As I walked out of Foster’s I heard shouting, “Where’s my horse!” came the angry voice. “If’n someone’s playin’ a trick I’m not carin’ much for it!” He looked at his two compadres.
He went out into the street and began looking up and down. Throwing his hands on his hips the frustration was apparent. Looking back at his friends, “Where’s the marshal’s office?”
“There ain’t no marshal, Lefty, he was killed a few days back,” stated one of his friends as he walked back to the boardwalk.
“Then the sheriff. I need my horse!” he exclaimed.
I walked up to him and started to speak, when he spotted my badge. “You the sheriff? I want my horse, what are you doin’ about it?”
“Now just simmer yurself,” I said. “I’m not the sheriff, he’s up to Silverton currently.”
The three of them looked at me, but the one called Lefty was surely puzzled. “You’re wearin’ a badge, can’t you do something? I’ve got to get back to the ranch, and that horse wasn’t rightly mine.”
The other two stood there nodding in agreement. I turned my attention to them. “You fellas got a name?”
One of them backed up a step when asked, but his partner spoke right up. “Jed Fountain.”
“And you?”
“Uhh,” he slurred something.
“Listen friend, all I asked for is your name. You runnin’?”
He lifted his chin, and blurted, “No sir, I, well, I did some time, and I know what some of you lawmen think of former inmates.”
I sighed, “Your name.”
“Link Doyle.”
Staring at him, I looked hard, “Listen Mister, I don’t care much for your past if you’ve paid your dues, I’m interested in the way your walkin’ now, so get that chip off your shoulder.”
“What I want to know is, what are you goin’ to do about my horse?” asked Lefty impatiently.
I could understand his frustration and anger. A man wasn’t much good around here without a horse, and now he was probably going to be in trouble with his boss. He may get fired, but if he’s a good hand, more then likely will take it out of his pay.
“Lefty, you got a last name?” I questioned.
“Monroe,” he blurted quickly the frustration showing.
“Well, Lefty, I’m a Deputy U.S. Marshal, and right now it’s out of my jurisdiction. So, I’m goin’ to wait for the sheriff to get back and hand it over to him.”
I watched him clench his fist. “Why, by that time he could be down in New Mexico, or, or anywhere.”
“Mister Lowell, ain’t gonna like you losin’ one of his horses,” spoke out Fountain.
Lefty uttered an oath, then slapped his hat against his leg. I could see he was a mite concerned over the situation, that was a good sign.
“Let me tell you one thing, Lefty, that kind of prayer won’t get you much. You ought to be askin’ the good Lord what to do next instead of cussin’, plus there’s women and youngsters present,” I informed him.
His eyes widened in surprise that I had chided him that way. It almost brought a smile to him.
I knew Bill Lowell, he was a good man. He had a nice spread on Yellowjacket Creek on toward Pagosa. He did most of his trade in Pagosa Springs, but lately he had been coming to Durango. Bill took care of his men, and I didn’t think Lefty would get fired, but I also knew that he wouldn’t take kindly to his horse being stolen.
The three men just stood there, then Lefty caught eye of Lucas. Anger rose in him again, “Say, Kid, did you see who took my horse?”
He took a step toward Lucas and I cut him off. “Leave him alone. He has already told me what he knows.”
I knew Lefty was just frustrated and he didn’t know what to do. I placed my hand on his shoulder, “Let’s go see Vexler. I’m sure he’ll loan you a horse. I’ll vouch for you to him and to Mr. Lowell.”
Looking at me with wide eyes again, “You don’t know me. I might just ride out of here.”
I looked at him and smiled. “I don’t think you will, plus if you do I’ll have to come after you.”
He looked confused. “You’d come after me, but you won’t go after who stole my horse?”
“Didn’t say that, I said I was goin’ to wait until the sheriff comes back,” I responded then looked at Molly then down at Lucas. My attention went to Fountain and Doyle. “Why don’t you guys go down to the diner. Molly, here, will get you a piece of pie, on me.” I slapped Lucas on the shoulder. “Your work is over for the day. Molly be sure Lucas gets a piece as well.”
I started to walk on, but Lefty lingered, his hat being rolled in his hands. “Ma’am,” he pleaded, “I sorta would like a piece as well…”
Author: Ira Paine
Echoes From the Campfire
There was no use meeting trouble half-way, because if it wanted you, it found you anyway, whether you ran from it, sat waiting for it, or went out to meet it.”
–Luke Short (Vengeance Valley)
“The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble.”
–Proverbs 12:13 (NKJV)
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Do you ever get weary from the constant attack? It may be on your physical body, or your emotional state. The attack may be on your mind. However, all these combine with an attack on your spiritual welfare. Satan will use many tools, weapons, and tactics to attack you. Do not be frustrated; remember that there is a God in heaven, your Father, who is looking out for you.
David was facing a severe attack from enemies. They were after him in myriad ways. They were looking at him, waiting for him to make a move, and no matter what he did they twisted what he said. Psalm 56 shows his plight and turmoil.
1 – Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; Fighting all day he oppresses me.
2 – My enemies would hound me all day, For there are many who fight against me, O Most High.
3 – Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.
4 – In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
5 – All day they twist my words; All their thoughts are against me for evil.
6 – They gather together, They hide, they mark my steps, When they lie in wait for my life.
