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Bitter is the Dust
Chapter Five/Good News, Bad News
Scott A. Gese
Chapter 5
Good News, Bad News
After the sheriff left, Sarah slumped down into the chair behind her desk, clearly in distress. She leaned forward, propped her elbows into her lap, and buried her face in her hands.
"I knew this would catch up with me eventually," she cried. "Ben, I'm sorry you had to hear all the sordid details of my miserable life. Jason and I were terribly abused at the hand of that tyrant. I'm afraid he'll come looking for us, and I'm worried about what he might do if he finds us. I don't think Jason needs to worry about him any longer. He's grown up so much over these past few months, I'm sure he would fight back, but if Jim finds me, he may just kill me. I know I wasn't much of a mother to Jason, I've always loved him like my very own son, but I've never been able to protect him the way he needed to be. And look at him now! He's in jail and so full of anger and resentment. I can't control him any longer, Ben. I don't know what to do? I'm sorry if I'm becoming a burden to you. If you want me to leave, I'll understand."
Ben had been setting on the edge of Sarah's desk, letting her carry on, but at the mention of her willingness to leave, he had to speak up. "Leave, why would I want you to do that? You're perfectly welcome to stay on here. If you think I have a problem with your past, you're sadly mistaken. Seems to me, you redeemed yourself and took a bit of retribution on your way out the door, and from the sound of it, I'd say it was well deserved. Why don't you wait and see what the sheriff comes up with before you make any rash decisions.
"I'll let you in on something, Sarah. Something I've been wrestling with myself as of late. I received a telegram several weeks ago. It was from my father back in Richmond. He believes it's safe for me to come home."
Sarah didn't think she could feel any lower, but with this bit of unwelcome news, she discovered it was truly possible. She cared for Ben and had dreamed of a day when they might be able to have a relationship that was more than cordial. Now those thoughts seemed to be slipping through her fingers in the same way her son Jason was slowly slipping out of her life.
"But Sarah," continued Ben. "You may be happy to know that I've decided to stay here, in Fort Scott." Sarah lifted her face from her hands and Ben wiped the tears from her eyes as he continued to speak. "As long as you're here I have no desire to leave, and only good reasons to stay. I know you're a married woman, Sarah, and I'll respect that, but it doesn't change the fact that I care for you. Would you please allow me to help you through this pain you're feeling right now?" He stroked her long brown hair. "I know there are happier times for you just over the horizon. Please, give me the chance to get there with you. My guess is that Jason won't want to stay here in Fort Scott for long. He'll be moving on and you won't be able to convince him otherwise. You'll need a strong shoulder to hang your head on and I want to be there for you."
Sarah stood up and gave Ben a big hug. "Thank you, Ben. You're a true friend. I most truly need a shoulder right now and I would be more than delighted to have yours." She kissed him lightly on the cheek and separated herself from their embrace. "Would you accompany me to the sheriff's office while I retrieve my son?"
"It would be my pleasure."
Ben placed a sign on the office door "Be back soon' and the two of them walked over to the sheriff's office.
As they entered the office, Sarah announced, "Sheriff Mason, I'm here to pick up my son."
"Well, I'm obliged to deliver him to you, ma'am," replied the sheriff as he walked over to the cell door and unlocked it for Jason. "Seems you're living under a silver cloud at the moment, son. Toby has refused to press battery charges against you. You're free to go, but I suggest you don't leave town, you or your mother, at least not until I hear back from Topeka concerning the beating of Mr. McKinney. If he's pressed charges, or worse, if he's dead, we'll be talking again. Either way, I don't want to have to go far when I come looking for you."
"And how long will that be?" inquired Sarah.
"I expect I'll hear something by tomorrow," Mason answered.
"I'll pay for a couple of rooms at the boarding house until this is cleared up," offered Ben.
"That'll be fine by me," replied Jason. "Where might I find my horse?"
"I believe it's tethered out front," answered the sheriff. "Did you hear what I just told you, son, about staying close?"
"I heard you," Jason replied. He turned to his mother. "I'm taking my horse to the livery for the night. I'll catch up with you and Ben later." As he began to pick up his belongings, he realized the axe handle was missing and turned back to the lawman. "I'd like my axe handle back, if you don't mind."
