Soapy"s Choice

Will Chisholm, a man now well into his late forties, had managed to make a prosperous life for himself, his wife Keewidnok, and their three sons, Hadley, Jacob, and Thaddeus. After reaching California with his parents and siblings and seeing to it that his mother was well situated after the death of his father, Will was once again been taken with a wanderlust and a driven urge to make an dependent life for himself and his family, and had decided to set out once again, this time on their own, in search of the land that Will could one day call his own. They had traveled perhaps no more than two hundred miles from the spot where, as a family they had entered California, where, just two days later they had buried Will's father, Hadley Chisholm, and where is mother, Minerva now refused to leave. Will's brothers, Bo and Gideon were content to stay and work to earn the money to one day buy their own plots of land and where they, along with their sister Bonnie Sue and her husband, could look after Minerva in her old age.

Will had felt a deep responsibility to his mother, as well as his siblings after Hadley's death but as time went on Will's need for independence demanded that he uproot his family once again to make his way on his own. He had to prove to himself that he was every bit the man, the father, the husband his own father had been.

Now, nearly fifteen years later, Will and Keewidnok owned a large winery business with over a thousand acres of grape vines. Chisholm Winery had built itself a fine reputation both locally and abroad and Will and his family were more than financially comfortable. Will was confident his father would be quite proud for Will had achieved a contentment and financial success his father had never known...

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Kid stood on the porch of Lom Trevor's cabin, a cup of coffee in one hand, an opened letter dangling between his thumb and two fingers of the other. The morning air was brisk, the first truly cool morning of the autumn season, and Kid's breath blew out in puffs of white mist. Kid loved this time of day in the mountains, a new day just beginning, the sky just above the horizon a pastel pink, the still dark shadows of tree branches silhouetting the view of the sky. This was the time of day for reflection, for quiet thoughts and for comfortable planning.

Heyes stood just inside the screen door drinking his own morning brew. He quietly watched his partner and he saw the letter dangling in Kid's hand and assumed it was the letter Kid had opened the previous evening that they had all found so curious.

"You decide what you're gonna do about that letter?' Heyes asked as he pushed open the screen door to join Kid,.

"You mean about this?" Kid asked, raising just his wrist to draw attention to the letter. "Shit, Heyes, there ain't nothing to do. Likely just another scheme."

It had been nearly five months since their amnesties had come through. The news of the amnesty had hit all the major newspapers in the west and in a matter of days both Heyes and Curry had been thrust into the realm of highly sought after celebrities. Being that Porterville had been identified as the place where the idea of amnesty had taken root, and was therefore, the only known mailing address for Heyes or Curry, the Porterville Sheriff's Office was bombarded with letters and telegrams from people, mostly single women, but a few men, claiming to be long lost relatives, financial advisors, celebrity tour promoters, husband seekers, circus agents, or one of a half a dozen other such fast track to fame and fortune career mangers. So many letters and telegrams had arrived that Lom Trevors, still the only person who knew Heyes and Curry's exact location as they had once again been forced to go into hiding, had adamantly insisted the two come to Porterville to deal with the onslaught offers.

Unable to check into a hotel under their own increasingly famous names, and knowing full well that many people in Porterville now knew their true identities, Heyes and Curry had slipped into town in the middle of the night and taken refuge at Lom's cabin a few miles outside of town.

Most of the letters and telegrams were quickly dismissed, but a scant few had a modicum of legitimacy, the letter in Kid's hand being one such note. This one claimed to be from the office of Bentley, Wilcox, and Chisholm, Attorneys at Law, San Francisco, Calif.

Heyes shifted his weight and drank the last of his coffee, then reached out for the letter that Kid readily handed over to him.

"This one I think sounds like it just might be legitimate, Kid. Great Grandpa Curry had a sister, Eileen that married a Chisholm in the late 1700s and lived in Virginia. Their son, Hadley I believe was his name, was the one that took his family west in the 1840s. So it's quite possible we got distant relatives named Chisholm out in California, maybe even Oregon."

"Heyes, how in the world do you remember all this without the benefit of a family Bible with all the birth records in it?"

Heyes smiled. "Well I suppose that, unlike you, Kid, I actually listened to all the stories Grandpa Curry used to tell."

Kid smiled. "Heyes, that letter could be a wild goose chase, you know."

"I can't argue with that, Kid. It might indeed. But the letterhead is from a law firm, a law firm that includes a Chisholm as a partner. I would think he might have done a bit of research before sending out this letter. Plus, according to the letter, the terms of Jacob Chisholm's Last Will and Testament are only good for another six months. If it is legitimate, and you go past that time Kid, you won't get whatever this man's willed to you."

"Jacob Chisholm died a very long time ago, Heyes. Don't it seem odd that stipulations in his Will would apply to anybody today?"

"Ordinarily I'd say yes, but according to this letter, the Will explains that," Heyes replied.

"Long and expensive trip for just a pocket watch, Heyes."

"You don't know that it's just a pocket watch. It is a long trip and it will cost us some money, but I'm sure we could stay with Soapy while we're out there. That'll save us paying for a hotel."

"And it would give us a legitimate excuse for walking away from all these wheeler-dealer offers," Kid added. "That alone might be enough to convince me to go."

"So, we gonna go to Fan Francisco, Kid?" Heyes asked.

Kid took the last long gulp of his coffee and looked at his partner with a smile. "Why not, Heyes? We'll just tell Lom to have himself a bonfire with all this mail," Kid said with a smile.

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Two days later Heyes and Curry boarded the train in Porterville for the three and a half day ride to San Francisco. They each carried a tapestry carpetbag containing their clothing, hygiene necessities and what few other items each deemed necessary for travel, and made their way down the aisle of the passenger car until they found two unoccupied seats together. Kid placed his bag on the floor next to the window seat he now occupied while Heyes kept his on the seat beside him.

The train's first stop was Cheyenne where many passengers got on and off the train. Kid was dozing in his usual manner with his head leaning against the window and his hat drown low over his eyes and didn't bother to watch the activity of the people coming and going on the platform outside his window.

