Growing Up McCullough
Chapter 4: School Boy Troubles
Ranger Station and Matt's report
Flashback continues…
Matthew kicked a rock, muttering to himself, as he crossed the alley. He had spent eight days' dressed in a pair of ridiculous schoolboy knickers. He had spent hours doing homework and gotten up before daylight to take care of his ranger duties. And after all that, he was still no closer to cracking the case than when he started. If he didn't make friends with the boys soon, he may as well give up.
"Spence, hey Spence! Wait up, didn't you hear me calling you?'" asked Herbert, slapping Matt on the back as he caught up.
Matt jumped startled from his ramblings. "Oh, hi Herbert, I didn't hear you, did you want something?"
"Well, yea kinda. I just wanted to invite you to go fishing with me and some of the fellas. We're all ditching school, so if you ain't no goody two shoes, you can come along," answered Herbert with a smirk.
"I'm in; ought to be lots more fun than that recitation that old man Zimmerman's got planned," said Matt excitedly.
"Okay. We're going to wait until we're dismissed for lunch, then we will all met behind the Lucky Strike. Oh, I almost forgot, so the fellas know you're one of us you have to do a little job before..."
"A job; what kind of a job?" asked Matt knowing full well what type of jobs the boys had been pulling.
"Spence, we need a few supplies, so it's your job to get them. Now here's the list. And Spence, bring a gun."
"A gun! I can't bring a gun to school. My pa finds out and he'll skin me for sure," growled Matt just loud enough for Herbert to hear.
"Then I'd say don't get caught," sneered Herbert before walking away.
Matthew folded the pieces of paper and stuck it in his pocket. He headed back to work at the ranger's station, making sure to go all the way down past Carmel's boarding house and then back up; it would ruin everything if his new friends caught him going in the ranger station. An hour later Matt tucked his tan shirt into his long trousers and neatly folded the knickers and braces before hiding them behind the feed bin. When he heard someone coming, he quickly grabbed the rake and pretended he was busy.
"There you are McCullough, hurry up; they're serving steak and potato with fresh apple pie for lunch. If Richards gets there first they might run out," grumbled Davis.
"You go ahead, I'm almost finished. I'll be right there." As Davis walked away, Matt dropped the rake unbuttoned the middle of his shirt and stuffed the arithmetic book inside, buttoning as he ran to join the others.
Back at the Ranch and the fishing hole with Charlie…
"Alright, Gary, if you're all settled, what was it that you wanted to talk about?" asked Charlie as he dropped his baited hook into the water.
"Mr. Wooster, it's like I said...I don't wanna to be a snitch, but it's Benjamin; he's not treating Mrs. Mary right," said Gary with a note of hesitation in his voice.
"You sure about that, son; what he's doing?" asked Charlie, pulling out a nice trout and baiting his hook again.
"It's really more about what he's not doing. He is leaving his chores unfinished and he waits until she asks him three or four times to even do that much," explained Gary, pulling in a fish of his own.
"Has anyone else noticed him shirking his duties? Have you tried to talk to him about it; I mean if you don't want the grownups butting in, that would be the next step," suggested Charlie.
"I don't think anyone else knows, cause when Ty or Mr. McCullough are around, he does things just right. I tried to talk to him about it last week, but he just told me to mind my own business. I've been running behind him trying to make sure that Mrs. Mary's not doing any heavy work, but he's getting worse. At first he was only milking one cow, instead of three when it was his turn. Then it was chopping the wood, but not filling the wood box. I started finishing things for him and that's when I noticed how he was treating her. He never just does what she asks; he waits until she asked a third or sometimes a fourth time. And this morning, he left without splitting even a stick of stove wood. I happened to get to the wood pile just as Mrs. McCullough was about to try and swing that heavy ax," explained Gary.
Charlie did not like what he was hearing, and he knew that Flint would not like it either, but he had promised Gary they could just talk things out and he didn't want Gary feeling like a snitch.
"You don't suppose that it's just because things are different than what he is used too. I mean Mr. McCullough says that the Indians don't value their women folk like we do. Maybe he just doesn't know what he is doing is wrong," said Gary baiting his hook again.
