The McCullough Story
**Author's note: This is the continuing adventures of the McCullough Family and the wagon train gang. For purposes of this sequel the children are Matthew David Spence 19, Mark Allen Spence 16, Barnaby Daniel West 16, Luke Adam Spence 14, and Samantha Marjorie McCullough 4. I thought it was time Sammy start getting in on some of the fun. This book may skip a year or two between stories. And as always it will contain spanking of minor children as discipline. If this offends you please read someone else's stories. As always I don't own the characters and only write for fun.
Chapter 1: Samantha
Flint and Ty sat on the porch of the bunkhouse talking.
"You know, boss; what with the end of the school term, Mark will start working full time on the ranch. Just the other day young Henry was asking about going to work, says he don't think sherrifin's for him, wants to learn ranchin." Ty stopped and took a deep breath.
"Ty, you know I trust you with the hiring and firin' round here. I don't have a problem with you putting the younger ones to work if that's what you're asking," responded Flint with a grin.
"Well boss, I was sort of thinkin' on something a little different. You know the younger hands they need extra help and training. They need chances to learn from their mistakes? Well, that sometimes makes the older more experienced hands a little upset, especially if their making the same money. I was a wondering what you would think about maybe starting a sort of training program. I was thinking of starting the boys out at say; half pay and working them alongside the experience men." Ty turned and looked at Flint to see his reaction.
"Sounds interesting. I know I've heard more than one rancher gripping about 'some young upstart gummed' up the works', or some eager young man trying to prove he knows better than a man twice his age with years of experience, causing a bunkhouse war. They can cost valuable time and man power to correct those problems. What all did you have in mind?" asked Flint leaning forward to give Ty his full attention.
"Well, first off; I was thinking we could convert that small barn there next to Bill's cabin into a bunk house for the younger ones say; maybe sixteen to twenty-one. Of course Mark and Henry would be going home at night, but I have a couple of younger one's working already and I have another from town in mind. I don't know about you, but I think the younger one's tend to pick up some bad habits in the bunk house. Then if we want a good training program; we might need some stricter control," Ty stopped again giving Flint a chance to talk.
"I think you might be on to something. Just who did you have in mind to ramrod this program of yours?" asked Flint with a raised eye brow.
"To tell you the truth, I was thinking that you and I could sorta trade off until , I was thinking that Bill might be the right man. That way we could get it off to a good start and work the kinks out first hand, while we watch for just the right man for the summer months. I chose Bill, because I know he's good with the boys. I figure to do this thing right, it's going to take more than just bossing' it's going to take some parenting skills. For instance; take that incident with Gary Jordan; he's that young boy the sheriff Tom brought out…"
"He seems to be a good worker, most of the time, especially for only being sixteen," said Flint.
"Yes, that's true, but he got it into his head that he had life all figured out. He got all cocky and wouldn't listen when Bob was explaining how to mend the fence with that new barbed wire. He got two horses hurt and almost got himself crippled. I almost let him go, on the spot. I hauled him into sheriff Tom. He tossed Gary into a cell and spelled things out for the boy; he'd had his chance was going to send him to the work house. As much as he hated sending a sixteen-year-old into that kind of life; with no one and nowhere to go, he had no choice. Gary started pleading; he said he'd do anything, anything at all. Well, that got me to thinking about you and your boys. If they had done the same they would have been drug off to the barn for an attitude adjustment. So Tom and I left the boy there and went for a walk and had us a little talk. I knew that Gary was a pretty good kid. Trouble was he wasn't getting the chance to be a kid; Sheriff Tom helped me arrange to become the boy's guardian until he's twenty-one. Then Gary and I sat down and had us a long talk about everything he had done and just what I expected from him and what the consequences would be if he overstepped those bounds. I gave him one last chance to change his mind; either he could accept punishment; and I meant to tan his hide, or he could go to the work house. He stood there with tears in his eyes and said, 'I didn't know anyone cared'.
"All the way home, and he didn't say a word. When we got here, I took him into the barn yonder and…Well let's just say he ate supper standin. He took a little ribbing from the men, but they were happy to have me handle things and the kid be pulled up. Gary's been working right hard since. I did make him move his bunk in next to mine and added a few rules like no drinking and lights out at ten," finished Ty.