"I'll be holding on to that for the time being. You can have it back tomorrow, if the word I get from Topeka allows it," replied the sheriff.
Jason was clearly unhappy with the whole situation. He picked up his gear and headed out the door to retrieve his horse. Sarah and Ben followed close behind.
"I'm obliged to you, Ben, for covering the cost of our rooms," stated Jason. "I don't understand why he wants us both to stay in town. I told him I was the one who beat Jim, not you."
"I told him different, Jason. I told him I beat Jim, not you. This is my cross to bear, not yours."
Jason's jaws tensed, and he stared hard at the ground for a long moment. "I swear, if he's still alive, and you end up in jail over this, I'll kill him as sure as I'm standing here." He untied his horse and headed toward the livery.
Ben hollered out, "come back to my office in a couple hours and I'll take you and Sarah to get some supper."
"I appreciate the offer, Ben. You're a good man, but I think I'll be taking my supper at the boarding house tonight. Take ma out, she'll appreciate it."
"Suit yourself, but if you change your mind, come on by."
Jason took his horse to the livery where he rubbed him down and fed him. Ben and Sarah walked over to the boarding house and paid for two rooms, then walked back to Ben's office.
After Jason had taken care of his horse, he went over to the boarding house and retrieved the key to his room. It was on the second floor. He went up the stairs, went in and closed the door behind him. The room was small. It had a single bed next to the room's only window. A nightstand next to the bed held a single lamp. Next to the door was a stand with a bowl and pitcher of water for washing up. Jason threw his saddlebags onto the bed, and stood in front of the window looking out to the street below. It was late and the sun was giving off its last ray's of light. He could see the mercantile down the street. Toby was just locking up. The gauze bandage on his head shown white below his hat and his long dark shadow stretched almost across the street. Damned old man, thought Jason. Hope your head hurts for a month of Sundays."
Turning back to the bed, he sat down and began to go through his bags, hoping nothing had been left out, and trying to determine what he might need when he left town. Reaching into one of the bags, he felt a small package and pulled it out. It was a box of cartridges with a note attached to it that read, "Can't defend yourself without bullets. I know you're out. Good luck. Wes."
Jason had to smile. He hadn't done that in awhile and it felt good. He had made friends with the men at the XO, and thought about the day Ira had bought him his first drink and how they all had a good laugh at his reaction. His smile quickly disappeared as he realized he'd more than likely never see any of them again. Taking the bullets, he loaded his gun and spent the night locked in his room, repeatedly drawing the gun from its holster and trying to decide what to do with the rest of his life.
When Ben and Sarah got back to the office, her concern turned toward her brother, Mac. "I need to get a message to Mac somehow and let him know I'm all right. He'll be worried if I don't show up tonight."
It was almost time to close the office and Doc Evans had already left for the day, so Ben offered to close up a bit early and ride out to Mac's place to let him know what was going on. Supper together would have to wait for another day.
As Ben rode out toward Mac's place, he had time to think about the decisions he had made lately. His father was upset about his not wanting to return to Richmond. His mother on the other hand knew the country and understood perfectly, why he had made the decision to stay, or so she thought. He remembered times as a child, when she would long to be back in the wide-open spaces. She talked about Kansas like it was something to behold. He never gave it a second thought, but now that he was here, there was a total understanding of what his mother was feeling at those times when she would reminisce. And now, his practice with Doc Evans was off to a good start and there was plenty enough work to keep them both busy. His personal life had taken a turn, as well, and there was someone in his life that he had strong feelings for; regardless of the fact of her current marital situation. He had no intention of taking advantage of the woman – that would be lower than low – but he was going to do everything within his power to convince her that she was deserving of something more that a loveless marriage to a man who had deeply hurt her. "She can find an attorney in town and file for a divorce," he thought, knowing she certainly had grounds. But to bring that up to her wouldn't be right. It would have to be her decision to end their marriage agreement, not his.
The sun was about to set as Mac's house came into view. The few clouds in the summer sky showed a vestige of red and pink around the edges, and a soft glow of lantern light shown through the front window. Mac must have heard Ben's horse coming up to the house as he opened the front door before the man was even off his horse. "Dr. Dunn, what brings you out here this evening? Is everything alright? Where's Sarah?"
