Cas City Forum Hall & CAS-L
GENERAL TOPICS => Saddlebag Tales => Topic started by: LazyK Pejay on May 31, 2006, 10:00:06 AM
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Morning all,
We just finished up out "Three Word Story" and are looking at a different way to have a great running story that is more than three words. For a while this Spring some of us kinda got a story line going at "Move the card game here." Irish Tom and I have shared a few messages about doing something different.
I began to look at Ghost Towns in Texas and the name Belle Plain had a nice ring. Here is some history:
"One of the most promising towns in West Texas during the 1870s was Belle Plain. The town experienced slow growth with only three businesses operating during its first year, which was 1876. By 1880, however, the population had increased to around three hundred and supported a hotel, several mercantile stores and a newspaper among a number of other businesses. Doctors and lawyers were among the town's professionals. One of the first institutions of higher learning in West Texas was the Belle Plain College. The school offered the full classical course of studies as well as the sciences and liberal arts. However, the reputation of Belle Plain College rested with its music department and its twelve grand pianos. The college flourished as well as the town for a few years until the severe drought of 1886-1887 from which neither could recover. The school closed its doors in 1892. By 1897, only four families inhabited the town."
I see a story much like we did in "Move the card game here," where a person can write a sentence or two or some paragraphs. I will do a trail start and see what happens. Thx and have a good day...
LazyK Pejay
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The morning sun rose slowly east of town as the early rising coyotes say good morning to each other. Maurice Stokey lays on the steps of the White Elephant Saloon while Silent Ed the bartender sweeps around him with a scruffy broom. Lights are on at Miss Pruitts Eating Emporium, and at the edge of town the night watchman opens the doors of the just built Belle Plain School for Women. A cowboy staggers slowy out to his horse as one of the alley roses from Ruby's waves from an upper window. The morning stage is due in and the train surveyors are setting up west of town. It looks like another good day in Belle Plain...
LazyK Pejay
We can change the name of the town if you like.
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A young man with well kept, but dusty clothes came riding out of the east with the sun at his back. As he sat in the saddle of his jet black stallion Smokey, William Feld just wanted a town where a fella could get some rest. He had been on the trail looking for work for 3 weeks now.
As he rode in he eyed the sign over the saloon "White Elephant Saloon" and pull Smokey to a halt. He calls over to Silent Ed, "You folks got some law in this town?" Ed looks the young man up and down, sees the pair of Colts in holsters riding low and takes a deep breath thinking to himself "another young gunfighter".
"Yep the sheriff is located down the street on the left just Bolton's Dry Good store. His name is Bat Guano."
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Fits....... Stinkin' job........
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In the livery stable Horst Hockey the smith sips his first cup of coffee while watching his apprentice Lesley Limps fire up the small furnace. As sparks fly outside the open doors he could see the newcomer walking toward the Sheriff's Office. "Hey Les another young gunfighter's in town. Wonder what he wants with the law?" Horst comment spitting out some coffee grains..." better get a new sock Les for the coffee; the old one's got a hole in it I think.
In the distance the bell in the tower of the Belle Plain Academy begins it's morning peal. A buzzard circles over the hills to the west, and dust rises in the street as the sun begins to heat things up in Belle Plain...
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Will leads his faithful horse Smokey down Main Street as the bell rings over at the school. He ties up Smokey outside the Bat Guano's office and takes a couple of steps up to the jailhouse and looks at the wanted posters.
WANTED FOR CATNAPING Bob "The Hound" Dogg. $50 posted by C.E. Strange poster and it don't seem worth the effort. Odd that someone would personally post the reward.
WANTED FOR HORSE STEALING Horis Pucky. $300 That is more like it.
WANTED FOR CATTLE RUSTLING Mite Stepinit $400 This one sounds like a good one.
Will tears off the posted and walks in to see Sheriff Guano.
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As the morning passes clouds roll in from the south. Dust on the horizon might be the next cattle herd coming in. Belle Plain buisnessman Howard Cantell built a stockyard west of town now that the train is comming through in a few months. Some town folks are not happy because when the wind is from the west it brings a smell only a cattle baron could love.
On a bluff to the south a man watches the cattle drive slowly head over the last hill. Mite Stepinit puts down the glass and smiles. He turns to his gang, Henry Newpattie, Juan Mescal, Trudy Bodine, and Harley Manewa "Well folks, looks like another killin' for us. Let's ride!" he says laughing.
Back in town the stage arrives...
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The stage comes to a halt with a cloud of dust. The driver, Davy Mickelson, hollers down "Belle Plain folks". The door opens and dire looking man steps off with a long case in his hand. His face looks like it had been chiselled out of granite and the dark close set eyes had the look of death to them. He steps off and heads for the White Elephant Saloon.
Next comes a portly well dressed gentleman who steps down and quickly wipes his brow with a dirty rag. Michael Bodette thinks the deal he made with Mr. Cantell to open a hotel in town was a good one. He turns to help a middle aged, but lovely, lady off the stage.
Miss Darlene Pristine steps down with help from Mr. Bodette and with a polite nod quickly opens her parasol. She calls up to Davy and asks "Can you direct me to the School for Women please?" Davy replies, "Rite over yonder Madam." Darlene replies, "Thank you so much. Would you please have your man bring ma things over as that will be where I shall be staying."
Meanwhile the Sheriff eyes Will as he steps into the office.
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The bat wings of the White Elephant Saloon swing open, "flippida, flippida." Walking slowly into the dim room the dire looking man places his long case against the edge of the bar. He slowly turns and looks around the room. Near the doorway a group of locals are playing cards; seems early, but it's their job. He turns back to the bar and looks at Silent Ed. In a voice that sounds like a mix between a snake whisper and a rasp file on metal he says, "Coffee, black and hot." Silent Ed looks at the man and his case then turns to get a cup for the coffee. The man puts his hand on the case eyes glinting...
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As Silent Ed silently sets the hot coffee on the bar in front of the dire looking man, he sees the man start to unlatch the case. Silent Ed silently moves away and ducks behind the bar. The fellas playing cards stop and with I wide open watch as the man opens the case.
He opens the case and pulls out a . . . . .
Meanwhile at the Jail Sheriff Guano asks the young man, "What can I do fur ya young fella?"
Will responds, "I aint that young and it is what I can do for you. What can you tell me about Mite Stepinit and his gang?"
"Last I heard he was out in Kansas somewhere causing trouble." replies Guano.
Just then Lesley limps in and shouts to Bat, "Sheriff someone is attacking the cattle drive heading this way. The leader of the gang is a guy with smelly boots and a scare just below his left eye."