"Turned right around did he?" asked Flint.
"Well, no not quite; here just the other day he got a little mouthy. I pulled him from working with the men and set him to barn chores and piling rocks on that garden wall; gave him some thinking time. It was extra work for me keeping him busy, but yesterday morning at breakfast he looks over at me and says can we talk. Then he says; 'thanks Ty for giving me those chores. It gave me time to think, and I'm a lot younger than most of other men. I need to show them respect if I ever want to get any respect.' That's when this idea of mine was born," said Ty with a wide smile.
"Sounds like you've thought it out and covered all the angles. You know me; I've always said it's going to take strong men to build this country and strong men come from well-trained boys. There seems to be more and more young boys out there that need someone to look up too. I think you should give this plan a try, Ty. Why don't you spend some time writing up some rules and guidelines, and get to work on that bunkhouse? I'll see if I can't get a letter off to Bill see what he thinks," responded Flint.
"Time to eat Flint, Sammy, come eat," called Mary from the back porch.
Flint looked over to the play yard and noticed a small redheaded angel poke her head up and head for the corner of the fence, as he excused himself and headed toward her, a little leg appeared over the top of the fence.
"Samantha Marjorie, use the gate!" yelled Flint smiling, as the leg flew back over the fence and Sammy ran for the gate.
As she ran to him, he bent down on one knee.
"What has daddy told you about climbing over the fence?" came Flint's stern words as he took Samantha's small hands in his.
"Not to cause it's dangus," answered Sammy with her lip poked out.
"That's right, little lady, and this is your last warning. If I catch you even trying again, I will have to give you a spanking, do you understand me?" scolded Flint trying not to smile at the look of shock that crossed the little girls face.
"Yes sir, I didn't mean to forget. I 'member better next time," answered Sammy as one lone tear slid down her cheek.
"Very well then, let's get washed up," said Flint rising and spinning the little one up into his arms, receiving a burst of giggles; he loved hearing her laugh.
~oOo~
"Mom, Mom, where's dad?" shouted Matt as he cane banging through the front door.
"Goodness, Matthew what's got you so excited," enthused Mary, as she crossed to put the bread on the table.
"It came mom; it came. Where's dad?" Matt asked again, fairly shouting.
"He's washing up. What came?" asked a confused Mary.
"What's all the shouting; did I hear someone calling for me," said Flint as he followed Sammy through the back door?
"My Matty, you came back I missed you," giggled Samantha as she ran and climbed into her big brothers arms.
"Of course I came back. I only went into town to get the mail," laughed Matt, turning his attention back to Flint as he put her down on a chair at the table.
"Yes Dad it came, it came; can you believe it came. I was so excited. I almost couldn't open it. Then I got so nervous, I had to open it. I am so excited, Dad. I got accepted!" Matt almost jumped as he waved the letter for them to see.
"What came, who accepted you, and for what?" came Mary's bewildered reply.
"That's great son. Let's sit down and eat before all of your mom's hard work goes to waste, then you can tell us all about it," suggested Flint sitting down at the head of the table.
Mary sat down with a sigh, and bowed her head as Flint asked the blessing. Mary was worse than a school girl as she waited for Flint to say; Amen.
"Now would someone please tell me what all this excitement is about?" said Mary passing the potatoes.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I forgot we didn't tell you. I didn't want to make a big deal just in case they didn't accept me. I applied for the Texas Rangers. Oh dad, there's a telegram for you on the hall table, should I get it?" Matt stood and started to turn from the table.
"No son; you should eat and then you can tell us all the news as soon as we finish." Flint laughed to himself, honestly wasn't eating on anyone's else's mind.
"Yes sir, I'll read you the letter when we finish eating," replied Matt.
The rest of the meal was eaten in almost silence, then as Flint pushed back his plate, Mary rose to fill everyone's coffee. Matt unfolded the latter and started to read.
