The Trails End Ranch
Chapter 7: Applying the Wisdom of Jim Bridger...
Now in truth Flint had stopped on his way out of town, so his only business was to go and have a talk with Robert Senior. Stepping up into the saddle he patted the neck of Charger and began to talk softly, "Ole boy, looks like you and I may have some riding to do to talk things out later," smiling as he thought to himself how many time the faithful Charger had been his only companion to talk too. Reminded of how calming those talks could be, Flint tied Charger to the rail outside the Chamber's law office. He knocked on Robert's office door. Receiving a gruff, come in, Flint opened the door and took in the scene before him. Robert sat hunched over a desk with a glass of brandy in his hand. Flint could almost feel the anger in the room as the pen scratched angrily across the paper.
Robert looked up and took another drink as he notice who had entered, "Flint, what brings you by today?" snapped Robert.
"I stopped by your house and ran into, or rather was run into, by Robby. Susan said you had left for the office upset, so I thought you might want someone to talk too," answered Flint after taking a seat in front of the desk.
Robert rose and picked up the decanter to refill his glass and turned to offer Flint some before returning to his chair. Flint declined with a wave of his hand and gestured for Robert to continue.
"Flint, I just can't reach that boy. I have worked to provide that boy with everything he could want or need, yet he is determined to steal and lie, and if he's not off doing that, he's off drinking or gambling. Nothing I say seems to make any difference. I can't begin to tell you the dollars I have spent paying the damages he has caused. I've talked until I'm blue in the face. I give up ; maybe the law can do something with him," finished a visibly defeated Robert.
"Robert, if you will pardon my asking; what have you tried besides talking?"
"I just told you; he won't listen to anything I say and I don't think he could tell the truth if his life depended on it," grumbled Robert rising to fill his glass again.
"Have you tried using a much firmer approach, one that doesn't require ears to hear?"
"You mean a whipping? He's too old for that sort of thing; he's sixteen. I don't have time to chase him down every time I turn around," complained Robert.
"Robert, I know that sixteen year olds think they're grown, but most aren't, and if he can't behave any better then what I've seen so far, maybe he's younger in the head than his years. Maybe you need to take some time off and concentrate on reaching him," advised Flint.
"I have to earn a living; I can't take time off. I have an out of town business trip next week and a big merger to oversee; I just don't have time. He's just a lost cause," said Robert rising to fill the glass once again.
Flint sat silently for a time, the only lost cause he could see right now was trying to talk to this man. "Robert, I'm taking my boys on a camping trip in the morning, how about letting me take Robby along? It will give you and Susan a break."
"He's not your problem, you don't have to do that, but you have my permission," answered Robert.
"I know I don't have too, but maybe a change of scenery will do the trick. In fact you could take Susan along with you, spend some time with your wife in between your meetings? The change of scenery will do you both some good."
" Hmm, Susan could leave the girls with…
"Mary," quickly suggested Flint. "Old Charlie's out there, so she'll have help they would love to spend time with the baby. Look discuss that with Susan, but bring Robby out after supper. He can spend the night and we'll head off early. You and Susan can decide about the girls then. What do you say?
"I'll try, maybe you're right, but don't be surprised if Robby runs off."
~oOo~
Flint wasted no time calling for Mary as he came through the door, to talk with him in his office. He had already decided to do what he could, but felt that Mary needed to be included in what he thought and the extended plans.
"Mary, you just wouldn't believe that a father could give up on his own son so easily. I just couldn't walk away and do nothing. It's a child not an old plough horse that you just put out to pasture. I know that he's your brother, but he just kept saying how he couldn't take time and how he couldn't see why, while he drained that glass over and over again. I sorry Mary, but what he was really saying was he just couldn't be bothered. I may fail, but Mary I have to try, please tell me you understand," said Flint as he sat on the verge of an angry rage.
"Flint Edgar McCullough, if you don't know it already, I love you more each day; and your compassion for others could never be failure. The only way to fail is never to try. I love you, and I love them, so while you're trying to help Robby, I'll help with the girls and hopefully while Susan and Robert are away they may get to be reminded about their promise to each other also; for better or worse," said Mary wrapping her arms around his shoulders and placing a kiss on his neck.
