Chapter 2

Matt was exhausted both physically and mentally. He knew when he accepted this job, that it wouldn't be a walk in the park. But after being Marshal for two weeks, he felt worn out. Matt didn't want to give up. Giving up wasn't in his blood. What he needed was an assistant to help him out around the office and maybe on his rounds. Between doing his rounds, paper work, and keeping the office in order, Matt was wearing thin. Matt had contacted the US government and they told him he could hire an assistant. The government would give Matt enough money to pay the assistant a small stipend. Matt was making a "Help Wanted' poster when Doc walked into the office.

"Howdy, Doc. What brings you over this way?" asked Matt as he put the finishing touches on the poster.

"It's been kind of a slow day and I was wondering if you were interested in a game of checkers," answered Doc, pointing to the checkerboard on the table.

"That sounds mighty fine. Just let me finish this poster and hang it up outside," said Matt.

Doc went over to Matt's desk to look at the poster Matt was working on. "Help wanted?' questioned Doc.

"Yeah, I've decided having an assistant would be a good idea. I don't want to wear myself out. I came to Dodge to make a difference, and I aim to do that," said Matt as he opened his desk drawer to retrieve a hammer and a nail.

"I agree. As your physician, I think you do need some assistance. All that wear and tear is not good for a person's body," said Doc.

Matt nodded and walked outside to nail up the poster. He didn't know how long it would take to get a response or if he would even get one. Poster up, Matt walked back into the office and sat down opposite of Doc. Doc had set up the check game while Matt was outside.

"I see you have the game all setup. Since you set it up, I'll let you make the first move," said Matt.

Doc made the first move, followed by Matt's move. They had been playing for several minutes in silence, when Doc spoke. "Matt you've been here for a good two weeks, and in that time you've never mentioned any family. I don't mean to pry, but is there any family, a wife or kids?"

"That's alright Doc. You're not prying. No, I don't have a wife or kids, and I didn't before I came. As for kinfolk, both of my parents are deceased. I was an only child," Matt said. He felt comfortable around Doc and continued his story. "My father was a lawman, a Texas Ranger. My mother stayed home and raised me. Both of my parents were loving, hard working parents. I looked up to my father. He was a firm, but fair lawman. People respected him for that. One night when I was six years old, my father was late coming home for dinner. Ma and I didn't think too much of it. Lawmen don't keep regular hours. It wasn't the first time he had been late. Well, while ma and I were eating our dinner, there was a knock on the door. Ma went to answer the door and on the other side was another Texas Ranger, Wade Thurston. He and my pa were great friends. When ma saw the look in Wade's eyes and when Wade removed his hat, ma knew pa had been killed. We later found out that he had been ambushed from behind. Ma had been a very healthy woman, but she changed after pa's death. About two years after pa died, ma passed away. She became weak and frail during those two years. I don't care what anyone says. I'm convinced she died of a broken heart. It was my pa's way of upholding the law that encouraged me to become a lawman myself. It was his death that made me vow to never marry or have a family. I know what it did to my ma and myself, and I don't want to put a wife and kids through that."

Doc just sat there silently listening. He understood Matt's way of thinking, but hoped someday he would change his mind, especially if the right girl came along. He knew that Matt wouldn't be a lawman forever and didn't want him to lead a life of loneliness when the time came for him to retire.

"I do see your way of thinking, but not every lawman gets killed, Matt. There are plenty of lawmen in these parts that have families. Don't sell yourself short," said Doc.

Doc had cleared Matt's last checker to claim victory. Matt just shook his head with amusement. He was pretty sure Doc got him to talk just so he could lose focus of the game. If that were the case, it seemed to work.

"Since I just beat you at checkers, I'll treat you to supper at Delmonico's," said Doc.

"Sounds fair. Let me grab my hat and gun belt, and we'll head on out," Matt said, grabbing his hat and gun belt.

While Matt and Doc were eating supper at Delmonico's a young man rode into town. He was new to Dodge City. The only thing he had to his name were the clothes on his back and whatever he could pack on his horse, Nugget. He had come from Missouri and was looking to come out west and settle down. He figured Dodge City would be a good place to start. He didn't have much money, so he had to look for a job. As he rode past the jail, he saw the help wanted poster. The poster stated that the Marshal needed an assistant and to see Marshal Dillon inside for more information. The young man turned the door knob, but found it to be locked. Knowing it was suppertime, he figured the Marshal was out eating his supper. He decided to sit on one of the chairs outside of the office and wait.

He didn't have to wait too long. After finishing their meals, Doc went back to his office, and Matt strolled back to the jail. Approaching the jail, Matt could see a young man sitting outside the jail. He walked up to the jail to inquire what the young man wanted.

"Can I help you?" Matt asked the young man.

"Are you the Marshal?" Matt nodded his head. "I'm Chester Goode. I'm here to see you about the assistant position."

"Come on inside," Matt said.

Matt noticed that when the young man stood up, his right leg did not bend. Even when he walked, the leg did not bend. Matt didn't want to be nosy, but felt inclined to ask about the leg.

"The poster said to ask you about the job. What does it all involve?" asked Chester.

"I need someone to help with some of the paperwork, with my nightly rounds, keeping the place in order and an eye on the place when I have to leave town, and possibly riding out on the trail with me when necessary. Can you read and write?" stated Matt.

"Yes, sir. I can read and write," answered Chester.

"I noticed the leg. If you don't mind my asking, what's wrong with it?" asked Matt.

"It's an injury from the war. I took a bullet in the knee. The doctor on the battlefield was able to remove the bullet and save the leg, but told me I wouldn't be able to bend it anymore. Don't worry. It doesn't bother me, and I can get around very quickly. My leg won't stop me from doing this job," Chester answered.

"That's the next thing I was going to ask you. Chester, you seem like a decent man. I'm going to give you a chance as my assistant. I'll put you on a two week trial run. If I like what I see, I'll officially hire you," said Matt.

"Thank you, Mr. Dillon. I won't let you down," Chester eagerly responded.

"I'm sure you'll do fine. By the way, you can call me Matt," said Matt.

"Sure thing, Mr. Dillon," said Chester.

Matt decided not to say anything again. If Chester was more comfortable calling him Mr. Dillon, then Matt would accept that. When Matt came back from Delmonico's, he remembered seeing Chester's horse tied to the hitching post outside. He didn't know if Chester had a wife and kids, so he decided to ask.

"I take it that's your horse outside," said Matt.

"Yes, it is. His name is Nugget," Chester responded.

"Is there a wife or kids?" inquired Matt.

"No, sir. I came from Missouri with what I'm wearing and whatever I could pack on my horse. I decided I wanted a fresh start," Chester answered.

"I just wanted to make sure. Not that it would matter if you did have a family, but this isn't a high paying job. What I can offer you wouldn't be enough to raise a family. However, you are more than welcome to sleep here at the jail. There are two extra cots, unless you already have a place," said Matt.

"I don't have a place here. I just got here. This is my first stop. If you'd let me stay here, that would be great," said Chester. He had been worried about finding an affordable place to live.

"How about a beer at the Long Branch? I'll buy," said Matt.

"My mouth is kinda parched from the dusty ride. A beer would sure take care of that," Chester replied.

Matt and Chester left the jail and wandered towards the Long Branch. As they reached the front of the saloon, Doc was coming down the stairs from his office. "Matt!" he yelled.

Matt heard his name and stopped. He turned and saw Doc heading their way. "You're just in time to join us for a drink. Doc, I'd like you to meet my new assistant, Chester Goode."

TBC