Heyes sat up with a start when he spied Harry Briscoe walking down the aisle in search of a vacant seat. Thinking quickly, Heyes reached for the discarded newspaper in the empty seat across from him and raised it high and opened it wide to hide his face.

In retrospect, the newspaper lying on the seat might have indicated that someone had just vacated the seat momentarily for a bit of fresh air or to stretch their legs, but Briscoe saw a now empty seat and headed directly for it.

"Do you gentlemen mind if I share this seat with you?" Harry asked.

Heyes slowly lowered the newspaper and forced a smile. "Hello, Harry."

"Smith! What a pleasant surprise. And Jones," Harry replied with a nod to the still dozing Kid.

Heyes gave Kid a sharp elbow to the side and Kid sat up with a start, his hat falling to his lap as his hands instinctively reached out to grab it.

"Hey..." Kid started to shout at his partner, then recognized the man sitting across from him. "Harry, how are you?" he asked with as pleasant a voice as he could muster.

"I'm good, Jones, about about yourself?"

Kid nodded his head and smiled. "Never better, Harry," he replied.

"Where are you headed, Harry?" Heyes asked.

"Just going to Rawling. There's a convention for Bannerman Detectives there. I'm one of the speakers."

Heyes shot an amused smile at his partner. "What are you speaking about, Harry?"

"The intricacies of undercover assignments."

"Like your undercover assignment in Brimstone?" Kid asked.

"No, no. I'm speaking about the art of disguise."

Heyes smiled. "The art of disguise," he repeated and looked at Kid with a huge grin on his face. "Like adding a pair of spectacles"

Harry nodded. "That's right. My motto is 'a little goes a long way' boys."

"Oh you're right. It sure does, Harry," Kid replied with a vigorous nod.

"Say, I hear you two finally received that amnesty you was always talking about. Congratulations!" Harry said.

They both smiled politely and thanked Harry.

"So Harry, are you still doing detective work for Bannerman, or are you doing a desk job and giving seminars now?"

"No, no, I'm still a detective. I'm doing more company embezzlement kind of work now, a lot less field work. It's better hours and don't take me across half the country anymore. How about the two of you? Now that you're no longer wanted, are you holding steady jobs?"

"We're still...deciding on a line of work. Might even go into business for ourselves," Heyes replied.

"Be careful with that, boys. Going into business for yourselves didn't fare too well the first time for you. Ain't that what brought on those ten thousand dollar rewards?" Harry replied with a laugh. He thought his comment was quite clever.

"As I recall Harry, Kid and me had to lead you back to the straight a narrow a time or two ourselves," Heyes reminded him and the smile quickly vanished from Harry's face.

"So where are the two of you headed?" Harry asking, trying to change the subject.

"San Francisco," Kid replied. "To visit friends."

"You mean outlaws have friends, besides other outlaws?

"Former outlaws do, Harry," Heyes replied.

"You ain't working?

"Not at the moment," Kid replied.

"Well you know, when the two of you do start looking for jobs, you might consider applying with the Bannerman Agency. I'll bet the two of you could be quite the asset with the kind of contacts you must have."

"Oh, we'll certainly give that the kind of consideration it deserves," Heyes assured him. "Won't we Kid?"

Kid nodded his head in mock agreement. "Oh, every bit the consideration it deserves."

Harry smiled confidently. "Might be nice having the two of you as colleagues."

Heyes and Kid both bit their lower lips but offered no reply.

When they reached Rawling, they said their good byes and Heyes and Curry watched Harry get off the train and disappear inside the depot.

"Can't say I'm sorry to be seeing him leave, Heyes. Would have been a long three days listening to Harry ramble on so much."

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The remainder of the trip to San Francisco was quiet and restful and, after the train pulled into the station, Heyes and Curry picket up their bags and hailed a carriage to take them to Soapy' home.

"Come in, come in. It's always so wonderful to see you both," Soapy told them when he greeted them at the front door. "And congratulations on your amnesty. No two former outlaws have ever been more deserving of an amnesty than the two of you," he added as he motioned to the servant to take their bags upstairs and then led Heyes and Curry into the Study.

"So what is it that brings you both way out here this time? Not another con, I hope?"

"Oh, no, Soapy, nothing like that," Kid said with an embarrassed smile.

"To tell you the truth, Soapy, we're here because The Kid might be coming into some money or, something of value anyway," Heyes told him.

"Well, that sounds both delightful and intriguing," Soapy replied as he poured them each a brandy. "Now, lets all sit down and you can tell me all about it."

"Thanks Soapy. Since we got the amnesty, we ain't had a quiet moment," Kid said.

"No, I suppose not," Soapy replied "The two of you do seem have exchanged notorious for just plain famous. You've been in all the newspapers, along with pictures. I suppose there's no going back to the outlaw life now. Everyone knows what Kid Curry and Hannibal Heyes look like now."

"We've been getting more mail and telegrams that we can open," Kid added.

"Offers with touring companies, I suppose?"

"That's just the tip of the iceberg, Soapy," Kid replied.

"But we did get one telegram that caught our eye. It was from the law firm of Bentley, Wilcox and Chisholm here in San Francisco," Heyes explained.

"Oh, a very lucrative and successful law firm. Very high scale. But, why on earth would they be contacting the two of you?"

"Not the two of us, Soapy. Just The Kid."

"But why?"

"Apparently Kid's great or great great grandfather left something for Kid in his Will," Heyes explained.

"And the statute of limitations runs out on it in six months," Kid added.

"The statute of limitations?" Soapy asked with some confusion.

"Well it's not a statute of limitations, but there is some sort of time limit as to how long Kid can claim it. And if he don't claim it within a certain amount of time, whatever it is goes to somebody else."

"I see. Is this law firm aware that you are on your way?" Soapy asked.

"We telegraphed them before we left Wyoming and told them we was coming," Kid explained.

"Well, if it is a large sum of money or some other such valuable item, I'm sure I can recommend a good financial advisor for you, Kid."

Kid smiled. "Thanks Soapy," he replied. "But I'm guessing it ain't anything more than a pocket watch. I don't recall ever hearing of any rich relative in the family."

"Well, not to get your hopes up, Kid, but not knowing of any rich relatives, doesn't necessarily mean there aren't any," Soapy replied.

