Month: November 2021

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on
The day after the votes were counted John Newsome closed his shop.  Theodore Howell won in a landslide.  He was a gracious winner for he went to all the saloons that had drinks on the house, then went over to Solly’s and purchased several boxes of cigars which he handed out in the barrio.  He even came over to the diner telling Molly to give free coffee to everyone who dined.  Of course, he didn’t know or care to know that coffee came with every dinner.  But he wasn’t buying votes, he purchased for those who voted for him and those against–he was just celebrating.  
         I didn’t think Tipton, Volder and their crowd was voting against Howell or for Newsome.  I think they were upset that the Mexicans were allowed to vote.  It was my job to see that every citizen had the opportunity.  Tipton was sitting in his cell when I came in.  “Lucas, let him out,” I ordered.
         “Who won?” he inquired as he stepped from the cell.  I informed him that Theodore Howell by a landslide.  He cocked his head, then shrugged his shoulders.  With a smile he said, “I tell you, marshal.  I’ve done more shopping in Howell’s shop than in Newsome’s, that’s for sure.”  I had to laugh.
         His gun and holster were hanging on a peg on the wall.  I handed it to him.  “You can go,” then paused to look at him.  I didn’t see any animosity.  “Just don’t cause me any grief.”
         Buckling the holster on, he nodded at me.  As he left he gave a little wave to Lucas.
         Lucas waved back, then asked, “Why did you release him?  He did wrong.”
         “Lucas, he did wrong and he spent a night in jail for it.  I’m not sure if he learned his lesson or not, but it would cost the country three weeks worth of meals to keep him jailed.  Judge Broomfield won’t be in for another three weeks, and this time of year he could be delayed,” I explained to him.  “It would have cost the county probably more than the fine that the Judge would impose.”
         I left the jail with the purpose of going by Newsome’s.  I wonder if he was in the store or if he stayed at home.  It was a defeat, that’s all.  But then, I thought of Jewelene.  It might actually be harder on her pride than John’s, plus the fact that he has to listen to her squabbling.  When I arrived the lights were out and door locked.  He must be at home.  If he didn’t open up tomorrow I’d go to his residence to see him.  We didn’t agree on some things about how to handle the town, but he was a good man.
         Come to think of it, I hadn’t been to Wilson’s in over a week.  I should go visit him.  He was so active with his store and being on the city council; it must be hard for him to sit at home all day and not get out.  Once in a while he would allow Elizabeth or Darnelle to wheel him down to the store so he could sit there.  Now with the weather getting cooler and snow looming at any time he didn’t get out.  I wanted to invite him and Elizabeth to the Thanksgiving get-together.  I’d find something for him to do.
        Everyday more miners were coming into town for the winter.  Maybe I should suggest to Howell that they should appoint a town marshal with the town getting so many jobless.  As soon as the passes close and the train can’t run the mines will have their big layoff.  They would keep a partial crew through the winter.  I think possibly the Silver Lake Mine had the right idea.  They keep their crew, worked them every other week, that way the miners got some pay.  They also allowed them to stay in the quarters owned by the company free of charge.
        I went to my table when I entered the diner setting the Greener behind me against the wall.  I started to the counter for a cup when Molly had already beat me to it and was bringing it to me.  Not only was the cup full of coffee, she had a smile on her face.  “Mind, if I join you, Mister?” she asked, inviting herself.
        Quickly I pulled out the chair for her.  “Don’t mind if I do, I always enjoy the pleasure of having a beautiful woman sit beside me.  To what do I owe this pleasure?”
        She didn’t say anything, just smiled then leaned over to kiss me on the cheek.
        “You know,” I said, shaking my head while watching her sip from my coffee cup.  “I’m always amazed that the good Lord gave you to me.”
        She laughed, “Yes, it is a wonder,” then drank the rest of my coffee.  “I’ll pour you another one.”
        “Did you happen to see John Newsome?  I heard he didn’t open the store today,” she probed.  “Do you think he is all right?”
        This time, before she could grab my cup I took a long draught almost burning my mouth.  “Molly, do you realize that this is the first time that the city council has no one on it left from the first council?”
        “Hmmm,” I heard her.  “It that…

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

It is a country for the strong, and it will make demands upon him.”

