Hey guys. Barry here. I have had a few complaints from readers that with the nature of these postings, and the way things are sometimes not in the correct timeline, that things can get a bit confusing. I understand and have come up with list of the people involved in Prissy's story. Hopefully this will help clear up any misunderstandings.
Priscella Cardwell - School Marm with a past
Marshall Snake Johnson - Lawman in love with Prissy
Johnny Cardwell - Prissy's husband
John Roberts - Deputy, livery owner
Sally Roberts - Prissy's friend, John's wife
Dan Bullard - Owner "Broken Noose" saloon
Ruby Rose - Owner "Rosie's" saloon
Stan Masterson - Gambler
Scarlet Preston - Owner "Honey Pot" brothel
Doc Thomas - Town Doctor
Jimmy "Shots" Scafe - Young gunslinger
Miss Daisy - Rich widow
June Lovett - Saloon singer
Kid Holmes - Wanted outlaw
Wyatt Mitchelson - Rancher
Maude Mitchelson - Rancher
Johnathon Dukes - Banker
Fergus "Fingers" O'Mally - Drunk, old gunslinger
Silas Fergenson - Owner Red Creek Tribune
Miss Davens - Original School Marm
Gus Tanner - House Manager @ Rosie’s
Chancy (negro) - Security @ Honey Pot
Fallina - Dancer @ Broken Noose
Lloyd Barker - Sheriff killed by Holmes
Ron Pierce - Reverend
Monday, January 30, 2012
Priscila's Diary - February 1876
Praise the Lord, Johnny is recovering. He is awake and beginning to heal. Doc Thomas says he is confident of the outcome. He has been awake for 3 days now. Snake sent John Roberts to tell me when he woke up. I was allowed to see him on the second day. I am not sure what to think. He has admitted to helping that horrible outlaw steal Mr Mitchellson's horses. He has admitted to alot of things. He seems sorrowful. I don't know what is going to happen. Snake is holding him until the he is healed enough to stand trial. Then he will send for the judge. I wonder how much of this is my fault? I ..... I don't know.
The town is still ablaze over the shootout at Rosie's the other night. No one feels safe. They had a big town meeting about it yesterday at the Church. I was going to go but Joshua is feeling poorly. Sally went and wrote down most of what happened for me. After the meeting Snake and his deputies left town for the hills, I am guessing to try to find The Kid again. I went to the jail last night to see Johnny and was surprised to see Mr. O'Mally sitting at Snake's desk. He looked almost sober. He told me Snake asked him to look after the place while they were gone. I know he has his own problems, but he seems to be a good man.
And this morning a bunch of boys from The Circle M Ranch came into town with Mr Mitchellson. He posted them around town almost as guards. Said they were here to keep an eye on things while Snake and his deputies were in the hills. I guess it was part of the meeting yesterday. Wyatt went to see Johnny at the jail. Told him he was very disappointed in him. Said he never figured Johnny for a horse thief. Poor Johnny said he was sorry and he felt real bad. Said the liquor made him crazy and he wished he could take it back. Mitchellson said it was too late for sorry's with all the new bodies lying up in the cemetery now. Johnny asked him if he could to watch out for me and Joshua. Wyatt said he would. He came by and told me what they had talked about when he left the jail.
I know things look bad for Johnny. They look real bad. And I know he done wrong. But I can't bear the thought of losing him. Joshua needs his father. Even if it's not the right man.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Red Creek Tribune - January 28th, 1876
Murderous Attack in Local Saloon
By Silas Furgenson, owner, Red Creek Tribune
Good readers, the violent turn our beloved town of Red Creek has recently taken has hit an all time high, or low if you will, with a bloody, fierce, deadly gunfight in Rosie's Saloon on Friday night. Seven men met their ends on Rosie's main floor in the span of a few, wild moments. Marshal Snake Johnson sits in the center of the events and controversy surrounding the chaos.
