The McCullough Story
Chapter 21: Heading Home
Matthew raced down the lane toward home, it felt good to feel the wind on his face. But best of all he had received three telegrams. As he neared the house he pull back on the reins. "Whoa," he yelled as he flew from the saddle eager to find Ty. "I'll be right back boy you'll get some extra oats for waiting," said Matt giving the horses neck a rub, as he looped the reins around the rail. "Ty, hey Ty where are you? Shouted Matt trotting toward the barn.
"What's all the shouting about?" asked Henry jumping down from where he was forking hay from the back of a wagon into the loft.
"I've got news, good news," sang Matt waving the papers he held.
"He's over at the new bunk house, but you … might wanna wait a few minutes, he's kinda busy," finished Henry watching Matt's back as he ran across the yard.
Matt barged through the door and started to speak, but froze in his tracks. Ty raised the belt and brought it down hard, leaving a flaming red welt in its wake.
"Augh, damn, that stings, please Sir, I'm sorry Ty I won't do it again," pleaded Gary.
Matt heard the belt land again as he slowly closed the door. "I got to remember to knock from now on," he said to himself as his face reddened. Matt shoved the telegrams into his shirt pocket and went to put his horse away.
"I tried to tell you to wait," called Henry as Matt came out of the barn having cared for the horse.
"Thanks, what did he do?
"He came dragging in here right after you left he said something about getting drunk last night and waking up in the alley behind the general store this morning. That's all I got before Mr. Ty came thundering out and well... you know the rest," answered Henry.
"Boy do I…" Matt whistled, "Whew! He'll be feeling that blaze."
"I'll bet. I'm sure glad it's not me," added Henry.
"That goes double for me. If you've got another hay fork up there? I'll lend you a hand," offered Matt.
"Sure do and I'd welcome your help. I race you to the top," called Henry.
From the top of the wagon Matt looked around him in three direction. "I reckon that's what I'll miss most," said Matt before grabbing a pitch fork and sending a fork full of hay flying into the loft.
Henry picked up his fork and stabbed it into the hay, raising it as he spoke. "What's that; you'll be missing?" questioned Henry shooting Matt a confused look as he slung the hay upward; surely he was not saying that he would miss having someone set fire to his backside.
"The smell of fresh hay and the view from up here. What did you think I meant?" asked Matt seeing the confused look.
"That," answered Henry nodding toward the door of the little bunk house; Gary had just stepped out the door and was moving slowly toward the hay wagon, with a look of perfect misery on his face as he glance up at the now half empty hay wagon.
"Ty wants to see you Matt. Henry I'm coming up to help you," said Gary groaning as he grabbed the side of the wagon and hoisted himself up. By the grimace on his face everyone knew it was going to be a long morning.
Matt jabbed his fork into the hay and jumped down. He jogged up to the door of the bunk house and knocked on the door frame even though the door was open. "You wanted to see me Sir? He asked.
"Yes, come on in. What did you need earlier?" Asked Ty as he motioned for Matt to come on in. "Pull up a crate and have a seat." Ty leaned back on the sawhorse where Gary had been bent over earlier.
"I, or I guess we got three telegrams. The first is from Mom; she says they're on their way home, they should be here a week form Tuesday. The second one is from Uncle Bill, Uncle Charlie, and Barney it says they should be here by the first of September," answered Matt excitedly.
"It will be good to have the family back," answered Ty, passing back the folded telegrams. "I thought you said you had three?" questioned Ty.
"I did; I saved the best, or at least the most exciting one for last. My Ticket to join the Texas Rangers has been sent. I will be leaving on September fifteenth. I sure hope dad makes it back by then. I would hate not getting to see him before I leave." said Matt grinning from ear to ear.
It's only the third of August maybe he will make it," encouraged Ty. "What's say we put together a welcome home bar-b-Que, for the first Saturday in September that would give everyone time to get here and us time to get the word out."
"That's a grand idea you just tell me what to do sir, and I'm on it," offered Matt enthusiastically.
"We'll set down and do us some planning, tonight. Right now, we need to get back to work; we need some walls and a door on this here office," ordered Ty smiling.