                    –Louis L’Amour  (Brionne)
 
       “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You.”
                    –Psalm 25:21 (NKJV)
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Like it or not some of the things that happen to us come from the Lord.  All the things that happen to us He allows.  I don’t understand totally, but life brings problems, the devil brings problems, we cause our own problems, and at times the Lord chastises us through our problems while other times He is wanting to build our character.  In the midst of our situation, sometimes we make a promise to the Lord–a vow.  The second portion of Psalm 66 praises God for He keeping power and His deliverance along with the aspect of paying vows that were made.

          8 — Oh, bless our God, you peoples!  And make the voice of His praise be heard.
          9 — Who keeps our soul among the living, and does not allow our feet to be moved.
         10 — For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.
         11 — You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs.
         12 — You have caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
         13 — I will go into Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows,
         14 — Which my lips have uttered and my mouth has spoken when I was in trouble.
         15 — I will offer You burnt sacrifices of fat animals, with the sweet aroma of rams; I will offer bulls with goats.    Selah  (NKJV)

       Have you noticed that there is trial before victory?  You have to run the race, you have to train hard, before you can expect to win any awards.  Life is the same.  One thing that all should learn–experience is a great teacher, but it gives the test before teaching the lesson.  Don’t fall into that trap.
       Fire refines–the hotter the fire the better.  Far too often we give the devil credit for our problems, and yes, he is often the one who brings them to bear.  However, the Lord is there so that our feet will remain steadfast.  You thought you couldn’t bear the load, and yet, look at you carrying all that weight.  You thought you couldn’t cross the raging torrent, yet look where you are standing–on the other side.  F.B. Meyer said, “The fire of affliction fetcheth it [grace] out.”
       Look back at the trials, burdens, and difficulties in your life.  See what God has done.  If He did it before, will He not keep you now in your present situation?  But wait one minute–don’t forget to pay your vows.  Perhaps you promised the Lord something in the midst of trouble.  Have you made good on that promise?  Don’t fear the fire, but don’t forsake to pay your vows.

                    “Here, in thy courts, I leave my vow,
                     And thy rich grace record;
                     Witness, ye saints, who hear me now,
                     If I forsake the Lord.”
                              –Isaac Watts

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

I added a little tinder and then fanned them with my hat. Within seconds there was a flame. I added some small sticks so I could get a fire started for coffee.”

                         –D.C. Adkisson  (Mal de Ojo)
 
Mornin’ to yuh, Pard.  Hope yuh had a good week.  Oh, the quotation, well, Pard, once in a while I have to do some advertisin’.  Yuh realize since ol’ Louis up an’ died several years back there’s been no one to take his place so I’m givin’ it a try.  I will say, I think my books are worth the time to read.  So there–I’ll toot my own horn for a spell.
       Did I forget the coffee?  Come on…it’s sittin’ there in the pot on the stove.  I’ll mosey on over an’ get yuh a cup.  Hope yur ready for it, ’cause it’s black, hot, and strong.  Yep, it’ll make yuh sit up an’ say “howdy.”  
       Remember me a-tellin’ yuh that we went to my wife’s 50th reunion of her college class?  That brought back some memories of how some of us would hang around in the cafeteria drinkin’ coffee.  Now back in that day I didn’t have much money.  I’d try to keep a dime a night for a date.  Good thing Annie wasn’t hard to please, but my mercy, she had me to gaze at, but what I was sayin’ I would keep a dime and we could share a coke from the snack room, or maybe some coffee.  Now if’n yuh want bad coffee those ol’ coffee vendor machines made the worst of the worst.
       Sometimes, back in the day, we would go out to get a cup of coffee.  Back then it was dime for a bottomless cup.  I’d drink about five cups figurin’ that was equal to a hamburger and coffee.  Ha, I remember a few times goin’ and askin’ for a “pine float.”  Ever had one of those?  Yep, glass of water and a toothpick.  Not very n’urishin’ but if yuh drank enough water it’ll fill yuh up.  I read once person once said, “Coffee is the cheapest meal one can get.”
       Yuh know we’re in the month of November–the Thanksgivin’ month.  Be sure to be thankin’ the Lord for all His blessin’s on yuh.  Even the small ones, like that coffee yur drinkin’, well guzzlin’, this mornin’.  Yep, the Lord sure is good to us even in the midst of these tryin’ times and those fools up in Washington.  Why thinkin’ they’re wise they’ve become idiots, and thinkin’ they’re progressive they’ve put our country back forty years or more.  Just yuh be thankin’ that yur in ol’ Ira’s kitchen drinkin’ his coffee an’ enjoyin’ a good mornin’.
       Check that cinch, now before yuh go to mountin’.  Don’t want to see that coffee burstin’ back out of yur gizzard should yuh fall off.
        Vaya con Dios.

