Just Common

The Stranger

Hey, folks, how ya been? Do hope all is good, an couldn't be better fer ya. Hell just finished up supper, just got us a fire a goin, coffee is brewin ifin ya want a little that corn licker, get some why get comfortable we a start here shortly. Ifin ya want, they is some left over stew in the Station. Hell they is plenty, even ifin we have twenty Rangers stop tanight more than nough.

Ya know folks, I write these down, then tell ya. Ifin ya don't get restless an want ta walkway well, they go in my leather backed book, fer those that stop in ta read. Call that one Just Common. I know, what kinda name is that?
Really couldn't think of a better name than that. Unlessin ya got one? Guess not, ya ain't spoke up.

Well, what I gots ta talk about this evenin, hell might tell the one I gots planned. Ya know how, I can gets off track.
So ifin we are ready? Looks that way, so let's get started.

Folks, this when I first transferred ta Virginia Rangers, an my first Station House. This one wasn't here in Appomattox, no it was near the coast. Place called Newport News. Nice place folks, Liz was just born when we was there.

So they was a stranger rode inta town, few days after me an Beth gots settled inta our new Home an Station House. Oh reason we left it, they closed the Station on track Common.

Yep fella rode in, first time I saw him, I was just makin my rounds. That folks, is I stop in the three Saloons an the one House a Pleasantries we had. Just ta say hi ta the owners an let thum know I was headed ta bed soon. See they had no Constable in town, I was the only Law.

This fella, why he looked an carried himself like a Ranger, he had two pistols a look a confidence about him. He didn't wear a uniform nor a badge. Ifin he wasn't just a Ranger off duty. Well, this one might be trouble. I looked him over from across the street, befer I walked inta the last Saloon, Hannigan's place. Always haves a whisky befer I head back ta the Station.

Folks just relaxes me is all, Beth don't mind, hell gives me some time away. She needs that, hell I am a might hard ta put up with. On track Common. So Mick pours me a solid double, not the watered down stuff. Mick by Law can cut 100 proof down ta 50, ifin wants ta.

So gets a solid which is 100 proof, folks that's why I stop in ta gets a whisky, Mick treats me good. I took seat at the corner table, so I could see the place. Don't like my back ta people. I sit either the corner or against a wall, stand at the bar try ta be near a wall ifin I can or mirror in front a me. Never know what might happen. Folks I just get a sip a whisky down. That fella walked in, he glanced around, befer he walked my way, I gently cocked my 36. Rested my right hand on my lap.

Fella say, ya the Station Master? I say yessum Ranger Common Howard, how can I help ya? He say Bartholomew Wagner, most call me Batt. Looking fer a mutual friend. I looks at him, say who ya want?

He say Norm Parson, need ta see him, we met few years back. We have business ta talk about. Folks never heard a this Batt or Bartholomew, befer in my life. I say mister take a seat, I say Mick get us both a whisky. Three forths a straight is in it fer ya. Folks one solid is half a straight quarter fer the watered down stuff, guess ya know who is gettin what.

I say Batt best tell me more than that, not sure where Norm just might be. Folks knew exactly where Norm was Myrtles his blame home. Within his son Jacob an that family a his. Met him, must been 15 year back maybe a touch more, he say. Folks, why abouts that time, Norm was a Tracker. He say he didn't wear a uniform then.

Sam White Hell! Could this fella be a tracker? Why is he a lookin fer Norm? I say mister, think ya best speak the truth here. I don't take kindly ta bein lied ta.

Batt got all, twisted up in the face, kinda half-smiled. Ya know that look a bein pissed off ta no end! He say, ya best tell me, Norm is wanted by Ranger Command! Folks I laughed so hard near fell out my chair. I tell him, that is a pack a lies! Now take what's left yar whisky an sit some place else. Befer I decide ta lock ya in the stocks fer a spell. He say, I'll let ya think on it till mornin. Then ya best tell me, gots the warrant in my room.