help keep our backsides warm at the campfire. Spinning folding camp chairs would be good, also. Whee! No dang dangerous tools & equipment, please. We want to hear the wind in the trees along with the snores of Grizzy's cousins.

sbemt456

12-22-2009, 03:47 PM

DGR grizzy dunnit, I jus know she switched the canisters. But really I didnt see a thang.:secret:

stelly

Grizzy

12-22-2009, 04:11 PM

nuh uhhhhh JENNY did it! :yes4: an Stelly nut'n gits past you hahaha

~Grithy~

Blacksmith

12-22-2009, 04:44 PM

for a while. Had a good snow to raise the spirit, and keep the fire hot.

I will be away from the camp for a few days seeing the little ones.

I wish for you all, great peace and happiness....
have a Blessed Christmas!

Blacksmith

Grizzy

12-22-2009, 04:49 PM

Enjoy your lil ones, Blacksmith... Hugs an Kissys are the best stuph, especially at Christmas time.

Be Well
~Grizzy~

sbemt456

12-22-2009, 08:37 PM

*tossin Blacksmith a bag a cookies fer the road an a pint mason jar of anti-freeze. :yes4: Have a safe trip and enjoy ya self.

In light of this bein a "campfire" type chat post, mods if this is not appropriate here, please just delete the post. I wont be offended. With that bein said, has anyone else noticed how little people are buying this Christmas season? We are in a rural area, with high unemployment, mostly retired folks, not many jobs here to begin with kinda place. I was in the only grocery store per se that we have in the whole county and people were just not buying that much. Most carts I saw in the store today had the usual stuff, not like stuff people would purchase if they were havin a large family meal. The store had bunches of hams and turkeys to choose from as well. In years past, this close to Christmas the dollar stores here would be bare of toys, but the shelves are still full. Have I been in this holler too long or are folks really feeling the pinch of the shabby economy? I can see local stores here having some helacious sales after Christmas to move the stock. Maybe people are finally focusing on the real Christmas season instead of the commercialized one for a change. Dunno, just a simple hillbillies observation. Whata ya think?

stelly

Deep South

12-22-2009, 08:56 PM

dgr

12-22-2009, 09:10 PM

Thats just it, DeepSouth. We just leave a lil note here when nobody's in the chat room or we don't have time for a real chat. Just a lil sumpin.

Deep South

12-22-2009, 09:28 PM

Got it, chief!;)

Grizzy

12-23-2009, 03:25 AM

Hey Stelly :)

In my wurld people are doing more traveling to go see loved ones and less gift buying. Thas so far true here and where my family is.

Grocery store last year: Full and overflowing .. so much in the meat dept. it was overwhelming.. BIG beef ribroasts (my favorite Christmas meal).. there was so much in the meat department I remember being simply amazed. I think alot of gstores offer extra gifts during this time of year, last year no exception. Bottom line store picture.. overstocked and not so well priced.

Grocery store this year: This year the produce is outstanding and nicely varied with specialty things. Meat dept. did not repeat last years over abundant stock. The beef ribroasts were much smaller ($4.99 lb same as last year) and that surprized me. There were many that were 2 ribs running approx. $12. I did not see any hams for less than 99cents lb although pork buttroasts are at 77cents lb and legOlamb runs $4.99. They have the usual duck, smoked birds, lobster and crab, catfish is running $3.99 lb.. A treat offered is Ocean Sea Scallops, the big sweet ones ($8.99 lb). Overall, I wasn't impressed in the "sale" prices, I did however get a nice bread stone and when it rang up there was a lil discount (am think'n is jus fur Bears haha) so me GOT it.. YAY!

I'm hearing ladies here say they're giving baked goods as gifts this year. I'm seeing eh... seasonal stuph on the shelves but it doesn't look too touched. It just seems like less cars anywhere I've gone this year and people are cherry pick'n.

Stuph folks have tole me they're give'n fur Christmas..
weather radio, elec blanket, clothing, gift cards to kids, an me furgit the rest :eek: ...

Woofy an Sweapea want a set of bunkbeds an me wrote on muh list to Sandy Claws muh Secret Wish. Mostly, am thrilled I don't see folks sick this year, in fact, I don't know anyone here or out of state that I love who is sick YAY!

My brother sent me $75 bucks yestiddy an I took it across the street to the bank to help pay my electric bill. I have two paycheks out in limbo so I was very blessed by his generosity.

This morning my next door neighbor (lives alone with her adult son) said hello as I was leaving for work. I thanked her for the Christmas Card she pinned to my door and asked her if she was struggling, she said Yesssss an I said yea metoo. Her son is blind in one eye and going blind in the other now. I told her "Yes, but he is Home and you can reach out and squeeze his hand or tussle his hair. You can stand at the door and hear his soft easy breathing while he sleeps and take picanics, and share meals and chatter. Ya'll can give a hug make one another laff wif goofy jokes". She paused and then said something that I didn't expect. She looked at me and jus said "I Love You"... oh gosh... I said "I Love You, too".. and smiled through tears that... I don't know where they came from but were quick to wet my eyes.

I'm real sorry if the stores can't sell their goods, but to be honest.. Nobody's Treasure is in a store. The pillow case that Gramma embroidered or the lil box that Granpa made in his shop.. Sleeping on the floor inna sleeping bag coz the house is full of company and sit'n out on the front steps sip'n hot chocolate with cousins you haven't seen in a coon's age, quietly looking around at animated faces telling the same stories you've heard a kazillion times, see'n your dog with THEIR dogs romp'n in the snow... a telephone call from the Loved One over seas...

(look'n down at Woofy an Sweapea sleeping peacefully at my feet)

Every day is a Gift. Every day we have an opportunity to brighten the eyes of Someone. Every day we can dance the Celebration of Life. The animals live in the moment and seem to be at ease and peaceful with what they are given. Different folks would define what a Perfect World is... for Me.. it's when all of You.. are Happy.

Merry Christmas
~Jingle Bear~

bookwormom

12-23-2009, 10:51 AM

Ohh, I love campfires.
If you scoot over on that log so I can sit down at the edge, mighty obliged. You can use all the brushpiles left here to keep the fire going. Stella, if your elbow is good enough, I sure could stand some of your famous christmas cake.

bookwormom

12-23-2009, 10:59 AM

here is a made up campfire story from my grandma.
Here goes

two of our neighbors had sort of stayed at our tavern til closing time. as they were singing down the road, they noticed a fire over by the hill where the little sandpit is. OH my, what is going on there, this we got to see, they heard some music, too. So they went over and peeped over the edge, and there was a big fire burning in the middle and the devil was sitting on a stump playing the harmonica and the witches were dancing around the fire. they watched a little while, then the one said, looky there , there is my old woman, and when he said that he let out a big f..t and BWM is not supposed to say such words. but the witches heard it and they grabbed their brooms and went after them, and when they caught up with them , they scratched up their faces with their brooms so bad,they could not let themselves be seen in company for a whole month. and that is the truth.

Grizzy

12-23-2009, 12:22 PM

... knees knock'n... GULP! :eek:

sbemt456

12-23-2009, 05:54 PM

*fumblin in the special cabinet fer the stuff to make Rosie muh special cake. Dang, am all outa the special ingredient, so off to the store. Uh, no, its dark out there and SOMEbody been tellin booger tales. (lookin at Rosie) Am skeered of the dark!:fie:

Am sure hopin we dont get any bad weather till my other cub and his girlfriend get home fer Christmas on Saturday.

stelly

CastIronCook2

12-24-2009, 07:11 AM

OK, looks like we got a safe weather window, so we're gonna make a run for the ranch, just Hubbest and me. Incoming packages are still wearing their Kraft paper wrappings, so they'll be easy to stow in the Ranger 4x4.

We froze the leftover burgundy beef, and the cracked crab is waiting in the reefer, so we won't need to stop for provisions on the way. We'll just whistle up BlackDog and head up the mountain. If there's not too much snow in Snow Alley, we should be able to get in, 'cause that's the tightest squeeze of the trip. The place will be ch-ch-ch-chilly, but that sweet little soapstone stove will soon crank out the BTUs and have us toasty.

We'll cut a little tabletop Douglas fir and haul out the string of lights we keep for just such an exigency. Then the Kraft paper will come off the incoming boxes, and our loved ones' brightly wrapped packages will make the table sparkle.

It's the unusual year we can get in to our 200 acres at Christmastime. Usually, we're snowed out. Last time we made it was four years ago. I never will forget that Christmas Eve: Hubbest asked me to walk with him to The PerSisters, our two ancient, gnarled, progenitor trees. He sat down on that mammoth branch that fell five years back, patted to the spot beside him, and took off his hat (though not his rifle).

Reaching for my hand, he said, "I want 2006 to be the year of Mister and Missus. Will you marry me?"

Gulp. *tear sparkle*

"Oh my, yes."

So we're headed up the hill, soon as we can scoot out of here. See you all up there, courtesy of StarBand. Good friends and a crackling fire.

Hot toddy, anyone?

Grizzy

12-24-2009, 01:33 PM

Thank You, CastIronCook2. I was watch'n yas all the way to the ranch. What a lovely time for ya'll to be refreshed and renewed. Ya'll live in a snowglobe me thinks. Everything sounds so perfect.

(try'n to make muh eye sparkle like yurs did... blink blink)...
God Bless and Keep ya'll.. Merry Christmas...

~Jingle Bear~
(leave'n yas some canny canes... wink)

Oh by the way... me needs a shorter name to call yas!

sbemt456

12-25-2009, 12:21 AM

Pssssttt, dont eat the white canny canes, Griz done licked the stripes off em.

(pickin bear fur off mine)

stelly

Grizzy

12-25-2009, 10:36 AM

(After feeding the fire.. sitting down on a log and looking up at the bluest sky, shivering a lil but feeling the soothe'n sunshine, too.. The smell of the woodsmoke brings memories of ancestors and good times of plenty, Love, and laughter ...picking up my Navajo Flute Tiffany sent to me for Chrismus, with the Grizzly totem on it and feathers hanging down... Softly it sings a Song to the Creator for this joy that is in my heart.. a Song of Thanksgiving and Praise.. for my brothers and sisters who have come to mean so much to a Bear.. here at BHM.. The quiet of the day gives way to the Heartsong...)

Be Strong
~Grizzy~

sbemt456

12-26-2009, 04:50 PM

Grizzy have I told you how much I appreciate your friendship? Well my dear fren you mean a lot to me. You know just when to call and say a kind word, an pick me up and dust me off. I have had my fair share of trials in the past few weeks and you are there to listen when I need a sounding board, to offer a kind word when I am in that hole I have dug for myself. Because you have survived many trials along life highway. I have read your many post on this forum and you are the one that always extends a hand to everyone. Your wisdom and words offer encouragement and comfort to many. I still believe God puts us all where we can best serve him. And my friend I thank God for you and your friendship every day. Jus thought I would let ya know that. God bless ya, love yas.

*oops, handin ya a snot rag.

stelly

Grizzy

12-27-2009, 12:44 PM

Stelly.. garsh.. You speak out of a heart that is so tender to everyone. Who could not love you?

Look at nature. Ya know those bees in the hive? They take care of the lil WURM guys til they are real bees an are so dilligent to the care of em. They provide food an protection an.. stuph.

I got a new parrot once and she was so distraught when she found herself in our home, not near things familiar. Well, her cage was next to Crackers, a cockatiel. Crackers used to talk up a baloooo streak, buddy, but nobody could understand him coz he talked real sof an low. Well, he would lean into the side of his cage talking to Mehita while she was in her cage sob'n an call'n her other family. I'd rock her an try to soothe her, but it was Crackers who had the listening heart and heard her sorrow song. He had the salve and Mehita responded to him. She turned out to be a real loving Friend to all of us.. but after alot of Love.

Annie Pannie was a goat who never did have any bebes. She was the only nan in the bunch who stood alone and it caused her sooo much grief. One day I found a billy goat on the side of the road drag'n a rope. There was nothing for a good distance but pastures and the one house I went to din't know anything about him. The man said.. take him if you want him and... so I did. Gess what? He fell in love with who? Po ole Annie Pannie, such as she was haha. Now he was a wether. He din't have.. well he couldn't help Annie Pannie with making a family, but he had a listening heart and heard her song of sorrow and they became inseparable. They even slept away from the other goats and it was so sweet to see them together.

Doogie the Duck took up with Sugar the Cheekin and oooo laaa laaaa did they live happily ever affer.. snuggling in soft hay an chatter'n but me no know if they broke the language barrier haha...

If we have listening hearts, we will hear and respond out of.. something very beautiful that is in all of us. If only we will listen... If only we will reach out to hole a paw and offer comfort.. as YOU have done for me time and time again... me lub you...

(gently taking Stelly's hanky that her great gramma lovingly stitched daisies on, barely a cloth... more of a memorie it's so sheer and precious...) HONK!!!! :eek:

Tanks Stelly!
~Grithy~

Grizzy

01-01-2010, 10:46 AM

The man that I work for is very difficult. When I'm at work, I'm a very obedient and quiet bear. He is quite the control freak.

Now this doesn't mean that my mind stops, or that I forget what is transpiring in the world (when I'm at work), or that I care less for his well being just because he's so difficult. But this older man, I work for and take care of, makes helping him quite a challenge. He knows it all, you see, and he forces his will in all things.

I was amazed, yesterday, as I was leaving work. As I took him his cold drink and was turning to leave he stood up and said "Thank You." I didn't git it coz I take him a cold drink every day just before I leave with no Thank Yous... Starting to turn away I said "your welcome". He went on to tell me that he is buying silver coins, he's putting food back in the shed outside (I've noted increased foodstuff inside too), he's trying to get his meds in excess.. just in case.. he's working on getting his tractor and implements in as good a condition as he can so that he or someone, can make a big garden out front like in years past. He's been listening when I gently nudge him with a current event, or voice my concerns and I didn't know.. he was listening. He is VERY good at tuning me out. Well.. I got a big bearhug with that Thank You and left with tears in muh eyeballz...

What I'm trying to say here, is that this man (and, Finally, he is seeing someone I really think is a good woman :) ) is changing before my very eyes and I have to tell you, it was worth the investment of grief on my part, to see this. (He can hollar a balooo streak that he knows he knows he knows! haha) He has no idea whether or not I am doing anything for myself. I do not offer this up to anyone, here. It would making coming to my door too easy for a handout, when one could have provided for himself, I am just one bear...

I would encourage ya'll to keep dropping words here and there, to anyone you can, that preparing for a storm is just not a bad idea. No one needs to know how well you are set.. or not set.. to meet the same storm.

Well... 2010... Here it comes, Ready or Not!

Be Strong
~Grizzy~

B00kW0rm

01-02-2010, 03:29 AM

...to the Camp Fire and I already know this is a place to enjoy. The heat from the fire is relaxing. Two days of painting have knotted up muscles that I didn't even know I had..lol. More painting has to be done today but, hopefully, we'll be able to finish.:yes4:

I'm leaving a pot of coffee and some cinnamon rolls.

CastIronCook2

01-05-2010, 07:04 PM

Oh by the way... me needs a shorter name to call yas!

Hmmm....

How 'bout CIC?

(Reminds me of a story I tell on myself. A number of years ago, a well-meaning grocery clerk handed me my bag of goodies and said, "Here you are, young lady."

Well, now, obviously I am NOT a "young lady" anymore, and I kinda resent age-based referents. So I drew myself up to my full five feet, nine and a half inches, scowled down upon him, and said, "You may call me Chickie Babe, or you may call me Hot Stuff, but you may NOT call me Young Lady."

Next time I was in that market he hailed me loudly from w-a-y across the
store, "Hey, Chickie Babe!"

CIC kinda reminds me of the smile he put on my face that day.)

Native87

01-05-2010, 07:34 PM

Don't mind me> I am over on the other side of the campfire digging a pit for Grizzy to cook a pig. Hope this hole is big enough Griz!!! ;)

Grizzy

01-05-2010, 09:34 PM

ahh Thank You... (hand'n yas the chootsgun) now go fine me a peeg haha

~Grithy~

sbemt456

01-05-2010, 09:58 PM

Griz am thinkin he dug a hole big enough fer 3 lil pigs. or maybe he gonna put a cow in dar. :yes4:

stelly

CastIronCook2

01-06-2010, 08:03 AM

Something I am curious about...

Why have folks started to 'chatroom' here instead of in the chatroom? Is the chatroom broken? I understand that a few people may not be able to get in there, but it seemed that there were a number of people who could and did use the chatroom pretty regularly. I had planned on jumping in the chatroom in the near future when I had a block of free time I could devote to it.

DeepSouth, fear not, the java chat is still alive and jumping. Quick hugs and hectic conversation aside, though, this venue Grizzy has started gives space and time for contemplation. We would be poorer without Griz's exquisite expressions--what a treasure her heart is--and I see that it's drawing lovely stuff out of lots of others, as well.

So, thank you, Grizzy, for this Campfire. Long may it glow.

Putting another log on the fire . . .

CastIronCook2

01-06-2010, 05:24 PM

Unseasonably clement weather has allowed us to get into the ranch. No snow at all. Sweet solitude, up here at 4,000 feet. Lonesome Duck still cruises the lake, and we spotted three fat does in the meadow.

So what if it's been raining a little? So what if we've had to fire the gen set 'cause there's not enough solar? We've got plenty of propane, plenty of provisions, and the roof don't leak.

Oh my gosh, I wish I could pass you all a plate tonight. Hubbest has one of his Noble Pot Roasts on the wood stove, made with beef he aged a week for exceptional flavor, and he just pulled a magnificent loaf of Mountain Bread out of the oven. Can't buy that kind of fare in ANY restaurant.

What a lucky woman I am! Thank You, dear God. You gave me all I asked for, and way way more than I would have dared request.

Cutting off a slice of Mountain Bread for Grizzy, to go with the bowl of pot roast. Anybody else want some?

Grizzy

01-06-2010, 06:12 PM

(unsaddle'n muh pony sniff'n woodsmoke.. head'n for your door quietly)

Hey CIC... I'd like to find a place near your fire, with a glass of wine, and sit long into the night listening to the soft rain.. talking and drinking in the comfort all creatures need and share at times.. when we are as cold inside as we could be outside..

(setting down basket of fruit, cheese an blueberry muffins)

There are no words in me right now, but i want to hear stories about things ya'll have known and seen that i did not visit... i want to laff as ya'll look at one another with smiling eyes telling your tales, I want the time of fellowship to wrap me as a warm blanket... Thank you for your words..

~justabear~

CastIronCook2

01-06-2010, 07:49 PM

Grizzy, if'n you're comin' tonight, better bring your noseplugs. J. Buckminster Wadcutter III got into a skunk, and even though Hubbest dumped him in the lake about ten times, it still is rather oderiferous around these parts. Phew. Good thing it's moderate outside, for that's where the miscreant is going to sleep tonight.

We saved ya back some lemonygingery cookies. Settin' 'em quietly on a plate and smiling warmly atcha.

Grizzy

01-06-2010, 08:29 PM

(saddle'n up muh pony wif a lemonygingery cookie hang'n outta muh mouf.... an do'n it kinda fas hehe)

whew.... pew.... (shake'n muh haid look'n down at LongnameDawg make'n a face)

(trot'n off smile'n)

Naughty_Pines

01-06-2010, 08:52 PM

Griz,
u aint trottin off inna sunsit, it alriddy dun sit

Grizzy

01-06-2010, 10:13 PM

smartypanz :)

CastIronCook2

01-10-2010, 07:35 AM

Yesterday our little snow globe got shaken pretty good. No damage to our house, which is built like a Spanish galleon: it just rode the jolting waves in style. And Hubbest having been a sailor and a mountain man, you know we were well provisioned for the resulting power outage. Any excuse for a candlelight dinner, eh?

But it did surprise me to see how many houses in our neighborhood were totally dark. And the lad at the radio station had quite a tremble in his voice as he cautioned us to stay off the roads and not to use a fireplace. That modest 6.5 apparently shook up a lot of people.

But hey, stuff happens. The planet is alive. What's the message, all you good comrades from Backwoods Home? "Be Prepared."

Let's hear it one more time, all together now: "Be Prepared."

OK, Northern California. OK, World. Are you listening?

RocketMan

01-10-2010, 02:04 PM

I saw the smoke from the campfire and thought I'd stop by. It's good to hear that, even though some folks are dealing with snow, rain, power outtages and such, you're all in good shape and countin your blessings. Glad you're all okay.
I had to escape some family issues...Mother and brother talking doom and gloom, no money, yet they don't do anything to fix the problem, like cut back on spending or FIND A JOB. They seem to have forgotten to count their blessings for the things they do have. The answer for them is to come to me and bum money while I'm tryin to get prepared to be laid off from my job, get things paid off, and get the homestead fixed up so I can move in. So...I just needed to step away from it all for awhile.
Anyway, I don't wanna bring the doom and gloom here, I just wanna hear some more of Grizzy's stories, enjoy this warm fire, and snack on some of those goodies...if ya don't mind. It's awefully cold up north here, but I brought a plate of warm cookies, right outta the oven. Pass 'em around!

Sheila

01-10-2010, 02:42 PM

Hey RocketMan and all... Hope you don't mind the intrusion at the campfire, but I couldn't resist when I smelled the coffee. I'm bringing some homemade pie. Pumpkin, that is... It's just amazing how some folks think you can solve their problems for them - oh and can I have $20 please. Like you, I'd be wondering how about getting a job, I think I lost my magic wand! My son-in-law was like that, too. He didn't want to work fast food, thought it was beneath him. When you're hungry or you need the money to survive, how can any job be too low. Especially if it puts food on the table. I never could understand that attitude. I've done many jobs - McDonald's, bus driving, secretarial, postal supervisor, etc.

Been looking at seed and plant catalogues of late and trying to decide on the best way to go. Most every year we try to increase the fruit trees in our yard. This year I'm looking to add a peach and apricot tree. They'll add wonderful jelly to our resume....:sarcastic:

Talking about blessings - my DH quit smoking this week. That is a huge blessing financially and considering he's diabetic a huge health blessing which should increase his longevity considerably. I'm thrilled.:girl_wacko:

B00kW0rm

01-10-2010, 03:36 PM

I came in right behind Sheila....the smell of coffee proved irresistable:D. Figured the cinnamon rolls I left last time would be gone so I brought a pecan pie tonight.

RocketMan, the cookies you brought sure do taste good with this coffee!

CastIronCook2

01-10-2010, 03:39 PM

You guys are making me fat. Will power; I need will power.

Grizzy

01-10-2010, 04:43 PM

Once upon a time, there was an old Indian who lived in a cave waaaay up in the Oxbow. Gone he was from his people. Gone he was from everything familiar to him. There was a time when he knew love and his heartsong danced in the eyes of his beloved. The time had drawn near when they would walk the same path together. Their love twinkled as diamonds sparkling on the mountain stream. Their loyalty was vibrant like the wildflowers in summer. They had promise and a lifetime to look forward to...

One day, while filling water vessels... the maiden was conquered by a cougar. She fought with all that was within her, but the cougar was stronger. Her brother the eagle saw this thing. Today he still cries in anquish... Her life circle closed and she vanished from this place.

When the stars hang in the dark sky, small lights, the Indian sits quietly in his cave looking into the dancing flames of his night fire and sees her slender shape beckoning him... calling to his heart... Her soft breaths whisper through the pines. He is older now. He is one with the mountain. But he is not alone.

Softly the snow falls, a silent blanket covering blue slate and cedar, moss and fern. The stream is crusted with ice. One night as the old Indian gently added wood to his fire amidst the sparks and crackles... he heard a soft growl.

Just outside...

now it's Your turn
~Grizzy~

rAcErRicK

01-10-2010, 05:01 PM

sbemt456

01-10-2010, 06:25 PM

..........he hears the soft growl again, near his lodge. He could now hear the crunch of the snow. He slowly walked to the door and opened it slightly to peer into the darkness. Nothing could he see in the dark of the night but the shadows. The shadows moved ever closer to him. He turned to the fire to retrieve a lighted branch to use for light in the darkness and with feet shuffling stepped outside. Now in the light he could see a young maiden standing in front of him. The old man thinks of his lost love and beckons her to come inside and warm by his fire. The young maiden was cold and he could see fear in her eyes. He whispers, "my lady do not fear me, I am no harm to you". He could still see the fear and she spoke.......... she told him of how she had left her family in search of her beloved brave and was lost in the storm that fell on them. She told him of the bear and her cubs that had walked with her, guiding and protecting her to his door.She tells him of how the bear kept her safe from the hungry wolves that desired to feed their pups on her flesh. They talked a long while till the warmth of the fire had soothed both their spirits. She smiled at him as he offered her his finest furs to rest upon for the night. She rested by the fire of a stranger and drifted off........dreaming of her brave.

With the first light of day...........

next.....

stelly

RocketMan

01-12-2010, 05:37 PM

...he awoke with a chill. The fire that kept them warm had long gone out, and only embers remained. He looked around the cave for the maiden, but could not find her. He thought she must have gone for more wood for the fire...or maybe to find some wild berries for breakfast. He could see outside that the snow was falling silently, like feathers from a bird. He gathered the heavy fur around him, and walked to the entrance of the cave. A fog was rising from the stream, and small animals were gathering food for their own breakfast. Then he saw them. A large buffalo with steam coming from his nostrils as he breathed, and a large brown grizzly, standing almost side by side near the stream. He did not know if he should leave the safety of the cave to search for the maiden, or stay back and not disturb the animals, but wondered, why were they standing together by the stream. So....

Grizzy

01-17-2010, 12:54 PM

So intent were their gazes upon the old Indian, almost beckoning him to follow. The Bear uttered a soft growl. A Hawk overhead cried out. The old man looked up towards his winged brother who released from his talon.. a beaded necklace. It fell softly into the snow at his feet. The old indian looked again to where the Bear and Buffalo had stood, but they had vanished. Only one set of footprints remained in the snow, and they were from a human.

Cold the wind blew as the old indian slowly bent over, picking up the necklace, shuffling back inside.. troubled.

Shivering, he sat upon soft skins close to his fire and found comfort there. Pain held his face as he was choking back tears. He sat a long time admiring the bead placement of the necklace. Gently his fingers ran over their small, soft curves. There was no doubt who had carefully selected and placed the beads beside one another. This was the handiwork of his Beloved. The indian held the necklace to his breast and stared strong into the midst of the fire, tears streaming down his tired face, in torment. It did not seem odd to him to see, within the dancing flames, a Buffalo and a Bear. Hours passed.. many hours.. through which there was no reach for food, or drink, or wood to sustain the withering fire. Thoughts of the night before, of the woman who sought shelter, wandered through the indian's mind. He tried to intrepret the visit of his brother Buffalo and sister Bear. He began to wonder if the Hawk was a hawk at all... or a spirit sent to him... The happy snow continued to fall, soft soft, on pine and birch and craggy places. The images beneath its white skirt faded into dimly defined forms. There was a growl, but it came from the indian's stomach... a soft complaint.

Old bones move slowly. The indian responded to his hunger, the permeating cold, and needs of the fire.. but first he nestled his Treasure in a pouch. He needed meat. Tomorrow he would hunt.

Down below, in the valley, trouble was brewing. White soldiers dined, smoked their cigars, and drank their brandy by roaring fires. Their desires to thwart the indians' stronghold of the land intensified. Papers, drawn up with signatures, quietly waited to be served. Unconscionable plans were drawn up to deceive those who had come before them, living in harmony with the land. Life, as the indians had known it, was hanging in the balance.

But this night, a off and dreaming of yesterday, of soft flute songs and drums, of peace and children's laughter, an old indian dozed while shadows danced upon stone walls. In his grasp, was a beaded necklace. Beside him was his bow. In front of him, was an uncertain future.

Just outside, by the fallen cottonwood tree, there was a throaty growl and footprints in the snow...

~Grizzy~

sissy

01-17-2010, 05:38 PM

I just found this thread a few days ago. :o It's great a great story. :D Please keep it going. I brought oatmeal raisin cookies. I'll share
sissy

Grizzy

01-17-2010, 11:05 PM

Sissy... even if it's only one line... bring your colors into the story. We have a bear, a buffalo, and a woman we need to define and then the soldiers... I bet you can help to steer us thru this story. Won't you try? (nibble'n a cookie wif raisens... eyes closed savor'n it)

~Grithy~

sissy

01-18-2010, 05:44 PM

Grizzy

01-19-2010, 09:34 PM

The old Indian heard the growl which woke him out of his doze. He got up & looked outside, he saw the footprints in the snow & felt the urge to follow them. So with his bow, & pouch close to his heart. He left the safety of his tent. Following the tracks by moonlight he came to the edge of the woods......

The old man squinted to see what it was that was moving around just beyond the treeline. His heart was pounding. Emerging from the heavy laden snow covered trees he saw, once again, the Buffalo and the Grizzly. His breaths were short and rapid. He wanted to back up and run and yet he was transfixed by their stoic stares.

Then OUT of the woods TOTally unexpectedly a white owl flew towards the indian. He put out his arm as it seemed to be coming right for his face! His bow and pouch dropped and made a muffled sound in the soft snow. FWAP FWAP FWAP the owl manuvered exquisitely and landed there, on his arm. The indian was terrified. The owl represents Death to his people.

Fearing he was having a vision and not out in the snow at all, the indian looked once more to the Buffalo and Bear. A soft throaty growl slowly became a weak moan. The bear's body seemed to almost flutter and then it was.... gone. In its place was the old indian's Beloved. Shimmering in the moonlight, she took light steps towards the bewildered old man, stopping short of him.

