************************HH*KC*JS*TJ************************
Winter 1873
"La Cucina di Vittorio!" Whistles from all three men. They sat on the bunk next to Jeddie's after their supper, which Jeddie had foregone.
"That's a might spendy evening, Curry! You got a rich auntie died?"
Frederick Gudmussen was a likable enough fellow. His widowed mother came with him to Fort Mifflin from western Pennsylvania to work in the laundry and to be near her only son. He'd told Jeddie that when he gets his engineer degree he'll build his mother a fine house for them both. Jeddie felt a pang of jealousy. He shook it off. Can't take it out on others for having their mothers with them still.
"And buried on boot hill?"
Myles Neeley was just the opposite. A half grin perpetually plastered on his face, he found pleasure in constant digs and jokes on his fellow soldiers and ended each with a wide-mouthed guffaw. Jeddie disliked him from the start.
Jeddie had returned from the washroom bathed and clean shaven, a towel around his slender waist. Easterners still amazed Jeddie with their ignorance of the West. He gave them a sideways glance and no more.
He was glad to have a cousin who knows how much it means to court a lady in proper style these days. His bank account was a healthy size, the leather case Hannie had given him that first day in Fort Lyon now filled with deposit receipts. He, they, could afford to use some of it on a lady once in a while.
He opened his wooden footlocker at the end of his bunk for the bottle of Bay Rum, shook a splash in his hands and slapped his freshly shaven face and his neck, and another splash he patted into his armpits.
'Bay Rum! Our boy's got a special night planned, eh, men?" Theodore Harrington was the quiet, studious type.
"That little Irish lass of his won't be a lass come morning, eh, Curry?" Myles wasn't letting up.
Jeddie scowled at the comment. "She don't deserve that kind of talk. She's a lady."
"Well, maybe we been hasty." Myles put a serious look on his face, looking down at his interlaced fingers. Then he threw his head back to deliver the punch.
"All I know is, either you or her ain't gonna be a virgin after tonight!" He laughed hard at his own joke, slapping his knee.
Jeddie walked around his bunk and leaned down, his nose almost touching Myles's nose. "I said, she's a lady."
"Alright, alright. Just funnin'." Myles held his hands up in mock surrender.
Jeddie began dressing. He was an impressive young man in his dress uniform! Thanks to Hannie, he could afford to buy it, his 'lady uniform', is how he thought of it. They were drawn to it, he caught their double glances in store windows when he passed by a woman. Hannie would be amazed at how much he'd grown since he joined up!
He turned to his bunk mates at the door. "Enjoy your evening at the fort, boys." He touched the brim of his cavalry hat and cocked a smile as he exited the door.
************************HH*KC*JS*TJ************************
"I have to catch the midnight ferry back to Mifflin..." Warm kisses and a nibble on his ear lobe stopped him mid-sentence. "...or I'm in big trouble."
"We have almost three hours..." She gasped as his tongue began exploring from his kisses. The expensive meal was largely untouched, the young lovers finding other delights more to their taste.
The high back booth in the corner offered the most privacy in the restaurant, the romantic ambiance of low lighting and table candles made Vittorio's a favorite among the late diners of Philly. Jeddie paid dearly for the most popular booth, hoping to discuss their future together in privacy. And maybe ask directly for her hand. Though he had priced wedding rings in various shops recently, he hadn't put out money for one to demonstrate the sincerity of his question. Tonight he would bring up the word: marriage. So far, he was otherwise occupied.
Her hands in his hair pulling him to her mouth, her neck, her cleavage for more of his hot kisses. His arms around her tiny waist holding her tightly, his left hand moving up, his thumb caressing a hardened nub through the satin material. All he need do is insert it and flick to expose the sweet fruit to his mouth.
"They're going to throw us out for public indecency." Jeddie pulled back to look into her eyes.
God, she was breathtaking! Her coal black hair in proper Victorian style braided and piled high on her head with one slender braid reaching from the back to fall over her left shoulder and breast. Her dress was the deep blue of her eyes, her shoulders bared, the front so low-cut her bosoms begged to be released from their corseted prison, a pale blue sash around her tiny waist, tips of little shoes peeking out beneath the dress hem, firm bottom padded in layers of material, wasp waist, bosoms, blue eyes. He'd never see anything as beautiful again in his life!
