"If I'm lying I'm dying," Festus said pointing at Doc as Matt walked in to the Long Branch.
"What's going on?" Matt said taking a seat across from Doc.
"You don't want to know, Matt," Doc said as Festus turned to the Marshal.
"I was a tellin ol Doc here bout them yahoo's you and Thad helped corral up yonder in the Nebraska hills," Festus said with a wan smile.
"Oh ya," Matt replied tipping his hat up as Kitty brought them all beers. "That reminds me, the Sheriff says they won't be bothering Mrs. Harris any more and she got the stage stop at her home so she'll be able to provide for her family now."
"That's great news, Matthew," Festus said thoughtfully. "She was down right neighborly."
Kitty smiled as she sat down next to Matt. "Well, you might have to pay her another visit."
"I just might do that," Festus said as Doc rolled his eyes.
"Don't encourage him," Doc said curtly. "He's already given her enough damn trouble."
"Wal you ol scudder," Festus said pointing at the older man as Matt cut though the argument.
"And in case your interested," Matt said taking out a piece of paper from his pocket. "I got a letter today from Judge Brooker. Mara has been turned over to the state as a ward and is being evaluated at the mental hospital."
"That's good Matt," Doc said swiping his mustache. "That there is one reason out of dozens why I don't like those people coming though town. What that man did to those two young kids should be outlawed."
"Sounds like he just got custody of them for the sole purpose of performing in his act," Kitty said woefully.
"That's what it was alright," Doc replied angrily. "Child labor at its worst. No wonder they both wanted him dead and once Sandy died, that poor girl had nothing left."
"Wal I sure do feel bad about that," Festus said toying with his beer.
"Why?" Kitty replied putting a hand on his. "It wasn't your fault, that boy was drunk."
"I know it," the hillman said gently. "But I didn't have ta shoot, it was just a gut reaction don't ya see."
"I'm afraid that's what keeps us alive, Festus" Matt replied sympathetically sipping his beer.
