"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted August 10, 2018
“Well,” He began, “There’s trolley cars all over in the east. And still one can find open country if you get out of the city. But honestly, you’d think there wasn’t any room the way the buildings are jammed together.” At that moment, the food arrived. “Ah, thank you, this looks good.” He attacked the steak with vigor, realizing how hungry he was. Between bites, he asked; “How long you figure to get back?”
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted August 13, 2018
Speed finished his steak, then his beer. "Rain?" He asked. "Does it come on all of a sudden like? I've seen that in the east and in the south." He wasn't sure if she was joshing him, or if she was serious. "Starlight in open country, nothing like it! Been one of the best parts of the trip out here.
He sat back and agreed. "Yes, pie for the trip back sounds just capital."
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted August 15, 2018
"Well, then..." Addy grinned, pushing her plate aside and motioning over the waitress so they could order their pie and settle the bill. "I thank ya for th' meal," she told Speed, "right good decision!"
Chuckling, she stood and gathered the pie. "Should be long enough time that they got th' wagon loaded." That was the good thing about some of these runs...there was pretty much no work with it, just drive in, wait to get loaded, then head out. Of course, back in Kalispell, she'd have to unload, but she'd find help for that if she needed it.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted August 15, 2018
"So when we get back, you have folks to unload for you?" Speed asked, laying a quarter dollar on the table. "If not, I'll lend a hand. So far this has been a great time. Fact is if I'm not out scouring for mineral deposits and the like, I'd be glad to ride with you anytime." And he meant that. He followed her out of the place into the cool of the evening.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted August 19, 2018
"Might be, but some'a th' load's fer th' new Doc, an' I ain't so sure he'll be so helpful, so it depends on how big th' crates are." She stood and followed Speed out. It was rime to get moving if they were going to make it close to town before it was dark.
"I'd certainly appreciate any help," she declared, "be a fool ta turn that down, sooner done, sooner I can get ta unhitchin' th' team an' be done!" She shrugged. "That don't matter too much, I ain't got nothin' early tomorrow."
The wagon was loaded and waiting, the cargo covered with a tarp just in case a rain storm came up, and Addy climbed up to settle on the seat as she gathered the lines. "I'd be happy ta have company any time, never know when ya might need an extra hand." She grinned. "An' in return I promise ta look out fer shiny rocks!
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted August 20, 2018
"Then it seems we have a deal." Speed said as he climbed aboard. "Loaded like this I would expect it'll take longer to get back. You're sure we'll make it by dark?" He asked, not that it would be a problem, it was clear and he knew that the moon and stars would sufficiently light their way, should darkness fall before they reached Kalispell.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted August 23, 2018
"Maybe not ta town proper, but we'll be back to th' bigger roads, so it won't be too hard. Horses know where they're goin'." Heck, they could likely even navigate the way home without her, so long as they knew the barn and supper were waiting! "Course, they'll be eager ta get home so they'll step a little livelier!"
Addy relaxed back, holding the ribbons loosely, "Less likely ta run inta anyone else much, an' that's good. On occasion, ya get behind a farmer movin' hay or takin' a load'a grain to th' mill...lumber, too, an' there's nowhere for 'em ta move outta yer way." Of course, other people had a right to be on the roads and had to do their business, but it could be annoying, especially when she was on a schedule.
It wasn't long before the light was starting to fade and the waning Moon was brightening overhead, along with a few stars and a planet. "Lookit there...Mars, right, th' red planet. Folks say there's bein's living up there. Ya reckon that's so?"
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted August 24, 2018
"Maybe not ta town proper, but we'll be back to th' bigger roads, so it won't be too hard. Horses know where they're goin'." Heck, they could likely even navigate the way home without her, so long as they knew the barn and supper were waiting! "Course, they'll be eager ta get home so they'll step a little livelier!"
“Horses know. I agree. They can find their way over familiar terrain with few if any problems.” He agreed. “Most of the trip the animals I bought had been steady mounts that didn’t mind the picket pin. But one in Ohio jerked that pin and set me afoot. The trail had been simple to follow, right back home. Man was agreeable enough and swapped him out for another. But that was some walk.”
Addy relaxed back, holding the ribbons loosely, "Less likely ta run inta anyone else much, an' that's good. On occasion, ya get behind a farmer movin' hay or takin' a load'a grain to th' mill...lumber, too, an' there's nowhere for 'em ta move outta yer way." Of course, other people had a right to be on the roads and had to do their business, but it could be annoying, especially when she was on a schedule.
“Oh, I imagine so. One day though, the trails out here will become roads with room in both directions, like the wider roads you have already.” He predicted. “Seen it happen in the east already. Then some are covered with cobblestone and brick. Cobblestones have been with us since Revolutionary times.”
It wasn't long before the light was starting to fade and the waning Moon was brightening overhead, along with a few stars and a planet. "Lookit there...Mars, right, th' red planet. Folks say there's bein's living up there. Ya reckon that's so?"
“Mars? I’ve heard some of that talk when I was in New York. I suppose if the Maker wanted to, there could be, though I’ve not heard a word on the religious front.” Speed speculated. “Looks to be a long ways away don’t it?”
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted August 29, 2018
"Is that, fer certain!" Addy nodded agreement as she glanced at the darkening sky. A few of the more prominent stars were already standing out against the waning light of dusk, along with the planet and Moon. "Reckon th' horses'd get tired before we got there...if they could fly!"
She chuckled, then gave the lines a jiggle as the horses broke stride. They picked up again, but then the off lead balked and shied into his mate, throwing the whole team off balance...
In a heartbeat, several things happened...
Addy considered that whatever had spooked the animal could be about anything, snake, coyote, mountain cat...no matter, she needed to maintain control of the horses, and she could sense Speed beside her tensing and looking for the danger...
The lead horses straightened, then squealed and reared back, and the wheelers backed into the traces, trying to get out of the way, only there was nowhere to go...the wagon lurched under the shifting of weight, and before Addy could bring the horses in line, there was a might roar from the right, and a flurry of dark fur as some beast grabbed at the off lead...
And there was sheer panic as the other horses tried to break free, the wagon tilted crazily...