It appears that at least seven men came into Rosie's on Friday night with a murderous intent to do the Marshal harm. Johnson is credited with the deaths of four of these. Young "Shots" Scarfe is said to have killed two of them, while the last fell to the gun of former Texas Ranger Fergus O'Malley. The strangest thing about the attack, dear readers, is that no one seems to know the identity of any of the would-be killers. No one remembers seeing them in town before Friday. Were they members of Kid Holmes' outlaw gang, said to be hidden somewhere in the foothills outside of town? Were they hired assassins? No one knows.
Marshal Johnson again has refused to comment to press about the event. Newly sworn in deputy Scarfe seemed anxious to speak about the matter until ordered by Johnson to "Shut his damn fool mouth."
Tensions are running high and speculation seems to be running rampart throughout the town. Never fear loyal readers, the Tribune will keep you abreast of the situation.
It appears that at least seven men came into Rosie's on Friday night with a murderous intent to do the Marshal harm. Johnson is credited with the deaths of four of these. Young "Shots" Scarfe is said to have killed two of them, while the last fell to the gun of former Texas Ranger Fergus O'Malley. The strangest thing about the attack, dear readers, is that no one seems to know the identity of any of the would-be killers. No one remembers seeing them in town before Friday. Were they members of Kid Holmes' outlaw gang, said to be hidden somewhere in the foothills outside of town? Were they hired assassins? No one knows.
Marshal Johnson again has refused to comment to press about the event. Newly sworn in deputy Scarfe seemed anxious to speak about the matter until ordered by Johnson to "Shut his damn fool mouth."
Tensions are running high and speculation seems to be running rampart throughout the town. Never fear loyal readers, the Tribune will keep you abreast of the situation.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Ruby's Letters - January 1876 ( Snake, Shots, and Fingers) Part Three
Ya know Margo, I have heard men talk about how in combat, or fights and such things that time can somehow slow down. How some fellas can see more, and maybe even do more, in the space of a few seconds. I now believe that must be true.
When the shooting started I felt like that. The whole thing was over in a moment, but I feel like I saw every detail, every little thing that happened. I know I should have just yelled and ducked behind the bar until it was over, but I could not stop myself from watching.
The tall cowboy was the first to reach for his pistol. And he was fast. At least it seemed like he was. But his pistol had not even cleared his holster before Snake's gun fired. The cowboy's head shot back has he fell to the floor. His friend reached for the Colt on his hip but Snake took no notice. He suddenly knelt and twirled to face behind him. At the same time I saw Shots stand up from his table with his fancy Pearl and Gold pistol raging. The shorter cowboy was dropped next to his friend. I turned my head to follow Snake's gaze and saw there were suddenly other men in the crowd with guns in their hands. The room became full of smoke as several pistols all seemed to fire at once. Screams of pain mixed with shouts of fear and explosions of gunpowder. A bottle behind my head exploded and whiskey and glass seemed to fill the air. I saw a man grab his belly in pain and start to fall as another shot took him in the leg. The floor in front of Snake threw up wood chips as the bullets landed nearby. Another would be assassin screamed as Snake's bullet took off the top of his head. Shots turned his attention to the new threat as well. His pistol cracked and the fifth man fell backwards over the craps table. The last assailant standing unloaded a shotgun in Snake's direction, but luckily his aim was too high and he peppered the wall behind him. Two more shots rang out from Snake's guns, and the man with the shotgun lay on the floor.
Suddenly the silence seemed to feel as heavy in the room as the drifting smoke. Snake stood frozen gazing back and forth across the room, almost daring anyone else to make a play. Finally satisfied, he slowly lowered his pistols.
"God Damn!!" Shots shouted coming from behind his table. "Whoo!!! Did you see that? Did you God Damn see that?? Now that was some crazy shit!!" Lily came out from under a table she was hiding behind and jumped into his arms.
Snake turned and looked at me. "Sorry about the mess Ruby." he said as he reloaded his guns. I stood in shock for a moment. I think I was trying to take it all in. My dress was covered in glass and whiskey. "Ruby? Ruby? You alright gal?" My attention came back as I looked his eyes.
