Doc slowly pulled the slip of paper from Hootie's hand and his mouth twisted in grave thought as he read the words. Curiosity got the better of Kitty who then pulled the paper from Doc's hand - her lips moved as she read the message and her eyes widened. Festus stood watching with awe, "What's it say Miss Kitty?"

Kitty looked up and around at the small group that stood before her. She gulped and reread the note before looking at Festus, "It says Henry Haggen is likely heading in this way..." She knew Festus was now reeling but her own fears filled her soul as she looked up to the ceiling of the Long Branch. "Apparently he lost his job with the circus and according to Paddy O'Brien who is a co-owner of Burnham and Paddy's Travelling Circus. In fact he was fired..." she said to no one in particular.

Festus began to back away, "Oh, no...Not Hard Luck Henry in this town again..." he said weakly, as he slowly backed away and into a saloon patron before he stumbled to the door and out to the boardwalk. All eyes were on the deputy as he shot through the swing doors and tripped landing hard. Matt, Kitty, Hootie and Doc grimaced at the sight. "That poor nephew of mine..." Hootie sighed.

"If I recall it wasn't just Festus who suffered, after all I almost lost the Long Branch!" Kitty groaned back to Hootie and then Doc nodded as he spoke, "I remember that, and I just about went blind from the smoke saving Kitty!"

Matt tightened his lips before he spoke, "On come on! You really think all that was because of..." Matt looked at the faces that stared at him. Even though he knew the answer, Matt paused, "So what do you want me to do? Set up road blocks?"

"Now that sounds like a good plan, Matt!" Doc chimed in while pointing at Matt who was glaring at the doctor. "I just can't do that! And you know it."

Doc brushed his right hand over his moustache in thought and one quickly sprang to mind, "Sure you could! Stop everyone from coming in by telling them we have typhoid!" Doc chirped as he figured he had the answer to stopping Henry Haggen from coming back to Dodge.

Matt rolled his eyes and Doc returned the glare, "Okay, Matt. You are going to have your hands full."

Matt straightened and stood tall, "Doc, I'm sure that Henry is fine. I'm sure what's happened in the past is just coincidence."

Doc stood looking at Matt when Hootie joined the doctor, "I'd like to think that too, being his mother and all," Hootie smiled, "But Marshal Dillon, Henry is just bad luck. Always has been. I'm powerfully sorry about this," Hootie said and returned to the bar. Doc glared at Matt "What do you plan to do, Mister Marshal?" he said gruffly.

"I don't know what I can do. We'll just have to wait to see if Henry shows up or not..." Matt was stymied.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Henry and Nosey were almost swayed to sleep on the old horse's back as he moseyed along the dirt road. Henry, who was pretty near stretched out on his back asleep over the old mare. His arms hung out at the side and bobbed up and down with the horse's movement. Nosey was face down over the horse's neck. Henry stirred when his nose caught a whiff of something in the air. Something good. His nose twitched while he opened his eyes and slowly sat upwards.

Nosey was now siting atop the horse's head and eagerly pointing toward the direction of the smell. "I smell it too Nosey!" Henry smiled and licked his lips with the aroma that peeked his appetite. He readjusted himself on the horse, nudging it to move faster to follow the sent. It was like sweet boiling potatoes - just like his Ma used to make or so he thought.

Henry and Nosey rounded the bend and found a small encampment. There was an elaborately decorated wagon with the words "Wilberforce Graham - Travelling Medicine Man" in large gold and black letters. Henry was awed by the sight.

The old man who was bent next to the fire stood quickly as if to hide what he was doing, "Who are you?" his voice cracked. The old man stood only about five feet eight and was missing some of his lower teeth. He wore a monocle tucked over his right eye and his suit was a grey pinstripe that had seen better days.

Henry pulled the old mare to a stop, "That's thar is some fancy lookin' rig!" he smiled. Nosey was equally happy.

"It might be, but you haven't answered my question? What's the matter with you boy? Are you dim er something?" Wilberforce scoffed.

"Oh, sorry 'bout that. I'm Henry Haggen and this here is Nosey. Say hi Nosey," he picked up the monkey's paw and waved it at the older man. "Whatever yer cooking smells pretty darn good!"

Wilberforce pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes at Henry, "Well, it ain't fer eating. It's fer something else..." he returned to what he was doing.

Henry slid down off the horse and Nosey followed, "Like what?" Henry asked.

"Well, if ya can read I'm a medicine man! What else do you think I'd be doing?" Graham growled and eyed Henry. "Where are you headed, boy?"

Henry scratched the back of his next, "I thought I'd go see my Ma, who lives near Dodge City."

Wilberforce pulled himself from the large pot of mash, "Dodge? As in Dodge City?"

Henry nodded, Yup!"

Wilberforce slowly brought his hand up to his right cheek and scratched at his whiskers, "I've always wanted to go to Dodge..."

Henry broadly smiled, "I'll be happy top take you there. Oh, they are the nicest people and they have just about every thing you can imagine, including the most beautiful saloon owner ever..." Henry looked all dreamy and didn't notice the face on Wilberforce Graham's face, Every thing, huh?" he smiled wickedly thinking of all the money to be had. Surely there would be enough sick folks to buy his elixir - it sounded too good to be true.