"Gary, I'd say you were right ceptin for one thing; you said that he does the chores perfectly, when the men folk are around," said Charlie giving Gary a look as he pulled in another fish.
"That's kinda what I figured..."
Charlie held up his hand shushing Gary as he turned his attention to some movement in the bushes on the far side bank. After several minutes of silence, Charlie turned his attention back to Gary. "If you want my advice, Gary, I think you should go to Benjamin tonight and tell him what you've seen and that he should go to his mom and apologize to her and start doing things right. I want you to know that you are doing the right thing. I'm going to keep my eyes open and Benjamin better not let me catching him mistreating Mrs. Mary. I'll put a knot in his tail, quick fast and in a hurry!" growled Charlie riled at the thought.
"Thanks Mr. Wooster, I'll do that, just as soon as we get back," said Gary relieved that he had talked to someone.
"Good man, now let's see if we can double this mess of fish before we head home," said Charlie.
Over in the bushes, Benjamin laid back hoping no one had spotted him. Charlie and Gary had almost caught him eavesdropping. He must be getting soft; when he was younger he could sneak up on his father and the other braves and never make a sound, now all he was trying to do was to stay quiet and out of sight, but stampeding horses would make less noise. Point was though, he was in a lot of trouble. He needed time to think, but he had to get home by four or he would worry his new mother, and he knew that father would not like that. He also knew he was lucky, because all of the things Mr. Uncle Charlie and Gary talked about were about situations they had seen. His mother had not told anyone of his misdemeanors, not even when he'd made her cry.
Back at the Ranch house…
"Mommy, Mommy," called Brooke as she came down the stairs dragging her baby doll by its leg; thumping its head on each step as she went.
"Give me back my baby; you're hurting her," shrieked Samantha from the top of the stairs. Reaching the bottom step she began tugging on the baby doll's leg. "She's mine; give her to me; you're hurting her!"
"No, baby mine! My no give baby to you," protested Brooke as loud as she could, tugging back with all her might.
Just then Mary came through the back door, switch in hand.
Samantha's eyes got as big as saucers and she quickly turned the doll loose and covered her bottom with both hands. "I'm sorry, mommy. I will let Brooke play with my dolly. Please, I don't want no spanking," said Samantha in a panic.
Mary looked confused for a minute then looked down at the switch in her hand. She placed it on the table and walked over to where Samantha and Brooke stood. Easing herself into a chair she motioned for the girls to come to her. "Samantha, you tell Brooke you're sorry. And… if you girls can play nice, we'll just forget this little spat," said Mary trying not to laugh at the look of relief on Samantha's face.
"I'm sorry, I tried to take Molly from you Brooke, that was not very nice… Did I do good mommy? I didn't make Brooke cry," said Samantha giving her most innocent look. She had never been spanked with a switch, but Mark said it hurt real bad and she didn't want to find out.
"Very good, Samantha. How about you girls climb up to the table and drawing a picture for daddy?" suggested Mary.
"Yes, mommy me and Sammy can be big girls. I will put my baby to bed and Sammy can get the colors and paper," agreed Brooke.
About an hour later, the girls were outside in the play yard and Luke came banging through the back door. "Hi, mom, I'm starved; got anything to snack on," called Luke not paying any mind to Mary as he made his way to the cookie tin.
"Where have you been? and just where is your brother!" she growled angrily as she crossed the room.
"I'm only a little late, ma. Steve and I stopped to get the mail for his ma. There was a circus poster; I guess we got a little distracted," he answered without turning to look at his mother.
That was a mistake, for suddenly he felt a stinging pain across his britches.
"Ouch, mom... Ouch, mom, what did I do? Ouch!" pleaded Luke flinging his hand back and dancing to the side, as a fourth lick caught his hand.
"For starters, you're lying to me young man! Now move your hand," said Mary giving him one more flick of the switch. "I asked you a question, and I want the truth. Miss Parker was here; she dismissed school at noon. She was worried about you boys chasing after that mountain cat, and she said that you and Benjamin were absent today," lectured Mary as she glared at Luke, with the hand the held tight to the switch now perched on her hip.