"Damn Snake," I stammered like a school girl." I don't.... I ..... -Watch Out!!" I yelled as I saw a rifle suddenly pop across the the upstairs balcony aimed at Snake's back. He twirled and reached for his pistol as a gun blared from the end of the bar. The man upstairs dropped the rifle and fell over the balcony, crashing through a table as he hit the floor dead. Snake whipped his aim towards the end of the bar, ready for a new threat.
And there, well, there was a sight that just about surprised the living hell of me, sis. There stood Fingers, with the first dead cowboy's gun smoking in his hand. He looked as shocked at himself as I imagine we all did. He stared at the gun like he was not quite sure what had happened. Then he looked up at Snake.
Snake tipped his hat at Fingers and said "Much abliged friend." Fingers slid the cowboy's gun under his belt and replied "Gotta make sure you get all of them son. Else, what's the point?" He turned and reached for his glass.
Damn Margo, not sure I can take many more nights like that.
Ruby's Letters - January 1876 ( Snake, Shots, and Fingers) Part Two
"All right Snake, and you can call me Ruby." I opened another bottle for him. "Looks like you made a friend in young Shots there. He is a decent enough kid."
"Yeah he seems alright." He said as he lit a cigarette. " A bit too cocky for his own good that's for sure, but he has some grit to him. Found a few fellas in this town like that. My new Deputy, he's a good man."
"John Roberts?" I asked. "Don't rightly know him too well. But he has a reputation around town as an honest man. I can see where he would make a good lawman."
"Yep. Brave man. Quiet. Unlike young Shots over there." He nodded to the table behind him where Shot's face seemed to be attached to the front of Lily's corset. Damn girl knows better, but she is my best earner, so I let her get away with small things like that from time to time.
"So where you been Snake?" I asked him. "My girls have been about sick to death with worry that they have done something to upset you. You ain't been by to see any of them in days!"
"No such thing Ruby. No such thing at all." He poured himself a drink from the new bottle and downed it. "You're girls have been real nice. No complaints from me, that's for damn sure. Things just got, um, complicated, that's all." He almost looked embarrassed.
"Uh huh," I replied as I watched him pour another."Complicated? Damn Snake, do not tell me some She-Cat done got her claws into you already? I just might burn this place to the ground and move back East if I thought such a thing were true!"
"No ma'm, not that at all." I couldn't tell if he was lyin to me or not. "Just, ...well,.... I best not talk about it Miss Ruby if'n it's all the same." He was certainly hiding something. I was curious as hell now and was not going to let him off the hook that easy. But then, things took a turn.
I heard a loud slap and the crash of a glass hitting the floor. I swear I heard Snake sigh gently and say what I believed to be "Finally" under his breath. As people moved away from the end of the bar I saw Johnathon Dukes, the banker, kneeling amidst the remains of his glass. He was holding his right cheek in his hand. There were two cowboys I did not know standing over him with evil grins on their faces. Everyone else cleared away, except for Fingers, who seemed not to be taking any notice of the event at all. "I told you the men in this town were soft Jake. Soft as babies!" said the taller cowboy to his friend with a drunken laugh. They were both rough looking. Their hair was as dirty as their clothes. Their boots were well used and muddy. They seemed to have a dangerous look about them. Only their pistols seemed clean and well taken care of.
"I did not offend you sir! You struck me for no reason!" Dukes said in his mousy voice. His face was red and puffy. His eyes were watery. "No reason at all!" My bouncer Gus started to make his way to where the trouble was.
"Pull your man away Ruby." Snake whispered to me as he slowly turned around and put his back to the bar. "No need for him to get hurt." His voice suddenly seemed clear and sober. Something in his tone made me think there was more going on here than it looked like. I noticed Snake was not even looking at Dukes and the two cowboys, but was sweeping his gaze at the other side of the room. Almost as if he was searching for something. I also noticed Shots make Lily get off of his lap and move away from the table. He had a grin on his face. My danger sense started kickin in mighty strong at that point.