"Sure, Soapy," Kid said with a smile to Soapy, and a wink to Heyes.

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The next morning, bathed and dressed in their finery, Heyes and Curry summoned a carriage and rode back downtown to the law offices of Bentley, Wilcox, and Chisholm.

"Mr. Curry, do you have anything to prove you are in fact Jedadiah Curry? I mean, I don't doubt that you are, but the court will need proof before releasing any assets from the estate," Mr. Wilcox explained

"Proof?" Kid said and looked at Heyes who looked equally uncertain."

"Oh, I got these," Kid said excitedly and pulled his amnesty papers from his inner vest pocket. "We was told to never go anywhere without these for at least a year."

Mr. Wilcox examined the papers very carefully. "Yes, I believe these will do just fine, and congratulations on receiving such an amnesty."

"Thank you, Sir. Heyes received them too," Kid added proudly.

"I understand Mr. Curry that you have no written records of family lineage. Is that correct?"

Kid looked at Heyes who gave him a nod.

"Yes, Sir. Records were all burned in the raid a long time ago.

"Well, let me see if I can tell you just who is related to who and how. Will Chisholm has a family Bible that has been very helpful, at least on the Chisholm side of the family. But there is some Curry connection in there and that has been helpful to our researchers to discern your family lineage as well. Of course we've only researched back as far as was necessary or as close at we could get to that point."

"Yes sir."

"Well, Eileen Curry married Jacob Chisholm In Roanoke, Virginia in 1784. They had four children. The one that is pertinent to you being Hadley Chisholm who was born in 1793. Hadley married Minerva Holcomb in 1814 and they had five children, the oldest being William Jacob Chisholm who was born in 1817."

"Lot of names to keep track of," Kid said.

Mr. Wilcox smiled. "Don't worry son, we'll give you a copy of all these names and who is related to who."

"Thank you, sir."

"Now on the Curry side, your great grandfather, Thaddeus Curry, who was Eileen's youngest brother, and I mean younger by almost twenty years, was born in 1789 and married Sarah Williams in Akron, Ohio in 1812. They had three children including your father, Seth Curry who was born in 1813. Seth married your mother Sarah Wilkins in 1832 and they had four children, of which you are the only survivor?

"That's right."

"Well, Jacob Chisholm died a relatively wealthy man and left all of his wealth to his wife, Eileen. Now, Eileen lived to the ripe old age of 102 years old. She passed away in 1869. It is my understanding that by 1874, you were the only member of your immediate family that still survived.

"Yes Sir. Our families were killed in the Boarder Wars."

"I'm sorry Mr. Curry, Mr. Heyes. I truly am. Now, it was not until Eileen's death and the estate was being probated, that it was discovered that Jacob had considerable land holdings here in California that he had purchased from the Mexicans back when this land was still part of Mexico. Moreover, he had arrangements made at the time of the purchase to cover any expenses, including any land taxes for a period of fifty years."

Impressed, Kid uttered a whistle.

"So what does that have to do with Jed?" Heyes asked.

"Jacob's original Will stipulated the land could not be sold until after that 50 year period. It also stipulated that upon his and Eileen's death, that land was to be divided equally between the youngest generation of surviving Curry and Chisholm descendants."

"So you're saying, being the only surviving Curry, Jed is entitled to a share of that land?" Heyes asked.

Mr. Wilcox nodded. "A very healthy share indeed."

"How much land are we talking about?"Heyes asked.

"Mr. Curry's share comes to one hundred thousand acres along the southern California shoreline."

"How does he go about claiming it?" Heyes asked.

Mr. Wilcox sighed. "Therein lies some difficulty."

"Difficulty? Why?' Kid asked.

"Will Chisholm is contesting the will."

"Because, not being the youngest generation in the Chisholm family, this Will fella don't get nothing?" Heyes asked.

"I can't begin to presume his motivation, Mr. Heyes."

"But as the lawyer handling the estate, you can take care of the matter?" Kid asked.

"I'm afraid not, Mr. Curry. My firm is representing Jacob Chisholm's estate. I believe Will Chisholm has secured legal representation. I am afraid you will have to do the same."

"Just how much is this land worth Mr. Wilcox?" Heyes asked.

"At or around one million dollars."

Heyes and Curry looked at each other in disbelief and simultaneously sighed heavily.

Mr. Wilcox provided Kid with all the papers and legal documents he was entitled to and placed them in a large envelope.

"Once you have secured a lawyer, these papers will be sufficient to give him a clear understanding of the situation you are facing and can establish your case for you," Mr. Wilcox explained.

Once outside the office, Kid stopped on the sidewalk and took a deep breath of the city's salty air.

"I can't even think about what this means for us, Heyes."

"It's a very valuable inheritance, Kid. That's for sure."

"We'll never have to worry about money again."

"I wonder what possessed Jacob to set things up like that. I mean your... our grandparents and parents struggled their whole lives. Why not pass that on to them, rather than skip a generation?'

"Skipped two generations on the Chisholm side. I bet this Will Chisholm is not happy about that."

"I bet you're right, Kid."

"Think we ought to go talk to him? I don't know about you, Heyes, but I'd be willing to work something out with him if we could."

"You mean just give him half your inheritance, Kid?"

"Kid shrugged. Didn't have it before today, Heyes. Don't think I'd miss half of what I've never had. Besides, I don't want to settled down some place with no mountains in my backyard."

"Maybe you should find a good lawyer first Kid, and run that by him."

Kid nodded. "You mind walking back to Soapy's? I think I need the fresh air."

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Soapy was quite interested and quiet impressed with the terms of the aged will.

"I think you should take Mr. Wilcox's advice and get yourself a good lawyer," Soapy advised.

"With what, Soapy? I ain't got money for a good lawyer."

"Well, you could talk to a lawyer, perhaps offer him say four or five percent of the land in exchange for his services. I might even be interested in making such an arrangement with you, Kid. That would enable you to pay for lawyer fees."

"That's very kind of you, Soapy, but even as much land as it is, it ain't gonna have much value being as it's coastal. You can't build on sand, and you certainly can't farm it, and it ain't close enough to a city to build a commercial port."

