Finish the Western

Cafe Society
41

By midnight Johnny Boy and Matt were miles from Connell’s ranch, they each sat in the dirt, leaning against an old log. Their camp fire was small, and hidden by a peninsula of large boulders.

Johnny Boy broke the silence, “Why you suppose Boss wants them papers back so bad?”

“Does it matter, JB, Boss gave us a job, and we’s gonna make sure it gits done.”

“And why’s we got to kill Belle for, she’s just trying to make good on her daddy’s name. I mean if we get them papers back, and she escapes, Boss won’t never know. She’d be too scared to ever come back around the ranch”

“JB… Why all of a sudden you questioning the Boss’ orders? Or is it that maybe you’re sweet on that girl?” Matt asked, not knowing JB’s feelings for Belle.

“Well Matt, I suppose you didn’t know I used to court Belle, well before that Jesse feller came around. Then she took a liking to him.”

Matt tried not to think too much about JB’s lost love. Although he was young and very handsome, he had never been too popular with the ladies, and he didn’t see what the big deal was.

“You think Belle knows Jesse is still alive? The way she rode out from the ranch and all, sure looked like she gave him up for dead.” Johnny Boy asked.

“Well you know, Cookie ain’t no doctor, all he knows how to fix is that awful 'possum stew. But I suppose Boss will keep Jesse alive for as long as he needs him for.”

Coyote howls as Johnny Boy and Matt lay out on their rolls, knowing they have to get an early start toward Andy’s Gulch, and knowing 3 hours of sleep pass by awful quick.

42

Wilson took a seat at the bar and ordered a whiskey. He had never been one to drink much, mainly because it interfered with his ability to keep the peace but he felt he needed a drink tonight. Then he noticed a well-dressed greyhaired man rise from the end of the bar. “Great,” he muttered under his breath, “he’s here.”

The man approached Wilson and said in a raspy voice, “Evening, Clay.”

“Evening, Mr. Anderson. Didn’t know you were in town.”

Anderson, just about the only remaining founding father, growled, “Why wouldn’t I be with all the racket?” He indicated the bloodstained floor, “Would you mind telling me exactly what’s been going on here?”

43

“'Nuther bad guy,” Wilson said shortly, downing his shot. He still had to go to Doc McCaulley, and maybe sometime this century he’d get back over to the Silverlode.

“Don’t get smart with me, sonny. The Gulch has been quiet for a coon’s age, and now the Silverlode front clerk is lying on a slab, there’s varmints locked up in the jail, and blood stains on the floor here. What in tarnation is going on?”

“I don’t have time to explain, Mr. Anderson, mainly because I don’t quite know what is going on. If you’ll excuse me, I have to get to Doc’s.” He politely pulled his arm out of Anderson’s grasp, threw some coins on the bar, and left, feeling more tired than he had ever been.

Mr. Anderson scowled, then turned his attention to that tall drink of water who had come in with the Sheriff and was currently lightening the pockets of the town’s renown poker players. Not that Anderson Gulch poker players were any great shakes to begin with, not like those Mississippi gamblers.

He waited until the hand was over, the stranger raking in the pot again, then interrupted.

“Howdy, pardner. How about you give these guys a break and let an old man buy you a drink?”

Slim looked at the angry faces of his new-found poker buddies and decided it was time to leave for now.

“Thanks, mister,” he said, walking with Anderson over to the bar. Anderson motioned to Tommy, who poured two shots of whiskey.

Slim looked at his shot for a long moment, before saying…

44

Night also passes quickly at the Charging Bear ranch. A rooster crows, horses and cattle stamp their hoofs, a dog barks at a passing rabbit. Belle was so tired she didn’t wake until Sally gently shook her shoulder. She started in alarm, then relaxed.

“Miss Belle? Ma and Pa and the others are up already and we’re fixing to eat. I brought a bowl of hot water so you can freshen up some.”

Belles’s stomach growled with the mention of food. “Thanks, Sally, that’s kind of you. I may be dressed like a man but I feel like a real hoyden right about now.” Sally turned to go but can’t help blurting out “I heard you talking in you sleep, and you kept saying ‘Jesse’. Was he your beau, the man who died?” She turned beet red a Belle’s face fell a notch, realizing she’d been too forward. Why did she have to talk so much?