"I'll just run up to the house and put these away, and then I'll get right to work. And Ty, I'm sorry about busting in earlier. Do I need to apologize to Gary?"
"I don't think he knows you were here, but if he says something, it might help him to hear from someone more his age; someone that has been where he is so to say. I'll get a lock put on the door when we finish so as it don't happen again."
"You got it Ty. I like Gary he's a hard worker..."
Clang, Clang, Clang Clang. "Chow's ready come and get it," shouted Marco the summer cook.
It didn't take long for the twelve hands and two boys to assemble at the large table in the back yard. Matt and Ty walked toward the pump together. "Say Matthew, do you think you and Gary could handle the bunkhouse job, I would kinda like to ride into town after chow," asked Ty.
"Consider it done," answered Matt reaching for the pump handle.
Meanwhile back outside Fort Bridger…
Flint was furious as he left Captain Ricks office. "Not army business indeed'. Why Captains Ricks should just march himself into the doctor's office and look at what he did to that boy and explain to him, how he's sorry, but it's not army concern. If the army won't concern themselves with this then I will," ranted Flint pulling his watch from his pocket.
Ten o'clock, justice would have to wait until tomorrow. Flint would have to ride hard to get the children and meet his papa and Mark on time. As he rode he couldn't shake the sight of those bruises and lashed that covered the boy from his shoulders to his knees. Even unconscious he had flinched and moaned when Flint tried to gently clean and re-bandage the boy. He had considered more than once riding out to Oglebey's office and stringing him up by his wrist, before taking a whip to him. It might not fix things, but he'd think twice before do a thing like that again. Before Flint's anger and revengeful musings could escalate any further, each of Dark Eagle's words came back to him and re-claimed his soul…
"The time for anger, rage and war has passed. We must teach our children to accept the changes and move forward or we will all perish; Indian and White man alike."
Back to St. Joe and the kids...
Luke's morning was not going any better than Samantha's. First off; he was still sore from last night's consequences. To make matters worse though, Danny followed him around snickering and laughing.
"Listen you pest, I'm gonna pound you into the floor like a nail, if you don't get away from me," threatened Luke lunging toward his cousin.
"Oh yea? I'll tell if you do and then my pa will spank you again," taunted Danny, sticking out his tongue and dancing away running full speed down the hall.
Luke darted after him. "That's' it come here you!" shouted Luke.
~oOo~
Downstairs, Dan answered a loud knock on the front door. "Well hello there, sheriff, what brings you out this morning?" asked Dan stepping aside and waving the sheriff and the young lady with him inside before closing the door.
"Mr. Finch, this is Audra, she has something she would like to say to young Luke. I knew that you said that they were leaving this morning, so I hope it's not too much of an imposition," answered Sheriff Lawson.
"Not at all, Sherriff. Pleased to meet you Miss Audra. Why don't you both have a seat in the front room there, and I will round up the boy and his mother," said Dan nodding toward the front room, before turning and heading up the stairs.
He hadn't taken a full step when Danny came barrelling down the stairs right into him. "How many times have I told you; no running in the house and especially not on the stairs!" growled Dan.
"But pa, Lu..."
"No buts young man. I said no running and that's what I meant," growled Dan turning the eight year-old around and landing two loud whacks to the seat of his britches. "Now you walk back up those stairs and tell your aunt Mary and Luke they have visitors in the front room."
"Yes sir," answered Danny rubbing his seat as he climbed the stairs.
Luke grinned he had narrowly avoided the same fate as Danny, having stopped at the top of the stairs when he heard his Uncle Dan's voice. "You wanted me, sir?" Luke asked slowly descending the stairs, snickering at Danny as they passed each other.
"Yes son, the sheriff and a Miss Audra, are waiting to see you. You run along and the rest of us will join you in a minute."
"Yes, sir." answered Luke.
Just as Luke reached the bottom of the stairs where Dan stood and turned toward the front room, Dan reached out and gave him one sharp smack to his still tender backside. "That is to remind you that we do not run down the hall or the stairs around here."
