Chad Higgins about working part-time I have a feeling we are going to need a
little more help when all the herds come in.”
John
unsaddled his horse, walking through the paddock gate. “Sounds all right to me. I’ve never seen so many cattle together at
one time. Guess the folks back east will
eat well this winter. I’ll fill the
water trough and clean up out here while you are gone.”
Rabbit
spun on her rear hooves when Cash reined her to the east.
Autumn leaves
floated whirling in eddies above ground as he rode slowly letting his horse
warm up and looked around one last time. Once outside of town, he broke into a run, enjoying the sun and the
breeze brushing across face. Beginning
to turn brown in spots after the summer’s heat, the rangeland contrasted with
the deep blue of the sky with billowy white clouds scattered throughout,
another preamble to the weather ahead.
He slowed his gait
and continued on to the Mitchell ranch trying to keep his thoughts centered on
anything but the past. The heartache
masked by anger and rage had made him a disillusioned cynic unable to project
any sign of weakness or allow anyone too close. Aware of the bitterness eroding his guts, he just didn’t give a damn.
Six
On the flat
grazing land in the distance, a ranch house with a large red barn and silo
appeared where a dark haze rose from cattle corralled for the long trip by
train to Kansas City. A white three-story house with trees planted
around for shade contrasted with the rusty red of the barn, built for feed
storage during the winter months.
As
Cash approached the barn, Chuck Mitchell came to greet him. “Hi there, Cash. It has been a long time. What brings you all the way out here?” A middle-aged man, his black hair showing
some signs of gray, walked with swift strides showing he remained active and
agile. The shirt and pants he wore
indicated wear. His boots kicked up dust
as he walked through the well-trodden soil. Cattle in the full pens bawled their discontent.
Cash
dismounted and led his filly toward the barn. “I need to speak with Chad
about a deputy position. I think we’re
going to need more help in town while herds are coming in. Since you are usually among the first to
bring in your stock, I thought maybe he might like some work for the
winter.” The two men shook hands when
they met.
“Come down to the
house, Cash. We can get something to eat
and talk. I wanted to discuss getting
your bull soon so I can breed these cows before they go out for the winter. I figured breeding them with your Hereford
would put a lot more pounds on the calves and get me some larger profits come
time to sell next year. What do you
think?” They turned and walked toward
the house while continuing their conversation.
“Sounds
like a good idea, Chuck. You know you’re
welcome to come and get him any time you want to.” His lips turned up in a grin. “Just make sure you bring him back in good
health. I sure don’t want to lose the
old boy”
The prize Hereford
bull, imported from England
three years earlier, had been crossbreeding with his Longhorns producing
quality beef. After three generations,
his cattle added nearly three times the weight of Longhorns, still having the
stamina to endure the winters in the Dakotas. In exchange for breeding, Cash would ask for
horses. On the way to the house, Chuck
motioned to Chad
to come along.
Orphaned
at the age of twelve, Chad
worked for Chuck and matured into a fine young man under the watchful eye of
his boss. Chuck treated him like a son
and Chad would
do anything Chuck asked of him. Cash
knew Chad to be
dependable and make rational decisions while controlling a potentially harmful
situation. An excellent marksman,
little more help when all the herds come in.”
John
unsaddled his horse, walking through the paddock gate. “Sounds all right to me. I’ve never seen so many cattle together at
one time. Guess the folks back east will
eat well this winter. I’ll fill the
water trough and clean up out here while you are gone.”
Rabbit
spun on her rear hooves when Cash reined her to the east.
Autumn leaves
floated whirling in eddies above ground as he rode slowly letting his horse
warm up and looked around one last time. Once outside of town, he broke into a run, enjoying the sun and the
breeze brushing across face. Beginning
to turn brown in spots after the summer’s heat, the rangeland contrasted with
the deep blue of the sky with billowy white clouds scattered throughout,
another preamble to the weather ahead.
He slowed his gait
and continued on to the Mitchell ranch trying to keep his thoughts centered on
anything but the past. The heartache
masked by anger and rage had made him a disillusioned cynic unable to project
any sign of weakness or allow anyone too close. Aware of the bitterness eroding his guts, he just didn’t give a damn.
Six
On the flat
grazing land in the distance, a ranch house with a large red barn and silo
appeared where a dark haze rose from cattle corralled for the long trip by
train to Kansas City. A white three-story house with trees planted
around for shade contrasted with the rusty red of the barn, built for feed
storage during the winter months.
As
Cash approached the barn, Chuck Mitchell came to greet him. “Hi there, Cash. It has been a long time. What brings you all the way out here?” A middle-aged man, his black hair showing
some signs of gray, walked with swift strides showing he remained active and
agile. The shirt and pants he wore
indicated wear. His boots kicked up dust
as he walked through the well-trodden soil. Cattle in the full pens bawled their discontent.
Cash
dismounted and led his filly toward the barn. “I need to speak with Chad
about a deputy position. I think we’re
going to need more help in town while herds are coming in. Since you are usually among the first to
bring in your stock, I thought maybe he might like some work for the
winter.” The two men shook hands when
they met.
“Come down to the
house, Cash. We can get something to eat
and talk. I wanted to discuss getting
your bull soon so I can breed these cows before they go out for the winter. I figured breeding them with your Hereford
would put a lot more pounds on the calves and get me some larger profits come
time to sell next year. What do you
think?” They turned and walked toward
the house while continuing their conversation.
“Sounds
like a good idea, Chuck. You know you’re
welcome to come and get him any time you want to.” His lips turned up in a grin. “Just make sure you bring him back in good
health. I sure don’t want to lose the
old boy”
The prize Hereford
bull, imported from England
three years earlier, had been crossbreeding with his Longhorns producing
quality beef. After three generations,
his cattle added nearly three times the weight of Longhorns, still having the
stamina to endure the winters in the Dakotas. In exchange for breeding, Cash would ask for
horses. On the way to the house, Chuck
motioned to Chad
to come along.
Orphaned
at the age of twelve, Chad
worked for Chuck and matured into a fine young man under the watchful eye of
his boss. Chuck treated him like a son
and Chad would
do anything Chuck asked of him. Cash
knew Chad to be
dependable and make rational decisions while controlling a potentially harmful
situation. An excellent marksman,
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