Chapter 8 Abilene (Part 2)

"Artie, hold on," the woman instructed her boss. "Why don't ya at least give her a chance."

"Sarah, I ain't gonna hire someone that I have ta keep an eye on," Artie responded. "I ain't got no time for that."

"You won't have to keep an eye on her. I will," Sarah insisted. "Besides, you know this place could use another girl."

"Fine," Artie gave in. "But she's yer responsibility, and if she can't handle things, she's outta here. I'll go get a room key." Artie went to his office and returned with a key. He handed it to Sarah. "Room five."

Sarah took the key and turned to Kitty. "Come on. I'll show you to your room." Kitty followed Sarah up the wooden steps and to a room down the balcony walkway. Sarah unlocked the door and stepped inside. Kitty followed her. "This is where you'll be staying. I guess I should introduce myself. I'm Sarah Novak." She extended her hand out to Kitty.

Kitty took the extended hand. "I'm Kitty Russell. It's nice to meet you."

"Same here," Sarah replied. "What's your story Kitty?"

"My story?" Kitty questioned.

"Yeah," Sarah responded. "It seems that every new girl that comes to Abilene has a story. So what's yours?"

Kitty didn't think Sarah needed to know her complete life story, so she opted to give the condensed version. "I'm from New Orleans. My mother died when I was younger, and I never knew my father. I was tired of being a saloon girl in New Orleans and wanted a change. I was on my way to California, but realized I needed more money. I plan on working here until I have enough money to continue on."

Sarah wasn't surprised by Kitty's story. Most girls in Kitty's situation were hoping for a better life in California. The part about being a saloon girl in New Orleans caught Sarah's attention. "You might have some experience of being a saloon girl in New Orleans, but Abilene isn't New Orleans. Out here it's lawless and not as civilized."

"I'm aware of the differences between the West and back east. I've read magazines," said Kitty, slightly annoyed.

"Magazines don't always tell the full story," Sarah pointed out. "You seem like a nice girl, and I don't wanna see you getting hurt."

"I appreciate that, but I think I can handle myself," Kitty stated. "Afterall, I did work on a riverboat for a short period of time."

Sarah raised her eyebrows. She had never worked on a riverboat, but had heard stories. "Well now, that changes things. You probably can handle things here. I'll let you get cleaned up. I know what it's like to ride in a dusty stagecoach. You'll start work tonight. Do you have any dresses?" Sarah saw Kitty's carpet bag, but wasn't sure what was inside.

Kitty pointed to her bag. "I have a couple of dresses in there, just in case I needed them. I could wear one of those."

"That's a start. I have a dress or two you could borrow," said Sarah. "It's always a good idea to have a few on hand."

"Thank you," said Kitty, accepting Sarah's offer. "Sarah, what's your story?"

Sarah looked at Kitty. Kitty had shared her story, so Sarah knew it was only fair that she shared hers. "I'm from St. Louis. When I was your age, I decided I wanted to see California. My money took me this far. That was almost eight years ago, and I'm still here."

"I don't want to be rude, but how old are you?" Kitty asked.

"Almost 27 years old," Sarah answered.

"Really?!" Kitty was shocked.

Sarah let out a short laugh. "Didja think I was older?"

"Oh no!" Kitty exclaimed. "Younger, definitely younger."

"Nope," Sarah replied. "I'll let ya get cleaned up. Take the dress you're wearing, open the window, and shake it out. You'll be surprised to see how much dust comes off of it." Sarah gave Kitty her key and left the room.

Kitty was grateful to get out of her dress and cleaned up. She pulled out her dresses from her carpet bag and hung them in the wardrobe, leaving a saloon dress out to wear that evening. Kitty took the pitcher of water and poured some into a basin. Gathering water in her hands, Kitty splashed some on her face. With her eyes closed, Kitty blindly reached for the towel that was hanging on the towel bar and wiped her face. Once her face was dry, Kitty replaced the towel on the bar. Kitty's next task was applying her face paint. She knew from experience how to cover her freckles and how to make herself look older. Kitty had applied face paint so many times that it didn't take her long at all. When she finished, Kitty put the caps back on the bottles. Kitty walked over to the bed and picked up her dress. She stepped into it and expertly fastened it. Spying the dress she was wearing on the floor, Kitty decided to take Sarah's advice. She walked to the window, opened it, and shook the dress out. Sarah was right. Kitty was surprised at the amount of dust. Kitty grabbed her room key and placed it securely between her breasts.