Will looks at the picture of Mite and smirks at Bat, "In Kansas huh?!? Your an idiot Bat."
Will brushes past Lesley and out to his horse.
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...a empty hand as a voice calls from the upper stairway, "Why as I live and breathe if it isn't Mr. Cass Kett!" Slowly walking down the stairs, Faye Tallity the singer at the White Elephant, smiles as the dire looking man stands and looks up at her. "Hello Faye, long time no see," he says showing white teeth and a slight smile. "You do get around lady. I thought I saw the last of you after that river boat explosion in New Orleans..." "Why Cass you do remember..."
The batwings fly open "flippida, crash, "The Sheriff is calling for able bodied men, it's cattle rustlers agin," a short man in a large hat shouts nealry out of breath. One of the card players stands and looks at the panting man, "Don't bang the batwings open little man, you're so short you could walk under them..." The short man walks over to the card table and says, " My name is Stu Piddy, Deputy Stu Piddy to you. Now are you coming or just runnin' your mouth?"
Out in the street people are shouting...
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A supply wagon rolls into town and the driver notes the gathering crowd near the Saloon. Rolin Wagonner notes that the railroad is coming along meaning that his services won't be needed in Belle Plains any longer, time to head for a Town the railroad hasn't reached yet. As he rolls down the street heading for the General Stores he hears cries of cattle rustlers coming from the crowd. As he pulls up at the General Store he sees a young feller come out of the Sheriff's Office and swing into the saddle of a black horse and head out of town.
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BOOM! BOOM! Wimmen start ta scream ‘cept fer one particularly pretty one whut laffs hysterically..
Folks watch as an ole crotchety cosie does a fast walk ‘cross the street, yellin’ ‘n swattin’ at his backsides.
Fellah in a wide brimmed straw hat busts open a short barreled double, dumps the empties ‘n blows the smoke out ‘fore he slams it shut ‘n sticks it in a scabbard attached ta a sleek, muscular black hoss.
“Had it comin’. Payback is all. Caught ‘im bent o’er tryin’ ta pick up a stray cat”, ‘e sez lookin’ up it the wagon driver. “Rock salt. It’ll stop stingin’ in a few days. Loaded ‘em special for the occasion.”
The fellah swings up ta the saddle. “Reckon I’d best find some place ta go. Ole Bat Crap gonna be wantin’ ta talk ta me ‘n I don’t feel much like conversation wit a fellah with a tin can lid pinned on ‘is vest.
“Ya take care yerself, wagon man.”
With that, he’s gone…………………
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Under the porch of Miss Pruitts Eating Establishment a cat lies in the dark licking a paw and rubbing it's ear. "Dang rock salt, burns like the dickens," Fluffy snarls. Rolin Waggoner stops at the General Store and steps down. The store owner Verge Enwool reaches up for the Rolin's supplies list. "I guess we won't be doing much business with the railroad comin' in," he says looking at the list of supplies. "Dang steam machines, make too much noise, I'm heading to Amarillo!" Rolin shouts spitting a stream of tobacco over his mules ears.
Out in the street a dust covered cowboy named Tex Huss watches the rider in the straw hat head out of town. He looks around and wonders where is everybody. He is in town ahead of the cattle drive to check on the stockyard and get something to eat. He wants something good like, fried steak, cream gravy, biscuits, fried okra, corn on the cob and ice tea. But first a drink. He walks over to the White Elephant and through the batwings, "flippida, flippida," and stands at the bar. Silent Ed's assistant Bart Ender asks, "what will it be?" Tex looks around and says "information, and and tequila." Bart smiles and says, "well I don't know much, but here's your drink." The dire looking man turns picks up his case and walks out, "flippida, flippida." The cowboy sips the cactus juice and asks, "who was the cowboy in the straw hat with the fast coach gun and I'm lookin' for a fella named Cyrille..."
The piano player Ossie Phyde begins to play Maryland My Maryland, and moves into Dixie the slow way. Faye Tallity begins to hum and asks Ossie to play Annie Laurie. Out in the street the dire looking man heads to the Silver Reef Hotel, "funny name for a hotel out in the middle of Texas he mutters."
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Will spurs Smokey to get some distance from a rider coming fast from behind wearing a large straw hat. He wondered if this was the one who set off the coachgun just as he was leave town. If this guy keeps me from getting that low life, no good scallywagg Mite, I will have to find a way to take care of him too. Mite and Will had tangled before and this time Will would make sure he finished the job.
Back in town Cass and Faye were catching up on old time. "Faye where is that gentleman friend of yours Mort Alitea. Never did care for them fellas from Italy." "Heck Cass, you knocked him senseless the last time you saw him because you thought he was edging in on your business." Faye says. "Well I sur didn't have to hit him very hard! That fella did not have much sense ta begin wit.", replies Cass.
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Cass begins to rock in his chair on the porch of the Silver Reef Hotel. Next to him in a rocker Fay smiles. "You hit him harder than you think. When you swung at him the air moving past your hand knocked over his made man Eddie Fication, that was really something." Cass looks out to the street, "well he had it coming..." The hotel manager Salty Sees steps out from the lobby, "Mr. Kett, shall I set your table for two..."
The cattle rustler led by Mite Stepinit ride off the bluff into a switch back along Cantell Creek, then down to a thicket of mesquite. A thorn snags the jeans of Trudy Bodine, "Dang $%#@& mesquite, and these was new jeans." she snarls. Juan Mescal laughs and says, "I thinks maybe you look much better in a dress..." Trudy quick draws and sticks the muzzel of her Army Colt under his nose. "Say that again and you be breathing through one big hole; cause women can shoot real good! I got a friend back in the Carolinas who taught me to shoot, so shet your face..."
The man in the straw hat slaps the reins on his horse urging him on. Up ahead Will turns again in his saddle wondering if he needs to have gun in hand rather than hat in hand.
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Camille Eonich had stepped out the door of the stable just in time to see Arcey blast Del's behind with the rock salt. She begins to howl with laughter tears streaming out of her eyes.
That'll teach the old fart to mistreat the strays.
Camille turns and heads back into the stable to check on Whoa. She's shaking her head and still chuckling at the site of the old coosie grabbing his hind end.
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The crotchty cosie heads back out to his camp along the crick, as he's soakin' his hindside in one of his wreck pans he plans what he is gonna do to get revenge. ;D
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As Camille brushes Whoa she wonders to herself how the crotchty cosie will get revenge.