"My Darling, My Life" she said softly.. "I have come to you from the Spirit World with a warning. The People are in grave danger and You have been chosen to help them." She looked down at her moccasins, a brief pause, then back into his wondering eyes and continued. "The whites have come with words that lie and weapons to kill. Our people must be told to go quickly from this place or they shall perish. Go Now and help them. The breath of the Four winds will protect you." She turned slightly and pointed to the great Buffalo "and this Spirit Creature will carry you. Take this knife, for he can be trusted to ease your task." She gently tossed the sheathed knife to him. "Go Now!"

She then put out her arm and the snow owl flew to her and as she stepped back, the young woman, once again became the great Bear. The snow owl in a moment became a flash of light and flew into the great Bear's eye...

~Grizzy~

RocketMan

01-29-2010, 04:32 PM

Hmmmmm...I think the fires almost out...Where'd everybody go?

Grizzy

01-29-2010, 09:09 PM

me stopped muh dum story coz ebberbody quit talk'n haha... they'll be back.. Good to see yas!

~Grithy~

gregabob

01-31-2010, 01:11 PM

The Army soldier ate his beans and coarse bread while tryin' to stay warm by the campfire. 'Sure wish I was back home rather than out here in this place' he thought to himself.'Why in the world does President Arthur want to visit here and drag us along too?' he mused. 'Yellowstone in the wilds of Wyoming Territory is nice to look at, but there's Redmen out here that aren't happy with us right now. Jus' don't feel too safe, with us jus' bein' a small party out here.' He looked across the fire to the President and his friends...they sure dropped the finery of the East after a few days out here. They could pass for Mountain men of just 40 years ago. Funny how the wilderness brings men down to the same level. We all need the same few things--food, water, shelter. President or Private, we're all the same men inside really. Maybe the Redman is just like us too--maybe he's watching us right now......the soldier said his good nights to the men-President Arthur brushed the crumbs out of his mustache and muttonchops and bid the nameless soldier goodnight as he turned to continue his conversation with a fellow adventurist. Another log was tossed onto the fire, releasing a column of sparks--one that was seen by the old Indian a mere several hundred yards away.....

bookwormom

01-31-2010, 04:05 PM

a shiver ran through his lean body. first the white owl and now the sparks in the night, showing palefaces were camping, so near, so near. he thought of his grandmother, long ago, she told stories as they sat around the fire and his mother and his grandmother made new moccasins, trimmed with porcupine quills. He wore them out, so many moons ago, so many snows and summers. Then he noticed his hand tightened around his bow. He leaned it against a douglas fir, squinted and looked up at the stars. One of them left it's spot and in a bright arc swooped down and disappeard. It was behind the hills and trees in the direction of the sparks. Slowly he lifted a foot and turned to slowly walk towards the fire. One foot in front of the other. The snow said how cold it was, crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch. When he got a strong whiff of smoke he stopped, hesitated, then stood as sparks flew up again. He knew whoever was sitting at that fire would have to look into the dark a while before seeing anything. He waited a minute, another one, then walked on toward the fire.

sissy

01-31-2010, 05:08 PM

bookwormom

02-01-2010, 06:03 PM

it's just me, a poor old Indian with no place to go. well, in that case, said the young paleface, scoot over gents and make room, we got company.

Grizzy

02-02-2010, 02:12 PM

One of the native scouts who did the interpreting continued standing.. waiting for more words. There was an uneasiness in the small camp as the soldiers did not know how many more indians might be observing them from the cover of darkness. Each of them kept their hands visible so as to not present any threat of weaponry. All of them eyeballed their guns laying near them.

President Arthur stood up meeting the old indian eye to eye and began.. "We have come to see this place and to talk with your Chief and desire to make a treaty with his people in this land. We will mark on paper promises we will each keep." The old indian took his time before answering. "You come for the yellow rocks?" The great white leader responded that this was true. He said he had come to speak to the great Chief about the welfare of the People and that he respected truth and bravery. The old man looked at the fire and then back to the President. "You think that because I am an old man you can trick me? You have no right here where our great Chief lives. Our Chief will not speak with white man. This will end bad, and for that my Chief will kill you. But... peace can grow from these talks. His eyes will see into your heart. He is greater than other men. He can smell lies. If you lie, it will go bad for your people."

Now the old indian knew the whites had been coming into the area in increasing numbers. He knew about the ones from the east who brought treaties under the flag and then hung native brothers and killed young sons. He also knew the power of the great white Chief and that to harm him would mean terrible war. His people's strong hold was hidden just a little further up the mountain. The sly indian, buying time for his loved ones, led them to believe that in three days they would meet once more and this time.. with the great Chief. "You go back now, to where many trees lay across river. When sun rises three times, we come there. Tell your men to lay their long guns down in a pile. No one can be holding weapons." President Arthur agreed and the indian mounted his pony and disappeared into the woods on a horse that left no footprints in the snow...

bookwormom

02-02-2010, 03:37 PM

of course the pony had taken the bow that he had leaned against a dauglas fir and brought it to him, faithful companien and ancestor of Pinto the wonderhorse that he was. The soldiers jumped to their feet and looked at the smooth snow, not a single snowflake was disturbed. The two Catholics in the group crossed themselves. The others swallowed dryly. finally one said, do you think we dreamed this?

Grizzy

02-02-2010, 10:41 PM

Now the soldiers would backtrack to the river. The indian returned to his cave heavily burdened.. His mind was troubled and he tried to rest for the coming visitation with his people.

When a man is young and passionate.. full of strength.. his mind pushes far away the knowledge.. that winter will come to his body. His future lies ahead as an endless prairie, no tracks upon it.. free to roam. His blood will flow into the next generation and the next.. Easy hunts and warm fragrant days seem to be well promised... But then one day dipping to drink.. the truth lies before him as the quiet water reveals the reflection of winter upon his worn face. No longer can he deny the twinges in his bones. His best days are behind him...

And so it was, that the old indian was in the last of his years with one remaining task of importance. After the encounter with the Grizzly Spirit Bear, and then the soldiers, it was too late to seek out his people. With the first rays of sunlight, he would strike out to carry his warning to them. Warm in his cave, lost in the smoke and the soft fire sounds, he wandered a off.. first to a Bear then to his people...

Memories of the life he lived before, poured through his mind like rain during the moon of the popping leaves. The eyes of his heart beheld them... old ones, the sweaty faces of children playing games, and the nimble fingers of women working the skins, weaving grasses, stringing beads... Beads... Without looking away from the fire he reached one hand tenderly touching the pouch that held his Treasure. Beside it was a sheathed knife.. Gifts...

Fought the River.. that was the name given to the old indian when his body was strong as the cougar. One day, many winters ago, a child fell into the swift river. His sister screamed out for help. The old indian felt the weight of his memories crashing in on him... He remembered leaping off of the rocks into the great dark water grappling the frightened child and fighting the determined current. In the end, the child was delivered to his anxious sister and the others who had gathered there waiting. All the old indian could remember clearly was how beautiful she was.. looking for her young brother to be returned safely. Lovely as a flower, Pets the Deer stood facing the morning sun. The fingertips of her slender hand touched the beaded necklace that hung loosely around her throat. The child fled towards her.. pressing his wet body against her own.. hugging.. happy to be safe. As she bent over to pet and kiss him.. she looked up. With warm eyes which expressed her gratitude, she pierced Fought the River's heart... a wound from which he would never recover. Even so, it would be yet a time before the two would be ready to join paths and become one given in marriage.. under the watchful gaze of Great Spirit...

As exhaustion washed over him, he lay down remembering his Beloved's ardent brown eyes.. sun warmed stones.. shining behind the face of a Grizzly.. His waning thoughts were on the Creator.. on the hope of strength and courage to push back the claws of greed and death... With wet eyes he dreamt of the courageous but lost battle of his Beloved, a good life taken too soon. The urgency of her words, just a while ago woke him.. He was uncertain that the soldiers could be trusted to keep their word to wait for him to bring his Chief to meet with them. He would not wait until morning to heed her warning. Hunger gnawed at him but fear stung more sharply and so he left his cave with a warm skin draped over him, with a pouch around his neck, his bow, and a Knife wrapped in hide.

Outside his pony waited restlessly. His leg was swollen. The old man ran his hand gently down and determined he was going lame. Confusion and despair crept into his heart. Then he saw him.. the great Buffalo. He remembered his Beloved's words, "and this Spirit Creature will carry you".. Slowly the old man walked to the Buffalo and layed his hand upon the shaggy beast to thank him for his help. All of a sudden, there was a burst of light and the bulk of the animal gave way to a thousand fireflies which scattered and left behind them.. an Indian Pony. Startled, Fought the River paused and then mounted. With a pounding heart he raced towards the hope of warning his people in time that they were in grave danger. Behind the white man's promises.. layed long guns...

Grizzy

02-03-2010, 11:04 PM

( Carrying a load of firewood, stoking the fire.. watching the sparks fleeing into the darkness.. brushing snow from the bales of hay.. setting out fresh thermos' of coffee and hot chocolate.. and a basket of blueberry muffins, well wrapped, by the warmth of the fire..

Pausing to listen to the mournful howl of a wolf, my brother.. breathing deeply the chilly air beneath a sky dotted with the lights of the Old Ones.. thinking about the soldiers intentions, and wondering if Fought the River will find his People.. in time...

Sitting down sipping a hot cup of coffee with Baileys Irish Cream.. both paws around my cup thankful for it's warmth.. )

sissy

02-04-2010, 08:07 PM

Just plopped myself down on one of them bales of hay. Got some coffee & a blueberry muffin. Hmmmm. I also am wondering if Fought the River will find his People.. in time... & what them soldiers intentions are.

Grizzy

02-05-2010, 12:48 PM

Sissy, I got a gRrgRrGreat idee! :yes4:

How about if we (anybody) toss out some idees about what comes next leading us towards the ending of the story? At this point, we have 3 days before the Indians and Soldiers are supposed to meet... anything can happen! :eek:

(refilling your coffee cup)

We can look at the options and decide what most folks would like to see and then off we go! :yes2:

~Grizzy~
(look'n in the tin for some of CIC's cookies)

sissy

02-05-2010, 02:15 PM

Well I had a nice little post wrote out & then lost it before I got it posted. Got to go wash some clothes & make some crackers. If any good I bring some back with me.:)
Be back latter & try again.
sissy

sissy

02-05-2010, 07:51 PM

Sorry no crackers tonight, they have to rest at least 18 hours. But I did bring some homemade lemon bars with me.

OK, so we have a group of soldiers who are looking for yellow rocks. (gold?) If so they are more than likely greedy. Will they try to lay a trap for the Indians? Or will they be up front with them? We have at least 2 that are Catholics. They think they were dreaming or (maybe saw spirits?) since there was no tracks in the snow. Are there more Catholics in the group? If so will they try to change the others way of thinking? What hardships if any will Fought the River have to go through to get to his people? Is Fought the River really the old chef? Well........
Any other ideas?
sissy

Anon001

02-05-2010, 08:06 PM

... Then the great grandson of Fought the River paused, thinking back on the story that had been passed down him as Fought the River had met a powerful white man. He was the chief of all white men, not like the individual tribes.

As he paused in his story, the children started begging for more. They wanted to hear more about the legendary old Indian.

The great grandson smiled, ruffled the black hair of the boy closest to him and smiled. He loved these children and wondered what would have happened to his people if it hadn't been for that three day period.

He looked at the children. His smile slowly waned into a sad look that showed a hurting heart. As he spoke the children listened intently.

"Remember these stories. No white man will remember them for you. Keep the stories close to your heart and remember a time when the Redman was powerful, brave, and a mighty warrior. Then look around you and see what poverty we live in. Look at the shacks that creak with the wind and breath down your back sitting inside on a cold winter night. See how we live. "

"We drink too much. We fight too much among ourselves. This is what happened when we let the white man overcome us."

The children knew what he was saying without having to ask what he meant. They had all seen the sad looks in the faces of the old men. The children sat quietly. Then, in the same way his smile disappeared it slowly reappeared.

"You really want me to tell the rest of the story of Fought the River?"

The children all became excited and then quieted down as the man slowly raised his hand.

He began where he had left off.

"Guess why there were no tracks in the snow. How could an old man on a pony not leave tracks that........." as he began the story again with children enrapt in his every word.

Grizzy

02-06-2010, 12:01 AM

(sit'n on the floor wiggle'n closer to hear.. nibble'n frybread)

Grizzy

02-06-2010, 04:22 PM

(set'n down bags wif Big Red, Cokes, Mtn Dew, 7ups and some juicey juices.. set'n um inna snow to chill.. gather'n used cups to be washed an empty cookie tin.. set'n um inna basket.. Back'n truk up so some guys can unload the genny, the projector and set up the moobie screen onna stick like inna ole dayz.. set'n down Kolaches warm an wrapped in foil then inna blanket to keep em warm near the fire.. add'n some more wood an look'n aroun.. pick'n up basket an lil trash bag.. head'n fur the truk...)

~ Intermission ~
am think'n we'll call it...
"Fights the Ribber"
:sarcastic:

http://www.flixxy.com/bear-animal-nature-film.htm

sissy

02-06-2010, 05:54 PM

Bought a arm load of wood over also. Some home made chili & fried cornbread to add the supplies.
Loved the Intermission, it was great. Sitting here waiting for more story telling. And enjoying the great food.:yes4:

sbemt456

02-06-2010, 09:08 PM

.........Fought the River rode long into the night, reaching the village of his people in the early hours of the new day. He stopped Pinto just outside the village and studied for a long while, waiting but not sure for what. He was cold from the long ride and hungry. He was staring at the village with teepees all around, waiting for smoke to rise from the morning cooking fire. He drifted off, still sitting on his pony. A noise startled him wide awake. In the dimness of early light he saw the likeness of his beloved that had gone before him. This image lightened his heart and gave him renewed strength an hope. She beckoned him into the camp. He kicked his pony and followed her into the village. Where she led he could see ahead of him a small fire, with his brothers around, and food to fill him. And he saw a strange thing over the fire as he approached. He stopped suddenly, his beloved that led him here had vanished into the dimness of morning. Then he saw his brothers rise, they greeted him eagerly, welcoming him to the fire to warm his body, offering him food for nourishment. They were bringing him gifts of warm furs, this he thought strange, they were thanking him, as they often did their great chief. A little bewildered, he slid down from his pony and joined them around the fire.
Then old indian and his brothers talked till the day shone bright on their camp. The sun warmed his face, he felt the warmth of family and friends around him, like in earlier moons long ago. A young maiden poured the old man a cup of drink, he tasted, it warmed him, and he looked at her as if asking "what is this that I drink". She smiled and returned to her shelter. The brothers laughed at this, the old man not remembering the night before and the things that had come to pass. He told them, "the sun has set on things I recall, what is this you are telling me". A young brave came and sat beside the old man.
The brave started telling the old man the story of the night before. He said" Grandfather, you came with your beloved, our grandmother last moon and told us of the white man that was coming with promises and lies like before, they were looking for the yellow stones, and hunting our peoples food, and would surely take our land and take our lives from us. Grandfather you led us to their camp, deep in the south woods near the river. Grandfather, you took the life of their leader, and we took from them all their supplies. Gone now the the spirit world, all of them. Even the one they call Arthur. Grandfather his blood is on your knife. The supplies we brought here were the foods and weapons from the dying hands of the white man. This drink that is so strange to you is what they call 'coffee'. Our canteens are full of the white mans drink that makes them act as drunkenfools. Do you not recall this night Grandfather?" the young brave ask. The old man sat for a while and looked in the fire. He seemed to recall some things now. He pulled his knife from the laced skin on his side. His heart quickened as he saw blood, blood from a white man like his grandson had told him. It saddened him some. He knew this would mean more soldiers would come and there would be more blood. Blood of his brothers, his family and his people, and much blood of the white man.
The old man rose from his seat, and the others followed him. He mounted his pony, and with much joy the others mounted up as well. The old mans grandson, Little Creek, rode to his side. Little Creek said "Grandfather we can hunt today as the white man has been returned to the dust of the earth and is not longer a threat to us here for now" The old man smiled at the strong young man, once again wishing for his youth, and rode beside him as they went off to hunt the great buffalo.
As the sun rose high in the sky, they saw ahead of them in a valley..............

stelly

jen_in_southtexas

02-06-2010, 10:17 PM

....a dense fog that settled low among the tall trees. Little Creek looked uneasy about what lay ahead of them. He looked at his Grandfather as if waiting for a sign of reassurance to proceed. It was a quiet morning and although there was a sure sign of the sun there was an intense chill that filled the air. You could hear the horses deep breaths as if almost speaking. They were beautiful horses that had been handled with care throughout the years. You could see it in their trot and muscle tones true to their form. They galloped with confidence and with every step they took their beautiful manes and tails bounced freely, blowing with the wind.

Fought the River gently pulled on his horses rein and proceeded to ride into the valley of the unknown, reluctantly Little Creek followed. The fog made it somewhat difficult to see what lay ahead of them. It had been years, even decades that Fought the River had been through this valley. He and his Beloved, when in their youth, hid from the white man. He had been threatened with his life by something he never did.

The sudden crunching of the horses hooves over a quarry scared Little Creek yelling out an "Ahhhh". This caused a stir and startled three ravens as they flew out through the canopy of the forest, dusting the old Indians garments made of elk skins with small twigs and dried leaves. But there was a significance to the three ravens. Each one represented opportunity and probability. Fought the River knew that good or evil lay ahead.

As the sun shone brighter and the dense fog lifted, they rode quietly and stealthily through the dense forest in the valley. The day looked promising for a good buffalo hunt. Fought the River and Little Creek spoke very little while they rode. When they came upon a brook they dismounted their horses and let them drink fresh water.

All of a sudden and out of nowhere......

Dawgus

02-07-2010, 02:07 PM

All of a sudden and out of nowhere......

when out of nowhere emereged a short crazy Texan woman who was hiding nearby. She ran towards them, shaking above her head some kind of weapon the men had never seen before. It was some kind of metal, with a handle and strange chain around a round flat bar to the front. Though the metal was twisted and dented, this weapon roared of something comparable to a sqeual of a rabid possum. The men drew their sidearms to defend themselves when they noticed a grizzly bear approachinng them from across the brook. The bear spoke to them, telling them "you boys got nuffin to fear, weze just havvin fun". The men were horrified,as this must be some form of indian magic. The watched the bear get closer, and the crazy woman slow her pace but still steadily work towards them with her mangled chain weapon now at her waist. They suddenly heard another voice to their right. As they looked, a woman appeared from the brush, carrying a pitchfork and bottle. "hey y'all, I'm Stella of the Sapling Forest, you all want a drink?" She belched loudly as she took a drink from her bottle and held it outward as if to offer it to the men. As they were trying to watch all three characters,a fourth appeared from a small cabin they hadn't noticed before. It was a man with strange wax in his moustache,and he too spoke to them. "I'm Paul, don't worry about those three, they are perfectly harmless. Relax boys,sit a spell,have some food, and rest a bit." The men talked for a minute,dismounted from their horses, and ate beside the water with the four strangers. Soon after, being exausted from the ride and large meal, the men awakened from their slumber. There was no one around, there was no cabin,there was no signs of a meal being eaten. The men looked at each other, then to the bottle and then and there swore to never again drink "Grizz's gutbuster juice" or visit the backwoods home chat again.

Grizzy

02-07-2010, 02:34 PM

(smack'n Dawgus wif a free day ole MULLET)

humph

~Grithy~

sissy

02-07-2010, 05:31 PM

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Kyhome

02-07-2010, 07:11 PM

Floating down stream was a tiny basket woven from a fiber they did not know. It was covered with decorations and with items they had never seen before. They captured it as it was about out of their reach and sat in amazement on the bank of the creek looking at the fine craftsmanship. They were about ready to open it, and quite nervous on what might be found inside. They wondered if it would bring them good or bad spirits. Then without warning............

sissy

02-07-2010, 08:02 PM

Then without warning they heard a small sound. They opened the beautiful basket & inside they saw the most beautiful white girl child with a smile like sunshine. Just looking at her brought happiness. The braves were confused & did not know what to do with her. They handed her to Fought the River. He look in at her so quite yet smiling. Just the sight of her brought happiness to his heart......

gregabob

02-07-2010, 11:21 PM

The scout ran up to the territorial Governor's office, and burst in. 'The President and his party's been killed by redskins' he shouted. The governor looked up, startled and shocked. 'This is going to start a real war' he thought. And with no Vice President there's going to be even more turmoil. 'Hooboy, I sure don't want to hafta have the whole Army in this territory' he thought to himself. 'Are you sure they were killed by Indians?' he asked the scout. 'Well I didn't see it, but that's what the mountain men said happened' the scout replied. 'Well son we're gonna hafta get a posse together an check this out ourselves. Those 'mountain men' may just be bandits an had no idea it was President Arthur's party till they got their posessions' said the Governor. 'This nations been through too much lately, what with the assassination of President Garfield last year--we don't need the whole U.S. Army going hog wild here shootin' every redskin on sight'. The scout calmed down a bit. 'Well those mountain men looked a little shifty--more so than normal--an one had a French accent'. The governor put his head in his hands and rubbed his face. 'So now we got foreigners involved? Maybe from Canada, or France itself?' 'I don't need this kind of trouble' the Governor thought. 'OK, I''l get the Fort Laramie Captain to get a posse together and recover the bodies, we'll have to send a telegram to Washington about this.' 'I'm not going to mention Indians, I've worked hard to try to get along with the tribes around here, and I'm not going to let this destroy the trust we've built' 'Where were those mountain men headed?' 'They didn't say, but I seen 'em headin' North' the scout replied. 'Those trappers won't be found if they don't want to be' the Governor said. 'Washington knows that, so they won't expect us to find 'em.' 'You get a posse together and try to track those trappers, I'll have these telegrams sent'. The scout departed, and the Governor dipped his pen in the inkwell and started to compose the telegrams.......

Todfox

02-08-2010, 11:58 PM

... . -. -../ - .... ./ ..-. --- .- .. .-.. --- .-- .. -. --./ .- .../ ... --- --- -./ .--. -- -... ... .. -... .-.. ./ ...- --- .-- ./ ..-. .-. --- --./ ... -. --- -/- .-. ..- .--. -.-. .- -.- . ... -- --..--/ -.-. .- - .... . .- -../ - ... .. ... -.-. ..- .. - ... --..--/ -- ..- .-.. .-.. . - ... --..--/ --- .--/ -- --- .-. ... ./ -.- -- - -.. . ..--..

jen_in_southtexas

02-09-2010, 04:29 AM

The telegram was received by a messenger. The messenger rode horseback through the night into a small lil town to give the information to the right hands. He arrived at daybreak and found the best sheriff he knew of ....Sheriff Oldie. Sheriff Oldie was a fine man. He was a very distinguished and respected man in his own right. He stood 6'4" tall, broad at the shoulders, dark haired, shiny badge and fine leather boots.
They had coffee and discussed the situation over breakfast. Sheriff Oldie was just the right man for this mission. He had the best posse. He and his posse once rode through Nevada in search of some bandits that stole some gold and were found and punished. After breakfast the messenger rested and then left town at dusk quietly. It was all up to ol' Sherff Oldie on what the next step would be.

Grizzy

02-09-2010, 06:54 AM

I really love ya'll.. gosh.. am so proud of yas.. Thank You.. this is great..

~a humble bear~

sissy

02-09-2010, 04:37 PM

We luvs yous too Grizzy. And Thank you for starting it. It has been very good.
sissy

oldie

02-09-2010, 06:21 PM

Now the Sheriff was very concerned by the message that had been delivered to him. He took much care in not allowing the messenger to see his concern. Oldie, headed for his office after breakfast, while the messenger went to rest. Knowing that Govenor would want some kind of miracle from him, he sat in his chair, reflecting on his last incounter with his old Indian friend. Fought the River had saved his life many years ago. A pain in his shoulder reminded him of the bullet that had almost ended his life. He had been on the trail of a couple of trappers that had murdered a settler, raped and killed his wife. As he was closing in on them, he stopped at the edge of a stream, to water his horse and fill his canteen. All of a sudden he was thrown into the stream, an excruciating pain in his left shoulder. Then he heard the sound. A sound that could not be anything but a Sharps 50cal buffalo riffle. A gun that could kill at a mile in the hands of an expert. The last thing he thought of as mental darkness closed in on him was why did he come alone. When he woke, there was Fought the River, cooking on the fire. His shoulder was bandaged, but his riffle and six gun were on the other side of the camp. He had a strange feeling, one of trust, that he had never felt toward an Indian. He couldn't explain it, or justify it, just felt it. Over the next few weeks Fought the River tended to oldies wounds, fed him, and taught him his native tongue. They shared many stories of their youth, and Oldie developed a respect for his friend that he shared with no other person. Oldie was jarred from his thoughts by a knock on his office door. The mayor was wanting to know, what it was the messenger had brought to him. Oldie simply told him that it appeared there had been an incident involving trappers in the area, and he would be leaving in the morning to check it out. The sheriff walked over to the saloon to have a thick steak and a glass of cold milk, knowing it might be a long time before he was back in town. All the while thoughts of the trappers raced through his head. Could it be these were the same ones that had shot him, it had been many years ago. Who ever it was he would not stop this time until they were caught, or

poisonivie

02-09-2010, 07:08 PM

The sun crested over the horizian with a sray of orange and red. The dark blue sky turning slowly to a powder blue. It was going to be a fine day in deed the dew was slowly disapating off the grass. The smell of pairie flowers loomed in the back ground.The wind wispered soft sounds. The birds sang a sweet song. In the distance............

deeker

02-09-2010, 07:43 PM

GEESE!!!! And they are coming in low....the lab is shaking....in anticipation. Klonk..kloooonnnk. Can even hear their wing beats...as their wings cup and they drop altitude.

"Don't shoot the banded one...he is mine" said the sheriff with an arresting voice...

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r301/deeker79/3.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r301/deeker79/100_2060-3.jpg

oldie

02-09-2010, 07:51 PM

as the Sheriff pulls his Hawkins from the scabord, takes aim, and boom, the banded goose explodes. Shucks, guess I should have used my pistol.

poisonivie

02-09-2010, 08:00 PM

Oldie now covered in geese guts walks towards to sound of the river thinking he will wash up. When he gets to the river. He finds Deeker an Betty Bigguns frolicing about an splanshin.

deeker

02-09-2010, 08:05 PM

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r301/deeker79/DSCN9777.jpg

And she caught a big whisker fish....as the buck watched over his shoulder.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r301/deeker79/ATT2.jpg

Bears a resemblence to a bear I know.....

deeker

02-09-2010, 08:22 PM

Meanwhile...at the old watering hole....

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r301/deeker79/thirsty.jpg

deeker

02-09-2010, 08:27 PM

By the old spruce.....

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r301/deeker79/058-1.jpg

deeker

02-09-2010, 08:29 PM

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r301/deeker79/FA2thumb.jpg

sbemt456

02-09-2010, 09:09 PM

............the sheriff being a mess from the goose, looking for a place to wash up hears a noise. He slips through the brush to the river bank to see what the noise is. And low an behold there is a white man, Little Deek and his woman Bettybigguns. Splashin around enjoying the solitude of the great forest and the coolness of the water. Then out of nowhere, an arrow whizzed past the good sheriff and stuck in the one they call Little Deek. He is fighting to stay afloat in the water, Betty looks around, and pushes him under. The sheriff sees this and is just stunned at what has happened right in front of him. He stands tall in his tracks, he calls out to the crazed woman in the water, then startled by the whiz of another arrow. The sheriff is gettin a lil nervous at this point and he looks at the woman who has an arrow in her chest. She falls back into the pool of deep water and is quickly taken under. Sheriff Oldie stands frozen in his tracks for a few minutes, then up on the bank behind him he sees the old indian chief and a bunch of his braves. The old one is carrying a basket, and sheriff Oldie hears the crys of a lil baby. He goes up the bank to visit his old friend Fought the River. They make camp and talk a while. Sheriff Oldie ask about the baby, Fought the River says.................

sissy

02-09-2010, 09:21 PM

The Great Spirit sent her to us this morning. We call her Morning Star. She brings happiness & light to the heart..........

oldie

02-10-2010, 07:19 PM

of an old Indian. The Sheriff sits and talks to Fought the River for a couple hours. First it is the normal friendly chit chat of old friends, then the Sheriff turns the topic to the two bodys in the river. He asked ever so cautiously, not knowing how the Chief might react. But, to his surprise, Fought the River was very calm in his reply. They had been tracking the two for the last day, watching them steal the catch from the traps they had set. With winter being full upon them, the meat was much needed for the women and children in the village. When the Sheriff had stumbled upon them, the old Chief ordered them killed, rather than risk the life of his friend. By now, the braves had pulled the bodies from the river and had them laying face down on the ground. When the Sheriff turned the bodies over he was set back on his heels, as both of their eye's had been plucked out. He turned and asked the Chief "Why". The Chief answered him, "there evil spirit will never reach the sacred hunting grounds". The Sheriff nodded, knowing how much the Indian customs meant to the old Chief. The Sheriff moved over to the horses and pack mules, looking through the saddle bags, and then the pack sacks on the mules. He pulls the gunbelt from the saddle horn and the riffles from the scabbards. As the braves looked on with contempt, the Sheriff slowly led the animals back toward his horse. As he came to the Chief, he stopped, handed the reins to him, and in a low voice said " thank you". He carried the weapons on to his own horse and secured them to the saddle. He mounted and waved to the Chief and headed North ...

sbemt456

02-10-2010, 08:07 PM

........stopping after a few miles to make camp. Tomorrow he would continue on in search of the trappers.
Meanwhile the Chief and his hunting party buried the bodies in the traditions of white man out of respect for the Chiefs friend,Sheriff Oldie. Then continued on their journey to the hunting ground that had yielded them meat for the village. The baby Morning Star was starting to cry, the Chief thought for a bit as they rode along. then halted the braves. We must get this girl child to the mother "she needs nourishment and we dont need the sounds to stampede the buffalo when we reach the valley". "Little Creek said"we shall go south across the mountain to the cabin in the woods and give her to the white man that lives there, he has brothers and sisters who can care for the child" So the hunting party turned south trying to make it to the cabin before night fall. They were very discouraged in this day, using too much daylight on things that did not provide meat for the village. Fought the River started singing to Morning Star and she laughed and was happy again.
In a short time they saw the cabin over the hill. They stopped and watched to see if white man was going to be friendly or fire his rifle at them. The horses were restless and they moved closer to the cabin. Fought the River summoned one of the braves to approach the cabin and call out white man. The brave did as the old man ordered. They alll watched as he reined his pony in front of the cabin, yelling, and waving his bow in the air. No one came out, he rode back to the hunting party. Fought the river handed the basket with Morning Star inside to the brave and tole him to leave it on the ground in front of the cabin. The brave charged back down to the cabin with the basket swinging at his side as the pony galloped to the door. The brave dismounted and placed the basket by the door. He mounted his pony and rode back up the hill to catch up with the hunting party.They traveled on to the east toward the sacred valley in search of buffalo. They rode to the top of the next ridge and saw in the valley below.....................