Luke nervously eyed the switch, as he backed up against the sink and tried to decide how best to answer. "I don't know where Benjamin is mom, honest. I was at the courthouse. I'm sorry that I lied to you," confessed Luke still eying the switch.
"The Courthouse? For goodness sakes what were you doing there?" came Mary's still not too happy reply.
"Researching; I just wanted to learn what judges and lawyers do," answered Luke. "They don't hold court after school, so I had to sneak away. I've got caught up watching this one case, and well, they didn't finish in one day, so I had to sneak out the next day too," explained Luke.
"You mean to tell me that you have been sneaking away from school repeatedly? Just how many days have you missed?" lectured Mary sternly.
"Yes ma'am. I'm sorry," mumbled Luke dropping his eyes to the floor as he realized he had said too much and gotten himself in even more trouble.
"Not as sorry as you're going to be. How many days have you missed?" Asked Mary again, anger showing in her eyes.
Luke knew he was doomed. He stared at the floor and mumbled, "six, just six, and honest mom; today was the only day I didn't go at all."
"Just six! I'll make you think just six, turn around," growled Mary doping the switch to her side as she waited for Luke to do as she said.
Mary lectured as she applied each lick of the switch. "When we send you to school, 'thwack' that's where we expect you to stay, 'thwack.' You had no business, sneaking around, 'thwack.' You have no business in a courtroom without an adult. Thwack! I don't want to hear of it again. Thwack! Do you understand me? Thwack."
"Y e s, M a ' a m, Y e s… I understand," answered Luke as he gripped the edge of the sink in an effort not to cry out if the switch landed again.
Mary dropped the switch and used her hand spin Luke around to face her. "Now that we have an understanding, I want you to get yourself a snack and then get to your chores, because if you're brother isn't back in just a few minutes you're going to have to look after the little ones, while I go looking for him," said Mary with a worried look in her eyes.
"Yes, ma'am; right away," said Luke using his shirt sleeve to wipe his eyes. He absently reached for the cookie that he had dropped on the counter when the switching had started, before slowly making his way back out the door.
Meanwhile up at Fox canyon…
"Look Barney, the tracks cross the stream here," shouted Mark.
"I see lots of tracks but how can you tell they belong to the menace we're chasing?" asked Henry, stooping to look closely at the tracks.
"That's easy; cause he's missing half of his left front paw. Ty said that was because he got it caught in a trap last spring. Likely what made him mean, I bet," said Kevin.
"That's right; I can see it now," said Henry. "I'm getting goosebumps we must be getting close. Why don't we leave the horses here and track him on foot for a while? It will be easier to see the tracks that way," he suggested.
"Good idea. Looks like he's headed into the canyon; it's only about a mile deep with steep rocks on three sides. Even a cat can't climb straight up. Come on men; we're gonna get us a cat," boasted Mark leading his horse over to the shade and tying him. The other boys followed.
"Now, remember everybody, we all agreed to stay together; safety in numbers you know," said Henry shouldering his rifle as he stuffed his extra shells into his pocket.
"More importantly; everybody look sharp and keep your rifles ready. Things could start happening real fast if that loco cat feels cornered," said Barney.
The four boys, shoulder to shoulder with rifles loaded, marched for the canyon's entrance. One looking left, one looking right, one looking straight ahead and one looking to the ground. All of the boys were too excited to notice that it was long past noon.
Meanwhile back at the Ranch…
As the men started drifting in for the day, Wooster notice something odd. Except for Gary, the ranch seemed to be mighty empty of boys. He hadn't given it much thought until Carl had come in from Mr. Vickers's place saying that Kevin and Henry had never made it there. And, Hank had come from town saying that the school had closed early because of the cat prowling closer to some of the ranches. If Mark and Barney didn't ride in soon, he would have to ride out and check on them. But, first he would just drop in and check on Mrs. Mary.
