FAMOUS FRIENDS – The Letter

The stage pulled out. Jess brushed and fed the tired team, then mucked out the barn. Jonesy milked the cows while Jess collected the eggs. Then both men went inside to rest for a while. Jess walked over to the table and noticed two issues of the St. Louis paper sitting on the table along with four double eagles. Jess opened the paper and stared at the article. "FAMOUS FRIENDS" by Alex Cummings. He sat down to read the story. A sketch of two men standing in front of a corral was beneath the heading. One was blond, tall and with a mustache and beard. The other man was shorter with dark hair and sporting two days growth of whiskers. Under the sketch were the names. Skinny Smith and Johnny Hart, friends.

"Jonesy, I think I need a drink." The old man retrieved the hidden bottle of whiskey, mostly kept for medicinal purposes, and liberly added some to Jess' coffee. "Sure glad ya shaved." Jonesy commented.

A few days later, Jess was relaxing on the porch after a hard day's work.

He smiled, as he noted two riders galloping down the hill towards the ranch. One tall and broad the other lithe and young. Both riders rode up to the porch sporting the wide Sherman smile.

"Got a great price for the cattle, Pard."

Jess limped over to Slim. "Welcome back." He shook hands with his friend.

"You two go on in. Jonesy will be glad to see ya." Jess gave Andy's hat a tug down to cover his eyes, then hugged him close. "I'll take care of your horses."

"Thanks Jess. Gosh, it feels good to be home. Think I'll sleep for a week." Andy hugged him tightly thinking sure glad I'm home.

"Oh, no you won't." Slim tugged his brother into his arms. "We're goin' cattle huntin'. If there's any more steers hidden in the canyons, we're gonna find 'em."

"Gee, Slim, reckon I could at least say hello to Jonesy and get something to eat before we leave. Now, I know why Jess calls ya Hardrock. 'Sides I thought Jess and I were doin' the cattle huntin', while you took care of the books." Andy laughed and headed towards the house, his arm wrapped about his brother's waist.

Hearing the commotion in the yard, Jonesy, stepped out onto the porch.

"Well glory be, if the two wanderer's ain't back." the old foreman hobbled over to catch Andy in a tight hug, then shook Slim's hand vigorously. All three headed back towards the house.

Jess led Cyclone and Alamo over to the barn. Finally his family was home safe. He let out a deep sigh of contentment.

"Andy," Jess called to the boy.

"Yeah, Jess." Andy ran back out to see what his friend wanted.

"I need your help, partner," Jess laughed. "I gotta write a letter to Annie. I have ta convince her to come back. Seems I'm in love and ain't got the words."

"Sure, Jess. Be glad to." he grinned.

The End