Naughty_Pines

02-11-2010, 01:58 PM

..............bodies of over one hundred buffalo, all with their hides missing. White buffalo hunters had killed them only for their hides..........

Grizzy

02-11-2010, 04:47 PM

The men's eyes wandered over the massacre. No one spoke. There were no words, only a deep ache of sorrow...

Soft moaning emanated from a cow whose body lay wounded but not skinned. As she lay in a red, sticky, pool of blood.. yielding her last ragged breaths.. Fought the River made his way to her, thanking her for the meat she would provide to help quiet the growl of hunger coming from the little ones of his people. Swiftly, he ended the suffering of the wild eyed creature. He motioned for the others to prepare her for the journey back home. Then his legs gave way and his knees buckled. Fought the River collapsed. With his head bent.. forehead resting on his crossed arms over his bent knees.. he was quiet for a time. He sat listening, with wet eyes, to the men working on the buffalo cow. Looking up, his eyes searched the heart of the Creator..

"Oh Great Spirit.. Father of my Fathers.. See these brothers, killed for no good reason. Hear the mourning of our women and the little ones. Hear the war cries of the Chiefs gone before me, angry and full of rage.. because the Whites only come to do harm.. and take from us... Give me counsel. Must there be war? Is there not enough land for us all to live in peace? The Whites come to kill and take more meat than they can eat. They foul the clean waters. They murder our sons. If we dip our fingers in the paint, we will make war. If you do not want this.. for many to fall.. then help us, Great Spirit.. God of my people..."

The men worked in the chilly wind with hatred burning from within their hearts. They desired to live in peace. They desired bloodshed in retribution at this moment. They desired to live by whatever Great Spirit required of their fragile existance. In low tones one warrior chanted a death song with wet eyes as his knife skillfully prepared the meat for journey. They would return to The People bringing some respite from hunger, but not from the hatred of their enemies.

Coming into the place of trees and cover, Fought the River sought a place to rest. He was tired and feeling weak. Soon a small fire breathed and muttered, soothing to the weary old man who soon gave in to his exhaustion and fell asleep. After a time.. he was roused from his slumber by the smell of rabbit sizzling, juices dripping into the fire. The men ate in silence staring into the flames as if searching for answers therein. The old indian tossed his bones into the brush and began to address Little Creek.

"Hear me, and know that I speak truth. I can be old now. My life, even now, draws nearly full circle. This is the way we live. This is the way we leave this place. I go soon, but with one wish. Do not make war with the Whites. Do not make promises to the Whites. Do not believe the lies of the Whites. You must take the clan far from our camp.. to the North and deep into the mountains. This is our land, given to us by Great Spirit. He will feed us and keep us if we live in peace. But if the Whites come to spill our blood, we will rise up above them with our killing clubs and make their mothers mourn and their sons fatherless.." He handed Little Creek his bow and his knife.. With his worn brown hand, he softly clasped the pouch around his neck.

Fought the River fell quiet. Calling softly out of the darkness an owl hooted.. They heard a rustling in the brush and a soft throaty growl. That was Fought the River's last night.

The next morning they mounted and headed for the camp. After many hours riding, they stopped to rest near a cave nearly hidden by a decaying spruce, broken under the weight of the snow. Fought the River dismounted. Smiling, he patted his faithful pony. Then taking a few steps... he collapsed. His hand was clasped around a pouch with a string of Beads tucked tenderly inside. The other men gathered around him in silence. Finally one spoke.. "This old man, our Brother, was the best of us". There would be a ceremony to send Fought the River's spirit on to Great Spirit, and he would be layed in the cave.. his Spirit Lodge...

oldie

02-12-2010, 08:52 PM

as the tired sheriff made his camp, thoughts of Morning Star ran through his mind. Why would anyone put a baby in a basket and set it drifting on a river? It is a white baby, so where would it have come from? He knows all the homesteaders in the area, non of them were going to have a baby. What would Fought the River do with her? What would he have done with her? As he sat there drinking his coffee, staring into the flames, he seemed to lose himself. Movement just beyond the firelite edge grabbed his attention. As he dropped his cup, he became fully alert, sixgun in hand. There standing where the dim light and the darkness met, was Fough the River. Behind him was what he thought was a bear. The sheriff moved to get a better look when the bear growled, and his old friend raised his hand. Oldie responded,"welcome my friend, come sit with me". The sheriff holstered his gun and watched his friend come closer, while the bear just stood there watching.

Fought the River looked pale in the lite. Oldie asked" my friend are you ok" as he offered a cup of coffee. Fought the River answered 'tonight I will join the Great Spirit, but I cannot go until I have spoke to you of what I have done". Oldie poked the fire, while paying attention to the bear standing in the shadows. Fought the River told Oldie" do not worry of the bear, he is here to lead me in my journey, and will not harm you". What is it you must tell me my friend Oldie asked. Fought the River told the story of the Great white chief,and the outcome. Why did you do this Oldie asked. I feared for my people, and our way of life Oldie replied the Chief. Don't you understand the Great white chief will be missed and many troops will come, hunt your people, kill your women and children. Fought the River replied "my friend I come to you to save my people where I have failed. I TRUST YOU, and only you to do this. If anyone can it will be you my brother" Oldie reached out and poked the fire again, then turning back to his friend. Fought the River was gone, as was the bear.

The sheriff looked for tracks, but there were none to be found, not even from the bear. He knew he had just been talking to his friend and yet was he. He rolled out his bedroll, built up the fire, and layed his hawkins down next to his bed. As he pulled the covers up he put his pistol on his stomack and closed his eyes. His mind racing over the events of the day.....

oldie

02-16-2010, 04:30 PM

the Sheriff woke from a restless sleep. It seems his mind just couldn't let go of Morning Star. As he lay there looking at the stars a terrible thought raced through his mind. What if Paul or his family had not returned! Morning Star would have just been there all day and night. He broke camp, mounted his horse and headed for Pauls homestead, worried at what he might or might not find. He rode hard, harder than he would have liked, but there was an ergency in his heart he had not felt in a long time.

oldie

02-16-2010, 04:53 PM

The Sheriff topped the hill and reined in his horse. He walked him slowly to the edge of the woods and stopped. Looking down into the valley was Pauls place, and there on the step at front door was a basket. The same basket Fought the River had showed him yesterday morning. Oldie started towards the cabin when all of a sudden he pulled up. A sound from the cabin, no, behind the cabin, brought him to reality. It was a horrifying sound, that of wolves, fighting. He reached down, pulled the Hawkins out and spurred his horse. He raced down the hill and came to a sliding stop, dismounting as his horse slid. He ran to the basket, picking it up as he watch the corner of the cabin. He climed back on his horse and rode up the hill to the woods, watching behind him all the way. As he pulled up his horse he heard a muffled sound from the basket. He pulled back the blanket and there was the most beautiful baby he had ever seen.

Now what do I do.....

Grizzy

02-16-2010, 05:39 PM

Winter on the mountain is not a forgiving time. The simplest efforts to find food and shelter are difficult at best. Two legged, four legged and winged ones struggle to meet their needs. Man and animal compete for the most basic elements of survival. Then there are the trappers who seek out the luxurious pelts for trade. But mother's white cloak soon lifts to reveal her warm fragrance and colors of the next season. The animals will be needing to feed their new little ones as life continues to renew itself. Not yet the warm season and yet one little one arrives early.. hungry and alone it would seem.

As Oldie surveyed the well being of the child, the Indian hunting party was making a solemn journey back to the People at the winter camp. It would be difficult to break the news of Fought The River's leaving them to join Great Spirit... Oh how he was loved and will be missed. Wandering thoughts were interrupted as their horses became anxious.

Drawing closer to the stream, a watering and resting place, the snow was trampled and stained crimson with blood. The horses jerked nervously. Little Hawk was the first to find what was left of whoever it was who died there. Earlier the hunting party had seen dung streaked with fur.. wolves. They thought perhaps it was the buffalo meat luring the wolves but they had fed already. It was obvious the violent deaths had come unexpectedly to a white family at camp. Cloths were layed out to dress a baby.. but none could be found. The husband got a shot at the wolves but they were overwhelming and he lay in a tangle of bone, blood and tattered clothing, his rifle by his side. The mother was lain halfway in the stream. She was dead but pretty much in tact. One horse lay on the ground where the predators had been feeding.. No other could be found. Not much thought was given to the whereabouts of the child.

The indians touched nothing and continued on...

Grizzy

02-17-2010, 01:46 PM

Oldie didn't have much time to think about it. Behind him someone was quickly approaching on horseback. The Sheriff turned a bit in his saddle to see who it was. His hands were full and he was unable to draw a weapon. It didn't take him long until he was wearing a big ole smile. Coming up beside him was a young man.. a boy really.. with a head full of red hair and freckles across his nose. "HEY!" shouted the boy "where are you taking my baby?" Oldie looked down at Morning Star and back up to the agitated youth. "Well.. who are You?" the sheriff inquired. "I'm Jerry and that's my baby you have there!" the boy replied excitedly. "I was sitting on the porch there with her and ran out back to see what the fuss was about. That's when I saw the wolves tearing each other to pieces." The Sheriff explained that he believed the child to be abandoned and had come to see whether or not she was all right. He thought no one was at the ranch. They discussed the whereabouts of the man who lived there.. Mr. Paul NorKan.

Mr. Norkan was a cattleman from way back. He had gone to buy and bring back stock, leaving Jerry to tend to things while he was away. Jerry discovered the little girl and took quite a shine to her, keeping her fed and clean. He really couldn't see beyond what he was doing, now. He just knew how fiercely protective he felt about Morning Star. There was something soft and innocent about this little one, in such a hard land. They paused for a moment and Jerry asked Oldie if he'd like to come to the house and git some grub. They turned their horses around and headed back for the ranch.

Morning Star jus smiled.. diapered in a red and white checkered cloth.. wrapped in warm skins.. in the company of new friends.

oldie

02-17-2010, 05:28 PM

Oldie enjoyed the meal, fresh eggs and a thick steak. He couldn't remember when he had eaten last. Jerry asked Oldie about the baby. All Oldie could tell Jerry, was that the baby had been found in the river, floating in the basket. That a friend of his was going to leave her with Paul, until the where abouts of her parents could be determined, or he could make arrangements at the counties orphanage. He knew Paul had taken in children before. Jerry offered to keep the child till Paul got back, if it was OK. Oldie agreed and thanked him for the meal, but he needed to be on his way as he was already gong to be late for a very important meetting. Shaking hands, then into the saddle, Oldie headed North.....

cartershan

02-19-2010, 08:19 PM

Ok guys, come write some more. I've enjoyed reading

Grizzy

02-20-2010, 03:11 PM

Oldie pressed north towards Cartershan, a small town a day's ride ahead. He needed supplies. He wanted the smithy to take a look at his horse's shoes. Warmer clothing was in order, too, as he headed further into the northland into the misty mountains. Rough weather was push'n down from Canada. The mountain men he was going to search out were going to be the orneriest critturs to deal with. The Sheriff had such disdain for them. They had ferreted around the mountains too long, doing too much dirtywork, and now Sheriff Oldie was going to put a stop to their shenanigans once and for all.

He paused to roll a smoke. Overhead two bluejays were fussing. Oldie was just putting his tobacco pouch inside his pocket when some deer darted in front of him. They froze just ahead, wary of his intentions. His horse didn't git skittered. He was a trusted mount and a gift, a few years back, by some homesteaders he had relieved of a pesky lowlife scoundrel flee'n from the Texas Rangers.

The deer, with springs for legs, disappeared into the brush and Oldie proceeded up the trail as big snowflakes began to fall softly. This was beautiful country. A man could put down roots here and never look back. Back..

Oldie's thoughts drifted to a wagon train, carrying a woman who was to be his bride. They had corresponded for months. She was on her way from back east, and even if she looked like a saddlebag.. Oldie knew he'd be a fool not to marry her. Her words told him all he needed to know.. that she was tender and good. She encouraged and worried about him. She loved him.. that much he already knew by her letters.. long letters filled with dreams and courage to chisel a new life with him. The sheriff had been alone all of his life, no memories of family, no soft place to rest his mind in troubling times. Now he had something to wrap his heart around, something to protect and to shelter his own heart. He wondered how Rachel would see Him, though. Would she be disappointed? He would never know..

On the way west, heavily laden and in uncharted country.. the wagon train was crossing a swollen river that was fast, deep and muddy. They found a place that seemed decent to get across. One by one, the wagons took great pains to traverse the swift current. Some of the folks had stuffed rags and tarred the bottom of their wagons. It took several days of struggling. The children kept themselves busy in the wait, collecting buffalo chips and shaking out the dusty quilts and blankets as they waited for their turn and adventure. Some of the wagons' contents had to be floated across to lighten the load.. The animals took their time finding good footing but the current was working hard against them.

Rachel's wagon made the trek following the same path the others had taken when all of a sudden her wagon began to shift... The man driving her team was insistant the horses move forward.. urging them with hollars an slap'n their backsides with the reins "Gaw! Gaw!" he hollared.. as the team gave the effort everything they had. All of a sudden the wagon began to shift in a bad way... and then... lost footing... and turned over. The water caught the fallen wagon just right and dragged it a bit before anyone could get to Rachel. Her driver emerged shaken but all right. A concerted effort was made to rescue the young woman, but it was too late.. and she drowned.

Oldie had wanted to go and meet her, and bring her back himself but his job was a demanding one and he was unable to. She had assured him that this small journey would pass quickly enough, and then they would never be parted again. Oldie swallowed hard thinking about her. Rachel took more than his heart with her. She took his unborn children. Perhaps this was why Morning Star was so important to him. She represented the comfort and nourishment his heart craved...

Slowly, horse and rider trudged on.. Oldie lifted his collar up around his neck and pitched his smoke. It sizzled in the snow as it died out. The good Sheriff was not in a good humor. What was ahead of him would be met with rancor and swift judgement. Oldie was getting old and so was the mischief of this world...

Grizzy

02-27-2010, 08:25 PM

Little Creek and the hunting party brought meat and sad news back to winter camp. Thanks was given to Great Spirit for the nourishment he provided and the safe homecoming of the men who searched it out.. but there was no celebration as was their way after a hunt, only a bewildered people listening with heavy hearts. Gone from them was Fought the River, a good man.. a respected Elder. With each herd the white buffalo hunters slaughtered, the Peoples' very way of life was threatened. The whites who drew up papers for reservations, penned the future of the littlest ones of the tribes.. diminishing their freedom from the land given to them by Great Spirit.. the only life they had ever known.

Several days passed, and Little Creek spoke quietly with his brothers. Some wanted to push the whites back and some wanted to take the People further into the mountains where they could live safe and in peace. Little Creek knew that in time, they would be hunted by the white soldiers. He reminded his people what Fought the River's last request was.. that there not be fighting unless the fight was upon them.. and then it would be to the death. All around them, other tribes were rising up and there was bloodshed in the stories the runners brought up the mountain. The men of the tribe felt strongly that they must fight that which threatened to take from the next generations.. the way of life that was lived in peace by their ancestors.

One night, as the fire blew bright sparks into the cold darkness.. when the men were especially restless.. when the dogs did not bark.. when the dead gave utterance of their discontent from their burial places.. Little Creek stood before his people silencing them to hear his words. "We will go.. and leave this place. This ground shall not be as the prairie when the white hunters come, spilling much blood. There is enough land for us and the whites, and we shall find a place to live in peace.. where there are many fish and much game. We will grow old there and pass down the stories of our lives to our children and to our children's children. When the sun comes again, we will strike camp and move to find that place."

Growling Beaver had kept his thoughts to himself throughout the talks but this night he rose up and with anger in his words as he replied. "We will run then like women? We will lay down our bows and flee like deer? Shall it be told that our people were not fierce and proud but soft like new leaves and rabbits? Then it will be sung by other tribes sadly that we were not here at all, we will Not be remembered! This is the time to write the stories our young ones will sit and listen to with pride by the campfires. This is the time to make our women safe and our name great! We must find the whites and make them regret they hunted the great cat, the bear, the wolf with foolish ideas and greed for a bow!"

Several men stood up as Little Creek turned to Growling Beaver. Just then there was a disturbance in the woods and a great bear slowly emerged. The people did not move as the great Spirit Bear took a few steps and then slapped the ground. It's lip curled and he made a throaty growl. Standing upright he put his great arms up. The fire cast a soft glow upon him as before them he spoke.. in a gutteral voice.. "The day of our People is waning, take this time that is left to us.. and go.. Go up into the mountains and hide yourselves. The whites are many, as the grasses on the prairie, and will consume us as a roaring fire. Go in wisdom and in peace.." Then he went down to all four feet on the snow, turning and walking slowly into the darkness, under a canopy of snow covered tree and bough. No one spoke. The People moved only their eyes.. to the place where the Spirit Bear had stood, and who did not leave any footprints in the snow when he left this place.

Down in Cartershan.. Sheriff Oldie tied his horse's reins and walked up the steps to the light and sounds of the saloon where women were friendly and burdens were carried away easily by whiskey...

oldie

02-28-2010, 11:10 AM

As the Sheriff tied his horse to the railing, he looked up and down the street. More out of habit than anything else, but an uneasy feeling was creeping over him. Down at the end of the street, where the corals were, sat two wagons covered with tarps. The Sheriff reached in his pocket and pulled out the fixins for a smoke. As he rolled his smoke, he felt the pain in his shoulder. Oldie took a long slow drag of his cigarette, reached down and checked his pistol to see if it was loose in the holster. He drew it slowly, checked the rounds in the cylinder, and slid it back, leaving the hammer stap off. He finished his smoke and headed up the stairs, not sure what was waiting inside or what he might just find.

Grizzy

02-28-2010, 04:47 PM

Oldie had ben on the trail for a good spell, and the sounds of people enjoying themselves pleasured the good Sheriff. He walked slowly over to the bar, looking the place over. The piano player played easily and music filled the room. There were a few casual hands of poker being played as women dressed like flouncy birds looked on.. rouge, and lots of it on their faces, scantily dressed, ready company, easily had.. One of the ladies was eyeball'n the Sheriff with a fetch'n smile while she twiddled the feathers on her garment. The bartender asked Oldie "What'll ya have?" Oldie said "Whiskey". As the bartender poured, Oldie asked him "Where can I find a hot bath, a clean bed, and a thick steak?" The bartender pointed telling him there was a boarding house on the edge of town. "Stella runs it and you won't find none better. It's clean and she's one heck of a cook. She'll fix ya up." Oldie inquired where he could find the town Sheriff but had no luck because the Sheriff was out of town until Tuesday and Oldie would be back on the trail by then. He finished his whiskey and layed his money down. On his way out, the feathered lady tapped him on the shoulder.. "You gonna be in town for a few days, Honey?" Oldie smiled at her an nodded no. She was young and her eyes were bright, but Oldie didn't have the inclination to git delayed by the wiles of a saloon girl. He was on a mission...

He left his horse at the livery stable and walked over to the boarding house. Passing by the two tarped wagons, he noticed two rough looking characters in the shadows keeping an eye on them. Oldie went into the boarding house and Stella greeted him. She was a handsome woman.. reddish hair and a way about her that was welcoming. As Oldie talked to her, she seemed a little bit nervous to him. She told him she'd get his room and bath ready, and for him to sit down in the dining room. His meal would be out shortly. Oldie wanted to ask.. no, he changed his mind.. he thanked her and made his way towards the tables. He was hungry and tired and this place would serve him well for the night.

With a full belly, the Sheriff went outside to look around and have a smoke. The men by the wagons had the tarps up. Two more men had come up on horseback. Oldie watched with interest..

oldie

02-28-2010, 05:48 PM

Oldie reached in his pocket and pulled out the fixins for his smoke. Looking at the pouch in his hand he made a mental note to be sure and get more at the General Store before he left. The movement around the wagons had stirred his intrest. He wished the sheriff was in town, his badge doesn't carry any weight here. As he turned to look at the other end of the street he slipped he badge off and into his shirt pocket. He put out his smoke and headed back inside, to get a bath and a good nights sleep....

Grizzy

03-01-2010, 12:43 PM

Oldie slowly made his way up the worn, splintered steps up to the door. The top portion had stained glass and wasn't anything he was accustomed to seeing. He was smiling as he walked into the house thinking how nice it was to be someplace warm and inviting like this place. Stella met him as he came in, with fresh linens for his room. "You ready for that hot bath?" Oldie closed his eyes briefly nodding yesss and followed her upstairs. She was well kept and.. fragrant. Oldie did not lose his smile all the way up the stairs. Stella led him to his room and left the linens saying she'd just be a few minutes getting his hot water.

The exhausted sheriff layed his gunbelt over the chair in the corner and sat on the edge of the bed to remove his boots. He looked around. On the dresser was a long piece of cloth, slightly overhanging at the edges. There was an oil lamp and colored bottles at each end and a box with carving on it. Oldie got up to look at it. An elk was carved into it and inside there were candies. Oldie admired the workmanship and appreciated the courtesy of Stella to provide some sweets. By the window there was a plant tied to some sticks with ribbon, healthy and spilling down over the edge of the little table. The bed was covered by a colorful quilt. Oldie studied the stitching, so neatly done, a loving effort it seemed, it had to be.. it was so well made. On the wall beside the wardrobe hung a picture of a man with kind eyes, in a frame that suited him, and it had carvings in the corners. Oldie wondered about him as he began to undress, laying his stale clothing across the chair.

He was standing in his long johns when he realized Stella had the door ajar and was grin'n at him. He felt himself blush. "Bath's ready" she said, still grin'n. He followed her to the room where the tub was.. thanking her for hauling the water. He watched her as she poured it, thinking how nice it would be to leave the traildust and manhunts behind. For a moment his mind wandered to a life where a loving woman kept the home.. hot meals.. laughter on the front porch.. smiles in the morning.. Stella turned around, hair spilling down, a ribbon softly tied.. catching him off guard. Oldie was getting older, he always did the right things, always for the right reasons, always alone.. "Thanks, again, Stella" he said as she searched his eyes... She smiled and turned, reached into her apron pocket and tossed some colored powder into his water. "The soap'll get ya clean.. this'll make ya smell purdy" she said wink'n at him.. and she was gone.

Oldie pulled back the covers and climbed into the soft bed.. a real bed.. for the first time in quite awhile. He barely moved to get comfortable when his eyes closed and he passed into the place where dreams come true and the past visits like a disease. The boarding house was quiet. The day drew to a close. Downstairs, Stella blew out the oil lamps and peered out the window at the wagons. She bit her lip and had a worried look on her face, then turned and made her way upstairs..

oldie

03-01-2010, 04:13 PM

Oldie peered out through tired eyelids at the sun shining into the room.. It was after sun up and for him to still be stretched out was very unusual. He lay there taking in the room, thinking of the thought and talent that had went into setting it up. Then the thought of this beautiful woman, standing in his doorway last night, the way the light bounced off her hair. The way she talked, the way she looked at him, set his heart racing. Oh Heck, what was he thinking about! He rolled over and reached for his clothes. Gone, where did they go, he remembered setting them on the chair by the bed.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. He reached down and slid his pistol out of its holster and cocked the hammer. “Who is it” he barked. “It's just Stella” came a sweet voice from the other side of the door. “ Just a minute” he replied, as he slid back under the covers lowering the hammer on his pistol. “Come in” he said, in a not so gruff a voice. The door opened, and in walked Stella, with a pile of clothes in her, hand washed and folded. I thought you might like clean clothes since you really smelled last night. She giggled lightly, laid them an the chair and headed for the door, turning to say “breakfast is ready if your hungry” and shut the door behind her.

Oldie slip out of bed and put his pistol away. He walked over and picked up his clothes, pressing them to his nose. He breathed in and was pleased, they smelled like soap, mans soap, and not that perfumed stuff they had used when he was in Denver. It took his horse a week to even get used to him. He dressed, and took note that the tear in his shirt had been mended as well. A guy could get used to this he thought to himself.

oldie

03-01-2010, 08:16 PM

Oldie walked into the dinning room and found a table along the back wall. He pulled out a chair and sat down with his back against the wall. He looked around the room, seeing nothing but noticing everything. A couple of men having coffee, a single lady eating breakfast, and Stella. Beautiful Stella.
He tried not to stare, but couldn't help himself. Stella turned towards him and caught him, he quickly looked out the front windows, but then returned his eyes to her. He watched as she disappeared through a door, only to reappear with a plate and a cup. Stella walked right to him and set the plate down. “I hope you like steak and eggs” she said. A young girl appeared with a big blue coffee pot filling his cup and then disappearing as fast as she had appeared. “Do you mind if I sit with you a moment while you eat”she asked. “Sure” he said as he rose to pull out a chair for her.

oldie

03-02-2010, 10:02 AM

As Stella sat down the sheriff caught a hint of a fragrance that reminded him of a girl long ago. Moving to his chair he sat down and began to sip his coffee. “Have you seen those wagons out by the corral” she said. “Yes” he replied, “why”? “There is something not quite right with them” she replied “How so” asked the sheriff. “I was over at the General store when they came into town, They look like trapper wagons, loaded full, but the ground is soft under the snow and the mules weren't struggling and the tracks were shallow” “I've seen those wagons come through before and they make deep tracks in the street” she said “So why are you telling this to me” he asked ? “When I was washing your shirt a Sheriff's star fell out of the pocket”. ”I am guessing you don't want someone to know your a lawman” she replied

oldie

03-02-2010, 02:21 PM

Oldie just looked over the rim of his cup, not answering her but staring past her at the paint horse in the corral. He set the cup down and began on his breakfast. As he ate, she explained some things to him, things he hadn't asked about, but had intended to. Stella told him of the U.S. Marshall that had come to town, waited around a couple days, then just left. Of the soldiers that had been camped North of town, and the talk of trouble with the Indians. Oldie got the feeling she was wanting a response, but he wasn't going to give one. Instead, he asked her “who does that paint horse belong to”? Stella just looked at him, that wasn't what she expected him to say. He repeated the question to her, “who does that paint horse belong to”? She noticed there was a little sternness in his voice. “It belongs to the big guy that rode in with those wagons, why” she asked in a challenging tone. Again he didn't answer her, he just put the last bite into his mouth, and started chewing. Now, Stella is a proud woman, and not used to being treated this way. She stood up, turned, and walked away. As Oldie watched her he smiled to himself, thinking, she'd be a handful. He finished his coffee, laid a Dollar on the table, and headed out the front door.

Once outside he reached in and pulled out his fix ins, and rolled a smoke. He struck a match, lit his smoke, and headed up the street...

Grizzy

03-03-2010, 10:35 PM

Stella was shake'n her head thinking about how things jus din't seem right to her.. as she reached in the icebox for her favorite snack.. Bleucheese an minners.. She set the plate down on the kitchen table and ate it slowly.. savoring every bite.. sipping her big glass of Buttermilk. She smiled (wearing a buttermilk mustache) at her faithful companion, Luna.

Things were changing.. Stella could feel it in the air.. Stella spread some more bleucheese ona piece of bread an arranged some minners on there an smacked her lips.. then... CHOMP!

~Grin'n Grizzy~
......wink!.......

jen_in_southtexas

03-04-2010, 06:33 PM

..................Intermission..................

snacks, pottybreaks, phone, smoke breaks, stretching (not nec. in that order)

oldie

03-04-2010, 06:51 PM

Oldie headed down the street, recalling a Barber shop somewhere along here, across from the General Store he thought. As he walked his mind wandered to Stella, she was some kind of Lady. Suddenly he stopped, looked around, and laughed to himself. Oldie had walked right passed the Barber shop. He turned around, put his smoke out on the heel of his boot and walked back. The door was closed and a sign said back in a little while. The General store across the street appeared to be open so Oldie headed there. He needed to order his supplies, and he needed smoking materials. Oldie stepped through the door and stepped to his right. He made it a habit of getting out of the doorway, as it made a silhouette of his body and an excellent target. There was a woman waiting on a tall thin man, maybe in his late twenties. She looked up greeted him, he nodded, tipping his hat at started looking around. The woman finished with her customer, said “thank you Rick, have a good day”. With that Rick turned and headed out the door. Oldie watched him as he left, go straight across the street and into the Barber shop leaving the door open and walking out of sight. “Was that the Barber” asked Oldie? “Why yes it was” replied the storekeeper “Were you needing him” she asked with a slight chuckle. “Actually I was thinking I could use a shave and a haircut” he replied. “Well what can I get you Mr....” “Oldie is the name, I was just passing through and thought I would grab a good meal and some supplies before heading out” he answered. “OK, what ya need Mr Oldie?” “I have a list, but I could use some smoking tobacco and papers now if you don't mind” “Let me see your list, and here's your fixins” She read the list, told him “it will be ready in about and hour, unless you are in a hurry” “ No hurry, I am goin over for a shave”....

