The Book of Common

Darn It All

So forgot to tell ya, why I have that rendition of
my good friend and mentor Norm Sir Name Parson. Well ran into Norm, town of Athens in
the Carolina's. Ranger Post C it was, least back
then. He was a heading north the Ohio's, first
Ranger in well must been ten years. Go up
through the Waste Land.

Said something about being a tracker, told me not
to speak of it to any one. Well been long enough
hell Norm is gone, buried at sea no less. More
on that some time later.

Well old artsy guy doing drawings at the Post
drew up Norm. He told me to hang on to it.
He had to head out, wasn't quite finished. So I held on to it. Saw Norm awhile after.

Hell we both forgot about that drawing. Long
while after took his boy out on his first ride.

Didn't see him again, Jacob told me to hang on to it.
I'd see his father again. Well I never did, might sorry I didn't Norm never got his picture. Why he was like an older brother to me.

Well I'd been riding now with Pa about a month.
Rangering can be a might boring at times. I was
gettin pretty good at map and compass reading.
Gone a whole week no mistakes. Strange how
you can remember the little things but not a
mans face nor his name.

Well Pa laughed, boy you are spot on. Look
see coming up on Haggers town. Fine job did
it with no help navigated us spot on. Damn instead
of sleeping on the ground tonight, we'll stop here.
I know it's early still plenty of travel light left.

We both need a break a bed unwind some. How old you now boy? Well I had just hit my birthday
so was about eleven. I said eleven Pa you know
that. He smiled ya that is right. Well we are going to have a night on the town.

Well closer we got to town, Pa put his Ranger look
on. Can't explain it suppose I have it, just well
best way to put it. I'm not afraid nor worried.
Suppose I was a tryin the same. We rode to the
Constable's office checked in as is proper.

Then we gots a room Haggers town Inn and Pleasantry suites. My first time ever,I been in
a House of Pleasantries, my goodness never seen
Pa smile the way he did, when we walked in.

Hell don't think I smiled that way before myself.
Fancy place lord the place smelled of flowers.
Fancy dressed Ladies even the men dressed fancy.
Polished floors carpet, paintings on the walls.
Never did I see such a place. Why more fancy
than the Place Momma worked at we lived in
the attic. Miss her strongly but not the place.

Pa said boy keep your eyes in your head.
I thought was I really lookin that hard.

Pa rang the little bell on the counter, my a lady
walked up. Dear I can still remember her face to
this day. Mind ya I am only eleven, I felt hot
looking at her. Long dark hair tied to the side,
Looked like pearls hanging around her neck.

The dress she was a wearing fit her perfect.
such a voice, asked us if we needed a room.
Pa said yesum two suites mam. 

She smiled little young ain't he, that hot feelin
left me right then. I ma telling you felt two foot
tall. Pa said young him, Ranger in trainin respect
the man. Yes two lady, I know only get the room
free one not two. Pa tossed out a Jefferson and
one copper not a straight copper mind you a Lincoln. I ma thinkin wow lot a trinkets just
passed hands.

She nodded then smiled, I'm free for the night
Ranger. Pa tossed one straight copper on the counter two ales each room. You'll do, I'd like
Mandy, if she ain't busy. Dark haired one I'll
get her, any thing else? She asked well Pa said
Like two steak dinners brought up first you can
show up about half hour after. Pick either room.
Best be the right one though. Pa's idea of night on
the town was looking interesting.

Was starting to feel hot again. Well we ate actually
talked like men, not like Father teaching son.
The knock came about the time I opened my ale.
held off on it wanted savor it.

Now if that was Mandy with the dark haired one
lan sake I know my eyes must a shot out looking
at her. Like two eggs sticking off my face.
I could see a smile Chester is that your boy she asked. Pa he nodded said yep Common is his name.

She said pleased I'm sure, I'm Mandy I'll be a stayin
with you. Chester be nice to Evie now. Mandy spent the night, lets say it was the best night a had
for a long while.

Well next morning the Constable came to get us.
They had a ruckus at one of the Saloons. Guy gutted one of the patrons. Left town and he is back.
Lookin for more trouble. Said he had a thirty six
on him two, and a saber. Pa sounds like a Ranger
don't it. Pa nodded check your pistol we best,
stay together boy. Now listen up he draws pistol
or saber shoot him dead boy. Don't think just do!

My first stand down and its with my Pa.
My mouth got dry. Hands felt wet, heart well thought it was going to pound out of my chest.
I tested the drag on my holster. Checked the action.
Nodded at Pa I'm ready when you are, I hope I was thinkin. I hope please don't let me freeze up.

Constable said that's him back to us, Pa said get
inside Constable, we'll handle this. Pa shouted
mister best drop the weapons belt. Ranger Chester
Howard speaking! Moment Pa said that well hard
to explain, things seemed to slow down. Like time
had just said it's to fast.

I remember stepping over two steps, his hands went up as he was turning to face us. Felt like he was looking straight at me. Heart got faster I could hear it banging felt like my chest was going to explode. I was bitetin my lip, just as I tasted blood.
Three shots my ears were ringing, sweat running
down my neck. I pulled the hammer back, started
moving diagonal towards the we were after, like
I was taught. I couldn't see Pa moving straight at him. I stopped look back, Pa was holding his leg.
He shouted check him! I am fine!

Well I keep Go in now its all full speed, not slow
like before. Thinking how many shots I make,
only heard three, don't remember my pistol going
off. Had to re cock it. Must of fired I shouted mister
don't move, best voice I could muster. I gets close
lookin at him, yep he is dead two hits chest and stomach.

Then the nerves kick in, I feel like I'm twisted up,
I want ta toss my stomach but I can't breathing hard scared why. I could of killed him, mine maybe
the one that did it. Telling myself calm down Common. I shout he is dead Pa! Back away from him boy!
Watch him I'm coming slowly but I'm on the way!

I could hear Oh Damn that hurts! You sure he is dead boy? I could see blood moving out from his chest and stomach. Yeah think so he is not moving blood every where.

I've just shot a man, what in Sam hell
happened? Pa was next to me, he said move up on
him kick him and the gun away. I kicked him hard,
Ifin he is still alive he will yell, nothing kick his gun away.

Pa sat well almost fell sitting, I did the same.
People were gathering around lookin at a dead
man. Reason why hell still don't know that one.
I look at Pa you hurt bad? Nope he said just a scratch burns like hell though. I ask who got him?
Pa shrugs think it was me, son you did fine better
than most. Better than my first time. Won't get easier nor harder.

Well we stayed two days, Pa paid for two more nights Mandy made a visit the last night late after
she was done working. I guess that's it for now.
Next time maybe we'll talk about the last few days
with my Pa.