"Good evening Mac. Everything is fine. I've just come out to deliver a message. Sheriff Mason ordered her and Jason both to stay in town this evening. It's a long story. May I come in out of the cold and relay it to you?"
Without hesitation, Mac stood back and gestured the man forward. "By all means, do come in."
The two men spent the better part of an hour talking about Sarah, Jason, and the situation as it presently stood. As the discussion ended, Ben had a much better understanding of Sarah's past, and as Mac became more familiar with Ben, he, too, had shared some of his own story. Opening up, Mac confided that he was pretty distraught by the fact Jason had not taken to him, but he was also smart enough to understood just why that was. Between the two of them, it was concluded that Mac needed to take Jason's aloofness in stride. He had enough to worry about just trying to make the payments on his land. Mac told Ben that Miles Hanley had agreed to sell him one of their prize bulls and that that would go a long way in helping him build up his herd.
"A cattle broker with no cattle to buy is a sad state of affairs," reflected Mac. "But with this new bull I may be able hold things together."
It was plain to Ben that Mac was resolved to make the best of it and was earnestly working toward building up his own herd while periodically buying and reselling small herds of longhorns that deviated off the Chisholm. He openly confided to the doctor the cattle were more than likely cut from larger herds along the way to Abilene or Wichita; and probably by men of unsavory character. But Mac was in survival mode and was able to buy them cheap and sell them quickly for a profit, so few questions were asked. It was clear Mac was good with bookwork as well as the logistics of getting the animals to a buyer quickly, before suspicions were aroused. And although Mac liked the doctor – perhaps was even beginning to trust him – he was careful as to just how much he shared, and skillfully avoided divulging too much.
As Ben rode back to town that evening, he reflected on his circumstances and the situations of those around him. Sarah and her brother, Mac, were good people; much like himself in the fact that life had dealt them a bad hand and starting over was not an easy task. And even Jason, with his hot temper and tendency to make bad decisions, was a good kid deep down. The boy just needed a few more years to gain the maturity necessary to survive out here in the west. Back in Richmond, survival of the fittest meant being adept in business practices and shrewd in financial decisions. If you didn't have that ability, you were destined to spend your days as a lower class citizen, but out here it was different, out here in Kansas, survival of the fittest was more primal. Everyone was after the same thing, survival; period.
He liked the fact that neighbors helped neighbors and everyone pitched in to give each other a helping hand whenever it was needed. Miles didn't have to sell Mac one of his prize bulls. He could just as easily stood back and let Mac go under opening up the opportunity for the XO to expand their land holdings, but he didn't. And Mac didn't hold a grudge against Miles for his involvement in the blockade of the Shawnee.
Ben had learned that the Shawnee had been closed off some twenty years earlier due to the cattle from Texas carrying a disease that Kansas cattle couldn't overcome. Opening the trail again after the war was a bad idea. Mac didn't see it that way and took advantage of the situation, but the ranchers and farmers in Kansas and even into Missouri would have nothing to do with it. It took them close to a year to close it again, and the XO played a big part. It cut Mac and others off at the knees. Most didn't survive, but Mac held on. "He's a survivor," thought Ben. "And Miles understands that."
Ben had grown quite happy with his situation out here in the wide-open plains of Kansas and felt his decision to stay was a good one. Now that he had made up his mind to become a permanent resident of Fort Scott, there were a few things he needed to take care of, but most importantly, he needed to be sure there would be no charges brought against Sarah for the beating of her husband.
The following day Ben opened up the office to a chilly morning. A slight breeze made it seem colder than usual, but then it was October, and Fall was definitely in the air. Sarah showed up late and went right to work as Ben and Doc Evans discussed business in one of the other rooms. As their meeting finished up they came out to the reception area where Sarah was busily filling out a backlog of paperwork.
"It's so nice to have you working here, Sarah," complimented Doc Evans. "Ben's idea to hire you was first rate. In fact, since he's been here, we've almost doubled our number of patients. He's building up quite a reputation for himself, and for this office I might add. Without you here giving us a hand with all the paperwork and assistance with patients, we'd never be able to manage."
Sarah's smile was timid; but heartfelt. "Well thank you so much for the compliment, Doctor Evans. It's nice to be appreciated."
