The Book of Common

Tower Ohio Ways

The Tower folks round tall, has map on the wall.
Shows ya where you are, plus Himyar. I fixed it quite a bit, new bunks fixed the fireplace up. Put a couple tables eight chairs. Wash stand and few towels. Least a Ranger or traveler has nice place ta sleep. Beth she fixes meals does laundry for the Rangers. Used ta be part of the old stage line.

Now it's a Ranger station plus an Army outpost. I runs the station. Army they very seldom here. One man has the top of the tower ta watch. Well three live up top. Rest they out patrolin for what don't know. Those three live up top, work shifts. On occasion they come down have a meal with us.
Nice fellers always polite an all. Beth likes havin them around, must say might helpful ta have them. Specially when I gots some heavy liftin ta do.

Sometimes I miss Virginia ways, then I thinks well no one ta bother ya here. Out in the middle of nowheres. Even a man don't like bein around lot of people, can get ta missin thum. Ranger just past through, nice young fella. Sat an talked a spell, told me not much changed, far as Ohio goes. Few cross over few trade with us. York an Wisconsin about the only ones. Least ways no border wars a happen.  Far as that youngster knew. That was good ta hear.

When he left felt bit of pride in me, that feller just startin out. Took the time ta listen ta an old man tell what he needed ta stay alive in that Wasteland.
So few even want ta talk anymore. To damn big a hurry, that Wasteland a kill ya don't watch out!

Miss not out on patrol, Ranger not out an about. Why sometimes, just miss the solitude of it. Fixin ya own meals. Lookin up at the stars, runnin inta strangers the nice one's an the one's just bein themselves. Not unfriendly just nervous and maybe a bit shy. Even the ones break the Law, why theys even have a story. Don't always finds out or knows it. Hell some of them a best part of Rangerin.

Likes the time, well think it was Bama ways. South of Savannah, not quite inta the Wetlands. Damn gators an snakes. Glad it weren't that far. Fella can't remember his name, just call him Fred.
Rode into camp, said evenin Ranger. Wants ta turn myself in, see I took some biscuits an couple eggs.
From a kitchen in Riceboro, see I was just hungry couldn't afford ta buy it. Had no Trinkets at all.

Well, about twenty miles ta Riceboro, headed that way. I say sure want ta turn yourself in. I don't think I'd hold it against ya, ifin you wants ta forget it. Hate ta make ya work it off an all. Mean ya man enough ta say ya did it an why. Hell have a seat gots some pickled eggs an deer jerky fer supper. Well come ta some.

He sats down told me why, he ran into havin ta steal some food. How long it been since he ate.
Folks poor man lost his wife kids ta the Fever that swept across Bama an Carolina. Must a been twenty year ago, whole town he lived in most died. Turned inta a ghost town. Think ya remember me taslkin about the same thin once before I encountered it. Town died off one left alive.

He say I just gave up, didn't look fer a new place ta live. Just didn't care, just knew I was hungry an nothin else mattered. So I took an ate, then just walked out of town. That was two year ago, feelin guilty now, gots the trinkets ta pay fer those biscuits an eggs.

I say tell ya want, we a go inta town, ya show which house. I'll pay fer that stuff, then we just ride out. Like ya done nothing. You pay that debt ya have, I don't have a trial an punishment ta deal out. No need in an givin ya the death sentence.
Well Fred turned a pale white looked sick. I say no worries, son wouldn't do that over some food.

We woke the next mornin an headed inta Riceboro
strange name ain't it, kinda like that town Dry fork
Dry Creek, that I didn't see a dry anythin. Well didn't see a bit of rice either. People say old Common has no common sense. Lan sakes some people. On track Common sorry folks.

Well he showed me the place, lan sakes gots a problem here. The Constables home, this feller thinks he has more authority than he has. Almost Ranger authority. This could get a might sticky Folks. Not in the mood ta deal with an overzealous Constable. Looks over at Fred say son best come inside with me, think this could get nasty fast.

Besides, had ta check in as is normal an all. His office in the front room, that fat fool looks at me says Ranger how long ya be in town, why ya here?
Well I say long as it takes, not more than day leave in the mornin. Have some other business with ya can we sit? He points we sits down. I say, this fella here about two year ago took couple eggs an biscuits from ya kitchen. He is here ta pay a fair price fer them.

Constable went ta yellin, about how he didn't eat that day. Can't eat three times a day on his trinkets.
Fair price be a Jefferson. Folks now that is way ta high, even two year ago. Payin back that interest.
I stood rested my right hand on my thirty-six, looked him in the eye. Say ain't worth more than half a straight copper! Maybe one straight ifin that!

Fred I say half a straight no more give it to him! We be a leavin town after we eats breakfast! Fat slab dumb ass Constable, points his finger shakin it at me yellin he pays more! I'll take it out his hide, I have that right! Folks this is where he is wrong, only ifin I say he can whip him. That I wouldn't allow, Fred admitted ta a crime willin ta pay fer what he took.

I say nope, won't be none of that goin on. Ya try that I'll shoot ya for breakin the law. Still no back down, I gets my take charge face painted on. Constable a say, listen good I am done here ya been paid fair. I say this is over! Don't push me! End up in stocks fer a week! I'll stay make sure of it! He say fine it's done then!

I buy Fred's breakfast mines free any way. We about ready ta leave. Fat ass himself standin outside waiting. Totin a gun, I have had enough of this one.  I shout Ranger Common Howard, ya best put the pistol down! Walk away all be forgotten!
Folks he made his tell, I pulled shot him straight up mid mass. He didn't even twitch nor shout in pain.
Fell dead like a sack of flour. Hated doin that really did. Well till next time Folks ya know what ever comes ta mind.