Four More Western Stories

By Burr Cook

This book contains four short western stories. The first is a mystery involving lost gold and takes place in the Mojave Desert of California. Second is about a singing cowboy on the run from a bounty hunter. Third is an adventure about a prospector who becomes a step father to a young lady who grows up to be a rough riding cowgirl. Last is a western romance in which a lady in Buffalo, New York gets involved with a drunken cowboy through a lonely hearts magazine.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Dec 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312770973

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Four More Western Stories

Four More Western Stories

Copyright 2014 Burr Cook

All rights reserved

ISBN: 978-1-312-77097-3

Book 1 The Coleman Gold Mine a Western Mystery

Chapter 1 Alan Gets a Letter

The Coleman brothers had parted ways about 2 years prior to Alan hearing from his brother Patrick again. They had been raising cattle in partnership in northern Arizona for several years. There were no hard feelings; Patrick had just grown tired of ranching and decided to go prospecting for gold in California. Unlike Alan, Patrick had no children to support even though he was the older of the two. He did have a wife, Rhonda. Alan had a wife Joann and two children, 16 year old Paul and 18 year old Pauline. Both brothers were large men toughened by a life of hard work. Both brothers had a crop of dark brown hair which was never well groomed.

Alan had been to a nearby small town to purchase supplies and thereby found the letter from his brother Patrick. He opened the mail as soon as he had arrived home. He and his wife sat on the front steps to read the news.

The first shock came when they read that Patrick’s wife had left him. They had not been getting along from the time they left Arizona. She had family in Ohio and went back to live with them. The second shock had to do with a gold mine. Patrick had struck gold and was now pretty well off financially. He was still working the mine and had two employees helping him now. He added you may contact me in care of general delivery in Barstow, California.

Alan responded by mail the next time he visited the general store in town, about a month later. He wrote I’m sorry about your family problems but it sounds like you are accepting things as they’re unfolding. Your good fortune in the mining field pleases me. You deserve some good luck. Perhaps luck isn’t the right word. You’re a hard worker.

The cattle business isn’t going well this year. Prices are very competitive since many areas now have rail heads. Driving our herds to market tends to take some weight off from them at just the wrong times. We’re thinking of getting out of cattle entirely and concentrating on sheep. We are however, getting by with a little belt tightening. Alan went on to say how his wife and son and daughter were doing. Paul dropped out of school in order to be of more help on the ranch. We’re trying to grow corn here to fatten the cattle but it doesn’t do well in this climate and soil. After adding a little more about his and Joann’s health and such, Alan addressed the letter to Patrick and placed it on the mantle until he went to town next and then dropped it off at the post office in the general store.

Alan had given some thought to packing up and leaving for California like his brother had. He knew the idea wasn’t practical, however. He knew of many would be gold miners that had tried their luck prospecting and came back empty handed; usually much worse off than when they had left. In fact Patrick was the only person that he personally knew of that had actually struck gold. Of course the rest of the family couldn’t be expected to risk their future on a foolish expedition. Although he would deny it, Paul had a girl friend. He also had made friends with a few guys he met in school and they were all good buddies now. Pauline had no romance in her life that he knew of but she seemed contented with life on the ranch. Joann, he was sure loved him but she seemed somewhat distant lately. She was a good mother and a faithful wife and even though she was middle aged she retained her youthful attractiveness. Although she did the cooking and cleaning, she never complained but didn’t seem enthusiastic about it.

Pauline helped out with the horses and farm animals. They kept chickens and hogs and other small animals. But most of all she enjoyed studying her text books. She had sent away for books on veterinary medicine and planned to eventually go into private practice. She was a hard working student.

It was spring time and the desert was in bloom and the hills were green with trees and shrubs. Paul was a good worker and Alan really would have a tough time keeping fences mended and cattle branded without him.

Chapter 2 Trouble at the Coleman Ranch

Another month went by without incident until the storm came. It was a very dark night and a sudden wind came up and the rain came down by the buckets full but the worst part was the thunder and lightning. It happened suddenly without warning. The sky became filled with continuous streaks of lightning and they later found out that a tornado had touched down nearby. They were fortunate that it didn’t directly hit the house and barns but they heard the roar which sounded like a freight train passing through the buildings.