"Well you have a wonderful day now, dear. And that goes for you too, Ben. I'm off to see Mrs. Simmons about an infected foot. I'll eat well tonight, as she has little money, so I barter with her for a couple of chickens whenever I visit."
As he left, Ben turned his attention to Sarah. "And how are you doing this fine chilly morning?"
Sarah didn't look up and continued to work on her papers. "I'm sorry I'm late, Ben."
Ben reached out, gently cupping her chin and forcing her to look up. "Don't be sorry. I'm surprised you're here at all."
She sighed and leaned back in her chair. "I need to stay busy. I'm so nervous about what Sheriff Mason might hear, I can hardly stand it. What if Jim's pressed charges against me, or worse, what if he's dead? I might go to jail. Do you think they might hang me?"
Ben shook his head. "Sarah, I think any judge in his right mind would let you go in a heartbeat once the truth of what that man did to you and Jason came out. Personally, I doubt if any charges will be forthcoming. I just can't imagine he'd want the world to know what kind of person he really is."
Sarah couldn't fully shake the feeling of dread, but Ben's faith gave her solace. "I hope you're right, Ben. I really hope you're right."
He resisted the urge to kiss her; patting her cheek instead. "I have every confidence that things will work out in your favor today. I've adjusted my schedule to keep myself in town, but right now I've a few errands to run. I should be back before noon."
Ben slipped out the door and headed to the telegraph office where he planned to send a message to Richmond. As he stepped inside, he was greeted at the counter by a cheerful young man, probably not much older than Jason. Behind the counter at a small desk where the clicker was, sat an older man, the boy's father, listening intently as he turned the constant clicking sounds into decipherable messages.
"It never ceases to amaze me how someone can take the clicking sounds from that little pad and turn it into a full blown message," commented Ben.
"It's quite amazing, I have to agree," replied the boy. "I've heard that some day we may even be able to talk into a little box and actually have our voice be heard by someone at the other end of the line."
The old man finished his writing and turned his attention toward his son. "Impossible," he interjected. "That'll never happen. You can't send a human voice over a wire."
"When you were my age, Pa, did you ever think you'd be sitting here sending and receiving messages from little electric impulses?"
"Well, no, but that's my point," the older man blustered. But he was inwardly proud of his son's fanciful musings. "These are electrical impulses, not a human voice."
The young man at the counter turned his back to his father and rolled his eyes, ignoring the comment. "And what can I do for you today, Doctor Dunn. Your usual weekly telegram?" He asked.
Speaking loud enough for the older man to hear, Ben replied. "Even though it once seemed impossible, I'd like to send a telegram to my father in Richmond."
The young man smiled and played along. "All the way to Richmond, Richmond Virginia?"
The older man quickly caught on to the game they were playing and interjected, "See that there box on the counter. Why don't the two of you try yelling your message into it and see what happens!"
Ben and the young man began to laugh. "I'm sorry, sir," Ben apologized. "Your son and I were just funnin' you. We meant no disrespect."
"I take no offence," replied the older man as he went back to receiving another message.
Ben handed the young man a slip of paper with the message he wanted sent. "Would you please read it back to me? I want to be sure I have it right."
The boy nodded, pleased that he had been asked. "I'd be happy to. Let's see, to "Mr. Nathanial J. Dunn of Richmond, Virginia, "Father, I have received your message and am delighted to hear that the way has been cleared for my safe return. You may not like the reply I am sending, but after much aforethought and anguish, I have made the decision to remain here in Kansas. Tell mother I now understand her occasional longings for the place of her birth. Please send the remainder of my belongings in care of Miles Hanley, XO Ranch, Fort Scott, Kansas. Your son, Ben." How does that sound?"
Ben nodded his approval. "That sounds perfect. Please let me know when you receive a reply."
"I'm glad to hear you'll be staying on," called the young man as Ben left the office.
His next stop was at the local land office. The clerk, a middle-aged man with long sideburns and a big mustache was bent over a drawing laid out on a table behind the front counter. A short cigar balanced on the edge of the table filling the room with a haze of blue-grey smoke. Without looking up, the clerk asked, "What can I do for you?"
"I'd like to discuss purchasing a piece of property from you," Ben answered.
Without straightening up, the clerk turned his head toward the counter to see who was speaking. Recognizing Ben, he replied, "Well, Doctor Dunn, come back around here and take a look at this." He turned back toward the drawing.