Belle caught herself, realizing the girl hadn’t meant any harm. “Yes he was,” she said gently “He wasn’t my first beau, but he sure was my last.” They leave the room to go into the kitchen, where the rest are sitting at the kitchen table, eating bacon, flapjacks, and fried eggs.

“Well, now that we are a lot more clear headed” begins Charley, “we need to decided how to find out what is or isn’t going on back in town. A group might be safer, but I can’t leave this place undefended. So I think Hank and I should ride back to Anderson’s Gulch and look around, while Bart and Belle stay here. They’re likely hotter than a blacksmith’s forge, if my guess is right.”

Sally had perked up when it looked like Belle might be staying around a little longer “Pa, last night you all said I’m a good shot. I can show them around and we can figure out the best ways to keep lookouts all around.”

“That okay with you two?” asked Charley. Bart and Belle agree to help hold the fort, and Hank and Charley head off for town.

45

“I had to take it off 'bout halfway up the femur.”
“The what?” Wilson asked with a puzzled expression.
“The thigh bone, Clay.” replied Doc McCaulley as he finished washing his hands. The room was redolent with the smells of carbolic acid and ether. Doc, despite his age, was a progressive man and believed in those new-fangled ideas of antisepsis and anesthesia.
“He’s not going to have too much to say 'til he regains consciousness, and that won’t be for a some while yet. You look all in but the soles of your boots, Clay. Why don’t you go home and get some sleep. Even if this owlhoot wakes up, he sure isn’t going anywhere with only one leg.”
Wilson nodded his goodbye. As he wearily made his way back to the Silverlode, he brooded on Anderson and his high-handed ways. Wilson had never been a man who suffered others to lay hands on him. One day, that old buzzard, rich as Croesus though he might be, might push him too far.
“I was looking for a job when I found this one,” he muttered to himself.

46

Slim shifted his gaze from the full shot glass to Anderson, to Tommy, then back to the old man. He said, “No offense but I’d prefer something other than Nancy Whiskey.”

Anderson nodded to Tommy, who downed the shot himself then poured coffee for Slim. Anderson waited for Slim to take a long sip before talking again. “I’m Gus Anderson and this here’s my town. You’re pretty good at cards Mister…”

“McLeod. Abner McLeod, but I prefer ‘Slim’.” Slim took another sip. “You own the town?”

“Most of it, anyways. I settled here with my brothers back in '39, looked like a good place to raise cattle. Little did we know there was silver in them thar hills.” Anderson downed his shot and continued. “A couple of us are still here but the others started wanting more silver so they headed for Alaska.” He sighed. “Slim, I don’t suppose you have any idea of what’s been going on today?”

“Not exactly, sir, I’ve only been in town for a couple of hours. I do know Big Jim Conroy is in town, he works for a man named Connell. I’d wager the other two are in league with him as well and there are probably more on the way.”

“Anything else?”

“Well, I heard Big Jim shouting something about a woman named ‘Belle’ but that’s it. Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long night.”

47

Hank and Charley rode into town in the early morning. It promised to be a scorcher of a day, but for right now, the morning dew was still on the grass and the birds were busy singing as they clawed the ground for worms.

“Where do we start?” Hank asked, readjusting the patch that fit over his missing left eye.

“Prolly with the Sheriff,” Charley said. “When you’re in trouble, find the law.”

They hitched their horses in front of the jail and stepped onto the porch. The door opened and the Sheriff came out, stretching and yawning.

“Oh, no you don’t, Hank,” he declared, a determined look on his face. “I’m only going one place right now, and that’s the Silverlode. You can come along if you like, but I was busy chasing my tail last night, and nothing you can say is going to stop me from going to the Silverlode.”

“Whatcha goin’ there for, Sheriff?” Charley asked as Wilson stepped into the street.

“Not that it’s any of your concern, but I got to track down this stranger and this purty lady. They’re at the Silverlode and I have to talk to them. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

“Be a waste of time, Sheriff,” Hank called after him. Wilson turned, a weary look on his face.

“And why would that be?”

