It was an unusually warm spell for October, and the town folks of Dodge were making the most of the good weather. Front Street was a sea of shoppers and travellers, making it a difficult for anyone wanting to cross from one side to the other, including Festus Haggen, "Fer crying out loud," the frustrated hill man muttered as he wove his way through the horses and wagons.
Finally to the other side, the deputy looked back across the street from where he stood out in front of Jonas' general store, "I ain't seen so many folks out a one time," he said with a tick of his head.
Jonas brushed by the hill man with is arms loaded down, "All this good weather is bringing them out. Everyone wants their winter supplies, yesterday," the store owner grumbled. Even his store was filled with people picking up supplies and placing orders. Festus watched Jonas as he placed the packages into the back of a wagon, "You'd think the end of the world is coming," the deputy grunted.
Having finished with this customer, Jonas turned to Festus, "Haven't you got something better to do?" Jonas asked as he hustled back into the store to help the next person in line which was about ten people deep.
Festus made a face, "Of course I got something better to do," he harrumphed and turned toward the saloon as he wet his lips.
As the deputy crossed the street he noticed three caravan wagons being driven down Front Street. They were painted in reds and gold with large signs on the sides depicting lightening bolts and clouds with radiant hands that were clasped together in prayer. The hill man continued to watch, as did the crowd long the street, "What in thunder is that?" he squawked.
"And a good day to my Brothers and Sisters," the well dressed gentleman with the long white beard said from atop the front wagon. Even the horses were opulently decked out in finery with sashes and bells that made a slight, yet pleasant sound.
Festus continued to watch the caravan as it moved further down the street. The hill man tucked his thumbs into his vest pocket and a slight smile curled his mouth. The deputy looked around to see if anyone else he knew was taking such an interest. Louie Pheeters and Nathan Burke were standing outside of the Long Branch, and as much as Festus liked Louie, he didn't feel like listening to Burke's summation of what the small caravan was all about.
The shifting of the crowd had Wilbur Jonas watching and now Doc Adams had left his room at the top of the stairs, stood gazing at the sight. The doctor stood next to the store owner, "What do you make of that, Doc?" Jonas asked.
Doc shrugged, "I guess there's only one way to find out," the doctor quipped with a quick swipe of his hand across his moustache as he quickly stepped down off the boardwalk and worked his way through the crowd to reach the front wagon which had now stopped down near the livery stable. Jonas was right behind the doctor, with Festus, Louie and now Miss Kitty right behind. Word quickly spread through Dodge that there was a spectacle on Front Street and people were flocking to the sight.
Doc stopped at the side of the front wagon and looked at the sign, "Schermerhorn's Magical Medicine and Healing Show", Doc read aloud.
"What's it say?" the deputy asked Doc. Kitty watched the doctor knowing he wasn't amused.
He frowned as he looked over to Kitty and Festus, "Part snake oil peddler and faith healer!" the doctor grunted.
"Sir," the older gentleman had overheard what Doc said. "I am a legitimate faith healer, and I sell a vegetable compound that cures what ails you," he said with his thumbs hook into his brocade waistcoat. My name is Reverend Royden Schermerhorn and I am the proprietor of this show," he said extending his hand to the doctor. Doc reluctantly shook the man's hand.
"Well, sir, as the doctor of this town, I have to question the legitimacy of any compound that can cure people's ailments," Doc stated.
"I can see you have concerns, doctor," but you see, we've only stopped long enough to get some supplies and we will be on our way," the old man smiled.
Festus made a face. He almost wanted to see how this so-called vegetable compound worked and witness the miracle of some genuine faith healing. The hill man walked closer to the wagon with Kitty at his side. There was a small door near the bottom that was partly covered with a gold fringed cloth, "Miss Kitty, what does that say?" he asked.
Kitty smiled, "It says 'Open This Door'", and she pointed out.
Festus shrugged and crouched down and opened the door and looked inside. "There ain't nothing in there!" he exclaimed and looked up to Kitty. By now Schermerhorn was standing next to Kitty, "What are you doing?" he asked loudly.
Kitty jumped and looked at the old man. Festus straightened up, "The door said to open it, so I did!" the hill man stated.
Schermerhorn pulled the cloth back and the words "Do Not" appeared. Kitty gasped and looked at Festus, "I'm guessing that says not to open the door," he swallowed.
Schermerhorn's eye brows knitted together, "You opened it, didn't you?"
Festus nodded, "But there ain't nothing in there," he said pointing to the door.
"Not now," Schermerhorn grunted and looked around as if he was looking for someone.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kitty asked. Doc and Festus were also interested in what the old preacher had to say.
"You have let the imps out," Schermerhorn said in a solemn voice.
"Imps?" Festus asked.
Schermerhorn nodded, "It will take me forever to catch them. Could be a week or more," the old man continued to look around.
"But there weren't nothing' in that box," Festus pointed.
Schermerhorn looked at the hill man, "You have brought a plight to this town!" he shouted as he thrust his right hand into the air with his index finger pointed to the sky. Anyone within ten feet jumped at the man's commanding voice and the fear that he instilled.
Festus looked back at the little door and then to Schermerhorn, "There weren't nothin' in that box!" he stated again.
Schermerhorn lowered he arm and walked over to the hill man, "Nothing that you could see. That' why they stay in there," the preacher growled.
Doc drew his hand across his moustache, "Just what do these imps do?" the doctor's curiosity got the better of him.
Schermerhorn spun on his heels, "You'll find out once things start to go wrong. They steal, they play practical jokes. You'll see!" he said sternly before he walked way from the doctor and his friends.
Doc's eyes shifted to Kitty and Festus, "Now you've done it!" he snorted.
"You don't believe him do you?" Kitty giggled. Festus' eyes were locked on to the saloon owner.
Doc scratched his cheek, "I don't know," he said as he looked around. "I don't even know what to look out for," he exclaimed.