Sheriff John C Irving watched as 16 year old Tom Clarke brought his rifle round to bear on the deer they'd been hunting and fired killing the animal instantly. Tom reminded him of his father tall broad shouldered with the same reddish brown hair
"Come on let's get these two bucks back to town," John said.
Tom smiled that same lopsided grin that had so often crossed his father's face when he thought no one was looking. The same grin that had charmed every girl within 12 miles of Brackettville including Tom's late mother Tess Clarke. John recalled a conversation he'd had with Tess not long after Tom's birth and 6 months after Matt Dillon had left town to head north because he could see war coming and he didn't want to fight for a cause he didn't believe in.
"Tom your ma was a fine woman she made me promise to tell you about your pa when you turned 16."
"I'm not sure I want to know about him after his running out on ma and me."
"He didn't run out on you or your ma, he didn't know about you. He left to go north said that he wouldn't fight for the Confederate cause. Your ma left you a letter telling you all about this I've got it in the office for you."
They packed the bucks on the mule while John talked
"What was my pa like?"
"Like you in looks and attitude to life in general a little taller maybe."
"How much taller?"
"Oh he's 6 feet 7 inches and weighs around 235 pounds."
"I'm 6 feet 2 and weigh 200 pounds."
"A couple of inches only and you're still growing. I knew Matt fairly well if he'd known about you he'd have stayed and done the right thing or at least took your ma with him."
"Is he still alive?"
"The letter will tell you more than I can but yeah he's alive."
John and Tom arrived back at the jail which sat next to a small house the next day would be Tom's birthday May 26, they took the bucks to the cantina where they would be prepared. Then went into the jail where John opened a draw and took out a letter with Tom's name on it. Tom recognised his ma's writing he thought back over the 4 years since her death. He knew that he should have been sent to the orphanage but John had put his foot down. Tom didn't know that the judge had owed a debt to his pa and John had simply pulled the judge aside and reminded him of the fact. Tom read the letter.
"Tom,"
"I want you to go live with your pa now that you're old enough to understand. I didn't tell him about you so you'll be as much a surprise to him as he is to you. Pappy promised to give this to you on your sixteenth birthday. We named you Tom Clarke Dillon when you were christened. We kept your last name from you for your own protection. I'm glad we did because anyone who knew you could have used to you get to Matt."
There was more in the letter mostly her expressing pride and love in a son who was so much like his father. Also another letter addressed to US Marshal Matt Dillon.
"My pa's a marshal?"
"Not just a marshal but the best."
"Did you teach him about tracking like you taught me?"
"No he learned that from my cousin Adam Kimbro as did I," John said.
"Why didn't you tell me my last name?"
"Your pa has a lot of enemies, he put a lot of men in prison and sometimes he's had to kill to save himself or others."
"I take it that pa's not bad with a gun?"
"If you mean that he's fast he sure is and you know you're not exactly slow yourself but learn from him just when to use it or rather how to get out of using it at all. Now you better get to bed you have a big day tomorrow."
Tom nodded and ran off he had all his chores to do some in the morning and some in the afternoon and between all that school.
Tom woke as early as he usually did the next morning he didn't feel any older but then how old were you supposed to feel on your sixteenth birthday. He rose and washed then went about his chores and off to school He had just completed his afternoon chores when John came in the house.
"Chores all done Tom?" John said.
"Yeah Pappy all done."
Tom responded using the affectionate nickname he'd always used toward John.
"You better get ready for the party."
Tom smiled and ran upstairs to get dressed. John watched him go a little wistfully as the next day he'd send him off to San Antonio to get the train and his horses to Dodge City and his new life with his father.
The whole town it seemed had come to the party as well as soldiers from Fort Clarke. General Ranald Mackenzie watched as Tom joined his friends he turned to John.
"He's a fine boy John. Will you take him on as deputy?"
"No his ma left a letter for him. She wants him to go live with his father now."
"Where is his father?"
"Dodge City we kept his last name a secret until now his father is US Marshal Matt Dillon. So tomorrow I'll send him on his way."
"You'll miss him."
"I sure will but he needs to get to know Matt Dillon while he's still young enough to learn from Matt can."
General Mackenzie turned to one of the Seminole scouts whose son was a close friend of Tom. Two Buffalos nodded and went up to Tom and Four Horses.
"You come Tom."
Two Buffalos led the boys outside to where a fine tall smoky-grey horse waited with Tom's saddle on him. General Mackenzie placed a hand on Tom's shoulder he smiled at him.
"You're getting too tall to carry on riding Ted so I thought you'd like to have a bigger mount. What will you call him?"
"Easy I'll call him Smoky," Tom gave the horse an affectionate pat. "Ted's getting on in years now so I was going to try and get a new horse."
"Yes John said you needed a new horse. He's four years old he'll learn with you. John said you would be leaving soon to go to your father?"
Tom smiled he'd had a good life in Brackettville he realized he was looking forward to meeting his father.