"Words of a true farmer, Kid. But there are other uses for coastal land. Harbors, fishing ports, perhaps even some grand hotel. It just takes the right buyer for the land to be quite profitable," Soapy explained.

"Fool and his money if you ask me," Kid replied, then realized what he had said. "Oh, present company excepted, Soapy."

Soapy smiled cordially. "Of course, Kid."

"You know Kid, " Heyes interjected. "Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to go pay this Will Chisholm a visit."

"Why?"

"A lot of reasons, not the least of which are that he is apparently a long lost relative and, just maybe he's got some ideas about that land. Maybe the two of you could work something out with that land."

"Heyes, you're forgetting, if I was to miss the deadline, that land don't go to Will Chisholm. It goes to any children he might have," Kid replied.

"Still Kid, it might be work having a talk with him. At the very least, you're gonna find a second or third cousin, or wherever he falls in line in the distant relative category."

"Heyes might have a valid point, Kid. Although I would secure an attorney beforehand," Soapy added. "I can recommend some very good attorneys, Kid."

"Thank you, Soapy. I'll do just that."

Thus, with the leads Soapy had provided, Kid and Heyes visited several law firms the following day and each met with them and reviewed all the information Kid had brought from the original law firm. Heyes and Curry soon learned that each would essentially follow the same approach in protecting Kid's rights to the land and each rattled off a series of things that they would file directly with the court immediately. Given that their recommendations were all so similar, Kid chose the last firm they visited because it was the one Soapy most highly recommended.

From the papers Kid had received the previous day, they knew that Will Chisholm owned a winery in a place in northern California that was referred to as Napa Valley. Before returning to Soapy's, they stopped at a Livery and overpaid for horses and gear.

Over dinner that evening they told Soapy about the various law firms and said they had chosen Johnson, Murray, and Hawthorn which Soapy was quite pleased to hear.

"So, we're leaving in the morning for Napa Valley to meet this cousin of Kid's and see if there ain't something to be worked out as far as the property," Heyes said as they retired to the Study for coffee after the meal.

"You know you could take the train to Napa Valley," Soapy told them

"We know, We've just been in the city long enough to want to feel the open spaces again," Kid replied.

Soapy looked at Heyes quizzically. They had only been in San Francisco for two days.

"Kid never has felt too comfortable in crowded cities, Soapy," Heyes explained.

"Are you absolutely sure the two of you do not want to stay in California and make a go of that property? A land developer might be quite interested in it."

"A land developer might be a consideration. That would put money in our pockets to look for some land in Wyoming. We're thinking we might want to start a cattle or horse ranch, being as we don't know nothing about orchards," Kid replied. "But Will being some sort of kin, well, I'd like to see what we can work out with him first."

"You know, you just might end up with more family than you ever thought possible," Soapy said optimistically.

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Early the next morning, saddle bags packed with clothing and supplies, bedrolls tied down, Kid and Heyes said their goodbyes to Soapy and, promising to return within a week, climbed into their saddles and headed north toward Napa Valley, a two day trip on horseback.

California weather was typically mild with an abundance of sunshine, good roads to travel and beautiful views of rolling hills and plush green valleys. They rode slowly, enjoying the views as well as the weather.

Since receiving the amnesty, Heyes and Curry had done little traveling by horseback and, being as old habits are hard to lose, both occasionally found themselves alerted and cautious toward the occasional passing stranger or the curve or bend in the road that obscured the view of the distance. Sometimes they would bring such behaviors to the attention of the other and both would find some amusement in their actions, but always each would casually lift a hand to his vest pocket to be sure the amnesty papers were tucked carefully inside.

They reached the northern section of Napa Valley late in the afternoon of the second day and arrived in Calistoga near supper time. First on their agenda was finding a hotel, followed by a hot meal, then perhaps a beer and some poker. After breakfast the following morning, they made inquiries as to directions to the Chisholm Winery and homestead.

Will Chisholm was now a man of financial comfort, but maintaining that comfort required hard work and the employ of several farm hands to tend to the vast fields of grape vines. Riding to the ranch and up the nearly two mile lane to the house, Kid and Heyes passed hundreds of acres of neat, well cared for grape vines that stretched as far as the eye could see.

When they reached the large but rather modest log home, they saw a man sitting in a rocking chair on the porch. They pulled their horses to the post but remained in their saddles.

"You wouldn't happen to be Will Chisholm?' Kid asked.

The man stood and walked to the top of the steps, a telegram held tightly in his hand. He wore the clothes of a working man, brown pants, an off white shirt with the sleeves rolled just below the elbows, a wide brim felt hat, similar to the one Kid wore.

"I am if you're Jed Curry," he replied without any hint of welcome or disdain in his voice.

Kid gave Heyes a quick glance before slowly dismounting and walking up to the steps. He noticed the telegram in Will's hand.

"You've been expecting us?"

"I was told you would be stopping by. What is it you want?" Will asked.

"I'd like to talk," Kid replied, grateful that Heyes had now approached and was standing beside him. "Likely about what you're holding in your hand."

"That land belongs to the Chisholms," Will replied.

"I ain't disputing that," Kid replied. "And I ain't here for a fight."

Will's head slowly nodded. "Alright, then. Let's go inside and I'll hear what you have to say."

Will opened the door and Kid and Heyes climbed the steps and followed him inside.

"Keewidnok, they're here," Will called and soon an Indian woman appeared from another room and smiled as she approached.

"This is Jed Curry and...?"

"Hannibal Heyes, Ma'am. A pleasure to meet you," Heyes said with a smile as he and Kid removed their hats.

"Welcome," she said as she reached for their hats. "I have coffee ready."

"So it's true. You two are the outlaws," Will said.

"We're not outlaws no more," Kid explained. "We've been amnestied."

Kid and Heyes both thanked Keewidnok her for her hospitality. Then they followed Will into a large room with a long, wooden, well polished table. Will gestured for them to sit before moving to the other side of the table to take a seat and pour the coffee.

"My lawyers notified me that you'd likely be coming by," Will repeated, his voice obviously cautious but not threatening or angry.

