APRIL 2, 1860

Walter told Ted that today they were going to take a little break and close the bank for a little while. "Come on Ted, I�ll buy you a beer." Walter headed for the door, and Ted followed somewhat surprised, but lately anything and everything that Walter was doing was a surprise to Ted. Ted couldn�t figure out why though. He wanted to ask, but it wasn�t any of his business.

Entering the saloon, Walter said, "Two beers, Richard."

"Coming right up, sir." Richard replied.

"Uh . . . Mr. Simmons." Ted started.

"Yeah, Ted."

"I don�t drink." Ted timidly said.

"What? Well, can�t you at least try a beer? You might like it."

"I�m sorry, but I don�t like the taste of beer."

"Alright then, one beer and one sarsaparilla, Richard."

Richard grabbed one of the beers that he had sat down in front of them and took it down and placed it in front of Joshua at the other end of the bar. He then brought Ted a sarsaparilla. Mr. Simmons and Ted sat down at a table, and Walter started asking Ted about his life. Ted didn�t like the taste of sarsaparilla much either but wasn�t about to tell Mr. Simmons that.

Drucilla had been doing some shopping, and while she ran her errands, she had sent Joshua to the saloon to relax for a while. After throwing her last packages from the general store into the wagon, she looked down the street to see if Joshua was around. On not seeing him, she decided to fetch him from the saloon.

Joshua turned around as the noise subsided, and he saw Drucilla inside the saloon. Quickly raising up from the bar in which he had been leaning on, he knocked over his beer, and he swore as it sprayed his right sleeve. Laughing Drucilla walked up to him. She took out her handkerchief and wiped his sleeve and wrist for him.

"Thank you." Joshua said. "I didn�t know you would be done so soon. I�m sorry you had to come for me."

"No problem. It�s just another building to me." Turning to the bartender, "Another beer please." Drucilla smiled at the bartender.

Richard brought another mug full of beer, and Drucilla paid him. "That�s for the one I just made you spill."

"You didn�t have to do that." Joshua said.

She just smiled at him. "Finish your beer please, and then meet me at the newspaper office." Drucilla left, and Joshua finished his beer and left, too.