I can’t send these!” exclaimed Stanley Offut, “Why Marshal Queens would have a fit.”
I stared at him with a puzzled look on my face. “What’s gotten into you Stan? You will send those telegrams as they are official U.S. Marshal business. I’ll wait to make sure you do, and if I hear any discrepancies or if you don’t decide to send it I will have your job.”
The telegrams were to Jens Blasco, U.S. Marshal–Colorado, Barnes McCoy, U.S. Marshal–Kansas, and Felix Wilcox, U.S. Marshal–New Mexico/Arizona Territory, inquiring about Mike Queens. There was something about him I just didn’t like, but then I reckon he didn’t care much for me either.
“I want an answer as soon as they come in, do you understand?” I said with my eyes boring into him. I had known Stanley Offut for several years. I just couldn’t figure out what had come over him lately.
Stepping out of the telegraph office I looked up and down the street. Charlie Gold and I had talked about heading up to Telluride, but that idea was put to rest by another eight inches of snow. I didn’t want to get stuck in Telluride for a week or even worse somewhere along the trail. Maybe I was getting soft or too old. I’d like to say it was because I had more sense than I used to have.
Solly was standing in his shop, looking out the window smoking one of his big cigars. I waved to him, and he motioned for me to come in. His tobacco store was next to the telegraph office so I went on in to see what he wanted.
“Miles, have a cigar on the house,” he said with a smile knowing that I didn’t smoke. It was kind of a joke with him, and I know it wasn’t to malign my beliefs.
“Not today, Solly, but I have been sorta hankerin’ for a chaw,” I smarted back at him bringing a hearty laugh.
Still laughing, “Yeah, cut a piece from a twist I have here. Chew it up real good, then go give Molly a kiss. Ha, ha, I can just imagine.”
“Imagine all yuh want, ain’t gonna happen. What did yuh want to see me about?” I asked.
He scratched his head, then took a puff and exhaling before answering. “I don’t see Sheriff Gold very often, and I know it doesn’t pertain to you, but the new marshal doesn’t take his, let’s say, routine duties very seriously. If it’s cold or snowing he won’t check the town at night. I seldom see him walking the town.”
I gave a slight shrug of my shoulders, “Solly, nothing I can do about it. Unless complaints are brought to the council there is little to do about it,” I replied, then pulled at my moustache. “I wonder why he wanted the job in the first place.”
“Easy money, prestige, power,” he stated. “Miles, you know there’s a dozen reasons.”
“Thanks for the heads up. I’ll keep my eyes open,” I assured him just before stepping out into the cold again.
Glancing down the street, I saw Doc Jones heading for the diner so I started for him. He was already at the table when I came in the door. A couple of out-of-work miners were sitting at a table and if I had to make a guess, Molly was feeding them for at least half price.
I leaned the Greener and back against the wall, grabbed a cup from the shelf and filled it with coffee from the pot on the stove. The heat being produced by that stove sure felt good. Since it had stopped snowing the temperature had dropped rapidly.
“Hello, Miles,” greeted Doc. He twisted his head a couple of times and I thought I could hear bones popping. “I’ll be glad when spring decides to hit the mountains. These old bones just don’t cotton to the cold like they used to.”
“Ha, I was just thinkin’ the same thing a few minutes ago,” I replied, taking my chair.
I had just sat myself down when Molly came out with a couple pieces of pie, sitting a piece in front of us. “Heard you guys come in, so I thought that you might like a piece.”
“Sit down, Molly,” suggested Doc.
She pulled out a chair. “Only for a minute, Doc. Charlie dropped by saying that Marta was sick and wouldn’t be in today, so I’ve been helping Emelda in the kitchen. She’s making up a bunch of enchiladas for lunch.”
Doc scratched the side of his head just above the ear. “Say,” he started in, “have either of you seen Lucas lately? My woodshed is getting low and he usually is on the spot with keeping it filled.”
Molly and I looked at each other. “Come to think of it, Doc. Our woodpile is low. If he doesn’t come in today or tomorrow I’ll have to get someone to chop some more,” replied Molly, looking at me.
