The Way Home

I didn�t have to wait too long. I had just dozed off when Early came in and was already unlocking my cell door when I woke up. He musta come in quiet which was pretty unusual for him. He stepped aside and said, �Macy, get outta here and don�t let me see you again for at least a week. You go in that saloon, and you better head out the back door when you see me comin�. You got that?�

I stood up, grabbed my hat and held it in my hand. I wanted to look as contrite and small as I could. �Yes sir, Early. I sure will.� I moved quickly past him, glanced at the still sleeping Jess, and hurried for the door. �You have a nice day, Early.� I put on my hat and hustled out without a backward glance.

As I passed through the outer office, I saw Jake sitting at the desk with his feet up. He didn�t say anything, but followed me with his eyes. I threw a �mornin�, Jake� back at him as I exited.

Those two were up to something and I had a real bad feelin�. I decided I needed to watch and listen and find out as much as I could, for Jess� sake. I hesitated outside the door. Took off my hat, wiped the brim, looked around, sat on the bench by the door and leaned over to the door and tried to hear what was going on inside. I heard Jake and Early�s voices, but couldn�t make out much. I heard �no witness�, �get rid of�, and I swear I heard them say �hang� at least twice. A minute later I heard the wooden door to the cell area slam and then some scuffling. I got up and moseyed around the building to the back. I stood under the window to the cells and listened. Yup. They was beatin� poor Jess again. They wanted to know where something was. I musta missed that part. Jess wasn�t saying much. He was probably too sick to fight back much.

You know, it�s a fact that a fight, in this case, a beatin�, sounds almost as bad as it looks. I wanted to bust in there, but it was already too late. It was over as soon as it started. I heard a thud as Jess, I�m sure, hit the floor and didn�t get up again.

I leaned against the wall. My chest was heaving. Anger made the tears well up in my eyes. I punched the stone wall as hard as I could. Didn�t make a dent in anything but my hand, but it made me feel a little better. I didn�t own no gun, but if I did, I swear I�da gone in there and shot both them fellers.

I remembered the promise I�d made to Jess. I couldn�t help him here, but I sure could keep my promise. I left the alley and crossed over the street to the telegraph office. Entering the shop produced a little tinkle of the bell over the door. Mister Kelly came out of the back and met me at the counter.

�Mornin� Mister Kelly.�

�Mornin�, Macy. What can I do for you?�

�I need to send a telegram to Laramie.�

�You got any money?�

Oh shit! I forgot! I didn�t have any money. That�s why I was in jail. Well, part of it anyway.

�Uh, no.� I made a show of running through my pockets. �Um, Mister Kelly, you think you could let me send one now and then let me pay you for it a little later? It�s real important.�

�I�m sorry, Macy. I know you just got out of jail, and I know why. My boss�d have my hide if I extended credit to you right now. �Course it�s only two bits. Maybe you can go borrow it?�

I shuffled my feet while I thought about it. How could I earn two bits really fast? �Can I sweep out the shop for you tonight after you close? You know, in trade?�

He was already shaking his head.

�Okay, Mister Kelly. I�ll be back.�

Daggum it! I know he�s got a business to run, and he has a real hard boss so I didn�t blame him. But how�then it hit me. I knew what I had to do. I headed along the street to the boarding house. I had a room there that Missus McGraw lets me rent real cheap in trade for doing her heavy chores like paintin� and fixin� the roof and such like. I wouldn�t ask her for money, no sir. Ain�t right to ask a lady for money, but I knew I had something that she might like to buy.

I went to my room and opened the drawer to the dresser. Down under all the under drawers, I found the package, still wrapped in brown paper. Wadded was more like it. I took it out and shoved it in my pocket. Then I headed around to the side door where Missus McGraw would probably be in her kitchen. I took off my hat, swiped a hand through my hair and tried to beat some of the dirt off my clothes with my hat. She opened the door and her usual scowl set on me and stayed. I didn�t let it bother me none. She�s always like that. She�s really a nice lady with a big heart. She just has a natural low expression. She�s old enough to be my Grandmaw. Kinda thin and stooped with pretty silvery hair and the brightest blue eyes you ever saw.