"Just seems to me if we're family we ought to be able to work something out," Kid said.

"Before you and Kid get into the details of this land ownership, I don't know how much you know about the Curry side of the family," Heyes said. "Kid and me lost our whole families in the Boarder Wars. Houses were burned to the ground. Possessions, including family Bibles with all the birth records were lost in the fires. Just who is this Jacob Chisholm and why would he be leaving land to Jed here?"

"Jacob Chisholm was my grandfather. I think that would make him your great grandfather, Mr. Curry," Will explained.

"Jed," Kid corrected. "Or Kid will do. Maybe we don't know each other, but it seems we are family, in a distant sort of way."

"Keewidnok, would you bring the family Bible in here?" Will called to his wife.

She walked in with the book and handed it to Will.

"Why don't you join us, darlin," Will said with a smile and she sat down at the table with the three of them.

Will opened the book to the family history page and slid the book across the table.

"This won't mention your family directly, but I believe there's a Curry or two mentioned."

Kid slip the book between himself and Heyes so they could both read.

"I remember Great Grandpa Curry talking about his sister, Eileen. I didn't know her too well as I recall. In fact I think I only met her once. I think there was nearly a twenty year difference in age between them," Heyes mused. "I don't think Kid would remember Great Grandpa Curry. I think he died when you was maybe three or four, Kid."

"Eileen was my Grandmother," Will explained. "My Pa brought his family west from Virginia in 43' and he wanted Grandma to come, but she flat out refused to leave Virginia being as that was where her husband was buried. That was probably a good thing as it turned out. A lot of hardship on the trip west. I never saw her again after we left Virginia."

"I don't understand why that land was willed to me," Kid said. "I don't think Jacob Chisholm ever laid eyes on me or any of my direct family, at least not that I can recall."

Will shook his head. "Jacob was an odd sort. He and my Pa were at odds most of my Pa's life. Jacob had built himself quite a wealth making and selling whiskey and corn ale. From what I understand, that land was in Mexico when Grandpa bought it sight unseen. I ain't even sure if he bought it or accepted the land rights as a payment for something. Either way he never seen it, never used it, and never sold it. But for some reason, he never wanted that land in my Pa's hands. I think maybe he knew my Pa had the wanderlust and this was his way of trying to keep my Pa in Virginia."

"You seen it?" Kid asked

Will nodded. "Keewidnok and I made a trip down there about a year ago. Land's not good for much except maybe land development along the shoreline, maybe a mile or two east of that. Beyond that, to the east, I think the land could sustain orange or maybe apple orchards. It's not good seed farm land."

"Good for cattle?" Kid asked.

"Ground has high salt content because of the ocean. Seasonal rains are heavy but the rest of the year it's dry. It's not good cattle grazing grasses."

"We don't know nothing about growing fruit trees and to be honest, it don't interest me to do that. Will, if I don't meet the claim deadline, just who would that land be going to?"

"Not me, if that' what you're asking. Jacob skipped two generations with that land. I think he knew if Pa left Virginia, the rest of us would follow. My boys will be the ones to inherit their share of that land."

Kid looked at Heyes but said nothing.

"Look, if you're fixing on selling that land, I'd like to make you an offer," Will said. "I don't want our boys thinking they're tied down to this grape farm after me and Keewidnok are gone. I'd like them to have some options."

"Selling ain't exactly what I had in mind," Kid replied.

"An orchard is going to take a lot of work. Land's got to be cleared, trees planted, watered, tended. It'll be a few years till it stars producing and quite a bit longer than that to start showing a profit. My boys are still young enough to do all that. Me, well I got my hands full right here."

Kid looked at Heyes a second time and this time Heyes nodded.

"Will, what if I was to deed my share of the land to your boys? Once it does start showing a profit, they could start paying me say five or ten percent of the profits till I die. I ain't got no family other than Heyes, and now you. Once I'm gone, the land would all belong to your boys outright."

"We'd have to talk to both of our lawyers, but I don't see why that couldn't all be worked out somehow. But, why would you be willing to do that? You don't know us. You haven't even met the boys you'd be deeding the property to."

Kid looked at Heyes and smiled. "Heyes and me ain't had no family since before we could shave. I never even met this Jacob Chisholm or Eileen Curry, but I'm willing to wager they didn't mean to give all that land to a couple of ex outlaws, and I already told you, I need mountains, not oceans to still my soul."

"I can make arrangements to be in San Francisco the first of the week. We can meet with the lawyers then," Will told him. "We've got plenty of room here. You're welcome to spend the night. I can tell you about relatives you never knew," Will said graciously.

"We got a room in town," Heyes replied.

"Then at least stay for supper. Keewidnok is the best cook you'll ever find."

"Thank you. We'd like that," Kid replied.

"Will, don't you have a diary your Grandmother kept? That might provide some family names you may have forgotten."

"You know, I do have her diary somewhere. I tell you what Jed, I'll look for it and bring it with me to San Francisco if I can find it."

Kid and Heyes both smiled.

"It would be nice to read that Will. Kid and me were so young, we just don't remember much about any of the relatives we didn't actually know."

0-0-0-0-0-0

"So, how did everything go?" Soapy asked quite literally as they were walking into the house.

"Good, Soapy, Good," Kid said and he and Heyes handed their saddle bags to the servant and thanked him for taking care of those things.

Soapy led them into the Study and poured all three of them a brandy.

"So all the legal issues have been resolved to everyone's satisfaction?"

"We've got it all figured out. Will and his wife are coming to San Francisco next week so we can get everything in Jacob's Will resolved with the lawyers," Kid replied.

"They're coming here? To San Francisco?" Soapy asked and both Kid and Heyes detected a bit of alarm in his voice.

"Is that a problem, Soapy?' Heyes asked, stealing a concerned glance at Kid who offered a slight shrug in return.

"No, no. Not at all. In fact Will and his wife are welcome to stay here at the house. That might make things a bit easier for all involved. Why don't you send them a telegram tomorrow to let them know."

"Soapy, you seem a bit shaken," Heyes persisted.

"No, Heyes. Really, not at all."

