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Danny noticed that Abigail was deep in conversation with Michelle Bauer, Eppi Dax, the Colonel's wife, Vanessa Chamberlain and the rest of the "respectable town women." She was safe for a bit at least. In addition, Jesse had just motioned him across the street to the office. Crossing the street, he saw his deputy pointing up, and the Marshall followed the signal. He could see and almost hear Alan from here. He had him this time, by golly. Danny set off down the street to catch the lonesome cowboy crooner in action.
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"I'm a lonesome old cowhand just singing to you all, my voice may be salty and my tune may be forestalled, but without you here in my arms tonight I'll be down so lets drink a beer, bar keep send out drinks all around."�
"I'm drunk when I am sober, I am sober when drunk, I love to travel along the continents, I love to think of you my darling dear, won't you bring me back some of your imported tea, I love my horse but not nearly as much as thee. Oh India, Oh India, Oh India."
Danny thought it a horrid tune, nothing catchy about it at all. He climbed the last step and heaved himself up onto the tower. "Let's go Alan I've warned you, no singing in public unless it's been decreed by the mayor."
"Well, the mayor is right over there, let him decree it now." However, the mayor had his head in Beth Raines bosom and there was no disturbing him now.
"C'mon Alan, I'll let you sing a bit down at the dance if you come nice like now."
"Can I sing the old cowboy blue song?
"Sure Alan, sure."
The Raines ladies called out in unison as the two men left, "You all come back now, you hear? Marshall you are welcome any time day or night!"
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Abigail stood at the refreshment table as proud as could be. The correspondence she received back in OLE Mississippi clearly stated that the man she was to marry in Kansas would meet her at the stage and what a glory to find this man, the territory Marshall was her intended. Funny some of the town ladies kept talking about some doctor she would just have to meet later on, what silliness, this was the man she would marry, she waved at him where he stood across the street. Their coloring and looks were quite similar, striking even. Sure she discerned already that he had been on the wrong side during the war, but anyone could make one mistake right?
Two women came over to Abby then, a young woman named Michelle Bauer and an older woman named Eppi Dax. Abby told them quickly that the Marshall was her intended, bought and passage paid for, thank you very much. Sure, the little thing looked like her feelings were hurt but so what, she Miss Abigail had finally lucked out in her life.
Just then, this girl's brother came up to greet them. Holly Reid, Vanessa Chamberlain and Mrs. Eleni Cooper (who was trying with all her might to shoo off a very good-looking man--who turned out to be her errant husband) all tried to tell her to meet this doctor. Oh well to be polite, after all soon she would be married to the Marshall soon.
"Hello to you sir," she said in her best Southern drawl. She realized immediately he was a Yankee. She pressed her case. "I assume, sir that you served in your capacity in the Union Army as a doctor."
"Why yes ma'am I did. But I can see from your accent that you are from the South, let us put any differences aside, the war is over as you know"
"Well, kind sir, the war may be over for you Yankee users but it will never be over for those of us who believed in the right and true cause. You marauders ruined our lands and took away our best resources. I will have you know I served for three years as a Confederate nurse and I saw the handiwork of your destruction. I was barely fifteen when I began to serve the noble cause and felt as if I were thirty years of age just three short years later."
"But there we are in agreement, Miss Blume, I too felt older and wearier for my service in trying to save young men's lives, young men on both sides. Perhaps if you have the time while visiting our fair city, you could visit my establishment and we could discuss operating procedures and improvements since the War. I think you would find I have a nice collection of medical journals for your perusal."
"I dare sir, that I would ever make the time to visit your butchery shop."
This last comment offended Doc greatly and he walked over to get a beer from the stand Mrs. Drew Kitty set up for every election dance. She was a card and a fun loving woman. Even the "decent women" in town realized that women like Mrs. Drew Kitty were just trying to earn a quarter the only way they knew how. In addition, Mrs. Drew Kitty was stringent in her practices; she allowed only unmarried and widowed men to partake of anything other than beer in her establishment. Therefore, the women in town accepted her. The fact that she also received the only copies of the "Godey's Lady's Book" and generously let Buzz Cooper display it at his store also ensured her good reputation in Dodge City.