Grizzy

03-05-2010, 11:55 AM

Bright morning sunlight spilled through the kitchen window as Stella got down on her knees, bucket and scrub brush beside her. She dipped the brush into the hot soapy water. Swush, Swush, Swush.. Her thoughts were far from her work, as she reflected on recent events. Backing up a bit from the corner.. Swush Swush Swush.. something startled her. She flinched as a furry explosion of ecstasy, with a cold wet nose, wiggled and squirmed.. paws reaching against her.. begging to be noticed. She sat straight up, losing the scrub brush, embracing the excited little dog. "Oh, Woofy!" Stella said, holding Woofy close to her. Stella looked up anxiously to find her dear friend, Nita. A few more moments welcoming Woofy and then "Go find Luna!" Already, Luna was there wagging her whole great, white body.. deliriously happy to see her old buddy.

Standing near the woodstove was Stella's dear friend, Nita. "Hello, my Sister" Nita said smiling. With wet eyes, Stella walked over and they hugged, an embrace of family, kindred spririts, solid Friendship. "Oh, how good it is to see you" Stella said warmly. "I did not expect to see you until later, when it would be warmer.. Oh how I've missed you!"

Stella motioned for them to sit down at the kitchen table. They studied one another, looking for subtle changes since last they met. Nita explained that when she came down the mountain for supplies, she felt an urgency to go a little bit further to Stella's town.. to see her.. "and so here we are!" Nita said laughing lightly. Stella asked "Have you eaten this morning?" "I am good" Nita replied. Grinning, Stella teased "Well you're fix'n to be better". She reached up and from a special shelf, she brought down two china cups and saucers.. with little flowers painted on them.. precious gifts handed down from long ago.. the same cups and saucers the two women always used on the special occasions of their time together. She poured hot water from the patient, simmering tea kettle to make them some tea. After setting down the teacups, Stella gently tugged at one of Nita's braids. "My little Indian Girl" Stella said softly. "Not a girl for many years, Sister" Nita responded smiling and shaking her head. "I lovvvve your teas" Nita said almost to herself as she took the first sip. Stella went to the side board and returned with bread that was cooling, under a soft yellow cloth. She sliced some and set down a bowl of butter, and opened a jar of strawberry preserves.. Nita's favorite. "How is it with you, my Sister?" Nita inquired. "Have you found yourself a good man yet?" There was laughter in her eyes. "Stella laughed heartily and replied "Now what in this world would I DO with him? No, I am alone and very busy with the boarding house, happy, and getting older, I think." There was a silence as the women savored the moment together. Then there was a THUD.. as Luna an Woofy in their roughhousing.. knocked over the scrub bucket of water.. The women broke out into laughter..

The mantle clock chimed.. and an hour later it chimed again. There was so much to catch up on, but the boarding house beckoned Stella to resume her day's work. "Nita, can you stay the night?" "Yes, Sister." They slowly walked upstairs, walking past Oldie's room.. when Nita asked "Will I not stay in your father's room?" Stella did not expect the question and stammered "Well, the sheriff.. I mean well, someone is staying there at the moment, but maybe tomorrow we can get you comfortable in there."

Grizzy

03-05-2010, 12:07 PM

Stella led Nita to the corner room.. light and cheery. Nita set her things down on the chair and told Stella she had something for her. Out of her travel bag, Nita handed her a Gift wrapped in a soft skin. Stella ran her hand softly over the fur. She unwrapped.. and peeked inside.. Laying the skin on the bed, Stella sat down shaking her head. "Oh, Niiiita... It's so lovely. Your work is amazing." Nita smiled with satisfaction and went on to explain "That is my bear who lives in my woods. He is cranky and unpredictable, but harmless.. I think. He drives off the evil spirits and I feed him honey cakes!" The women broke into laughter as Stella held tenderly the carved bear.. made by the hands of someone she loved. "Thank You, I love it" Stella said softly. "Nita, I have a Gift for you, too" Stella said with an impish look on her face. She carried the bear to her room and placed it on her dresser, then went into her trunk and brought out a quilt. When she handed it to Nita she said.. "Look at this. Do you remember?" Once, Stella had given Nita a little basket with sewing notions in it and had shown her how to embroider. Nita had returned the cloth, on one of their visits, with a scene meticulously stitched on it. Stella then, added to the cloth.. one piece at a time until there was a warm and lovely quilt. Nita unfolded the quilt and intently gazed into the center square. Her eyes filled with tears. "I remember" she said almost in a whisper. There were three little girls. One was brown skinned with long braids. One had almond shaped eyes sitting on a tree limb, and one was in between garden rows with her arms up smiling." Stella drew closer and softly put her arm around Nita's shoulder. "Sisters Forever" Stella said in a low tone. Nita just gazed lovingly at the beautiful quilt nodding.

Then Nita looked into Stella's face and inquired.. "The tarped wagons outside.. why are they here?"

oldie

03-05-2010, 03:59 PM

Oldie took what was left of his fixins out of his pocket and replaced them with new ones. He stopped just inside the door to roll his last smoke. He curled his paper and poured the last of the tobacco into the little strip of paper. With the empty sack hanging from his little finger he raises the paper to his lips. He licked the paper and sealed the smoke. Oldie placed the smoke to his lips as he headed out he door. All of a he turned around and walked over to the large pot belly stove, opened it, and tossed the empty bag in. Picking up a twig, he stuck it into the stove, pulled it out and lit his smoke. Closing the stove door he turned the the young woman “you want to add some matches to that list” chuckled and once again headed for the door....

oldie

03-05-2010, 04:57 PM

Oldie headed out the door, stepping to his left as a young boy raced in the door. Suddenly a lamp on the back wall shattered, then a very distinct “CRACK”. Oldie had already leaped into action, his pistol in his hand, tackling the boy, and rolling with him out of sight of the door. “Are you hurt?” he asked, then without waiting for an answer, he hollered at the young woman “Get down and stay there.” Oldie crawled across the floor and carefully peered out the window. He couldn't see anything or anyone that looked out of place. The Barber was standing in his doorway, looking up and down the street. Oldie stood up and holstered his gun, he walk over and checked the boy. Then turning his attention towards the woman he asked “are you ok?” There was no answer. By now a small crowd was gathering in the doorway. Oldie looked over the counter. The woman was laying on the floor with a crimson red pool of blood spreading out from under her, and a hole in her dress just above her right breast. “Is there a Doctor in this town?” he hollered at the crowd. “Miss Stella is the closest thing to a Doctor we have” replied one of the spectators. Oldie jumped the counter, swooped her up in his arms and headed for the boarding house.....

Grizzy

03-05-2010, 06:43 PM

Stella told Nita the little bit she knew about them. Her words were matter of fact, but Nita sensed upset as she listened. Then Stella wanted to know why Nita had inquired about the wagons.

"On my way to town, to get my supplies.. I saw their campfire one night. They did not see me. There were several brothers at the camp and four or five whites. They were drinking and dirty. I thought they would have gone east to the bigger town nearby to sell their things, and that they must have been trappers. It just does not make sense they would come to a smaller town like this one".

Stella was thinking about what she had just heard when they BOTH heard the CRACK of gunfire. They ran to the window to see what the commotion was all about...

oldie

03-08-2010, 06:16 PM

Oldie pushed his way through the crowd and into the street. He knew the shooter might still be out there waiting for another shot. As he ran up the street he tried to keep from falling in the muddy snow that covered the streets. As he got closer he saw Miss Stella heading out the door. “Get back inside” he yelled at her. “What?” she replied, in an un lady like loud voice that shocked Oldie. “Please get inside” an out of breath Oldie muttered, as he pushed passed her into the boarding house. By this time the dinning room was empty. He used one hand and pulled the table cloth of a table, and laid the young woman down. Stella had followed him in, but wasn't fast enough to save her dishes from flying across the room...

oldie

03-09-2010, 06:34 PM

Meanwhile, miles away Jerry was busy tending to Morning Star. She had been sick for a few days now, and nothing he has done has seemed to help. He had received word from Paul, that he, his daughter,and the ranch hands have been delayed. It may be several weeks before they returned. He really wished she was there, as she would know what to do. Jerry was beginning to question the reality of him raising a baby. What had he been thinking. Babies are a lot of work and he wasn't getting anything done that Paul had told him to do......

mtnmom

03-10-2010, 09:33 AM

By noon Jerry decided he must take Morning Star into the valley to see the doctor at the fort. He saddled his horse, gathered the baby in her basket and headed out. Jerry rode the trail which followed the river then crossed the river. The trail forked left and right but both went to the valley, he chose the right trail. It had less mud. He slowed the pace of his horse as it seemed Morning Star was sleeping peacefully.
Through the forest Jerry heard the soft voices of children. He decided to go see where the voices came from. Through the copes of trees Jerry saw a cabin, smoke curling from the chimney. A blonde women in a blue calico dress hanging fresh washed laundry on a clothsline. A teen aged boy sat on a stool milking a goat and several children making mud pies under an oak tree. Jerry hoped they were friendly as he rode on into the homestead.
The first to notice his presence was the blonde women. Jerry introduced himself and the blonde woman introduced herself as Ivie. Jerry explained he had a sick baby and needed a doctor. He held up the basket to show Ivie. Ivie said well thats my basket and she looked inside and cried thats my baby!

Naughty_Pines

03-10-2010, 10:05 AM

Jerry was happy that he finally found someone claiming the baby. He got down off his horse and talked with the woman for some time. The woman seemed to care a great deal for Morning Star. Jerry asked the woman why she had set the baby adrift in a river. The woman explained that she was alone, her husband had run off and that she could not take care of the baby. She felt that someone would find her and take better care of her than she could. The woman, named Hazel, said that she had regretted setting the baby adrift and would love to have her back. Jerry talked with Hazel for a couple of hours and decided that Hazel was actually Morning Stars mother and decided to give her the baby.
Glad to be free of the baby, Jerry rode off towards town to get a meal at the first restaurant he saw.

mtnmom

03-10-2010, 10:53 AM

Hazel Ivie ran into the house. The warmth from the fire and the smell of meat pies in the oven rushed at her as she came inside. She laid Morning Star on the table and lifted her from her blankets to inspect her better. Morning star had a slight fever and a red rash. Hazel knew it was chicken pox as all her other children had had it too. Hazel bathed her baby in cool water, dressed and fed her, Morning Star was laid in her cradle.

Hazel hadnt told the truth to Jerry as to why she put Morning Star in the river, she didnt know who he was really. Hazel remembered that morning,there had been fresh snowfall the night before but she had decided to walk to the Johnson homestead any how, for she knew Mrs. Johnson had wanted to see her new baby. Hazel had walked the trail back to the river and took the left fork. She had heard hoof beats on the trail and fearing it was marauders she ran into the forest. She hung the basket on twig near the river and prayed the baby wouldnt cry. Hazel hid herself between two rotted logs. When the sounds of the men left Hazel came out of hiding and searched for her baby. She found the twig and it was broke and her baby was gone.

Grizzy

03-11-2010, 06:09 PM

Morning Star's journey was over, now. In her grief and guilt, Hazel wanted the child. She would take good care of the little girl.. but Morning Star would never know, that far from this place, the last act of her real mother was unselfish.. that even as wolves overtook both her parents at camp.. that her momma set her into the water to drift to safety as she fell prey to the snarling, wild law of survival.. she was not the stronger.. she is no more. Morning Star would never know the truth about her family, but she would know love here, and have a new family. She would be told how a young man helped her, through a heart of compassion. So much, so early on her path.. she would grow straight as a tree, strong and with resolve. She would become a good wife and mother some day. Hardship carves character into folks. Morning Star would bloom into a woman of substance.. thanks to the kindness of strangers...

Meanwhile back at the boarding house..

Naughty_Pines

03-11-2010, 06:32 PM

Jerry had checked in and secured a room for a few days. Before he went down for his steak he felt he had better get himself over his dispair over leaving Morning Star. He didn't want the towns folks to see a grown cowboy cry. How he missed Morning Star having been her only "parent" for just a short time.

sbemt456

03-11-2010, 11:22 PM

.....the sheriff placed the injuried woman on the table, she was so very pale, an stella knew this was not good with someone shot. Stella took a good look at the blood stained dress the lady was wearing, lookin for a bullet hole. The woman was moaning and pulling away as Stella was cutting the dress to get a better look at her wound. "Gosh gal you jus got a little damage" The lady moaned and told Stella her shoulder was hurtin bad and worse part was, she was pregnant. "OMG, Oldieeee" Stella yelled to the sheriff, "Git over here an get this poor woman upstairs, and put her in the soft bed at the end of the hall". Oldie hesitates at first but does as he is told, and in a kinda testy tone, said "But thas my bed". "Well it was till you decided this was the place to bring ya injuried wimmin". She followed the sheriff up the stairway and helped em get the woman into bed. "Now sheriff if ya dont mind, run down to the kitchen and get me a pan of warm water, and bring up my medical bag thas sittin in my room by the desk, oh and dont forgit the bottle I keep in the top dresser drawer for things like this" as she busied herself with gettin some of the dress sleeve cut away so the wound could be cleaned and dressed. She noticed the sheriff hadnt moved. " Well sheriff dont jus stand there, git movin". Oldie went down the stairs mutterin to himself, something about wimmin an the way they alas gotta have the last word.
Several minutes later Oldie got back up with the supplies. He set the pan of water on the bedside table, dropped the medical bag in the floor at Stella's feet, an handed her the bottle. He peered over her shoulder to get a better look at the wound the woman got and ask in a quiet voice " Is she gonna make it?' "Well of course she'll make it, its too far from her heart to kill er". Oldie was somewhat relieved to hear that. Stella pulled the cork outa the bottle and took a long drink, and passed it to the sheriff. "oh no I cant drink Ms Stella I here on business right now and it jus wouldnt be proper now would it?" Stella laughed at em and said "Well it aint proper to run around thirsty now either is it?" Oldie snagged the bottle from Ms Stella and took several big swallows of whiskey, an licked his lips, " dang thas some good smooth whiskey there Ms Stella" . Stella glanced away from the dressing she was puttin on the hole in the strangers shoulder and said " damn sheriff leave a lil medicine fer the injuried here" as she nodded toward the woman on Oldies soft bed. Oldie tipped his hat to the lady and Ms Stella and said 'Sorry ma'm" an went down stairs.
Stella got the lady cleaned up, the shoulder wound dressed and she ask the stranger " Young lady if ya gonna sleep in my house I would like to at least know ya name". The young woman looked up at her and said " well ma'm they call me Sissy at work, cause I am the youngest one there see". Ms Stella nodded and said "Ok sissy you rest here for a while, I'll be back in a bit to check in on ya, by the way hunny ya gonna be fine, the bullet jus nicked ya is all." They talked for a spell and Sissy said the poultice and dressing sure did help the pain and she thought she might take a nap. Stella said " well you get a nap an I'm goin down there to line that sheriff out fer breakin muh dishes"
Stella picked up her "medicine" bottle and headed down stairs satisfied in knowin the young lady was going to be fine in a few days. But right now she jus wanted to tell the sheriff a thing or two about wimmin an how ya dont break their fine china without a price.
Stella got to the kitchen to find the fine sheriff sittin down drinkin coffee. As she walked in he motioned for her to come sit down as he poured her a cup too. The kind deed did soften her a little bit and she didnt feel as inclined to yell too loud about her dishes. They talked for a bit about the weather and different things and the sheriff said " well I gotta go, I got some business to take care of". And he got up and headed out the door. But not before dropping a 5dollar gold piece on the table in front of Stella. Oldie walked out on the porch, took out his tobacco, rolled a smoke and lit up and stepped off the porch ....................

oldie

03-16-2010, 06:18 PM

Oldie took a deep drag of his smoke and headed towards the saloon. By now his mind was racing, the paint horse was so familiar. The wagons he had tracked, were here. The shot from a Sharps riffle that had almost killed him, twice. The murders of President Arthur and his escort. The story Fought the River had told him of the fight. The local Sheriff being unexpectedly called away to places unknown. Oldie new these were all connected somehow, he just hadn't figured out how. He reached the Saloon and stepped inside, moving quickly to the right. He scanned the room, looking for anything out of place. It looked just like it did the last time he had been in there. He walked up to the bar and ordered a beer, then walked over to a corner table. He took up a seat with his back to the wall. There he could see everyone in the room and the doors.

jen_in_southtexas

03-17-2010, 04:32 PM

Oldie sat there drinking his brew and the sound of horses, wagons and clanking of spurs caught his attention. There was a window next to Oldie in the saloon, a window covered in dust from the dust trails and the western winds that blew hard. He took another drink from his brew and in a slight twist looked out the window to see what all the fuss was about. It was two wagons and two men and behind the wagons rode a woman in a beautiful Spanish Mustang. She rode alone behind the wagons. Oldie tried to take a better look at the woman but the dust on the window made it hard to get a good look at riders. He also tried doing this without making it obvious to the other saloon patrons.

When the two men, each in their own wagon and team, got down from their seat, they spoke to each other in a low tone. It was hard for Oldie to hear what it was that they were talking about. The girl had not dismounted from her horse. She certainly had Oldie’s attention. She looked about 5ft tall, dark brown doe shaped eyes, dark brown hair, her face was round but softened at the edges. You could see that she still beared some youthfulness inside her. She wore a brush twilled riding skirt, a white shirt trimmed in lace at the neck that had a low neckline, leather gloves, a brown slouch hat, brown Victorian granny boots, and the leather coat she wore seemed oversized and it was a given that the coat she was wearing belonged to one of the men. She was wearing a necklace of some kind, it looked like a kind of native necklace. It was windy and her dark long hair kept blowing into her face covering then uncovering her necklace.

Her mustang was strikingly handsome at about 14.2 hands. It was the colors brown and white, the color of that of a spotted appaloosa. It had smoothed muscle tones, a deep chest and thick feet. When it galloped it had a confident stride. This horse was hardy and if it was something Oldie knew for certain, it was that this horse breed is not something that is seen in these parts. He knew that Spanish Mustangs had the ability and stamina to travel great and lengthy distances. The last time Oldie saw a horse of this caliber was about 18yrs ago when he rode through the deep South Texas brush country. Then quietly to himself Oldie whispered, “Travellers”. He also took note of her Marlin .22LR, traveling packs, canteens and full saddle bags.

As Oldie was about to take another drink from his brew, one of the men walked towards the woman. He stood beside her and her horse. She looked down at him from her saddle and she smiled at him as he spoke to her. She then knodded a “yes”. He extended his hand to her and she took it and he gently held her hand softly and kissed it once. She returned the gesture with a smile. Then she took her horses rein and slightly nudged, spurred him and they rode away. The man stood there looking at them as they rode away. It was obvious that this was her love. He was a handsomely rugged tall and good looking man. He showed facial signs of strength, physically he looked strong with that of a sturdy build. He had dark hair and eyes, had a deep 5 o’clock shadow, wore a mountain man sheep skin shirt with fringes and brush cotton trousers, black pale rider boots, had a satchel draped over his torso from his right shoulder. His hair was long and he too wore a slouch hat. It was black. His hands were big and calloused. He certainly was no stranger to hard work.

As the mustang kicked up the trail dust and the woman rode away, the handsomely rugged man turned his attention back to his wagon and the man that rode along side him. They spoke then they got on their wagons and slowly rode through the little town keeping their heads low but alert. Two buildings past Ms. Stella’s(the Medicine Woman)Bed and Breakfast, they took a left and disappeared from Oldie’s sight. With that Oldie gulped down the last of his brew, lit up a smoke and walked outside the saloon to see if he could catch a glimpse of them again.

Who were these people? Where were they going? Were these the same people who were in the wagons he previously saw? There was no telling as they never got to take a good look at them for fear that a shootout might break out and injure innocent people and children . Whoever they were Oldie was on a mission now.

oldie

03-17-2010, 06:34 PM

Oldie headed out the door and turned right, away from Stella's place. He walked a way's before turning towards the rear of the building. As he walked he kept thinking of the wagons down at the coral, and now two more were here. Curiosity had gotten the best of him, he needed to know what and who those wagons were for, and what they were carrying.
He had heard rumors of the railroad coming this way, but they were concerned about the Indian territory. In order to get a train into this part of the country, they would have to cross part of that territory or spend an outrageous amount of time and money going around. He also know what Fought the River had told him. How, when he had found the white men they were already dead. Someone had gone to a lot of trouble to make it look like the Indians had done this, but Fought the River swore to Oldie that they hadn't. He told Oldie how he had lied to Lil Creek about the events in an effort to get the tribe to move, farther up into the wilderness.
Oldie stepped around behind the buildings and headed for the coral. When he got to the rear of the saloon and could see the men that had ridden in with the last wagons, standing at the bar. He stood there a moment watching them. They looked just like any other cow puncher he had seen, but there was something, something different about them. He walked on toward the coral, only now the hair on the back of his neck was standing up. He loosened his revolver, leaving the hammer strap off. As he got closer to the coral he could see the wagons, and two men camped between them. They may just be camping there because they were out of money, but it sure looked like they were there to guard them.

Grizzy

03-17-2010, 09:06 PM

Stella looked in on Sissy, who was sleeping. Nita was standing beside the window, holding the quilt Stella had made with the center cloth showing three little girls at play. Nita's smile was soft and her mind was a off in time, when Stella asked "You like"? Nita did not turn around but nodded yes.. A moment later she said "all these years later, I keep Jenny in my heart and wonder.. what became of the little girl in the tree"? Stella looked down fussing with her apron before she replied.. "I have heard that she fell in with some rough men.. but I do not know all of the details." Nita nodded and said no more.. she jus petted the quilt with her hand.

Many years ago, Stella was growing up on her father's ranch.. she was wild as a hare and strong.. she loved gardening and horses.. she was independent, sassy, and happy. One of the men who worked for her father had a little girl, Jenny, who was Stella's playmate. When the child's father was killed fighting off rustlers, Stella's father.. in his compassion and loyalty to the years Jenny's father had worked for him.. kept Jenny in the only home she had ever known. The playmates grew into sisters. They were inseparable. Jenny and Stella enjoyed many adventures together.

One day while out riding, they stumbled upon an indian woman lying under some shade trees with her young daughter beside her. The woman had been shot and was left for dead. The daughter grabbed her mother's knife and charged at Jenny and Stella trying to make them leave. The girls raced back to the ranch to get help, but it was too late for the indian woman. It did not happen overnight, that Stella and Jenny would gain the trust of the indian girl.. but Nita found a new life among these good people.. and two sisters she would learn to love dearly. Now three girls were left to brave life together.. an unlikely collection of beads. They were three sisters.. strung together with the colors of love and trust. But just as rushing waters seeks its own path, the girls grew into women and went their own ways. Stella kept the ranch, but left the lonely life and carved a quiet existance in town at the boarding house. Nita took to the quiet of the mountains.. but Jenny.. no one knew what became of her..

Sissy was making her way back east to join her husband, working at the general store to help pay her way. Her husband's father had passed away leaving a small homestead to them. He was waiting for Sissy to make the trip slowly.. in her delecate condition with child. Nita had done well, tending to the young woman, bringing nourishment an herbs for her slight wound. But both of the women felt it was time to leave Cartershan, in light of the unexpected gunfire and uncertain events that may be unfolding there. Tomorrow, Nita would take Sissy, by buckboard, to the next town where she would see the doctor and catch a stagecoach.. and Nita would return to her mountain home.

Cartershan was a sleepy town with trouble seldom seen. Now the townspeople were nervous and aware of strangers among them. There was not the usual flurry of children's laughter and women walking the street. It would not be soon enough, to suit them all, for their Sheriff to get on back. There was talk about the tarped wagons and the men who kept watch over them. Then there was the man meant to take a bullet.. who went by the name of Oldie...

Naughty_Pines

03-20-2010, 05:49 PM

Watch out for the indians.

oldie

03-20-2010, 06:08 PM

Oldie continued on toward the wagons. The two that had just came into town were parked on the other side of the coral, there was no one around them. One of the two saw Oldie coming, reached his riffle, and stood up. The other one had a pistol by his side but hadn't moved. The standing one, looked aggravated.

Naughty_Pines

03-20-2010, 06:51 PM

There'll be a hot time in the old town tonight.

Grizzy

03-21-2010, 02:18 PM

Sissy was restless as she slept. Woofy had quietly layed by Sissy's side since she arrived, keeping watch over her. But now Woofy jumped down from the bed, anxiously seeking out Nita. Nita was in her room gathering her things for the trip in the morning when she would be taking Sissy to Taylortown to catch the stagecoach.. Nita turned and saw Woofy give'n her the bigeye.. "Little One, are you ready to go back to our mountain?" Woofy looked at her, tensely, as though as wanted to go.. Now. Nita knew because she was tense as well. She layed her things down and picked up a small flute, carrying it to Sissy's room.. the soft feathers dancing behind it as she made her way down the hallway. Towns were places meant to be left behind and both Woofy an Nita knew it..

Sissy was pale from the loss of blood and looked more like a girl, laying there, than a woman fully grown. Her long blonde hair framed her shoulders in the softness of the oil lamp light. Her head rested on plump soft pillows in pillow cases embroidered on the edges.. with pink and yellow flowers. One hand lay on her tummy with a shining gold wedding band on her finger.

Nita was touched by Sissy's determination to overcome the obstacles that separated her from her Love.. who was waiting for her and their unborn child. Sissy was a fighter, fighting to embrace all the living and goodness that was ahead of her. She was not about to let her Treasures be easily taken from her. But as she rested, written on her face, were unspoken doubts and worry. Nita petted the young woman, not feeling the heat of fever on her skin.

The fragrance of Stella's evening meal snaked its way up the stairs to the room and Woofy's tummy gurgled. Nita looked down at her and smiled as she put the flute to her lips and began to play a low mournful song.. Outside the last bright rays of the day streaked through the town's buildings as snow clouds crept in. Soon new snow would be softly falling covering the muddy footprints trampled into the dirty street. As Nita played softy.. Sissy became calm.. opening her eyes and smiling weakly. Woofy jumped up on the bed and lifted Sissy's hand with her head wanting to be petted.. leaning gently into the young woman's side.

As Nita played the flute, she walked over to the window.. looking down upon the roofs across the street. The song was mesmerizing and Nita found herself looking beyond the town.. to a clearing beside a grove of dark stoic trees, in her mind's eye. As her fingers rose and fell, the flute musica carrying both of the women a off.. Nita heard in her spirit a groaning. All of a sudden white birds flew OUT of the woods and a massive tree slowly fell down... slamming the ground and breaking into thick pieces with a THUD. On played the flute.. Beneath the tree, Nita could see blood oozing out.. staining the snow.. branches scattered about.. moaning.. Nita stopped playing. She took the flute from her lips and turned to look at Sissy, just as Stella was approaching the door to announce supper was ready. Nita looked at Stelly with eyes wide open, alarmed. Stella saw the upset in her sister and asked.. "What is it?"

Nita hesitated and then replied.. "We must go.. Now!" Sissy didn't need any encouragement. She flipped the covers back, as Woofy jumped down, struggling to get herself out of the bed. Stella said "Whoaaaaaa girls... whas happening?" Nita, walking towards the door, paused beside Stella as she headed to her room to get her belongings.. "Something dark is upon us. I must get Sissy on her way."

"But.." Stella said to Nita's back as she made her way down the hallway.. "But Supper's ready!" Stella shook her head as she watched Sissy slowly changing into street clothes. "Here, Honey let me help yas.. everything is git'n plum crazy around her I mean to tell yas.."

Just outside.. the good sheriff, Oldie, was at the edge of a rattlesnake den.. and he knew the danger was real... he could smell it..

A far off.. Fought the River rested in his spririt lodge with a pouch around his neck.. holding the beads, the last earthly tie to his beloved.. His body was in the lodge.. but his spirit was uneasy and wandering...

oldie

03-21-2010, 07:41 PM

Oldie kept walking toward the wagons. He reached in and pulled out his fixins, He continued to walk forward rolling a smoke as he scanned the area. The fellow with the rifle stepped forward “ what do you want?” he barked. “ I was hoping to get a light “ Oldie replied, stopping where he was. The man walked up to him and reached into his pocket, pulling out a match. He struck it on his buckle and offered the light to Oldie. Oldie dragged on his smoke, exhaled, blowing out the match. “ Thank you sir “ Oldie replied, as he turned to walk away. Oldie started to walk, he heard the rifle cock. For an instant, a cold chill ran through him. He dove for cover by the water trough, as the ground in front of him exploded from the impact of the slug. Oldie rolled and fired, causing the standing man to double over, dropping his rifle. Shots rang out and again the dirt exploded, kicking mud and slush into the air.
Oldie switched his aim to the man lying on the ground, under the wagon. He fired 3 quick shots, then moved around the trough, giving him more cover. By now shots were being returned. Oldie emptied out the spent cartridges, and reloaded the empty cylinders. He peered around the end of the trough, the man was trying to change his position. Oldie emptied his gun into him. There was a scream, a shot and then silence. Oldie reloaded his gun, while he caught his breath. He looked down the street to see a crowd of people headed his way. As Oldie went to get up, he couldn't move his leg, and the pain came instantly. He managed to sit on the edge of the water trough, surveying the damage to the two men and then to his leg. He reached for his fixins, dang it, they were all wet....