Several merchants and other businesses had hired Lucas to keep their woodpiles filled. He had always been dependable. I hadn’t noticed that he wasn’t working or feeding the horses. I’d check on them after leaving here. “Charlie say anything about Lucas being sick?”
Molly shook her head then turned her attention to Doc.
“No sickness that I’ve heard about,” he said in reply to her glance. “Oh, that reminds me, I’ve been meaning to ask. What did Mateo say when you asked why he quit the deputy’s position?
“He really didn’t have much to say. Not really evasive, but not wantin’ to talk much about it. He did mention that Charlie was goin’ to make him sheriff’s deputy. That might be a better position for him, plus a little more money.”
Doc held up his cup for a refill. “I know that Edith has been meeting with the preacher’s wife and a couple of other ladies to especially pray for you men. She said they even pray for Marshal Queens.”
“Well, we all need it Doc, that’s for sure,” I remarked emptying the last swallow from my cup. “I’m goin’ out to check on a few things. I’ll find out about Lucas.” I started to leave, but stopped to look at Molly. “Save me a couple of those enchiladas.”
I nodded at the two men sitting at the table. One lifted a hand in acknowledgment, then I went out the door into the cold…
Month: February 2021
Echoes From the Campfire
It’s a dangerous thing when a man’s stubbornness makes him act like a fool.”
–Stephen Bly (Stay Away From That City)
“I have seen the foolish taking root, But suddenly I cursed his dwelling place.”
–Job 5:3 (NKJV
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Do you get tired of the antics of the bureaucrats? I’m sure there are a few that do, but most do not have a fear of God. Most serve themselves, and will do anything to get power, get more power, and along with that financial gain. Do they not think that God is watching? Today, contemplate Psalm 53. It is a powerful warning to those who have no fear of God.
1 – The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good.
2 – God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
3 – Every one of them has turned aside; They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.
4 – Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call upon God?
5 – There they are in great fear Where no fear was, For God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you;
You have put them to shame, Because God has despised them.
6 – Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God brings back the captivity of His people,
Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad. (NKJV)
This psalm is for the “fool.” By that I mean the person who does not believe in God, the person has an external religion while acting as if God does not exist, and those who have replaced God in their heart and mind with themselves. These people are corrupt. Look at verse 1, they have “done abominable iniquity.” This would be equivalent to the gay agenda and abortion–abominable. They may say they are deeply religious yet they practice abominations in the sight of God. They are fools.
“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23) and here we see that all are “corrupt.” None does good. Both notice also that God makes a distinction between “workers of iniquity” and “My people”. Will evildoers never learn? The answer is a resounding “NO” unless they come to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Evil will continue to devour God’s people and God’s ways. They have no fear of God.
These people think they are brilliant. They are the enlightened or in modern language, they are the “woke”. “Professing to be wise, they became fools.” (Romans 1:22, NKJV) To see the abominable practices of a fool read the rest of Romans 1. I like what George Wood says about this Psalm, “This psalm asserts that the real reason persons do not believe in God lies in moral disobedience rather than mental brilliance.”
Don’t trust the wise for the answer. Don’t trust the new culture and those who are woke with the answer. Don’t fear the bureaucrats and become anxious with their threats. Fear the Lord and rejoice in Him.
“Are all the foes of Zion fools,
Who thus devour her saints?
Do they not know her Savior rules
And pities her complaints?”
–Isaac Watts
Coffee Percs
Shivering in the cold, they surrounded the fire to kill the morning chill . . . sitting skillets to heating and coffee pots on handy rocks next to the fire.”
–Rod Collins (Bitter’s Run)
Brrr, come in this kitchen. Gettin’ cold, and from what those ‘perts at the weather station says it’s supposed to be gettin’ colder. ‘Course the weather casters are about as reliable as a liberal politician or lawyer. But take a sip, careful, it’s hot, but it’s also strong and black–just what yur gizzard ordered. It’ll warm yuh from inside out.
I was sittin’ ’round the stove doin’ something when I overheard the missus say, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” Well, Pard, I scratched my ear a bit, pulled on the end of my moustache ’cause it got me to wonderin, What is a blank mind?
