Town of Tupon

By Brandon Shaw

Hot off the trails and eager for work Jacob settles in The Town of Tupon. He latter has a run in at the saloon with an outlaw gang which causes his employers ranch to be overrun while he's away gathering supplies. Upon witnessing what had happened he becomes sheriff to set things right. A shootout occurs, and a news article claims Jacob was gunned downed in the towns streets. Earl his brother catches wind of his brother's plight, and is now out for vengeance for his killers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brandon Shaw
• Release date: Aug 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370274802

Brandon Shaw

Grew up in California, have written short shorties mostly until a few years ago. Started writing books because it is something I enjoy doing. Have AS degree, BS in social science, enjoy playing tennis, computers, and traveling.

Book preview

Town of Tupon

By

Brandon Shaw

Copyright © 2016

All Rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events, or locales is coincidental.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 1

  Jacob and his horse Dusty are going to the Town of Tupon. It's a city about two days ride from his home town of Orchard Falls. Jacob just got done with a cattle drive, and is hoping his travels to Tupon may find him work. He's been riding half the day, his hands are dried out and blistered from extreme heat of the blazing sun. Jacob's outdoor adventure has him in desperate need of a good cleaning, and he decides to take refuge under some nearby trees. There's a small almost dried up stream trickling in, that he takes a moment to wash up in. As I look around, I'm trying to decide on a spot to settle in for awhile. I pop my saddle off Dusty, and tie him up. On second thought, I'll turn him loose, and let him graze out there in the field. He'll come back after he's got his fill out there. I dust off my hat, and prop my saddle down near the base of a tree. I'm hoping to catch some sleep, and before dark; I'll hit the trails again. Must have dozed off, as it's dark when I get up. I stretch out, and Dusty is nowhere around as usual. I wonder where that old horse of mine wondered off to. Have to go out and look for him; I guess. Most of the time if I whistle, Dusty will come running. Tonight isn't working out so well for that. Not long after I call out again, I hear a rider approaching. I quickly snap up my 30/30 lever action rifle from the nearby tree. A heavy set scraggly looking man rides up with my horse in tow. I pull up my rifle to greet him.

  W-h-o-o, hold up there chief.

  State your business!; I respond in a stern voice.

  I was just coming in to get this stray horse here.

  That's my horse.

  I don't see a brand on him or anything.

  Just the same, he's mine. So, I suggest you be moving along, before I give you a few new breathing holes; you don't get to walk away from.

I don't want any trouble. I'll be on my way.

  Leave the horse, I state as he drops the lead rope and rides away.

  That could have turned out really bad for that guy. I'm not one for causing other folks any problems, but I can't have anyone stealing my horse. Him and I have been together for a long time. I put my tack on Dusty, and tie him up to a tree. In a minute, I'll be heading out. It's so much cooler traveling at night, than it is during the day out here. My younger brother Earl would love it out here. He's to busy helping mom and dad at the farm though. I'd like to be more help, but I just get restless. Working the herds on the cattle drives allows me to travel, and check out more of the countryside. As it turns out, I don't even head out tonight. The latter it gets, the less I feel like going anywhere. I go out and collect wood to make a fire. It's a bit nippy out this evening, and the heat will make things more comfortable around here. Sometime latter I almost regret not making any ground to where I'm going. I nibble on some dried up bread that's in my saddle bag. It's not very palatable, but it puts some food in my stomach. Dusty isn't co-operating the following morning. Every time I get his blanket on, he's dancing around, till it falls off again. We do this this this for ten; fifteen minutes or so, before I have him ready to go. I'm just taking it easy this morning, enjoying the cool breeze gently coming in. A couple times my uncoordinated horse stumbles, almost making me feel as if were going take a fall. He doesn't, but it's an uneasy sensation. I make some progress, and set up camp latter at the base of some rolling hills near a grouping of trees. I make a tiny fire to heat up some beans I got, and wash it down with a couple of swigs of water from my canteen. I'm just about out of water to. I'll have to find some more tomorrow, if I can. Most people here in these parts will give you some water from their wells. Occasionally, I'll run across some dick head that doesn't want to be bothered. I'm not having much luck finding a water hole this morning, so I press on. It's late afternoon before I get into town. The local blacksmith is shoeing a horse in front of his shop. This is the place in town that boards horses, so I'm hoping he's got room for Dusty.

  Good day to yah. I'm Mike, what you needing?

  I was wondering if you had a spot for my horse here?

  I have a few spots left. How long you staying?

  I'll just pay by the week, if that's OK.

  That will be fifty cents.

  I pay the man, but that's a pretty steep price for boarding a horse for just a week. Most places only charge half that much. I have enough money to rent me a place, and walk across the street to grab a meal. There's an older gray haired fellow, throwing down at the piano as I come in. It sort of an up beat happy tune, but I don't recognize the melody. A couple of working gals have been eying me since the moment I walked in. For now, I just grab a seat on a stool at the bar.

  What you having?; he asks.

  I don't know. I've only got forty three cents left.

  Well now; your in luck, our house beer is only a nickle.

  Let me get one.

  He pours me a foamy draft beer, as one of the gals props herself up next to me. She's got long black hair that she's got pulled back. Her peach colored dress has seen better days, but she's a sight to see; that's for sure.

  Hey darling, you need some company?; she kindly states.

  Well now little lady, that depends.

  On what?

  You work on credit?

  Nah, but how much you got?

  Not enough for any companionship, I assure you. What's your name?

  Wanda.

  You are breathtakingly adorable. You know of anyone hiring in these parts?

  It's sort of out of season to be looking for work this time of year. The Miller place is a couple miles outside town, and their always in need of good help. They got a fairly large herd they tend to. You plan on staying here awhile?

  I hope so.

  Well maybe, I'll see you around then.

  Maybe.

  And she walks away back to the other side of the room. I finish my drink, and go back to my room. As I'm accustom to doing, I'm up at first light. Winter is taking hold a tad earlier. I walk through some newly fallen snow to fetch my horse. I'm dressed for the weather, but I can hardly feel my fingers. I check with folks in passing, to figure out which direction I need to head to. I've never been to the Miller place and I want to make sure I'm going the right way. It's about an hours ride, and I'm hoping this little venture will land me a job. When I pull up to the main house, there's a bunch of cowboys sitting outside the main bunk house. There's a small windmill spinning beside the place. The home is an extravagant wooden structure with a covered porch all the way around it. I tie up Dusty, and go knock at the front door. A older slender gentleman smoking a pipe comes out to greet me.

  How you doing there young fellow?

  I'm good. Names Jacob. I was wondering if you all had any work available?

  U-h-m.. You know were headed towards the end of the fall season here. We won't start driving our herds to market till spring. Having said that, how are you at mending fences?

  I think you'll find, I'm a man of many talents. I did a lot of mending fences for my last employer.

  Well, it's settled then. I can't pay you for that, but that will get you room and board at the bunk house until spring. How-d that be?

  That will work out just fine sir, thank you. Where can I keep my horse?

  You can just turn him loose in the fields there.

  I just nod my head, and go about my business. I take off my tackle, and set it in the barn. That old timer seems like a pretty good fellow. I probably should have caught his name, but they'll be plenty of time for that. The chill in the air is a sure sign that winter is upon us. I blow in my hands to help warm them up, as I walk along checking some of the fence lines near the house. After that, I'm pretty tuckered out. I reserve myself to retiring to the bunk house. As I often do, I don't get much sleep. And at the first sign of light, I'm out whistling for my horse Dusty. He doesn't come right away either. One of the heavier set cowboys comes