Grizzy

03-24-2010, 12:47 AM

Nita, Sissy and Stella heard the gunplay and peered out the windows of the boarding house. Townspeople were gathered just down the street but the women could not see what the commotion was all about. A buckboard pulled up and a man was loaded on it. Stella knew he had to be dead or he would have been brought to the boarding house for tend'n.

DING! DING! DING! Downstairs, a man and woman were checking out. Their little girl was sitting on the floor with Luna.. trying to teach her a trick, oblivious to the event that had just taken place outside. Stella made her way down the stairs, taking slow and deliberate steps. She went behind the counter and said in a relaxed voice "Can I help you folks?" The husband told her they had decided not to stay the night after all and wanted their bags brought downstairs. Stella smiled. "Ya'll are gonna miss the best potroast this side of the Mississippi if ya leave, ya know.. and I have chocolate cake for dessert". She was smiling looking down at the little girl when she said it. "Madam, this town is not safe. There is no law here and they're killing each other in the street!" the husband retorted. "You gonna be any safer on the road at night?" Stella asked him. His wife gently touched his arm.. "Oto, perhaps we should reconsider. It's just one night. We can leave tomorrow, first thing." Her words were gentle. She held his eyes with ernest pleading. The man looked down at the little girl, arms around the big white dog.. and then to the door. He took a moment to think and gave in. "You say you got potroast?" Everyone could feel the tension melt. "Stella came out from behind the counter walking towards the dining room.. "Ya'll git washed up and I'll git yur supper". The woman smiled and they thanked Stella as she disappeared around the corner.

In the kitchen, Nita was sitting down at the table slowly running the blade of her knife between her fingers. Stella saw it and continued to the stove. With her back to Nita she asked.. "Well.. What are you an Sissy going to do? Snow's coming. It'll be dark soon. You really want to take that woman out into that?" She was surprized to hear the tension in Nita's voice. "I KNOW the snow is coming. I KNOW Sissy is frail. I KNOW.. we're going to regret it if we don't leave now... I.. know it." Stella turned around and asked Nita "Did you ever stop to think.. that I might need you here to help me? We don't KNOW.. what's going on right now. But, yeas, is a boogery thing for sure." Stella put her hand on Nita's shoulder and went back to the stove serving up potroast and taters on the china she hoped she would be able to hold on to for many more years.. She smiled thinking about Oldie.

Luna and Woofy came bounding into the kitchen hoping for a scrap, wagging their tails looking up at Nita. All the air went out of her and she shook her head left to right. Slowly she put her knife into it's sheath, and turned around, in her chair, to look out the kitchen window.

Just then the back door opened and a tall man stood in the doorway. He had a mustache and dark eyes. His hair was jet black and greasy. He was dressed nicely, but he had was travel worn. He seemed agitated as he inventoried the room quickly. Stella looked at him with no humor in her eyes, no invitation, no patience. This man was trubble and she knew it. "YOU.. can use the front door, Mister.. I don't care what your business is.. you can bring it to the front door." Nita's hand rested on her knife. Stella layed her hand on the one beside her on the counter. The man asked with a heavy french accent.. "Where is the man they call.. Oldie?" Stella, keeping her composure walked towards the man as she spoke. "I don't know anyone by that name, now please.. the front door." She backed him up.. there was a tense pause.. and he was gone. She locked the door and layed down the knife she had been holding down by her side.. on the counter.

Just then, Sissy came to the kitchen.. pale. "They just brought a wounded man in.. but.. I think he's dead"... Stella raised her eyebrows.. and sighed...

oldie

03-25-2010, 03:38 PM

Oldie was now confronted with a crowd of spectators, the Mayor included. He was muttering about the Sheriff being gone and who was going to clean up this mess. One of the towns menfolk had checked the gunman laying under the wagon, he was dead. Another one yelled for a buckboard as the one with the rifle was still alive, barely. The Mayor was standing next to Oldie, a big pistol stuck in his belt. Oldie thought to himself and chuckled quietly, “how could he ever pull that thing out, his gut almost covered it “. He hollered for some men to take him to the jail, and dont forget to take his gun. Now, the two men that he had seen come in with the wagons, and that beautiful woman, stepped right up. They took Oldies gun and half drug, half carried him down towards the jail. “ Take that dead one down to the Chinamans, and I want two armed men gaurdin them wagons, and stay out of em till I figure out what to do” shouted the Mayor. As Oldie was taken off to jail He could see Miss Stella and her friends workin on that other guy. He knew it was no use, he had shot him just above the belt buckle. A kill shot, but not a quick kill shot. He just didn't like the looks of that guy from the beginning.

oldie

03-28-2010, 11:36 AM

As they were putting him into a cell Oldie asked “ those weren't friends of yours back there, were they “? The taller one answered “ naw, never met them before “. “ My name's Oldie” Oldie replied. The taller one said “ I'm Rick, and this is Oto “. With that Oto laughed and said “ but thats not what his friends call him”. Rick replied “ my friends call me Kentucky, cause Im always talkin about my Ky Home”. He paused then went on, “and his real name is, well I can't say cause I really don't know”. He paused, “But, we call him Oto, cause he always says I otobsane and quit this roaming around”. With that Oldie chuckled along with the other two. They locked Oldie in his cell. “We will get the Doc down here just as soon as he's done with that other guy” Oto said. “What was that all about anyway ?” ask Kentucky. Oldie answered him “ I don't know really, I asked for a match and as I walked away they opened fire” “Dang “ replied Kentucky, “ must have been his last match” chuckling as they walked out the door. Oldie sat on the edge of the cot and tightened the bandana that he had tied around his leg. It wasn't a bad wound, just tore a hunk of meat out of his leg as the bullet passed through. It was going to be sore and take a while to heal over, but he would be fine.

Stella showed up in about a half hour, looking worried. “Sorry it took so long, but you made a mess out of that other guy” “Did he make it ?” Oldie ask. Stella frowned at him “What do you think” “ Did he say anything, like who he was or why he went to shootin at me ?” Oldie asked. “Nope he just layed on my table and bled all over” she replied. “Now who are those two that brought you here, they aren't locals” she asked. “I don't know, they rode in on those other wagons” he replied. Stella informed Oldie, that they were down talking to the Mayor right now. She picked up the keys and unlocked the door. “Let me see that leg” she demanded. Oldie leaned back on the cot and extended his leg. Stella, cut his pantleg to get a better look at the wound. She shook her head, reached into her bag, pulled out a piece of sinue and a needle. “ This is going to hurt a little” she said. She pulled out a small bottle of whiskey, pulled the cork, and took a drink. Then, she acted like she was going to offer Oldie a drink, but stopped and poured the contents into his wound. “ Now lay still till I get done “ she ordered him, and he did...

sbemt456

03-28-2010, 07:20 PM

........till Stella started stitching the open wound. Oldie grunting and groaning and whining like a lil kid was getting to Stella as she was cleaning the wound. "Dang it Oldie will ya quit whining, I aint even started sewin yet" she tole him. "Gimme ya gun Oldie" stella ordered. Laying there with his pants leg cut off and not in a presentable condition, Oldies eyes got wide and Stella grinned a lil, "I just want a bullet outa ya gun Oldie, I aint gonna shoot ya with it, What kinda doc would I be then?" Oldie breathed a big sigh of relief and handed over his weapon. Stella took a bullet outa the cylinder and shoved it in Oldies mouth, "now bite down on that till I tell get done, I dont want ya hollerin an disturbing the others in here" Oldie did as he was told and placed the bullet between his teeth. Stella dug around in her bag and got out the catgut an a needle that looked like it might do the job. Stella really hated doin stitches in anybody, but she looked at the wound and at the sheriff that had turned a lil pale in color, and he seemed a bit sweaty. Oldie she spoke to him. The sheriff opened his eyes a lil and said "gimme a drink of that pain killer before ya start sewin on me would ya?" "Nope ya cant have liquor she told him," "it will only make ya bleed more and I sure dont want ya bleedin all over my place when we get ya over there." Oldie bit down on his bullet and closed his eyes as Stella stitched his leg up. Stella was mumblin the whole time, " I hate stitches damn it, an they alas call me when someone gets shot around here. I think I might jus give up doctorin if this keeps up" Oldie was only half hearin what she was saying, then as Stella finished the last stitch and pulled it tight, Oldie sat upright on the bed and looked at her, "damn that hurt" then he passed out and she finished up quickly before he came too. Got his leg dressed and cleaned up the mess.
Oldie woke to someone slappin him on the cheek. As instinct will have it, he reached for his gun. "Well ya dont have a bullet in the darn thing sheriff, I do think ya swallowed the last one while I was stitchin ya leg up" Stella told em. Oldie looked around him, an realized he was still in jail. The other 2 men were standing behind Stella lookin at Oldie. One of em ask, " How does that leg feel now friend?" Oldie said "I know I still got it cause it does hurt a bit and is awful sore,but I think I can walk on it now." Oldie looked over at Stella and said " ya reckon my leg will be alright?" Stella grinned and said "it will grow back, may grow back crooked but it will grow back" and she got up an excused herself. "Gentlemen take care of em. I'm goin back to the house to get his room ready, I think he will want to rest for a day or 3" and she went out the door.
Back down the street to the boarding house the town undertaker was takin the other man out on a wagon. He tipped his hat to Stella, she nodded and went inside to start dinner. Later that evening...............

Grizzy

04-02-2010, 05:29 PM

Later that evening when the boarders had been fed and the kitchen cleaned and darkened, Stella was crouched in front of the fireplace getting ready for a cold night ahead. She seemed to be a off as she tucked the wood into the dying flame. The expected snow storm did not favor this place, and passed over Cartershan leaving a sparkling sky full of lights dancing. The moon was large and full, bright shining. But it was cold, it was the kind of cold that chilled you all the way to your bones.

Nita came downstairs quietly, glancing at Stella's back, on her way to the kitchen. She reached up on the shelf and brought down a jar. Nita slipped her fingers into the jar of sugarcubes and pulled three of them out. Then she headed for the livery to check on her horse. The town was settled for the night. She walked quickly past the area where the shooting had occured only hours earlier. She did not look into the brightly lit saloon. The newspaper office and the mercantile were darkened. She smiled when she looked into the barbershop, thinking about the men with white soapy faces, sitting in the chair during the day telling stories of their courage an prowess. There was a soft glow coming from the window of the jail. Nita walked quickly past it.

Entering the livery, she closed her eyes.. taking in the scent of the hay and the creatures sheltering there. She was more at home in this place than in a fine room with linen and laces. Nita did not make a sound as she unlatched the door of her horse's stall. He was waiting for her there, tall and strong.. with eyes that could melt mountain stone.. big warm pools that looked upon Nita with loyalty and affection. She stroked the side of his face with the back of her hand. "How are You, my brother?" she asked softly. She gently swiped the forelock hanging down in his eyes and smiled.. drinking him in with much pleasure. "I brought you a Gift" she whispered.. and offered her companion the sweet sugar lumps. Listening to the soft munching, Nita reached up on the shelf and got the brush to groom him. She brushed slowly, thinking about all that had been occuring in town. The feeling that it was time to leave had not left her. Somewhere in the stable a horse stomped his foot.. There was such a sense of peace in this place. Nita wanted to go home. But first she had to help Sissy. Po ole Sissy, she had found a place in Nita's heart, and Nita would not leave without getting this young woman to a better place and closer to getting Home.

Nita finished grooming the big animal and then rested her forehead against his great side. She could not shake what she had seen, the great tree fallen and the screaming branches.. the blood. She recalled the uneasiness the frenchman caused them in the kitchen.. She lifted her head abruptly and said "I'll send for You.. Be ready.. we're going Home." She paid the livery man and gave him instructions to ready her buckboard and have it brought to the boarding house.

Stella smiled but seemed surprized to see Nita coming inside the front door. "I wondered where you were". There was a short exchange between the sisters and Stella finished by saying.. "I understand, I'll go get Sissy". Nita followed her and gathered her few belongings.. and her quilt. She found Stella and Sissy making the final preparations for Sissy to leave. Nita inquired.. "Are you sure you're able to travel?" Sissy nodded yes and said that she could be left at Walnut Creek.. which was on Nita's way home and not as far as Taylortown. "I have a sister there and I'll stay with her until my strength returns."

Nita looked over to Stella who did not look very at ease with this idea of them leaving. "You were here such a short time. I'll look to have a better visit when you pass through here next time?" Nita nodded and they hugged with glistening eyes.

Nita and Sissy climbed slowly onto the buckboard. Stella handed Woofy up to Nita. There was a pause, an unspoken farewell.. and then quietly, they disappeared into the chill and darkness...

gregabob

04-04-2010, 11:47 PM

Mr. Deleon was roused from his sleep by a insistent knock on the door. He lit the small oil lamp and made his way to the front of his cabin outside of town. A young lady was at the door--he'd seen her at the boarding house earlier that day, before the shootout. 'What is it?' he asked. 'My name's Nita, an me an my friend Sissy were on our way outta town when our buckboard wheel started wobbling.' 'Can it wait 'tiil morning?' he asked. 'I really want to go tonite, can you fix it?' Mr. Deleon was the town's wheelwright and blacksmith, worked hard to keep the wagons in good repair. He'd left California in '62 when the gold was petering out, made his way to Cartershan to ply his trade. He had a knack for fixin' things. He'd rigged up a steam engine to run the works in his shop, flat belts running machinery for makin wagon parts.
'Hold on a second young lady, lemme get dressed here and I'll see if the fire can be stoked up down at the shop.' "Get the buckboard back to my shop, I'll meet you there in a while'. He got into the clothes he'd taken off just a few minutes ago an saddled his mule for the short ride into town. He liked his mule, did double duty as a draft animal around the acreage here outside of town. It was a nearly full moon, so Bessie the mule could find her way easily. After a short ride his shop came into view. Mr Deleon (Alan to his friends) saw the glow of embers thru the mica window of his steam engine firebox. 'Good, fire's still goin', if i hafta make a hub for the wheel it won't take too long'. He also saw the buckboard outside the building. He opened the shop office door and saw the ladies in. A small coal stove still had some heat in it, so Nita tossed in a small shovel full of coal in and busied herself makin coffee. 'Help yourself, the grinder's on the cupboard there next to the beans.' Alan hung a lamp and started inspecting the wheel. 'Well this doesn't look too bad.' One of the axle braces had come loose. He had an extra one from a job earlier today, so he had the wagon fixed by the time Nita had finished her coffee. She handed him a hot mug and a silver dollar. 'Will this be enough?' she said with a hopeful look. The yellow light glinted off the silver, illuminating the stamping date of 1879.....'this is plenty young lady, and thanks for the coffee, you brew a fine cup.' Alan helped both of them into the buckboard, and they trundled off into the night. As he closed up his shop and climbed aboard Bessie for the short ride home, he reflected on how satisfied he was here, out in Wyoming Territory.....'Sure beats California' he said to no one in particular as he and his mule faded into the night.....

Grizzy

04-06-2010, 04:38 PM

The night air was crisp an a soft glow from the moon brought a certain excitement to Alan's heart. Bessie wasn't in a hurry and neither was Alan.. he was beat from a hard day's work and had supper to fix and chores yet to do.

He had not been on the road leaving town but for a few minutes, when he spotted some riders ahead.. Alan smiled as he realized who they were.. It was the Sheriff an his Deputy, Luke.. "Well hey there, Sheriff". The men stood in the road for a few minutes as the Sheriff inquired about Alan's well being an of the town. "Well, Sir.. Things have been pop'n back in town.. We've had trouble". The Sheriff put one hand on his hip and looked down then nodded. "Good to see you, Alan, and Thanks". All the men were chilled and ready to get some grub and next to a warm fire.

Cartershan was a good town, a quiet town.. because it was blessed to have a lawman who was fair and intolerant of bad guys. Nobody messed with Sheriff DGR...

oldie

04-09-2010, 07:15 PM

Oldie sat in his cell, thinking of what had happened. He knew there were guns in the bottom of those wagons, and they were meant for the Indians. He knew the railroad was trying to stir up trouble to force the homesteaders off the land. He knew that he couldn't tell anyone who he was, at least not yet, as he still needed to find the person that shot at him. All this thinking was giving him a headache. He just needed to sleep awhile. Oldie had just laid back on the cot, trying to go to sleep, when the door opened and in walked a big man with a star on his chest. This big man walked up to the cell and asked “ who are you, and what are you doing here?” Oldie sat up and replied “ They call me Oldie,and I am here cause the Mayor had me arrested” “Well Oldie, I'm Matt, but they call me DGR , don't ask and I am the Sheriff here” “How do you do Matt” said Oldie.....

bookwormom

04-10-2010, 07:36 AM

say, how will this work if you guys want to sell the movie rights?

sissy

04-10-2010, 08:26 AM

I was wonding about a book.
sissy
It's great.

Grizzy

04-16-2010, 01:39 AM

Oldie sat up some on the uncomfortable jail bed, reaching for his pouch of tobacco. It was when he moved, that Sheriff DGR saw Oldie's sidearm laying beside him. Oldie heard the unmistakable cocking of a gun. Ceasing to reach but looking up, oldie asked "You gonna shoot me Sheriff? I'm all trussed up here like a Thanksgiving turkey". He smiled weakly but Sheriff DGR was not smiling. He had his gun trained on the man he did not know in his jail cell an spoke in low tones. "Pick it up slowly and toss it down by the door." Oldie felt nausiated from the pain and his hand was trembling, not out of fear, but from the loss of blood. Oldie complied and leaned back to the wall behind him.

Oto and Rick returned from the boarding house with a tray of food for Oldie but stopped in their tracks seeing Sheriff DGR holding a gun on him. "What's going on?" Rick asked quickly. "Boys, I leave for a few days and come back to find my town shot up and the prisoner with his sidearm with him in my jail. Why didn't you just give him my bottle of Bourbon and the keys?" Oto and Rick looked at each other.. Rick stammered "Well Sheriff you don't understand. This man didn't really DO anything. He was ambushed out yonder and we ain't got this thing untangled yet. But all accounts say he didn't fire the first shot.. it was self defense! And anyways, we're not even Deputies. We just were watch'n things for yas while you were gone." Rick set the tray down and was heading over to retrieve the gun from the cell, for the Sheriff, when Stella came through the door to tell them Oldie's room was ready. The jail had a smell to it that she found offensive.. She never did like coming in here.

"What's happening in here?" Stella was tired and cold and not liking much the way things were going in town. "Sheriff, you're fix'n to shoot my patient and I really don't think you wanna do that, now". She made her way confidently over to the cell but stopped just short of it. Rick got the keys and opened the cell door, removed the weapon, and locked the door. He layed Oldie's gun down on Matt's desk and stood back. Matt returned his gun to his holster. "Unlock that cell door" Stella said with a growl and a frown. "This man is going to bleed to death unless he gets proper medical attention and I'm Not going to be here all night giving it. Bring this man to the boarding house." Sheriff DGR looked at Oldie, then Stella, then to Rick. "You know" Oto said, I never did like let'n good grub go to waste" he said sitting down beside the Sheriff's desk, starting in on the fat piece of pie that was meant for Oldie. Rick looked on.. git'n the slobbers.. and Stella was fit to be tied. "You know, Stella.. I appreciate the doctor'n you do for the town, and especially today.. but I can't let this man out of this cell until I know what happened and why." Oldie was eyeball'n Stella. She reached her hand into her apron pocket an produced Oldie's Sheriff Star. "You mean to WHO" she said tersely.

Stella glanced over at Oldie and then said, "Sheriff DGR... Meet Sheriff Oldie"...

Grizzy

04-22-2010, 09:46 PM

Am think'n Shurf Oldie is kinda shy :yes4:

~Grizzy~

Grizzy

04-23-2010, 10:49 PM

Lil Children.. am think'n we're lose'n interest in the story... am think'n to close it very soon if ya'll are bored with it? Anybody wanna jump in? If not we can put it to rest.

~Grizzy~

sissy

04-24-2010, 05:10 AM

I vote please don't put it to rest, I check it every day. I'm not a story writer, but love reading them. This one has been great.
sissy

oldie

04-24-2010, 01:54 PM

I think some of us have just been so busy with getting gardens out, and running ragged we haen't had time to post. I think in the end, it will rain and the grass will slow down and we will be back,( I hope)

Grizzy

04-24-2010, 07:09 PM

That makes good sense.. You know, when folks git tired of something if you'll leave a crack in the door so they can escape.. they usually run right thru it. I was jus trying to give ya'll a way to gracefully retreat :) ...

Life is not lived in a day an neither can it be written about in one.. Ya'll take your time, no pressure.. the thread will be here waiting.. for whatever gifts we may find..

~Grizzy~

cartershan

04-24-2010, 09:48 PM

Please, please write some more!! I too enjoy reading the story. I wish I could write as well as the folks that have written in this story have. You all have a wonderful talent that I hope you enjoy! I sure have enjoyed it.

So whatcha gonna do Sheriff Oldie? Don't be shy!

Shannon

Grizzy

04-24-2010, 10:07 PM

oldie

04-25-2010, 06:26 PM

Now, that set Sheriff DGR back a bit. “You mean to tell me this man is a Sheriff?” DGR ask Miss Stella. “He sure is and he has been pretty darn careful not to let anyone know it to. So keep your mouth shut and listen to him, before you go getting all huffy. When you men are done doing whatever, then bring him down to me so I can do my thing to him.” She turned, grinned at Oldie, and marched out the door.
“Wow, she sure has a burr under her saddle” Rick mumbled, as he stuffed another bite of pie into his mouth. Sheriff DGR looked at Oldie with that, what just happened look, then asked “ Oldie is it true you're a Sheriff?” “Yes” he replied. “ We need to talk in private” as he nodded towards the other two men in the room. With that Oto reached into his vest and produced a Texas Ranger badge. “Me an him would like to stay if ya don't mind Sheriff, or Sheriffs” “ Does that mean he is a Ranger too?” DGR asked. Rick just nodded, slid his badge onto the table and kept chewin. “Dang it, what the hell is goin on here. I leave town for a couple days and I got three lawmen in my town, and one of them is locked up in my jail” Would somebody tell me whats going on!” “Sheriff, please calm down, pour yourself a drink, and one for me, and I'll tell ya what I know.” Oldie said calmly. “ I'll take a drink Sheriff” “Me too if your pouring” chimed in Rick. DGR walked over to his desk and pulled out a bottle, reached up on the shelf and grabbed four coffee cups. As he set them down he picked up the keys and tossed them to Oldie. “ Unless you like it in there, get out here and tell me whats goin on.” Oldie caught the keys, unlocked the door, and headed over to claim his cup. It was time to tell his tale, but he was going to sit down first .....

oldie

04-26-2010, 07:19 PM

Oldie limped over to an old wooden chair, shoved it up closer to the potbelly stove, and sat down. He took a sip of his drink, reached up and poured some coffee into it,and sat back in the chair. Feeling the warmth in his fingers, he exhaled deeply and gathered his thoughts.

DGR, I left home about two weeks ago, he said. I got a wire from the Governor of the territory and was told to meet the US Marshal here. On the way I ran into an old Indian friend of mine, Fought the River. He told me of an attack on several white men, that had been set up to look like the Indians had done it. Now I trust that Indian with my life, and if he said they didn't do it, I believe him. DGR, rubbed his chin, then asked “Did he know these white men?” I don't think he had ever seen them before, but the way he described them, I am guessing they were some high rollers. Rick had finished his pie, and was sipping his drink when he spoke up. “Do you think that was the Presidents party Sheriff, I mean DGR?” Oldie sat straight up in his chair, “What do you mean the Presidents party?” he exclaimed.

Grizzy

04-29-2010, 07:12 PM

Traveling during the night made for a long and cold journey. Windwalker carried the buckboard lightly but the ladies were miserable in the mist and dampness. With cloaks wrapped around them, and Woofy snuggled inbetween them, they made their way slowly down the road, at a pace that was tolerable by Sissy in her delicate condition. Somewhere in the early morning hours, exhaustion wooed her to sleep as she leaned against Nita. Neither of the women complained, so relieved were they to have Cartershan behind them. Two women on a lonesome road alone was not safe. It was not wise. Nita would not cower to a threat. She was carrying precious cargo. Her hand found Woofy's head and she petted her. Dear Woofy, loyal and true...

Nita's thoughts ascended up into her mountain where Laughing Wolf waited for her. Their time together had not been long. His people were Fought the River's people.. gone a off to find safety and peace. Laughing Wolf was stubborn, however, and refused to leave his home. He refused to be run off by the mischief of men. Nita was of the same tribe, but her mother was taken from them many winters ago.

Nita's path took a turn when her mother was lost to her and she was taken in by Stella's father. She loved that man. He was white with a warrior's heart. He was honorable and hunted truth.

When she became a young woman, Nita sought the people out and made a place for herself near them. It was seemly that when Nita and Laughing Wolf looked at one another, they felt the bonds of their relatives and a certainty their feet were on the same path. Their journeys seemed to become one, now, and would remain so. Laughing Wolf had made Windwalker a gift to Nita a few years back. He was a handsome pony, brave and fast, and Nita loved him well. Laughing Wolf had been injured during an altercation with a bear. Nita had tended to Laughing Wolf's wounds. The bear left his mark, but Laughing Wolf slept beneath his adversary's warm pelt. Sometimes, one cannot turn away and must do the hard things. Laughing Wolf did not want to take his brother's life. In the end the bear was honorable. Nita and Laughing Wolf rested well beneath his furred skin. Oh how Nita missed Laughing Wolf, his strength, his quiet ways, his humor, his big arms around her.. his scent...

Grizzy

04-29-2010, 07:18 PM

As Nita's thoughts were focused on Home, she felt the warmth of the golden morning sunshine upon her. Winter slept heavily and was lazy to leave. Soon, first down low and in time creeping to the higher elevations, new life would peep through and Mother would change her garment to a skirt of many colors. All of the creatures would bring forth their little ones.. it would be a time to nourish for some and a time to surrender life for others.. in order to satisfy the hunger of the young. Nita closed her eyes soaking in the warmth. She was thinking they should stop and make a small fire, and coffee. Sissy needed a break from traveling. Not wanting to park the buckboard out in the open, she passed the big open land and on the edge pulled under some trees. Sissy awoke and yawned. Woofy was anxious to explore. All were stiff from the long ride. Some biscuits and coffee were needed.

"Later today, we'll be there" Sissy said sleepily. Nita nodded, helped Sissy down, and went to collect some firewood. The buckboard had supplies Laughing Wolf and Nita much needed. A little flour and coffee would not be missed. Sissy walked slowly to the edge of the wood to stand in the warmth of the sunshine. Looking up she whispered, "Father, Thank You for guiding us. Keep us safe. Please keep my baby safe. Please take good care of my Tom and get me Home to him. Amen". She was so weary, and heavy hearted. She brushed the wetness from her eyes with the back of her hand and watched Woofy playing.. making small footprints in the snow...

Quite breezey it was and Nita listened to the whispers through the pines as she gathered the firewood. Then she saw him. In the distance just standing there by a big cedar, was Fought the River. Nita wanted to run to him, but he put out his hand cautioning her to stay put. "My sister, walk with the Great Spirit, taking careful steps. Things are not what they appear. Do not be afraid". She just could not believe her eyes. He walked slowly to her and reaching from a little pouch, pulled out a necklace of beads. He reached to put them over her bended head and told her "Wear these close to your heart. They will help to protect you". She put her fingertips over the necklace. All at once the wind picked up and in the coolness of the shadowed woods the snow now swirled up high into the air and Fought the River disappeared into the swirl of white softness.