Ben walked around the counter to have a look at what the clerk found so fascinating. Laid out on the table was a street map of Fort Scott. It showed more streets than actually existed. "This here, Doctor Dunn, is the future of Fort Scott. I've been commissioned by the town's governance to draw up plans for its expansion. Did you realize our fair city has over four thousand souls living within its boundaries? Bonds have been recently passed for the grading of new streets. We're expanding quite rapidly, and you, sir, are one of the first to see it on paper. And since you're here to discuss the purchase of property, you have your pick of the litter."
Ben was no fool. He was from Richmond where his father had made a fortune in real estate speculation. He knew an opportunity when it was presented to him so he studied the map closely.
"I see here that the town will be expanding to the north, along the railroad line and to the west, away from it."
"Yes, that only makes sense, otherwise the railroad would eventually run right through the middle of town," the agent agreed.
His arms folded against the table, Ben was still studying the map. "And when will these properties be available?" There was no way he was going to point out any specific plots.
"Why, they became available just this morning," the salesman smiled.
"Just this morning?" Ben asked. "And these parcels that are already blocked out?
The man cleared his throat. "Well, I'm afraid those parcels are already taken. Our town council had the opportunity to view this drawing last night as they voted on the passage of this plan, and, well, you know how it is with politicians. They always seem to find a way to benefit themselves."
Ben laughed. He had grown up at his father's knee learning the ins and outs of real estate wheeling and dealings. "I understand that all too well, I'm afraid. However, it does look like they did leave a few nice parcels, especially these here, toward the north along the tracks." Ben pointed out six parcels that were next to each other and still open. "These look like they're in the business district?"
"Yes, they are. These are one quarter acre plots and these other parcels to the west are for housing, they're one acre each."
Ben used his finger to point at the map. "And what would the price of these six parcels in the business district, and this one parcel right here in the housing area, cost me?"
"These six here? Well, let me see." The clerk ran a few calculations. "Those six combined encompass a total area of one and a half acres, and if we add on the one acre plot, that will come to a total sum of seven hundred dollars."
"Seven hundred dollars for two and a half acres?" Ben countered. "That seems a bit steep, don't you think?"
"This is city property, Doctor Dunn. Not open range."
"It still seems a bit steep, but I see your point. Draw up the appropriate paperwork and I'll pay you in cash; and be sure to draw up a receipt for payment as well." Ben considered himself a fortunate man, as he was about to capitalize on all his father had taught him.
The transaction took longer than expected and by the time Ben left the land office it was close to noon. He hurried back to his office but Sarah wasn't there, so he made his way to the sheriff's office where he found both Sarah and Jason. "I'm sorry I'm late. What has the sheriff found out?" He stood behind Sarah and Jason, who were sitting in chairs in front of the sheriff's desk.
Mason was leaning back in his chair with his feet on his desk and a cocky grin on his face. The axe handle was in his hand and he repeatedly tapped it on the edge of his desk. He looked like a schoolmaster ready to scold a couple of unruly students.
"I'm not really sure this concerns you, Doctor Dunn," he grinned, obviously enjoying himself.
"Ben is a good friend and my employer," answered Sarah. "He stays."
"Very well," he replied as he began to explain the details of his inquiry. "I sent off a telegram yesterday to the sheriff in Topeka, looking for information on the beating of Mrs. McKinney's husband a little over six months ago. What I found out was very interesting. The damage was severe. A concussion, three broken ribs, a broken arm, two broken fingers and an assortment of cuts and bruises. I must say, Mrs. McKinney, you're a woman not to be tangled with when your dander is up. And yes, I did verify that you were the one who wielded this here axe handle, not your boy. You're very lucky you didn't kill the man, but I do believe you may have taught him a lesson he'll likely never forget. Up to this point he's not pressed charges so you're both free to go."
Sarah heaved a huge sigh of relief as Jason leaned over the desk and grabbed hold of the axe handle. Looking the sheriff in the eye, he stated, "I believe this is mine."
The sheriff dropped his feet to the floor and stood up, still holding the handle. "Son, you have a chip on your shoulder and a healthy disrespect for the law. That's a lethal combination that'll get you no further than the end of a rope." The sheriff jammed the handle forward, striking Jason below the sternum and knocking the wind out of him. Jason grabbed at his stomach and the sheriff let go of the stick and it fell to the floor. "Get him out of here," he ordered, as he sat back down.
