Just Common

Chester Howard

Yep, folks my Pa, Chester Howard, ifin he was my Pa. Don't rightfully know ifin he was, ya see. Do know, he cared fer me touch more than most. Ya see rode with Pa, or Chester fer about two year till I was bouts 13, real close ta 13, I was.

Chester, he was a fair man. Never once, did I see him abuse his power as a Ranger. His words folks, Pa would say. Rangers are a needed part, of society Common. They have power, more power than Nobles. Nobles only make the Law, Rangers have the power ta enforce it! That power can be, pushed ta far. Rangers must walk, a line of firm an fair Law. Justice isn't cold, it is the ability ta know when ta apply it, an how much ta apply.

Ya see, folks Rangers can abuse, that authority. Any Ranger, that say ain't none of us overreached; that authority is probably one that has. Not sayin Chester or myself never went ta far. Ta think, ya never made a mistake. Well folks, ya just stupid is all ya are. I know, folks I need ta tell a story, or just get ta my point.

My point, well Sam White Hell! Where was I? Oh yeah, Chester my Pa. Folks this one won't be overlong. My Pa Chester Howard Ranger Virginia ways.

Momma met Chester at a dance, least ways that's way she tells it. Pa he never said, just how they met. Momma say, Pa was recoverin from a gun shot wound, an that sickness that can set in after.
Momma don't think she lied, Pa well he loved ta dance. Pa, why he could carry a tune, also Momma she danced couldn't carry a tune worth a hoot.

Guess, I am like Momma, can't carry a tune some ways I am worse than both, hell I can't dance worth a spit! My, can remember those two they could dance! They moved like one, not two people.
Folks it was, like they were locked tagether. One mind two  flowin bodies, movin ta the music.

All it took, was music, an Pa why his foot or one his fingers would tap along ta the music. He'd hum along smile, Pa would say. Common music makes the world, just little better. The best memories I got a Momma an Pa, was when they danced.
When ever Pa showed up, they would go ta dance.

Hold on now! Ya a thinkin what is this leadin ta! Folks give me some time now, I am gettin ta it. Ya see ya will realize where this a leadin, after the fact. Ok ya ready? Chester Howard the Dance!

I was near 13, me an Pa were in Bama near the Wetlands. Place called Cottondale, gets much further south, be in the Wetlands an Seminal country. They good people folks, just don't take ta strangers is all. On track Common, Cottondale!

We arrived late, only places open were Saloons an Houses of Pleasantries an a small Inn middle a town.  They had no Constable, so we couldn't check in, as is normal. All Rangers have ta check in soon as possible. We went ta the Inn first, gots a room an stabled the horses.

Pa was hungry, ta be honest I was a might hungry myself. The Inn it's kitchen was closed, so a Saloon was our only choice. Folks Cottondale, isn't the most friendly place. Ya see, this part a Bama they is a lot unsavory type that lives here. Smugglers a coffee other thins. An even young ladies, ta Middle America. Seems they like the ladies from up this aways. Never understood that, hell I've seen some nice lookin ladies from Mid America.

What I am sayin is, this is not the best place fer a Ranger ta be. Pa say befer we left the Inn, Common change inta clothes that don't match take the badge an shield off, carry only one pistol. Don't need ta look like Rangers. Keep the badge in yar pocket.
Folks, this ain'ts normal at all.

Pa, he never gots near this part a Bama. He tell me Ranger don't last long these parts. So why we here? Lan sakes, this don't feel right. Just know Pa is actin a might different folks. Well, we went ta place called Dora's. Folks she has a Saloon, right nice place, no sawdust on the floor, nice rugs polished pine floors. Why the bar, it was a mix a oak an walnut. She had silver spittoons not brass, the walls had pictures of the coast an mountains. Few that were a might nice, under dressed ladies. Bein near 13, ya understand why those caught my eye.

They had a small group a fellas playin music, few were dancin. We took a table in a corner, Pa don't like his back ta people. Hell I don't care fer it myself. Was near the bar, beer tender asked what we needed. Pa say two ale, ya have food? Beer tender, say we gots sausage an boiled eggs.

Pa say, two plates a sausage an eggs please. Beer tender say that be, one Lincoln an a straight. Pa nodded, say little pricey ain't it. Beer tender say ya want it or not? Pa say yessum an one corn licker, remember folks that is the way it's spelled.

That music, Pa his foot was goin mad, tappin a way it was. After we ate, Pa looked the place over. Say Common think I want ta dance, feel the need ta dance enjoy the music. Just knew he wanted ta dance, Pa can't, not dance when they is music an pretty ladies about. Momma told me, Pa an her weren't married, he could dance an have a roll in the sheets, long as he came ta her when he was in town.

Folks Beth feels the same way, about me. Ya see we don't gets home very often, sometimes a man needs a lady ta feel proper. This young lady bouts 20 or so, asked ta sit with us. Pa pulled a chair fer her. When she sat down, she say thanks then look at Pa, say the mornin sun is pleasant. Pa say indeed.

Pa leaned in close, say let's dance first. Dance first what do that mean? Pa never say indeed. After they danced twice, they came back. She say I am Clara, Pa say Chester this here is my boy Common. She looked at me an say, didn't know ya be comin with one in trainin. Pa say, we just a replacement, the Ranger on this one is dead.

My ears perked up, like a cat that heard a mouse or somethin. Replacement! Pa say we best walk an talk, Clara nodded. Folks, this could be excitin ta say the least. What's I didn't say earlier folks, Pa the last Station we was at, had a private talk with the Station Master. This could be what they talked abouts.

This is what, is goin on folks. Clara tell us, that she found a group a slave traders. Not just the normal ladies ta Mid America, but full on slave trade ta work the Coffee Plantations, an some of the cotton an rice plantations here! Folks that is just wrong on so many levels! Slavers are the lowest of life I know of!

Pa, say slavers, sure now? She say yes, my Father is in on it. He is the main mover, in Bama. Pa say bring the information ta us in the mornin. Then he say need an escort home? Clara say no, no one a bother me, they fear my father.

Folks years later I run inta Slave Traders, that Cut Throat Stanson helped me an couple other Rangers take thum down. Sorry on track Common. It was hard ta sleep that night folks, the thought bein in a big arrest, folks that is a death sentence fer all involved. An I agree with that one folks.

What! Now, folks Beth is callin. Guess best see what she wants. Ifin the world was ta end taday, Beth would be hard ta keep quiet. Folks she only had ta give the Ranger some rations, hell that Is part her job. Sam White Hell, where was I?

Piss an Vinegar! Beth ya done unsettled me! Tarnation, oh the law yep folks death is right proper fer slavery charges. Pa he thinks the same ways. Folks Beth done put me in an uneven mood!
Love that woman ta death, sometimes she just don't let thins be. She is supposed ta help with the Rangers. Folks sorry wish I could at times just not hear her. Lan sakes! Ya know this time a day, I tell my stories! Folks can't hear myself think! Till next time. Ifin they is one.

Thanks all for reading, Common.Make a comment if you please and of course vote.
I truly hope Common is a joy ta read. I know he is joy to write. Thanks again.