“Tain’t there anymore. They’re over at Charley’s. That’s why we came to find you. Someone’s after them, and we need your help.”

“I’ll be a stone sumbitch. Looks like I’ll be chasing my tail some more today. C’mon, you can tell me while we ride.”

In the shadows between the jail and Hasting’s Mercantile, JB and Matt looked at each other. They hastily climbed back into their saddles and waited until the trio were far enough ahead, then fell in behind them.

Following.

48

As morning breaks Al and Clem are starting to stir in their jail cells. Clem’s hair is matted with blood from Zeke’s tongs. They look at each other, both wondering how they are supposed to follow Connell’s orders while stuck in jail.

“Boss ain’t gonna be too happy once he finds out we’re in jail and not taking care of the business he sent us to do.”

Clem just moans in agreement.

Outside of town 2 figures on horseback are slowly making their way north into town.

“JB” Matt says, “We should get a room at the hotel then head over to the saloon and keep our ears open.”

“I wonder what happened to Al and Clem.”

“They are either passed out drunk with a couple of girls, or in jail.” Matt joked.

49

Okay, time for another story arc update.

New characters introduced since previous summary:

Zeke Clayton, blacksmith, helps Sheriff Wison and Slim capture Al and Clem when they escape from jail. Bonks one on the head and the other is knocked out just running into Zeke.
Doc McCaulleywho takes off the leg of the man shot in the Tumbleweed by Sheriff Wilson. Seems to keep up with the latest medical developments.
Johnny Boy and Matt, two more henchmen(I love that word!) sent out by Boss Connell to catch Belle and/or bring back those gosh darned papers that are causing such a ruckus. Johnny Boy once courted Belle but she went head over heels for Jesse. Matt is said to be good looking but not lucky with the ladies. Misogynistic or an all around sociopath?
Gus Anderson"Founding father" of Anderson’s Gulch, along with his brothers he helped develop the mining industry.
George an employee of Connell, doesn’t seem so bad himself.

Things we have learned:

  1. Belle’s father is definitely dead, drowned in a river, possible suicide in despair over losing ranch.
  2. Belle’s father was named Archie Kasson, making his daughter Belle Kasson.
  3. Archie did gamble, it’s how he lost everything.
  4. Joe, the front desk clerk at the Silverlode Hotel is dead, killed by Al Parker and Clem Jackson, during their escape attempt from the jail.
  5. Belle revealed that the reason Boss Connell has been so “land hungry” is because he knows about more mineral deposits and is attempting to corner the market, by fair means or foul
  6. Slim’s name is Abner McLeod.(Anybody that tries to include an aside where we learn Slim is related to someone named Connor or Duncan will be hunted down like a no good rattlesnake and then we will…well, why spoil the surprise?) He also seems to be a recovering alcoholic, as is Bart Conroy. He’s in Adnerson’s Gulch because he took a wrong turn at
  7. Sheriff Wilson’s first name is Clay.
  8. Jesse Parker is still alive! He was gravely wounded and not killed outright, as Belle assumed. He’s being tended by Cookie, a worker at Boss Connell’s place. Ominous mention is made by Johnny Boy that Connell may be keeping him alive only as long as he thinks he needs him.

Musings:

If Gus Anderson is still wealthy, what keep’s him in a faded town, even if he did help found it? Most would take their loot and head for Denver, Salt Lake City, or San Francisco, maybe even back East.

I think the man who has lost his leg is Jim Conroy, yet another agent of Connell, and mentioned before. My evidence for this is that Slim said “Big Jim Conroy is in town” to Anderson. Slim had heard the voice shouting, recognized it, and hadn’t had time to get to know anyone else, except those mentioned by name. But why didn’t he ID him to the sheriff?

Slim is in Anderson’s Gulch because he took a wrong turn at an unmarked crossroads. He may be on horseback getting between railroad or stagecoach routes.(Just my guess)

Who took over as a clerk at the Silverlode Hotel? Does it matter?

As I preview one more time before posting I learn that Hank and Charley have met up with Sheriff Wilson, their revelation that Bart and Belle are at the ranch is overheard by Johnny Boy and Matt, who subsequently tail them back out of town.