Hmmm....I may have to stay in town long enough to see this she thinks. She grins again.
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The Mayor of Belle Plain Dee Sepsun, stands at the south end of town looking at stakes set for the new town hall. His assistant and personal secretary Ima Crook is taking notes as he pontificates on it's soon to be grandeur. "Yes, my dear a dome, a copper dome to be seen miles off, and marble lions by the doors..." Ima frowns and says, "who is going to pay for it?" The mayor frowns then smiles, why the people of fair Belle Plain; I'm selling bonds. I'm having dinner will several of our fine but easily led locals t'nite, like that gun toting lady with the new hat, Howard Cantell, and that nice Mr. King who goes by the odd name of LazyK and works for the railroad. Then I'll check with that chef who camps down by the creek, he looks poor, but has fixed our stray cat and dog problem, and he can cook for my Greater Belle Plain Bond Raising Supper and Dance next week." They both smile and look at the stakes, not knowing the big problem brewing near the cattle drive.
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The cosie has soaked all the rock salt out of his glutes maximus (butt cheeks to the un-educated heathen that shot him) and decides that the fella just might be smart enough not to fall for the ol' cosie's revenge of castor oil. :o Instead he picks up his camp, loads it in his chuckwagon and heads north to the Indian Territory. His Comanche friend up there will have a better idea. Delmonico fed his band when they were starvin' one time before they surrendered. "Revenge On His Enemys" said if Delmonico ever needed a favor just to ask. ;)
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Delmonico arrives at Fort Sill and goes to Revenge on His Enemy's tepee, when he see's his old friend comin' up he says, "Vita Vas" <Delmonico never figured out where a Comanche learnded to speak Czech.> ::)
Sittin' in the place of honor in the tepee Delmonico and Revenge on His enemys talk in sign language for two hours. Finally Delmonico says, "Ya know you speak English and I speak Comanche and we both speak Czech, why are we doin' it this way, my hands are tired."
<Author's Note: Vita Vas is Czech for welcome friend.>
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Buffalo Who Limps stands on a hill looking to the south. His eagle eyes note dust on the horizon. "He turns and calls to his wife; Only on a New Moon, "Chief Cosie is headin' to the Fort. He's in his Native American mode, if he comes this way, hide the dog and gather firewood!"
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After several hours of conversation with Revenge on His enemys, Delmonico shakes hands and hitches up his Chuckwagon, he stops at the sutler and buys a quart of moe-lass-ass and heads back to Belle Plain out on the Lano. ;D
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<<<---reins in Tacoma ‘n thumbs ‘is hat back………….
Hoss, whut the hells that fool up the trail doin’? Me ‘n you both know that nasty ole cosie ain’t gonna fight ‘is own fight ‘n ‘e ain’t gonna leave it even. Ya don’t reckon ‘e’s already baked sum half-baked gunslinger a cherry pie ta come after us da ya? Naw, ‘e ain’t that swift……
Let’s us ride up there real easy ‘n see whut ‘e does. He’s in the way ah where we’re goin’ anyhow. Eeyup, pretty girl………….
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Camille leaves Whoa alone in his stall and climbs up into the hayloft. She reaches back into a corner and pulls out her crystal ball. She sets it up on a bale of hay and begins peering into.
Soon, she thinks to herself, soo the fun will start. ;D
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Just like Mr. Nightlinger in The Cowboys, Delmonico sets up his camp and starts cookin' by a stream. ;)
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"Whoa there Smokey", as Will reigns in his steed. He put out his spy glass and peers into the hills. "There is that raskel and his gang." Will whispers. He pulls out the trusty Trapdoor and loads up one of his "good" loads. Tosses a little grass in the wind to gage the direction. He carefully loads the rifle and sets up for his shot. As he starts to pull back the hammer, "What are you doing 'He who belches smoke'?". Will lowers the Trapdoor and as he turns he says,"What are you doing here 'He Who Farts Loudly in the Woods'? Would you mind standing upwind please."
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A line of six carts each pulled by two men enters the town from the south. Passing just one block down Main Street they turn left down an alley and go west past two railroad men surveying. About fifty yards past the working men the cart train stops and some women and children climb down from each cart.
One woman Wei Fat Wong begins to drag her foot making a large square, "laundry go here." Another woman Lei Fat Wong does the same, "wash house go here." The men begin to unload what will become Belle Plain China Town and home to Chinese railroad workers.
The two surveyors stop and watch the people setting up tents. Lars Svenson and his brother Sven Larson gaze at the town springing up. "With them here we had better get busy, the railroad is just over the horizon," say Lars. His brother picks up his transit and says, "Ya."
Down by the creek a fire burns and the smell of fat and spices waifs up slowly like some strange smoke siginal. Sunlight shinning through the hayloft door at the livery stable glints off glass; inside a chuckle can be heard. There's a lot going on in and around Belle Plain...
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Delmonico watches the uneducated heathen watch him from afar, wonderin' what he is going to do to get back at him fer the rock salt. Well that's ok, the wonderin' will eat a hole in a man's guts worse than army grub.
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Delmonico gets the glint off the field glasses as the rock salt fella watches nervously, the hole in the fella's stomach gets worse as Delmonico makes a fried tongue samwhich. ;D
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Wei Fat Wong leaves the tent setups and walks toward the smoke along a small creek. She is tired but hungry, "Smells like tongue,"she thinks. After walking for a while she comes on a neat camp site. Pots and pans are hung neatly from line between two small trees. Sitting by the fire is a man with a chef's hat stiring a pot hung from a spit tree and flipping meat in a fry pan with olive oil. She squats down and sniffs, "is that tongue, dog or cow?" The chef doesn't speak but adds some spices. Wei reaches into her pocket and hands him a small cloth bag, "Szechwan spice Yankee man; will put lead in your pencil," she chuckles. The chef adds her spice and looks at her, "would you like to see the wine list?"