"Marshal!" cried out Dukes from the floor "Marshal, you gonna let them them just beat on an innocent man? I did nothing to these men!!! I need your help!" The crowd continue to move away until there was no one in that side of the room except the cowboys, Dukes, Fingers, and Snake, who slowly turned his head towards the cowboys.
"Well now Mr. Dukes," he said very calmly, "I'm afraid I can't help ya. I'm off duty right now." The cowboys began to laugh at this. I noticed Fingers' head finally rose up from his glass to look at Snake for a second.
"Off duty?" Duked cried. "Off duty?"
The shorter of the cowboys laughed. "I reckon you were right Paul, looks like everybody in this town is yella! Even the damn Marshal!" Gus had just about made it to the cowboys, but he stopped at this and looked at me. I motioned him to move away. Snake took a step away from the bar and stood out in the open. Dukes began to crawl away.
"You fellas sure you want to go through with this? You want to play this all the way out?" His hands slipped down next to his pistols. "Oldtimer, you best move from behind those two."
"If'n it's all the same Marshall," replied Fingers as he raised his glass,"I am enjoying my beer right here."
"Suit yerself friend. Now boys this is your one and only chance to walk out of here alive tonight. I know what this is. I know what you are planning. Give it up, you can't win." The shorter cowboy looked nervous, but the taller one smiled.
"Damn son," he said, "I heard you were a cocky son of a bitch. You really think you are that good?"
"Aint no one proved me wrong yet friend." Said Snake. "Last chance."
"Go fuck yourself." He said as he went for his gun.
Then everything went to Hell.
"Yeah he seems alright." He said as he lit a cigarette. " A bit too cocky for his own good that's for sure, but he has some grit to him. Found a few fellas in this town like that. My new Deputy, he's a good man."
"John Roberts?" I asked. "Don't rightly know him too well. But he has a reputation around town as an honest man. I can see where he would make a good lawman."
"Yep. Brave man. Quiet. Unlike young Shots over there." He nodded to the table behind him where Shot's face seemed to be attached to the front of Lily's corset. Damn girl knows better, but she is my best earner, so I let her get away with small things like that from time to time.
"So where you been Snake?" I asked him. "My girls have been about sick to death with worry that they have done something to upset you. You ain't been by to see any of them in days!"
"No such thing Ruby. No such thing at all." He poured himself a drink from the new bottle and downed it. "You're girls have been real nice. No complaints from me, that's for damn sure. Things just got, um, complicated, that's all." He almost looked embarrassed.
"Uh huh," I replied as I watched him pour another."Complicated? Damn Snake, do not tell me some She-Cat done got her claws into you already? I just might burn this place to the ground and move back East if I thought such a thing were true!"
"No ma'm, not that at all." I couldn't tell if he was lyin to me or not. "Just, ...well,.... I best not talk about it Miss Ruby if'n it's all the same." He was certainly hiding something. I was curious as hell now and was not going to let him off the hook that easy. But then, things took a turn.
I heard a loud slap and the crash of a glass hitting the floor. I swear I heard Snake sigh gently and say what I believed to be "Finally" under his breath. As people moved away from the end of the bar I saw Johnathon Dukes, the banker, kneeling amidst the remains of his glass. He was holding his right cheek in his hand. There were two cowboys I did not know standing over him with evil grins on their faces. Everyone else cleared away, except for Fingers, who seemed not to be taking any notice of the event at all. "I told you the men in this town were soft Jake. Soft as babies!" said the taller cowboy to his friend with a drunken laugh. They were both rough looking. Their hair was as dirty as their clothes. Their boots were well used and muddy. They seemed to have a dangerous look about them. Only their pistols seemed clean and well taken care of.
"I did not offend you sir! You struck me for no reason!" Dukes said in his mousy voice. His face was red and puffy. His eyes were watery. "No reason at all!" My bouncer Gus started to make his way to where the trouble was.