Both Heyes and Curry could plainly see there was something Soapy was not telling them, but they respected Soapy enough not to prod.

After dinner they returned to the Study but, instead of offering them coffee, Soapy poured them each a very fine whiskey. It was obvious Soapy was in a very reflective mood, and they surmised it might have something to do with Will Chisholm. But neither would try to draw more than Soapy chose to offer.

"Boys, did I ever tell you how I got started in The Big Game?"

"No, Soapy, I don't believe you have," Heyes said and Curry shook his head.

"Oh, so many years ago now. I had a sister, a beautiful girl she was, with golden colored hair, much like yours Kid. She married quite young, about fifteen years old, I think. He was a fine man, though set in his ways and a good many years older than she."

Soapy took a sip of his whiskey and Kid and Heyes remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"Our mother had died when we were young and our father died a year after my sister married. I hand nothing keeping me there anymore so, at the ripe old age of sixteen, I made my way to the big city of St Louis. Oh, those were exciting days. I got a job as an Ordinary Seaman on a Riverboat to New Orleans. I thought I was quite the traveler then, a man of the world," he said with an almost sad smile.

"How long did you do that, Soapy?' Kid asked

"Only worked as an Ordinary Seaman for one summer. That's when I met a man by the name of Dr. Samuel Bennett. He was my first con artist mentor, taught me a lot of tricks of the trade. I worked the riverboats with him for six years. When I decided I was ready to start out on my own, I headed for Denver and met Lou Blonger, known back then as "The Fixer." That man was a pure artist when it came to cons both large and small."

"Sounds like a pretty exciting life, Soapy," Heyes said.

Soapy nodded his head, still lost in his own thoughts. "When my sister's husband discovered how I was making a living, he was sure I was on a fast road to hell. He refused to let me have any contact with her again. As it turned out, when I left home at the age of sixteen, I never saw my sister again, never got an answer to the letters I sent her. Looking back now, I doubt she ever even saw my letters. They were likely intercepted by her husband and never reached my sister's hands."

Heyes and Kid looked at each other not knowing quite what to say. Soapy had never spoken with such candor to them before.

"I'm sorry Soapy," Heyes said quietly.

"My sister and her husband had two sons and I managed to keep track of them both. I had always planned to meet up with them once they were older and on their own but, well life has a way of leading you down it's own journey. I met one of them, briefly, once, but I kept track of them both throughout their lives.

"That's sad, Soapy... Heyes and me as you well know... well we know something about having no family."

Soapy looked up and looked directly at Kid. "And then I had the good fortune of meeting up with the two of you," he said brightly. "Two strapping teenage boys, fresh out of reform school," he said with a soft lilt in his voice.

Heyes and Curry smiled. Valpo was primarily a reform school, though it tried to pass as an orphanage.

"You two became my family... And for good reason... Now, who needs another whiskey?' he asked and got up to bring the bottle around to the boys.

Later that night, after Kid and Heyes had retired to their room and had readied themselves for bed, each lay awake in his bed, Heyes reading, and Kid reflecting on the conversation earlier in the evening/

"Heyes why do you suppose Soapy told us them stories tonight?"

"Probably just the melancholy musings of an old man. Why, do you think there's another reason?"

Kid sighed and clasped his hands behind his head. "You think it's got anything to do with Will Chisholm?"

Heyes closed his book and set it on the nightstand. "He did seem a little...disconcerted when he heard that name, didn't he?"

"I had told him the name before and he didn't seem..."

"Disconcerted?

"Yeah. That didn't happen till he heard Will Chisholm was coming here."

"I wonder why that would be," Heyes replied. "It doesn't sound like he actually knows the man."

Heyes, did you notice he said his sister got married at the age of fifteen?"

Uh-uh.'

"Did you notice he said a year later he turned sixteen. Were he and his sister twins?"

Heyes smiled. "Could be, I suppose...That does seem kind of odd not to mention."

"Uh-uh, and... something else I found to be kind of odd."

"What was that?"

"Well, he talked about how much he loved his sister and how hurt he was to be cut off from her."

"Yeah?"

"He never once mentioned her name, Heyes."

"Maybe it's just too painful, even now. You heard him say he's got no family and here he is, you know, getting on in life. Maybe he's just afraid there will be no one to mourn his passing when his time comes.

"You mean like is gonna happen to one of us?"

"I suppose so, Kid."

"I'm just not sure it's as simple as that, for Soapy I mean."

"Well, whatever he was trying to tell us Kid, if it's important enough to him, he'll make sure we know."

"I suppose."

"Good night, Kid.

0-0-0-0-0-0

The next morning Soapy was in the Study busily planning his day's activities when Heyes and Curry came down the stairs. It was Friday and Soapy said he had some urgent business to take care of downtown. Heyes and Kid offered to go with him, but Soapy was adamant about tending to the business alone. He did offer, and it was agreed upon, to meet Soapy at the Tadich Grill in the Financial District of town, just a few blocks from the Ferry, at precisely seven that evening

When Heyes and Curry arrived, dressed in their suits and freshly polished boots, Soapy was waiting at the bar nursing a glass of white wine. He smiled joyfully upon seeing the two men arrive and quickly motioned them to join him at the bar.

"Whiskey," Heyes told the bartender as he and Kid joined their friend.

"Me too," Kid added.

"So, did you get everything done that you planned to do, Soapy?' Heyes asked with a smile.

"I did and I appreciate you boys indulging an old man who is so set in his ways," Soapy replied.

"You? Set in your ways? Soapy you are as venturesome as you've ever been," Heyes replied.

Soapy smiled. "We have about ten minutes until our table is ready. I have some important things to discuss with the two of you over dinner."

Heyes and Kid exchanged glances, wondering if this was to be a continuation of the previous evening's conversation.

"Soapy, does this have anything to do with Will Chisholm?"

"Well Heyes, as a matter of fact, it does..," Soapy replied, but let the conversation drop until they were seated at a table.

Looking over the menu, Kid gave the main courses a close scrutiny.

"The scallops are delightful," Soapy told him.

"Ain't never had seafood," Kid explained.

"Perhaps you should try the sampler," Soapy suggested. "Lobster, scallops, shrimp, clams, oysters. The delicacy of the sea."

