An Unexpected Hire
"Sam, I'm sure going to miss having you around," said Kitty as she gave her barkeep a hug. "You were the first person I talked to in the Long Branch."
Sam gave Kitty a smile. "Me remember that day very well, Miss Kitty. You were barely a woman when you walked through those bat wing doors." Sam let his mind wander back to the first day he saw Kitty Russell. The moment he saw her, he knew she was something special. He had been correct. After only two and half years of getting a job as a saloon girl at the Long Branch, Kitty Russell had bought a half interest and ended up being a business partner with Bill Pence.
Kitty's voice broke Sam from his thoughts. "I can't believe Nora is getting married. You and Frances must be so proud."
"We certainly are," Sam beamed. "That's why I'm quitting me job. With Nora planning on living in San Francisco with her future husband, me and Frances decided to head out there. We want to see our grandchildren grow up."
"Perfectly understandable," said Kitty. "Maybe someday I'll end up in Nora's shoes and get married."
"I'm sure the Marshal will get around ta asking ye someday," Sam stated. Kitty stood there with her mouth agape, staring at Sam. Sam chuckled. "Don't look so shocked, Miss Kitty. Me eyes saw a lot between the two of you. The Marshal would come into the Long Branch every so often before you were there, but his visits increased ten fold after you."
"You know, Sam, sometimes I think we're the worst kept secret in Dodge," said Kitty with a shake of her head and an amused smile.
"I never said anything," Sam promised. "Oh, I almost forgot." Sam went behind the bar and grabbed his pistol. "This was given to me by me father. I'd hate to part with it." Sam gave Kitty one last hug. "Goodbye, Miss Kitty. If you ever find the time, come out to San Francisco and visit us. Me 'n Frances will welcome you with open arms."
Kitty accepted Sam's final hug. "I will most certainly try."
Kitty watched her head barkeep walk out of the Long Branch. Kitty was going to miss Sam. She had a special place in her heart for the Irish man. Sam Murphy had such a gentle soul, and his wife had a soul to match. The two of them lived in a small house on the edge of town. They had one daughter, Nora, who met a man out in California. Sam's original plan was for him and Frances to go to the wedding and return to Dodge, but Frances didn't want to be away from her only child. Sam didn't want to be away from her either.
Now Kitty had the task of hiring another head barkeep. She had other barkeeps, but they only worked part time. Kitty did offer the job of head barkeep to them, but they kindly refused, saying they weren't interested and would rather keep working the hours they had. Kitty posted the job outside the Long Branch and several other places around Dodge, including the stage depot. Many people passed through there. Surely someone would see posting and be interested in a job. Of course Kitty did not plan on hiring just anyone. She would make sure whomever she hired was right for the job.
A week later a stage from St. Louis pulled into the depot. The passengers stepped out of the stagecoach and went about their business. Most were citizens returning to Dodge City, but one passenger was new. He had never been to Dodge City. The stranger took in his surroundings. The first thing that caught his attention was the help wanted sign. Wanting to start a new life in Dodge and knowing he would need a job, the man stepped up to the poster to get a better look at it. Reading the paper tacked up on bulletin board, the man took in the information. "Help wanted. Head barkeep. Long Branch Saloon." he quietly read to himself. He had heard of the Long Branch Saloon.
"Sir!" Jim Buck yelled from the top of the stagecoach box. "Yer luggage and shotgun."
The stranger walked over to the stagecoach to collect his belongings. "Thanks. Where's a good place ta stay in Dodge City?"
Jim pointed down Front Street. "Dodge House is in the middle of town. Best hotel Dodge has."
Sam looked in the direction that Jim was pointing. "And the Long Branch?"
"Just down a ways from the Dodge House. Ya can't miss it," Jim replied. "Best saloon in town."
"Obliged," said the man as he walked towards town. The first thing he would do is get a room at the Dodge House and get cleaned up. After that he would go to the Long Branch and see if they were still in need of a head barkeep.
Kitty was standing at the bar, peeling a hard-boiled egg, when she heard the creak of the batwing doors. She turned to see a man she had never seen before. He definitely wasn't the most handsome man. In fact, handsome was the last word that Kitty would use to describe the man that had entered her establishment. His craggy face was his least desired feature, yet it was his most dominant feature. The man walked up to Kitty and tipped his hat to her.
"Excuse me. I'm looking for the owner," stated the stranger.
