The Saga of Miles Forrest

Come on, Newsome, spit it out!”  I admonished him.  I wondered what Jewelene, his wife, saw in him.  I reckoned he was a good man, provided for her, but my mercy, he was about as solid as milquetoast.
    He looked as if he were about to choke with that tight collar he was wearing.  “Wilson and I were thinking, that maybe…”  He was interrupted by the approach of Judge Klaser coming through the doorway.
    Charlie saw him first, and raised his voice a little to get everyone’s attention.  “Pull up a chair for the Honorable Judge Vernon T. Klaser,” he said in a joking spirit.
    The judge glanced at Charlie, “Thank you, Sheriff.  Well, well, I’ve everybody here that I need to see.”
    As he was seating himself I got up to get him a cup of coffee and placed it in front of him on the table.  “Judge,” inquired Molly, “would you like a piece of pie?”
    “No, no thank you, Mrs. Forrest, but I could use a bit of honey for the coffee, if you don’t mind,” he gave in reply.
    Molly smiled, “Sure Judge.”  She started to get up, but Marta informed her that she would get it.
    I had refilled my cup, and was sipping at it waiting to hear what the Judge had to say.  Marta brought the honey and we all were watching to see how much of it he would use.  He poured a spoon full then put it in the coffee and began to stir.  After banging the spoon a couple of times against the top of the cup, he took a sip.
    “Miles, I’ve heard you arrested Martin Olson on attempted murder?” asked the Judge.
    “That’s…”  
    I didn’t get any further when Newsome blurted out, “That’s why Wilson and I are here.  We think Martin should be released.”
    Judge Klaser held up his hand to stop Newsome.  “Do you have evidence?”
    “I have an affidavit signed by Oswald Dierker, the witness of Sheriff Charlie Gold, and my personal word,” I stated in no uncertain terms.
    The Judge looked at Newsome, “Why in the world would you want Olson released with this evidence?”
    “Well, uh, we, that is, Wilson and I talked with Martin and he promised…”
    Charlie slammed his hand on the table.  “When did you see Olson?” he asked glaring at John Newsome.
    “We, well, uh, ah, we went in your office when you, ah, when Forrest was shooting at Marshal McCall,” he answered nervously.
    “Hold it right there, Mr. Newsome,” ordered the Judge.  “You are already getting into legal difficulties.  You are interfering with a federal investigation of an attempted murder of a U.S. Marshal, and now are hinting at taking possible bribes by listening to promises.”  He stopped then looked at the two men.  “Right now, you could easily be looking at two years in the penitentiary.
    Foster’s eyes got as wide as a silver dollar, and he turned pale.  I thought he was going to pass out. Newsome choked where Doc had to slap him on the back a few times.  It was quiet for several seconds.
    The Judge began to speak again.  “Durango will have its first full-fledged election next fall.  All three of the council seats will be open for election and for the first time there will be an election for mayor,” he paused there to look at Foster and Newsome.  “Either of you planning to run for the office of mayor?”
    They hadn’t quite gotten over their shock of going to prison so they just sort of stared at the Judge while he was talking.  “Here’s the plan I suggest we take.  Don’t worry, we’ll have a hearing to make it all legal.  I suggest that Miles, here should be appointed town marshal until the first of the year when the new mayor and council can determine whether to hire a new marshal,” he paused again to look at me.  “That is if Miles will take the job.”
    I pulled at my moustache, and couldn’t help myself, I grinned at Foster and Newsome.  “I will, but remember, my federal marshalin’ duties may take me away.”
    “A deputy to help,” uttered the Judge.
    “That would be a helpful bonus, but you’ll have to get the council to agree to pay one,” I stated.  “I do have someone in mind.”
    “Good!” exclaimed the Judge. “It’s settled then, unless you two gentlemen have something to say against it.”  He turned to look at Foster and Newsome.  
    “Now, one more thing.  We can wait for a couple of weeks for Judge Broomfield to come and try Olson in federal court or we can handle it this week.”
    Charlie spoke up.  “It would sure save the taxpayers some money if we went ahead with a trial.”
    Foster and Newsome just looked at each other.