Just as Charlie opened the back door, Mary let loose with a flood of worry. "Oh Charlie, I'm so glad to see you. Miss Parker, was here and Benjamin didn't go to school, and they got out early, and she thought some of the boys, were out hunting, and, oh Charlie, it's getting late and Benjamin's not here, whatever can we do?" she rambled.
"Now, Mrs. Mary, you're just gonna have to calm yourself. Sit down here and let me fix you a cup of tea," said Charlie guiding her to a chair, completely confused as to what or who she was talking about. "Now here, Mrs. Mary you just take a sip of this here tea and rest a spell, then you can tell me what's got you so upset," said Charlie as he placed the fresh cup of tea in front of her.
"Charlie, it been just plain awful. I've been sick with worry ever since two o'clock when Miss Parker was here. She says that the town counsel closed school early, so as the young ones could make it home save from that darn mountain cat. She said she heard in town that some of the older boys had gone hunting that cat. It worried her because Benjamin and Luke had not been at school today. Luke came in at four; just as if he'd been at school all day. He said he did not know where Benjamin was. Charlie I'm worried; it's almost supper time and he's not home yet. You don't think he would go out after that cat alone, do you?" she asked with a look of terror in her eyes.
"Mrs. Mary, now you listen here, you don't need ta get yourself worked into a state. I'll send the men out to look for him," said Charlie standing and heading for the back door. "You just relax now, Mrs. Mary, I'll be right back," said Charlie, suddenly worried too. He had a sick feeling that Mark and Barney and any other boys that might be missing could all be in danger, especially if they had gone looking for that cat.
Charlie place his fingers between his teeth and gave a loud whistle blast. It didn't take long for two groups of the hands to arrive to organize a search party. "I'll stay here with Miss Mary; I don't think she should be alone in her condition. Gary, you go round up Luke and the girls and see what you and Luke can do to keep them entertained. I got to get back to Mrs. Mary."
~oOo~
Mary heard a crash, coming from Flint's office. Pushing herself up from the chair, she went to investigate. Luke and the girls were supposed to be outside. Opening the door, she found Benjamin lying flat on his back Flint's chair turned on its back and the window was wide open.
"Benjamin, are you okay?" asked Mary, as she hurried to his side.
"Yes, I think so. I only knocked the wind out of myself. I will be okay," he answered, as he scrambled to his feet and worked to right the chair. "I will go and finish my chores now," he said turning and heading for the door.
"Hold it right there, young man; we need to talk," said Mary sitting down in one of the chairs in front of Flint's desk and motioning for Benjamin to do the same.
"I am late; I must get busy with chores," argued Benjamin, trying once more for the door.
"Benjamin Dark Eagle McCullough, I said sit, and that's what I meant. Now, unless you want me to get my switch…" growled Mary out of pure worry and exhaustion.
"I'd do like she says boy and if you know what's good for you, you will stay sitting until she tells you to move. Mary you take all the time you need, I got Luke and Gary watching the girls and me and little Hunter will be right out here if you need me," said Charlie, giving Benjamin a glare that had him finding the chair right fast.
Back at the Ranger Station and Matt's report
Flashback continues…
Matthew rubbed the sleep from his eyes, as he climbed out of his bunk an hour before anyone else even thought of starting their day. There were only four other cadets and Ranger Hogan; the cook, at the station right now. The other men were still in Precious. Matt only had to feed the horses and he would be free until supper. He wanted to be finished and dressed for school before anyone stirred.
Matt arrived in the school yard with about five minutes to spare. It had taken him longer to gather the supplies on the list than he had expected. He spotted Herbert and Jack under the Maple tree at the corner of the school yard and ran over.
"Was beginning to think you had chickened out. You got the supplies?" asked Herbert giving Matt a wink.
Matt gave a lopsided grin and answered, "Sure did; every last one. Hid them out back until we leave."
"You didn't let nobody see you swiping the apples, or the bullets did ya!" smirked Herbert.
"Not a chance. I'm an old hand at the snatch and grab game," he boasted confidently, knowing that what he said was true, but this time, he had paid for every last item, so he wasn't expecting trouble, and the boys were none the wiser.
Just then Mr. Zimmerman stepped onto the porch and began to ring the morning bell.