Ruby's Letters - February 1876 (The Trail and the Truth)

  

Dearest Sister,

   My word girl, things have got to where they move so fast round here anymore I am havin a hard time just keeping you up to date! Big news is the Marshal done caught that bastard Kid Holmes that killed the Sheriff. Beat the hell out of him to it looks like. Ha! They are having his trial tomorrow I hear. The local judge is still in town from the trial of that poor horse thief Johnny. They found the boy guilty. Judge said to hang him on Saturday morning. I feel real bad for him. He never did seem like a bad sort. Just got mixed up with the wrong people. His wife is beside herself. I went to see her last night. Never really got too friendly with her before, what with her being the school marm, and me running girls from a saloon. But still, I felt it was the right thing to do.  Good Lord Margo, the things we learn about people sometimes is enough to knock ya plum over!

   I guess I should start at the trial. Judge Webster from Abilene was brought in. He is an older fella with a long beard and a pinched up face. Seems like an ass if ya ask me. (I know, people don't have to ask, I share my opinions freely!) The lawyer talked about Johnny's drinking and gambling problems. They said he helped the outlaws steal from Mitchellson's ranch to help cover his debts. Then when the posse rode out to get the horses, they said he opened fire on them along with the rest. They pulled the Marshal on the stand, and the strange thing was he didn't really say nothin that seemed to prove Johnny's quilt. Seemed to me he was tryin his best to avoid the questions when they came to Johnny. Like he was protecting him or something.
   Well, no matter what Snake might have been doing, the jury convicted Johnny right off. They said any man that would help a black hearted villian like Kid Holmes deserved what he got. The judge agreed, and sentenced him to hang. His wife, Prissy screamed and fell right out in the courtroom. Funny thing was how the Marshal got all concerned and carried her out. Her husband musta been in shock, he just sat there, all quiet when they said he was gonna die. Like he didn't care. It's a shame.

    But with the outlaw Holmes in jail and awaiting his own trial, the town didn't seem to get too worked up over Johnny's fate. But still, I felt bad so like I said I went over to see his wife last night check in on her. Now this gal is real friendly with the wife of our livery owner. Her name is Sally and she always seems nice enough. Her husband is one of the Marshal's deputy's as well. When I got to the door I heard the two of them talkin inside. Now you know I ain't one to evesdrop or anything like that. I was just being polite and not intrude with a knock until the moment seemed right. (I know Margo, don't say a word!) Then I heard Sally say something that plum knocked my garters off! She said "You have got to tell him that he's the boy's father Prissy! It ain't right to keep it from him!"
   Now I think I told you that Johnny and Prissy had a beautiful baby boy. He's about a year and a half or so I think. And if I was hearing things correctly, Johnny ain't the child's father??? I am sure he didn't know that.
  "I can't Sally!" I heard Prissy reply. I could tell she was crying. "Johnny is Joshua's pa!!"
  "Jonny is gonna be dead in 2 days Prissy! They are gonna string him up right with the rest of them. You have to accept that darlin. There ain't nothing to do for it now. And your son is going to need a father! He gonna need his real pa! I'm sorry. You know I love you, I have given you my word to not tell a soul, and I won't Prissy, I won't. But you need to. You can't hold keep that secret any longer. It's not fair to you, Joshua, or to Snake!"
 
   Holy Shit!

  I turned and left the house as quick as I could and came back to the Saloon. I took a bottle to a quiet table in the back and thought about what I had heard. Jesus. It all made sense. Now I knew who Snake was in love with. And knowing how he seems to favor "sportin' women", I can just about guess where he met her! I knew she had secrets in her past. I could always tell a girl of the trade when I saw them. Damn.
  I am not sure what I feel Margo. It really ain't none of my affair. But damn it, I agree with Sally. It ain't right. I know I rarely ask you for advice Big Sis, but, what do you think I should do?