"You found her," Kitty remarked. "I'm Kitty Russell, owner of the Long Branch." Kitty extended her hand to the man standing next to her. His gentle voice didn't match his looks. Kitty was expecting more of a gravelly voice.
The man took the offered hand. "Hello, Miss Russell. I'm Sam Noonan. I saw yer help wanted sign. Are ya still looking for a head barkeep?"
"Miss Russell," Kitty half chuckled.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Russell" Sam apologized. "I didn't even think that you could be married, and that you 'n yer husband owned the place."
Kitty quickly corrected Sam. "Oh no! I'm not married. It's just that most people around here call me, Miss Kitty. I guess I was taken back when you called me Miss Russell. You said you were looking for a job."
"Yes, I am," Sam replied.
"What makes you think you're cut out for the job?" Kitty asked, starting an impromptu interview.
"I've worked a lot of bars. I've seen the kind of trouble that walks in, and I know how to handle it. And I don't mind cleaning up when the night's done either," Sam answered.
Kitty gave him a once-over. He wasn't fancy, but he wasn't a fool either. He looked like a man who had seen enough of life to know what it was about. Still, Dodge City wasn't the easiest place to fit in. She had to be careful. "You sound like you've done this before, but what makes you think you'll fit in around here?" Kitty asked, her voice calm but curious.
"I've heard stories," Sam said, eyes twinkling. "Seems like Dodge City's always got its share of rough characters, but there's a way to handle them without turning the place into a battlefield."
Kitty considered it for a moment. She could use someone who knew how to keep things calm when tensions rose. The last week had been a bit chaotic, and she couldn't keep running the place without a head barkeep. "Well," she said after a pause, "It would be nice to hire someone who can handle the job and keep things steady. Let's see how you do. Here come some customers."
Sam nodded, walking behind the bar and over to the two men at the other end. "What can I get you fellas?" Both men ordered a beer. Sam moved with confidence but not the arrogance that often came with men trying to prove themselves. Sam expertly filled two mugs with the frothy liquid and placed them in front of the two men. The men took a sip from their mugs and placed two nickels on the bar. Sam gathered the money and walked over to Kitty, handing her the money. Kitty took the money from Sam.
She gave him a slight nod. "Alright, Sam. You've got yourself a job. But don't go getting too comfortable just yet. You still need to prove you can handle a crowd."
"No problem," Sam said. "I've dealt with worse than a bunch of cowhands in need of a drink."
Kitty laughed quietly to herself. "Well, welcome to the Long Branch, Sam Noonan. You might just fit in after all."
"Thank you, Miss Kitty." Sam turned to leave, but changed his mind and turned to face Kitty again.
"Is something wrong?" Kitty questioned. She hoped Sam didn't suddenly change his mind. It had just occurred to Kitty she had unexpectedly replaced one Sam with another Sam.
"I hope not," Sam replied. "If yer gonna hire me, I feel I need to be honest with you. I do have a storied past, and it's not one I'm proud of. I spent time in prison for robbery."
"Oh," said Kitty, not really sure what else to say.
"But I want you to know that I've changed," Sam continued. "I've learned my lesson. I was given a second chance and I want to take that second chance and start with a clean slate. I can promise you that those days of my past are over. They are behind me."
Kitty couldn't explain it, but there was something about Sam Noonan that made her trust him. "I appreciate your honesty, and I believe in giving people a second chance. I haven't changed my mind."
"Wonderful," Sam breathed a sigh of relief. "By the way, I noticed you don't have a gun behind the bar. All the saloons I've worked in have had one."
"My former barkeep took the one we had with him," Kitty replied. "His father gave it to him. I guess I haven't replaced it yet."
"If ya don't mind, I could bring my shotgun over and put it behind the bar," Sam offered.
"That'll be just fine," said Kitty. "Can you start tonight?"
"Yes," Sam answered. "I'll bring the shotgun then."
Later that evening Sam walked from the Dodge House to the Long Branch with his shotgun. He wasn't worried about not having it at the hotel with him. He also had a pistol. Sam was about to turn and enter the Long Branch, when he heard a deep baritone voice behind him.
"Hold it," the voice demanded. "Put your hands in the air and walk back towards me." Sam did as he was told. "Now stop, put the gun down, and turn around." Once again, Sam followed the instructions given. When turned around, Sam saw a man that was a few inches taller than him. Sam also noticed the Marshal's badge. At that moment Sam realized he was looking at Matt Dillon, Marshal of Dodge City, Kansas. Sam had heard stories about Matt Dillon. "Do you want to explain why you were about to walk in the Long Branch with a shotgun?" Matt had never seen the man before and his instincts were on red alert.
