Ahhhh, the coffee tasted good this morning. Marta was making breakfast for me, and Molly was waiting on tables and from time-to-time would come sit and take a few sips of my coffee.
I arrived back in Durango yesterday. It had been a long week. I had to send telegrams to Convney and Blasco. Blasco told me to wait until he sent a couple of deputies to pick up Lillian. She would be taken to Denver. Then there was the paperwork. Seems like there was more paperwork with this Secret Service business, but also a prisoner under my protection was killed and I had to give my report on that, the two men I killed, and the fight in general. I also sent a telegram to Charlie Gold, telling him to secure Billington’s office and house.
I was not too impressed with the sheriff in Pueblo. He seemed more perturbed that I had lived and a convicted prisoner had died. Plus the fact that there was a woman involved and was shot. In my mind there wasn’t much of a manhunt for the two that got away.
Marta brought me some eggs and a large ham steak along with several biscuits. After refilling my cup she went over and told Molly to come sit beside me. This time she got her own cup.
“I feel bad for Billy,” she said after taking her first sip. “I liked the boy, and thought he liked me.”
“Yeah, he liked you enough to shoot you in the head,” I replied.
“You know, that was an accident,” she argued.
I just grunted.
“What about Lillian? What was her involvement?”
“I’m not real sure. It seems as if Billington was takin’ a bar or two of gold from the shipments. He was supposed to pass them on, it seems to Lillian’s husband. When I wouldn’t let the gold go to the bank this last time, he panicked and ran, takin’ money from the bank,” I informed her with the knowledge that I had.
“The four men were working for her?” she asked.
“Sure seems that way, and remember there are the two I wounded still out there. They might just lick their wounds and go back from whence they came, or they just might show up here lookin’ for me.”
That reminded me. “Has Merker been in here?”
She frowned a bit, “I’m not sure I know a Merker, she paused and looked at me. “Miles, wipe your moustache.”
After dutifully wiping my face, I continued with my thought. “Merker was with Myers in Denver when they fired me from Wells Fargo. The day I left I thought I saw him enter the diner.”
“There’s strangers coming and going from here all the time,” she remarked.
“If that’s him, it just seemed strange that he is showin’ up here at this time. I’ll be glad when those special agents from Covney show up. They are going to check Billington’s office and house for any missin’ gold.”
She gave a little laugh. “How’s Douster handling the idea that he’s not allowed in the bank office?”
That brought a chuckle from me as well. “He thought he was goin’ to just take over,” I paused. “I wonder what Lillian was cookin’ up with him? Anyway, Ooverholm will keep an eye on him and tell Charlie if he tries to go in the office. From what I understand the company that controls the bank is meetin’ to select a new president.”
I took two large swallows that finished my coffee. “That reminds me, I need to go see Wilson Foster to find out who they are goin’ to put on the Council to finish out Billington’s term.”
“Miles, that’s no concern of yours,” Molly admonished.
“Not directly, but Charlie needs help. He can’t be marshal and sheriff both. This country is too big and there is too much goin’ on for him to stay in Durango all the time. Be back soon; goin’ to see the judge and see if there’s a telegram for me.”
Stopping just before I walked out I peered up and down the street. Habit I’d fallen into…when I saw Tommy running toward me with a note in his hand.
Month: September 2018
Echoes From the Campfire
He told me always to remember that a man’s word was a piece of the man himself and never to betray it.”
–Ernest Haycox (Free Grass)
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”
–2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
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“Lord, I am sick of soul.
I know you see my tears.
Oh, save me for your mercies’ sake
And drive away my fears.”
–Old Scottish Psalter
Have you ever been “sick of soul”? It’s a dreadful feeling. Whatever the cause it brings anguish that is hard to shake. The devil loves to see us in that situation; he then takes advantage of it and keeps whispering to us that we are failures, that we are not worth anything, that we are doomed so why try.
Psalm 6 is a psalm to hang on to when we feel in this situation. When we are ill, either in body, mind, or spirit our focus tends to focus on ourselves and our troubles. We wonder how much we can bear (i.e., Job). It is in times like these that we have to hang on to the Word of God.
“LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger; do not discipline me in Your wrath. (1)
Be gracious to me, LORD, for I am weak; heal me, LORD, for my bones are shaking; (2)
my whole being is shaken with terror. And You, LORD–how long? (3)
Turn, LORD! Rescue me; save me because of Your faithful love. (4)
For there is no rememberance of You in death; who can thank You in Sheol?” (5)
A person can have so much mental anguish that there is agony felt in their bones–their soul. The pain is like a physical pain, but more deep and aching. He cries in his pillow, there seems to be no hope. In the dark days of World War II one of General Eisenhower’s aides remarked to him that he always seemed to have hope and he always gave his great smile to those around them sharing that hope with them. He replied that a leader must show courage to his men–“The leader saves his tears for his pillow.”
