PT.4
They Speak Without Words
Back in Dodge, Matt was trying to calm all the stories now going around town, thanks to the gossips. And now, not knowing anything, he had to send Festus to another town to see what he could find out.
While Matt was trying to calm some of the crowd, he came face to face with Mrs. Pry. "Marshal Dillon! Just what do you plan to do to protect the citizens of Dodge City from these… these criminals that are running loose? Criminals, mind you, that you were supposed to have made sure would stay put away."
Shivers ran down his spine at the sound of her voice. Rolling his eyes, "Mrs. Pry, let me just say, the citizens of Dodge are safe. I will see to that. We don't even know that they're anywhere near Dodge." Under his breath he was saying to himself, 'If they come here and hear you, they'll leave, that's for sure.' To her he said, "Look Mrs. Pry, just let me do my job."
"You'd better or I'll..."
Shaking his head and putting a hand up to stop her, "Yes, I know. You'll write your good friend, the attorney general. I know." Then he turned and walked away as quickly as he could.
Walking back towards his office, he noticed a wagon stopped out in front with four small children. When he approached it and asked them where their parents were, one of the boys answered. "Sissy's in there." Pointing to his office.
As Matt entered the doorway, there stood a tiny little doll like girl, barely sixteen or 17 years old. In a very soft voice, with wide eyes, as she looked up at him, she asked, "Are you the Sheriff?"
Matt smiled. "No, I'm the Marshal. Is there something wrong?"
"Maybe, Sir."
"Well, why don't you start with your name."
"Oh, that'd be Sissy."
"Do you want to sit, Sissy?"
"Don't have time, Sir. Gotta find us a home."
"Now wait a minute, slow down here. You mean to tell me you all are alone?"
"Yes, Sir. Now we are."
"Where are your folks?"
"Dead."
"When did this happen?"
"Momma, bout oh, a year ago, then Poppa, bout a month ago."
"You kids have no other folks?"
"Don't know, Sir."
"Well, Sissy, when's the last time you kids had anything to eat?"
"Oh, caught us a rabbit a few days ago. But the money run out before that so I was thinking maybe I could find me some work."
"Sissy, look, we're going to get you some food then we'll find you a place to sleep."
"Oh, but, Marshal, I don't have any money."
Smiling, he stood. "Don't you worry. Let me take care of that." Rubbing his chin he was thinking to himself, "Kitty, why'd you have to go now? See, I need you here now. You would know how to handle this. You handle these things much better. Ahhh, Kit."
Kitty had been riding for a bit when she finally came upon a way-station. She was soaked to the skin, muddy and madder than.. well….
There were three passengers waiting there for the stage. When the owner saw her he quickly came to help her, wanting to know why she was riding out in the rain and wind. As he got her inside, she told him what had happened, explaining about Burt and that she needed someone to go back with her and help him and to try and let someone from the stage line know about the stage.
"Ma'am, first let's get you in here and dried out."
"That's the last thing I'm worried about right now. Don't you understand there's a hurt man out there. He could die!"
One of the women handed her a cup of hot coffee.
Nodding, she said, "Thank you."
Then the man asked, "How far back were you?"
"Oh, about two miles or so. We slid off the road and the axle broke or I would have driven him into here."
Chuckling, one of the men said, "You would have driven a team and a stage?"
With a raised brow and a stiff jaw, "YES."
The woman with him shushed him. "Maybe it could happen." She said.
Under his breath he mumbled. "A woman? HA!"
"Ma'am, another stage should be along anytime now. We'll have help then you'll see."
Kitty looked around, now realizing how she looked. "Do you have somewhere I can clean up?"
"Sure back here." And he lead her to a back room. One of the women followed her…
TBC