Dodge
The waiter in Delmonico's put two steaming bowls of antelope stew on the table and set a basket of bread in between. "Give a yell if you need anything else, Marshal." Seated across from Matt, Mathilda was already shoveling food in her mouth, not caring if she looked unladylike. A few forkfuls later she paused for a sip of water. "Well Marshal Dillon, you must have heard that I called off my wedding. I'm sure you want to lecture me about that." Matt calmly swallowed his stew. "You know how I feel about you running off and letting folks worry, but that doesn't mean you don't have a good reason for calling off your wedding. That part's up to you. If you want to talk about it, I'm happy to listen, that's up to you too." Mathilda watched Matt as he went on eating without saying a word. Maybe he really would listen without jumping in to tell her she was crazy or wrong, or had a bad case of nerves. It was worth a try. "Marshal, you're right, I shouldn't have run away and worried my folks, and I admit it was real stupid to go into that saloon, not knowing what I was doing. The way I've gone about doing things is all wrong, but I'd like to try and explain myself so it makes some kind of sense. My whole life I've taken to studying, reading, writing stories and essays and such, that's how I spent most of my time. Last year, Jeffrey came calling. His family lives near mine, so I've known him my whole life. He says he loves me, and I might love him, I don't know. He's kind and polite, and listens when I talk about books. When he asked me to marry him I said yes, because I've never heard of a girl saying no to a marriage proposal. Mama and papa were thrilled. They acted like I was set to live happily ever after, like in the fairy tales I used to read." Mathilda took another sip of water. Matt set his fork down. "It seems you don't see it that way." "I guess I tried to, but growing up I saw things that got me thinking. Like mama practically begging papa for money to buy new curtains or shoes. And the day I saw her weep when she realized she was with child again, at a time when she was tending two small girls and two sick and feverish boys. Mama always acted like she had a perfect life. I knew that was lie. Then Kitty came to visit and I heard her talk to mama about the business she owns. Kitty's different from any other grown-up woman that I've met. She's independent, has her own money and travels without asking permission. I heard, somehow, that she started as a saloon girl. I didn't really know what that was, but figured if it worked for her it could work for me." A sheepish smile crossed Mathilda's lip. "We know how that turned out." She paused and looked at Matt with earnest eyes. "I know women don't have a whole lot of options, but no one's ever mentioned one to me but marrying well and having babies. I want - I need - I have to find out what I, Mathilda Claymore, is capable of doing. I'm just not sure how to go about it." Matt scratched the back of his head at the unexpected torrent of words. Advising young women was far outside his line of work. He cleared his throat. "Well, maybe you can start with figuring out what you want to do for the next few days or weeks." Mathilda slowly smiled. Marshal Dillon was right, she could begin with small decisions. "Well, I only have 92 cents, but I'd like to try and stay here for a bit. Could you tell me about a safe place to board and help me find employment in a shop or something?" She laughed. "No saloons, of course."
"MATHEW, Mathew ya betta come quick." Festus had his head poked in the door. Matt grabbed his hat and hurried out. Mathilde rushed to the front of the restaurant, to peek out the window. A tall, burly, bearded man had a short, suit-wearing dude by the throat, and was holding him up in the air. Matt strode over. "Bobcat, put him down and tell me what the trouble is." The big man grumbled, but opened his hand. The dude drop down with a thud, gasping for air. "All right Bobcat, now tell me what got you all riled up." Bobcat scowled at the dude. "He insulted me - asked me ta do lord knows what." Puzzled, Matt turned to the man in the suit, who was now massaging his throat. "What's your name, and what's Bobcat talking about." The man shakily shrugged. "My name's Walter Lane. All I said to this Mr. Bobcat was that I hoped he and I could meet alone in a quiet place for an interview." Bobcat shook his fist. "See Marshal, I don't know what a interview is, but it sounds downright indecent." Matt held up a hand. "Go on, Mr. Lane." "Marshal, I'm a newspaper man. My brother and I bought the Kansas Gazette based in Topeka. I'm traveling the state to talk to people and write their stories." Matt fixed his eyes on Walter Lane. "Mister, in my experience, newspaper men are prone to telling half-truths and even inciting violence to get the stories they want." "No Marshal, my brother and I are nothing like that. I want to write real stories about real people. Listen, if I can ask Mr. Bobcat some questions, his story can be subject to his approval. If he doesn't like what I write, I'll tear it up." Matt turned to the big bearded man. "Bobcat, you heard the man. He wants to ask you about yourself, and if you like what he writes about you, 100's maybe 1000's of folks will read it." Bobcat poked out his chest. "I kinda like that." He put his arm around Walter Lane. "Come an' ask me all the questions you want. I like the way you call me Mr. Bobcat - show's respect." The unlikely pair headed off, and Matt walked away with a shake of his head, wishing all problems were so easily solved. Mathilda Claymore's sure wasn't. Back inside Delmonico's he took a long, hard at Mathilda's young, determined face. "All right, I'll introduce you to Ma Smalley at her boarding house, and if you meet me here tomorrow morning, I'll give you leads on finding work. Right now, we'd better send another telegram to New Orleans."
New Orleans
Standing in the foyer of her comfortable home, Vivi unfolded the telegram just delivered to her door. Kitty hurried over. "What's it say. Is it from Matt?" "Yes, but I don't understand. It says Mathilda will be staying in Dodge for a time, and he'll send an update when there's news." Vivi glared at Kitty. "Dillon is supposed to be sending Mathilda home to marry Jeffrey. You said he'd do the right thing." "I said he'd keep her safe, and I'm sure he's doing that. Besides, if Mathilda doesn't want to come home right away, maybe marrying Jeffrey isn't the best idea." Vivi frowned. "Don't be ridiculous, of course it is, and since Dillon isn't helping, I'm going to Dodge to fix this myself." "If you are going to Dodge, I'm going with you." "All right, but no more ridiculous thoughts. We must get Mathilda home and in her wedding dress, now, while Jeffrey's still willing to marry her. We will leave tomorrow." Vivi paused and sighed. "At least I think we will. I have to get Jason to agree that I should go, and to pay for the train and other expenses." She hurried off to speak to her husband.
TBC