"Youch! Yes sir," answered Luke, his face reddening as he looked to see the sheriff grinning at him. "Morning sheriff, Miss Audra, you wanted to see me?" he said as he crossed to stand in front of the sheriff's chair.
"Yes son. As a matter of a fact, it was Miss Audra here that has something to say to your mother and you. Why don't you sit down and get comfortable until your Ma gets here."
Luke smirked and thought to himself, ' Ha sit and comfortable, those two things were not going to go together; not for him.' Luke tried hard not to groan or grimace as he gently lowered himself onto the sofa next to the sheriff. Luke grinned wide as his mom and Aunt and Uncle entered the room followed by eight year old Danny; thus saving him from polite conversation.
When everyone was seated the sheriff spoke. "Ladies, I promised Dan here that I would be having a long discussion with Miss Audra and..."
"Did you spank her; that's what my pa did? He pulled down Luke's britches and spanked him hard with a ruler right on his bottom. It was as red as the coals in the fire place. I'm sure glad that he didn't use that ruler on me," interrupted Danny, still mad at Luke for getting him whacked for running down the stairs.
Luke was mortified. He jumped up and ran for the stairs.
"Danny that will be quite enough out of you! You apologize to the sheriff and Miss Audra, and then you can just go wait for me in the corner of my office," admonished Dan lifting the boy to his feet.
"I'm sorry, for..." Danny looked up at his dad not sure what he was apologizing for.
"Being rude and interrupting, and for sharing Luke's personal business and causing him to be embarrassed," said Dan.
"I'm sorry for being rude and interrupting and butting into Luke's business," repeated Danny.
Dan gave Danny swat sending him on his way, before turning to offer an apology of his own. "I am sorry for Danny's behavior. If you will excuse me." Dan quickly crossed the room and headed down the hall toward the study.
The sheriff nodded and waited until Dan left the room. "As I was saying Ladies, after I finished my discussion with Miss Andrea here… Well when we finished, she wanted to tell you folks just how sorry she was for what she did to young Luke."
"That's right ladies. I am real sorry for getting Luke drunk, but you see it's like this… well, I'm just sixteen myself. I don't like what Mr. Damon tells me to do, but he sorta owns me. All the men they are so dirty and smelly, and well I most of the time I'm scared of what I'm supposed to do and so I started letting the men get real drunk. Some would pass out and think they'd had a good time. They's wake up and I'd have my blouse or somethin' just a little undone or I'd pull their pants off… but I never done anything, honest. They'd give me a few coins. And I'd give them to Mr. Damon. But, if I didn't soon start really doing what he says I'm paid for… Well I was just scared and when yer boy come in, he weren't no smelly worker, he seemed nice and all; you know my age. Mr. Damon was giving me the eye an all, so I spiked Luke's drink. I could tell he were a real gentleman and wouldn't take my advances and well Mr. Damon was expecting extra of me. So I took him upstairs and well you know the rest. I wouldn't have taken advantage of Luke… well not in that way. I mighta taken some coin from him, though…"
"Ah Hum!" coughed the sheriff, frowning at the young girl.
"Well it was lucky for both of us the sheriff come, cause Mr. Damon couldn't ask me for some coin and Mabel set him straight about that too and well… nothin happened to Luke that he should be ashamed of." Audra looked down at her hands and blushed a little. Then she put her head up and looked at Mary. "I'm sorry, for getting Luke into trouble ma'am."
"Thank you for coming over to say you're sorry, but don't blame yourself for the trouble that Luke got himself into he had no business going into a place like that in the first place. I can see how a young girl like you would be scared. If I may say so myself, it's just awful that men like This Mr. Damon can use you like that and you have to trick and rob people to survive. But, there are people who can help. You shouldn't be in a place like that, one of those men are going to figure out what you are doing and then you could be seriously hurt," lectured Mary, gently at first, feeling sorry for the poor girl. Then images of this young girl getting seriously hurt and the situation she put her son in sent her mothering instincts overflowing. "Why… What you deserve is a trip over someone's knee for stealing and putting yourself and others at risk like that. You should have never even tried to find work in a place like that."
