Rated R
Marshall Santos is kneeling down beside a grave marker in Boot Hill Cemetery just outside Dodge City. He mulls over a few things. "Around Dodge City and in the western territories, there is just one way to handle all the killers and the spoilers, and that is with a US Marshall and the smell of gun smoke. This is Mannysmoke, the transcribed story of the violence that moved west with young America and the story of a man who moved with it. I am that man, Danny "Matt Dillion" Santos, United States Marshall. Out here, I remind myself of how violence always ends, buried in the rim of a nation on the edge of the wild frontier. Some were slaughtered aimlessly, the rest I killed. I'm a lawman and a US Marshall. Law comes hard to the frontier and men like these did not want it. And there are more men alive today who will come to Dodge City that do not want it. They are the drifters and the lawless and they have to be dealt with. I am the first man they look for and the last one they want to meet. It is a chancy job, and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely."
Michelle finally regained her focus and started to button up her shirtwaist and pull down her skirt. She knew she should be embarrassed but frankly was not. She looked at Danny who seemed not at all troubled by this turn of events. He got to his feet and tried to reason with her brother.
Nevertheless, Doc Rick was not hemming and hawing this time, nope he was pretty darn serious.
She stood up then and addressed Rick, "No brother, I will not marry him now or ever. We got carried away that is all, it will not ever happen again," she looked forcefully at the Marshall.
Rick would not hear anything either of them said and just at that moment, Ray and Cassie showed up all flushed. Great, Michelle thought, these two upstanding celibates can stand up for me. Ray and Cassie heard what happened and quickly stated that a wedding should occur, a double wedding. Cassie smiled up at Ray who was touching her again, as he always did. Did the man have more than two hands?
Miss Abby still in a state of shock stepped forward and informed the assembled group that this morning the circuit judge arrived for a week. Now was the time to do the deed and although she did not voice her thoughts, you could just see that she added in her mind that these two should marry fast before the souls were dammed to hell. Finally able to hold her peace no longer she uttered, "Doc Rick, these two are no better than a pair of rutting animals. Marriage is a holy institution and this kind of fornication is sinful and unlawful. Marriage is for companionship not for carnal seeking."
Somehow it was agreed that Danny and Ray would ride back to town on horseback while Doc and Miss Abby would take his surrey. Cassie and Michelle both noticed that Miss Abby seemed in a particular hurry to get back to town.
Once in the surrey with Doc, Abby exchanged the first nice words she had ever spoken to him, "Well you are not a heathen animal like those Santos men. I am beginning to see the advantages of a marriage of convenience and not one driven by wild abandoned animal lust." Doc smiled, he was sure this was a compliment to him and a turning point in their relationship.
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Cassie and Michelle would ride to town in the surrey/wagon that Ray bought for Cassie last week. Cassie was elated. She was dancing around the room and singing some kind of catchy tune all the while throwing out questions and suggestions. She was worried about setting out food for the chivaree later that evening. Michelle thought she heard her mumbling about what Michelle would wear. "I have the dress I wore to my first wedding but that was bad luck for me so you shall wear it and I will wear the one awaiting me at Buzz Cooper's general mercantile."
So it was all set and by the time Michelle and Cassie rode into town at 4 PM, all the townsfolk were gathered outside the makeshift church/courthouse. The Mahler's were there, Ross said he wanted to serve as witness to the union in his capacity as a lawyer. Everyone rather laughed at this because in the west, lawyers really were not good for anything other than selling fruits and vegetables. Blake looked larger if that was possible and she mentioned that Abby thought it looked like twins for her again.
The circuit court judge met the couples who were now decked out in their wedding attire alongside David Grant, one of Alan Spaulding's men. Of late David had seen the light of God and had taken to telling others that he would no longer live a life of evil as Alan's right hand man and would now serve the Lord not the devil incarnate here on earth. David studied with Pastor Edwards down in Dukee. He asked if he could also say a few words and bear witness to these unions. David sensing Michelle's anxiety offered her his counsel anytime she needed a loving heart upon which to bestow her troubles. He told her a bit about his service in the Union Army as a buffalo soldier and promised to tell her more stories about his past at a future date. Michelle told him not to tell Miss Abigail that he served in the Union Army if he wanted to secure her fundraising help.
Other townsfolk joined the marriage celebrants and soon a reception table was set up. Buzz Cooper presented the ladies with silk nosegays and told them they could pay him later. Vanessa and India brought bibles from the library and fresh wildflowers. Eleni, Selena, and Drew brought foods including two cakes, milk, wine and beer. Frank Cooper showed up and tried to get a hug from Eleni, his estranged wife.
Even the Lewis boys showed up, although they were dressed in their dirty and dusty mining clothes. Jim LeMay and Matt Reardon walked into the meeting hall and took the last seats.