"Pull your man away Ruby." Snake whispered to me as he slowly turned around and put his back to the bar. "No need for him to get hurt." His voice suddenly seemed clear and sober. Something in his tone made me think there was more going on here than it looked like. I noticed Snake was not even looking at Dukes and the two cowboys, but was sweeping his gaze at the other side of the room. Almost as if he was searching for something. I also noticed Shots make Lily get off of his lap and move away from the table. He had a grin on his face. My danger sense started kickin in mighty strong at that point.
"Marshal!" cried out Dukes from the floor "Marshal, you gonna let them them just beat on an innocent man? I did nothing to these men!!! I need your help!" The crowd continue to move away until there was no one in that side of the room except the cowboys, Dukes, Fingers, and Snake, who slowly turned his head towards the cowboys.
"Well now Mr. Dukes," he said very calmly, "I'm afraid I can't help ya. I'm off duty right now." The cowboys began to laugh at this. I noticed Fingers' head finally rose up from his glass to look at Snake for a second.
"Off duty?" Duked cried. "Off duty?"
The shorter of the cowboys laughed. "I reckon you were right Paul, looks like everybody in this town is yella! Even the damn Marshal!" Gus had just about made it to the cowboys, but he stopped at this and looked at me. I motioned him to move away. Snake took a step away from the bar and stood out in the open. Dukes began to crawl away.
"You fellas sure you want to go through with this? You want to play this all the way out?" His hands slipped down next to his pistols. "Oldtimer, you best move from behind those two."
"If'n it's all the same Marshall," replied Fingers as he raised his glass,"I am enjoying my beer right here."
"Suit yerself friend. Now boys this is your one and only chance to walk out of here alive tonight. I know what this is. I know what you are planning. Give it up, you can't win." The shorter cowboy looked nervous, but the taller one smiled.
"Damn son," he said, "I heard you were a cocky son of a bitch. You really think you are that good?"
"Aint no one proved me wrong yet friend." Said Snake. "Last chance."
"Go fuck yourself." He said as he went for his gun.
Then everything went to Hell.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Ruby's Letters - January 1876 ( Snake, Shots, and Fingers) Part One
Dear Margo
Hey gal. My my things here in Red Creek have sure gotten exciting lately. This new Marshal I was tellin you about sure aint took no time to kick the bobcat if'n you know what I mean. Done got the town all stirred up. He took a posse up in the hills the other day after that outlaw what killed the Sheriff and things went bad. Couple of local boys got killed. And that young fella I mentioned, the school teacher's husband? I guess he done saddled up with the killer and got himself shot by the Marshal. Damn fool.
Whole town feels like it's on edge. That asshole that owns the joint at the end of town has been tryin to stir things up against the Marshal. I don't know, he seems alright to me. He was in here last night and well, showed us all something I think.
It was around 10 o'clock or so and the place was pretty full. Usual local crowd and some rowdy trail hands that I believe have a herd camped out on the plain nearby. The Marshal was here and I could tell he had already been drinkin some earlier. He came in with that young slick "Shots". Now the two of them together is a damn sight girl. Thought I was gonna have to break out a horse whip to keep my girls off of their table. Now Shots is sweet on my head girl Lily, so she was sittin with the two of them. Snake I ain't figured out just yet. The first couple of days he was in town he was certainly fond of my gals and sampled quite a few of them. Then something changed and I ain't sure what it is yet. He's still friendly to em and all, and has been buyin em drinks and the like, but ain't "been" with any of them in a few days. I am tryin to work my charms on him, but he's a hard nut to crack.
Anyway the three of them was a sittin at the table sharing a bottle. Now there is this old timer that lives here in town that once in a while will come in the place for a spell. He's an old drunk, but rumor has it he used to be a bigshot Indian fighter or something. I know he usually does his drinkin down at the Noose with the other bums and such, but like I says, once in a while he comes in here. Nice enough fella, never causes no trouble, just a little, rough looking, I guess. His name is O'Mally, but most folks call him "Fingers". He told me once I reminded him of someone he lost a long time ago. He was so sad when he said it, I felt bad for him. Well now this fella came in last night as well. I noticed him kinda hidin out at the end of the bar sippin on a beer. I stopped by to say hi.