Kid was skeptical but didn't want to be rude. Heyes could see the indecision in his eyes.

"There's a steak and lobster dinner, Kid. Least you know there's one thing on the plate you like."

Kid nodded with obvious relief.

"So, Soapy, what is it you've been trying to tell us about Will Chisholm?"

"Well, not really so much about Will Chisholm specifically... More about family trees and how the branches... intertwine sometimes."

"We already know Will is something like a second or third cousin, Soapy. Will showed us his family Bible. His grandmother was a Curry.

"Yes," Soapy nodded, "I...I'm well aware of that."

"He said he has a diary she wrote and if he can find it, he'll bring it along for us to see," Kid added.

"Oh, that would be something wonderful to see," Soapy said.

"Soapy, what is it? It's obvious that there's something bothering you. Is it about Will?" Heyes asked.

"No," Soapy replied with a sigh just as the food was delivered.

"I suppose there is no easy way to say this...When I tell you Kid...Heyes, I want you to both remember that there were legitimate reasons at the time. Reasons that may not seem important to you now, but...they were important then."

"Just tell us what you've got to say, Soapy. We can talk about the reasons later, if you want to," Kid said to him.

Soapy took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Jacob Chisholm, Will's grandfather married Eileen Curry. That connects you Kid, to Will, making you second cousins."

Kid nodded, not seeing why this was so troubling to Soapy.

"Thaddeus Curry, your grandfather, married Sarah...Saunders."

Heyes and Curry looked at each other as they put the pieces of the puzzle together.

"Sarah Saunders was the fifteen year old girl you was telling us about last night?" Kid asked.

"Yes," Soapy replied, watching Kid very carefully.

"And you are Sarah's brother?" Kid asked. "The one that got shunned from the family?"

"I'm afraid so, Kid."

"So you're my...?"

"Great Uncle," Soapy replied.

Kid was almost speechless as he absorbed this piece of information.

"And you've known all along that Kid was your great nephew?" Heyes asked.

"All along," Soapy said quietly.

"Why...Why didn't...Why haven't you ever said nothing about that Soapy?" Kid asked.

"That's where all the family dynamics came in. Jacob was very much a fundamentalist. Gambling, not to mention being a con artist, was just purely sinful to him. When he heard about me he insisted the entire family shun me completely. He refused to let me have any contact with Eileen or her family. At Eileen's request, Thaddeus honored that decision and I was shut off from any contact with Sarah... I had almost no contact ….with either generation, save for one brief meeting at a very public location. But I kept track of them all from a distance and continued to do so throughout the generations... I kept track of Thaddeus, and your father, Seth. I knew about you boys, and always intended to visit one day, but I never managed to do so. When the two of you were orphaned, you had been relocated before I even knew of the tragedy. I tried and tried for years to locate you. When I finally did, the two of you had run away from the orphanage and were struggling, but managing on your own. I didn't know how to explain things to you so...So I settled for the second best thing I could do. I befriended you, kept tabs on you from time to time, and made sure you always knew you were welcome here."

Kid was dumbfounded. He wasn't sure how to react or what he thought, other than the fact that Soapy had always been there for both him and Heyes and this new bit of knowledge would never change that fact. But the question of what their lives might have been like did race to the forefront of his thoughts.

"I don't know what to say," he whispered.

"Will's grandmother and your grandfather were sibling's Kid. I think when Will arrives next week, the two of you will have more to talk about than you thought. I think that diary might be very interesting to you both."

"And you... and Heyes." Kid looked up at Heyes with disbelief. "Damn Heyes, the family's growing."

"Yeah," was all Heyes could reply, finding himself as awe-stricken as his partner.

"The whole riff Soapy, was because you was a con artist?"

Soapy smiled. "The wrong side of the law."

Heyes raised sad and disillusioned eyes to Heyes. They too would likely have been shunned by….. Kid couldn't bear to entertain that thought.

"Kid," Heyes said gently. "I know what you're thinking and... You don't know that. Things might have been a lot different."

"Kid," Soapy said as he leaned to his right and placed his hand on Kid's shoulder. "You're father was a good man... Do you remember that trip your parents took you on to Philadelphia? You couldn't have been more than four or five years old."

Kid nodded.

"Do you remember visiting the Liberty Bell?"

Kid nodded again.

"Do you remember the stranger standing beside you?" He tousled your hair, gave you a silver dollar, and shook your father's hand?"

Kid shook his head. "Was that you?"

Soapy smiled. "Your father contacted me and told me where I might meet you and your parents. Your father and I then had a very amicable chat while your mother took you for ice cream. He was the first of both the Curry and the Chisholm family in two generations to extend such a kindness. He, and your lovely mother, would be proud of the men you and Hannibal have become. As am I."

"What about Will Chisholm's side of the family Soapy?" Heyes asked.

"Will's grandfather, Jacob is the one who issued the... shunning deceleration, and Will's own father certainly disapproved of my occupation. Hadley, Will's father, was a very judgmental man in many ways, a very strict and a fundamentally religious man. But he also made some exceptions to his religious restrictions," Soapy said as a smile appeared on his face. "Hadley owned and operated a renowned whiskey brewing operation which may be where Will got his knack for grapes and wine."

"So you knew Will when he was growing up?"

Soapy shook his head. "In fact I have only met Will Chisholm once, at an invitation only wine introduction hosted at his Winery. Most of Nob Hill was invited to that. I doubt Will knew of the family tie at that point. Let's see, that was seven or eight years ago."

"Then why was you so nervous to hear he is coming to San Francisco this week?" Heyes asked.

"Will and I have met, but I still don't believe Will is aware of any family connection. I don't know what his reaction might be. I know the two of you. I know that whatever you may think, you're not going to up and walk away, never to return. I know you two both understand that, like it or not, there are times when one's identity simply must be shrouded or just outright hidden."

0-0-0-0-0-0

Heyes and Kid met Will and Keewidnok at the train station early Monday afternoon and together they visited three law firms and the Records Office and Assessor's Office at the Courthouse. Kid signed the necessary inheritance papers in one law office and the land transfer papers in the other and the acreage was officially deeded to Will's three sons. A profit stipulation agreement was also drawn up with Will signing on behalf of his and Keewidnok's minor aged children. The contract stipulated that in order to receive the land deed, the children would also sign the profit agreement when they came of age.