Dear Mr. McCullough,
We have received you application and have reviewed and considered it carefully and we are pleased to inform you that you have been chosen as one of three young men to join our elite group of law enforcement officials.
As you are no doubt aware our work is not for everyone, but for those who are chosen it can be very rewarding. The training you will receive will be hard work, but we trust that you are up to the challenge
We are looking forward to meeting you on October first, we will be sending you a train ticket in September.
Once again, congratulation, Welcome Deputy Ranger McCullough
Yours respectfully,
Chief Ranger Slate Rawlings
"Isn't it exciting, I can't wait. Don't you think it's exciting, Mom?" asked Matt looking up from the letter.
"Yes son it is very exciting, but I'm still a little confused. I thought you said you applied, so why is the letter addressed to your dad?" asked Mary glancing toward Flint.
"Oh that's easy; I applied as Matthew Spence McCullough. I wanted to honor both of my father's. Sheriff Tom helped me make it legal and all; I hope that's alright. I couldn't ask first because I wanted it to be a surprise. And Mom, I hope leaving out my middle name doesn't hurt your feelings," answered Matt now looking at both parents.
Flint stood and smiled as he pulled Matthew into a hug. "I couldn't be prouder of you then I am right now, and I am honored that you would want to take my name."
"Yes son, you have made us all proud, and I'm sure that your father would be just as honored and pleased," said Mary as she joined the three way hug.
"I want hugs too, I proud too," squealed Samantha.
"Come here, you proud little monkey, you," laughed Matt swinging Samantha once more into his arms.
Finally when all the excitement had died down, Flint looked down at Samantha who was now dancing all around the room and spoke.
"It's time for you to take a nap little one, and time for the rest of us to get back to work."
"Come on, Sammy, I'll give you a horsey ride up to bed,' offered Matt holding out his hand.
"NO NAP! NO NAP! NO-NO, NO Nap!" yelled Samantha stomping her foot.
Flint stooped down gave Samantha's bottom a quick swat before picking her up,
"You will not stomp your foot and yell at me. Now; I said it's nap time," said Flint very firmly.
Large tears began to flow, as Sammy began to sniff, " but I no want to nap."
Flint brushed her wet curls from her face. " I want you to be daddy's big girl and take a nap, let's go upstairs," he explained..
As Samantha looked into Flints face she yawned and lay her head on his shoulder. It sure was hard work being a big girl.
Matt laughed as he watched Flint carry his little sister up the stairs.
"Boy am I glad she your responsibility; she only four and I can see a temper already. Did I every throw a fit like that when I was little?" questioned Matt.
"As I recall you were a pretty good little fellow, that is until about six when you scared me out of my wits climbing everything in sight," answered Mary with a faraway look in her eye.
"Tell me about it, I don't remember much about being little," pleaded Matt.
"Well, let's see. It was spring and you were begging to go outside. I remember telling you to stay in the yard where I could see you from the window. I got busy and when I went to check on you; you were nowhere to be found. I called and called, and finally I hear you yelling how big and brave you are you were in the top of the barn loft swinging out the door on the hay hook. You were crowing like a rooster, that is until I screamed. Then you froze and could not move and you started screaming for help. So here I was, expecting your brother Luke at the time, climbing that rickety old ladder. When I reached the top I was crawling on all fours across the loft. Praying with every breath that you would not fall before I could reach you." Even now Mary began to shake and tears began to well.
All at once Matthew got a faraway look in his eye…
Flashback
"Matty, hang on baby Mommy's coming," said Mary as she inched ever closer.
"I'm scared, mommy, I'm scared; don't let me fall," he called as he gripped the rope so tight that his hand hurt.
Mary painstakingly crawled to the edge reaching out across the opening groping for the rope. As she desperately tried to reach the rope, an egg left behind by one of the chickens rolled forward and fell over the edge. Mary's eyes instantly followed the egg and then as it splatted on the ground below she made a lunge and pulled Matty to safety. Wrapping the small child in her arms she burst into tears.