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Where there’s people there’s a need for somebody to teach the ways of the Lord, lest they go heathen.”

                         –Elmer Kelton  (The Buckskin Line)
 
       “So teach us to number our days, That we might gain a heart of wisdom.”
                         –Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)
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Have you ever asked yourself, What is the purpose of life?”  Or maybe a better question, What are you doing with your life?   There are so many expectations for life–what others think, what your parents think, what the politicians and media think, what you think, and most importantly–what does God think.  What is expected of you?  Are you living up to your potential?  Have you even considered what your potential is?

               “Most men live lives of quiet desperation.”
                              –Henry David Thoreau

               [Life is] “an onion–you peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep.”
                              –Carl Sandburg

               “The basic fact about human experience is not that it is a tragedy, but that it is a bore.  It is not that it is predominately painful, but that it is lacking in any sense.”
                              –H.L. Menchem

Do any of the above fit your view of life?  Are you that discontented?  Maybe you a feeling what Solomon said, that life is vanity–all is vanity.
       We live in a world of lies.  Let’s take a look at a few of them:

               1)  Laugh and the world laughs with you.  Cry and you cry alone.
               2)  Every day in every way our world is getting better.
               3)  There’s a light at the end of every tunnel.
               4)  Things are never as bad as they seem.

And according to Epictetus, “If you don’t like the terms [of life], it is always in your power to leave them.”
       “‘Everything is meaningless,’ says the Teacher, ‘utterly meaningless!'” (Ecclesiastes 1:2, NLT)  The term “vanity” or as the NLT translates it, “meaningless” is used 38 times in the Book of Ecclesiastes.  It literally means “breath”–anything that is transitory.  W.J. Deane puts it this way, “The vanity of all humans and mundane things, and the oppressive monotony of their continued recurrence.”  What goes around, comes around.
       Life can get that way but there is an answer, there is a cure–life in Jesus Christ.  “Vanity alludes us to the uselessness and emptiness of life which is not lived in fellowship with God, and in accord with the divine will.” (Harper)  In this crazy, insane world we have hope in Christ.  LIfe apart from Him has no meaning and cannot produce true happiness, therefore, it might truly be called vanity/meaningless.  Without Christ human desire is never satisfied.

               “Our lower aims and possessions become vanities to us only when we seek in them that supreme satisfaction which He who has ‘put eternity into our hearts’ designed us to find only in Him and in serving Him.”
                              –Samuel Cox
 
       Without Jesus Christ in our lives Solomon is correct in saying, “What profit has man left from all his toil at which he toils under the sun? [Is life worth living?]” (Ecclesiastes 1:3, Amplified)  As I get older I look at those who want “things” and I wonder–why.  More and more I see people seeking for the “good life” or for what they deem might be the good life and forsake the Giver of life.  The seeking after things is some of the saddest things of human life–the errors which divert men from their true aim, and plunge them into various and growing misery.