50

P.S. I meant to include that as of this post, there have been 46 chapters to this story. Seven different authors have contributed, and I still think it;s remarkable how a common continuity line has been preserved. Maybe there’s teeny details out of whack but not anything I discovered.

Current contributors;
ivylass 14 chapters
Jeff Olsen 11 chapters
Baker 9 chapters
Scumpup 6 chapters
Will Santini 3 chapters
Nut Magnet 2 chapters
Captain Amazing 1 chapter

Thanks again to ivylass for starting this story. Truly, “a tale that grew in the telling”.

51

I was writing Slim into the story where he met Tommy first and ID’ed Clem and Al but when I hit Preview I saw ivylass had brought in the big-bellied man. He probably didn’t have time to ID the big man because he ended up too busy chasing down Clem & Al and Wilson hadn’t bothered to ask.

52

The sheriff and company entered Charley’s house, being watched by Johnny Boy and Matt from a distance.

After about ten minutes of watching, Matt spoke up, “Well JB, what do we do now?”

“You got to figure there is at least four men in that house, plus Belle and prolly a couple other ladies. And I’m fer shure them ladies can pull a trigger just as good as a man, so I’m fer headin’ back to town and finding Al and Clem, we shure gonna need them if bullets start flying. Besides I’m hungry and I sure could use something besides that dried jerky I’ve been chewing on the last couple days.”

Matt’s stomach growled at the thought of a nice breakfast, “Yeah, I don’t see that bunch going anywhere anytime soon, and this is the only road to town.”

The henchmen crawled back about 20 yards to where their horses were hidden, mounted and rode for the Gulch. Without a word being spoken, they knew what was on the other’s mind: What is going on inside that house…?

53

While finishing his cigar, “Boss” Sutton Connell pondered his next move. He was almost positive Johnny Boy and Matt would come back with the goods. However, he trusted no one but himself, so he would need a backup plan, insurance as it were. Time to go see Cookie and his “guest”.

As he took the path out of his large, handsome ranch house, to the small servant’s shack where Jesse had been stashed for the last three weeks, the Boss chuckled to himself. It amused him to have an ace in the hole like Jesse Parker. Even if that bitch Belle Kasson did manage to evade the men he’d sent, even if she did come back for her threatened revenge, all he had to do was trade the man for the evidence. Women in love were such stupid fools. And two shots in the back would get his revenge, without having lost anything.

Boss hollered at the door to the shack, “Cookie, it’s me. You got him chained up proper before you let me in?” There was no answer. Drawing his pistol, and standing back from the door, he kicked it in with his foot. The door burst inward, and it was obvious it had already been open. A groan came from inside, and as Connell peered inside he was furious to see Cookie lying on the floor, tied up with what looked like bedsheets. The shackle that had held his prisoner was lying unlocked on the floor, and Jesse Parker was nowhere to be seen.

54

“So that’s it, Sheriff,” Belle said as Wilson thumbed through the papers. “On top of Bart getting my father to lose our ranch, it seems Connell has ulterior motives, buying up all this land.”

“Connell. Now I remember the name. About six months ago some Easterner came through here, claiming he was from Connell Mining Corporation. He did some tests at the mine, said it was bust, and started buying up property. If I remember right, Gus Anderson backed him up, although he didn’t buy any land. Anderson said he looked at the tests, and sure enough, the silver mine was done for.”

Bart pulled out a sheet from the pile. “But this shows, as Belle said, there’s still plenty of silver left, with hopes of copper and even gold. I don’t know if Anderson was duped or if he’s in on it, but Connell trying to kill the Gulch, so he can have the mine all to himself.”

Wilson shook his head. “I gotta tell you, Miss Kasson, this is gettin’ a bit too big for me. Anderson’s Gulch has been quiet for so long. I don’t know how I can help you.”

Belle smiled, a heartbreakingly beautiful smile that had turned Jesse’s knees to jelly. “You’re not the only one, Sheriff. It’s not up to you. It’s up to us.”

“Pa! Pa!” Sally shrieked from the porch. Charlie and Caroline were up like a shot.

“What gal?” Charlie said, with everyone grabbing their guns and heading for the windows.