He leaned his head toward her again, to be stopped by her hand on his chest.
"My folks are out of town for the night." She searched his eyes for a sign. "My brothers are out until Thursday..."
"You sure?"
A pause. Then her eyes sparkled. "Yes."
Jeddie motioned for the waiter.
************************HH*KC*JS*TJ************************
The midnight steam whistle was blowing for the last time, the ropes were taken in, and the ferry just pulling away from the pier when a spry young soldier leaped onto the deck.
"Pushing the limit tonight, eh, Trooper Curry?" Quartermaster Billings gave Jeddie a wide grin, slapping his back as he jaunted past. Jeddie found no problem returning the smile. In fact, he moved quickly toward the darkness thinking it might hide the silly grin that refused to leave his face.
He walked along the side to the bow avoiding other passengers and leaned over onto the railing, gazing toward Fort Mifflin and Mud Island slowly growing in front of him. The cold breeze, the twinkling stars, the smells of the city, the sound of the water splashing against the side of the ferry, he heard music in it all! The whole world was singing a joyful tune tonight!
He had become a man. And he asked a women in all sincerity and love and devotion to marry him. And he awaited her answer. This is what love is! How it changes a man!
He thought about his da, wondered if he had felt these same things. He looked down at the churning water, wishing he could write his da and ma that he was bringing a wife home. That was sure to be news for celebration in the two homes!
Da and Uncle Michael slapping each other's back, lifting glasses of home-made beer, Grandda Curry breaking out the Irish whiskey, music of fiddles and bodhrán filling the cabin and floating out the windows to delight the prairie, his ma and Aunt Eliza wiping tears with their aprons as they made plans for the newlywed's cabin their husbands will build. Hannie will be his Best Man, no question about that! They will love Katie the second they lay eyes on her, how could they not, she's God's most perfect creation! They will all live near each other, all involved in the farms and the country school for his children and...
His lifted his gaze from the churning water to the island in front of him, now blocking most of the night sky. The bell was ringing, the steam whistle blowing, and the ferry slowing to make port. His heart sank.
It was just another orphan dream. A reaching out for nothing more than a fantasy molded of bitter-sweet memories and make-believe. He must put such things out of mind, if he is to go on living the life given him.
One thing is certain: Hannie will be his Best Man!
Katie O'Sullivan, say "Yes"!
************************HH*KC*JS*TJ************************
Late Winter 1874
Dear Jeddie,
I found work at the Elias T. Jackson ranch, the Rocking J. These cattle baron spreads are bigger than you could imagine! We're broke into groups like your squads and companies, each for an area of cattle land. Ramrod is Wes Harken. This is the outfit I met up with last year. Our trail boss was Red Nelson. Took the new trail to Fort Hays, Kansas. Told them about you and that I will need time away for when you're discharged and we will both come back for the drive north in spring.
I wanted to be the first to say -Happy Christmas!- this year but missed that chance. Did you and Miss Katie go to the Christmas and New Years dances?
I stopped at Mr. Greeves on the way down here. Said he didn't know what happened to you, thought you just high tailed it one day. I said -Without his pay?- So I got that for you and wired to Western Union.
I ain't anywhere near a town and telegraph office, maybe that will change some day but for now keep sending your letters through Jenny. If something important comes up you could try sending a telegraph to Comanche, Texas. The boss goes there at times and he will check for us but it takes time, you can understand. But send a letter, too. That way I'm sure to get the message. Be sure to put it to me at the Rocking J, then the telegrapher will know to give it to Mr. Jackson.
We had a calf drop just today so the hard work is just begun. Next we'll brand all them to be driven north. Days are long but it don't matter when there's not much more than cattle to talk to and range to look on.
I try to save as much of my pay as I can. Mr. Jackson keeps it in his books. Between the two of us, we'll have a nice bundle for starting our own, well, whatever we want to. I like your idea on a horse ranch!
I write from the northwestern line shack. Harken is riding tomorrow to meet with Mr. Jackson and he'll take this letter to mail. I hope to hear in your next letter when you get discharged. It will be so good to have my little cousin with me again!