�Mornin� Miz McGraw. You doin� okay?�

�Mornin�, Macy. I thought you were in jail.�

�Yes Ma�am. I just got out.� She stepped back to admit me to her kitchen and I stepped in as I explained. �I sure am sorry about that Miz McGraw. You know how losin� Mike bothered me and I guess I got a little tight.�

�I understand, Macy. Mike was quite a loss indeed. I miss him a bit myself�

�Yes ma�am.� We sat in the contemplation of Mike�s memory for a minute, then I reared up and asked her. �Ma�am, the reason I come is I have to send a real important telegram for a friend of mine and it costs two bits. You know I ain�t got no job right now, but I�ll be lookin� agin right off. But I need that two bits right now.� Her expression hadn�t changed.

I reached in my pocket and pulled out the wad of brown paper, placed it on the table and smoothed it open. Inside was my Mama�s special Sunday comb. It had been a foolishly extravagant gift from my Daddy when they got married and Mama treasured it the whole rest of her life. It was a fancy metal comb with little jewels and pearls and gold curlicues on it. �I was wonderin��well, since you admired this before, if maybe you�d like to have it. In exchange for the two bits, that is.� I anxiously awaited her answer.

By this time, her expression had changed. I think her eyes got a bit bigger and her expression softened. She reached out and picked up the comb.

�Macy, I couldn�t possibly take this from you. It�s much too valuable.�

�I want to sell it Miz McGraw. I really do.�

�It�s worth a lot more than two bits.�

�Yes, ma�am, but all I want is two bits. See, I figger there ain�t no comb in the world, even a solid gold one that�s worth what a friend is worth.�

She turned the comb over in her hands a few times. I swear I think her eyes was a bit waterier than usual. She stood up and turned toward the dining room. Then she turned back to me and said, �You turn around, Macy Poe.�

I knew what she meant. She kept her money hid and she thought I shouldn�t see where it was. Even though I�d known where it was for a long time, I turned around and looked out the window while she got it. I heard the box open and paper shuffle and coins rattle and then the box closed. She came back and sat at the table and then I turned around.

She placed two five dollar bills on the table in front of me. I looked at them and then up at her. �No, ma�am, just two bits. That�s all I need.�

�I know that, Macy and I know that�s all you want, but I refuse to take advantage of your nature. You�re a good boy and I will not consider anything less than this in trade for the comb. If you can pay it back after you get a job, you can buy the comb back. It�ll still be here.�

I opened my mouth, but she allowed no argument. She took the comb, quickly got up and left the room with a short �Good day, Macy.�

I guess that was that. She�s older�n me and has been a good friend. I�ll abide by her. I took the money and high tailed it back to the telegraph office. I tinkled my way in and laid a five dollar bill on the counter.

Mister Kelly turned and stared at it with his mouth hangin� open just a tad. �I swear it�s legal, Mister Kelly. I done sold my Mama�s comb to Miz McGraw.�

He managed to close his mouth and then said, �I�m sure it is legal, Macy, but I can�t take it�

�Huh?� Okay, now this just ain�t fair.

�I can�t take a five dollar bill for a twenty-five cent telegram. I don�t have any change to give you back.�

I took off my hat, rubbed my hair a few times. I think that helps me think sometimes. I was about to say just take the five dollars and keep it, but then I decided that maybe I better keep it. I need to help Jess and I might need that money after all.

�Okay, I�ll be right back.� I turned and tinkled out again.

I figgered the bank was the place to go, but first I headed over to the jail. I jogged around the back and went to the window. I didn�t say nothin� in case Jake or Early was in there. I found an old barrel and set it up and stood up on it to see in . I had to look around a bit to find him, but I finally spotted him on the floor, near the foot of his bunk. He was flat on his back and not moving. One hand was up over his head and the other flung out to the side. I could see his face plain and it had fresh blood and bruises on it. �Jess!� I whispered as loud as I dared. He didn�t respond. Damnation. I knew I was talking to an unconscious man, but I figgered it might seep through a little, �Jess, I�m comin� back for ya as quick as I can. I�ll get you out of there.�

I jumped off the barrel and took off for the bank. It opened at nine. I don�t know what time it was, but there was people out on the street and a few goin� in the bank, so it must be after nine. One o� these days, I gotta get myself another watch. I had my Daddy�s watch for a long time, but I had to sell it once when Gracie was sick. She was my girlfriend, the one I stayed here for. Anyways, ever since then, I never know what time it is. Guess I really don�t much need to.