By the end of the afternoon, all were weary of the tedious tasks and Heyes hailed a horse drawn carriage to take them all to Soapy's home.

Soapy greeted them all with his usual warmth and style, insisted that Will and Keewidnok stay at his home for as long as they intended to be in the city. They had packed lightly and Soapy's servant took their things up to their room as all the men, as well as Keewidnok retired to the Study where Soapy offered everyone a drink of their choice from the bar. Options included three of Will's finest wines.

"Keewidnok and I brought you a bottle from our premium vintage line," Will told Soapy. "I remember you attending one of our wine introduction gatherings a few years back and, if I recall correctly, you especially enjoyed this particular year," Will said as he handed Soapy a bottle of his 1854 vintage selection.

Soapy accepted the bottle and studied the label carefully.

"Ah, yes, I recall this particular choice. Finest wine I have ever tasted," Soapy replied.

"You made quite an impression on me that day," Will told him. "Being as your name was one I remembered from many years back."

"You remembered?" Soapy asked.

Heyes gave Kid a glance which Kid acknowledged with a quick nod.

"Keewidnok" Heyes said. "Soapy has one of the finest flower and herb gardens in the entire state. Would you like a breath of fresh air and a brief tour?"

Keewidnok smiled eagerly and she and Heyes headed out to the garden.

"Will, Kid and I have some... perhaps shocking news to tell you," Soapy said, giving Kid a nervous glance.

"Well I'll tell you, Mr. Saunders, there's not too many things that shock me anymore. Crossing the country in a covered wagon back in 43' pretty much took care of the shocking aspects in life."

"This has to do with family relations," Kid explained.

Will smiled. "You mean Uncle Soapy's connection to the two of us, Kid?" Will asked with an amused and knowing smile.

"You mean you know?" Kid asked.

"My Pa was a pretty righteous man. Took a lot to bring him around to things, to people that he...didn't approve of. It took Keewidnok almost dying before he accepted that fact that his son loved and married an Indian woman, but he came to love her as one of his own. You likely never knew this Soapy, but he did the same with you. He told us the stories that my grandparents told him growing up. And over a good many years, after he was growed, married, and had his own family, he said he came to realize just how unfair his own parents had been to you."

"So you have known for a good number of years?"

"After my first wife died, my Pa and me took a long contemplative walk one afternoon. He reminded me that there's a time for planting, a time for sowing... I figured we'd both know when the time was right... for this conversation."

Soapy smiled as he listened to Will and his eyes moved from Will to Kid, then back to Will, a look of curiosity moving across his face.

"What is it, Soapy?" Kid asked.

Soapy sighed. "Have the two of you ever looked in the mirror, together I mean."

It was Will and Kid's turn to exchange a curious glance.

"Why?" Kid asked.

"You and Will could be brothers you look so much alike. Oh a few years difference, but you both very much have the Curry influence in your features. Why even your mannerisms are similar.

"You been drinking a little too much of that wine, Soapy?" Kid asked jokingly.

Soapy laughed. "You two just look at yourselves some time."

"We interrupting anything?" Heyes asked as he and Keewidnok returned to the Study.

"Not at all, not at all, Heyes. We were all just engaged in a bit of family discussion."

Heyes looked at Kid who smiled and nodded his head.

"Keewidnok, the truth is finally out," Will told his wife

"It has been a long time coming," she replied.

"Ah, think of the grand Christmas party we could have this year," Soapy exclaimed.

"Dinner is ready, Mr. Saunders," the servant announced to all in the room.

After dinner they all returned to the Study for a brandy and some pleasant conversation. But it wasn't long before Will announced that he and Keewidnok were rather tired and were going to excuse themselves for the evening. But, before heading upstairs, Will reached into his back pocket and pulled out an old, hide covered book with a flimsy latch. He extended the book to Soapy.

"This is the diary. Thought the three of you might enjoy reading it with a bit of privacy. We'll see you all in the morning."

Soapy slowly opened the book and looked at the family page that only went so far as Eileen, Jacob, and their own children. But further down on the page he did see a notation about Sarah Saunders' marriage to Thaddeus Curry. Kid and Heyes settled back in their chairs, content to listen to Soapy's occasional reading of some particular event or some private thought Eileen meant only for her own eyes.

0-0-0-0-0-0

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, everyone said their goodbyes to Soapy and promised to visit again soon. Heyes, Kid, Keewidnok, and Will shared a horse drawn carriage to the train station and Will and Keewidnok boarded the northbound train back to Napa Valley while Heyes and Kid took the westbound back to Wyoming.

Finding seats, Kid quickly fell into his usual routine of leaning his head against the window, pulling his hat down over his eyes, and settling in for a long, occasionally interrupted sleep.

"Funny how things turn out, ain't it Kid?"

"You mean about Soapy being our Uncle?" Heyes asked.

"Yeah. I always thought there was a familiarity with Soapy that I never noticed with no one else. Like, he always thought of us as the sons he never had."

"Yeah, he has always been very kind and generous towards us. And I think it means a lot to him to know us like family finally, and to have us know him that way, too.

"Heyes, I know what this is leading to and I'm in full agreement. We'll make a point of visiting him pretty regular and yes, we'll spend Christmas with him this year."

Heyes smiled. He liked the fact that they so often knew what the other was thinking.

"And Will, too I hope," Heyes added. "We ought to keep in touch with him, too."

"Uh-uh. Likely not as often, but Will too. Now if you don't mind Heyes, I'm going to sleep."

Heyes reached across the aisle and picked up an old newspaper.

"I'll wake you in Wyoming, Kid."

0-0-0-0-0-0

Author's note: Dr. Samuel Bennett and Lou "The Fixer" Blonger were real individuals who operated a variety of schemes and cons to make quick money. Dr. Bennett took a rather extreme route, earning millions of dollars performing medical procedures without a license, building clinics, and starting his own radio station, but died penniless.