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Delmonico says, "no thanks but let me have some extra of that spice, there is a trouble maker around here and if that ol' Comanche trick don't work I got another idea, got it from my Mex friend Jose, but the Szechwan spice will work as good." :o
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After dark the cosie builds up the fire and heads into the chuckwagon, he then slips out on the side away from the fire so the rock salt heathen can't see him. ::) He slips around and sneaks up behind in case he's watchin' the camp. Delmonico can see him sleepin' in a pair of footed jammies and with his teddy bear, he looks so cute that Delmonico almost feels sorry for him as he quicky ties him up. ;D (ALMOST FEELS SORRY) ;D
Delmonico then takes him out to an open spot in the prairie where he stacks him down to the ground spread eagle in his footed jammies. ;D About 20 feet away is a large anthill, I hope I don't have to tell you what happened to the mo-lass-ess. ;D
Delmonico builds another fire and wathces the horrified rock salter in the glow, the man ain't real smart but he knows what is gonna happen in the mornin' when the ants go lookin' fer breakfast. ;D Delmonico rolls a smoke and puts on some coffee while keepin' his shotgun nearby in case the man tries to escape. Delmonico can't wait till mornin' when the ants come out, Revenge On His Enemies said that is the best part, when the ants decide that there is more to eat than just the moe-lass-es, the screams as the ants slowly bite off the flesh and carry it to their nests makes all the sufferin' you did at the hands of yer enemy worth wile, when you hear them suffer. ::)
Delmonico looks at his watch, 5 more hours till daylight, soon the ants will be awake, Delmonico wonder how many days they will take to pick the bones clean. ;D
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By noon the screams of the rock salt man get to Delmonico so he heads back to camp. ::)
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EEK!!!
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Wei Fat Wong watches The Chef sit and watch the man staked out and molasses covered. She looks for a while then gets up to head back to town. "These men crazy," she thinks.
The cattle herd is resting by the last water hole before town. Sitting on his horse Hugh Mungus, one of the largest cowboys in the West watches the remuda. The horses have traveled well and will fatten up once they get to Belle Plain. From a hilltop to the north Horis Puckie the notorious horse thief grins and sets the site on his Spencer. He steadies his rifle on two crossed wood stakes and sites on Hugh Mungus then slowly pulls the trigger...
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Delmonico decides he feels sorry for the rock salt guy and goes and cuts the fella loose and lets him off with a warnin' after spriklin' the Szechwan spice on the ant bites. :o For healin' puposes olny ya see. ::)
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..eek......
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Camille has been watchin' the goings on between the Rock Salt Man and the old geezer cosie. She laughs when she sees the old cosie washin' the syrup off. She laughs even harder when she sees the ants start to cover the old farts shoes.
When she catches her breath she jumps on Whoa and gallops back to town.
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Will ya just hush? The cosie needs to think he won.............
Opps..... I mean eek.......
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Gatherin' the ants Delmonico realizes he's out of caraway seeds fer his rye bread, or rather he was. :o ::) :P
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It's Monday morning in Belle Plain. A group of tents wagons, and running children mark the center of China Town. Two workmen start digging near the stakes for the new Town Hall. The bell is ringing at Belle Plain School for Young Women, and Silent Ed is sweeping the front porch of the White Elephant.
The cattle are still resting before heading toward Belle Plain. It seems kinda quiet today...
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The Rock Salt Fella apears and he looks like he's been painted pink, never fear, that is reserved for other threads, it is just the Calomine lotion he had to put on his ant bites.
The 'ol Cosie is down by the crick again cookin' him some dinner. (It's noon Dinnertime for all normal folks.) He hopes that fella learnet his lesson, it's a long drive to Fort Sill. ;D
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<---meanwhile, back it the camp. Borrows Wildcat Will's Trapdoor, licks 'iz thumb 'n wipes it 'cross the front sight 'n with a earth shakin' BOOM 'e shoots the old cosie's dutch oven spatterin' stuff all o'er e'erwhere. From forty-eleben yards off.
<---wouldah used 'is own Buff gun but the gunsmiths still got it.............
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Delmonico slips off into the brush with his 50-90 Sharps. He spots the fella and from forty twenty yards, he can tell it's a borrowed rifle, a 700 gr slug is sent on it's way, smashin' the lock,stock and barrel on the trapdoor. Now let him 'splain what happed to the borrowed rifle. ;D Nobody'll load him so much as a used chaw a tabacky again after what happened. ;D
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Hugh Mungus spins to the right when he hears the gunshot away to the west. At that moment Horis Puckie fires and Hugh ducks as he hears the second shot. His hat flys off and it hits the ground rolling. He climbs down off his horse and picks it up. In the top of the crown is a large hole and one out the back. He looks to the hills and sees a man gallop away on a horse. "Guess my hat did need some ventillatin'" he says looking at the retreating rider. He climbs back on his horse and looks to the cows, "I think I'm a bit angry at that fellah," he says frowning.
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Go shoot the cosie....... I didn't hit his damned ole hat.........
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<Author's Note: Must a been a rick-o-shet, them big booolets will do that. ;D Still It's Arceys fault, he shot first.>
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Ya heard the man. Hoss Pucky fired second. That's you...................
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Hugh Mungus finishes his shift and rides towards some smoke he see in the distance. He heads down a draw and sees a man in a Chef hat cookin' over a fire. "Mornin' sir," he says dismounting. He looks to the left and sees a rifle. "You been hunting this morning?" Hugh asks. THe Chef looks up, "Nope! Want some coffee?" Hugh sits on a rock. He looks at the ground and a spent casing nearby. Hugn knows he has his man...
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<---done spent most ah the night wit duct tape, chewin' gum 'n wire puttin' Will's Trapdoor back tagether.
Lookin' down it the Cosie's camp in the mornin' light, wants a target ta check the sightin', 'e spies the meetin'. Decides ta watch awhile figgerin' it would tick the ole cosie off real bad if he had ta save 'im.......
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I didn't have to do no huntin', the prey came to me, ya might want to step back a bit, there is a fella up there forty eleven yards away that I had to shoot at yesterday. He commited an un-pardinable sin, he shot one a my dutch ovens. I shot his rifle, but he might have gotten another rifle. I think he's tryin to shoot me, but he is such a lousy shot he got my oven. Heck he might hit you or yer horse shootin' at me.
Up in Newbrassky where I'm from they hang a man fer shootin' dutch ovens, do they do that in Texas? ;D
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Hugh Mungus looks out in the distance and sees the glint of a gun barrel. Horsie Puckie has a bead on Arcey, while Arcey has his rifle pointed in the general direction of the two men. Where is Wildcat Will when you need him?
In town folks are arriving for the Poker Championship at the White Elephant...
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There is a large blast and the smell of sulpher, a 700 gr booolet smashes into the trapdoor again and undoes all the mans work. ::)
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It shot left ennyways. Don't know whutelse but left ya kin expect from a rifle from Masseychewsits.......
<---disappears inta the thickets........
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Horsie Puckie shouts "Damn! Who is that wierd guy duckin into the bushes?" He puts his rifle down and goes to his horse and heads toward the bushes. In town some members of the Longbranch arrive on the stage for the Poker Championship. There are banners and free food on the boardwalk. Big times in Belle Plain!
