Chapter 3

Jess pushed Traveler as much as he dared. At the end of the third day on the trail he knew that he would make South Pass City and Ellen Miller's house the next day as long as his luck held. He was tired, and he knew that Traveler would need that rest. He found a place near a stream to spend the night. After they both took a long drink, he unsaddled Traveler and gave him some food. Then tying the reins securely on a branch for the night, he stroked the horse's head and spoke calmly, "We're almost there, boy. Give me one more day and you can rest in a nice stall with lots to eat." Then he gathered some wood, got a fire going, and settled down with some jerky and bread that Jonesy had packed for him. He just wanted to get the money from Ellen Miller, give her the locket, and get a hot meal and a bed for the next night. "Cain't think too much now 'bout a soft bed or ya won't sleep well propped up on a saddle," He said to himself.

The night was clear and he looked at the stars in the sky. He was thankful that the conversation with Slim at the fence the day before he left the ranch had not been Slim telling him that he had to move on because he didn't have enough money to keep him on. Several months ago he would've never thought that he could've settled down anywhere. But now he was in the big open again, where he had thought he would always be. But part of him missed the ranch. He had already begun to feel that he belonged there with Slim, Andy, and Jonesy. And that was a very good feeling. He would be glad when he got back to the ranch, and he was very grateful that Slim had trusted him to go on this important trip. He would never let Slim down, or Andy and Jonesy for that matter. Tiredness finally overtook him, and he fell asleep.

The Next Day

Jess woke early and couldn't wait to get on the trail and finish this trip. He rode into South Pass City in the mid-afternoon. He went into the General Store and asked for directions to the Miller place. The man behind the counter was helpful and immediately gave him directions. Then the storekeep asked, "Ya here to help Ellen pack some things for her trip or are you the man who bought her place?"

"I'm not the new owner. I'm just a friend that wants to see her 'fore she leaves for California. If she needs help packing, I'll help her fer sure." With that Jess left the store and rode to the Miller place.

As he rode up to her house, he couldn't help but notice that the house and garden seemed so much smaller than Slim's house and barn. Apparently, the Millers had not ever had very much, but the property appeared very well kept. Dismounting from Traveler, Jess stepped up on the small porch and knocked on the door. He watched an elderly woman pull back the curtain at the lone front window, close it again, and then slowly open the door a crack.

Sensing her concern, he immediately said, "Mrs. Miller, I'm Jess Harper. Slim Sherman sent me here."

At that she smiled and opened the door wide, "Come on in, Mr. Harper, I'm a little surprised that you got here so quickly. Slim's telegram was only sent last Thursday morning, and I didn't think anyone could get here before tomorrow at the earliest." She pointed to the sofa, "Have a seat, and I'll bring you a cup of coffee. I'm sorta in the habit of making a pot about this time of day, and it's ready now."

"That would be wonderful, Ma'am." Jess could all but taste the hot coffee before she brought it to him. He had really missed coffee while he had been traveling. "But let me give you this locket first, Ma'am. I'm sure that you want to see that I brought it to ya."

She took the necklace and smiled with delight. "It's so wonderful to see this again. I never wore it, but I cherish it. My mother, God rest her soul, wore it most every day after my father gave it to her." She turned to a large trunk that was on the side of the room, opened it and placed the locket in a small cloth purse that was on top of other clothes. Now let me get you that coffee."

When she returned with their coffee, she placed Jess's cup and hers on the table beside the sofa and sat down in the side chair next to the table. "So how is Slim?"

"He's doing good, Mrs. Miller."

"Oh, call me Ellen please. Even though I just met you, if Slim sent you here, he must think of you as family."

Jess nodded, but he didn't get a chance to say anything before Ellen asked more questions.

"Now tell me about Andy. He wasn't even born the last time I saw Slim and his parents."

"He's a good kid, Ma'am. He really helps Slim and Jonesy a lot."

"Oh, I miss Jonesy. My husband and I thought the world of him. He was wonderful when Slim's father was alive, but according to Mary's letters, Jonesy was the only thing that allowed her to keep the ranch going without her husband while Slim was in the war. I miss her letters. Of course, she passed years ago, but she was so good about keeping up with us. I wrote her too, but she had a knack of cheering you up every time she wrote. I think that my letters were just the same old report of trying to get by year after year."

"I know that Jonesy was with Slim's parents at the ranch for a long time." Jess said finishing the last drop of his coffee.

"Do you want another cup?" Ellen asked coming to take his cup.

"No, Ma'am. Thank you, but I'm fine."

"Well, I guess I need to get what you came for young man." She stood up again and went to the mantel over the fireplace. She took the top off a wooden box and pulled out the money. "When you get back to Laramie, you be sure and tell Slim how much we appreciated what his parents did for us. I'm just so sorry that it took my husband's passing and selling this place to be able to repay the loan." She handed him the money and added, "You better count it and make sure that it's $700."

Jess did as he was told and counted seven $100 bills. Then he added, "I asked the man at the store in town for directions to your place, and he asked if I was here to help you pack things. Do you need help with that, Ma'am?"

"Not really. I have packed that trunk, and I'm only taking another trunk with some things I can't live without. My son, Tommy is coming on the train tomorrow. He'll help with packing the other trunk and getting them both to the train for our trip back to his place." She stopped to look around the room, "The young couple that plan to make this place their home offered to buy the furniture since they are just starting out. So, I don't have to move that much."

"That's good then, Ma'am. Thank you for the coffee, but I need to go back to town and get my horse settled at the livery." Jess stood up to leave, putting the money in his shirt pocket and buttoning the flap. He hadn't wanted to ride with the money belt on him. He thought he would put the money in the belt and put it on as soon as he got a room at the hotel in South Pass City. He didn't think the seven bills would show in his shirt pocket too much.

Jess told Ellen Miller goodbye and rode back to South Pass City. He felt sorry for her. She looked so old and frail, and now she was leaving most everything that she had ever owned with a young couple. He wondered why life ended up the way it did. Sure he'd had his share of heartbreak and hard times, but he hoped that he could accept whatever life brought to him the way that Ellen Miller seemed to have done.

As he neared South Pass City, he realized just how dogged tired he was. As soon as he settled Traveler at the livery, he got a room at the hotel. The first thing that he did was put the money in the money belt and put his shirt back on. Noticing that the belt did show a little under his shirt, he decided that he needed to always wear his jacket until he got back to the ranch. As soon as he got a meal, he returned to the hotel, locked the door to his room and went to bed.