"That just what the sheriff said, he got me a room over at the boarding house and he's going to see what can be done to get me out of that place and into something more respectable."
"That's right ladies, I have gotten her a room over at Miss Jones' and I'm going to be asking around about a job for her. I'll handle Mr. Damon, I'm sure he'll release you once I threatened charging him with a few things. And while we're on the subject… just so you know young lady, if I find you anywhere near the Silver Slipper, I'll take little Danny's suggestion and you will find yourself over my knee."
Audra blushed. "Yes Sir, I will stay away from that place and that's a promise."
"I know you folks have to get going, so we will just see ourselves out. You tell Dan, I'll talk to him later," Said Lawson standing.
"Yes and would you be sure and tell Luke how sorry I am; it's even my fault that he was embarrassed jist now," said Audra as she stood beside Sheriff Lawson.
"I will, and thank you for stopping by," said Katherine and Mary as they stood and followed them to the door.
"I'll go tell James to get the carriage ready and you go see if you can convince Luke to start carrying things down stairs," suggested Katherine. "We will have to hurry or we will be late."
Mary rounded the top of the stairs and expected to find Luke sprawled across the bed, but instead he had gathered up two full arm loads of luggage and was headed toward her on the stairs.
"Mom, please don't say anything it would just make things worse," snapped Luke.
Mary looked into Luke's eyes. She could see he was about to cry, and decided that she would wait until they were alone on the train to try and talk to him. "Okay honey, but if you want to talk later, I'll listen. Did you leave any thing for me to carry?" asked Mary.
"Just that bag full of Samantha's books and things, Oh… and your purse," said Luke relief evident in his voice.
~oOo~
Luke was just finishing stowing the last of the bags and was helping his mother and Aunt Katherine into the carriage, when his Uncle Dan came out the door with a hand on Danny's shoulder.
"Luke, I think Danny has something to say to you," said Dan sternly and then gently pushed the boy forward.
"I'm sorry, that I embarrassed you, by telling everyone you got a spanking. I know better than to eavesdrop on what others are doing or saying," Danny stopped and looked at the ground.
"Aaahm, and…" prompted Dan.
"I'm sorry for telling everyone how red your behind was. Pa pulled my britches down again and this time he spanked me with that dumb ruler. It hurts real bad. I'm really, sorry," finished Danny about to cry as he looked at his ma and Aunt Mary.
"Apology accepted," answered Luke, because he knew that was expected, before climbing into the buggy beside his Mom. "Serves the little monster right, Uncle Dan should've pulled his pants down and spanked him in front of the sheriff and Miss Audra. Then he would know how I felt," Luke mumbled to himself.
"Alright Danny you can go back inside and go to the nursery with Rose and Johnny. You mind Carla and help with the little ones," reminded Dan, as he climbed onto the carriage seat and took the reins.
Meanwhile at the Hotel dining room in Canyon City…
"Morning son," said Bill pointing out the chair next to him, as he and Charlie crossed the room.
"What are you doing in town so early, Pa?" questioned Barney.
"Oh let's just say I had to see a man about a boy," answered Bill grinning.
Barney cracked a small smile when he pulled out the chair and caught sight of a small cushion that had been place there. "Thanks pa," he whispered as he sat down.
"If you two are through jawn', I'm starving. What'll it be boy's; my treat," boomed Charlie laughing out loud.
"Steak and eggs and a side of biscuits and gravy," answered Bill smiling.
"Me too," added Barney.
"That sounds good. Make that three orders with a glass of milk for the boys and coffee for me," teased Charlie as the waitress took the order.
"Funny Ole pal…Coffee for me to ma'am. By the way Charlie, I sent that telegram letting the folks back home know we will be back at the ranch by the first," said Bill.
"It's been a good trip this time, but it will be good to get home and rest up," answered Barney.
"What you mean; rest up boy? You cause just as much mischief at home. It's your Uncle Charlie and me that need a rest. I'm beginning to see why my pa used to plead for a little less mischief from me and my brother," quipped Bill, slapping Barney on the back.