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Delmonico says, "That is the fellar that rock salted me and then shot my dutch oven. I'd thought he'd learn't his lesson or I'd let the ants pick his bones clean." Delmonico fires another 700 gr bullet that lands right 'tween the fellars feet, sending an showor of dirt and gravel straight up with some force. ;D
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And that shot was from fifty twelve yards away. ;D
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What with all the shootin goin on Will decides it time. Hoss dun shot up his trapdoor and dar just comes a time when a man gotta do what a man gotta do.
Will leaps on his horse Smokey, waves Adios to He Who Farts Loudly in the Woods. Holding the reins in his teeth he pulls both pistolas and shouts "Fill yor hands you son of a $%#@$!"
Racin' at full speed he starts lettin loose in the direction of the crazy of gizzer what shot his rifle. Boolets wiz though the air around Hoss hittin' fry pans, grazin his chin and left ear.
Mite and his gang looks up and sees Will racin in an angle away from him with both guns ablazin. "Come on men lets git outta here. Will is on a rampage again. I escaped with a scar the last time and I sure don't want to mess wit him agin!"
Will empties the pistols and with no effort opens the Schofields and reloads like lightin and starts a shootin agin. This time the ole gizers pistols are the target along with that darn 50-70.
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Authors Note: It was a 50-90 and like Mathew Quigley he carries no peeestol. ;D>
As Will rides by he exposes his behind as the cosie grabs his Spencer Shotgun and pumps 6 rounds loaded with Setzwaun spice into his rear side. The horse also catches part of the load and heads out a a speed almost unkown to the time period. ;D
When the horse finally tosses Will of, and head on into New Mexico it takes Will 3 days to walk back. ;D
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Meanwhile..... in the thicket.............
<----has werked 'is way up beside the ole cosie.
Still hid in the brush, 'e sees the ole boy is otherwise occupied - with a chargin' Will.
Drawin' 'is Navy, 'e takes careful aim then lets a terrible 77 grain round ball fly. The mighty ball clips the cosie's suspenders 'n spatter's is shirt with margarine (lube). With the suspenders gone, the weight ah the gunbelt pulls the trousers down 'round 'is ankles. There 'e stands in pink undies.
<----laffs 'n slithers back inta the thicket - not ta be found - but ta return.
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Delmonico sniffs the margerine and knows he's dealin' with and insane looony tick. Probally one that would eat margerine as well as lube his peeestol with it. ;D
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Will gits up rubbin his hind parts, shakin 'is head with a big o grin on his face. "That was fun!" he says as he loads up the pistols. He takes a deep breathe and yells "YEEEHAAAA". That will bring back Smokey as soon as he settles down. Thinkin to 'is ownself, "I cannot believe that fella shot Smokey and me with spices of all things."
Will sits down, starts a fire and figures he will wait for company. He heard a shot after his charge. It may have been that fella who was comin up on him on the way outta town.
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The crash and blast of pistols, rifles, and who know what else startles the cattle just a mile or so away. They begin to mill about, then picking a direction they begin to run. "STAMPEDE," shouts Nat Chural, one of the drive cowboys. The cattle pick up speed and the Chef, the weird guy in the bushes, Will, Hosie Puckie, and Hugn Mungus all stop and listen. The Thunder of herd can be heard and the ground begins to shake. "STAMPEDE," they shout as the cattle head toward them...
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The cosie although not a part of that herd knows what to do when the cattle stampeed. He starts fixin' coffee and makin' grub, there's gonna be real cowboys who ain't bushwackers needed some fuel. ;D
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<----sits up on the hill.
Trains ‘is spy-glass on the cosie……
Ain’t as bad an ole fellah is ‘e wants ta be. Werkin’ fer them cowpokes fer nuttin’.
<---keeps watch is the cosie moves ‘bout the camp holdin’ ‘iz pants up wit one hand. Turns the glass ta Will..
Good feller. Good ‘n nuts. A good pard.
Then there’s Mungus. Thru the glass, ‘He Who Farts ‘n Makes Thunder Afraid’ looks it the boy hidin’ in a quay, pickin’ ‘iz nose ‘n eatin’ it. Needs killin’.
Hummmmmmmmmmmm. Me thinks there’s a third party instigator here….
Somehow, we be needin’ ta get tagether. I’m smellin’ a lazy Texas rat whut’s afraid ta show hisownself……
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Will stands up when he feels the ground rumblin'. " Oh this is not goin ta be good!" says Will. About that time Smokey suddenly appears heading staight for Will. Timin' it Will leaps up on Smokey and then looks behind. All he sees is a dust cloud and a lot of noise. "Smokey I think it is time to head for the hills." Will spins Smokey an spurs him in the direction of the glint comin' of a spy glass.
Miss Pristine has started settlin' into her room at the School for girls. It will be a lot of work to make this place look nice, but she feels confident she can do it. This town is goin' to be growing and she figures on being in position to take advantage of it. She grins as she opens her bag and pulls out a derringer which she slips into her garter and then takes out the deck of cards she never travels without. How on earth she fooled these people into believing she was a school marm still amazes her.
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Over the Horizon from the north three horsemen gallop toward the herd, the cooking camp, and in the general direction of the cowboys in and around several hills. As they get closer one can see their rigs are much the same. The saddles are McClellan's, saddle blankets are blue with a gold star, and each man is wearing a tan calvary hat in the flipped up mesa style. On their feet are old cavalry boots with enlisted spurs. The lead rider has a short officers coat with an oak leaf on each shoulder. In his right hand is an 1873 long barreled colt. The other two riders have Henry's in one hand and the reins in the other. They come wide of the herd and then turn left toward it shooting in the air. The cattle slowly move further south and away from the camp and watching cowboys.
The riders slow and trot into the Cosie's camp. The lead rider climbs down and walks up to the man wearing the chef hat. He smiles and says, "Hello Delmonico guess we got here just in time. Our days in the cavalry during the war and after come in handy some times..." The Cosie squints and looks hard at the man, "Well I'll be darned it's LazyK," he says. "I thought you was with the Greater Texas Plains Railroad?" LazyK takes off his hat, "We are but we knew there was rustlers and general mayhem out here and we though we could help. These gentlemen are Russsty Steele an Chester Box. Now whats for breakfast?"
