Doc stood out on the wooden boardwalk and watched as the bar
swamper and another patron carried the limp body of Lew McCall down the street
toward the undertakers. He straightened his cravat and touched his hide out gun
in the pocket of his vest. He walked along the boardwalk until he crossed the
line. The line was the imaginary border between the upper and lower
classes.
As a dentist Doc had an entrée to the “better” side of town.
The further away from the heart of the district the less you heard the revelry of
the underemployed. Hickok stood across the street and looked up and down the
thoroughfare from the front of the jail house that was smack dab on the line. He
followed the group walking down the street with baby steps as they hefted the
dead weight of the knucklehead he had just shot. Hickok was illuminated it the
gas light that hung from the top of the porch in front of the jail. That seemed
a chancy thing to do. Hickok was a bold man. Perhaps it is true that fortune
favors the bold. Perhaps it even had a sneaking affection for the stupid.
Standing in full view like an illuminated sign seemed stupid instead of bold.
It wasn’t Doc’s problem so it was none of his nevermind.
Doc nodded at the dozing desk clerk who jumped up at the
sound of the opened door. He slowly trudged up the stairs to his room and unlocked
the door. He put his hat on the peg and hung up his jacket. He glanced over at
his dental tools that he had put out and polished in anticipation of his new
practice.
He sat at the padded chair that was placed against the wall.
He picked up his pencil and his notebook and started to pen another letter.
My Dearest Mattie,
I have found my
feet at my next destination of Abilene. It is a bustling town with a vigorous
population. A perfect place to resume my practice.
I have met the
Marshal. A Mr. James Butler Hickok. Yes the famous gunfighter and scout from
the penny dreadfulls. I doubt that you can peruse such in the solemnity of your
convent but I trust you know of whom I speak. He is a dandy of a man. In fact I
think you could legitimately term him a fop. Hickok is a very strong and
forceful personality. I think that it will not serve him well in the long run.
Please do not be
concerned. I remember how you would often chide me about my temper. I recall
how you chastised me for whipping that darkie that had given you offense. You
should know that age and illness has tempered my disposition to a degree that
will allow me to avoid conflict with the great Hickok. In fact I venture to
surmise that he will be in conflict with a young gunman called Hardin who is
being pushed into a fight he does not want and might not win.
I have noticed two
things in abundance in this town. Cow droppings and bad teeth. So I am hopeful
of starting up a practice that will support me in a manner that will preclude
me for relying on games of chance as anything other than a pleasant pastime.
Speaking of which I
believe I have run into an old friend who we both knew back in Missouri. Kate
Melvin who was the young foreign bride of my friend and fellow dental student
Silas Melvin who had joined us on those wonderful picnics that we had along the
river in the springtime of our youth. I am sorry to say she is in reduced
circumstances that I would not trouble you with. I will endeavor to converse
with her to see if I might help.
Please remember
that I am always at your service. If you ever call be assured that I will come and
let nothing stand in my way. Not the disapproval of your parents. Not the wrath
of your God. I am always your obedient servant and seek to only to do what will
make you happy. Even if it means being these many miles away from you.
With fondest
regards,
Your Dearest Cousin,
John
No comments:
Post a Comment