before the ride back to town. “I’ll inform Slim you will be coming by to pick up the bull. Maybe we can trade a couple of those pups I
heard you have as partial payment. Stop
by the office and we can go have a drink.”
“I
sure will, Cash. It’s been a long time
since I have been to town. There’s also
a shipment coming in on the next train for Martha. She wants to fill the house with fancy
furniture and things. Guess she will be
having extravagant dinner parties next.” He shook his head in bemusement. “I just can’t get over how much things have changed around here since
the railroad arrived.”
Cash
shook hands in farewell then stepped into his stirrup, swinging his leg over
the saddle.
“See you later,
Cash, and you are welcome to a couple of those cow dogs.
Cash rode off at a
swift pace toward town knowing there would barely be time before his council
meeting with the mayor.
***
Arriving
in town, Cash went immediately to the mayor’s office. Not having time to change, he brushed off
dust from his pants before he entered the meeting. The room held a long oval table with eight
tall oak spindle-back chairs. Kerosene
sconces hung two to a wall, provided adequate light reflecting off the highly
polished wooden table.
When he laid out
his plans relaying his concerns about security for the town with its increased
population and his need to increase the jail area, he received the okay on all
his requests after two hours of discussion by the council and the continued
efforts of Cash to persuade them to see his point of view.
After the meeting
ended, the men all gathered to chat and drink coffee before going home. Not wanting to spend any more time than
necessary, Cash sauntered toward the door. He combed his fingers through his hair before adjusting his hat and was
ready to depart when Mayor Smith caught his arm. “Hold on, Cash. There is something I wanted to discuss before
you leave.”
Cash turned to
face Harry and paused in silence waiting for him to speak. “You know, you have quite a reputation around
this state since being a marshal brings you into most areas. Have you ever thought about politics?” A serious tone chimed in his voice.
Cash
chuckled and raised a curved finger to his lips in an effort to hide his
amusement. “I can’t say it has ever entered my mind. The thought just doesn’t appeal to me, Mayor.”
He liked his job
most of the time and enjoyed the freedom it gave him to travel the state. Barely able to tolerate the council meetings,
he could not envision himself tied to a desk and running for office.
He did not mind
getting involved for someone else’s benefit, he considered it his duty to help
them get elected but he preferred to stay out of the limelight and with his
dubious past, there would probably be scandal and gossip if someone felt the
need to ruin his image .
Cash had no desire
to have his personal life exposed for public scrutiny. He wouldn’t even to talk about it, much less
have to defend himself or his actions.
“Well,
we need a new face in the governor’s office and I think you’re the man for the
job. Why don’t you give it some thought? We could use you and your knowledge of the
Indians would be a big help. They need a
strong voice and maybe you could make a difference. We all know how much you care for them.”
Cash’s
face steeled and his jaws tensed while he attempted to control his rage. “I don’t know, Harry, I can’t see where it
would do any good. I would have to think
on it. In any event, their fate appears
to be sealed. They refuse to go to the
reservations and everyone wants the gold they are sitting on up in the
hills. I think they will all eventually
be slaughtered when the troops arrive.”
Harry
heard you have as partial payment. Stop
by the office and we can go have a drink.”
“I
sure will, Cash. It’s been a long time
since I have been to town. There’s also
a shipment coming in on the next train for Martha. She wants to fill the house with fancy
furniture and things. Guess she will be
having extravagant dinner parties next.” He shook his head in bemusement. “I just can’t get over how much things have changed around here since
the railroad arrived.”
Cash
shook hands in farewell then stepped into his stirrup, swinging his leg over
the saddle.
“See you later,
Cash, and you are welcome to a couple of those cow dogs.
Cash rode off at a
swift pace toward town knowing there would barely be time before his council
meeting with the mayor.
***
Arriving
in town, Cash went immediately to the mayor’s office. Not having time to change, he brushed off
dust from his pants before he entered the meeting. The room held a long oval table with eight
tall oak spindle-back chairs. Kerosene
sconces hung two to a wall, provided adequate light reflecting off the highly
polished wooden table.
When he laid out
his plans relaying his concerns about security for the town with its increased
population and his need to increase the jail area, he received the okay on all
his requests after two hours of discussion by the council and the continued
efforts of Cash to persuade them to see his point of view.
After the meeting
ended, the men all gathered to chat and drink coffee before going home. Not wanting to spend any more time than
necessary, Cash sauntered toward the door. He combed his fingers through his hair before adjusting his hat and was
ready to depart when Mayor Smith caught his arm. “Hold on, Cash. There is something I wanted to discuss before
you leave.”
Cash turned to
face Harry and paused in silence waiting for him to speak. “You know, you have quite a reputation around
this state since being a marshal brings you into most areas. Have you ever thought about politics?” A serious tone chimed in his voice.
Cash
chuckled and raised a curved finger to his lips in an effort to hide his
amusement. “I can’t say it has ever entered my mind. The thought just doesn’t appeal to me, Mayor.”
He liked his job
most of the time and enjoyed the freedom it gave him to travel the state. Barely able to tolerate the council meetings,
he could not envision himself tied to a desk and running for office.
He did not mind
getting involved for someone else’s benefit, he considered it his duty to help
them get elected but he preferred to stay out of the limelight and with his
dubious past, there would probably be scandal and gossip if someone felt the
need to ruin his image .
Cash had no desire
to have his personal life exposed for public scrutiny. He wouldn’t even to talk about it, much less
have to defend himself or his actions.
“Well,
we need a new face in the governor’s office and I think you’re the man for the
job. Why don’t you give it some thought? We could use you and your knowledge of the
Indians would be a big help. They need a
strong voice and maybe you could make a difference. We all know how much you care for them.”
Cash’s
face steeled and his jaws tensed while he attempted to control his rage. “I don’t know, Harry, I can’t see where it
would do any good. I would have to think
on it. In any event, their fate appears
to be sealed. They refuse to go to the
reservations and everyone wants the gold they are sitting on up in the
hills. I think they will all eventually
be slaughtered when the troops arrive.”
Harry
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