The church was full. This shocked Michelle as she thought this kind of shotgun wedding was not usual what with the participants the now disgraced schoolteacher and the Marshall. Nope, instead, everyone acted as if these quickie weddings were normal and that since the Marshall was a good catch, Michelle should be grateful for his offering to make her an honest woman.
By nightfall, the vows exchanged and the partying begun, the two couples left for their lodgings. Michelle and Danny would stay at his two-room suite at the hotel while Ray and Cassie were preparing for their journey back to the ranch. Ray was quite romantic and carried Cassie across the muddied streets to the wagon. Cassie and Ray seemed gloriously happy. She envied them their happiness, but secretly rejoiced at not having to listen to them billing and cooing another night.
The townsfolk were gleeful. Even Miss Vicki seemed happy that she would be gaining a new tenant versus losing one. Everyone was pleased except for Michelle who was doubtful and quiet the entire evening. At the wedding, Cassie wore a lovely long trailing dress in ecru with pearl beading. It obviously cost a pretty penny and Buzz told everyone at the reception that he procured the dress just for Mrs. Cassie Santos. Michelle wore a plain white dress. The women wanted to make the dress look more festive so had added daisies along the bodice and empire waist along with entwining daises through her hair. Ray and Danny could have passed for brothers; they both wore all black-suits, tie and shirt. Danny's suit had an addition which Ray's did not, his silver star badge. This frightened Michelle all over again. Miss Abigail caught both bouquets much to the chagrin of Mrs. India, Mrs. Vanessa, Mrs. Drew Kitty and several other women who continued to eye Matt "Quint" Reardon with increasing interest.
The townsfolk threw flowers and beads at Cassie and Ray and promised a late night chivaree at the ranch. They then followed Danny and Michelle back to their lodgings and insisted that Danny carry Michelle across the threshold for good luck's sake. Once inside their rooms, Danny quietly put her down, shut the door and reminded her that this was a two-room suite and that she would be safe from his advances tonight, he emphasized the tonight. Seemingly tired, he went to his room and shut the door.
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Michelle felt bad about his sadness and fatigue. No doubt, it was partly due to her increased insistence to everyone that this marriage was a sham and that she planned to secure an annulment as soon as possible. She even asked the judge who said that if consummation did not occur, the marriage could be annulled within a week or two, tops. The judge looked at Danny and told her not to worry, Danny looked plenty healthy to him and able to fulfill his duties as husband even if his arm was hurt. Michelle found his statements demeaning, her last worry was whether Danny could perform or not, he had proven his willingness earlier this morning had he not?
Michelle sat alone staring into the firelight. She was married now, to someone who shared none of the values she believed in; and she felt this revulsion despite the fact that she wanted him now. Michelle wished she could lie in his arms, wished to make those same sounds that Cassie had night after night-especially that keening sound that made Ray laugh like a coyote a few minutes later. What was she to do?
In just three months, her whole life changed from sane to one that was constantly tilting and turning. A need of hers to be closer to her brother had brought her from civilization and culture to a strange city in the west where men were shot in broad daylight and others were hung to avenge deaths. The wanton women were really nicer than many girlfriends she'd met in school. Added to all of this was the fact that she was falling in love with this paid gun for hire. All she could do was try to steel her heart against him. Yes, that was all she could do.
Hours later, the chivaree over, Michelle was trying sleep. She turned over onto her side and adjusted her pillow for what seemed like the hundredth time. She and Danny were coerced into this sham of a marriage and annulment was one week away. Images of their earlier interlude in the horse paddocks made her skin tingle and she closed her eyes trying to relive the images. Knowing that sleep would be allusive at best, with Danny in the next bedroom, she decided to look over her prepared lessons for the first day back at school.
She leaned over and lit the kerosene lamp beside the bed. She heard noises coming from the bathroom and was concerned that Danny might have injured his shoulder earlier today when he carried her over the threshold in full view of the townspeople. He told her it had to be done and warned her about the chivaree that was imminent as well. It was not everyday that the town Marshall married and these folks meant to see the young couple got a good and loud sendoff. All of the townsfolk clapped as Danny carried her with one arm but she knew he was in pain. Then just a few hours ago with the townsfolk gathered outside the hotel windows to bang pots and sing songs for the new couple, Danny leaned out, waved at them, and told her they had to kiss or the intruders would never leave alone tonight. Michelle complied and felt herself melting in his arms once again. They kissed for a long time and when they pulled themselves from the embrace, they noted that everyone below was there no more.
The fact that Danny was not as upset as she was about this marriage was evident because he laughed at her whenever she brought up the idea of the annulment. She padded over to the bathroom and noted the door was shut but light shone below, so he was in there, was he hurt? She heard sounds of water and knew that he was either hurt or taking a bath. Michelle slowly opened the bath door.