"I knew you would understand, I just needed to hear you say it. I love you," smiled a happy Flint.
"Robert is suppose to bring him out after supper, and I want to at least let Bill know; I think I will need his help," said Flint pausing for one last kiss.
~ oOo~
Bill and Wooster listened as Flint retold his story once more adding that he had wanted so much to punch the older man when he had called his son a lost cause, knowing that his friends would more than understand.
"I know that it will make the trip a lot more work, Bill, but I just couldn't turn away," said Flint looking to his friends for the understanding that needed no words.
"If you had walked away, then we would have been worried. Of course we will help; all we can," answered Bill smiling at Flint.
"Folks may think we're nuts, but they can just rename this the Trails End Home for old cowboys and wayward boys, and I still wouldn't trade it for beans," beamed Charlie proud that he could call both of these strong men, his friend.
That night at supper Flint told the boys that Robby was going to come along. There was some grumbling, because the younger boys were not very fond of their cousin.
Matt was the first to speak up, "If it hadn't been for dad being willing to step in and be a father for us then we would be just as wild and confused, I think we can all step up and try to help him grow up; don't you fellas?"
"Mary and Flint could not have been any prouder of Matt and the maturity he was displaying. They were also proud of the younger two; their respect for Matthew's opinion and then the unanimous support for what Flint was trying to do had Mary almost in tears of gratification.
Flint and Matt loaded the last of the supplies in the wagon, ready for an early morning start, when Matt spoke,
"Dad you know I heard Mr. Dalton talking the other day and he was saying that Robby had been caught stealing, drinking, and bragging in the saloon that he could out shoot any man around. Mr. Dalton said that if someone didn't do something quick he was going to wind up killed by some young gun wanting to make a name for themselves. Well that got me to thinking; Robby is only a year older than me…"
Flint looked a little worried at that, he hoped that Matt wasn't about to ask him about guns and saloons and…
"And I am ashamed to admit it," continued Matt, "but a year ago I was headed down that same road." Matt got really quiet, as did Flint as he sat watching Matthew's face knowing he was trying to put something to words."Dad, thank you for that first hunting trip we went on. The one when I thought I was too big and didn't need anyone. Thank you for shaking me up and giving me the licking, I so deserved. Thank you for caring enough to take the time to prove over and over again that you will keep your word and you will never give up on me. For being the dad you didn't have to be," finished a bashful Matt.
The sting of proud tears came to Flint's eyes. "That means more to me than anything that any other person could say tonight, Son. Thank you; I love you," said Flint Pulling him into a bear hug. Stepping out of the hug Flint spoke once more, "Let's just hope that what worked for you boys works for Robby too."
"For yours and Uncle Bill's sake, I hope that his head and hide are not as thick as mine," laughed Matt. Both laughed as Flint chased Matt across the yard playfully.
Flint and Bill were just about to turn in and give up on Robert and his boy showing up tonight, when he spotted a rider coming at a trot down the lane. Flint was a little taken aback when it was Deputy Perkins that pulled up in front of the porch.
Stepping down he began to speak, then stepped onto the porch and took the chair next to Flint. "Sheriff Johnson sent me to fetch you, said to tell you that Robert Chamber's said that if it concerned Robert Jr. You were in charge."
"Right, Carl I'll only be a minute. Bill could you saddle Charger while I go tell Mary where I've gone?"
~oOo~
Darkness made the ride to town slow, but when they approached the jail, Flint was astonished at the string of language that he could hear coming from the window. Young Robby had his face to the bars and was shouting at the top of his lungs. From just what Flint had seen and heard from this boy today, it was clear that he had no respect for authority of any kind.
Flint pushed the door open as he knocked, taking in the scene in front of him. As he stood watching, and he heard Robby blaming everyone for the fix he was in. Robby sat in the far corner of the holding cell, spouting to everyone and no one of the injustice. Sheriff Johnson sat across the room with his feet propped on the desk scowling at the teen. There was very little else in the room. A chair sat across from the desk; a small potbelly stove stood in the middle of the room and along the wall was a small table that held a lamp. Next to the door stood an washstand with a mirror hanging above it with a towel and hair brush hanging on hooks close by.
