The early morning sky was more cloudy than the previous days which usually meant that rain was in the forecast. Most folks of Dodge would welcome it, as it hadn't rained in several weeks and the town well was showing signs of running low.
However, to Wilbur Jonas, it was just like any other day with the farmers arriving early to sell their produce and buy necessities. Jonas arched his back as he stood from his small kitchen table after finishing his coffee. He dull weather actually was good business, as most folks rather been in town and busy with shopping than sitting at home waiting for rain.
Jonas walked slowly to his store, which was just a few doors down from where he lived. Normally he'd occupy the upper floor of the building, but that was where Doc had his office for just about as long as Dodge had been in existence.
Jonas was always cautious when opening his General Store, for he never knew if there where any seedy types hanging around just waiting for any one of the many things he carried.
To his relief there was no one at the doors waiting so with a smile he unlocked the door and pushed it open. Wilbur Jonas' jaw dropped open. Baskets of apples and other produce were tipped and scattered on the floor.
Jonas waded slightly further into the mess before he decided to seek out Marshal Dillon's help. Jonas turned and Nosey hopped up from behind a bench catching the store owner by surprise. Nosey hopped up and down startling Jonas who took one step backward and tripped over a basket reeling him awkwardly into one of his wooden display tables and rendering him unconscious.
Doc was reading him for the trip out to the Bean's to check on young Sean's broken leg when he heard the commotion down stairs beneath him. The doctor paused and waited, listening more and when there was no more motion, Doc instinctively he knew something was wrong in the General Store. Doc pulled his suspenders up over his white shirt and grabbed his medical bag.
Nosey, had seized the opportunity to make a break for it through the front door. The monkey made it across Front Street without notice.
Doc scurried down the stairs and rounded the corner. He noted that the door was ajar and cautiously moved forward when he spotted Wilbur Jonas laying out flat and half buried in produce. Doc froze for a second and then yelled down the street to the jail, "Matt!"
Matt was standing at the mirror next to the door in the jail house when he heard what he thought was his name. He placed the razor in the bowl and listened harder.
Doc saw not action and hollered again, "Matt! The General Store!"
Matt quickly wiped the remaining shaving cream from his face and pulled the door open. He could see Doc on the boardwalk outside the General Store. Matt quickly grabbed his gun belt and dashed up the street to meet the doctor, "Doc?"
"I heard a crash down here and when I came down, this is what I saw!" Doc explained.
Matt peered in, "How's Jonas?"
Doc was so caught up in the moment he sputtered, "I guess I was waiting for you . . . whoever caused this, must have overwhelmed Jonas..." Doc said as he waded into the store - careful of his footing. Finally he reached the store owner, "Wilbur?" he said softly as he knelt down beside Jonas and looked him over, but there was no response.
Matt was now standing over Doc and surveyed the damage, "How is he Doc?" he leaned over Doc's shoulder.
Doc pulled his glassed from his face, "Not good, Matt. He's hit his head pretty hard on this bench. I need to get him upstairs..." Doc looked up to the marshal, "What happened here?" he asked.
Matt stood straight, "I don't know Doc, but whoever was responsible will pay, you can mark my words on that," he pursed his lips.
Doc stood and nodded, "Help me get him up to my office," Doc pushed a bushel of apples away and as he did he noticed several had been eaten and the bite marks were rather unusual. Doc stuck the half-eaten apples in his bag just as Festus showed up at the door, "What in thunder?!"
"Let's ask questions later, Festus," Matt said as he prepared to carry the unconscious store owner up to Doc's office, "I could use a hand," Matt hinted.
"Oh, sure, Matthew," Festus said and scooped his arms under Jonas Wilbur's legs and Matt hoisted the store owner up from the floor. Doc was warning them to be careful, and they did their best as the two lawmen carried Jonas up to Doc's office.
Nosey was now sound asleep in the loft of the livery stable.
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Wilberforce Graham was up with the sun and had a pot of coffee brewing - that is what caught Henry Haggen by the nose as he tossed and then rolled onto his back with a smile n his face, "That sure smells good..."
Graham laughed, "Oh, it's a good thing you like it then," said as he stirred the brew.
Henry slowly sat up from his blanket, "Nosey likes it too!" he yawned.
Wilberforce Graham stood and scratched his neck, "I think you might want to look around..."
Henry slowly stood and did as Graham suggested. It then dawned on him that the old swayback was gone and so was Nosey. "Where do you think they have gone?"
Graham rolled his eyes, "Dodge I would suspect," he sat back down and let Henry stew.
"That little scamp!" Henry blurted.
"I'll say. He even got into my private stock last night. You actually taught him to opened latches and such, huh?" Graham pondered.
"I sure did. I knew he saw a smart one. But now where is he?" Henry lamented.
"Don't worry Henry. We'll find him. You see, I have a small job for you both," Graham smiled.
Henry also smiled, "You do?"
Graham smiled even more and nodded.
