The Book of Common

My Daughter

Folks glad ta see ya back, I wants ta talk about my
daughter Liz the Ranger. Yep remember told ya about her. Think it was the last time, ifin I'm not mistaken. Liz well looks a lot like Beth, glad too.
Wouldn't want her lookin like me, I'm about ugly.

She told me about a ride she went on, few months back she said it was. Tells a story better than myself. Folks that's not hard mind ya just sayin.
Well put this into perspective, Liz her type of Rangerin is much different than when I started.

The school lasts two year now before ya even start your ride. Damn, don't know ifin I could handle that squeaky ass voice of that teacher for two damn year. Plus the gettin hit by that damn stick.
Thinks I'd killed him. On track Common now folks don't want ta hear ya moanin about that. Liz well
Here is what she told me, facts best I know are true.

Liz may have embellished some don't know, don't care. So let's start, she was comin out a Wisconsin way, last winter just left a whiteout. Folks that's when the snow and wind kicks up ta where ya can't see. She said the snow was wet ya know the kind where its almost to warm ta snow. The wind kicked open her sealskin blanket, she had wrapped around her tryin ta stay dry. Well, she was soaked coat wool was heavy pants were stuck to her. Liz said she was startin ta shiver from the wet and chill in the air. Knowin she only had maybe three mile ta Station four, she pushed on.

Well, the temperature dropped real fast like it do up that way. Her pants were startin ta get hard and freeze up. She said even the leather reins were freezing. The last mile her hands were stingin hard to move her fingers. My girl pushed on, might proud of her ifin ya can't tell. She said she stumbled into the Station legs hardly workin, pants darn near to stiff ta walk. What could freeze was froze. Hat, sealskin, pants, holster all froze pistols same way. Station Master and another Ranger got her next ta the fire, gave her some coffee and whisky ta warm up some.

Liz said she kicked off her boots socks and pants.
She felt a might warmer after that. After a few minutes at the fire, she thanked them. Asked if someone could stable and feed her horse.

Station Master said already done, like some stew and cornbread Ranger? I'm Tom, you are? Liz and yes I would, more coffee if ya have it. Jim got your bag off your horse. Ifin ya want ta change into dry clothes. Bag is in my room, so ya can have some privacy. Dry clothes and all Liz said she had her pep back. The stew was decent cornbread was a might dry, not like mom makes. She smiled when she said that. She had a touch of Corn Licker. Remember folks said it's spelled that way. Ya know in her coffee.

I know Common what is the point? Where is this story going? Well, I'm on track, just gives me some time. This is where it gets interestin, folks Tom asks
if Liz would help Jim, he has a guy cuffed up in the stable, gots ta take him back ta Himyar. He might be a murderer, needs identified by the witness. Liz knowing her ma and pa lives near Himyar said she'd help. What follows Folks is her side of the story, not his Folks you'll see why.

Well, Liz said they left next mornin. Jim had the lead, the prisoner followed then Liz. She said weather was nice, not too cold like day before.
The prisoner his name was Kane, her words mind ya on what he said ta her while they were a riding south. Kane looked back at her, said I'm the Ranger not him, that one is the murderer. Liz didn't think much of it. She was wondering about the fit of his uniform. She thought it rather lose and fittin improper. They rode on more she watched Jim and Kane the more, she was wondering who was who?

Well, they took a break for the night set camp. Liz sat watched both them. Jim acted strangely he wasn't very good at makin a fire nor figurin where they were. Kane laughed and made fun of Jim, sayin see he ain't no Ranger. Liz was beginin to believe Kane, mind ya she wasn't certain on it. Liz told me she slept with her pistol in her hand till days light. Jim wanted Liz ta lead that mornin. Liz refused saying she would follow. Not trustin him at her back. By the time they made it ta Fort Loramie in The Ohio's. Liz was about tuckered, no Stations or Post along the way. Even her map didn't show any till the Fort slash Ranger Post.

What follows Folks was later known as incident at Fort Loramie. Mind ya now I wasn't a part of this or even around. Liz wasn't about ta let this go ta Himyar, she reasoned she or Kane maybe both be dead. Before Himyar so, thinkin on her feet like her Pa. She grabbed the bull by the horns so ta speak. Liz turned her horse towards the Fort, sayin I want ta stop sleep in a real bed tonight. Eat somethin besides rations, Jim. Well, he got all jumpy about it. Liz stopped looked at him, you ain't no Ranger at all! Ifin you are, one the worst I ever met! Jim pulled a saber, yelled like a mad dog! Swingin at Liz! Liz managed to turn her horse as the blade passed her face, she pulled hers.

Sabers clacking together horses gruntin stompin around. Liz tossed the reins guided her horse with her knees. Tryin to git her pistol out. She leaned back pulled one off her saddle holster. Fired twice hittin him both times once in the arm the other the head. She jumped off her horse standing over the dead man, damn I've no proof of who this is! Kane shouted Post Commander knows me! Get him!

Liz ran into the Fort got the Ranger Post Commander, seems this Kane was a Sargent Ranger Ohio's Company A. Well after it was cleared up Liz transferred to Company A Ohio Ranger!
Damn, I'm still a might proud of her. Made an Officer at that, young Lieutenant Liz Howard Lan Sakes what a mouthful. Well, that is about it till next time Folks.