"Howdy Fingers. How you been keepin these days?'
"Evening Miss Rosie." he replied, "Best that I can I suppose. You are lookin pretty as a painting tonight Ma'm."
"Why Fingers, you do know how to charm a gal don't ya? What brings ya in tonight?"
"Bah," he said and wrinkled up his nose," that damn fool Bullard is runnin his mouth down at his turdhole of a joint. He don't know shit for shit, that much I can tells ya!" I laughed.
"I heard he was tryin to cause some trouble today with the new Marshal." I said as I refilled his beer." On the house Fingers."
"Thank ya Ma'm." he said "One thing I have learned Miss Rosie, is that people are right quick to listen to idiots! I ain't got the patience fer it. This new lawman might not be worth a rooster's dick as far as I know, and I don't rightly care to tell ya the truth, but Sheriff Barker was always good to me. If this new man is going after the bastard that killed him, then I stand behind him. Don't make no sense to try to stop him before he has a chance to prove his self. If ya get my meaning Ma'm."
"Well Mr. O'Mally!" I smiled at him."That might be the most words you have ever spoken to me at once in the whole damn time I have known you! They really musta got you worked up tonight didn't they?"
"I didn't mean to ramble Miss Rosie. I know you are busy." He seemed embarrassed.
"No Fingers, it's alright. I like talking to you. You just go ahead and spend your night at my bar tonight. You are always welcome." I reached out and patted his gnarled hand.
His smile beamed at me. "You are as kind as you are pretty Ma'm. Thank you."
Just then this big, fat, sweaty figure kinda forces his way to the bar. He just about knocked Fingers' beer out of his hand. "Evening Mr Dukes." I said with a forced smile. "What can I get for you?"
"Whiskey. And not the cheap swill you sell these cowboys." He had a high pitched, nervous kind of voice.
"Yes sir." Johnathon Dukes is the owner of the Town Bank. You know I hate to talk bad about people sis, ........ shut up, ....... but this fella just always rubs me the wrong way. One of those people who just know they are better than everyone else and aint afraid to show it. A man who thinks that because he has money he is above reproach. Plus he just strikes me as a sleazeball. None of my girls like him. They all charge him three times as much as everyone else, and still complain about him. Well I noticed Fingers was staring at him with a disgusted look on his face. Dukes nodded his head at Fingers but the old man turned away without a reply. I chuckled and decided I liked Fingers even more than I thought.
Well a little bit of time went buy and the place got more and more crowded. And a little bit more rowdy as well. I think the excitement of the day was wearing on folks and business was good. I had a chance to talk to the Marshal when he came up to the bar.
"Well well Marshal Johnson," I said "I was beginning to think I musta made you mad somehow the way you been ignoring me all night."
"Not at all Miss Rosie." I could tell right then that he was pretty well into his cups at that point. His eyes were glassy and he was slurring his words just a touch. "I been treated right well here. And please, call me Snake."
Hey gal. My my things here in Red Creek have sure gotten exciting lately. This new Marshal I was tellin you about sure aint took no time to kick the bobcat if'n you know what I mean. Done got the town all stirred up. He took a posse up in the hills the other day after that outlaw what killed the Sheriff and things went bad. Couple of local boys got killed. And that young fella I mentioned, the school teacher's husband? I guess he done saddled up with the killer and got himself shot by the Marshal. Damn fool.
Whole town feels like it's on edge. That asshole that owns the joint at the end of town has been tryin to stir things up against the Marshal. I don't know, he seems alright to me. He was in here last night and well, showed us all something I think.