"Eat up; we've got a wagon to load with supplies. And then, we need to get back to the train before dinner so Chris and the others can come in to town for a bit," said Bill.
"Hey, Pa, if I load the wagon super-fast, could we go fishing when we get back to the train this afternoon? I need something fun to do after last night," asked Barney cutting a big bite of juicy steak.
"I don't see why not. I think we could all use an afternoon break. Maybe, if we have any luck your uncle Charlie will cook them up for us with a batch of fried corn cakes and some fried potatoes."
"That I will. And Barney, remind me to look at the general store and see if they have some canned peaches. I would like to make a peach cobbler."
Back at the Trails End Ranch...
Matt grinned as he held the board for Gary to nail; every time he swung the hammer he would wince. Matt wasn't sure if it was because of a hangover or the after effects of the lickn', but he was sure that Gary was miserable.
"How about we trade jobs for a while, Gary. Then when we finish, maybe Ty will let us go swimming. It's the best cure I know for what's ailing you," said Matt walking over to cut the last board they needed for the wall. Then all they had to do, was hang the door and wait for Ty to bring the lock.
"How would you know? I bet it's been a long time since you got drunk, and besides, that's not all that's troubling me, but I will trade you jobs just the same."
"You're right; it has been a long while since I got drunk, but I can still remember the headache and the lickn' I got for disobeying and going to the saloon in the first place," said Matt, giving Gary a sideways look.
Gary held the board, while Matt nailed it into place. As his head pounded he stared a Matt. 'Maybe he could talk to him. Maybe he would understand or at least listen,' he thought. "Matt, could I ask you something?" asked Gary as the last nail pounded into place.
"Sure anything," answered Matt, turning and hanging the hammer on the saw horse.
"I was really little when my ma and pa died. The town folk put me in an orphanage, but I didn't like it there and I ran away as soon as I could. Until Mr. Ty come along and this job, I didn't have anyone to answer to, and I didn't think I cared. But Matt, it really bothers me to disappoint him: I knew when I took off into town yesterday that I needed to be back by ten. But… Well, when Carl and Bob and the other men were going into the saloon, I just wanted to be one of the men. What I want to know is am I just plain horrible, because I knew Ty told me not too and I talked myself into believing he would never find out; that I would be back before he knew." Gary stopped and leaned on the sawhorse next to Matt.
"No Gary, you're not horrible. Fact is you're pretty normal; boys are always convincing themselves that their fathers will not find out about their adventures, especially if they have to disobey to have them," smirked Matt.
"I knew what Ty was going to do if he found out, but somehow it was worth it, well that is until this morning when I had to bare by backside and bend over this sawhorse. I would have promised to walk on water to stop that stinging belt. But… Well, what I'm really worried about is causing Ty so much trouble and that he might send me away. This may seem crazy, but as bad as it hurt, I am glad that he cared enough to try."
"Gary, if it were possible to be bad enough of a boy for a father to send them away, then that boy would be me," answered Matt.
"But you never cause trouble. You work hard and do just what you're told. You're always helping out," reflected Gary.
"Ha ha, thanks, but my dad could tell you different. You know; I have only known him for five years? He was a scout for the wagon train that we were coming west on. My father, Dave Spence, was killed at the first river crossing. I had become a bully and a brat and I was treating my mom just awful. He struck a deal with my mom and the wagon master to get us to California, and to see that we behaved just as pa would have wanted. I was stubborn and pig headed. He finally dragged me over his knee and wailed the daylights out of me. Much as I didn't want to admit it; he got my attention. Someone cared."
"But you and Mr. Flint get along so well!" said a surprised Gary. "I bet you haven't caused him as much trouble in five years as I have caused Ty in just six months."
"Shucks, I could tell you story after story about the trouble I've gotten into and the lickin's I've had. But most importantly, you need to hear something that Dad told me when I got scared that he might just want rid of me…He looked me straight in the eye and he said. "I never expected to have a perfect son. I expect you to mess up from time to time, and I need you to know that I will make mistakes too, but as long as we are both willing to learn from our mistakes, then we will grow together."
