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Stone hardly had the chance to regain his composure
before Cody introduced him to his friends. Though Buck and Rowdy were a bit
older than Cody, they were still awe-struck in the presence of a former
criminal.
“Wow! A real, live outlaw,” said Rowdy, Buck’s
younger brother.
“Is
there some sorta law ‘round here that says you kids need to have funny
names?” Stone wondered.
With his trio of admirers Stone walked toward the
mercantile on the other end of town.
“Naw, we just like them names better than Daniel and
Nathan,” Rowdy (Nathan) said.
“Every outlaw needs a nickname, right?” Buck asked
smugly.
“You plannin’ on bein’ an outlaw, son?” Stone
was concerned. He didn’t want to give the impression that he was proud of his
past and the things he’d done. On the other hand, he was grateful for all
he’d been through, knowing that God had saved him from sin and had given him a
second chance.
“It’d be more fun than playin’ by the rules all
the time.”
“That’s what I use to think, but I was powerful
wrong. Your sin will always find you out.” Stone stared at the young man,
hoping that his brutal honesty would penetrate Buck’s heart. “Ain’t you a
bit old to be runnin’ around getting into trouble all the time?”
The smirk on Buck’s face vanished as he looked at
the mysterious stranger; he made no reply.
Buck was young, strong, on the brink of manhood, and
was driven by rebellion. How he loved to stir up trouble and to ruffle feathers.
Whether he was making Pastor Tom look like a fool or liberating the horses from
the livery at night, Buck reveled in being the center of some controversy.
Since their innocence wasn’t completely lost, Rowdy
and Cody were more playful in their antics, but they usually preferred the
brotherhood of their gang over the kinship of their own families.
Knowing that he might have offended the young man,
Stone attempted to excuse himself.
“Wait!” called Buck. “Tail said you done bought
the Smith’s old place.”
“That’s right.”
“Didn’t they tell you how much work that place
needs? You ain’t gonna be doin’ no farmin’ there. That field’s all
growed up, and the house is ‘bout ready to fall.”
“Yeah, they told me. I wasn’t plannin’ on sittin’
on my laurels; I’m lookin’ forward to some long days and hard work.”
“It’s more work than one body can do.”
“So what are you getting at?”
“How ‘bout lettin’ us work for you?” Buck
said, confident that his cohorts would eagerly join him in such an opportunity.
“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, fellas.
What would your folks say?” Stone was starting to feel ambushed, and wasn’t
exactly ready to be the head of the local boys club.
“They won’t care none. Pa’s always so busy he
don’t know what we’re up to,” Buck said with a hint of bitterness and
resentment.
“Yeah, and what about your ma?”
“She don’t pay much mind to us neither,” Rowdy
added with charming naivete.
“So what’d’ ya say?” asked Cody.
“How ‘bout if I at least get a look at the place
first. You boys could just be spinnin’ me a yarn. And besides, I couldn’t
have you workin’ for me without askin’ your folks.”
Enthusiasm drifted from their youthful faces.
“Come on. We’ll help you get your stuff and walk
you out there,” Buck offered anyway. “It’s not too far, and once you set
eyes on the place, you’ll see.”
With two crates and provisions nearly tucked up under
his chin, Stone and his followers laborously conquered the mile and a half walk
to his new place. Luckily for Stone, Buck was able to carry a crate; Cody and
Rowdy proved helpful by hauling supplies as well.
“It’s just over this ridge,” Cody announced as
they drew closer.
When they all reached the top of the embankment, with
the sun yawning over the horizon, they had a perfect view of almost the entire
property. The house looked as though it had been abandoned for some time, with
planks missing from the porch, holes dotting the roof, and glass absent from the
windows. The barn appeared to be in relatively better shape, but there was
little hope that it’s size could accommodate Stone’s dream of a thriving
ranch. Further off was the remains of the field, which was now overgrown with
weeds standing as tall as three feet.
Stone took a long, deep breath. At first, all he could
see was his own home, a place that belonged to him. Seeing the work that lay
before him only made him feel invigorated on the inside, but he suppressed his
emotions in front of the boys, knowing they wouldn’t quite understand. After
absorbing the full view, they walked to the house.
Although the house didn’t have much to offer on the
inside except for sparse furnishings, a fireplace, and two medium-sized rooms,
Stone was anything but discouraged.
“Well I see you boys weren’t foolin’ about this
place. It’s gonna take a lot of work to get it up and runnin’ the way I
want,” said Stone.
“So what’d’ya say? You gonna let us work for
you?” Buck asked with renewed hope.
“We’ll see what your folks have to say ‘bout
that first. And I can’t pay much.” Though it pained Stone to admit it, there
was too much work for him to tackle alone, and he knew that the youth and energy
of these boys would help improve the place in no time.
“That don’t matter,” Buck said.
Cody suddenly looked like the cat who ate the canary,
enjoying his inside knowledge of Stone’s finances, but Rowdy and Buck didn’t
notice.
“Yeah, our pa’s got plenty ‘a money,” bragged
Rowdy. “He’s a lawyer and works in town. He’s got his own office and
everything. He makes barrels of money, more than anyone else around.”
“Brock Johnson. Ever hear of him?” asked Buck.
“Can’t say that I have. Why don’t you boys run
along now. I’ll see if I can track down your folks tomorrow or so, and we’ll
see what happens.”
That was good enough for the boys. They each thanked
Stone and ran off toward their homes. Finally alone, Stone collapsed into a
chair that threatened to give way as the dust rolled into a cloud and scattered.
“What a day, Lord! What a day. Now my life
begins.”
©2003 StoriesByEmail.com
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