Soon, the growls of hunger were satisfied and the coffee warmed their spirits as did the glow of the new day. The ladies put out their fire while squirrels barked and surveilled overhead. Nita took one last look into the woods but said nothing to Sissy of what had transpired. Feeling refreshed and each with much to think about, the little band of travelers advanced on down the lightly snowy road leaving slushy hoofprints...

oldie

05-06-2010, 07:33 PM

Folks its been a little hecktic here, but as soon as it slows down I'll get back at it.

oldie

05-30-2010, 06:01 PM

Meanwhile back at the jail, Oldie had calmed down a little. DGR answered his question “ Oldie, President Arthur with a small contingent of soldiers, went into the Territory about 3 weeks ago. They haven’t been heard from or seen since. I am guessing that’s why the Governor sent for you. You have a reputation as the best tracker in the area. “ “What was the President doing in the territory anyway?” asked Oldie. “We don’t really know ” replied DGR, then asked, “So what are you two guy’s doing here?” “ I saw you ride in with that young gal.” Oldie added. “We have been following those wagons down by the corral, and a French guy on a Paint horse.” replied Rick, “ only you managed to kill two of them before we could see where they were headed. “ “ So what’s in the wagons, that a man would die for? ” asked DGR. Rick answered “ guns, guns that are, were being delivered to the Indians.” DGR picked up the bottle and took a long drink, wiped his mouth on his sleeve, and passed the bottle to Oldie. “ Let me see if I got this straight “ DGR said. “ Oldie, you get a telegram from the Governor to meet the US Marshall here. On the way you run into an old Indian friend and he tells you of a massacre of some white men, but says the Indians didn’t do it. Then you follow those wagons in here, get into a shoot out with those guy’s and kill em both. Am I right so far? “ “ That’s most of it” Oldie replied “other than being shot at by a back shooter while I was in the store.” “ Did ya kill anybody else?” DGR asked. “ No, but the clerk got shot, I took her to Miss Stella’s to be taken care of.” DGR shook his head, and said to the Rangers “you two been following those wagons for a long way and what’s with the woman? “ Oto finally spoke, “ Her name is Jen, she is the sister of the store owner where they stole the guns, and killed him. We were on their trail when she got the drop on us. It was either let her come along or we might still be tied to that tree.” DGR chuckled under his breath, shook his head and reached for the bottle again….

oldie

06-26-2010, 04:20 PM

DGR took a long draw on the bottle, stuffed the cork back in, and put it in his drawer. He looked at Rick, “You and your partner take him down to Stella's. I don't want her mad at me, I like her cooking ” Rick agreed and added “ and she is a hell of a good looking woman too, for as old as she is.” “ Holy horse sh.t, don't ever let her hear that or there will be another killing! “ DGR exclaimed, “ now get Oldie out of here.” “ Wait a minute, Oldie here's your gun, and wear that badge ” DGR said as the rangers hauled Oldie out of the chair. Oldie took his gun, checked the cylinder out of habit, and slid it into his holster. Rick and Otto helped him out the door and down to Stella's. Now, Stella had been waiting outside in the cold for about fifteen minutes, expecting Oldie. As the three men came up the steps, Stella let go on them. “What's the big idea, making me wait out here in the cold. He needs to be fed and have that wound dressed, and you been drinkin as well. Now get him inside and up to his room, I'll go fetch his supper ” The three men didn't miss a step, they climbed the steps, through the door, and straight up to Oldies room. Once inside, they all let out a sigh, took a breath and laughed. Realizing they probably hadn't taken a breath since Stella stopped them. Oldie unbuckled his gun belt, removed his pistol and hung the belt over the bed posts so you could see it from the door. The he hooked his hat over the post to hide the empty holster. He sat down on the bed and slid the gun under his pillow. There was a short knock on the door as it opened. In walked Stella, carrying her Doctoring bag. “ Hey, I thought you was bringing us supper” Otto said. Stella just whipped her long hair back over her shoulder and barked “ you two get his boots and pants off him so I can dress that wound. Then you can go down and eat your supper, its on the table in the kitchen waiting for you.” Otto and Rick jumped right to the task, not too much to Oldies liking. The boots were one thing, but he gave a little resistance to the pants. “ Would you just lay there and let them take them off or I'll cut em off!” Stella yelled, pulling a seven inch knife out from behind her. Oldie just went limp, hoping she was talking about his pants, but not real sure......

oldie

07-10-2010, 05:27 PM

Stella went right to work on the wound as Rick and Otto headed for the kitchen. Stella took the knife and sliced right threw the bandages. Oldie just let out a gasp and layed back on the bed, quietly. She wasted no time in cleaning the wound, glad to see it had stopped bleeding and there was no sign of infection. " You should be as good as new in a few weeks " Stella told him. " I need to be ready to travel in a couple days" Oldie replyed cautiously, watching her wipe off her knife. Just that moment the door burst open, and there stood the Frenchman, gun in hand. Oldie screamed at Stella, but too late.....

oldie

07-14-2010, 07:53 PM

the Frenchmans' gun erupted into a ball of fire and smoke. Stella, fell across Oldies feet as Oldies gun barked its own deadly fire. The Frenchman stumbled backwards, his gun slipping from his fingers. There were footsteps, coming up the stairs in a hurry. Otto and Rick reached the door as the Frenchman hit the floor. " You all right " one of them yelled. " Yeah, but I think Miss Stella .............

oldie

07-31-2010, 07:34 PM

" Is she dead " hollard Rick as he checked the slumped figure on the floor. Oldie rolled Miss Stella over on the bed. There was a small patch of blood on the right side of her face. Otto reached over and put his hand on her chest, to see if she was still breathin. No sooner did his hand touch the material of her dress, there was this long knife pokin at his throat. "If you feel lucky, you just keep feelin" that sweet voice said, ever so softly. " What the heck, we thought you was dead, I was just checkin to see if ya was or not " Otto said as he quickly retreated to the other side of the room. Stella set up and rubbed the side of her head, " what happened" she asked? Oldie and Rick were both laughin' at Otto when the Sheriff stepped through the door, gun in hand, and He was not smiling .......

Grizzy

09-17-2010, 08:28 PM

Sheriff DGR had his gun drawn and looked things over. "That's the Frenchman" oldie offered. The sheriff put his gun away and took a deep breath as he looked at the body on the floor and then addressed Stella and the men. "I want all three of you men in my jail... tonight. We'll make you as comfortable as possible. First thing in the morning I'll wire to see if I can get your identities verified. If you are who you say you are, then we're going to get this mess out of my town and into the hands of proper authorities. In the meantime, this can be as hard or as easy on you as you want. There will be no more gunplay in my town. Miss Stella, I'll have a man posted down at the jail. You are welcome to come and tend to your patient as needed, but you'll have to go thru him. Now if you gents will kindly follow me back there, we'll get you settled in for the night."

Stella didn't hesitate.. "Sheriff, you forgit'n something? There's a body bleed'n on muh rug here!" The sheriff put his hand up nod'n. "Yes, and when I get these men secured I'll have him fetched out of here. I don't want any talk about this incident. This will have been a robbery attempt.. no details given out to the town people until I can get all of this mess sorted out." Stella didn't look happy but she left the room.

Oldie, Otto, and Rick slowly followed the Sheriff back across the street to the jail. Some men were sent over to retrieve the Frenchman and the lonnng night finally came to a close.

Grizzy

10-29-2010, 01:43 PM

As the sun climbed the morning sky, they traveled quietly.. each woman aoff in her thoughts. Sissy looked up, studying a hawk ahunting overhead. Then she asked Nita, "Have you ever seen the sea?" Nita paused before answering.. "No, but I have heard of this place."

Sissy went on.. "When I was a little girl, I saw the sea. It is not sweet water like a stream. It's salty." Sissy laffed remembering... "I wish I could sketch for you.. the colors in the sunrise there.. an of the sunsets.. painted by the Creator's own hand. And Treasure.. there is enough to last a lifetime.. carried in the heart. Rest and peacefulness spent in such glory.. and the oddest creatures live in and near the great sea. In the sand of the shore there are crabs. You can watch them move about if you are very still. I remember the first time I saw them there were two big ones watching me as I sat there watching the ocean. I didn't have a pad to sketch them with me and it was in the evening. So the next day I went to find the two big crabs and their hole was covered up with no sign of them. The more I watched, they would dig the holes and throw the sand out.. making a hill. Then later the hole would all but disappear or be indented and you could not see the crab. I loved watching them digging their little caves." "Like bear caves" Nita said softly. Sissy smiled. "Yesss, like wee bear caves."

Windwalker kept his steady pace, overhead a winged one cried out and Sissy looked up, shielding her eyes with her hand from the bright sun. "There are seagulls there who hunt above the shore and they cry out, too. There are many unusual and even terrible creatures that live in the ocean.. many wonderful fishes to eat. My grandfather told me the sea is as a mysterious woman.. capable of giving pleasure and dangerous, too." Nita looked over at Sissy who looked at Nita.. and they burst out laffing.

"Nita? Will you stop for a moment? I want to show you something." Nita stopped the wagon and helped Sissy down. They walked over to where Sissy's bag was and she brought out a pouch with something carefully wrapped inside.

Sissy held out her palm with a white something on it Nita had never seen before.. It was pale and fragile looking. "This is a Sand Dollar" she said smiling as they both examined the Treasure. "It comes from the sea. There is a legend that says that Christ left the sand dollar as a symbol to help the evangelists teach the faith. The five holes represent the five wounds of Christ, while at the center on one side blooms the Easter lily, and at the lily's heart the star of Bethlehem. The Christmas poinsettia is etched on the other side, a reminder of Christ's birth. According to this legend, if you break the center.. five white doves will be released to spread good will and peace." Nita's eyes grew wide open as she listened to these foreign things. She could not understand some of it and thought only a Shaman's magic could release doves from this flat small Treasure. "You want to hold it?" asked Sissy. Nita shook her head no. "This is too dear, but Thank You for showing this to me. It is a precious gift the sea gave to you." Sissy smiled and softly wrapped her fingers around the Sand Dollar. Nita called Woofy back from exploring and they resumed their journey listening to morning birds and the sounds of Windwalker taking them closer to their destination.

sissy

10-29-2010, 04:02 PM

Awww, Grizzy I love it.
sissy

oldie

10-29-2010, 07:32 PM

you did good grissy

cartershan

11-09-2010, 10:15 PM

Grizzy, Oldie you are such wonderful writers. Start another please if you are tired of this one. I really enjoy your skills! Shannon

Grizzy

11-10-2010, 03:14 PM

Shannon you're a sweet Shuggalump :yes4: ...

I've written myself in time one day later than oldie. He has gotten to this place and was going to continue writing some kind of confrontation with the railroad or something.. which am clueless in knowing how to do :eek: ...

This story can go in whatever direction folks want to take it. Anyone.. post a few lines and help give some direction and we can skip the railroad thing altogether. Like I said... am down the road taking sissy to her sisters a day later than where oldie stopped writing.

This isn't about who can write.. it's a bit of fun an imagination. ANYone can get an idea where to go next and begin leading us along.. for instance.. oldie's wound could get worse and he might be taken to a hospital in another town. We could say Sheriff DGR took care of the trubble in his town and go on to an entirely different twist in the story. I got some action I'm going to write about when Nita gets sissy to her sisters... but I've ben waiting on oldie :) ..

Somebody write something.. ANYthing to get us unclogged an we'll keep go'n. Deal? :sarcastic:

To be honest me thot nobody was reading this thing hahaha The other option is to end it as in THE END an if there are folks who want to start another story.. well we can Giddiup!!! I can close this out in one post.. jus let me know what ya want. This started out to be a short tale aroun the campfar lolololololol...

~Grizzy~

sissy

11-10-2010, 05:45 PM

No we can't close it out, it has to go on for a while. I got to know what happens next. We could always start another one if some one else has a different story. I love this story, I think it needs to be a book. I would reread it. lol
Just my 2 cents worth. lol
sissy

Grizzy

11-10-2010, 06:34 PM

You know, there have ben a few posts different folks have contributed that jus thrilled muh gizzard :). I sure wish others would leave a gift, too, coz thas what makes this ALL of our story, yaknowit? okokok lemme think an less see who susprizes us coz they be brave :D.

Keep the story go'n keep it go'n but No Pressure hahaha...

~Grizzy Wif'r Fur fall'n out...WINK~

oldie

11-12-2010, 07:10 PM

I have to say that what started as just adding a lil piece to a story has grown into a huge thing. I am sorry I haven't had the time this summer to sit and add to this. I am hoping that I can continue on the trail. I would like to see others add to the story, as it also helps Grizz and I to come up with surprise directions. lol I hope you all have enjoyed it so far, and continue to check back to see what is developing.

Oldie

txplowgirl

11-14-2010, 01:26 PM

I wish I could add something, but darn as usual what i'm thinkin dosen't translate to my hand.
Maybe if I think real hard I can come up with somethin. I'm not promising anything, i'm just thinkin about it mind you.
I remember back when I was in 8th grade, I wrote a little book. Took me almost 6 months to write and I sent it in to readers digest back when they still accepted fiction.
Got a letter back saying they would publish it but they needed another 2 chapters a least because in their opinion it was too short.
I couldn't do it, just could not figure out what else to add.
Maybe one of these days i'll get around to writing it again.
A little western called The Forgotten Valley.

Grizzy

11-14-2010, 01:45 PM

tx.. I turn on my native flute music softly and read several of the last posts and then kinda wander and drift and write as though I'm right there in the story.. thas why I can't plan what to write.. I jus go aoff...

When you.. tx.. begin to write.. the dust from galloping horses will make me squint and the smell of bacon and eggs and morning coffee brewing will lure me back here to read your words.. and if you kill someone off.. his blood will run warm across the parched ground...

(wink)

~Grizzy~

oldie

11-27-2010, 06:38 PM

Rick helped Oldie up the stairs into the Sheriff's office. Once inside, Oldie hung up his gun belt and dropped down into the old wooden chair he had occupied earlier. Otto, threw some wood into the stove, while Rick was looking for the bottle the Sheriff had had out. “Why not just see if there's any coffee over there Otto, and start a pot” Oldie said. “I don't think the Sheriff is in a drink'in mood.“

“ You bet I'm not, Rick go sit down or lay down or do something, “ DGR growled. “ You three stay in here, I'm going to wake up Jake and have him send some telegrams out and see if I can get to the bottom of all this. There is a guard outside the door so I'm not going to lock you up. “ “ We don't need a guard,” Rick mumbled. “ It aint for you, it to protect the town from you” DGR yelled as he stormed out the door.

cartershan

11-28-2010, 09:38 PM

Thank you Oldie. Ok Grizzy!!! Come on girl! Shannon

Grizzy

11-29-2010, 11:16 AM

Thank you Oldie. Ok Grizzy!!! Come on girl! Shannon

slavedriver :sarcastic:okokokkkkkk
(wink)

Grizzy

11-29-2010, 08:54 PM

Word gets around quickly in a quiet town like Cartershan. The next day the small newspaper had headlines the town was buzz'n over... "Robber Shot and Killed at Stella's Boarding House". There was talk it was one of the O'Rourk brothers. They were wanted for a bank robbery in a bigger town not far away but nobody really believed they'd stoop to taking a boarding house. Folks took care of their business and listened for tidbits of more news as the sky grew heavy and threatening. The muddied street in town soon would be freezing over. A winter storm was blowing in. A political storm, far more sinister, had been brewing for some time.

Sheriff DGR sent out wires on Oldie and the boys and was heading back to the jail. He stopped by the saloon to see what the talk was. The barkeep told him the frenchman was thot to be a man from down in Louisiana.. New Orleans. "Beaudreaux, Sheriff.. that's his name. Some men were in here look'n for him last night 'bout the time that shoot'n happened. They had a drink and rode out."

DGR turned around and asked "Anybody see anything unusual lately?" The men looked up from their cards and one of them took a drink and said "wagons.. wagons an men guard'n them... Sheriff what's go'n on?" DGR looked the room over and quietly responded "I'm work'n on that." He left and wished he'd had his coat on. The wind was picking up and the temperature was dropping.

Stella was coming out of the jail carrying an empty basket. It had been heavy laden with breakfast for the three prisoners. She inspected and tended to Oldie's wound. As Stella flew past DGR she turned and barked at him.. "You owe me a new rug". She was still riled up 'bout the night before. "You ain't payed your grub bill, either". She wasn't really waiting for a reply. The Sheriff smiled.. "That woman's a pistol" he thot as he went inside.

He glanced at the three men eat'n their breakfast and said "Now we wait to see who you are". He reached over an grabbed a warm sausage biscuit, poured some coffee and sat down to eat.

The day wore on and it was late afternoon when word came back on the wires Sheriff DGR sent out...

cartershan

11-29-2010, 09:27 PM

Thank you Grizzy, wonderful as always, your personal slavedriver!!! THanks, Shannon

oldie

12-03-2010, 05:12 PM

Dgr had just dropped into his chair when the door burst open and Jake came rushing in. Dgr hollered at him to shut the door! Sheriff, I got those telegram replies, you said you wanted them right away. “ Well then give them to me,” Dgr said as he reached out his big hand. Jake handed him the paper slips, and turned around and asked, “ which one of you is Oldie?” The large figure sitting next to the stove stirred a little and asked, “why”. “Well I got a telegram for you, if you are him.” Dgr looked up from his reading, “Now who would be sending you a telegram here I wonder?” Oldie reached out and took the message, “Rick, give him two bits would ya” oldie said chuckling. Dgr finished reading the telegrams, and squared off in his chair. “It looks like you boys are who you say you are” “Sheriff you may want to read this” Oldie said as he passed it towards Dgr. Otto reached out and took the paper from Oldie and passed it on over to Dgr.

Dgr unfolded the paper and began to read. Pres dead, not repeat not Indian,
believe RR involvement, contact as soon as possible, Mac.

Grizzy

12-03-2010, 07:27 PM

Winding slowly upwards, Windwalker carried Nita and Sissy at a leisurely pace. As the morning stretched into late afternoon, the sun became obscured beneath heavy cloud cover. Clearly this was a snow sky. Sissy's skirt whipped about as the chilly north wind mischieviously descended down from the upper elevation. Nita wondered how much longer until they would reach Sissy's sister.. her thoughts wandered beyond their reunion towards Home. She was apprehensive about the coming storm, thinking perhaps she should have waited a few more weeks before having made this run for supplies. Ahhh but seeing Stella was so worth the trubbles and Laughing Wolf will be pleased to see the much needed supplies. Her right hand found Woofy's lil head. Woofy was trembling.

Nita stopped the wagon to cover Woofy when Sissy asked if she could please take a few minutes as she needed to make water. Poor Sissy asked for so little. "Yeas we can take a few moments here" Nita replied covering Woofy. Nita climbed down and helped Sissy down and Woofy popped out from under her blanket, jumped out of the wagon and landed awkwardly. Sissy walked off slowly. She was tired and her wound was bothering her.

Nita studied the sky determining what time it most likely was.. she faced the wind and her long hair danced behind her. She was concerned for Sissy, who was so big with child. They needed to get to shelter soon.

Sissy had been gone for a few minutes and Nita's thoughts were scattered. All of a sudden Nita felt a strong THUD hit her right shoulderblade. For just a second she waited for pain and then she whirled around drawing her knife. With knees slightly bent an her back crouched.. she was ready to fight. But here was no mountain lion.. no bear.. no wolf.. only Sissy standing there with snow on her gloves.. looking as surprized as Nita. Nita quickly located Sissy and then Woofy, who was just standing there looking back. All of a sudden Sissy began to laffff.. holding her belly she laffed. "I snowballed you.. (giggles).. an you thought a big ole bear was gonna eat you for supper didn't you?" Sissy kinda staggered she was so tickled. "What are ya gonna do SKIN me?" Nita relaxed her stance an frowned.. not liking being made fun of. Sissy looked so goofy just standing there laffffing that Nita began to smile an looking down shaking her head she began laffing. She looked up at her Friend and said "Your mind is gone." Sissy grinned and said "No.. I just feel MUCH better!" Nita reached down and grabbed some snow, packing it. Sissy let out a hollar as she ran to hide beside the wagon, Woofy barking right behind her... THUD! Nita nailed Sissy. Sissy whooped another hollar and laffing.. they resumed the short distance they yet had to travel.

oldie

12-23-2010, 11:18 PM

Oldie hobbled over to DGR's desk, picked up a piece of paper and began to write. When he had finished he handed the paper to Jake. “Can you get this on the wire for me as quick as possible,” Oldie asked? “Sure thing sir” he said as he turned and headed out the door. DGR asked “now what?” Oldie hobbled back to his chair, “ We wait” Wait for what, Rick asked. “An answer, Oldie replied. “In the mean time, lets go see whats in them wagons that was worth dieing for,” Dgr nodded his head in agreement, and the men all got there coats and were headed out the door. Dgr stopped short and reachedinside of the lil pantry door and pulled out a cane. He passed it to Oldie, winked and headed out the door behind Otto.

The four men made there way up the street to the coral. DGR waved at the men he had left there to guard the wagons. The tall one nodded and DGR nodded back. Oldie turned to DGR, “ pretty smart using secret signals “ “Well I didn't know who or what was going on here when I rode in” DGR replied, as they walked up to the wagons. Otto jumped up into the closest wagon, Rick headed for the other. “ Be careful, we don't know what is in there” DGR snapped.. Rick hollered out, “there is a bunch of rifles and ammunition in here, nothin else except some camping stuff.” “Sheriff, you better come look at this” Otto said, speaking in a low voice.

In one box were bows, arrows, and Indian trinkets, face paint, and tomahawks. In another box, Military uniforms, boots, fancy civilian clothes, and what appeared to be the personal property of about six or seven men. “Otto, can you read whats wrote on the side of them boxes?” DGR asked. “ It says Property of SHTF Railroad “ he replied. “ Who are they” he asked. “That is Sam Hardin and Tom Farroll” Oldie answered. “DGR, can we move these wagons inside the livery and unload them? I would like to go through all these items and inventory them?” Oldie asked. DGR just shook his head in agreement. “Rick whats the writing on your boxes?” DGR asked “ same as Otto's Sheriff” Rick answered as he was climbing out of the wagon. DGR turned to Oldie, “ what have we gotten ourselves into?” he asked. I'm not sure yet Sheriff, but you can bet it ain't going to be good” With that DGR walked over to talk to the men he had guarding the wagons. When he came back over to the three men he said, “ I 'm hungry and I need a cup of coffee, lets eat” With that they walked over towards Ms Stella's.

rAcErRicK

12-24-2010, 06:01 AM

If I may, just for a minute, slip innere and wish my ole frens a MERRY CHRISTMAS to YOU and ALL those you love. May God bless. :yes4:

depudy rick

sissy

12-24-2010, 09:20 AM

Sissy's on the trail, but she also is wishing all her new friends & their loved ones A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS.
sissy

oldie

12-24-2010, 04:05 PM

It is that time of year to wish all my friends and virtual family a Very Merry Christmas, and wishes for happy trails to you all in the furtue.

Grizzy

12-25-2010, 04:16 PM

Yeas.. Bearhugs to all. I hope everyone is healthy and pauses to receive some blessed time with loved ones. Wherever we are.. we know we are Loved.

(Hand'n out cannycanes)

Merry Christmas!
~Jinglebear~

sbemt456

01-08-2011, 10:08 AM

........returning from the real world back to fantasyland......*pickin up muh cannycane gift, notin pocket lint and no stripes.....thinkin "must be from muh bear fren"

Next morning at the boarding house Stella wakes and the house is chilly and seems empty. Then for a minute she remembers that Oldie is gone and the fires have died down over night. She quickly dresses and notices the mud on her boots as she heads down stairs to stoke the fire and get breakfast started. Not quite as awake as she should be she hears a noise outside and opens the blinds with a quick jerk. "where the heck did that come from" she wonders. Then she spots Oldie limpin with his cane, DGR, otto and rick headin toward the house in the snow. The storm last night had dropped a good foot of new snow on the town and it was windy and cold out there. She smiled a lil knowin the men were comin there to have breakfast and she didnt have to get out and take it to them at the jail. She unlocked the front door and headed back to the kitchen to start breakfast for them. She got a dozen of eggs and a slab of good bacon out of the icebox and set them near the stove. She started about making biscuits about the time the men came through the door. She called out "good mornin, come on in, breakfast will be ready soon". She heard DGR say something about lovin this kinda weather and the other fellows jus mumbled under their breath about bein cold and wet. She smiled and continued about her business and invited the men in to sit down in the dining room and get warmed up as she was pouring them hot coffee and set the pot on the table. She noted the men looked tired and kinda worn for the early morning so she said " ya'll look like warmed over death, whatsa matter with ya'll, not sleepin good" They all kinda looked at each other and Oldie was the first to speak. He said "stella ya know them wagons that came into town that stirred up the mess that we all got shot at over?" stella nodded as she put biscuits in the oven. "well we took em to the livery last night and this morning the wagons are gone" Stella turned around quickly to face oldie, DGR was hangin his head, "so the wagons are gone eh?" as she started to grin. Now all the men were glaring at her like she jus fell outa the tree. " Yeh the wagons are gone.....to a safe place. IF you all hada left em in the livery they would have been good and gone this mornin" In one voice Oldie and DGR said "howd you know they were gone?" stella laughed and said " I made em gone thas how" The men breathed a sigh of relief and Oldie said " well are ya gonna tell us where they are?" stella responded "nope". Oldie stood up in a threatenin manner jus as stella picked up the skillet to set it on the stove to fix bacon and thought better of what he was about to say. He sat back down and cleared his throat and softly an ask "why not?" Stella turned around laughing and said " you all can have the damn wagons as soon as I get paid on these tabs ya'll been running" The men pulled out their billfolds and started countin. Stella looked at em and said "not now boys, aint ya gonna ask me why I moved the wagons last night?" The men stopped their fumblin and jus looked at her real funny. DGR bellowed "why?" Stella set the skillet aside to let the bacon cook slow and turned to the sheriff and Oldie. " sheriff after you all took those wagons to the livery last night 2 men came by here wantin a room and I didnt have one so I cant be sure of where they went, I think maybe over to that lady of the nights place just outside town." DGR said "go on............but wait you didnt have nobody here last night in ya rooms" She shot him a chillin look and said "I of all people know that DGR but the men jus did not look right to me, they was skidish and seemed nervous, like they was hidin from something or someONE' DGR relaxed a lil and said "ok so you didnt rent em a room, thas good, but that still dont splain why ya moved our damn wagons and to where" Stella laughed and said " my first thought was that those men might have been sent here to get the wagons back and I jus was not gonna let it happen, besides it seemed to be a good way to get you to pay your tab sheriff" DGR shuffled his feet, Oldie jus stared at his coffee cup, otto and rick giggled and elbowed each other. DGR shot them a "cool it boys " look and then calmed down. "ok stella, I will pay my tab before I leave, now wheres the wagons?" " DGR I moved the wagons last night to my stables out back, they are backed into 2 of the stalls out there, AND your horses are in the barn too" The men looked whipped, they just stared at the bottom of their coffee cups, "got any more of that good strong coffee" Oldie ask. DGR looked at and toward stella and said " I reckin I am gonna have to deputize you stella seein is how you seem to get to know so much around here" Stella turned and said " no way, I might have to shoot somebody if I was a deputy" The men chuckled, Oldie said "not like ya wouldnt anyway" She sat their breakfast in front of them on the table and then there was a knock at the door.....................

Grizzy

01-09-2011, 07:26 PM

With very little daylight remaining from their weary day, Sissy and Nita slowly approached their destination. "Nita, thas the farm coming up" Sissy said smiling, straining to see through the trees. The heavy sky and cold wind made the thought of a warm fire and shelter mighty inviting. They turned in and wound around the trees. The aroma of the fireplace was faint.. the house was just ahead and a hot meal they had hoped might be waiting.

Sissy's sister did not know they were coming. The door opened a bit and they saw her standing there with a shotgun an an uneasy look on her face. "Catherine! It's me!" Sissy called out waving excitedly. They were met by two barking dogs and Woofy was trembling watching them carry on. The wagon stopped and Catherine put down the gun, running to meet them. "Land sakes, Sissy, what in the world are you doing out here?" Sissy was exhausted and it showed on her face. She smiled weakly and replied "There is so much to say.." Catherine helped Sissy down from the wagon noticing Sissy favor her arm.. then she saw Sissy was great with child. Catherine looked a bit concerned but was smiling. Nita watched the children peering thru the doorway. Woofy jumped down and hit the snow laden ground with a THUD. Nita laffed. The little dog ran off to introduce herself to the others with wagging tail an Nita climbed down.

"Catherine, this is my friend, Nita. She has ben kind enough to bring me to you." Catherine put her hand on Nita's arm an gave her a lil squeeze. "Thank you for helping my lil sister, Nita.. Welcome to our farm". Nita smiled. "If you don't mind, I need to tend to my horse before coming in." Catherine told her to make him comfortable in the barn, pointing towards it, and the sisters walked slowly towards the house.

The sky and falling temperature told Nita what was coming.. snow.. and maybe a good bit of it. She was not finished with her journey. She might have to hold up here for a few days, something she did not want to do. Time would tell..

Nita fed an watered Windwalker an brushed him out, talking softly to him. "You carried us well, my brother.. soon we'll be home an you will have your freedom again." He was relaxed under her hands. The barn was clean an fragrant with a sow and one milk cow to keep him company. Satisfied, Nita made her way towards the house in the soft darkness. She was tired, hungry and cold.. but she had peace knowing Sissy was in a safe place now. Even so, there was something that didn't seem right to her...

Grizzy

01-13-2011, 11:57 AM

The porch steps creaked even as Nita made her way up them lightly. There was a big trunk and some crates beside it to the left of the front door. A small stack of wood was piled up to the right by an old rocking chair and small table. Nita caught a glimpse of summertime.. of the children squealing and tumbling around on the grass beneath an azure sky, while Catherine peacefully sat in her chair snapping beans with a cold glass of lemonade on the little table. Nita smiled.

She entered the house and was met by the warmth of venison stew simmering on the stove while biscuits finished baking.. the aromas were intoxicating. By the door there were a few more crates and what seemed to be travel bags, packed and ready to go. She gently closed the old door and was still for a moment. Sissy was holding a cup of hot coffee and Catherine was busy at the stove. The children were not present an Woofy was sprawled out beside the stove half asleep. Her eyes were on Nita, but thas all that moved. Nita's eyes scanned the pantry shelves which were all but bare, thinking it odd. Catherine poured her a cup of coffee and setting it on the table said "This will help to take the chill from your bones" smiling as she spoke.