Until next letter,
Your cousin,
Hannie
************************HH*KC*JS*TJ************************
"Get after her, Heyes!" Ramrod Wes Harken shouted at him from atop the rock escarpment. A cow stood near a brush patch, unwilling to move.
Must be a new calf she's protecting, Heyes thought. He spurred his Quarter Horse to a fast gallop, coming upon the cow rapidly. Still she refused to move.
Heyes saw the calf lying next to the brush, well hidden from predators. Well, this one is too small. He'll have to hold it across his lap in the saddle, his mother will naturally follow.
He talked gently to the calf as he approached, the new-born looking up at him with large, trusting eyes as he reached underneath and lifted the animal easily.
At the first rattle Heyes froze, scanning the ground for the viper. He caught sight of it in the shadow of a rock under the brush, his leg automatically retracting then kicking as the fangs shot forward, piercing the leather of his boot. His shout of pain caught the attention of Harken, who came at a gallop.
Heyes fell backward, the calf lying across his chest, his feet and legs exposed to the rattler. He didn't move a muscle. A bullet from Harken's six-gun put an end to the threat before another lunge could be made.
Wes jumped from his horse and lifted the calf off Heyes. He looked uncertainly at the calf before setting it aside.
"Where'd it get you?" Heyes reached for his left boot. Wes removed it and pulled the sock down. Two holes showed the venom injection site just above his ankle.
"Don't appear to be bleedin' much..." He looked at Heyes for signs of venom reaction. Didn't seem to be any, but they might come later. He made two cuts by the holes, sucked and spat out as much of the venom he could.
"Might not've got much in you, Heyes, might be a dry bite..." Wes stilled, watching the calf.
The poor animal was in the throes of severe rattlesnake bite, venom swelling the esophagus causing suffocation. Wes grabbed Heyes's arm and dragged him away from the calf, then removed his rifle from the saddle scabbard. A single shot put the animal out of its misery. Multiple fang marks were seen on the calf's legs, neck, and stomach.
"Poor thing must have been too fresh to stand, let alone run away from the viper." Wes looked at Heyes.
"Rattler must've unloaded its venom in the calf! You got lucky today, Heyes!"
Heyes didn't feel lucky. In fact, he felt nauseous and a bit dizzy.
"Might be some reaction to the bite. I'll get you to the line shack and Old Gil will look after you. He's seen lots o' viper bites and brought men through when no one expected."
Somehow, Heyes wasn't reassured.
************************HH*KC*JS*TJ************************
PFC Curry stood at attention relieving the guard on the eastern diamond. The late afternoon was sunny and bright, the wind cold but carrying with it a hint of spring. It gave him hope.
Not much longer and he will be back with his cousin, with his family where he belongs, free to ride where they want. Right now, all he wanted was to forget about Mifflin, forget about Miss Katie, forget about his foolish dreams.
He'd waited as she asked. When she finally consented to see him again over two months later, it was in the parlor of her parent's home. Her father was a brick layer, owned the house they lived in, and though the family was considered lower class, the home was far better than any he'd known growing up in Kansas. Her family had considerately given Katie the privacy she deserved and were on a daytime walk around the park.
And there she was, as beautiful, no, even more beautiful than he'd last seen her. He wanted to be angry with her, find her despicable, or at least unkind, but she was still the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen. And she was kind to him, understanding. She needed him to understand what a woman needs in life, what she needed in her life.
He offered to stay in the cavalry with a monthly pay, he's got prospects of moving up if he chooses and he'll do anything for her!
She's an easterner, a city woman, she can't go west and live, even to a life with the most handsome, kindest man she ever met, when he has no means of supporting her in the style she wants. Will he stay in the east and find employment? Without the freedom of the west? She knew that will destroy his spirit. She couldn't ask him to do that for her. She loved him.
But he wasn't her first.
She had a beau for two years now, a man with secure employment in a bank in the central financial district. He'd been to college and was rising in the higher society of Philly on the coattails of his father, president of the bank. She loved him, she gave herself to him a year ago.