Vanessa and Eleni explained this to Miss Bauer and they all laughed at the next thing they heard come out of Mrs. Drew Kitty's mouth. She was handing out buckets of beer to the townsfolk and as each man stepped up to get his, she called out, "You bring back that bucket you hear." Michelle thought she might like to get to know this enterprising young woman sometime.
Jesse Blue came over and told Miss Bauer that he was making great progress with his McGuffey Reading Primer. He was all the way up to the letter P now but was having some trouble with the letter Q. Miss Bauer spoke with him for a few minutes explaining that using the name of the town blacksmith, Matt "Quint" Reardon, might assist Jesse in learning to use the letter efficiently. Jesse thanked the teacher and tipped his hat to the women.
Everyone agreed how wonderful it was for the deputy to be learning to read and now he would finally understand and be able to quote from the good book� rather than just guessing at what the book said.
After this short comic interlude, however, they all shook their heads. How would this ever work out? Michelle the schoolteacher was obviously angry at something. She stalked away with Eppi Dax and was now dancing with the Army soldiers. Teachers were good about that, filling a need that needed to be taken care of, but now Miss Abigail thought she was to marry the definitely not-bridegroom Marshall and she had taken an instant disliking to the man she was intended to marry, Doc Bauer. What would they do about this mess now?
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Danny returned to the dance just in time to see Miss Michelle Bauer dancing with a variety of officers. Well, he thought at least she is not dancing with the enlisted men then saw she was indeed dancing with a sergeant. According to Abigail, Miss Bauer had gotten upset when her brother came over and gone off to dance with every man in the regiment.
He walked over to Colonel Dax and his wife. He served under the Colonel, hell Doc and he both served under the good Colonel during the last year of the war. The only father he'd ever known was dead now but if there ever was a man that he could have wished for a father, the Colonel was he and the feelings appeared to be mutual.
"Danny what is wrong, you look very upset."
"Oh no, I am not upset at all, how are you two by the way?"
The Colonel said, "Oh yes you are, you can't kid me Daniel. Is it Doc's little sister? Do you want to know what happened, what Eppi overheard while you were gone?"
Then Eppi Dax, the sweetest little women that the Marshall ever met, stepped forward to tell about the conversation she had been privy to just over an hour ago.
"Marshall, Miss Bauer came over here and introduced herself. She is such a nice young girl and so intent on making her own way in this world. Well, she introduced herself to your Miss Abigail Blume. Now do not correct me. I now understand according to Holly Reid that this young woman is not your intended at all. But I do fear that Miss Blume led both Michelle and I to believe you two were intended for one another. Mrs. Reid said that originally, Doc was to meet her at the stage and Miss Blume knew that the man who would meet her was her intended. She was quite taken with you and oh dear, Marshall when she met Doc, she was not at all impressed. I am afraid dear sir that she quite dislikes the man and dear Danny, my boy; she still believes you two are intended."
"So Eppi, you are saying that Miss Michelle thinks that Abigail and I are to marry? Oh excuse me please, I am sorry I must take my leave of you both."
Danny said this as soon as he saw Michelle look back at him and flee from the dance.
The Colonel said to Eppi, "See I told you dear, it is all just a matter of time, there is someone for everyone in this world. I think our friend, the Marshall, our beloved boy, has found his match as that teacher has hers; I wonder don't you dear when they will realize it as well?"
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Michelle thought well, if the Marshall can play footsie with me, all the while he plans to marry this uppity southern belle (who doesn't grasp fact that the war was fought over freeing slaves-the oppressed thank you very much). How could he marry such a backward bigot even if she did serve as a nurse? She would be much better with her brother anyway but then of course this woman now hated her brother for the simple reason that he saved lives.
Michelle was spitting venom so she would just go across the street and dance with some of those nice young men that the Colonel's wife mentioned. Dancing always made her forget her troubles, a waltz or a reel and she would be back in her proper tucker.
Michelle did dance and had fun as well. The officers flattered her and talked with her and she felt almost womanly again. Then she saw the Marshall glaring at her, it was just too much for any woman to handle, and she took her leave from the officers and walked back to her room. Of course, all the way back to her room she kept thinking why did he have to look so wonderful, dressed all in black with that silver shield, the Marshall's shield pinned to his black leather vest. Would this Indian summer never end?
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