Double Justice

PT.14

Newly finished up all the reports on Ted Travis and his brothers. Ted, Cal and Mike were scheduled for trial. Newly sent a wire for the circuit court judge to come to hear the case.

Matt and several other ranchers gathered together, sorting out what damage had been done. Matt confirmed that many of the cattle, the Travis brothers were driving, were indeed Chance's cattle along with some other Texas ranchers.

Newly was sitting and listening to Ted, Cal and Mike yelling at him through the bars of the cells. Mike was the loudest. "Hey, Marshal, you throw us in here? What about Dillon? He shot my brothers down cold. And that red head. She done shot Ben down like a dog."

Newly opened the door to the cell room. "In my honest opinion, Miss Kitty should get an award maybe a reward for getting your brother. She just saved him from the noose! Now pipe down in here." He growled, turning and slamming the door.

Just then, Barney rushed through the door. "Marshal? This just come for ya." Newly read the wire.

'Judge Kendell will arrive in Dodge, Wednesday, noon stage.'

Folding the wire and stuffing it in his shirt pocket, Newly walked across the street to the Long Branch, entering and nodding to Sam. "Hi, Sam."

"Marshal…"

"Ah, Sam, it's Newly."

"But you are the marshal now."

Newly just waved his hand. "Sam, is Festus in today?" Just then he could hear the jingle of spurs. "Speak of the…"

"Hey, Newly. I was jest lookin' fer ya."

"Festus, I need you to give Matt a message for me. Judge Kendell will be in Wednesday on the noon stage."

"I'll be doin' it directly, Newly. Matthew'll be wantin' ta' know."

As soon as Kitty connected hands with Melanie, she realized the problem. "Melanie, welcome to our home. Won't you come in? Chance, you both are just in time for supper. Come, Melanie, lets go inside." Kitty said directing her in. "Watch out. There's a step."

"Thank you." Melanie, with her hand slightly in front of her, felt her way to and inside the door. As they entered, Emily was descending the stairs.

"Oh, Emily, we have guests. Well, actually family."

As Emily approached closer, she could tell right off something was different.

"Melanie, this is Emily. She is 15. A little older then you but I'm sure the two of you will find things in common."

"Hi, Melanie."

"Hi, Emily. How about we get something to drink?"

"Oh, something smells really good."

"That's Miss Kitty's ham cooking and the fresh bread… Just wait till you taste the pies!"

Emily sat at the kitchen with Melanie. "Where you from?"

"San Antonio. That's in Texas. Pa says it's only place he ever thought of as home and now that that's where Ma's at, it will always be home."

"I understand. Home for me is New Orleans."

"Oh? But you're here."

"Oh yes, just for a visit though. See Ramone' and I came to visit Miss Kitty."

"Ramone'?" She repeated.

"Ramone' is my teacher and my friend."

"You traveled all the way here with your teacher?"

"Well, see, I live at the school I go to. I hope to be a teacher myself soon."

"Oh, that would be a boarding school. I heard about those but only rich folks go to them."

Laughing, "No. Well, see, the school used to be Miss Kitty's home. She and Ramone' were friends when they were young, like us. Then Ramone' had an accident and lose his sight. His folks sent him to a school to learn and he did. Now he wants to help teach others."

"You mean other people who can't see?"

"Yes. He helped me."

Melanie stopped. "You?" She now reached out to touch Emily. "You mean you can't see?"

Now holding Melanie's hand. "Melanie, I can see NOW. But I couldn't always. I had a virus when I was little and lost my sight. Momma and Poppa, they didn't know what to do. Then I met Miss Kitty and her friend Ramone'. When they opened the new school, Miss Kitty talked to Momma and Poppa and I went to live at the new school. I learned so many things, Melanie. Would you like to come to our school, and see how beautiful it is there and how much you could learn? We have a machine. It's called a Braille writer. It makes letter that we can feel with our fingers and we can also write with it. Melanie, I could talk with Miss Kitty. I'm sure she would agree."

"Oh, Emily. That is such a nice thing but Pa. What about my Pa?"

"Don't you think your Pa would want you to learn?"

Kitty entered, overhearing the two young girls in conversation. "Well now, what do you two have your head together about?"

"Oh, I was just telling Melanie about our school. Miss Kitty, don't you think Melanie would enjoy it there and do well?"

"Yes, I do but what do you think, Melanie?"

Melanie sat looking back and forth. "But Pa…"

"What Honey?"

"How could I leave Pa? And it would cost so much."

"Well, maybe you could see how your Pa would feel. And as for it costing, it won't."

Just then Matt Chance and Doc entered, all sniffing in the air.

"UMMMMMMMMM! Something smells like supper."

Kitty broke into a heavy barrel laugh. "Alright all of you. Let us ladies get the table finished."

Kitty, Emily and Melanie finished setting the table then they all sat down to eat. Looking up, Kitty noticed Ramone' coming through the doorway.

"Something smells real good."

"RAMONE?"

"Kathleen, relax. Doctor Adams gave his OK."

"Oh, he did, did he?" She said, shooting Doc a look.

Over supper, Chance, Ramone and Kitty all talked about the benefits of Melanie going to the Annilise LaRue Russell School for the Blind and Shelter.

Chance liked the idea that Melanie could continue schooling and be in a safe environment while he was busy working, rebuilding his ranch. Knowing she'd be well cared for and have female guidance as well was a plus.

"Pa? I like the sound of the school. Emily told me all about it but…"

Turning to face her, "But what, Honey?"

"You. You, Pa. I don't want to leave you all alone. You won't have anyone to care for you with Ma gone. It was just us, Pa."

"Ah, now, Honey. I am going to miss you something awful. But this is something your Ma would want. I made her a promise. And if your Aunt Kitty and her friend here can help me with that… Well, I'll be keeping that promise to your ma, my Hattie. And I'll come and see ya every chance I get. And you will visit me too."

"Oh, Pa, yes! I promise!" Throwing her arms around his neck. "And, Pa, I will make both you and Ma proud of me."

"Baby, Honey, we are always proud of you."

"Matt, Kitty and Mister…?"

"It's just Ramone'."

"All of you. I don't know how to thank you all."

Kitty reached over, placing her hand atop his. "No thanks needed, Chance. You and Melanie are family. We are all family. Matt, now we just need to deal with the Travis brother's trial."

TBC