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The Cosie serves snake meat and eggs to the three men. He notices Chester Box humming. It is clear he is humming Dixie. Rusty Steele looks up and smiles, "we didn't say we were on the same side in the War. Lt. Box rode with Jeb Stuart, I rode with Buford until wounded at Gettysburg and the Major had a artillery battalion with Gibbon but, after 1864 we all were with the cavalry up in the Dakota's until just before the Little Bighorn.
A horse snickers in the distance, "Guess some of those boys coming in for coffee and eggs," Chester comments looking over his shoulder.
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Delmonico says, "I was ceeevilan cookfor the 1st Nebraska Cavalry till Shiloh, the unit was pulled and sent to the forts on the overland trail in Newbrassky and into Laramie. I went back to Newbrassky and took up a homestead. Durin' the war I was in the rear with the gear." ;D
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LazyK drinks the last of his coffee, "let's mount up boys." He turns in the saddle and looks at the Cosie, "Thanks for your service. I once heard a quote, 'The greatest virtues are those which are most useful to other persons,' The snake was good too." He reaches into his saddle bag and pulls out a bottle. "Next time those gentlemen try to shoot you give them a sip of this," he says as he tosses a bottle of Kentuck's finest to the man in the nightshirt. "By the way the Mayor wants you to cater the big celebration in a few weeks." With that the three friends and former enemies ride off toward Belle Plain
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Delmonico thinks about and then decides not to put castor oil in the bottle. ;D He sets it up on the chuck box of the wagon. ;)
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It's early morning in Belle Plain. In China Town a few are stirring and lights are on at the Academy. A dog barks down an alley and a cat walks into the stable. South of town the cattle herd is resting again and campfires dot the hillsides. Everyone waiting for the day to begin...
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In the early morning darkness in the White Elephant Saloon Silent Ed unhooks the chain for the deer antler chandelier and lowers it to the floor. He begins to fill the six oil lamps around it's edge. When he finishes he hoists it back up and secures the chain. On the large poker table he sees a envelope. It is addressed to Silent Ed. He opens the envelope and takes out the single page; it says:
"Ed,
Sal from Atlanta is in Belle Plain. She is going under an assumed name and has some kind of job there. She has not forgotten Natches so watch yourself.
Yours,
Abel N. Willing Esq."
His hands shaking, Silent Ed walks to the door. At the edge of town the bell at Belle Plain Academy begins to ring. He slowly moves to the back of the room and into the kitchen where mumbling to himself he pours a cup of coffee. He walks out to the bar and adds some bourbon to it. Slowly drinking he remember Natches...
In the livery stable the horses nicker and one kicks at the stall wall wanting some grain. Up in the hayloft someone is still sleeping after watching out most of the night in the upper loft door. There are more than a few mysteries and people who are not who they seem in and around around Belle Plain this morning.
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Irish arrives in Belle Plaines for the Poker game. As he leaves the Livery he spies an old indian friend, "He Whose Farts Make The Groud Tremble". He greets him with the traditional Tribal greeting "Winnabago", and asks him how many players are in town for the tournament.
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Down the street a man watches from the upper window as the Irishman and his three feathered friend exchange greetings. He turns from the window and fingers the lid of his watch. It's 10:00 am and the town is settling in to a warm Texas morning. He checks his coat and pulls out a folded bundle of greenbacks, "Enough here to stake me for a day or two," he mutters to himself.
In front of the White Elephant a small crowd watches Stokey Pantel hoist up a banner which reads, "The White Elephant Poker Challenge and Drinking Tournament." From the left front window Silent Ed peers out...
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Irish's old Indian friend tells him that about 20 have showed up for the Poker Tournament so far. On stage yesterday Jose Canyousee, Miles O'Smiles, Carrie Atune, and Big Red Boyle arrived. Sounds like its going to be a high stakes game with a lot of experienced players. By the way I didn't ask what you are doing here old friend. Government move entire tribe, create new reservation, Great White Father in Washington declare that entire Flatulation Nation must have village downwind from Fort. Well I'm glad you're here, flips him a twenty dollar gold piece. Scout around Town and find out what other players are here, I want to be prepared when the Tournament starts.
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As the morning sun rises the town begins to fill. Several cowboys from the cattle drive are taking baths at the China Town Bath House. The Belle Plain Gazette is publishing it's debut newspaper today, and the editor Warren Peese has an editorial on gun control in the town; look's like trouble there!
The stage is in and a some folks from Memphis get out and ask about the White Elephant. Things are picking up in Belle Plain...
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Jack Rabbit pulls his horse to a stop in front of the White Elephant. He is in town for the big tournament. Today his hair is gone to it’s natural grey color, took him weeks to get the black die out. Jack is wanted in two states for card hustling. There is a bounty on his head but he’s so quick to change his looks nobody really knows what he really looks like, and he never uses the same name. Nobody cept that woman who’s horse he tried ta steal, who knew a gal looked like that was a bounty hunter? He knew she was out there; problem was she was about as good at changing her looks as he was. Maybe she’d miss Belle Plain.
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The grey haired man takes his saddle bags from his hourse and slowly looks up and down the street. Laughter rolls out into the street from the White Elephant. He smiles and walks up the steps.
Sitting in a chair in front of the dry goods store a slender woman swings here feet back and forth her eyes on the upper window of the hotel. She adjusts her red wig and hat with veil. She smiles and lifts her skirt a little and checks the derringer in a holster just above her right boot. She settles her dress and begins to hum slowly to herself. Darlene Pristine looks at her hands for a moment before looking down the street toward the north end of town. The sun sinks out of sight behind her black eyes. The smile has hidden warmth somewhere in the early years of her mind; but, hurt is there also..."Wouldn't the girls at the school be surprised to see me now she whispers." Sal stands and for a moment the assumed name of Kate Pristine fades from her mind.
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Angel pulls her pale horse, DontBuck, to a stop. They are not far from the town called Belle Plain. She’s heard about the poker tournament in town. Jack Rabbit would be headed there fur sure, he wouldn’t be able to resist that carrot being dangled in front of his nose.
Last time she’d seen him was a few towns ago. He’d stolen an appaloosa that was tied in front of the saloon he’d been playing cards in. The horse had spots the size of goose eggs and a gait that was so rough it looked like Jack was hoping across the desert instead of riding.
Angel moved DontBuck into a jog and headed for town.
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The sun has just gown down behind the hills in the west. The entire town is south of the lot where the new courthouse will be. Some are waving flags, and blankets are spread under trees. Outside China Town Wu, Wu, & Fong are getting ready to light fireworks for the first time in Belle Plain. Fong walks forward with a punk in hand and stops to light it. A dog runs from the crowd towards him. He looks up and steps back falling over Wu #2 who is lighting his punk. The match he was holding flips end over end through the air and lands in the middle of the laid out fireworks. In horror Wu #1 shouts "RUN'" at the top of his lungs. The crowd claps and shouts with glee thinking it is part of the show, and not understanding Chinese, they stay in their covetd positions. Several fuses sputter to life...
