The Saga of Miles Forrest

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on
He might live a thousand years twice over but not find contentment.  And since he must die like everyone else–well, what’s the use?”  –Ecclesiastes 6:6 (NLT)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
     “Is he goin’ to make it?” I inquired of Doc Jones, who was sitting at the table with me enjoying pie and coffee.  
     He had just taken a bite of chocolate pie, so I waited until he swallowed for an answer.  “I still don’t know.  Everyday he lives makes the prognosis good.  I wish I had the means to see the inside workings of a man, but we just don’t have the knowledge; maybe someday.  I’m thinking that you didn’t split his spleen open.  May have cracked it some, but I didn’t see any sign of serious bleeding.  You sure bruised him good, though,” he chortled, then took another bite.
     I held my coffee cup in both hands, contemplating.  “You know, this is worse than actually shootin’ a man.  I’ve seen men suffer from the gut-shot, but the not knowin’ from one day to the next.”
     Doc stopped, the fork halfway to his mouth with a delicious piece of pie on it.  “Miles, you know as well as I do, that none of us know from one day to the next.  Why you could get up, take a deep breath, and keel over from a heart attack.  We just don’t know, that’s why we thank the good Lord for every breath we take,” he paused, then looked straight at me, “or at least we should.”
     He stuck the pie in his mouth, put up his hand with one finger outstretched.  After wiping his mouth, he said, “He can’t be moving around.  The inside of a man must heal, but every day is a good sign.”
     Nodding, I took a sip of the once hot coffee.  “Who’s with him now?”
     “The Preacher.  I think he’s done more for that man than I could have.  I heard them praying the other day, and if he doesn’t get better, I’m pretty sure that the Preacher has led him to the Lord,” he said, then gave a little cough.  “In reality a man couldn’t ask for more than that.  A sick soul made well is better than a broken body mended and the soul still sour and headed for Perdition.”
     I got up and went to the stove where the coffeepot was sitting.  My coffee was on the warm side, and whilst I’ll drink it that way if I have to I much prefer it hot.  I held the pot out to see if Doc wanted a refill but he shook his head.  After filling my cup, I took a drink while standing at the stove and smiled.  Much better.  
     After taking my chair, I asked, “Did you ever find out his name?  All I’ve heard was ‘Copper.'”
     “Reverend Chapman said it was Boyd Finegan, originally from New York.  Guess he had a hard life, his father used him for a punching bag, so he left, came West to try his luck in the mines.”
     “Which I took was not very good.”
     “No, and furthermore, it’s my notion that he’s beating these other folks up to take out on them what his father did to him.  Uh, that is until you gave him that good poke,” Doc stopped, pushed his empty plate toward the center of the table.  “One thing you did, Miles, you put him in a place where he needed to think of his eternal destiny, and thank the Lord the Preacher has been with him.”
     We quieted down and I took several sips of my coffee while it was hot.  “Doc, we just never know.”
     It had been quiet in the diner with only Doc and I sitting at the table, so when the door opened it broke the silence, and both Doc and I turned to look at who was coming in.
     Doc jumped to his feet, his chair falling over backward crashing to the floor.  He motioned, as he pulled out another chair.  I just sat there and watched…

 

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on

And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it.  To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life–that is indeed a gift from God.  People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.” –Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 (NLT)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
     “I hurt somethin’ fierce, Doc,” bellowed the man now doubled over in pain.
     “You just sit there!” ordered Doc.  “I need to tend the man you were kicking to death.”
     I was standing by the man that Fenny, the barkeep called “Copper,” when I noticed Marta and Molly come through the doors.  They went immediately to Lucas who was lying there with his eyes closed.
     “What were you thinkin’ Lucas?” she chastised him, then glared at me.
     “He was kickin’ that poor man to death.  I tried to stop him,” replied Lucas with honor in his voice.  “I am a deputy, you know.”
     “Uhhhh!” she exclaimed, standing to her feet.
     “Mi tia,” cried Lucas, now sitting up and looking at Marta.  Marta was standing, her arms crossed and looking away from Lucas.  “Help me, Senora Molly, por favor?” he asked looking at Molly who stooped down to help Lucas to his feet.
     “Doc!” came a loud moan.  I was close to the man and it startled me.
     Doc stood up after caring for the beaten man.  “Fenny, get some men to carry this man to my office.  I can tend to him better there.”  He then walked to Copper who was bent over in the chair.  “Put your hand over your head and straighten up.”  
     “Can’t, hurts too much,” groaned the man.
     “Miles, help me lay him on the table.  I can see better there.  Put him right under that light.”
     Between Doc and me, we put up with Copper’s moaning and groaning and got him laid back on the table.  “Hold his hand over his head, Miles.”  As I pulled his arms over his head Doc began unbuttoning his shirt.  His undershirt had holes in it, so Doc grabbed one and using his fingers ripped it down where he could examine the man.  It was easy to see where the Greener poked him as it was red and looked swollen.
     Doc began with his examination and when he pushed against the swollen area the man yelled out in pain.  Marta was now listening to Lucas explain so Molly came over to see if she could be of help.  Doc continued to poke and prod the man’s body, and it seemed that there was only that one area that seemed to be hurting him.
     “Mister, you just lay there.  Breathe now and easy, regular breaths,” said Doc, then with a nod motioned for me to follow him.
     “What’s wrong with him, Doc,” I inquired when we were standing alone by the bar.
     “I’m not sure, Miles, not sure, but he could have a ruptured spleen.”
     “Spleen!  What does that mean?”
     “They are saying, those who write the books, that a person can live without it, but I’m not capable of operating on it.”
     “Well, what happens if it is what you think?”
     “Most likely he’ll die.”
     “Then what will it hurt to try to operate?” I countered.
     Doc gave me an angry look.  “Because…well it would have been better if you’d thumped him on the head.”
     “Doc…”

