Chapter 2 – First Day in Dodge
AN: Thanks to the well-mannered guests & others I can't contact personally. Of course Kitty has her part to play & she'll have some wise advice to contribute. Grace & anyone else curious about it: This story's set at the start of Season 12, the first color season. Finally, a historic note: The Comique, a building behind the Lady Gay, featured Bat Masterson as one of the owners and was where Eddie Foy actually played as part of his regular circuit.
Wyatt wondered as he and Trent ate breakfast in the hotel dining room how his son would occupy himself while he worked in Nathan Burke's office. Thinking the lad, now casually dressed in workingman's trousers and shirt, wouldn't stand out so much if he dressed more like the locals, he walked with him to the general store when they'd eaten their fill. Besides, Wyatt thought as they moseyed along the boardwalk, the proprietor might recommend a place to rent a gentle horse for a boy who'd only been on horseback a few times. Maybe a stable boy could ride with him to a nearby fishing hole. Exploring the town couldn't take more than an hour without making friends. The Wellingtons left Mr. Jonas' shop with a hat, a fishing pole and tackle box and directions to Moss Grimmick's stable.
He may have wanted Trent to fit in, but Wyatt Wellington felt no need to do the same. He remained dressed as any respectable accountant in Chicago would. The two presented quite the contrast as they approached the freight office where Nathan Burke waited by his open door. After a hasty introduction father and son parted ways. Wyatt and Burke got down to business inside, leaving the boy to find his own way to the stables. Trent happily strolled down Front Street, his new hat perched on his head and fishing gear tucked under his arm, toward the jailhouse.
"Um, hello sir. My pop and I saw you arrest that cowboy trying to ride his horse into the saloon last night. He almost ran us down, but you acted like it was just somethin' that happens all the time. By the way, I'm Trent Wellington from Chicago."
"Festus Haggen. Sorry fer the welcome you an' yer pa got last night."
"Please don't apologize, uh Deputy Haggen," Trent replied, reading the badge on the scruffy man's chest. "Seeing what you did makes my 16th birthday even more special. 'Course it would be absolutely the best if I could meet Marshal Dillon. Think he might be at the stable?"
"Sorry ta disappoint yah. Matthew's in Meade fer a trial. I wisht I could go fishin' with yah," Festus moaned spotting the store-bought gear Trent carried. "Dave, over by Moss Grimmick's stable might jist be able ta git away fer a spell. Ask him when yah git there."
Dave Caldwell greeted Trent warmly. The occupied stalls were mucked out. He was free until late afternoon when the cowboys with the herds camped along the Arkansas River outside town were expected to arrive. An extra fishing companion with stories to tell of life outside Dodge would be great. Just then Charlie Smith poked his head inside the open doorway. Although it was still morning, Mr. Jonas had let him leave the store. Dave saddled three horses, stowed the fishing gear in the rifle boots and introduced Trent to the gentle mare reserved for dudes. They rode out to a favorite fishing hole along the riverbank. With luck the three boys would eat a late lunch of fried catfish cooked in the pan Dave packed in his saddlebags along with a couple of plates, utensils and seasoning.
"I don't get much chance to fish or ride back home in Chicago. I'm sure glad you fellas were willing to show me your special fishing hole," Trent offered as he watched Dave cook the fish they'd just cleaned.
"Glad to," Dave replied while placing fish on three plates.
"How you like Dodge?" Charlie asked. "If you'll be around for the barn dance Saturday night we'll introduce you to some pretty girls. Sorry we can't show you around tonight, but those Texas cowboys will keep us mighty busy."
"That's okay. I won't be alone. Pop will be finished with Mr. Burke by seven. I don't know what we'll do tonight, but he's taking me to the most respectable saloon in town for a beer to celebrate my 16th birthday tomorrow. Maybe we'll see each other then."
"Happy birthday. It would be fun to help you celebrate turnin' 16 like Charlie did for me a couple months ago and I'll do for him in November. It's too bad work has to come first. You got a job back home?"
"Yeah, runnin' errands and such for Mr. Tremont a bigwig at Adams Express. It wouldn't be so bad doin' the same for Mr. Burke 'cause it's here. It would be so much more excitin'. At least I can go to the dance unless we're on the Friday afternoon train east."
The three boys reluctantly gathered everything they'd brought and any uneaten fish. Their horses, contentedly grazing, had no objection to being saddled and turned toward their home stalls for maybe a bit of grain. Once the horses were seen to, Dave and Charlie divided the remaining fish between them before all three left the stable. The local lads split off to present fresh, already cleaned catfish for their mothers to cook for supper. Their city friend watched them walk away toward the residential streets. Trent, again on his own, strolled down Front Street to the general store to make his secret purchase. He'd just barely hidden the Colt revolver and gun belt he'd bought in the bottom of the armoire when his father entered their room.
"Let's get supper. You fill me in on your day and I'll tell you about the fun evening I've planned while we eat. I believe Eddie Foy's playing at the Comique. It's the local theater."