Then his father put doubts in his head about an Irish woman in higher society, especially one from the social rank of the bricklayer O'Sullivan, and even worse, an Irish girl who worked as an army laundress. It will be a tough climb even with his father to break the waves. Her beau didn't want to put her through so much, he wanted her to think hard on the kind of life she was willing to lead.
So they agreed to separate for a year. Let each test other waters and see if their love was enough to hold them together. She'd met him again three days after her night of passion with Jeddie. They fell into each others arms on sight and vowed no one would ever separate them again.
He did understand, didn't he? Could he ever forgive her?
Jeddie didn't understand, not fully. "Katie, is there a baby?"
She loved him for asking, she loved him for loving her. "No, Jeddie. I had to wait, that's why you hadn't my answer until I could be sure I am doing the right thing. I have my monthly, it's never been interrupted."
"If there is a child, I will be a father to him and husband to you, in whatever life you want. I love you, Katie O'Sullivan."
She caressed his face. "I love you, Jedediah Curry. You are the most honorable man I will ever know. If there was a baby, you would be my husband. There would be no sacrifice in loving you the more."
She kissed his lips. "My decision is made freely and without duress. William Aldworth is to be my husband."
There was no more to say, no more he needed to hear. "I wish you all the best in life, Katie O'Sullivan."
And he left her.
Jeddie had never done that before, leave someone. All his life, people he loves have left him. He found no joy in turning the table.
He glanced down at the men outside the fort, McAlister demonstrating nitroglycerin handling with six students. They had bright futures laid out before them, unlike he and his cousin who seemed destined to bounce from one low paying job to the next. He felt a bit guilty for not yet replying to Hannie's last letter from Tex...
The concussion blast from the explosion hit him before the sound reached his ears, a piece of metal sheeting off the nitroglycerin transport trunk embedded into his chest. He fell unconscious onto the brick floor, still holding his rifle.
************************HH*KC*JS*TJ************************
Old Gil picked up an edge of the poultice and examined the leg. Seems to be holding his own, the swelling's not increasing and might be a bit of breakup in the bruising. This young fella might just pull through fine! No, had to be a dry bite. He clicked his teeth. Yep, lucky young man! Course, there's still the fever...
************************HH*KC*JS*TJ************************
Heyes was running, running as fast as he could in the pitch black darkness, no stars, no moon, running through the tall prairie grass, over the hills of Kansas with superhuman ability and speed, up and down the grassy hills, running to find... he had to find... Jeddie!
Where are you? Jeddie! Answer me! He stumbled hard on a rock, twisting his ankle on the fall. But it isn't a rock. It's Jeddie!
He crawled back, his hands waving about for Jeddie. There he is! He turned his cousin over, looked at his face, put his ear to his chest. Still beating!
"Jeddie! Hey, kid, wake up now!" He patted the baby face. No response.
"WAKE UP, JEDDIE!" He took hold of his little cousin's shoulders and shook hard.
"C'MON!"
************************HH*KC*JS*TJ************************
Slowly sounds began to filter through. Hands were on him, voices discussing the best way to proceed. "We have to wait for Doctor Mann, there might be more bleeding that way!" "Don't let him take his hands off that rifle!" "Hold him still, men!"
Someone, sounded like Ordnance Sergeant MacKenna, shouted. "Doc, as soon as you can! We got an injured man up here!" He lost consciousness again.
Footsteps. Hands on his chest. Damn that hurt! What's going on...
"Easy, trooper. Lie still. Let me take a look at that injury." Doctor Mann, now with Curry's rifle pulled out from beneath the metal piece, cut through the uniform to examine the wound. Sounds faded again.
Jeddie heard the familiar voice calling him. Someone who shouldn't be here was calling his name! He opened his eyes. The sun was bright, the Kansas prairie was dancing before his eyes, tall prairie grass shimmying in the breeze like a tantalizing woman, pure white puffy clouds playfully kissing the Kansas hills as they skipped above the land.
The hills... It was then he saw off in the distance... a familiar rider on the crest of the far hill. Only one man sits a horse like that!
"Hannie!"
He was so far off, yet Jeddie saw the smile light the rider's face after he called his name.
The rider kicked his horse, he was coming for him, closer and closer, over the hills, disappearing then cresting, again and again, always coming toward him, for him...