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.”  –Ecclesiastes 5:18(NLT)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
     McBride’s telegram simply stated, “All set, welcome aboard.”  I was in the process of opening Blasco’s when a down-on-his-luck miner burst through the doorway.  “Marshal, come quick.  He’s killin’ them!”
     I stood up, grabbed the Greener, then asked, “Killin’ who?”  
     “A big guy up at Death’s Door was stompin’ ol’ Gus, when the deputy tried to stop him,” the man stopped looking at the floor.  “Poor guy,” he muttered.  
     Lucas, and with that thought I rushed out the door.  Running up the hill, I then cut behind some buildings as the saloon mentioned was on the back street.  Not a well-to-do place.  Mateo was out of town checking on some stock at Thompsons.  I prayed as I ran.
     The saloon loomed in front of me so I slowed to a walk so I could get my breath back.  I sure didn’t want to be going into a fight short of breath.  Stopping at the bat-wing doors I breathed deeply a couple of times then peered over the doors.  The man was right, a big man was kicking the life out of a man on the floor.  I didn’t see Lucas at first, but then spotted a leg sticking out from under a table.
     It was time to end this.  “If you kick that man one more time I’ll blow your kneecap off!” I barked, leveling the shotgun.
     He turned and snarled at me.  Whooeee, he was a big-un; made at least two of me.  “Now step back and take off that gunbelt.”
     I started toward him.  He grunted, “Big man with a shotgun.  You put that down, we’ll fight even.”
     “You just do what I say!  Now, or I might have to thump you.”
     The distance had closed between us, but I knew to keep enough space where he couldn’t grab the Greener.  He feigned to unbuckle his belt, but lunged at me instead.  I was half expecting something and instead of retreating I advanced, using the barrel of the shotgun like a bayonet.  I plunged it hard into his gut.  He groaned, giving out a muffled shriek and fell to his knees.  I was tempted to thump him on the head for spite.
     I looked around for a familiar face, but didn’t recognize anyone but the barkeep.  “Fenny, here, hold this on him.”
     Tossing him the shotgun I hurried over to Lucas lying on the floor, unconscious.  He was breathing and I didn’t see any blood on him.  I slapped him lightly on the cheek.  Nothing.
     “Marshal,” hollered Fenny, “Copper just slugged him, then kicked him.”
     By that time Doc had arrived.  He rushed to Lucas, then opened his bag.  He had a little vial that he waved under Lucas’ nose.  Lucas gave a jump, then tried to sit up.  His eyes were open, but they were groggy.  “Easy, easy there boy.  You just lie back and get your bearings.”
     Doc looked at me, “Now what did you do to that big fellow?  You didn’t thump him did you?”
     “No, he ran into the barrel of my gun.”
     Doc, stepping over to the man.  “The Greener I suppose?  Help me get him into that chair.”
     “Doc,” came a deep moan, “I feel busted up inside, I…”

 

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on
People who live only for wealth come to the end of their lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day they were born.”  –Ecclesiastes 5:15 (NLT)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
     We had just finished a fine diner with Reverend and Betty Chapman after church services.  She prepared a wonderful fried chicken dinner along with pickled beets and baked beans.  She profusely apologized for not having any potatoes, but the season was past and they didn’t have any in their root cellar.  Molly was the pie baker, but Betty Chapman was known for her cakes and she outdid herself with a chocolate cake of which we were now partaking in the living room.  
     “Miles, I hope my coffee suits you.  I know you like it strong.  I don’t make it often as I prefer tea,” she paused to look over at Molly.  “Would you care for a cup of tea or would you prefer coffee?”
     “I don’t often make tea just for myself, so if you don’t mind I share your tea.  Oh, and I might say, that’s an exquisite tea set.”
     “You’re kind,” replied Betty.  “It belong to my mother who died just before we left St. Louis to come here.”
     Now, I don’t mind a cup of tea now and then, but I do prefer my coffee.  I could see the Parson watching me as I took my first sip.  He was grinning so I reckoned I should say something.  “Not bad, Betty, not bad at all.  I can drink this.”
     She gave a little chortle, “So you can drink it.”
     “It goes well with this delicious cake,” I quickly added.
     “Well done, well done, Miles,” enjoined the Parson.  “Now what it this I hear about a new position?”
     I quickly finished the cake, then held my cup out to be refilled which brought a smile from Betty.  I took a sip, to wash the rest of the cake down my throat.  “That’s what I want to talk with you about.  It’s with the Colorado Rangers and I would be in charge of this district.”
     “So what do you want from me?” he asked.  “It seems that a door is open.  Why are you hesitant to step through it?”
     Glancing over at Molly I answered him, “Well, it will take me away from home more often, but not as long.  As a marshal I could be away for longer periods.  This would be a circuit similar to what a sheriff does with the county.”
     Rev. Chapman looked over at Molly.  “And what do you think?”
     She sighed before answering, “I have the same concerns as Miles.  The pay is steady, but knowing him he would take it seriously,” she paused to smile at me.  “Overall, I think he would be home more.”
     Laughing, I interrupted, “I should have partnered in with Lot Smith with the wild horse business when I had the opportunity.”
     “Miles,” began the preacher, “we don’t live in the past with regrets, but look to what the Lord has for us in the future.  I hesitate to say anything for if it doesn’t work out I don’t want you saying that the Rev. Chapman told me to do this or that.”
     We all chuckled, but I told him that he had no worry regarding that.  Since he was our pastor we thought we should run the idea by him.  “One other thing, I could be called to Denver once in a while, something that I don’t relish.  For sure whenever there is an election of governor.”
     “I will say this…there is a door open and the Word of God says that the steps of a righteous man are ordered by him.  However…”