Just as being too busy gives you nightmares, being a fool makes you a blabbermouth.” –Ecclesiastes 5:3 (NLT)
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I waited for an explanation. “Vess Dawson, what do you know of him?”
Osian spoke up, “Nothing really. There was a gunfight, no one was hurt bad. There was a little disagreement when we threw them in jail overnight to simmer them down. One mouthed off and said something about a Dawson showing up.”
“No other problems then?” I questioned, tucking what he said in my mind.
“Nothing we haven’t been able to handle,” he said, then a grin came on his face. “Exceptin’ one fact, Lucius can’t make coffee fit to drink.”
“Hogwash!” came the reply from the other part of the room.
“That’s what I was telling the Marshal, here. Your coffee tastes like hogwash.”
Lucius walked up to where we were standing. I was holding a cup in my hand and Lucius looked in it. “Marshal,” he barked, directing his words to Osian, “when was the last time you tasted ‘hogwash’?” Then he gave his attention to me, waiting for me to say something.
“Hmmm, it does have a peculiar flavor to it…”
He wouldn’t let me finish but grunted, “Bah,” and went back to his corner. It was good that there was a comradery building among the men.
Osian, to be polite, held his cup toward Lucius, “Uh, deputy, would you mind filling up my cup?” I just had to laugh, but Lucius was dutiful and brought the pot to fill up Osian’s cup. He then looked at me. “What do you think about this Dawson fellow?”
I pulled on the tip of my moustache, pondering a moment before answering. “Just keep an eye on him. If he’s a gunman, leave him alone unless he breaks the law, then at least two of you go after him,” I paused, then added, “with Greeners. None of you are gunmen. Always try to have the firepower on your side.”
“Makes sense,” he muttered.
“McGinnis’ trial is Monday,” I informed them. “Have you heard any talk about breakin’ him out?”
Marshal Beavin and the two deputies shook their heads. I then added, “Anyone steppin’ up to take his place?”
“None so far, in fact it’s hard to tell how many of the gang is still in town. Bill Martin, I think you met him, has been keeping a close eye on them.”
“They still makin’ the Glass Slipper their home base?”
It was Deputy Greer that answered, “They still go there, but it seems that they’ve moved down to Boyd’s Billiard Hall and Casino.”
I pulled my moustache again and then smirked, “Oh, Sparky is still around?” His birth name was Aloysius, but because of his manner of dress he was referred to as “Sparky”. “I might just have to pay him a visit before headin’ back to Durango for the trial.”
“How long you staying?” asked the marshal.
“The plan is to leave tomorrow. I just wanted to check on you and your men. I have to be back for the trial,” I paused to look back toward the cells. “You still have Smith back there?”
Osian nodded, and a smile came to my lips. “Lucius, tell Mr. Smith, I’ll be takin’ him to Durango to stand trial. Make something up ’bout McGinnis plea bargainin’ or something like that.”
Now all the deputies were smiling. Lucius went back to the cells. Within seconds there came a roar. “Forrest, you out there? Marshal, you can take me…”