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Marshall Danny Santos was in trouble. As Jim LeMay had so eloquently put it at the marriage ceremony, the big bad Marshall let one small pixie of a woman get so far under his skin that he lost all ability to think straight. It was true she consumed his thoughts night and day. Now fate took its course and the forced marriage sealed both of their futures. Since their nuptials, whenever she looked at him in passing she looked as if she hated him-wanted to dismember him.
This was all very odd, as Michelle seemed very interested in him earlier today in the horse barn she proved that for sure. She opened her body to him like a new spring flower and if her brother and Miss Abby had tarried just 20 minutes longer then he wouldn't be sitting in this bathtub with every muscle of his body on fire. Nope, he would be in that big feather bed with the tester making love to every inch of her glorious body.
His body ached for her that was for sure. In fact there was one muscle in particular that was giving him the most trouble and he would frighten her to death if she knew what he was going to do, what he had to do to get through the next few days with her so close to him. It took all the willpower he had not to knock down her bedroom door and teach that self-righteous schoolteacher the final lesson in what they started earlier today.
He resorted to what usually took the edge of his raw needs. He was no stranger to this kind of manual relief since he was, after all a healthy vigorous male who could not always find a willing female when he needed one. He did not make a habit of frequenting the saloons; this solitary relief was better for his soul and better for his role as Marshall in this town. Few women excited him in life, he knew he was not odd, just always knew about his chosen life and career and hoped that one day someone would come and want to live with him and his choices. He wondered if women like Miss Bauer, oops, Mrs. Santos understood the overpowering need that could consume a man and make him feel that his blood was boiling hot.
God help him, he felt that need now. He had been so close to making love to Michelle, he could still feel her in his arms, still sense her smell in his nostrils, still taste her sweet kisses and the touch of her hand on him. His best friend, her brother's intervention was the cruelest twist of fate yet. Better to get this over with, he brought forward the images of her bold uninhibited kisses and caresses of his body earlier today. He smiled as he realized any thought of her at all had the same effect. Danny wondered if he ever was with this woman, would he ever get enough of her. The sheer terror of his wanting her and yes he had to admit it, he loved her, this frightened him.
He leaned his body against the back of the bathtub. He was careful of his injured shoulder, stretched out in the warm water, and let nature take its course. After thoroughly washing up, he slipped his hand below the water and onto himself and immediately the image of Michelle laying down in the hay with her camisole open and her pantalets unbuttoned filled his thoughts once again, unbidden this time. He closed his eyes as his own hand sought to bring about the pleasure denied to him earlier, not by Michelle but by a pitiless interruption.
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As she slowly opened the door, she peered around the doorjamb slowly. Then she stepped inside so that she would not alarm him if he had fallen asleep. She saw only the back of his head as he reclined in the tub. Danny relaxed in the steaming bath. She stepped forward then to offer to help put some salve on his shoulder. She knew this was an obvious ploy of her own to see him closer to answer more questions that remained unknown to her virgin eyes.
Danny's eyes were closed and she saw him breathing deeply, very deeply. Then she saw his hand moving underneath the water-up and down. She saw his concentration was so intense that he failed to notice the small waves of water overlapping the bathtub and landing on the floor. His hand was moving under the water and it seemed to be around his ... Oh! He was moving it up and down in a pulling motion and she suddenly got the feeling that she was invading a very intimate moment yet she was powerless to stop watching what he was doing.
Michelle was no stranger to what a male organ looked like, after all, she was a teacher and she had studied anatomy as was required in teaching college, but seeing one up close and personal was another thing entirely. The most powerful part of him that which earlier today was pressing against her very own femininity was finding release without her assistance. They came so close earlier today, she felt that she had seen crests of waves or torrents of rainfall from a storm but everything abruptly stopped. Was that all there was to the marital act? Would she ever find out?
She was surprised to note that the feelings of longing she'd felt earlier in the day for this man were now returning and she felt damp, moist, sweaty from the bathtub steam or from watching the man himself. Michelle was riveted watching his actions and slow release. The expression on his face changed and turned into a mask that resembled one of pain or great pleasure.
His hand began to move in a swifter fashion than before and he called out her name. She saw he was in the throes of passion, that which she had seen in him earlier with her. She saw him find his release and he slumped back into the tub. Michelle made a small noise, not on purpose, perhaps one built out of pent up desire and he looked around and saw her standing there. He quickly grabbed the towel lying beside the tub and covered himself. Something told Michelle that she should leave the bathroom now, run to her room, and lock the door but she could not will her legs to move and when he reached out his hand for her, she stepped forward towards him. Slowly, he uttered the words, "Come here Michelle," and she walked towards him.
