The Book of Common

Walkin

Heard right I am walkin, yep horse done died on me. Might heavy load, I am a tottin also. Damn saddle and bags kept one ration bag. Left the other and one of two water canteens. Lan sakes, horse could a made it anther five miles. Village just up the trail aways. I mean trail folks just a narrow path through the trees and such. No Ranger Station for least a days ride, hell maybe longer this part of Virginia.

How in Sam white hell, people made it up here. On this mountain top ta live! Well, Folks, it is beyond my reconin. I calls it a village its name is Wadestown, folks nothin but a few houses, Saloon
General store coal mine. Small boardin house rooms ta let. Up this part of Virginia, it can get a might dangerous, folks don't take ta strangers well.
Feel likes they bein intruded on an all. Don't hold it against them, at all. They lives here because they don't wants ta be bothered.

Took two hours, up and down twistin around ta get ta Wadestown. Folks only five miles, that trail is a back breakin knee and ankle breakin mess! My feet hurt my back also and I am tired. What do I walk inta? Guess Folks, come on guess.

Ya thinkin place is deserted, wrong try again. Thinkin theys a celebratin wrong again! Folks they was! They was a linchin a poor lady! Hadn't got the dang rope around her neck yet! I fires my thirty-six, shouts Ranger! Ranger, Common Howard! Best Stop, what ya are a doing! I drop my gear, pull another pistol. Both hands are ready!

What in hell, ya doing? Best back away! Might fast!
Now, lady ya step down off that gallows. Rest of ya back away now! I am in no mood! I wasn't by gosh, horse done up and died on me. Now, these fools goin ta hang someone! Not hardly.

I want ta see! The Elder or a Constable! Now! People a scatterin like bugs! Well! Ya heard me! Finally this portly dude, I means dude folks. Dressed like he lives up in York City. Like that damn White fella, hates that deader than dead man! Well Folks this mister prissy, ya know? A Missy, well, he says you have no business intrudin on our town Law! That did it!

I shouts I am the blame Law! I can stop! Whatever I wants ta stop! Ya got a Constable? By this time folks that lady be a standin next ta me. Can't make out, what she is goin on about. Tells her ta just be a quiet. Whiles, I try figure out this mess. Lan sakes.

Portly dude shuts up, feller shouts I am the Constable! Loud booming voice, I am the Law Ranger! Walkin towards me, right hand restin on his belt buckle. That's a tell Folks, remember? Ta tries and calm the situation, I holster my left-hand pistol. Slow like I says, goin ta holster my right hand now! We'll talk this over. Loud voice says, yeah we'll talk, you'll be wrong Ranger!

Thinkin this one is full of Piss and Vinegar, lets just talk this over. By this time he is about thirty paces away. Folks this one I have seen before. Lost plenty of jobs as a Constable. Numerous towns and villages. How and why he still gets a job as one. Well just say is beyond reasonin. Last place heard tell, Ranger about brought him up on charges.

I may just do that, myself. Loudmouth grins Saloon Ranger. We talk inside, then hang that one. Watch her swing! I says that remains ta be seen. I grabs the ladies arm, young lady I says come with us. She calmed down a might. Spoke up, thank you, Sir. I didn't do anything to be hung. I tells her just stay quiet, you will be heard. Piss and Vinegar says after you two. I says you lead, haven't earned my trust buster.

Once inside we takes a seat, loud mouth tries ta sit next ta the lady. I says na, ya won't be a sittin next ta her! A cross from me, now or this talk ends. He smiles says, Ranger she went and took some money. From the Elder, claims she is with child and it's his. Theft is punishable by hangin. You have no right ta interfere in this. This one is stupid or don't care about, real Law.

I says buster ya be wrong on both counts. Ya can't hang a person. You, Sir, don't have that right. You, Sir, must hold that person and evidence of a crime for a Ranger. That is the blame Law! Like it or not!
When did this so-called crime occur? Day ago, we have the evidence. Barkeep! Two ales get that evidence from my office also!

Folks, the barkeep brought the ale over. I'll be back in a nervous type voice. Man looked scared ta death. Take your time sir, I says. Lookin at the young lady, I asks what happened? Then I said you Constable be quiet.

Ranger, I didn't say I was pregnant with that, Elders child. I lives outside of town small pig farm.
My husband works the mine also. Just came in ta town for a few yards of cloth need ta make me a dress. All mine are about shot. Elder got grabby so I hits him. Was all I did. I asks anyone see this?

Shop keeper Mister Dan did and Miss Martin. Piss and Vinegar, shouts she is lyin! I have proof! Buster I says, don't care what you have! I want ta see those two people and your evidence. Just what is your damn name? I am Constable Walters, the law! This is my town! Not hardly I shouts! Ain't your damn town nor are you more than a low law enforcement agent! Shut, the hell up! Folks I am about done listenin ta his loud mouth. Barkeep finally makes it back. He hands me the papers written statements from the people, the young lady named.

Well Folks, time ta guess again. What did I do next?
Guess come on and guess! If ya thinks I read them in front of loud-mouthed full of Piss and Vinegar. Well, ya wrong. Ifin you think I shot him on spot, thought crossed my mind, but ya wrong. Me and that young lady left, for her home. Told loud mouth, I'd read them later. The young lady was comin with me. Plus Barkeep put a note in with those statements.

Loudmouth gets all nasty. I says listen, loud mouth I am tired, ready ta eat. Maybe haves a drink. Me and this young lady, are leavin don't like it. Can wait till tomorrow. Loudmouth backs down, don't know why he did, just did. Lan sakes just know this will bite me later on. Gets to her place, husband shouts where ya been honey! I says Sir Ranger Common Howard, wife was accused of robbery.
Before ya gets upsets. I don't believe it on damn bit! Sorry, don't know either one of your names, lan sakes young lady I am a might sorry about that.

She said I am Bev this is my husband Ron. I nods pleased ta meet ya both. If ya two have a horse I'll buy it from ya. Not leavin mind ya. Just asking rather you get the trinkets than fool town folk.
They don't have one, I says ok. I am goin ta read these statements. Check my rations bag fix us some dinner. Then we'll talk. Folks long story short on these statements and that note.

Seems said Constable and Elder are forcin the town folk to live by old low law standards. Folks those no longer are valid. Why they even made this poor young lady sleep with them both. Ta pay they weekly taxes. Then when old Portly dude gets slapped for gettin grabby. They say she robbed him. Forced those two to make false statements.
Well reads enough. Told those two, I'd be back enjoy they supper. Goin ta town Ron says I am comin with ya. He grabbed his dads old pistol he was a soldier could tell by the gun forty five. New couldn't win this argument, said only shoot if ya have to, I mean they shoot first. He agrees to that.

Folks we didn't make it ta town, Piss and Vinegar was headed towards us. Told Ron ta stay put, this ends here and now. Piss and Vinegar starts ta shootin like a wild man! Like usual folks every damn thin slows down! Bullets flyin by me hears the crack as they pass! I pull my pistol fire it fannin  the hammer! Lan sakes bangs flashes of muzzles.
I keep walkin and firin! Hits him in the gut! Doesn't hurt him one dang bit!

He keeps firin I finally gets the hit square in the chest. Piss and Vinegar falls dead as a nail. Lan sakes what a fight. I tells Ron best get that Elder while we can. Folks that Elder cried while I dropped that rope over his head. Begged he did ta live, I pulled that lever. Wonders never cease, didn't rip his head plum off. Till next time Folks. Ya know.