“I am weary from my groaning; with my tears I dampen my pillow and drench my bed every night. (6)
My eyes are swollen from grief; they grow old because of all my enemies. (7)
Depart from me, all evidoers, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. (8)
The LORD has heard my plea for help; the LORD accepts my prayer. (9)
All my enemies will be ashamed and shake with terror; they will turn back and suddenly be disgraced.” (10)
Don’t be afraid to groan upon your bed. The Holy Spirits understands and interprets our groanings (Romans 8:26). Never quit crying out to the Lord. Robinson Risner, and others, when they were in the pit of despair when POWs during the Vietnam War would say that they would groan in their cells in prayer. The Lord was with them, and they would have renewed strength. Alfred Edersheim puts it this way, “However low I may sink, there is not a depth but grace goes deeper.”
Coffee Percs
He went into the cabin, found the provisions, started a small fire in the little potbellied stove, put together what was left of the coffee, and fried half of the bacon. When everything was ready he found two cups, poured coffee and took them and the small skillet of bacon outside and shared them.”
–Orin Vaughn (In Pursuit of a Madman)
How’re yuh doin’ pard? First day of fall, man oh man, where did this year go? Must be flyin’ away like the birds. Here’s yur cup, sip it easy, it’s hot. Made some of that Black Gold that Folger is sellin’ in their 1850 series. Tastes pretty good. Ahhhh, simply delightful.
Hope yuh had yurself a good week. We’ve been doin’ some traipsin’ about the countryside, at least the latter part of the week. Yuh know, these folk out here in the East are sorta different from where I’m from in Texas. I went out to the store the other day, quite a shoppin’ area: WalMart, Target, Home Depot, and several other stores and two groceries. I started countin’, and no I didn’t have to take my boots off. In this huge complex of parkin’ lots and then drivin’ back to the camp, I only counted five trucks. My mercy, only five. Back in Coldspring, Texas it’s pretty well even between cars and trucks.
Another thing I noticed. I think that the folk out here, deep inside, are longin’ to be spoken to. I always speak to the folk that wait on me and these looked at me as if there might be somethin’ wrong, but then they returned my gesture. There was one young gal who had to help us with the register. I told her thanks for the help, and then as I was leavin’ I went by and told her to have a good day. She looked at me, then her faced beamed into a smile, and then she thanked me. I know that when Shauna was visitin’ she remarked how strange it was that complete strangers will talk to each other in the grocery. And know somethin’ else, pard, I didn’t see no one a-packin.
Most folk would be okay, if’n folk would take a likin’ to each other rather than try to dig up dirt on them. People are so hateful, but unless they come to know the Lord that evil in their heart will win most every time. Why there’s many a Christian who speaks hateful words. How ’bout that coffee? Sure satisfies the ol’ gizzard.
Time for yuh to be hittin’ the road. Well, as Roy would have said, “may the good Lord take a likin’ to yuh.” Yuh be careful ridin’ out there, greet someone with that smile of yourn, and don’t dare mount up unless yuh check yur cinch.
Echoes From the Campfire
Man’s got to hold true to what he knows and I know this: a man who’ll break one promise for ease of things will break more promises.”
–L.C. Matthews (The Promise)
“I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.”
–Psalm 56:12 (NLT)
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The ol’ bones are achy this morning. We did some walking at the zoo yesterday, excuse me the Animal Preserve. I’m feeling it some this morning. Almost said forget the Echo, but then I thought of those who faithfully look forward to reading them.
Every morning holds the prospect of something new. Very seldom can a person say it’s the same old thing. If they do that there is probably something wrong with their attitude. Each morning has something new, something beautiful. For instance, here at Shauna’s, regular as clockwork there will be two flocks of Canadian geese fly over in formation. Now, that’s something. Hmmm, they must have an inward computer telling them.
I read something from Charles Dickens earlier in the year. He wrote, “Such are the narrow views of those philosophers who, content with examining the things that lie before them, look not to the truths which are hidden beyond.” What lies before you this day? This is the day the Lord has made, therefore, we should observe the beauty of each morning. Ponder the words of the prophet Isaiah; it will help you get the day started right.
“That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:6, NKJV)
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I have always believed that everything we do should be unto the Lord, therefore it is worship (Colossians 3:17, 23). I also believe that every believer should listen to the call of God for his vocation in life. In that vocation we should be doing quality work. Today, there is a glut of mediocrity and those in the church add to it. How I enjoy seeing a quality piece of work, or watching someone who really enjoys their work.
Here are a few things to ponder as you go into the weekend: “Now God commands Christians, who are the fruit-bearing branches of his church, to exercise devotion in a manner appropriate to occupation and position. It is not the same for everyone. Devotion is expressed in one way by a laborer and another way by a prince, a young girl, a married woman, or a widow. The manner in which you engage in devotional activities will also depend upon your physical condition, your activities, and your responsibilities. It would make no sense for a skilled craftsman to be in church all day, or for a monk to attend numerous committee meetings. That would resort in a comically distorted kind of devotion.” (Francis de Sales)
Hmmmm, see then, I must be as devoted to my retirement as I was to my classroom. And that’s why I got up to write my note to you this morning.