Kitty left her room and looked at the saloon below. The atmosphere was indeed different from New Orleans. First, the Red Front was a fraction of the size of both the California and Amsterdam houses. There was gambling taking place, but nothing compared to what you would see in New Orleans. The patrons were also different. They mainly consisted of cowboys and farmers. Many who wore rough clothing, worn boots, weathered hats, and vests. Kitty knew she couldn't stay upstairs forever, so she descended the steps and joined the crowd.

Sarah saw Kitty and walked over to her. "Different from New Orleans?"

"Yeah," Kitty nodded. "Are there any rules here?"

"Rules?" Sarah questioned.

"Yeah," Kitty responded. "Like parts of the saloon that each girl is assigned to or men showing their money before being brought upstairs?"

"No, we don't have certain parts of the saloon we're assigned to. As for men showing their money beforehand, that's not a rule either. But Artie does have a rule that his customers get what they want. If they don't pay, it comes out of your pay. He aims to please his customers."

"How do they get away without paying?" Kitty asked. "You would think Mr. Kline would take better care of his employees."

"Ha!" Sarah gave a humorless laugh. "How do the men get away without paying? They tell Artie they weren't pleased and aren't paying. Artie believes them."

It didn't take long for the Red Front's clientele to notice the young, beautiful redhead. Many were eager to have a drink with her and enjoy her companionship. Kitty did her best to give them her time, but she didn't want the other girls to think she was trying to hone in on their chances to make money. They reassured her that she wasn't. As the night wore on, customers came and went. Towards the end of the night, one customer caught Kitty's attention. Sheriff Hickok had entered the saloon. Kitty wasn't expecting to see him and certainly didn't want him to see her. She was too embarrassed. She didn't want the nice sheriff to know that she was a saloon girl, but it was too late. He had spotted her.

"Miss Russell," Bill greeted with a nod of his head and a tip of his hat. "I wasn't expecting ta see you in here."

"Oh well, I uh," Kitty stammered as she tried to explain herself.

Bill sensed Kitty's anxiety. "How about joining me in a drink?"

"Sure," Kitty smiled, accepting the offer. She and Bill enjoyed a beer and each other's conversation.

After Bill left, Sarah walked up to Kitty. "I didn't know you knew Sheriff Hickok."

"I met him on the stage," Kitty informed Sarah.

"Oh," said Sarah. She was then distracted by a man that entered the saloon. Her facial expressions softened when she saw the man.

Kitty noticed Sarah's changed expression. "I take it you know him."

"That's Sam Baxton. He's a land rancher from Dodge City. Every once in a while, he comes to Abilene and stops by the saloon," Sarah told Kitty.

"To see you?" Kitty asked.

"Yeah," Sarah confirmed. "He's been in here several times saying he wants to marry me, but I just turn him down. Marriage isn't in the cards for saloon girls."

"Sarah," Kitty addressed her friend. "I believe there is someone out there for everyone. Sam Baxton could be your someone."

Sarah shrugged her shoulders. "I guess I hadn't looked at it like that."

"Don't turn him down next time," Kitty practically demanded.

Sarah took Kitty's advice and the following day was on her way to Dodge City with Sam Baxton. Kitty was happy for Sarah, but at the same time she envied her. Sarah had found her someone. Kitty still held out hope that hers was out there.

Sarah had warned Kitty that the saloons out West were different from the ones in New Orleans. Kitty dealt with some unruly men, but nothing she couldn't handle, until one night. Kitty had been sharing a drink with a man named Chip McCall. He seemed like a decent man and Kitty was enjoying his company. Both finished their beer, and McCall requested Kitty's services upstairs. Kitty didn't deny Chip's request and led him upstairs.

"Make yourself comfortable, while I get things ready," Kitty requested. She turned towards the bed, when she felt cold metal pressed against her neck. Her heart pounded in her chest and her breath quickened.

TBC