"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted October 30, 2018
He raked his fingers through unruly straw-colored hair, then asked, "Do you need anything, or I can go start cleaning tack for her." It was getting pretty late. "Miz Addy'll expect me to go to school in the morning, so I can't help then."
"Then you best get to what needs doing because school is important." Speed said, "man needs an education in this world."
As much as he didn't like school and argued on the point, Addy insisted, so he did it to make her happy. "I can carry some coffee if you need."
"Oh I believe I can manage two cups, but I'll promise you this if I have anything that needs doing, I'll hunt you up." With that, he poured the boiling hot black liquid into the tin cups and just for a moment he was back with F Troop of the Thirteenth having evening coffee around the fire. He shook the memory and followed Weedy out into the barn carrying the two cups. "Coffee's on."
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted November 2, 2018
Addy looked over as the two emerged from the small space that served as her living quarters and smiled. "Just in time!" Ruffling Weedy's hair, she chided, "Best ya be gettin' ta bed, an' after school tomorrow come by, I'll give ya half a dollar if ya clean th' tack an' wagon, all right?"
Eyes wide, the boy nodded. "Yes, ma'am...Miz Addy." He started to trot off, then turned and looked back at Speed, then the woman. "Miz Addy, I been taking your sugar now and then."
"I know," she grinned at him, "an' it's 'I have been'. Now go on, an' there might be some lemondrops in th' sugar bowl tomorrow." She winked at him. "Ya stayin' here tanight, or goin' home?"
"Here, if it's all right?" Weedy headed to the ladder that led up to the loft. "Good night, Miz Addy, Mr. Speed."
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted November 3, 2018
"Night Weedy." Speed added watching the boy scramble to the loft. "Good young man there. Be something someday." He took a sip of the coffee and added; "Best we head back for the wagon, I think."
He wasn't really looking forward to the possibility of the bear coming back for the dead horse, but it was there to be done. Couldn't let that wagon sit out in the open like that. Most folks were honest enough, but then there were those who might be more than tempted. And, it was possible that Indians could come upon it and Lord knows what they might do.
"Not to push, just sayin' I'm ready once the coffee's done."
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted November 3, 2018
"I hope th' boy does good," Addy commented, then took a sip of the coffee, sighing as the warmth hit her belly, "he's smart, but his ma...don't quite know her story, don't really care, I just give him what he needs when he comes by. I know I ain't th' only one." The kid was so personable, and he was willing to work, so he had several folks in town looking after him, it was just a shame his folks didn't. "Ya ever need light work done, he's th' man!"
Carrying her mug, she headed for the main door. "Reckon we should go wake up th' sheriff, tell him what happened, then get on with business." It was going to be a powerful long day, but at least having something to do would keep her mind occupied, and she was glad for the company.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted on November 4, 2018
Speed took a sip and nodded. The boy had the makings, that was evident, seemed like all he really needed was some that cared, and a chance. "He'll do and if I can I'll provide some tasks he can handle. As to the Sheriff, best we finish this coffee and have at it. A site to be done before this night ends.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted November 9, 2018
"Right on that." Addy nodded, then shrugged. "We can drink while we walk, right?" Sighing, she started across the street, taking small sips of coffee as they went. "Whoever bags that bear'll get a good bit'a meat. Might track down one'a th' tribes in th' area, put them on that critter, they're better at huntin' an' can use th' meat. Us folk aren't so keen on bear meat, too tough an' gamy."
They stopped in front of the sheriff's office and she knocked on the door -- this time of night it would be locked and whoever was minding the place would be likely asleep. "It's Addy Chappel," she called, "just gotta talk fer a minute!"
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted November 10, 2018
"Whoever bags that bear'll get a good bit'a meat. Might track down one'a th' tribes in th' area, put them on that critter, they're better at huntin' an' can use th' meat. Us folk aren't so keen on bear meat, too tough an' gamy."
"Whoever bags that bear'll prevent a whole lot of carnage." Speed stated, knowing the animal was just rampaging rather than looking for food, so animals and people would be fair game. "They can be destructive characters when they're a mind to."
They stopped in front of the sheriff's office and she knocked on the door -- this time of night it would be locked and whoever was minding the place would be likely asleep. "It's Addy Chappel," she called, "just gotta talk fer a minute!"
Posted February 19, 2019
It was Hannah's turn to mind the office which she did not mind in the least. Kalispell was mostly peaceful although Friday nights could see some action. Friday was payday for most of the local spreads which meant the cowhands and others flocked to the nearest town. A fair few of them landed in the jail to sober up and cool off. This time of the week, however, was quiet. Hannah liked the quiet hours to herself that the night shift normally provided.
Therefore the knock on the door surprised her. Everything had been quiet when she made her rounds of the town's main street a few minutes earlier. She put down the book she had been reading, walked across the office, looked through the peephole to make sure the woman was who she said she was and opened the door.
"Addy, Mr. Guyer," Hannah greeted them, "come in. I have coffee on the stove. What's happened?" She assumed if they were there at that time of night that something must have occurred to bring them in to see her.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted February 20, 2019
"Coffee sounds real good about now," Addy declared, stepping into the office. "Evenin', Miz Hanna...or mornin', dependin' on how ya look at it!" She sank into a wooden chair and leaned back, giving in a little to just how tired she was. "We were headin' back from Whitefish when we got set on by a bear...big one, that, kilt one's my team...didn't seem ta have no fear like a sensible critter would."
Most predators, even the big ones, sought lone targets and avoided all the commotion and noise that came along with a freight wagon and its team.
"Thought ya oughta know."
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted February 21, 2019
Speed’s head was throbbing, but not quite as bad as it had been. He was bone tired which didn’t help. “Glad of the offer Deputy.” He said and he took up one of the tin cups and filled it with the steaming brown liquid.
After a sip he continued; “I managed to graze the critter twice I know of, which is not going to bode well for his state of mind. Not that it could be much worse than it already was, just added to his fury.” He took another sip.