As the three of them headed for the door, the sheriff called out. "Oh, by the way. I got my information from a Doctor Brown. Seems your husband has recently disappeared. Retribution can be a terrible thing. I'd watch my back if I were you."
The three of them walked out to the street, Ben seemed relieved "Thank God, that's over."
"Over, what are you talking about," cried Jason. "You heard the sheriff, Jim's disappeared. I doubt if he's holed up somewhere, he's probably heading this direction and I aim to find him before he finds us."
"You have no proof of that," Ben declared.
"Proof, I don't need proof. I know the man," Jason retorted
Ben shot back. "Even if it is true, and he is heading in this direction, just how do you plan to stop him?" Beside him, he felt Sarah tense and tightened his grip on her arm to reassure her.
Jason was in full rant. "I'll look in every saloon between here and Topeka if I have to. He's a drunk! He'll be in one of "em. There's no doubt about that'
Sarah had remained quiet as she mulled everything over in her mind. Finally, she spoke up. "Jason, Please don't do anything foolish."
Jason shook his head at the woman's entreaties. "He'll kill us if he finds us, you know that. I'm not about to sit back and let that happen." He kissed his mother on the cheek and headed to the boarding house to pick up his belongings.
Ben tried to assure Sarah that everything would be alright, but she wasn't so sure.
"Why don't you head back to the office and I'll try to talk some sense into him."
Sarah agreed, and as she headed back to the office, Ben followed after Jason.
He caught up with him at his room. The young man had already strapped on his gun and was busy loading up his saddlebag.
"Jason, you know this could be a fool's mission. If he doesn't kill you, you may end up killing him."
Jason continued to pack. "That's the way I want it, Ben. I'd love to see that old man lying in a pool of blood, looking up at me and knowing exactly why he's about to meet his maker. I hope he begs me for forgiveness. So help me, I'll gut shoot him, spit in his face and watch him die. And then I'll piss on his grave!"
Knowing it was useless to continue, Ben shook his head. "I promised your Mother I'd try to talk you out of this," he said. "But since it appears I can't, is there anything I can do for you?"
Jason was surprised at the offer, but decided to accept. "Yes, as a matter of fact, there is. Toby won't let me in his store and I need a few supplies. If I give you a list, will you get them for me?"
Grimly, Ben nodded. "Let me have the list. I'll meet you out front, or maybe right around the corner, so he doesn't see you."
Jason wrote out a short list of supplies and handed it to Ben, who proceeded to the mercantile where he purchased them. As Tobias added the supplies to a sack he couldn't help but wonder why Ben would want such items. "Let's see, hard tack, matches, beans, coffee, a box of .44"s. I didn't know you even owned a gun." He eyed the doctor suspiciously. "If I didn't know better I'd say you were heading out of town for a spell."
Ben was counting out the appropriate amount of gold and silver coins. "Tobias, you have no clue, and it would be best if it stayed that way. Thank you for the supplies." Without another word, he picked up the tote and headed out the door.
As Ben stepped down on to the boardwalk, he reached into his vest pocket and pulled out what folding money he had on him and added it to the sack. Going around the corner he found Jason, mounted and waiting. He handed him the sack and watched as Jason tied it to the saddle horn.
Ben reached up, laying a hand on the boy's knee. "Be careful, Jason. And let your mother know you're all right whenever you can. She'll be worried about you."
"Tell her not to worry. I'll be fine." Jason spurred his horse and disappeared down the street.
As Ben turned to head back to Sarah, he saw Tobias standing on the walk. "Well, I for one am tickled to see that little red headed demon leave this town."
"Go to hell, Tobias," replied Ben as he walked on by.
Continue Reading
Chapter Three / On the Trail to Fort Scott
Chapter Five / Good News, Bad News
Chapter Six / Trailing the Dog
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A full length novel by Scott A. Gese
The day Sarah McKinney finally escaped the clutches of her abusive husband, she and her adopted son, Jason, began a perilous journey and a new life on the run. The future hangs in the balance as their unhappy past and the man they left behind threatens to catch up with them.
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