It was around 10 o'clock or so and the place was pretty full. Usual local crowd and some rowdy trail hands that I believe have a herd camped out on the plain nearby. The Marshal was here and I could tell he had already been drinkin some earlier. He came in with that young slick "Shots". Now the two of them together is a damn sight girl. Thought I was gonna have to break out a horse whip to keep my girls off of their table. Now Shots is sweet on my head girl Lily, so she was sittin with the two of them. Snake I ain't figured out just yet. The first couple of days he was in town he was certainly fond of my gals and sampled quite a few of them. Then something changed and I ain't sure what it is yet. He's still friendly to em and all, and has been buyin em drinks and the like, but ain't "been" with any of them in a few days. I am tryin to work my charms on him, but he's a hard nut to crack.
Anyway the three of them was a sittin at the table sharing a bottle. Now there is this old timer that lives here in town that once in a while will come in the place for a spell. He's an old drunk, but rumor has it he used to be a bigshot Indian fighter or something. I know he usually does his drinkin down at the Noose with the other bums and such, but like I says, once in a while he comes in here. Nice enough fella, never causes no trouble, just a little, rough looking, I guess. His name is O'Mally, but most folks call him "Fingers". He told me once I reminded him of someone he lost a long time ago. He was so sad when he said it, I felt bad for him. Well now this fella came in last night as well. I noticed him kinda hidin out at the end of the bar sippin on a beer. I stopped by to say hi.
"Howdy Fingers. How you been keepin these days?'
"Evening Miss Rosie." he replied, "Best that I can I suppose. You are lookin pretty as a painting tonight Ma'm."
"Why Fingers, you do know how to charm a gal don't ya? What brings ya in tonight?"
"Bah," he said and wrinkled up his nose," that damn fool Bullard is runnin his mouth down at his turdhole of a joint. He don't know shit for shit, that much I can tells ya!" I laughed.
"I heard he was tryin to cause some trouble today with the new Marshal." I said as I refilled his beer." On the house Fingers."
"Thank ya Ma'm." he said "One thing I have learned Miss Rosie, is that people are right quick to listen to idiots! I ain't got the patience fer it. This new lawman might not be worth a rooster's dick as far as I know, and I don't rightly care to tell ya the truth, but Sheriff Barker was always good to me. If this new man is going after the bastard that killed him, then I stand behind him. Don't make no sense to try to stop him before he has a chance to prove his self. If ya get my meaning Ma'm."
"Well Mr. O'Mally!" I smiled at him."That might be the most words you have ever spoken to me at once in the whole damn time I have known you! They really musta got you worked up tonight didn't they?"
"I didn't mean to ramble Miss Rosie. I know you are busy." He seemed embarrassed.
"No Fingers, it's alright. I like talking to you. You just go ahead and spend your night at my bar tonight. You are always welcome." I reached out and patted his gnarled hand.
His smile beamed at me. "You are as kind as you are pretty Ma'm. Thank you."
Just then this big, fat, sweaty figure kinda forces his way to the bar. He just about knocked Fingers' beer out of his hand. "Evening Mr Dukes." I said with a forced smile. "What can I get for you?"
"Whiskey. And not the cheap swill you sell these cowboys." He had a high pitched, nervous kind of voice.
"Yes sir." Johnathon Dukes is the owner of the Town Bank. You know I hate to talk bad about people sis, ........ shut up, ....... but this fella just always rubs me the wrong way. One of those people who just know they are better than everyone else and aint afraid to show it. A man who thinks that because he has money he is above reproach. Plus he just strikes me as a sleazeball. None of my girls like him. They all charge him three times as much as everyone else, and still complain about him. Well I noticed Fingers was staring at him with a disgusted look on his face. Dukes nodded his head at Fingers but the old man turned away without a reply. I chuckled and decided I liked Fingers even more than I thought.
Well a little bit of time went buy and the place got more and more crowded. And a little bit more rowdy as well. I think the excitement of the day was wearing on folks and business was good. I had a chance to talk to the Marshal when he came up to the bar.
"Well well Marshal Johnson," I said "I was beginning to think I musta made you mad somehow the way you been ignoring me all night."
"Not at all Miss Rosie." I could tell right then that he was pretty well into his cups at that point. His eyes were glassy and he was slurring his words just a touch. "I been treated right well here. And please, call me Snake."
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