I went into the dim bank. There was a line of about six people in front of me. Pretty fast business for a mornin�. I waited my turn, idly listening to the chatter of the two ladies in front of me. My ears perked up when they started talking about the murder yesterday. Isn�t it awful, just ghastly, how could this happen in our little town. Stuff like that. No one mentioned who the victim was though. I strained forward to try to hear every word. Finally, one of them wondered aloud how poor Missus Mantle was gonna manage without her husband to provide for her. Mantle! Cal Mantle was murdered? I felt all the blood rush right down to my feet. I�ll bet if anyone looked, they�d see my face as white as a ghost.

Cal Mantle. The sheriff. I�d known him since I came here and he was a nice fella for a sheriff. For the first time I hesitated. Was I doin� right to help Jess? How do I know he didn�t do it?

No, that�s not possible. I�m not a smart or educated man, but I have never, ever been wrong about a body. I learned a long time ago to have faith in what few abilities I do have. Judging a man�s character was my strong suit and I�m not gonna go doubting it now. �Sides that, I also know the characters of Jake and Early. Putting the two together, I knew stronger than ever I had to get Jess out of there.

I musta been strugglin� in my head for quite awhile �cause next thing I knew, it was my turn.

�Mornin� Mister Corum.�

�Mornin�, Macy. What can I do for you?�

Mister Corum was the president, accountant and head teller of the bank. In fact, he was the only teller. He knew me, but it�s not like he was used to seein� me all that much.

I slapped my five dollar bill on the counter. �Could you give me some change for this? I need twenty-five cents in change and then the rest can be what ever you want.�

He picked up the bill. �Certainly, Macy. Glad to.� He turned to his drawer and pulled out a stack of bills and counted out four dollars. Then he pulled open another drawer and gave me four bits an'a fifty cent piece.

�There you are, Macy. Come back when you want to deposit some of that.� He smiled and waved for the next person to step up.

�Thank you sir, I sure will�. I took out the change, and then pushed the rest down into a pocket. I made my way out of the bank and then turned back down the street to the telegraph office. Passin� across from the jail, I saw Jake come out of the door and get on his horse. I paused for a minute to see where he went to. He headed out of town down the south road. Looked like he was headin� to Griffin, or at least in that direction.

I went into the telegraph office for the third time that morning and tinkled the door, summoning Mister Kelly from the back.

�Mornin� again, Mister Kelly. I got the two bits.� I plunked it down on the counter. �Can we send that telegram now?�

�You bet, Macy.� He shoved a pad of paper in front of me and held out a pencil. I wet the tip and thought about what I should write. Finally I wrote: �To Slim Sherman. Laramie, Wyoming. Jess in jail in Kane, Colorado. Needs help bad. Macy Poe�

I looked up from the paper at Mister Kelly, then back down at what I wrote. Then I picked up the paper and tore it in little pieces. Sometimes I�m so dumb!

�You know what, Mister Kelly? I ain�t gonna send this after all, but I sure do thank you for your time.� I put the two bits on the counter and pushed it over to the far side. �Thank you, Mister Kelly. I�ll be goin� now.�

�No, Macy, you don�t need to�� I tipped my hat and left him staring after me with his mouth open.

Out on the sidewalk I stopped to think about what to do next. Sometimes I�m slow. Sometimes I just plain dumb, but today, I�m both. I cain�t send Jess� family a telegraph to tell them he�s in trouble. I�m about to break him out of that jail.

If they�s good family, they�ll come high-tailin� to Kane County, Colorado. But, if all goes according to my somewhat sketchy plan, Jess won�t be here for them to rescue.

Whatever Jake and Early were up to wouldn�t wait. My gut told me Jess was in a lot of danger from those two sidewinders. I�m not usually a lawbreakin� sort of man, but I think I have to this time.

If I was going to do something, it had to be now while Jake is gone. No tellin� when he�d be back. Early was in there alone. No better time, I�m thinkin�. Okay Poe, think, think. I can�t just go in there and carry Jess out from under Early�s nose. �Sides that, I need a horse. I have a horse. Well, sorta. I can get him and he can carry both me and Jess out of town.