He touched her hand and kissed it. Danny said, "That was better, I thought I smelled your perfume but it was you in the flesh. Michelle, I love you and I will respect your decision to get an annulment. Nevertheless, there are things a man and a woman can do to gain release and to seek pleasure without impairing your ability to marry again, if you still want this annulment. It is late, give me a kiss and run off to bed like a good little wife and tomorrow night, I'll bring some show and tell to class, okay?"
Michelle bent down and kissed him, he returned the kiss and she fell into the bathtub with him. They both started laughing and Danny said, "Tomorrow honey, not tonight."
Embarrassed, Michelle ran from the room and slammed her door shut, locking it just in case. Danny heard the lock shut and wrapping the towel around him, strode to her bedroom door. With a swift kick, he knocked open the bedroom door. "Darling, nothing but sheer willpower is keeping me from making love to you tonight, don't insult either of us by trying to lock me out. The only locks on our love right now are the ones around your little heart." With that, Daniel strode to his own room and lay down to get a fitful night's rest.
The Chivaree, its definition and some history---
A chivaree is also called a shivaree or a serenade in the old west. Simply put, a chivaree is a playful but rowdy gathering in which a newlywed couple's friends make their wedding night a nightmare filled with noise. Banging on pots, pans and washtubs was the standard. Amish and some close-knit Mennonite communities still practice the chivaree. Settlers moving west in the 1800s carried this tradition with them just as the first European settlers brought the customs with them from the old country. There are three other terms for a chivaree and they are putting the bride to bed, riding the rail and belling the bride.
Here in the United States the Pennsylvania Dutch also commonly known as the Amish carried on the tradition, as did Mennonites and settlers in the Appalachians. These settlers brought the ages old tradition from their mother countries of England, Scotland, Germany and Russia. In most of these countries, the tradition involved escorting the couple into their bedchamber and often staying the night with them. In other situations, the celebrators waited downstairs for the groom to bring out proof that his fair bride was no longer a virgin, which was usually accomplished by stripping the blood stained bed of its sheet or carrying out an animal skin specially used for the event to show that the bride was no longer a maid. Following this, the couple was left alone and the merrymakers proceeded to make happy in the newlyweds new home or the bride's ancestral home.
In the United States, the tradition evolved into a band of merrymakers that usually stayed outside the home unless invited in for drink and food. The\farther a young couple lived from a town or city, the more likely it was that their new home would be occupied for most of the night with the festivities and the celebrants.
In a town like Dodge City, you could expect a chivaree to start after midnight and depending on the couple's popularity continue until sunrise. An exception to this rule was if the groom was an important person or town official, in this case, the celebrants would make some noise and demand a kiss from the couple but generally would leave them alone out of respect. A couple whose groom was not an official or important person in town such as Ray would have to serve the merrymakers food and drink well into the early hours of the morning.
The reader may recall seeing a chivaree while watching one of these two vintage musicals and movies: "Oklahoma" and "Paint Your Wagon."
Times change and so do chivarees, and sometimes fun traditions end----- For some reason chivarees lived on longer in the west and in the Appalachians than in any place. As times changed and more couples traveled to distant locales on a honeymoon trip, upon their return groups of friends met them with an improvised "Bull Band." For the bull band, anything that made noise was a suitable instrument -- cowbells, horns, dishpans or whatever was handy.
The best instrument was the Sei-Geik or "pig fiddle." Stretching wires across the trough used for hog scalding made this interesting instrument. The bow was a two-by-four covered with rosin and drawn inclined across the wires. The chivaree stopped only after the arrival of the police or the appearance of the bride and groom. If the bridegroom was foresighted enough, he had a supply of cider and cookies for the younger men and cigars for the older men. The chivaree was considered a compliment to the groom, and if he was very popular, the chivaree could go on for hours.
Customs differed from community to community. However, in every community two staples of the event were a ride on a fence rail for the groom and a zinc tub for the bride. Farmers split rails for building fences and the grooms would be taunted into riding the rail so to speak to see if he was intoxicated or not. If he could walk across the rail sufficiently, more alcohol was provided until he fell off the rail. Obviously, this is one of the first versions of the bachelor party's of today.
It is hard to say what stopped the chivaree, time and history perhaps. No one knows the exact date that the chivaree died out in non-Mennonite and Amish communities but most believe that the advent of the automobile and the prosperity of the post-WWII years clinched the death of this grand old custom. Because of the automobile, couples could get into their cars and make a quick get away and drive off to a romantic honeymoon destination-often the airport to begin their journey. The decoration of the newlywed couple's car is a tradition, which derives from chivaree. In a way when people decorate the young couple's vehicle and send them off with sprays of birdseed what they are really doing is serenading them or giving them a modernized version of the old chivaree. So next time you decorate a newlywed couple's car with soap, balloons, shaving cream, bananas in the tailpipe, Vaseline on the stick shift, and cans tied to the bumper--remember its origin.