The two sat that way for a long time before making their way back to the ladder and to the ground. Once safely on the ground, a new fear came over Mary. Where had three year old Mark been during all this? Like a mother hen Mary scurried into the house, pulling Matty by the hand. She found Mark on top of the table contently eating jam from the jar with his fingers. As she wiped the small fingers a fear of what might have happened came over her. So she gathered the two small boys onto her bed. Matty lay beside his ma and his brother; both little boys and their mother were crying. Matty tried to tell his ma he was sorry, he remembered that his pa had told him not to climb up into the loft not ever. But his ma would not stop crying.
Flashback ended…
When Matt's mind returned to the present, his mom was saying; "That's when your pa came in and found us all cuddled and asleep. I remember him saying we all looked a mess. He listened to me tell him the whole story. Then he looked at me and said; Now Mary you know that you have to spank him for climbing up there and disobeying you. I remember pleading with him that I couldn't. I just couldn't, because I was too relieved that you were okay."
"But mom, you did spank me I remember..."
Flashback
"Mary, the boy has to learn that he must mind. We have to teach him he did wrong or one day he will really get hurt." I could do it, but I think he needs to know that you will do what it takes to keep him safe," reasoned Dave.
"Matthew, come here." The little boy came and stood in front of his pa.
"What you did today was very wrong, and you could have been hurt very bad. When your ma tells you to stay in the yard that is where you are to stay. And Matthew, you know that you are not to go near the loft," said Dave giving Matt a very stern look.
"Pa, I 'm sorry I scared ma. I did a bad thing. Are you going to spank me?" asked Matthew reaching back and covering his bottom.
"No son not this time. I'm not going to spank you, because I was not the one you disobeyed; your ma is going to spank you." Dave stood up and turned Matt toward his mom. He took Mark by the hand and lead him into the other room as he closed the door.
Mary reached out and unfastened the small boys britches, before picking him up and placing him over her lap. Tears began to fall as Mary stared at the small bare bottom. Then whispering to herself, "I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe," she began to spank. As she gave the last spank to the now bright red bottom in front of her, Mary was crying as loud as Matt. Stopping she helped him pull up his britches and then pulled him into a hug.
"Now Matty, don't you ever climb up there and scare momma like that again. Mary scolded as she wiped her tears.
"Y…es ma'" hiccupped Matty, as he danced up and down rubbing his well spanked bottom.
Flashback ended…
"Matt stood absently rubbing his backside as Mary wiped a tear.
"Now, what have we here? Matthew did you do something I should know about?" asked Flint with a raised eyebrow and a smirk on his face.
"No sir, not recently, but I now know why I don't like hay lofts. I got my first spanking from mom because I climbed into the loft."
"Judging from the fact that your rubbing your seat, I'd say she did a good job," laughed Flint.
"Sure did, mom. I'm sorry I made you cry. I guess maybe Sammy's fit was not so big after all," grinned Matt giving his mom a hug.
~oOo~
It was around two, and Flint and Matt were just coming toward the house when Mary stepped out onto the back porch with a tray of lemonade. Samantha came out in front of her carrying a plate of fresh cookies that she helped make.
"Yum, looks like the girls have taken care of us once more partner," smiled Flint clapping Matt on the back.
"Mommy, can I take my cookies and milk over to the play yard, please?"
"Yes you may, but you remember no climbing on the fence. Ya hear?"
"Me will member, mommy, cause daddy done warmed me," answered Sammy.
"I will remember and Daddy has already warned me, sweetheart," corrected Mary.
Samantha turned and stared up at Flint, with eyes as big as saucers.
"Daddy, don't spank mommy she didn't means to forget!"
"Okay, baby you win, I won't spank her this time, but remember just like you if she does climb the fence again, I will have to spank both of you. Now scat," said Flint as everyone laughed at Sammy's misunderstanding.
"Oh Flint you shouldn't tease her like that she's likely to go around telling folks that you spanked me," said Mary.
"Who's teasing, if you go climbing that fence, I just might put you over my knee," said Flint pulling her down onto his lap and planting a kiss on her head.
Matt, rolled his eyes and laughed.
"What you laughing at boy, get in there and find me that telegram you nearly let me forget about, before I decide you're the one needs a spanking."
TBC
.