When I was workin� for Doc Slater a few years back he give me a horse that he took in payment from a drummer. He was a hayburner and Doc didn�t want to have to feed him. Tuck is a draft horse. I think he�s called a Belgian. Doc said �a big horse for a big man� After I settled here in Kane, I didn�t need Tuck ever� day for ridin� so I worked out a deal with Mister Franks over at the livery. He keeps Tuck there and he rents him out to the local undertaker to pull the hearse and to anyone else who needs a big load hauled. Mister Franks is a kind man and he takes good care of Tuck, makes sure no one mistreats him or over works him. He keeps the fees he gets for Tuck and I get to keep Tuck in the livery and fed and groomed for nothin�. I visit him a lot and we go for walks.

I started over to the livery. I thought I�d take Tuck for a walk. The livery was quiet when I got there. There were a few horses in the outside corral and Mister Franks was mucking out the stalls. Tuck was in his own paddock on the side. He got his own because he made the other horses nervous. I guess �cause he was so big. I stuck my head in and hollered at Mister Franks.

�Mornin� Mister Franks, it�s Macy. I�m gonna take Tuck out for a walk. I�ll see ya later.�

I heard his voice come from the back of the barn. �Okay, Macy. See ya later.� He didn�t come out, just kept on workin�.

I reached inside the door and pulled down a bridle and a blanket and a couple of canteens. Then I thought better and took two blankets. I don�t use a saddle on Tuck. If I ever ride him, it�s just with a blanket. He�s too big for most saddles and I never found enough money to have one made for him. I also grabbed an extra length of rope and then went to get Tuck.

He�s always glad to see me and came trottin� up to the fence. I usually bring him an apple, but I didn�t have one with me today. I made a mental note to get him one at the store �cause that was my next stop. I had to hurry though. I was afraid Jake would come back. �Sides, I kept thinkin� �bout Jess layin� there on that cold floor.

I opened the paddock gate and Tuck came right out to me. I threw both blankets over him, put on his bridle and carried the extra rope. I stopped at the pump outside the livery to fill up the canteens before we headed off down the street to the general store.

I left Tuck outside, like most folks do, and went in to get a few supplies. I didn�t know where I was going or how long I�d be gone, but I knew I had to go, and fast. It was a matter of Jess livin� or dyin�. I bought some beans and coffee and some apples. I got some cans of peaches and a side of bacon. I also bought a little metal fry pan to cook in and a couple of metal plates. Mister Craddock in the store asked me where I was goin� an� I just told him I was goin� huntin� with Tuck for a day or so. When he found out Tuck was goin�, he threw in a few more apples.

That took most of the rest of that five dollars. I patted my pocket where the other five dollars was folded as I walked out of the store with two cloth sacks of groceries. I tied them together with the rope and slung them over Tuck�s back like two saddle bags. Then we headed for the jail.

Inside the jail, Early was sittin� at the desk readin� wanted posters. Actually I think he was just lookin� at the pictures �cause he don�t know how to read. He was surprised to see me, but only for a second. The surprise on his face turned to fear when he saw my arm raise up over his head. He wasn�t prepared for me so I got him easy. I didn�t hurt him, just stunned him a might. While he was out, I drug him into the cell I had occupied that morning and handcuffed both his hands around the bars. Then I put a gag in his mouth with his own neckerchief and closed the door.

I got the cell keys and opened Jess� cell. He was still on the floor, but he looked like he was comin� to. He was struggling to sit up. I put an arm around his back and helped him. He opened his eyes and looked up at me. He opened his mouth to speak, but I stopped him.

�Shhh. Don�t say nothin�. We�re getting� out of here right now. You need to be quiet and pretend like you�re just walkin� out �cause they let you. Okay?�

He nodded weakly and I hoisted him up to his feet. He was real wobbly so I put my arm around him and helped him out. In the outer office I stopped to pick up Jess� hat, gloves, his belt and his gunbelt. They had just shoved them into the rolltop desk, so I didn�t have to look too far. I put the hat on Jess� head, and slung the gun belt around my shoulder. At the front door, I opened it part way and looked out on the street. We was havin� all kinds of good luck. No one was nearby. I hurried Jess out the door and over to Tuck. I had to lift him up. He couldn�t have mounted Tuck bareback on his best day, and it looked to me like this was pert near one of his worst days.

We went out of town through the back door. I lead Tuck around the back of the jail and then we wound our way through the back alleys and streets until we came out north of town on an old cattle trail that hadn�t been used in years. It led the way up into the hills.