7 – Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, O God! (NKJV)
Charles H. Spurgeon said, “It is possible for fear and faith to occupy the mind at the same moment (verse 3). To be reliant upon God when occasions for alarm are abundant–is the conquering faith of God’s elect.” Sometimes Psalm 56 is called “The Blunderer’s Prayer.” David found himself in a situation that he did not rightly recognize. Perhaps you have blundered into such a situation–found yourself in the wrong part of town at the wrong part of the night. Have you ever made a stupid mistake? If you happen to find yourself in such a situation remember God is there with you.
Trust God! Did you read that right? Did you hear it? Did you get it down into your soul? TRUST GOD! Life may be unpleasant and painful and our enemies can make it even more so, but God is there. Nothing can happen to you without His knowledge or allowance. He will let them go only so far. We may hurt physically, we may be down emotionally, our mind may be burdened, but in our spirit we have that confidence that God is there.
“When I’m afraid, I’ll trust in thee;
In God I’ll praise His Word,
I will not fear what flesh can do,
My trust is in the Lord.”
–Old Scottish Psalter
Coffee Percs
When the coffee was ready he filled a cup and drank it, black and scalding.”
–Louis L’Amour (Heller With A Gun)
“There’s a blessed time that’s coming, coming soon,” get in here Pard, and join in–“It may be evening, morning, or at noon,” Yeehaw! “The wedding of the bride, united with the groom, oh yes, we shall see the King when he comes!” My mercy Pard, it’s a-comin’ soon. It makes me want to clog in the kitchen or at least shuffle in the halfway dependin’ on how the rheumatize is affectin’ the hips. What’s that, I sound more like a wounded coyote? And I suppose yur a meadowlark.
Whatcha think? Is Iran gonna join Hamas in their attacks on Israel? Ha, ha, did yuh see where Israel used the media, American and others to trick Hamas? Already there is an outcry of “No fair.” Ha, ha. No matter what a person says, these are excitin’ times, virus or not. My I wonder what that heavenly coffee is goin’ to taste like? I heard that the modern word for manna is donuts, but I’m reckonin’ it’s more like biscuits ‘n’ gravy.
This is not the time to be fearin’, and lookin’ down at yur empty cup, more like the time to be lookin’ up. The Master said when we see things begin to happen the end is soon, be a-lookin’ in the sky for His return. Whooeee, where’s the kitchen, the ol’ feet are rarin’ to go. Come on, Pard, let’s howl together, “woe the kingdoms of this world shall so before Him fall…” No matter what is happenin’ in the world, God is in charge and has everything under control. Even if yuh forget to check yur cinch, He’ll be there when yuh fall out of the saddle.
Vaya con Dios.
Echoes From the Campfire
The world is out of joint or maybe I just don’t fit in.”
–Zane Grey (Wyoming)
“Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”
–2 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV)
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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” –1 John 5:19 (NASB)
Go back and contemplate verses 2:15-27 of 1 John. There are a few key phrases there that we need to identify if we are to survive in this wicked world.
First, “Do not love the world…” The world is not the natural or physical world. It does not mean the life of the world in general–family relationships. It is not the state nor is it a career or engaging in business. What does John then mean when he speaks of “the world”?
The “world” in this phrase means the organization and mind and the outlook of mankind as it ignores God and does not recognize Him. It can be broken down into four parts: 1) man thinking he is independent upon God; 2) life based upon the world system (i.e., woke, cancel culture, globalism, etc.); 3) man give little or no thought to God only of self; and 4) the person who thinks in the terms of time.
Second, there are three categories of sin. They have to do with lust, and lust defined here is an inordinate affection or desire; the abuse of something which is natural and legitimate. Those in the world will lust after things that were made proper and right and attempt to abuse them.
The first of these is the “lust of the flesh.” The flesh is that which comes from nature, from our physical bodies. The person who lusts after the flesh lives only for sensual gratification (i.e., food, drink, sex, etc.) The abuse of natural things and they find themselves being controlled by them.
The second of these is the “lust of the eyes.” This person lives by false values. They judge on appearances–seeing, imagining, thinking. They are full of vanity and love the pomp and appearance; the outward show of things. Interesting how much entertainment has entered the church–false values, the outward show. The lust of the eyes causes a person to covet “things.”
Finally there is the “pride of life.” This can start out very subtly but then will magnify as time goes on unless there is real repentance. The “pride of life” consists of self-glorification. They are ambitious to the expense of hurting others and in fact will find real contempt of others and their success. The love the pride of influence based on wealth, power, position, appearance, etc. They have the attitude “I belong to …” (fill in the blank: such and such a family, such a special club, such a fraternity…) There is a subtle danger of those who denounce the sins of the flesh becoming guilty of the pride of life; a “I’m so proud I’m humble” attitude. Notice how this was present in the fall of Lucifer.
John finishes this portion saying that, “the love of the Father is not in him.” He is incompatible with the things of God. What he wants and wishes are contrary to the serving of a holy God. The person who loves the world does not understand the principles of sin. He does not realize that sin, and this world, will be destroyed–they are not part of eternity. It is the person who does the will of God that “will live forever.”
Yet, often, far too often we find ourselves following after the world. We need to take inventory of our lives. Why do we do the things we do? Are we becoming part of the world system, or are we serving a righteous God and following His will?
Do not wander back to the darkness, but walk in the light following the Holy Spirit as He guides by the Word of God.