Noooo, don’t be untolerant or silly–it’s not a liberal politicians brain. Hmmm, now yuh got me wonderin’. Perhaps it is, either his brain or the devil’s warehouse or maybe playground.
Yuh know those eastern religions and them that spout New Age say we should meditate and empty our minds. Now, now, I know they already act like they have empty minds, but be serious. They say empty our minds, but if that happens all sorts or scary, evil things could enter. Garbage of the vilest kind, and again yur right Pard, maybe that’s what happened. However, one of the lost practices in Christianity is that of meditation. Yep, that’s fer sure. Reason folks don’t meditate is that they don’t know the Scriptures. See, instead of emptying our minds, when we meditate we are to fill it with the Word of God. Plus that there meditating means yuh have to find some solitude, get quiet, be still, and not runnin’ hither and thither.
Try it Pard. Yuh can even have a cup of coffee sittin’ there beside yuh. Start slow, may only ten minutes, but read a portion of the Bible, then take a sip, then contemplate those verses. Ahhh, yuh talk ’bout refreshin’ the soul. Maybe have one or two verses that yuh concentrate on through the whole week. Sure better than listenin’ to those bureaucrats squabble over stupidity!
Pard, yuh be stayin’ warm. Yuh still have to do what? Pard, yuh better get a move on, those flowers will freeze in this cold. Check that cinch if’n yuh have to be out ridin’ in the cold. An’ try contemplatin’ on the Word of God this week.
Vaya con Dios.
Echoes From the Campfire
Your smile is like the sunrise. Every time you smile, you pour your warmth all over me. Every time you laugh, you set my blood on fire. Every time I see you, I regret every day I have spent without you, and that’s a lot of days for a man to regret.”
–Jesse Storm (Final Ride for Justice)
“For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.”
–2 Corinthians 11:2 (NLT)
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“I never went much on this lovin’;
I allus was bashful from birth,
But now to the front I am shovin’,
An playin’ the game all it’s worth.”
–E.A. Brinistool
It’s that time of year again; it seems to roll around about this time every year. The one day when people swoon, and they spoon by the light of the moon. Ahhhh, ain’t it sweet. Do you remember those giddy feelings? I surely can. Once I found the right gal, I went hard into the fight. I shoved my way past other guys, pushed them out of the way, for I was gonna marry this gal I found. It didn’t take me long to figure that out, by the third date, now it was up to me to convince her. The persuading took me half a year. I think she knew it before she acquiesced that night in August.
Maybe it was that downpour that we drove through around midnight on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, or maybe she just came to her senses, either way, I pulled over off the road and with the traffic and 18-wheelers flying by I asked that fateful question: “Will you marry me.” A year later the knot was tied. My, my that was back in 1970, whooeee.
I did have to shove some out of the way. There was one guy in particular who was infatuated with Annie, so much so it seemed that he was stalking her. One day I had enough, I pulled him aside in the hallway and told him to scram. I didn’t want to see him pestering or following her again. It worked.
I am so thankful for her, not just on Valentines Day, but everyday. I am a much better person because of her. My rough edges she has been able to wear down, and I know how to behave as a gentleman in polite society. She has always stood the test whenever we had to move or change careers. It’s a comfort to know that she was standing with me through it all.
That makes me think of those eyes of fire (Revelation 1:14). We know He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5). He is looking down from heaven, watching the world try and taint His bride. Those eyes of fire are burning for two reasons: first, the desire He has for His bride. He has gone to prepare a place for her, and is ready to come to carry her to His home. I’m sure He is more anxious than I was. Second, His eyes flash fire for He sees the world trying to sully her. It is trying to dirty her, shame her, trick her, deceive her into not being faithful and true. Jesus will not allow this to happen anymore than I would allow someone to stalk my girl. His countenance is shining brightly and He is brandishing His sword.
Just as it took a half year to persuade Annie to marry me, and then almost another year before the marriage took place so it has been with the Lord. He has been gone preparing a place, now He is ready to come back and claim His bride. The table is spread in heaven, the food is being prepared, all that is left is to sound the trumpet and take her to His house.