Chapter 4
Johnny had been concerned after he learned the bridge was out on the main road and his uncle had decided to ride cross country to Fort Laramie (2), but he had been insistent on being here for the christening of the Hartley's new son and to see his sister Mary again. He was supposed to have arrived days ago, and even with the extra days of leeway Johnny had given him he still hadn't arrived.
Who knew the weather was going to turn so bad, so quickly? It was sunny and warm one day then had dumped two feet of snow before daybreak the next day and had continued to snow. It had stopped now, but not before dropping nearly three feet here in the valley, so who knew how deep it was in the mountains?
His uncle was trail savvy and always kept his eye on his surroundings and the weather, but this storm had arrived so quickly, it very well could have caught him unprepared and in unfamiliar country. Johnny just prayed that he had found adequate protection to wait out the storm.
He headed to the telegraph office, he was going to find out if he had indeed left Laramie before he panicked.
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It was going to be a bright, sun-shiny early May morning at the Sherman Ranch. There was still snow on the ground from the unexpected heavy snows that had fallen and it was getting down below freezing at night, but during the day it was nice.
Mose brought the loaded southbound stage into the Sherman Relay station just after daylight. The passengers quickly offloaded and rushed into the ranch house to warm up and wait for the teams to be changed. As Daisy poured coffee for them they put their coats and lap robes on the chairs in front of the fireplace, trying to get them good and warm before they had to board again.
Seeing as how Slim and Jess hadn't been to town for a couple of weeks Mose was filling them in on the happenings around Laramie, which didn't amount to much, seeing as how everyone was pretty much housebound because of the blizzard.
"Mrs. McArthur had twins again, girls this time and Old Barney got thrown in jail, I guess he'd been in the saloon every day getting drunk for over a week and Freddy finally had enough. Parson couldn't find enough people to try and save, so he spent most of his time at the jail." Laughing, Mose told them, "I think he almost has Barney seeing the light."
Jess and Slim laughed, "I bet Mort's thrilled about that!" Jess said between chuckles.
Mose was snickering also, "Cal's the one that has to put up with them. Mort's in Fort Laramie, remember? Well, I better get everyone loaded and get rolling, I don't want to be late. See ya boys."
Slim rounded up the passengers and got them settled back in with the warm blankets and coats. They wouldn't keep them warm for long, but it would feel good for awhile.
After the stage left the residents headed to Laramie to pick up some much needed supplies, as well as to do some visiting with their friends that they hadn't seen for a couple of weeks. Mike was going to his friends and Daisy planned on being busy with her women's club doings.
Slim and Jess stopped and gave Ezra the list of supplies needed then headed for the saloon to have a drink or two before loading the wagon.
As they passed by the sheriff's office, Jess suggested they stop and talk with Cal. "Let's go in and see Cal. Maybe he's heard something from Mort."
After stomping the mud and snow off their feet, they entered the warm sheriff's office, finding Cal with his feet up on the desk reading the local newspaper. He quickly dropped his feet to the floor and looked up, relaxing when he saw who it was. "Hi Jess, Slim. What brings you into town? No problems, I hope?"
Laughing, Jess joshed him, "No problems. It's just that Mort asked us to come in once in awhile and make sure you were doing all right on the job." He looked over at Slim and with a wink, "Yep, it looks like he's doing a fine job. Cal looked just like Mort sitting there with his feet up! Mort'd be real proud of him."
Laughing at Cal's embarrassment, they sat down with a cup of coffee and Slim asked, "Speaking of Mort, what have you heard from him? He should be a new Godfather by now."
Mort had agreed to accept the role of Godfather to his great-nephew and Mary Hartley, who was Johnny's mother and Mort's sister, was also visiting, so they were making it a family reunion of sorts.
Cal smiled, but answered worriedly, "I don't know. He was supposed to wire me and let me know he'd made it all right, but I've heard nothing. But I haven't heard anything from Johnny either and I would think if Mort didn't make it there that he would contact us."
Jess spoke up, "It isn't like Mort not to report in, but I suppose he's been enjoying Carol's cooking, as well as spoiling his new great-nephew and visiting with his sister. We were just going over to the saloon for a drink, you wanna join us?"
Cal grabbed his hat, "Sure will. Things have been pretty crazy in here and I could use a little drink."
Slim and Jess both laughed and started ribbing Cal, "Ya, we heard that you've had old Barney in here and on top of that, the Parson too! That would make anyone need a drink. By the way, where are they?"
"I kicked them both out and told them I didn't want to see them or hear about any of their antics for at least a week. It's been real peaceful for a whole day now." Laughing they left the office.
As they were going out the door the telegrapher met them on the boardwalk, "I have a telegram for you Cal. You better read it right away."
Cal opened the message, concern wrinkling his brow immediately. He read it out loud, "To Cal Peterson, Laramie, Wyoming, Mort hasn't arrived. Stop. Did he postpone trip? Stop. From John Hartley, Ft. Laramie"
Jess sucked in a worried breath, "The storm must have caught him … but it's been over for a few days, he should have made it on into the fort by now. So the question is what happened and did he survive? I'll leave first thing in the morning and see if I can track him down."
Cal was visibly upset at the news, after all Mort was not only his boss, he was his friend and mentor. Speaking up he offered, "I want to ride with you if you go looking for him."
"Thanks Cal, but you're needed here. If you left the town unprotected Mort would have both our necks, especially if it was all because of him."
"Jess, you have no idea what route Mort took, you wouldn't even know where to begin to look and the snow has covered any sign that he may have left. No, there is really nothing we can do … nothing but pray he's all right."
The three men looked at each other with downcast expressions. All thought of having a drink had left them at the news. Jess responded, "I suppose you're right. Let's go home Slim, I don't feel much like visiting today."
Cal told them, "I'll send a telegram to Johnny letting him know when Mort left here. If he doesn't show up … well, Johnny's going to take it real hard."
Slim nodded to Cal then he and Jess silently loaded the wagon, picked up Daisy and Mike and headed home.
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Jess had been pacing and worrying ever since Cal had read them the telegram from Johnny, causing everyone at the ranch to be on pins and needles.
"Jess, try to settle down, will ya? Wearing a hole in the floor isn't going to help matters any."
Jess stopped, putting his hands on the fireplace mantel and staring into the fire, he said worriedly, "I'm sorry Slim, but I just can't quit thinking about Mort and what might have happened to him. He must be hurt or he would have showed up someplace by now, I've got to try and find him and get him home. I won't rest easy until I know."
Slim knew it was no use in arguing, especially since he felt the same way as Jess. He was just doing his worrying and fretting on the inside, so it wasn't noticeable, well not as noticeable anyway. Daisy knew that both her boys were making themselves sick with worry, that's why she spoke up.
"Jess, Slim. I don't normally advocate wild goose chases, and I think that is what this will be, but I also don't like seeing the both of you so wrought up about Mort's disappearance. I too am worried sick about him, so I'm asking you to follow your hearts and go look for him. He is such a wonderful friend to us that we have to know what has happened, and we know he would do the same if it were one of us missing." And I pray to God that you find him alive, she whispered to herself.