When morning came they rode out at the first sign of daylight and soon found that the cattle had stampeded trampling through a section of fencing. Further on they discovered that disaster had struck their already skimpy herd. They had stampeded to the canyon and in the extreme darkness some of them had fallen over the edge and died in the several hundred foot drop. A little more investigation revealed that they had lost about half of the herd. It took the rest of the day to round up the rest of the cattle and the night had to be spent keeping watch of them until the next morning when they could begin the work of mending the fencing.

By the second evening they arrived home very tired and very discouraged. After wolfing down a substantial breakfast they fell into a deep sleep for several hours before sharing the bad news with the women. Alan told them We won’t be able to make our payment to the bank this fall and at the same time have enough to eat on. I guess we could get along by eating beef and chicken but that won’t pay the bank.

Pauline was quick to say I’ve got a little money put away for education, Dad, you can have that.

Thanks Pauline, but that won’t stop the bank from foreclosing.

For the next few weeks Alan and Paul kept the cattle moving to fresh pasture so they could put on some weight. They fed them plenty of corn and what hay was left. Alan told Paul maybe we can make a partial payment to the bank and stall them off until we get back on our feet.

On a Saturday afternoon in early summer the family went to town for a church picnic followed by a dance. The first thing they did while there was to visit the general store and Alan found that there was a letter from Patrick. It was a sunny hot day but even in the intense heat of the afternoon the young folks enjoyed some outdoor games while Alan and Joann found a shady spot to relax. The picnic dinner would begin as soon as the evening brought a cooler breeze and before it got too dark to see. In the shade of some fairly large shrubs Alan opened the letter from his brother.

The letter contained a glowing report on progress at the mine but the portion that Alan found most interesting was on the second page. He read it for the second time out loud to Joann. It said I’ve finally settled things with my ex wife. I’ve been working with a lawyer in Barstow. He got her to give up any future claims to the mine or any of my estate by giving her a substantial lump sum. It didn’t put a dent in my finances, however. That brings me to the real reason for my writing this letter. Alan, I’m asking you to dump the ranch for whatever you can get out of a quick sale and bring the family out here. We could become partners again. This time in a business that has a big pay off. I’m willing to give you an equal share. I tell you I have two helpers here and we can’t begin to tap the full potential of the mine. You and Paul would be a perfect fit for this enterprise. If you’re interested just send a wire care of Western Union in Barstow and I’ll have my lawyer send you papers to sign. It’ll all be legal. What do you say, Alan? How about joining up with me?

Alan looked up at his wife when he finished reading. Now there’s something to think about.

I’m lonely living here on the ranch. Any change in my life would be welcome, but I don’t think the kids would like it, Alan.

Well sweetheart, tomorrow we can have a little family meeting. I’m very worried about the bank payments. We could lose the ranch. Maybe the kids would be happy moving to California, who knows. Abel York, our nearest neighbor, has offered several times to buy our place. He’s doing well over there and wants to expand.

Let’s think on it, Alan. Like you said we can discuss it tomorrow.

When they finally sat at the tables and got out the food the family was ready to eat. They were hungry and dug right in. Paul had won the sack race and he and Pauline were on the winning Tug of War team. They had watched the horse racing and riding events with interest but they got too much horse riding at the ranch to want to participate. 

The following day the family slept late for two reasons, it was Sunday and they got home from the dance quite late the previous night. After breakfast Alan announced that he wanted to meet with all four family members in the den. Once they were comfortably all together Alan read the letter from his brother, Patrick. Then he remarked that it might be wise to think about it for a few days and then get together again. Paul was the first to speak following a brief period of silence. I don’t need a few days Dad; I’m ready to go now. Alan was surprised to hear Paul’s response. He had thought that Paul would not want to leave the area since he had friends and saw a young lady now and then. He recalled that Paul had not danced very much the night before. Perhaps the relationship was not as serious as he had thought.

Pauline remarked I can study my books any place, it makes no difference to me.

Joann was the last to speak saying I don’t know what it’s like in California but I’m lonely here on the ranch.

Alan looked pleased with the meeting as he arose from his chair saying, I think I’ll take a ride over to see Abel York. On Sunday afternoon I’ll most likely find him at home. He wants to buy the ranch and perhaps I can get enough from it to pay off the bank. So within a half hour he was saddled up and on his way.  

Alan arrived at the York ranch to find Abel at home and was quickly invited inside and served coffee. After rolling and lighting cigarettes Alan related his plan to join his brother in California. Before long the two men got into the details of the kind of deal that could be arranged. Abel wanted the ranch for sure and was willing to listen