"I was hired by Miss Kitty. I'm starting tonight. I told Miss Kitty I'd bring my shotgun to put behind the bar," Sam explained.
"Hmmhmm," Matt nodded. "Let's go to the Long Branch and see if your story checks out. Go ahead. Lead the way." Matt picked up the shotgun and followed Sam. He wasn't sure if he believed Sam's story or not. Kitty never mentioned anything to him about hiring someone.
Kitty saw Sam enter the saloon, followed by Matt. Matt had a shotgun in his hand. Kitty could only imagine why Matt was following Sam with a shotgun that she assumed belonged to Sam. "What's going on, Matt?"
"Kitty," Matt greeted. "This man claims that you hired him as yer head barkeep. He also claims that he told you he'd bring his shotgun to put behind the bar."
"He's right," Kitty confirmed. "I hired him this afternoon, and I did say he could bring his shotgun."
Matt placed the shotgun on top of the bar. "Sorry, I saw a stranger about to walk into the Long Branch with a shotgun, and I reacted."
"No problem," said Sam, accepting Matt's apology. "You were just doing yer job. If you would excuse me, I'd like ta get started." Sam walked behind the bar and hung his shotgun on the nails under the counter. He grabbed an apron and put it on. Sam watched the interaction between the Marshal and his new boss. She may not be married, but Sam had a strong feeling that something was going on between Matt Dillon and Kitty Russell. He wouldn't ask. Sam respected people's privacy. As a barkeep, Sam was confident he would find out whether or not Kitty Russell was Matt Dillon's woman. Barkeeps had a way of finding things like that out, without having to ask.
Later that night, after the Long Branch had closed, Kitty was laying in Matt's arms. Her head was pillowed on his broad bare chest. They had just made love with one another. "Tell me about this man you hired," Matt requested.
Kitty hesitated with her answer. She wasn't sure how much she should tell Matt. "His name is Sam Noonan, and he was looking for a job. He has experience as a barkeep, so I hired him."
Kitty's hesitation didn't go past Matt. "And?"
"And what?" asked Kitty as she started to draw lazy circles on Matt's chest.
"Kitty, stop trying to distract me," said Matt, clearly becoming distracted. "And tell me what else you know about Sam Noonan. I know there's more."
Kitty knew she couldn't lie to Matt. She slowly blew out a breath. "He said he has a storied past. He served time in prison for robbery."
"Kitty!" Matt exclaimed, not believing what he had heard. "Why on Earth would you hire someone like that?"
"I can't explain it, but I trust him," Kitty defended herself. "He says he wants to start fresh and leave his former life behind him. And I believe him."
Matt kissed Kitty's forehead. She was a good judge of character. "I know I'm not gonna change yer mind, but I want you ta know that I'll be stopping by more often, just ta make sure things are okay."
"Of course you will," said Kitty. "You wouldn't be Matt Dillon, if you didn't."
For the next few weeks, Sam settled into the rhythm of the saloon. He kept the peace, poured drinks with a smooth efficiency, and never let his guard down, even when things got tense. It didn't take long for the regulars to warm up to him. Sam wasn't flashy or overbearing, but he had a quiet strength that made people feel at ease.
One evening, after the last drink was poured and the last customer stumbled out, Kitty leaned against the bar, a tired smile on her face. "You know, I'm glad I hired you."
Sam wiped down a counter, his voice low but kind. "I appreciate that. I'll keep this place running smoothly, as long as you need me."
Kitty raised an eyebrow, impressed with his steady resolve. "You're alright, Sam. We'll make a good team. I see a great friendship in our future."
And just like that, Sam Noonan became a fixture at the Long Branch. Not just as a barkeep, but as someone who'd seen enough of life to know that sometimes, a steady hand and a calm presence were all it took to keep the peace. Kitty never expected that she would've hired a man with a criminal past to be her head barkeep, but life was full of the unexpected.
The end of this story
Author's Note: Bert Rumsey played Sam the barkeep for the first several seasons. Glenn Strange played Sam after Bert left. I'm assuming both played the role of Sam Noonan. However, for my story, I gave the first Sam a different last name.