“Look!” Sally pointed, as a tall skinny man rode into the field. He had his hands raised above his head.

“Why, that’s Slim MacLeod!” Wilson said. “How’d he get out here?”

55

(I just wanted to say thank you to Baker and everyone else who’s enjoying this story. I admit, I gasped when I realized Jesse is still alive, and on top of that, he’s escaped! How badly hurt is he? He’s had three weeks to recover under the less than benevolent attentions of Cookie, is that enough time? Does he resent Belle for leaving him, or is he glad she got away and is longing to tell her he’s still alive? Anyway, back to our story…)

56

Bart laughed. “Prob’ly lost, as usual.”

Wilson asked, “You know him?”

“Not personally, played cards with him a few times. Likes to tell stories between hands, says he keeps getting in the middle of trouble because of a wrong turn.”

57

ivylass , I don’t have time to do a full chapter now because I’ve sneaked away again, and have to hurry back to work, but I’d like to think Jesse still loves Belle and doesn’t resent what happened. His being “dead” to her was a logical ssumption to make.

58

Jesse decided to stop and rest, the bleeding had started up again, and his feet were sore from walking all night. He needed to get to Belle before Connell’s men did. He figured it was at least another 5 miles to Andy’s Gulch, but for now he needed rest, and food. His escaped had not been planned, he saw the opportunity and he took it. Now he wishes he could have stolen one of Connell’s horses and maybe some jerky and biscuits. But for now, he’ll find a hiding place by the nearby creek and rest.

Back in town, Johnny Boy and Matt are having breakfast at Bertha’s Eatin’ Haus. Seated at the table next to them are too older gentlemen discussing the two gun hands the sheriff has locked up in the jail.

Johnny Boy and Matt continue eating, both aware the two gun hands locked up must be Al and Clem.

“I suppose if we hurry and finish our breakfast, we can git to the jail and bust them two out before the sheriff gits back to town.”

Matt nods and says, “Who do you think is guarding the Jail?”

59

Okay, I’m legally on break now.

Will Santini, I would have emailed you but it’s not enabled here. Just wanted to say it’s spooky the way you are writing your posts. Your latest is at least 85% the way I would have done it, especially the way Jesse mad his getaway while not being completely healed. ____________________________________________________

Boss Connell stomped angrily away from the shack after freeing Cookie, and chewing him out royally. What the hell was he supposed to do now? Couldn’t his hands do anything right? What he didn’t think about was that if he had a failing as a boss, it was that he just didn’t realize that not everyone was as ruthless and cynical as he was.

Whatever. “I guess the old saw is true then” he muttered “If you want something done right you have to do it yourself.” So in spite of the fact that he hadn’t given JB and Matt anough time to get back yet, he made up his mind to go after Belle himself, and put her out of his misery. It wasn’t only the papers he was peeved about, it was…well, how dare she turn him down like that! Who did she think she was? “George” he hollered “Saddle up Buckskin and get my gear together, I’m going on a little business trip!”

Meanwhile, back in Anderson’s Gulch, Parson Gray, the new minister from the local Methodist church, was entering the jail. He’d passed Doctor McCaulley on the street that morning and had been told of the jail’s current residents. A compassionate man, he’d decided to visit and see if there was anything he could do for them.

And down the street Johnny Boy and Matt emerge from Bertha’s, intent on getting Al and Clem busted out of jail. “JB,” says Matt, “here’s what I figure we should do”

60

The gentlemen who were seated next to Johnny Boy & Matt were none other than Will and Paul Anderson, Gus’s baby brothers. They continue to discuss Wilson’s guests until Will changed the subject. “Seems them boys are in a hurry,” he said as their seatmates headed out the door.

“Yeah,” said Paul, “Gus did mention we could expect more hired guns around here when he sent us to check on things. I bet those are two of 'em.”

“Well, if we’re to find out what all these strangers is doing here, I guess we’d better find that one-eyed watchdog. Funny that he’s not in the Tumbleweed.”

“What about the jail?”

“Other than them guests, nobody’s in there but Zeke and the doc.”

“Sure is somethin’ odd goin’ on lately. All these strangers, no sheriff, and no Hank.”

“Well, if we find one, we’re bound to find the other.”