"Ty's a lot like dad, you give him a chance and you find he might approve of what you do, and when he doesn't you will feel it if you know what I mean, but he would never send you away," assured Matt.
"Thanks Matt. Ty said something like that this morning, but I guess I was just too bull-headed to think it could be that easy. Does that offer of a swim still stand? I think I've changed my mind."
"Well yea, unless we don't get the door hung before Ty gets back. You get the hinges and I'll get the door."
~oOo~
Two hours later, Gary laughed as he watched Ty swing out on the rope swing and land with a huge splash right next to him.
"Thanks, Ty for letting us come, Matt was right," laughed Gary.
"That right, what would that yahoo be right about?" laughed Ty in return.
"He said it was the best thing he knew for what ailed me," answered Gary.
"I see. Hmmm, I guess he would be quite the expert on putting out the flames by now. Might I suggest, working a little harder to avoid behavior that will start them in the first place. Now climb up there and show me how far you can swing out after all you convinced this old bird to give it a try," teased Ty dunking Gary.
Matt and Henry laughed as they watched Gary clamour up to the rope and get a running start. Yelling," bombs away!" as he sailed over Ty's head and landed feet first in the middle of the pond.
Back to Mary and the Children on a westbound train...
It had been raining almost nonstop since they had pulled out of St. Joe. The lightning flashed and the thunder crashed as the hour grew late.
Mary watched Luke's face as he shifted positions once more. "Are you okay Luke, you look lost?" asked Mary a she ran her hand over Samantha's hair, while she slept with her head on Mary's lap.
"I'm okay, mom, well except when I sit," snapped Luke.
"I just thought you might want to talk now that we were alone. The trains not crowded. Why don't you move that bag of Samantha's play things to the floor and stretch out on that seat? I'm sure that you will be more comfortable," suggested Mary smiling.
Luke wasted no time getting stretched out on the seat facing his mom and sister. As he rested his head on his elbow, he looked around; they were in the last two seats in the car and there were only a handful of other passengers and they were more toward the front of the car.
"I'm sorry mom it's just that well: getting spanked at my age is bad enough. First Uncle Dan makes it worse by unfastening my pants and pulling them down for me; at least when dad gives me a lickin he lets me take down my britches myself. Uncle Dan made me feel like I was a baby. It was so embarrassing."
"Luke, I'm sorry that you were embarrassed. I'm sure that You Uncle Dan was handling things in his own way, having only small children..." Mary stopped as she could see Luke was about to say something.
"I know, I know, that why I didn't make a fuss, but Mom this morning when Danny blabbed in front of the sheriff and Miss Audra and even you and Aunt Katherine, well it was like having to take the spanking all over again, only this time I was having my britches taken down in front of the whole town and my red behind put on display. That's why I had to leave the room," answered Luke feeling that he owed his mom some explanation for his short snappy answers and foul mood.
"I sorry that Danny was eavesdropping on what should have been private a meeting. I'm sure that your cousin Danny understands he was wrong. I understand how you feel but there nothing more I can do except to say that I understand and I'm sorry," said Mary still watching the hurt in his eyes.
"Thanks mom for trying to make me feel better about it, but how could you understand; you're a girl, and I bet you never got in any real trouble," said Luke.
"Ha ha ha," Mary laughed out loud. "Thanks Luke. I was a pretty good girl, but I did get into trouble a few times and one of those time just happens to be for doing just exactly what Danny did; I was caught peeking through that very same grate in that very same house."
"Really mom tell me about it," pleaded Luke with look of disbelief.
The thunder crashed again as Mary laughed. "Oh you're too old for stories, and besides there's not much to tell. It's getting late why don't you just stretch out and try to get some sleep?"
"Please mom, I'm not sleepy, and besides we have all heard stories about when dad was a boy and all the trouble he got into, it will be neat to hear one about you. Pplleessseeee," wined Luke with a wide smile using his best pleading lost puppy eyes.
"Oh alright; just so you will know I wasn't perfect..."
TBC Chapter 22 : Little Peeker get Red Rears.