Sissy had a troubled look on her face as she glanced at the things by the door looking as though they were meant for a journey. "Catherine? Where is Martin?" Catherine paused and turning slowly she responded.. "Two years ago we lost him. He was out visiting the folks higher up an sharing the Lord with them. One family was powerful sick an he fell ill, too. He stayed away so as not to bring it home. My Martin came home in a pine box.. he's buried beside our lil Timothy." Sissy's eyes filled up an her mouth was open but no words came. "Sissy, honey, you've been away for a long time. I didn't know where you were or how to get word to you." "Timothy?" Sissy's voice was trembling. "He was a beautiful baby, Sissy, but he was very weak an never took to nursing. We lost him within a few days after he was born." By now, tears were spilling down Sissy's face an she just shook her head holding her cup with both hands. Nita reached over an layed her hand on Sissy's arm. Catherine was mountain chisled an seemed to be a strong woman. Nothing came easy to these folks even though they were living in the lower elevation. "Sissy, do you know how blessed we were to have the years together we had? We have Shelby and Luke as a testimony to our love and lives. We must live one full moment at a time, for there are no guarantees. And my Martin.. I feel him near me every day. Why sometimes, in the garden.. I just talk to him and ask him what I should do about this or that and it's like he shows my heart the way to go. I'm not alone. Catherine's eyes glistened and as she stood so straight, sturdy made and lovely, and Nita knew that Catherine was on a good Path.

"Sissy.. where is your Tom?" Sissy wiped her eyes and her face softened. "He has gone ahead to his father's old place, preparing for me to join him. I've been working in Cartershan trying to earn my way on home.. but it has taken so long." She gently swiped her hand across her swollen belly. "I was working at the mercantile not long ago and caught a stray bullet from a man out in the street trying to kill another man there. It was pretty scary but Nita's sister.. well Stella, she runs the boarding house, tended to me an I'm mending real well. Nita brought me here so we can get me on home". Catherine looked down at Woofy as she thought out her words. "Sissy, sweetie, things are not what they seem here." Sissy had a puzzled expression. The dogs began to bark outside and Catherine's eye was on the door in an instant. She seemed to anticipate trouble. Woofy lifted her head.. her ears were listening intently. There was silence in the room. Sissy asked in a low tone.. "Catherine, what's wrong?"

Grizzy

01-15-2011, 03:12 PM

"Those dogs bark at the drop of a hat anymore" Catherine said, looking away from the door. Luke and Shelby had joined them an they, too, were looking at the door. "Luke, Shelby.. this is your Aunt Sissy.. remember her?" The children went over to Sissy an gave her a hug. "Luke you've grown so much!" Sissy said looking him over. He grinned an told her he was good at fish'n an learning to hunt, too. "And Shelby, you're not a little girl any more.. You're a BIG girl with long beautiful hair." Shelby kinda tucked her head down an smiled.

"Well you youngins wash up, now. Supper's ready" Catherine said. "Are you ladies hungry?" Sissy and Nita both nodded yessss, smiling. "After supper when they go to sleep, I'll fill ya in on what's been going on around here, Sissy" Catherine said softly. She filled the bowls with fragrant venison stew and set out the butter an biscuits while Sissy and Nita washed up. For the first time in quite awhile there was laughter and chatter around Catherine's dinnertable that she had sorely missed. The big pot of stew got ladled out and then again. Everyone grew full and content after an exhausting day, and outside the snow slowly began to fall like big goose down. The fire crackled an the house was warm and peaceful.

"Catherine? Where's Isaiah?" Sissy asked while they cleared the table. Catherine laughed lightly.. "Well I never really know. He's old now, you know, and he goes off to hunt sometimes or to.. land sakes I don't even really know where he gets off to. He's been with us so many years now, he's just family and I like it that he has this time to enjoy." Isaiah had found Martin, years ago, after Martin and two other men were bringing in some horses. The two other men were killed at nightcamp and Martin was left for dead. The horses were stolen clean away. Martin managed to get to the road, where Isaiah found him, tended to his wound and brought him home. Catherine and Martin offered him work and he'd been with them ever since. "I hope to get the chance to see him, again" Sissy said softly. "When's that baby due?" Catherine asked. "Wellll, I hope he waits until I'm with my Tom" Sissy said smiling.

Soon, the children said their goodnights and went to their rooms. Nita went to fetch some more firewood off the porch and fed the fire. Catherine asked "anyone want more pie?" Everyone was so full but they all wanted some coffee. Sitting down around the table, Catherine began to tell of recent events. She told them about two men from the railroad who came to call... "Two weeks ago, a frenchman an his sad lot came out here trying to buy my farm. I told them I had no desire to move from here. They were insistent that I sell out. Three of them destroyed my chicken coop. They took my horses, and said they'd be back for the deed.. that I was a fool to fight them. Well I packed our things to take the children to a safe place until this blew over but I assure you, I never intended to and will not EVER give into bully tactics. This is and shall remain our home. My Martin and I worked hard for years to build this place and one day it will go to my children. I will not be bullied into leaving." Sissy's eyes were wide open an she finally managed to ask "What will happen next?" "Well, they came back. He said I had until Wednesday to be ready, and they'd buy me a ticket to anywhere I wanted to go, free of charge." Catherine said a lil sarcastically. "But.. tomorrow is.. Wednesday" Sissy stammered. "Yes, and those things I packed an the children are going, tomorrow, to a friend of mine who knows all of this from me, and from another family whose land the railroad has its eye on" Catherine said rather matter of factly. "Goodness.." was all Sissy could manage to say. She looked awful tired and Catherine suggested they all get a good night's sleep and talk more tomorrow. She showed the ladies where they would be sleeping. Woofy stood on her hind legs to be picked up. Nita scooped her up and it was a few hops until Woofy got to and claimed Nita's pillow. "We'll see about That" she said laughing as she blew out the lamp...

admin

01-17-2011, 09:11 AM

As some will have noted, I removed certain posts that were not relevant to the ongoing story.

Before including any members in the story who are not already characters, please PM them with a description of the character you plan to create for their name, and obtain their permission to use their member name.

I'm not sure how I managed to not notice this thread all this time, but it is a wonderfully creative use of the Forum. I hope you all will keep it going. And when a logical, dramatic conclusion is finally reached, please do begin another story thread.

Thanks.

Oliver

Grizzy

01-17-2011, 10:23 AM

Yes Sir. Thank you, an we will do the ask'n in the future. So far, folks have loved being included. 333 already gave the okay in his post (wink).

~Grizzy~

Grizzy

01-17-2011, 10:40 AM

Earlier, as the mercantile was closing for the day, the shopkeeper was sweeping the steps out front while his wife checked to make sure the back door was locked when she saw a band of riders approaching town. She peered out the back window for just a moment longer and decided it was time to get most of the money out of the little store. While her husband finished up his last chore she gathered her deposit to take to the bank. People were jittery in Cartershan. One of the saloon girls was roughed up a few days ago and folks kept aware of who was near them. They were unusually observant of strangers. No one could quite figure out why there was more incoming activity in this sleepy little town.. but it was duly noted an folks were alert.

The riders stopped outside of the saloon and hitched their horses there. One man, needing a shave, headed over to the barbershop. The barber told him he was closing, but was met with a cold stare. "Not yet you're not. I need a shave an mean to get one" the man said in a low tone. The barber smiled weakly and motioned for the rough customer to come in. The barber readied to tend to him. "Ain't seen you in here before" the barber said set'n up. "And you don't see me now" the man said gruffly. The barber said "no sir, I don't see a thing". "Just get to work so I can git outta here" the man snapped and the barber did so, in silence.

After his shave the man met the others inside the saloon. They had bellied up to the bar an the barkeep layed out shot glasses. The men eyeballed the women, checked out the poker games, sized up who was in the room. These were not cowboys or homesteaders, these men lived a different kind of life. They didn't notice the room smelled stale. Cologne, the feathery women wore, hung in the air with the rank smoke of cigars.. and tension.

At daybreak, back at Catherine's farm, Nita went to where Luke was sleeping an spoke softly to him. "Luke, please get up. I need your help, son". He rubbed his eyes and nodded. He walked in slowly and stood by the fire warming himself. He was warm as a biscuit under the covers and felt chilled out here. Nita stoked the fire and sat down at the table. Luke came over and sat down.

"Luke, you know there is trouble here?" The boy nodded. "Can you manage riding my Windwalker?" "I gesso but why? To where?" Nita had a somber look on her face. "It snowed some and then stopped. It's not too bad out there yet, but it's coming. Your Aunt Sissy is going to have her baby very soon and those men mean business about coming back today. I want you to take my horse to Beavercreek and go to the printer's shop. He and his wife live over the shop. Her name is Morningsong and she is a dear friend of mine. Tell them I sent you and that they must find the Marshal and get him out here Now. Luke, are you listening to me?" The boy looked ernestly at Nita and nodded "Yes maam, I hear". Nita reached into her pocket and pulled out a lil leather pouch. "Give me your hand". Luke held it out and she spilled some shiny coins into it. "Before you eat, or rest.. make sure Windwalker is taken care of. Feed and water him, and brush him out. He is to have his own stall. Do not leave him in the corral". The boy had not seen that much money.. well, ever. " Yes maam, I promise." Nita studied the boy, who showed subtle signs on young manhood in his face. "Luke, no matter what, do not stop on the way. You must ride quickly and do not whip him. Windwalker will carry you well. Now dress and get started, I fear there isn't much time. Morningsong will feed you and keep you safe. Hurry now." Luke looked at her for a moment. "You can count on me, but who's gonna watch out for Ma? I'm the man here now." Nita smiled. "You Are watching out for her an Shelby by going for help." Luke put the coins back into the pouch, tie'n it up, and nodded. He quickly went to dress.

Windwalker was waiting for him out front. Nita whispered to her horse and petted him. Luke mounted up. Nita said softly "Be Strong". Luke nodded as he and Windwalker tore out and away. Nita looked at the footprints they left in the snow. Her hand reached up and her fingertips softy rubbed the beaded necklace that Fought the River had given her. The snow began to fall again, this time heavily, and she shuddered in the cold. Soft creaks from the porch stairs, and she went inside to make coffee...

oldie

01-17-2011, 01:01 PM

Jake wiped his feet as he glanced over at Stelly, giving the impression, she had chased him with a broom before. He walked straight over to the table, nodded at all the men and passed a telegram to Oldie. “ Pull up a chair Jake, have a cup of coffee” Oldie said as he took the piece of paper. He took a drink of coffee and unfolded the telegram. He slid his chair back a little as he started to read.
Oldie, gather as many trustworthy men as you can.
Bevercreek as soon as possible, don't spare the horses.
DGR to guard the wagons there. Mac

Oldie passed the paper to DGR. The look on Oldies face told of bad news to the others. Stelly walked up with their breakfasts, and proceeded to set them on the table. She looked at Oldie, finished what she was doing, and went back to the kitchen never saying a word. DGR passed the paper to Rick. Rick read it and passed it to Otto, who read it and passed it back to Oldie. “Well gentlemen, do you feel up to a hard ride?” Oldie asked “It looks like we have snow coming in.” “Miss Stelly, may I trouble you for a paper and pen please” Stelly, stopped what she was doing, gathered up what he had asked for, and delivered them to him. As she set them down, she laughed and mumbled lowly “ I didn't think you could write” smiled and walked away. Oldie just watched her go, not having any idea what to say back. He picked up the pen and began to write. When he finished, he gave it to Jake and asked him to get that off right away. Jake agreed, got up and left. “Rick, Otto, go pack your gear. Pick up extra cartridges for you long guns, and pistols. Tell the store keep I will be there shortly to pay the bill” DGR told them. As soon as they had gone DGR turned to Oldie, “Who are you” he asked “and what is going on?” Oldie turned toward the kitchen, “ Stelly”. Stelly walked over to the table, Oldie slid out a chair. Sit with us please he asked her. ….....

333

01-17-2011, 03:34 PM

29 days on the trail, he thought, as he stared at the wonderful hot bath the mistress of the hotel had drawn. He knew this would be a little slice of heaven, just as much as he knew it would hurt something awful.

"Its not the age" , Michael LeBlanc, remembered his fathers quip,
"Its the mileage."

Mileage he had racked up plenty, dragging the dregs of this world into the rule of law.
A calling more than a choice, he lamented a normal life, some times, more than that he missed what might have been, once upon a time. Still that there bath was calling to him and his aches, and he would obey. Just as soon as he finished tending to the tools of his trade.

"Take good care of what takes care of you first." he recalled.

"Then care for yourself."

The grit and grime of a hard trail had worked its way into every nook and cranny of his pair of Sandalwood handled .45's, and he could not remember just how many rounds he had put through his Henry rifle this time out. Three of his quarry decided it was in their best interest to come in with him, the other nine were not so eager. He wiped it from his thoughts. He never liked dispensing justice from the barrel. It never sat well with him at all.

"Sometimes the profession chooses the man." That soothing voice reminded him.

His steed in a stall, brushed and fed. His tools tended and maintained. His scarred and weathered body descended into that bath.

" A good meal, and a soft bed, tonight, tomorrow we will see the judge." He thought.

Grizzy

01-19-2011, 09:58 AM

Windwalker must have sensed that this was not a leisurely outing. He nearly broke himself on the rough road to Beavercreek. Luke kept his word and did not whip him. When they reached the thriving town, Luke trotted slowly down the street seeking out the stable.

He dismounted and was tie'n the reins to go inside when a big hand fell solidly down on his shoulder. "Where did you get this horse?" The words were a deep low growl it seemed to the boy. Luke froze, but then turned slowly to see a mountain of a man looking down on him. "I..I.. I have to get to the printershop and find the Marshal" he stammered. "Where did you get this horse??" the man insisted. Luke knew he had to carry out what he was given to do and his concern for his family outweighed fear. "Mister, I ain't done nothin wrong. This horse belongs to Miss Nita and I gotta stable um and find the Marshal am tell'n ya". There was another man walking up. BigOBear said softly to Luke "Wait here, son. I mean you no harm." By then, Laughing Wolf was with them wearing an unsure expression, serious. BigOBear repeated Lukes words to him. Long ago, it was BigOBear who had sold Windwalker to Laughing Wolf to be given to Nita as a gift. All the men cared about now was Nita's well being. "Do as Nita asked, stable him and go to Morningsong. We will meet you at the Sheriff's, you did good, son. Hurry now". Laughing Wolf and BigOBear headed off making deliberate strides through the messy street as the dedicated snow fell over Beavercreek.

The tub that was waiting for the exhausted Marshal was long overdue. A hot soak was as desirable as a good steak supper and the lawman rested in it with eyes closed. After only a few minutes, a soft voice interrupted hesitantly, "Marshal?" The young woman had a towel in her hands, but her eyes were study'n the floor. Michael looked on her wondering how long it had been since he saw a woman so lovely. "Marshal? There are two men to see you. They said it's important.. life threaten'n". "Rosa, take this to the Sheriff, please all right?" Michael was beyond tired and he favored stay'n put. "But he's out at the BHM Ranch." she said softly. The Marshal groaned and slowly reached for the towel.

Laughing Wolf and BigOBear waited impatiently. Marshal LeBlanc came in and leaned against the desk. "Now what is so important that I had to leave my bath over it?" "We're waiting on the boy who brings the truth, but my wife and that boy's family are in danger". "And where is this boy?" The door burst open and Luke was standing there out of breath.

"Marshal! Some men are head'n out to our farm an I think there's gonna be some awful trouble for my Ma!" The Marshal went over an sat down while Luke explained everything. "You're sure they were from the railroad, son?" Marshal LeBlanc inquired. Luke nodded Yes. "And who are you gentlemen?" Michael asked Laughing Wolf and BigOBear. "My wife is out at that farm, too" Laughing Wolf said worriedly. "Tell me where this farm is". Luke gave the Marshal instructions how to get out there and said that he had to go back to Morningsong and the printshop. When Michael looked up from his writing.. the two men had vanished.

BigOBear

01-23-2011, 08:08 AM

:) Sure enjoy reading yall's story :)

Grizzy

01-24-2011, 08:40 AM

Well hang on to you're haybale :D coz Oldie, the Marshal, Laughing Wolf an BigOBear, the railroad an their thugs, some fiesty wimmin, an Fought the River are 'sperience'n a serious full moooon! hahaha

Oh yea, Sissy's timer's 'bout to dingaling, too! :sarcastic:

(Pour'n yas some hot cider an hand'n yas a basket of warm muffins)

...wink!
~Grithy~

jen_in_southtexas

01-24-2011, 08:05 PM

Po ol' lil Sissy must be so tired by now.

sbemt456

01-24-2011, 09:21 PM

Stella set about cleanin up the kitchen after the men left. They had
headed back over to the jail knowing the wagons were secure where they
were. Stella felt an uneasiness an her thoughts went to her sister
Nita who had taken the time away from her home, family and her love, Laughing Wolf to take Sissy to her
sister Catherine. Catherine had left town a while back with Martin
after they married to make a life of her own.Stella had heard that Martin had taken ill a few years back
and passed on and she wondered how Catherine was takin care of all
those orphan babies martin had taken in. They did have a lil farm and
were doin well when Martin was living. But knowing the area Stella had
thought about how the railroad might be going thru there and how it
will make the lil town prosper but with a note of sadness because of the loss of farms, lil homesteads and open ranges. Stella
turned her thoughts back to cleanin up the kitchen and set about her
day as usual. It was mid morning and late for Stella to be headin out
to milk and feed her stock. She hurried about to finish up in the
kitchen and grabbed her milk pail and headed outside. The air was
crisp as the new fallen snow, and there was no sign of the wagon
tracks from last night and she smiled to herself. She waded thru the
snow to the barn, fed the chickens as she passed their coop and went
inside the barn door closing it behind her with a slam as the wind had
flung the door open nearly takin it off the hinge. With the door shut,
she could see the wagons still sitting there , un touched, and went
about her daily chores. She fed the horses and petted each one, gave
the pigs some grain and fresh water, then on the the cow that waited
patiently for her. She gave the cow her feed and set down to milk.
Watchin as the warm milk foamed in the pail, she gave the cat that was
sitting on the other side of the cow a quick drink that sent him scurrin for cover. Stella laughed as she finished up the milkin an put
her milk stool on the nail up on the wall. She let the cow out into
the lot in back of the barn to hay that was waiting for her there. She
headed back for the door that faced the house to go back in but
stopped dead still when it opened in front of her. A tall figure that
darkened the doorway against the back drop of bright white snow
startled her for a minute. Then the figure spoke, "stella dont shoot,
its me, Laughing Wolf and my brother BigObear, I have come to talk to you"" Dang
you Laughing Wolf ya startled me there for a minute, too many strangers
around these parts lately that seem to alas be lookin fer trouble"
They both laughed and she motioned them toward the house. Once inside
she invited them to the kitchen to sit while she took care of the
morning milk. She could detect a certain amount of sadness in
Laughing Wolfs face. "what brings you to town on a day like
this muh fren " she ask. He looked restless and uneasy in his
chair, " I had a dream last night that my Nita was in trouble and now there is a boy in town who brings news of trouble to the Marshall" stella
stopped in her tracks, she turned to face the men, "ya know, jus
this mornin I felt that something was not all right and my mind kept
takin me to Nita and Sissy on their journey" "Stella do you know where
they were goin too when they left, where does sissys sister catherine
live?" "Yeas as matter of fact I do, they live on the east edge of the
next town on a lil farm on the south side of the mountain" The look on
Laughing Wolfs face was that of what almost looked like panic, but
stella knew that it was pure concern and love for his wife, Nita. He
looked at stella and in a anxious tone said 'thas the mountain area where the railroad will cross over to Cheyenne" He stopped an
contemplated his words. stella had heard the rumors an was tryin hard
to make sense of all of this. Laughing Wolf and BigObear rose quickly from their chairs as Laughing Wolf said, "I must go now, I must find my Nita, and pray
that she is not harmed or it will mean war with the railroad" He
started for the door and stella said "wait, im goin with you, after
all she is my sister, and I can be of some help to you"
Laughing Wolf scoffed, "wimmin are not warriors" Stella insisted
"Wanna bet?" Stella gathered her gun belt and strapped it on as she
headed for the door behind the men. She took her coat with hat
and scarf from the hook by the door and picked up her gloves from the
lil hall table and slammed the door behind her. She spoke quickly,
"Laughing Wolf I have fresh horses for you all, put yours in the
stall in the back of the barn and saddle up mine as well while I get
some things for us to take along" Laughing Wolf looked at her as if
to ask a question but after knowin stella all these years knew better
than to question so he went about saddlin up the horses. Stella said "
I am gonna get a couple or 4 rifles and some ammo and my medicine jug
and I be right back." and she hurried off into one of the stalls jus
out of sight of the men as they saddled up the horses. She came back with 4 good long rifles,
plenty of ammo and her usual bottle of medicinal whiskey. The loaded
up the saddle bags and mounted up. She said " it is nearing noon an if
we are to make the farm by sundown we need to ride hard, so you lead
the way and if I get sidetracked dont wait, I will catch up to you"
Laughing Wolf nodded and they rode off for catherines farm..............

sbemt456

01-24-2011, 09:40 PM

...........As they rode thru town the oldie was coming out of the jail jus as they rode
by, "goin somewhere stella?" Over her shoulder she said "yep goin
huntin" Oldie shook his head and laughed. All the time thinkin this
our of the ordinary and wonderin if there might be trouble. Then it
occured to him that he was walkin pretty good today and didnt need his
cane. Made him kinda antsy to know what stella was up to. He thought
for a minute, 'if i could get on my horse, i think I could ride pretty good, maybe keep a lil behind em in case they need help'. He stepped
off the jail porch into the snow, and it filled his boots. He mumbled
something about not likin snow and cold as he pulled his coat tighter
around him. He made his way to the lil alley that led to the back of
stellas boarding house and on back to the barn. He went inside and
closed the door quietly behind him. He walked caustiously with pistol
in hand to the wagons, and slowly lifted the cover off the first one.
He noticed one of the crates of guns had been opened and he knew, "yep
stella is huntin allright" so he eased back out the barn door and
walked up the ally to the livery where his horse was stalled. He
looked around and located his saddle and checked the saddle bags, yep
all his ammunition was still in there. His was the only horse left in
the barn at this time of day so he got down his saddle and put in on
his horse talking softly to him. He stepped up on the tongue of a
wagon parked there and climbed in the saddle. Smilin to himself with
satisfaction he rode out of the lot and onto the street and headed
out. Oldie decided to swing back by the jail to let the sheriff know where he was goin jus in case. Sheriff DGR and his men were gettin their supplies together to be on the trail also after hearing the telegram news. Oldie told them he was gonna ride on ahead slow and they could catch up. He was thinkin "I dont want to be too far behind Stella and them friends of hers cause trackin would be rough in this snow" So Oldie rode off east out of the sleepy lil snow covered town ................

Grizzy

01-25-2011, 10:51 AM

The aroma of fresh coffee brewing lured Catherine out of bed. Yet in her nightclothes, an wisps of her long hair trickle'n down, she found Nita sitting at the table looking as tho her thots were aoff. The fire was well fed an it was warm an cozy for so early inna morning.

"Good Morning" Catherine said smiling. Nita smiled, repeating the greeting. "You're up early" Catherine said. "Well, Sissy was very restless last night and I didn't really sleep much" Nita replied, getting up to pour them a cuppa coffee. "Catherine? I need to tell you something." Nita said, setting down the coffee and seating herself at the old worn table. They timidly sipped the piping hot coffee. Catherine looked kindly into Nita's eyes and said "Nita, you can tell me anything." Nita set her cup down, looking very serious, and told Catherine about Luke heading out to Beavercreek and why. Catherine paused before answering... "You know, that boy has been bent on being the man of the house since his father died. Now, you've given him the opportunity to begin becoming that man. I don't see any harm done, an in fact, am kinda glad someone will know about the trouble here. I just hope it's in time." She reached for Nita's hand an gave her a soft pat. "I'm not upset with you." Nita smiled weakly. There was a dark cloud hanging over Nita's spirit she just could not shake off.

Sissy stood in the doorway with a blanket wrapped around her. Nita saw her as Catherine had her back to her sister. "Good Morning" Nita said. Sissy looked pitiful an not rested. "My back is hurting". Catherine turned around.. "Well it's no wonder after your long journey yesterday. Sit down and I'll get you a fresh cuppa coffee." Sissy shuffled to the table an sat down telling the ladies "Well I din't sleep well at all. There was a white owl on my window ledge all night. Every time I opened my eyes, he was just standing there looking at me." She slowly sat down an adjusted her wrap. Catherine set the coffee in front of Sissy who just cupped her hands around it for warmth, but she did not drink. Woofy came over to be petted, but Sissy barely acknowledged her. Nita's eyes were on the fireplace as her thots were racing. "Catherine? Will you rub my lower back?" Sissy was a mess and exhaustion showed on her face.

Catherine gently tried to massage some of her lil sister's discomfort away when Shelby came in. "Momma.. those men.. it's today isn't it?" The three women looked at the girl and they all had the same unsettle'n thots. Shelby was there when the men rode in with their ultimatum, took the horses, and most of their food, with guns drawn.

As the snow continued to slowly drift down, the silence of the cold, gray morning was broken by the BOOM of Isaiah's scattergun..

Grizzy

01-31-2011, 07:19 AM

Clarence closed the door to the Sheriff's office in Beavercreek and saw that Marshal LeBlanc was sit'n at the desk going over the statement Luke had given to him. "Well, Howdy, Marshal" the deputy said carrying a small brown bag over to the desk. The marshal responded and went on to inquire if Clarence knew of any railroad trouble in the area. "That's where Gator's been today.. over at the BHM Ranch meeting with some folks in the area. The railroad's trying hard to buy up land around here. Folks don't want to sell out. There's been trouble and the Sheriff is try'n to get to the bottom of it. Gator oughta be back any time now" the deputy said dig'n in the bag for his sandwich.

Nobody called Sheriff Carson, by his rightful name.. just Gator. He was a good man, but you didn't want to mess with him. He'd been in a bad mood since he lost his wife. Something kinda broke in him when she died. He drank a little too much but he was the best Sheriff Beavercreek ever had and Marshal LeBlanc liked him well.

"Clarence, I'm going to get something to eat and wait on Gator. Let me know the minute he gets in, Sir" Michael said heading for the door. "Sure thing, Marshal" the deputy responded. "Wait, Marshal, here he comes now". Gator walked by the window and closed the door hard coming in. Clarence got up from the desk as Gator approached it. The sheriff pushed the chair under the desk rather roughly, stand'n there with his hand on the back of it.

"Marshal, I'm glad to see you. We're gonna set some rogue railroaders straight" the sheriff said inna low growl. Michael took off and slowly hung up his hat, pulled out Luke's statement and pulled a chair over to the desk. He reached in his pocket and held out some money to the deputy. "Clarence, go get me some grub, please". Clarence nodded, packed up his bag and set it in the desk drawer. As he headed out the door, the lawmen put their heads together as the marshal said "a kid was just in here all lit up saying the railroad was going after their farm not far from here". The door closed as Gator began to tell what he knew was going on. Gator ended saying "Things could get out of hand real fast. I mean to put an end to this mess once and for all.. and I don't care WHO's behind it!"

This was not going to be a good day for mischief.

Back at the farm, Catherine and Nita were preparing for visitors...

Grizzy

02-01-2011, 01:44 PM

Earlier in the day.. Gone were the morning bird songs. There was a hush as a soft white blanket continued to shroud craggy places, footprints, and lined the tree limbs. Inside the farmhouse, the perfume of breakfast permiated the house. Sizzling in the skillet was the last of the bacon. Catherine smiled as she turned it, recalling how well the pig they had butchered served the small family. She salted the potatoes as they finished browning in fresh churned butter. Shelby had made the biscuits and they were nearly done. Catherine cracked some eggs and they danced lightly when they hit the hot lard in the frypan. Her hens faithfully provided beautiful eggs.. Catherine's face became sad remembering how the railroad men smashed her coop and the terrified chickens were run off. She had found a pile of feathers coming back from milking the cow, earlier, and felt she had betrayed a friend by not stopping the men.. but what could she have done when she was outnumbered? She missed Martin something fierce. He knew how to comfort her. Oh how she missed his arms around her.. his warm lips. With wet eyes Catherine finished cooking, lost in her memories.

Shelby brought the hot fluffy bread to the table as Catherine served the plates. Shelby was only eleven years old but she had already weathered some rough storms in her young life. Catherine was proud and knew that Martin was, too, of their daughter who was on a bridge leading away from being a little girl and going towards becoming a young woman. When Martin died, Shelby asked softly if she could hold on to his Bible. She read it every day. It comforted her in her loss.. gave her the promise she would see her father again in a place where there was no pain nor tears. Shelby had faith enough to encourage her momma, and Catherine loved her for what Shelby brought into their quiet lives. Her laughter and eagerness to learn new things matched Luke's passion for life. Yessss, Catherine was blessed beyond measure and the mere thought of the intentions of greed trying to steal their peace caused Catherine to fill up with courage and faith. She would protect their small but valuable existance.. at all cost.

Sissy left the rocking chair and the warmth of the fire to sit down at the table. Nita came in from outside with her arms full of firewood and layed it down near the hearth, adding a few pieces to the crackling fire. Woofy's feet were wet and cold as she dashed in all wound up from her silly bunny hops through the snow. Nita paused, taking in the fragrance of the well prepared meal. She was smiling as she joined Sissy. Catherine and Shelby brought the plates to the table and Shelby filled her cup with fresh milk. Sitting together, there was a silence and then the joining of hands to thank the Creator for nourishment, for the blessing of fellowship and then at the end Shelby added "Lord, please keep Luke safe and stay with us today that those men cannot hurt us or take our home". The women swallowed kinda hard and everyone said "Amen".