Tom looked up to see who had entered the door, "Howdy Flint, have a seat, I'll be right with you," he said rising and walking over to the cell. "Boy, I am gonna ask you just once more to get quiet and give me some peace, or I'm gonna come in there and see if I can teach you some manners," warned the Sheriff. "Flint let's go on out on the porch where we can talk."
As they walked out the door and sat down Robby moved over to the cells one small window where he could hear their conversation, now he got really quiet.
"I sent for you Flint, because, if his father or some other adult will not take responsibility for him, then I will have no choice but to take him to the workhouse in Redwood; where he will stay until he is twenty-one," finished Tom looking up a Flint.
"What's he been up to tonight ,Tom?" questioned Flint searching for a place to start.
"I picked up the boy over at the Wild Boar. He was shooting off his six shooter and his mouth. Some kind of a fuss over being caught cheating in a card game. He threw a chair and busted some beer mugs; had him a right old temper tantrum, after having too much to drink, if you ask me. He had no business drinking at his age. Seeing as his father won't take responsibility for him, I gotta do something before he hurts someone or gets himself killed."
"What do you think, Tom, you know the boy and his father better than I; has he gone past a boy crying for attention; or is he just trying to be tough; become someone that demands respect through fear? asked Flint sincerely.
"Flint, I've been saying for the last year to anyone that would listen. That boy could use a good tanning and some strict supervision. Until he fell in with that shiftless Hagen bunch, he was a decent boy, he was even showing some promise in following in his father's footsteps," answered Tom. "But ,if Robert won't sober up, I'm afraid the boy will soon be just another hoodlum kid with a gun. I don't like to think of any person as hopeless, but it seems the more out of control Robby gets, the more Robert drinks and the more Robert drinks the more out of control Robby gets," said Tom with a sad tone to his voice.
"What can you tell me about this Hagen bunch you say he's been running with?"
"Oh, you know the type; drinking, lying, stealing and just looking for trouble. I don't think any of them have every worked at an honest job. They're from over near Baxter, nothing but trouble every time they come to town," answered Tom.
Flint scrubbed at his jaw. "I went to talk to Robert this morning and he told me that he thought that the boy was a lost cause and that maybe the law could do something with him. He gave me permission to do anything I wanted with the boy, and with what you say and what I've seen, I'm willing to take on the responsibility. I agree with you, he deserves a chance. If you will excuse me, I think it's time for a long overdue discussion."
As Flint and Tom walked back in, Robby suddenly became aware of Flint's intentions. He jumped up and started yelling, "There ain't no way in hell, you or the sheriff is a gonna give me that tanning you were talking about; I'm way too old to be licked," shouted Robby. "And if that drunk ass old man of mine is done with me, that's just fine. You just let me the hell out of here and give me my gun and I'll be gone," added Robby flinging himself against the cell door.
Flint had heard enough of the boys' foul language; it was going to be hard to hold his temper. "Sit down, son, we need to have a talk," ordered Flint as he reached up and removed the keys to the cell from the hook unlocking the cell door.
"I'm not your son, I ain't got to do anything that I don't want to," snapped Robby.
As the cell door clanged shut, Flint placed his hands on his hips and turned his glare on the boy, "I've listened to just about all of your mouth that I intend too," barked Flint losing patience. "Now I'm going to tell you just once more to sit down, and while you're at it watch your mouth."
"You can just take a flying leap, I ain't gotta do a damn thing you say."
Flint's blood boiling, he suddenly heard the voice of Jim Bridger as clear as crystal….
"Sometimes young boys get so full of themselves, that you have to stop talking and start applying a firm hand."
"Have it your way boy," said Flint turning the key in the lock and letting himself out of the cell. Crossing the room to the door Robby thought that Flint was leaving. "Good thanks for nothing; your just like the rest," smirked Robby.
But, Flint didn't reach for the door knob; instead he reached to the peg on the wall and took down the hairbrush. Turning to the sheriff he asked, "May I ?"
"Be my guest," answered Sheriff Tom Johnson, as he grinned and then propped his feet on the desk and leaned back and covered his face with his hat.
Flint now turned his attention back to Robby, popping the hairbrush against his hand as he spoke, "I said we needed to talk, and talk we will; I did not say to which end," calmly spoke Flint as he let himself back into the cell. Clanging it shut, he made quick strides toward Robby.