"HEYES!"
"Hold still now, Trooper! Men, keep him steady!" Hands holding down his arms and legs. A brief stab of pain, then...
Jeddie watched as the rider and the Kansas prairie dissipated before his eyes, replaced by the brick fortifications of Fort Mifflin. "Wha...?"
Exclamations abounded! Doctor Mann held the piece of sheet metal in his hand, two sharp points of the u-shaped end with a streak of blood on each. He wiped his forehead.
"You are one lucky young man, Trooper Curry! If you hadn't held onto your rifle, this would have cut through to your heart and stopped it dead!"
He placed the metal on the rifle barrel showing where it had landed, blown seventy-five feet to be stopped with only the two points reaching into Jeddie's chest!
Jeddie felt a bit embarrassed seeing the faces surrounding him. "I'm fine, Doctor, thanks."
"I want you in the hospital now, Trooper. Need to clean that wound so it doesn't fester. And you'll be in overnight for observation. A concussion is nothing to wave off."
"I'm fine, Doctor."
"Not up for discussion, Trooper Curry. You'll do as the doctor says." Sergeant MacKenna patted Jeddie on the shoulder. "Give him a hand now, lads."
Jeddie looked over the wall as the soldiers lifted him. No Kansas prairie there! What did it all mean?
If Grandda Curry was here, he'd figure it out! He'll have to write Hannie about this. But maybe he wouldn't believe it. Hannie could be so practical some times, so confounded logical!
Jeddie would have been perturbed with Hannie, but he was filled with a kind of joy, no, peace filled him for having seen his cousin. So strange. Maybe this is one of those mysteries men are meant to ponder their whole life through?
"Wait! What about the rest?" Jeddie suddenly remembered McAlister and his six pupils outside the fort.
He grabbed the sleeve of Doctor Mann. "The men! Anyone..."
"Just one. Death was instantaneous. No other injuries that threaten life or limb."
"WHO?!" His fingers dug into the doctor's arm.
"Private Gudmussen."
Jeddie bowed his head.
************************HH*KC*JS*TJ************************
Dear Hannie,
Good news! I'll be discharged May 22, 1874! My time at Mifflin is considered -conditional- meaning the army is shipping me back to Fort Lyon to be discharged. I leave in 16 days and ought to arrive in Fort Lyon by May 1. Sent a telegraph to you at Comanche today with these dates too. I can't wait to see you again, Hannie!
Before you get questions, I will be traveling alone. Me and Miss Katie broke it off, I'm sorry to say. Us two just couldn't work things out.
I had an accident on guard duty. A nitro explosion sent a piece of metal into my chest from outside the fort. It didn't go in far but the strangest thing happened when I came to. I saw Kansas and you were riding on the hills. It seemed so real, Hannie! Wish Grandda Curry was here to tell us what it means.
McAlister was in hospital same time as me just he was there two days longer. He was pretty set back by the loss of a man but he bucked up like a trooper. That man had the bunk right next to mine.
Before I leave Mifflin I will transfer most of my account money to the bank in Cheyenne. Don't you think that's better than traveling with it all? I will bring enough to get us by for a time. We can start on the cattle drive north, if they have the job for me yet. If you have a better idea, tell me.
This might be my last letter from Mifflin! Hope so!
See you soon, cousin!
PFC J. Curry
Fort Mifflin
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
************************HH*KC*JS*TJ************************
He was on the pier to catch the last morning ferry to the city and transfer his funds to Cheyenne when Colonel Abercromby canceled all Leaves that day. A telegraph from Police Chief Ruggles put Fort Mifflin on alert to runs on two south Philly banks and possible riots ensuing.
Union Pacific Railroad, exposed for over-charging the government of funds to build west, had sparked the nation-wide panic last September, causing a snowball effect of collapsing banks and railroad companies across the nation. Consolidated of Philadelphia followed suit, the owner caught in corrupt land speculation with customer deposits.
Jeddie could do nothing but look across the fort walls to the city and wonder what Consolidated of Philadelphia had done with all the money he'd saved for nearly three years.
If that wasn't bad enough, there's his cousin.
Hannie will be so disappointed in me!
************************HH*KC*JS*TJ************************