As Nita was putting honey on her biscuit she said cheerfully "We have all given alot of thought to today. Those men tried to use fear to make your family leave this place but I just think they might be wrong about women being weak creatures". She was looking up at Catherine who winked and smiled back. Shelby started grin'n and said "Yep, we ain't gonna go". Sissy, with a mouthful of eggs smiled an nodded in agreement.

After breakfast was cleared and the dishes washed up, Shelby headed to her room to work on the quilt she was making and Sissy went back to the rocking chair, picked up Shelby's Bible, and began reading. Catherine busied herself out at the barn feeding and carrying water to the animals drawn from her well. Nita put on her coat and with Woofy right behind her, they went outside to the buggy that held her supplies. She pulled back the cover and saw that everything was as it should be. Before the snow pushed in, she had Windwalker move the rig behind some trees, so it was less noticable. She walked all the way down to the road paying attention to every detail. She longed for Home and Laughing Wolf as she thought the place where she walked looked like where they lived on up the mountain.

Soon, back inside the house.. Nita quietly told Catherine "We must prepare for their coming". Catherine nodded and went to pour them some hot coffee...

Grizzy

02-02-2011, 11:38 AM

Sissy dozed off in the rocking chair. Catherine gently took the Bible from Sissy's lap and set it on the mantle. Sitting down at the table with Nita, Catherine said "You know.. her backache.. the baby is coming soon." Nita sipped her coffee and smiled. "Baby's come when they're ready to come. But she is going to want Tom with her, as he should be to welcome his son". Catherine looked intently at Nita. "Son? You think she carries a boy?" Nita nodded yes.

"Catherine" Nita said.. "How many men were here last time?" Catherine's smile faded as she recalled the visit. "The frenchman had two other riders with him. He did all the talking. Behind them were three or four others who did his dirty work. Nita, they weren't trying to scare me, they mean to have my land. It's a wonder they didn't look in the barn and see my sow and milkcow". Nita said "Tell me once more what he said about today." Catherine shook her head side to side as she answered "He wants my deed and us Gone. He said he's bringing a wagon to collect our things. Isaiah was here and rode Gertie.. his mule.. over to the Sanderson farm to ask them to come and take the children over there before the men returned. I told Isaiah not to worry and sent him off to do a little hunting. Po ole Isaiah is old and this isn't his fight. I just reassured him this was a misunderstanding. That man would not backup to the devil himself to protect us.. he loves Shelby an Luke so..."

Nita looked over to the rocking chair and thought how much Sissy had been through in the last few weeks and then asked Catherine "What if there wasn't anyone here to collect?" Catherine studied a knothole on the table thinking. "You mean hide?" Nita responded "We need more time. Luke has gone for help, remember?" "But Sissy.." Catherine fretted. "Nita smiled. "Your little sister is not soft grass. She'll do whatever she needs to do for this baby. The Creator gives us each a Song, and hers began with Tom and continues, now, with this child.. their future and their Love. She will sing for her happiness for as long as she has breath.. Tell me, how well can Sissy shoot?" Catherine's serious face broke into a big grin. "That girl can shoot the nose off a dicky-bird." Nita laffed. Catherine continued, "Nita? Let's give this a try. But when they see my trunk, our bags.." Nita put her hand up. "Don't shoot your foot.. Get up on a high rock and Be Strong!"

The women gathered what guns and ammunition they had. Catherine told Shelby to dress warm. Shelby had questions but her mother just told her "Honey, your father taught us many things. God is with us. You believe this?" Shelby smiled and nodded Yes. She gave her mother a big lingering hug and went to her room to dress, taking her Bible with her. Catherine softly touched Sissy's shoulder to wake her, telling her to do the same and why. Sissy realized at that moment what was just ahead and what was at stake. Sissy left the rocker and stood up straight. With one hand on her tummy she left to get ready.

In a short time they all met by the old worn table.. where meals were shared, tears had been shed, friends gathered around, cakes and pies had adorned through the years. Now there was a shotgun and Nita's pistol laying there with a small amount of ammunition. Catherine loaded the guns as Sissy and Shelby looked on.

While they tasked Nita said "The snow is not deep yet. They can get in here with a wagon. That means we can move around, too." Catherine stopped and looked at Shelby who was holding and petting Woofy. "Shelby? Can you get up into your treehouse?" Shelby, Luke, and Martin had built that treehouse one summer and it was Shelby's favorite place. "Yes, Momma". Catherine gently took Woofy from her daughter's arms. "Then go now and get up there. No matter what happens, don't move or say a word. Promise me you'll do what I say". Shelby looked at her mother and courage rose up in her. "I will, Momma" and Shelby left to carry out her mother's wishes. "Wear your mittens and the brown hat I knitted for you" Catherine called out. Then she looked at Sissy. "Can you manage getting into Nita's buckboard?" Sissy looked at Catherine like she had two heads. "If someone helps me up, I can do that." Catherine smiled and said "Good Girl!"

Nita went with Sissy outside. When they got to the rig, Nita stopped, lifted the beaded necklace from her own neck, and placed it over Sissy's head. "This will keep you safe" Nita said softly. "Buttt.." Sissy began to speak. "Shhh now" Nita said quietly.

She put a crate down for Sissy to use as a step. Sissy slowly climbed up into the buckboard. Nita handed her pistol to Sissy. "Nooo, Nita, You need this!" Sissy protested. Nita grinned and reached for her sheath, pulling out a very sharp and trusted knife. "It is well with me, my Friend". She covered Sissy with two blankets. Sissy was very still. Nita whispered.. try not to let anyone see you. If you have to, do what you must to protect our baby." Sissy nodded beneath the covers.

When Nita returned to the house, Catherine was putting out the fire and shoveling the coals into a pail. "We must take this outside". Nita nodded. Together they went outside. Nita said "Look.." Catherine saw the trail to the treehouse. She saw the tracks to the buckboard, and the footprints they were leaving going to empty the embers. When the pail was out of sight, they began to walk in many directions, out front. Footprints in the snow.. leading nowhere. Catherine went back inside to gather what she needed and Nita went to check on Sissy. She was on her way back to the house when the men rode up. Nita was out in the open and vulnerable.

Time had run out...

sissy

02-02-2011, 02:19 PM

Ahhhh shucks!!! ya stop right at the most exciting parts. :) sissy just might have to take aim :)
lubs ya grizzy
sissy

Grizzy

02-02-2011, 05:47 PM

Am jus happy me ain'ta dicky-burd! :sarcastic:
~Grithy~

oldie

02-13-2011, 06:56 PM

Oldie was satisfied at the way his butt sat the saddle. He had worried that with the wound to his leg he might not be able to ride . Following Stella was easy in the snow, for now anyway, as the wind was quiet. His thoughts drifted to Mac. He was going to meet him in Beavercreek. Why that lil town he wondered, and why the rush. It's not Mac's style to be in a hurry to do anything. How long before DGR, Rick, and Otto catch up with him? Oldie nudged his horse, picking up the pace a little.

Mac had rode into Beavercreek in the early morning hours. Snow was coming down, the wind was blowing hard, cutting him to the bone. He pulled up up at the livery, since he could see a lantern burning thru the small window. He climbed down and tied the reins to the post and headed for the door. Before he could get there the door opened a bit and there was the business end of a ten gauge shotgun staring him in the face. He raised his arms away from his guns, and quietly spoke “ I need a place to get my horse out of this weather, you got any room inside?” “ Who are you?” asked a gruff voice from behind the door. “ My name is Mac, and I'm just passing thru, but I really would like to get out of this dang cold, if you don't mind” The door slammed shut! “ What the heck” hollered Mac, as he dropped his arms. The big barn door swung open, nearly knocking him off his feet. The grumpy old man yelled at him, “ Get that dad gum horse in here before freeze to death” Mac grabbed the reins and led his horse into the barn, passed the reins to the old man, and pulled the barn door shut.

oldie

02-16-2011, 06:47 PM

Mac reached into his pocket and handed the old man a silver dollar. “ It's only two bits to feed and board your horse overnight” the old man grumbled, “ and I ain’t got six bits for change” Mac just laughed, and told the guy “ rub him down, and keep the change”. Mac asked the old man his name, to which he replied, “ they call me Grady”. “Well Grady, is there a place to get a hot meal and a cup of coffee? “Yes sir, just up that street there, there's a lil saloon.” “ Stay away from them card games though, they will part ya from your silver real quick like” Mac thanked him for the warning, laughed to himself, and headed up the street. The wind was really blowing hard, driving the snow into his face as he walked. He found the saloon lights, they were just a large yellow glow, shining threw the snow. He opened the door and stepped in to his left. He took a careful look before moving away from his position, thinkin,Oldie would be proud of me, I did listen.

Mac walked over to a corner table. He pulled out a chair, took off his coat and laid it over the back. Then he pulled out another chair, that would put his back to the wall and sat down. A pretty red head walked over from the bar and asked if there was anything she could do for him. He was polite and told her he was just look'in for something to eat and a hot cup of coffee, right now anyway. “You want steak an eggs ?” she asked. “ That would be fine, and coffee please” he replied. The women turned and headed out toward the rear of the saloon, only to return with a metal cup,and a coffee pot. “ You look like you could use this while your wait'in on your food” she told him as she poured him a cup. Once again she turned and headed out of the room.

oldie

02-20-2011, 05:40 PM

The cute lil redhead returned in a few minutes, carrying a plate with Macs supper on it. She swayed over and set it down in front of him, allowing her long hair to brush the side of his face and shoulder. “ Are you sure there isn’t anything else I can do for you?” she asked in a quiet sexy voice. Now Mac, being the gentleman he is, looked up at her and replied ever so sweetly, “ well ma'am, I could use a knife and a fork”. Oh! If looks could kill Mac would have died three times just then. She marched over to the bar, grabbed a knife and fork, and marched back. She threw them on the table, never said a word, and went back to the kitchen. Mac enjoyed his supper, finished his coffee, left a dollar on the table, put his coat on and headed back to the livery.
He had to push hard on the door to get it open, the wind had really picked up, and snow was piling up against the door. He fought the wind as he made his way back, the snow stinging his face. As he came up on the door, he could hear Grady talk'in to someone, not in a very civil tone. Actually, as he got closer he decided he was actually yelling. Mac pulled his gun and lifted the catch on the door. He jerked the door open and
jumped inside, landing on a pile of straw. The wind slammed the door shut behind him, causing a loud “BANG”. Now that “BANG” scared Grady, he screamed, and Mac popped of a shot into the dirt. The mule, that was standing on Grady’s foot, jumped, knocking the water pail flying over towards Mac, getting him all wet. Grady came out of the stall, looked at Mac and let out a big old “ ARRRG, what the hell ya doing, ya liked to scared me to death?” “ You look like a drowned rat” he said in a laugh, offering Mac a hand up.

Grizzy

03-05-2011, 03:34 PM

Earlier that day, Gator rode off to the neighboring ranches and farms to get written statements from those who had made complaint about the pressure the railroad levied upon them. Marshal LeBlanc remained in town, an exhausted higher level authority who was well positioned for this powerplay. He went around Beavercreek making inquiries and making note of who was new in town. He would wait for Gator's return and findings to devise a gameplan. Michael was a soft spoken warrior with an honorable past few knew about. He meant what he said and he said what he meant.

The Marshal was talk'n to the banker when Sheriff DGR and his men rode into town, stop'n in front of the jail. Michael excused himself and walked over to where the Cartershan Sheriff, Kentucky Rick, and Otto were tie'n up their horses. "Howdy" the Marshal said with a smile walk'n up to the jail. They shook hands an introduced themselves. "Gator will be back anytime" the Marshal said. "Come on in and I'll make some coffee".

Meanwhile.. the snowstorm had drifted to the northeast into the mountains making movement easier on horse an wagon. Even so, it was cold and miserable. Nita paused outside in front of the house when the railroad men rode up. Catherine's dogs ran out to meet them barking, and then got quiet and just stood there watching. One man led in on a black and white paint while a small wagon carrying two men followed. Down by the road, two more men kept watch at the farm entrance. Their job was to get rid of anyone who might be head'n in to visit. The idea was to remove Catherine's family as easily and quickly as possible. Like rats in the corncrib, they set about their dirtywork think'n no one was watch'n or aware. They din't figure in Nita and a woman fix'n to have a baby, or two riled up indians, or Isaiah come'n back from hunt'n, or Stella's temper, or lawmen who had their fill of greed and corruption. They figgered on have'n the whole pie, but had no idea how big a slice of trouble they were carving out for themselves.

The paint horse walked up to Nita and stopped. The railroad man looked around as the wagon stopped behind him. "Good day maam" he said glancing at the front door. Nita did not respond. "I'm looking for a woman named Catherine" he continued. "Who might you be?" Nita smiled and responded "I'm the new owner of this farm. The woman and her children are gone." Nita was making it up as she went along. She just wanted to make these men go away, even if it was for a short time. "I'm afraid there has been some mistake" the man said smile'n like a possum. "She's sell'n out to the railroad." Nita held her ground with her head up. "Well, the farm's mine now.. and I'm not sell'n" Nita said firmly. The man's patience was wear'n real thin. One of the men in the wagon got down and walked over to Nita. "Where is the woman?" he said low and cold. Nita smiled and replied "like I told you, they're gone. I want you off my land now." Nita's eyes were not smiling. Her tone was firm. Her heart was pounding. The man in front of her didn't turn his head as he spoke to the paint's rider. "You gonna let an injun woman talk to us like this? I say we take her out." Nita spit into the snow at the man's feet. He became furious and backhanded her. Shelby 'bout jumped outta the treehouse she was so upset and Sissy trained her pistol on him as she remained hidden. Nita had her hand on her hidden knife and did not back down. She growled at them.. "Get off my land!"

No one saw Laughing Wolf or BigOBear standing in the trees. They watched Nita in silence waiting to see if the whites would leave.. waiting for the right moment to be seen.

The man on the paint put his hand on his saddle horn and half turned around.. "tie her up and put her in the wagon". Just when Laughing Wolf and BigOBear were going to intervene, the farmhouse front door opened and Catherine showed herself. Inside, Woofy was barking while lightly tethered. Nita took sure strides up the steps to the porch and stood beside Catherine. "I sure wouldn't try that" Catherine said training her shotgun on the men. There was alot at stake here, family and land heavily invested by both body and heart. No two-bit hustlers were going to oust Catherine away from her Home.. not without a fight.

Laughing Wolf and BigOBear silently backtracked towards the road to eliminate the men stand'n guard. But in the distance, Stella was riding up. It was just get'n dark. The farm was further out than Stella was think'n. She was cold and tired, kinda irritable and hungry. This had been a long day. Laughing Wolf and BigOBear rode to meet Stella and told her what was happening. Stella shook her head, face flushed with anger, and said "Boys, this dog jus won't hunt"...

Grizzy

03-30-2011, 01:26 PM

Clocks are for wind'n but in a town like Beavercreek, nobody payed much attention to them. Daylight, suppertime, time for a shave or a drink.. to get supplies or to file a deed marked the days. As sunshine gave way to long shadows it was time for supper and rest. Shopkeepers hung "closed" signs on their businesses as they locked up. The saloon had more horses out front than anywhere else now. Tired and sore, oldie rode into town, tied his horse out front of the saloon, and looked through the soft lamp lit windows. He smiled when he saw Mac sip'n coffee inside. Oldie made his way in and layed a firm hand on Mac's shoulder. Mac didn't move. Oldie laffed and said "I sure could use a cup of that stuph". "Oldie!" Mac said all lit up.

Meanwhile, Gator was returning with information he had gathered from his visits to ranches and farms. Marshal LeBlanc saw Gator coming in the door and stood up. "How'd it go?" he inquired. Gator took off his hat and coat and just shook his head eyeball'n the visitors. After introductions they headed to the saloon for supper and to delve into the situation more comfortably. Otto was the first to see Oldie. The men walked over and joined Oldie and Mac.

Back at the farm, Catherine held her shotgun on the railroaders.. Stella slowly rode up to where the two men were posted at the farm entrance. She inquired about a ranch, she had made up, and told them she wasn't well and then she slowly pretended to faint. The men got off their horses quickly to see to her. Just then BigOBear and Laughing Wolf came up from behind them holding guns on them. They tied up the men and tucked um outa sight. Stella laffed an curtzy'd.

Quiet as deer, Stella and the two men stepped through the woods back to where the trubble was. BigOBear cut behind the house. Laughing Wolf had spotted Shelby up in her treehouse and, without a sound, he joined her up there. When she saw him she was terrified. He whispered "Nita is my wife". Shelby's eyes filled with tears and she nodded. She held up her slingshot an they both grinned as she wiped her eyes.

Catherine was livid with the men. "Did you really think I'd just abandon my Home? Did you really think I'd so easily be bought out? My children were born here, my husband poured himself out on this soil. My children's future is written on this land. This is the dream my Martin and I birthed and the likes of you are not going to rob us." She was trembling..

The man on the paint smiled and replied "Madam, I assure you no one is trying to rob you. The railroad has made a fine offer for this land. Land is land. You can get another farm easily. You don't understand the importance of the railroad.. it's the way of the future. You cannot stop progress. Now, why don't you just let us take you to town and we can get this settled in the morning?" Catherine snarled back at him "The only progress thas going to be made is your getting OFF my land, NOW!"

Woofy was bent on getting to the men outside and all of her jumping around had loosened her lightly tied rope. She raced past Nita and Catherine and ran outside barking furiously. She nipped at the paint who got scared and reared up. Nita flew down the steps after Woofy. When she ran past the man on the ground, he reached for his gun. Thas when Sissy panicked. She aimed.. and fired. The bulllet whizzed by Nita and found its mark.. the man crumpled into a heap. The jittery horse backed up and the man in the wagon drew his weapon and got one round off as Laughing Wolf jumped down from the treehouse. They struggled, landing in the snow then got up slowly as Laughing Wolf had his knife at the man's throat.

Stella appeared, madder than a wet hen. That left the man on the paint who had drawn his weapon, too. "DROP IT!" Stella said coarsely. He froze. Shelby riddled him with stones from her slingshot and one POINKED him square on the head. He looked around to see where the bombardment came from. Stella seized his moment of confusion and had her scattergun ready to go. He tossed his gun down on the snow.

With hearts pounding, the ladies surveyed the situation. Nita was down. BigOBear ran over to see how she was. The shot from the wagon had hit her. Nita's blood was trickling over the snow. Woofy licked her face but she didn't move.

Sissy stood up, clutching her swollen belly, she let out a woeful scream..

Grizzy

04-04-2011, 10:05 AM

Under the shadow of greed and corruption, the difference between right and wrong quickly recedes. Morals and character become diluted to the point that foul deeds can be rationalized without flinching. There is no concern about accountability to the cunning who cloak themselves in deceitful thoughts.. until reality hits them square in the jaw and truth and honor casts a light that demands restitution and justice. The lofty goals of the railroad carved a treacherous path into the lives of Catherine and her loved ones. It was not designed to cut so deeply as to produce what happened at the small farm today, yet it was the catalyst for sorrow and perhaps death. There Would.. be a reckoning.

Catherine set down her shotgun as she ran over to Sissy. "Honey, sit down" Catherine said softly. She told her sister to hang on just a few more moments until they could get her into the house. "Sissy, we're going to have a baby!" Catherine said trying to ease the tension. Sissy was all right for now but she had begun labor. Sissy sat down to wait for Catherine to go and check on Nita. "She's breathing!" BigOBear said. Catherine told him to take her inside and lay her on Luke's bed. BigOBear nearly tripped over Woofy carrying Nita up the stairs.

Catherine checked the man on the ground. She made a face showing her displeasure. "He's alive."

Catherine walked over to where the man on the paint had dismounted under the watchful stare of Stelly's scattergun. Catherine got right in front of him and slapped him smack across the face. "Mister.. Hell is gonna be a full and sorry place with the likes of you and your men in there one day". He just looked at her without saying a word.

Her eyes wandered past him to Isaiah.. slowly coming towards the house on his ole mule Gerty. He was returning from hunting and had been gone for a good while. Thas when big tears began to trickle down her face. "Isaiah" she said walking up to him "how is it with you?" He smiled replying "I am well enough". Just then Shelby climbed down from the treehouse and slid as she got to the snow. She ran over to her dear Friend, Isaiah, talk'n a mile a minute about what had just happened. While he was looking at Catherine, Isaiah said to Shelby.. "Missy am awful tired from hunt'n and I really need your help. Can you come and help me get a good fire started at my cabin?" Catherine smiled at Shelby, nod'n, and Shelby was relieved to be able to get away from what was wait'n to be dealt with at the house. Shelby took Isaiah's big hand and slowly they walked Gerty to the barn, and then walked to his small cabin behind the farmhouse. As they left, Catherine called out "I'll come get you in a little bit, Sugar." Shelby waved and noded.

Laughing Wolf still had a knife on the railroad man's throat. Stella reminded him about the two varmits they had tied up down by the road and when BigOBear came back outside they rounded up the railroad men. Catherine instructed they be tied up good and tight and left in the corn crib for the night.. "I hope they freeze to death". She told them to lay the wounded man in the hay in the barn, briskly turning to go inside to look in on Sissy and Nita. Stella hollared out.. "I'll get my medical bag from my horse down by the road!" Catherine nodded and closed the door.

It was going to be a long night...

Grizzy

04-10-2011, 08:33 AM

The milk cow was grateful for the relief. Shelby gently milked her while Isaiah looked in on the wounded man in the hay. "He gonna need to go to the house, Missy" Isaiah say softly. When the milking was finished, Isaiah took the heavy pail and they walked back to the farmhouse.

The women had made Sissy as comfortable as possible in Catherine's room, and Nita rested in Shelby's bed. It would be a while before Sissy would bear her child. Stella went right to work on Nita. BigOBear got the fire going, putting water to boil on the cookstove. Catherine looked up when Shelby and Isaiah came in and smiled when she saw the milk. "Good Girl" she said to her daughter. Shelby sat down at the table and began to pray. Isaiah told Catherine about the wounded man and she told him to go ahead and get him to the house. Isaiah and BigOBear went to the barn to fetch him. He would take Luke's bed. Laughing Wolf stayed with Nita. His big ole heart was full of sorrow. He softly sang a song to their ancestors asking them to come.. to bring him wisdom and strength enough to keep her in this world.

A few times throughout the night, Nita's eyes fluttered open. She saw her mother standing over her tending to her. She drew comfort and then went back to.. She was home. Her father was there. Somewhere children were playing nearby.. she could hear their voices.. loud loud.. She was laying on soft fragrant skins. Woofy was there, warm and still beside her. Once, when she looked.. Nita saw Fought the River, standing beside the foot of the bed. She wanted to speak to him but could not. His presence was a salve to her spirit. A flute softly played.. Nita drifted even further aoff..

When the men brought the wounded railroader inside, Stella determined the bullet had gone clean through. She patched him up. He would live.

Nita had lost alot of blood. Stella had a terrible time but finally removed the bullet. Catherine asked "will she live?" Stella shook her head. "If she lives til morning, we'll have a better idea about that. I've done all I can do.. she's lost alot of blood." Stella loved Nita, she would do anything to help her. Now when Nita needed her most, Stella felt helpless. Her eyes were wet and her heart was heavy. Stella was good at doctor'n.. she'd been doing it for years. Nita was in good hands.

"TOM! TOM! I want my Tom!" Sissy screamed out as she labored, her sweaty face contorted in pain. Catherine promised they would wire him and get him out there. "Honey, right now you just make your Tom proud and let's get this little baby born."

The cold night wore on, the curl of smoke from the fireplace lazily drifting up to a blanket of stars beneath the watchful eye of the Creator. Coffee simmered on the stove. Occasionally someone got a portion of beans off the cookstove. Catherine made a place for Shelby to rest on the floor near the fireplace and the girl fell asleep listening to the soft crackling sounds coming from the fire. Everyone was weary.

In the wee hours of the morning Catherine went to BigOBear. "Would you ride to Beavercreek to wire Tom and let the Sheriff know whas happened here? and.. bring my Luke back home?" BigOBear nod'd. He looked in on Nita and Laughing Wolf, went to the barn and made his horse ready for the ride.

In a brief respite from her pain, Sissy clutched the beads Nita had given to her and asked Catherine "how is she?" Catherine didn't know what to tell her. "Sissy, she is trying to come back to us, thas all I know." Sissy had tears in her eyes. She tried so hard to be brave.

Catherine needed some air. While Stella stayed with Sissy, Catherine went outside. She took a deep breath and made her way to where Martin was buried. The first soft rays of sunlight lit the early morning. She stood by his grave remembering.. "Martin, I need you now" she said softly. I did it.. I kept our farm safe. Martin, there is blood now on this land.. Oh how do we live these lives.. Rest well, my Love. Stay close to me.." Catherine wiped her eyes and as she turned.. she saw there was a bear watching her. He was standing in some small trees just.. looking. She didn't move. She was not afraid. After a moment, she gently walked past the trees towards the house.

As Catherine came up the porch steps she heard Sissy screaming.. "PUSH!" Stella hollared as she waited..

Just then there was a BOOM! Catherine flinched. What now???

Grizzy

04-11-2011, 01:21 PM

When Shelby opened the front door to see what the noise was, Woofy shot by her, barking furiously, scrambling down the steps. Catherine made an attempt to snag her but Woofy was too fast.. "WOOFY!" Catherine hollared out but her words fell limp on the ground.. Woofy disappeared around the side of the house. Catherine looked at Shelby. Shelby was clutching a blanket around her.. her hair was stick'n out and the child looked as though she had seen a ghost. Catherine just had to laugh. "Whaat was.. THAT?" Shelby stammered looking around. "I dunno, Sweetheart, but it sounded like a scattergun.. let's go inside". As she went up the next couple of steps Woofy shot around from behind the house. She was dance'n all around as Isaiah walked up behind her. He was grin'n and look'n right proud of himself.. holding up a big turkey he had just shot. "I gots suppa!" he said to Catherine. Catherine stood in the doorway with her arm around Shelby and they both grinned. "GOOD! Shelby said. "I'm Starve'n!" Isaiah and Catherine laughed. The girls went back into the house while Isaiah set out to clean his trophy. "Oh, Isaiah?" Catherine called out. "Yes'm?" he replied. "Be careful.. there's a bear out back. I jus saw him a little while ago." Isaiah didn't like that one bit. The meat from his hunt the day before was hang'n up. "I'll keep an eye open for him." Isaiah said walking off with Woofy tag'n along.

Catherine went straight to her room to see how things were going with Sissy. Both of the women were concentrating and working hard. Sissy was exhausted. Finally the baby came but Stella cautioned Sissy.. "Wait now.. don't push." The umbelical cord was tied around the child's neck.. his lil face was bluish.. Finally, Stella looked at Sissy smiling. "It's a boy.. hessa lil banged up but he's.. perfect!" Sissy had tears in her eyes.. Stella cleaned the baby up and brought him to Sissy.. he was squawl'n and the women giggled.. relieved and thankful. "Sissy, BigOBear is wiring Tom to let him know where you are and that the baby is coming. Soon you'll all be together. You did such a good job. He'll be proud of you" Catherine said. Sissy held her son smiling. She was trembling. Stella reached into her medical bag, took out a lil bottle of bourbon, gave Sissy's leg an affectionate pat and headed into the kitchen to collapse.

The rest of the day went by quietly. Nita was hanging on but not by much. Late in the afternoon, horses came riding in.. Gator and some men came to retrieve the railroaders. Oldie was with him. Luke rode in on Windwalker. BigOBear was drive'n the wagon and had brought some supplies with him.

When it was all said and done, it was determined that the Railroad was not at fault but rather a few men who had gone rogue. There would be restitution to Catherine for the malicious dealings, there would be serious consequences for the men. There would be an investigation into the complaints from the other farms and ranches, but Marshal LeBlanc was more than able to oversee and tend to the details.

Stella decided to give up the boarding house and return to her father's land to farm and live out her days in peace. Over the years, Stella took in children who were orphaned. She was revered by those near her as a woman of strength and the biggest of hearts.

Catherine was able to provide a good life for her children with the financial help from the money the Railroad sent to her to compensate for the mischief and grief they had caused her family. Isaiah lived out his days with her family, a devoted and well loved Friend.

Sheriff Oldie hung up his badge and headed to Missouri to carve out a small but meaningful life farming. He met a lovely widow and settled down to work the land and try to forget the hard years behind him.

Tom came for Sissy and his son. They worked their land, self sufficiently, and went on to have three more sons. Sissy outlived Tom, but lived long and happily amongst her sons and grandchildren.

Nita eventually returned to the land of the living, making a slow but satisfactory recovery. One morning, just before leaving Catherine's farm, Sissy went to Nita's bed. Nita smiled and Sissy placed something in Nita's hand. Nita was weak and slowly lifted it up to see what it was. It was Sissy's Sand Dollar. Sissy smiled as she placed one hand over the beads she wore.. a Gift from her Indian friend. Nita said weakly, "This Gift is too dear.." Sissy closed Nita's hand with the Sand Dollar inside. "Our Friendship is very dear to me, Nita."

Laughing Wolf and Nita went back up into the mountains, land of their people. BigOBear went with them, back to his family.

It is said that sometimes when folks travel past the place where Fought the River is layed to rest.. one can see a Bear standing there. Bits of bone and feathers.. stones.. beads.. and odd shells have been carefully placed to mark and honor the life of this beloved ancestor.

The Journey paths keep going. There are footprints in the snow, by the stream, trailing through the forest, on well worn roads through thriving towns.. each set of prints having a unique story to tell...

the end

Be Strong
~Grizzy~