DECEMBER 9, 1861
Derick was walking around
town when Caller Bob called out his name. He stopped and turned to see who it was. He
smiled when he saw the mayor walking towards him. "Good evening mayor."
"Hello Derick, how are you liking it here?"
"This is really a great little town. I was getting tired of all the people in Broken
Bow. Although I don't mind going there occasionally when someone might need my services.
Since this town is mostly peaceful, I really don't see the need for a lawyer much here.
But
I've decided to look for a part-time job while I'm here."
“That’s a good idea. In fact I
have a little job in mind for you. That is if you can do it and want to do it?"
"Mayor Sitzler, I'm not a farmer or a rancher. I prefer to get a job here in
town."
"Please call me, Bob or Caller Bob as most people call me. I wasn't talking about
farming or ranching. Where we're you heading? We can talk along the way instead of
standing out here in the middle of the street."
"Well, actually I was heading to the PEG to get a paper and see if there were any job
listings."
"Alright let's go then." The two men started across the street. "What I
want is to hire you to make me a table and chairs. That is if you can. You did a splendid
job on those caskets, and I thought if you could make some chairs and a table, I would
purchase them from you."
"I can make them."
"I want them as a wedding present for Jimmy and Lee. Their wedding is going to be
December twenty-fifth. You've heard about it. Haven't you?"
"Oh yes, I have. I've even been invited to attend. It was a complete surprise since
I'm rather new here, but it seems like everybody is invited."
"Yes, since our town does have a small population, usually everybody is
invited." Caller Bob stated.
"I think I can get a table and chairs done by their wedding date."
"How much would you charge?"
"Well, since you're the mayor, I'll give you a special rate."
They were standing in front of the PEG. "Well, how about I buy you lunch and we
haggle over the price."
"I never turn down a free lunch," he replied and they headed over to the Silver
Spoon.
"Oh what about your newspaper?"
"I think I'll hold off looking for another job until I get that table and chairs
done. I want to have plenty of time to work on them to have them done by the time of the
wedding."
"Good idea."
The two gentlemen had lunch at the restaurant and haggled over the price. They both
thought at the end that they ended up with a fair price. And as they departed outside,
Derick went to the general store to purchase something for the wedding. As he left, he had
the newest item that had just