Flint reached out and grabbed Robby by the arm just as the boy began kicking and cussing. Flint dropped down on the cot, dragging Robby down with him. And without a word began to lay down firm hard whacks with the hairbrush on the boys upturned backside. Flint knew that until the cussing and kicking stopped, He would not stand any chance of talking to the boy.
Twelve swats later Flint stopped for a minute, "Robby are you ready to listen now?" asked Flint.
"Let me the hell up! You have no right! You just wait till I get out of this cell!" threatened Robby.
Flint resumed laying down a volley of stinging swats, before stopping again, "Boy I want the cussing to stop; are you ready to talk?"
"Go to hell; you're not going to tell me what to do!" Robby gritted his teeth, letting the anger inside determine his fate and keep his true fears along with the tears that were beginning to well up at bay.
"Robert, I can keep this up for as long as you want. You just yell out when you've had enough," said Flint as he brought the brush down again. He smacked the rear in front of him a half a dozen more times with hard whacks. Finally Flint heard a shriek.
"Ee-nn-oug-h, Uncle Flint."
Flint immediately stopped and in one quick motion plopped Robby down on the cot next to him. "Get this straight; you are going to sit right there and listen to every word that I have to say, and if you give me any more argument, I will waste no time putting you back over my knee. If you're going to act like a spoiled little brat, then that's just how I will treat you; understood?"
"Yes" snapped Robby still too bitter to appreciate, that he deserved the attention he was getting.
"Now, the sheriff says that your father has decided that he can't handle you, so he says you are to stay here for the night. I came to offer you a deal, you can leave with me in the morning; you will be going on a camping trip with me and Mr. Hawks and our boys." said Flint deciding not to make an issue of the rude tone of voice.
"That's just grand, Pop just gonna dump me on ya, that's just grand," grumbled Robby.
"I know this is not the best way to hear, about you father, but we have to make the best of things, so for tonight you are going to get on that bunk and get some sleep and I will pick you up in the morning."
"And if I don't…" snapped Robby realizing too late just what that, IF, was!
Once more Robby was slung over Flint's lap. This time it was Flint's hand that set his butt to burning.
Robby yelled "I'll stop I'll stop!"
"Come on over here, Sheriff Johnson," yelled Flint to Tom. When Tom came to the cell door, Flint looked at both of them. "Tom, Robby here has decided to get on this bunk here and get some sleep, and I just wanted to let you know that if he gives you even a minute's trouble, I give you permission to cut a switch and wear his hide out… Is that understood; Robby?"
"Yes sir, I'll not cause any more trouble," tonight, but as soon as I'm out of here tomorrow, I'm gone. He thought to himself.
Now after Flint had left and Sheriff Tom was asleep, Robby didn't make a sound, but he lay on his stomach nursing a smarting backside. He would never admit it to anyone but now that his anger was gone his butt hurt. And the more he thought about his father's giving up on him so did his heart. Instead of deciding to admit that he had been wrong and let Flint help him, he began to plot ways to get even with everyone; letting the anger inside him fester.
Just before daybreak, he had come up with what he thought would work. He would put up an act and make everyone think he was sorry for the way he had acted and pretend to want to go on the camping trip. With a wicked grin he drifted off to sleep.
~oOo~
The next morning, Flint, Bill and all the boys headed toward town. Thirty minutes later, Flint climbed down and walked into the jail. Opening the door he was a bit relieved to see a smile on Robby's face as he sat across from Tom eating breakfast.
Noticing Flint, Robby stood and walk over to stand in front of him plastering the most; ' I'm so misunderstood' look he could muster across his face, "Uncle Flint, I am sorry. I was just angry and I want you to know that I have learned my lesson. I am looking forward to the camping trip; I have never been camping." Robby said with a remorseful look on his face.
"Now that's better, Robby. I'm glad to see we can start on a new foot this morning," said Flint pulling him into a firm hug.
Rob felt a strange comfort for just one minute, then triumphant at how easily he had fooled, his Uncle.
Bill, look very puzzled as Flint and Robby walked out smiling...
TBC: Chapter 8.