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One of the fuses reaches the main powder charge and a rocket sputters to life. It skims across the ground gradually gaining altitude. It singes some hair as it passes near to Miss Daisy Upsee, one of the teachers from the Academy, she remarks, "Something like that could put an eye out!" Within seconds more of the rockets begin to come to life, and the crowd suddenly realizes the danger and begins to scatter. One of the rockets carreens off a roof and sputters into the hay loft of the Livery, there is a sudden burst of green light and then nothing until minutes later when smoke begins rolling from the loft door.
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In the loft the lady from Carolina who has been glassing the area finds herself in a real tight situation. Her first concern is her horse and she leaps from the loft to the stables below and finds...
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that the horses have been quite regular. Not worrying about the fact that she is covered in processed oats and hay, she begins to open the stalls doors so the horses can escape the smoke and flames. Suddenly .....
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Wu #2 runs past the stables shouting something in Chinese. Pops Ickle stands on the boardwalk looking at the livery stable as six horses, one mad cowgirl, and a smoking Chinaman alll come together in the street. "All I wanted was the dang newspaper," he spit out with some chew.
In Chinatown a few tents have been flatened as well as several residents. At the courthouse site, picnic baskets are strewn everywhere, and blankets in tatters hang from tree limbs.
Ida Soomso hikes up her skirts, grabs two of her children and asks, "What happened to Woofie?"
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It is mid morning and some gamblers who are the few early risers sit in rocking chairs on the porch of the White Elephant. One who is dressed in a white shirt, dark pants, riding boots and a straw plantation hat turns to another and says in a southern drawl, " You evah play poker with that group at the Long Branch?" The other gambler, a woman with the trace of a smile says," Yes I have. An interesting bunch those folks. One could go broke winning there as they seldom play for money." The man bites the end off an long slender cigar and looks out to the goings on in the street. The Belle Plain Volunteer Fire Department nas the livery stable fire under control. The horses have been quieted and the Chinaman has run off toward China Town. The lady from Carolina has her horse and is walking toward the White Elephant.
Under the dry goods store porch a singed dog rests quietly licking his right front leg. In the far corner a cat smiles...
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Thx to the Marshalette,
The Life & Times of Belle Plain are now part of Saddlebag Tales. I believe this section of the Forum will allow for pure (but interesting & funny ;-) story telling. I would like to thank those who have contributed so far and invite you to continue. There are so many interesting things about creating a town ands it's people.
Please do this:
If I start something like building a house and you want to have it blown to pieces by a twister, do it. A real town would have many good and bad things happen. I know many of you are busy, but write just a few words if you have the time. I don't want this Belle PLain to become a ghost town...
Have a great day all.
LazyK Pejay
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Lunch has just finished at Miss Pruitts Eating Emporium. Today's special was crawdad stew with hot bread, salad, and tea. Out in the street folks are waiting for the stage and the White Elephant is slowly filling up for the beginning of the Poker Championship. Some new faces have arrived. One, a rotund man from St Louis slowly climbs the steps to the White Elephant.
"Large Bill. How are you," a voice calls from in front of the batwings. "Hello Jack Rabbit, good to see you. You want to write me a bank draft now or suffer through the whole tournment?" Bill laughs.
As they catch up on old times the stage pulls up. Spilling out is the Long Branch Saloon Team. Some are sleepy, others snockered; but they are ready to play Poker. "So this is the famous White Elephant," say one who looks Irish. Another stumbles and says, " I don't see no dang pacyderm!"
It is going to be an interesting day at the White Elephant and more interesting times at Belle Plain...
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Jack Rabbit grinned at Large Bill’s comment about the comment regarding the bank draft. Jack had acquired a few more tricks to pull from his hate for this game.
He watched nervously as the passengers departed from the stage.
“You never seemed to like the streets, always preferred the darkness of the saloons.” Bill remarked.
“With my flamboyant past I never know who will be lookin’ to skin my hide or lock me up in a cage.” Jack remarked.
Bill snorted and said. “Think one of them is lookin’ for the father of her children?”
Jack wrinkled is nose. “Just give me one more thing to me jumpy about why don’tcha.”
“Anything to help the odds Jack.” Bill’s eyes danced with amusment.
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Miles O'Smiles, Carrie Atune, and Big Red Boyle, leave the hotel and head to the White Elephant. From an alleyway the woman in the red hair and hat smiles as she watches Jack Rabbit and Large Bill enter the saloon. "Well, well one of the men I need to take care of are in the saloon now," she laughs.
At the bath and shave tent in China Town three men from the Longbranch soak in tubs while sharing tequila and beer. Outside someone shouts...
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A lathered horse comes galloping up the street, with a man in the saddle bent low and holding onto the horse neck. The horse slows as it nears the White Elephant, the rider slips slowly from the saddle to lay sprawled in the street. One of the gamblers preparing to enter the White Elephant rushes over, and as he nears he sees a spreading red stain on the man's shirt. He hollers, "Somebody get a doctor!"
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A white haired man steps from inside the Saloon and hobbles towards the downed rider.
“I’m a doctor. Dr. Dew Little.” He says.
The gambler cringes as he watches the shaky old man come towards them, wondering if the man that has been shot is much of a gambler himself. He wouldn’t like the odds if he were the gambler thought.
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A crowd begins to gather in the street all watching the doctor bend down putting his left ear to the man's chest, "still ticking," the doc says as he lifts his head. He begins to unbutton the man's blood coverd shirt. "I'll help ya Doc," a sultry voice says. The red haired lady from the alleyway kneels down and and looks at the man's face.
From the White Elephant another face looks out one of the windows. Silent Ed the bartender, cleans his glasses and looks hard at the woman next to the doctor. "It can't be he mumbles," as he turns and runs to the kitchen.
The three men from the Longbranch walk up, still wet. One hops on one foot pulling on a boot. "Dang, right in front of the White Elephant," says the man with one boot. "Did the pacyderm step on this fella?" All turn to the third Longbranch cowboy. "One of his friends smiles, "don't mind him, he ain't much in the thinkin' department.
The man laying in the street moans...
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“We need ta get ‘im offa the street. Need ta get that there bullet out.” Dr. Dew Little states as he struggles to his feet.
