The Book of Common

Why? I Say Why?

Don't know, folks why? Just why is it I feel like people are just dumb and ignorant. Tried ta tell a Ranger just released from his second ride ta think before he jumps. What's he do well, he goes an gets himself in trouble right out the gate!

First off he doesn't check in as is proper, then when he does he doesn't sign the book. How in hell am I ta know after he leaves who he was. That fella call him Jack, not only done make me mad. He made the town Mayor mad. Lan sakes my boss have cow, don't straighten this out but fast. Might gets himself killed but quick. Ya know not thinkin.

Wouldn't be so bad ifin, Cap Lewis wasn't around. Ole Cap he'sa stickler for doin thins correct an all.
Yar sayin what's the story here Common? Well, I am a gettin ta it. Ya see this Jack young feller actually pretty nice feller. Just ain't gots the ins an outs, of bein a Ranger. That's from poor trainin, from the git go!

I runs the Station, just outside of Harpers Ferry Virginia ways. Second Station by gosh promoted too, ole Common why is a Master Sargent now. I can'ts go no higher, without bein an officer. Don't wants that. On track Common. Ya see Folks the story is, this Jack I tried ta help him. Thins went wrong, so here is the story. How one young Ranger
learned ta listen the hard way.

Told this Youngster, that no assignment just patrol.
Keep it simple few days, heads towards Hagerstown. Only small Villages between here an Hagerstown, learn the little infractions first. That be abouts all ya a get. Use discretion on any decision ya make. Don't be handin out no death sentence fer some stupid misconduct. Like takin a chicken or such. Lock him in stocks or work it off.

He didn't listen, not one dang bit! He nodded likes he heard me but, nope he sure didn't. This where I come in after the fact, sent out to investigate. By Cap Lewis himself. The Youngster didn't go ta Hagerstown no he went straight east ta Frederick.
Why ya say, hell just not listenin is why! Bein stupid is all, that is. Ya sayin what this fella do, I am gettin ta that. On track Common.

I gots word at the Station, Ranger wounded bad. Frederick way, Cap Lewis was still around, one Ranger two innocent bystanders, shot one supposed suspect locked up in a storage room. Cap Lewis say, Common figure this mess out! Ranger shot two bystanders, Ranger just out a trainin. Get me answers. I means now! Now folks most times, theys not an investigation. When it's a person of Status locked up, ya know with lots of Trinkets.
Cap Lewis himself knows him. Well they is goin ta be an investigation.

I grumble an moan a lot about goin out myself. Should be an lower NCO doin this. Cap say want you. Know the job get done an right.

                            Frederick Virginia

No Station at Frederick or Constable, so I check in with the Mayor. Folks Cap didn't tell me the Mayor is the one locked up. One of the Elders signs me in.
First thing I checks on Jack an those two innocents at the Inn where they are bein taken care of. All three a make it. Jack lost his left leg from the knee.
We didn't talk, wanted ta see the Mayor first talk ta him, then Jack.

                               Mayors Side

Well I talk ta the Mayor this is his side the story.
Jack checked as is proper. Seems his Ma lives in Frederick. Told the Mayor be in town not more than a day maybe two. Mayor say hell even know the boy. I say he is a Ranger not a boy. Mayor just laughs, say nope he is a boy. Nothin more. Now this Mayor done angers me, ta no end. Don't care I call him a youngster that is the truth. All Rangers are till after they first year alone. He is not a boy, on track Common.

I ask what happened, tell me exactly how, why an when plus the dang where. The simple facts nothin more. Mayors side Folks.

Far as I know Jack rode straight to my office checked in with me. We shook hands, he slapped my shoulder I did the same. Always liked the boy, gentle natured and a fine person. I told him his Ma moved ta a small house near Grums Inn. The green house next ta the Inn. Jack thanked me, left the office. Not sure if he went straight ta see his Ma. If he went over ta Macs Saloon. His Ma worked a spell for Mac, don't know ifin he knew, she worked at the Inn Pleasantry worker now.