The woman with the red hair watches the doctor’s shaking hand as he points towards his office. She and the gambler exchange worried looks as a few of the men in the gathered crowd pick up the moaning man.
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Two men pick up the wounded man who groans and whispers, "Asesinato!"
"What he say?" one of the Longbanch gamblers asks as the crowd begin to move away. No one answers and soon folks drift back into The White Elephant.
Dr Dew Little unlocks the door to his office and steps inside. He turns a card over in the window that says, "OPEN." He lights an oil lamp at a desk and another by a long table; gold light flickers in the dim room as the doctor stands holding a match in his shaking hand. On the floor by the alley side window a black case sits partly opened. It has not been used in some time and is dust covered...
The men place the wounded cowboy on the table. The man jerks and shouts, "Serpiente!"
The doctor stares and then gets a bottle from the desk. He pours a shot overflowing and splashing whiskey drops on the table. He stares at the amber liquid then runs the glasss back and forth under his nose. Turning slowly, he hands the glass to one of the men. "Give it to him," he says quietly turning back to the desk and rubbing the whiskey stains dry with his fingers...
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The sun is beginning to set and shadows from the buildings fill the the street. Laughter spills from the White Elephant masking the sound of a match being struck on a wall. A tall man stands at the edge of the front window of the doctors office; flickering lamplight moving across his face."A cada puerco le llega su sabado," the mans says after lighting his cigar. He tosses the match out into the street and slowly walks away...
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During a break in one of the card games a gambler gets up from the table and steps out onto the porch of the White Elephant. He takes in a deep breath of the clean night air. Looking up he notices two riders coming into Town. Both are wearing dusters and have their hats pulled low. Neither rider looks up as they pass the White Elephant but the gambler can feel one of the mens eyes on him. They pass and head toward the Livery. The gambler gives a little shiver at the feeling that passes over him from the strangers look, a shiver his momma used to describe as someone walking across your grave. He shakes it off and heads back inside, at the moment he is a little ahead and wants to keep his concentration on the game to give himself the best chance of moving on to the next round.
A lone indian watches from an alley way as the two riders reach the Livery. They hand their horses over to the stable boy and take their time walking through the stall area looking over the other horses. One of them stops and gestures at the horse that the wounded man in the doctors office rode in on. The indian is to far away to hear the other man's words, but he notices the man reach down to flip the holster loop off the hammer of his gun. The two men leave the Livery and head in the direction of the saloon. The indian melts quietly into the shadows.
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Light spills out of the White Elephant as music plays. The two men walk from the stable, their dusters flapping in the early evening breeze. The taller of the two pulls the right side of his duster around to his back freeing up his pistol. The second man moves behind and slowly to the opposite side of the street. With the wind the first raindrops fall and thunder comes from the hills to the west. Lightening streaks the sky and in the momentary brightness a birthmark like a coiled snake can be see on the left cheek of the lead man...
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The tall one steps through the bat wings of the White Elephant, his eyes slowly scan the crowded room taking in every detail and every person within while not touching on any one individual. As he steps over to the bar his partner steps just inside the bat wings scanning the crowd and occasionally glancing outside.
The tall man orders a whiskey, the bartender notes that his eyes are as cold as the impression of the snake given by his birthmark. The mans flips a coin onto the bar that is well in excess of the cost of the drink. As the bartender reaches out to pick up the coin the tall man's left hand is suddenly holding his wrist, in a voice that sounds like dry, rustling leaves he says, "you can keep that change just tell me if there are any new faces in Town."
Silent Ed gives his best bartender smile and says says, "Quite a few, the Poker Tournament has brought a good sized crowd to Town."
The stranger releases his arm, downs his whiskey, and turns to leave. Eyes that have been watching the exchange at the bar suddenly turn to other business to avoid the man's look. He walks out of the White Elephant without another word, a few moments later his partner backs out through the bat wings.
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In the lamp lit room across the street the doctor pours some whiskey over his hands and picks up an old towle to dry them off. Walking to the table, he cuts the wounded man's shirt away with his pocket knife. The wound is just below the ribs on the left side. He checks the shirt and notices a neat hole where the bullet entered. The doctor looks around while shaking his head. "The bullet carried a patch of the shirt inside. If I don't get it and the bullet, infection will eat him up." The doctor inserts a finger into the slowly bleeding hole. "It's deep. I don't know if it hit anything vital. I haven't done anything like this in years boys..."
The two gunmen leave the White Elephant and walk up the street toward the church. The street splits making a "Y" in front of white spired building. To the right and left houses stretch to the very edge of town. Each house spills light onto the street as darkness falls. The taller man turns to the left. "The last house on the left is his." The other man lights a cigar and follows after his partner...
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From one of the openings in the spire the barrel of a Sharps carbine pokes out. The barrel follows the movement of the two men as they head down the street. The old injun watches the men from the shadow of a building, as the one man lights the cigar the injun puts an arrow to the bow he now carries. The injun has been busy while the two men were in the White Elephant. One of the Sheriff's deputies stands in the front parlor of the Doctor's office, at the flare from the lucifer he works the lever of the Winchester he is holding.
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There is a fliting sound as an arrow sings out from the bow. From the spire, the church bell rings once as the person holding the Sharps brushes it while trying to see clearly the one man standing in the street looking down at his fallen sidekick. From the last house on the left a light is snuffed out...
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The cigar falls from the man's fingers as the arrow pierces his shoulder. The Church Bell rings as he falls, his partner looks to the sound and sees a shadow that could be the barrel of a rifle. He drags his partner out of the line of fire and scans the area for the source of the arrow as his pistol clears leather.
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The indian in the alley moves back into the shadows, his work for the evening done. In the bell tower the rifleman curses his bad luck with the bell. Down the street the sheriff's deputy notices the wind picking up and assumes the bell just caught a gust of it for a moment.
In the doctors office the men holding wounded man look to the doctor as he wipes his glistening forehead with a towel. The man on the table moves and sighs. "Is he ready Doc?" one of the men asks. The doctor looks at his hands and then picks up a thin surgical knife. "Yep, he's ready and I am as ready as I will ever be." the doctor says as he places the knife blade near the wound opening.
Outside the wind begins to moan and sigh over the rooftops and down into the alleys. Dust rattles like rice against the White Elephant windows. Inside the music is loud and the banter between poker players finding a table is light hearted. Soon serious business will change all that. Jack Rabbit buys two shots of bourbon, one for himself and one for large Bill. The red-headed lady sits at a corner table shuffling a new deck of cards...