Tales of the Wild, Wild West: The Lady and the Gent

By James W. Snyder Jr.

Tales of the Wild, Wild West: The Lady and the Gent -- Sheriff Billings, now on the water wagon, has his hands full as Stud, a friend from his old life style, rides into town. Seems trouble always follows Stud, and the new Sheriff Billings will have to deal with those problems.

Miss Sally is not sure if she is glad to see Stud. It has been about eight years since he left town and broke her heart as he said, "I've business to take care of." Now he is back and she is confused as to her true feelings for this whiskey guzzling gambler and man about town.

Perhaps the Reverend Robert (Brother Rob) McKinley can help out. He tells Stud that he has never delivered babies, but does know how to pray. He's rather adept at handling a Colt .45 as well. Then there is that mysterious woman in black who affectionately addresses the bachelor preacher as, "Robbie Dear," and tells him, "The children miss you." Despite his struggles, can Brother Rob, with the Lord's help, tame this wild town? Only time will tell.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499019445

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Copyright © 2014 by James W. Snyder, Jr.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014908790

ISBN:   Hardcover   978-1-4990-1947-6

  Softcover   978-1-4990-1948-3

  eBook   978-1-4990-1944-5

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, in any way by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without the express written permission of the copyright holder, except as provided by USA copyright law.

Unless otherwise noted,

Scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 05/30/2014

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Preface

A Reunion

Claim Jumpers

The Pursuit

The Big Question

You Again

Special Delivery

Cupid

Sounds Like A Plan

Where’s The Fire?

Third Time’s A Charm

The Conspiracy

Kudos For Zeke

Oops!

The Case Of The Missing Bride

Who’s That Sleeping In My Bed?

Double Trouble

A New Beginning

What A Dirty Trick

The Devil’s Mad, Or Loaves And Fishes

Can We Talk

Sweet Evy, I Could Kiss You

The Dunce

Something To Think About

Secrets

Caterpillars, Cocoons And Butterflies

The Lady In Black

Good News And More Good News

Double Exposure, Or There She Is Again

The Welcoming Committee

The Consoler

All Is Well

The Sky Is Falling

Wilt Thou?

The Struggle

The Aftermath

Now What?

What Are The Odds?

Yes, Ma’am

Wilt Thou, Again

Exposed

A Word Of Praise

Good Things Are Happening

DEDICATION

This volume is affectionately dedicated to all of those aspiring young and not so young students in my creative writing class at Golden Hills Adult School at Avenal, California. I trust your dreams of publication and your visions of fame as notable writers will be fulfilled post haste.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

There are many fine folks involved in the life and adventures of any writer. It is quite impossible to give recognition to each and every one of them. However I am particularly indebted to Mr. J. Yanez, Vice Principle of Academic Education at Golden Hills Adult School who gave me much inspiration as he edited the first several chapters of this volume. Those same chapters appeared in ABE Happenings, a monthly newsletter for students in the ABE-3 and ABE-4 classes under his supervision.

I would also like to thank Mr. Dave Thomas, Academic Instructor at Golden Hills Adult School whom I served as his Teacher’s Aide for several years. He encouraged me to pursue my creative writing endeavors and to hone my skills. He also allowed me to facilitate a creative writing class for his students.

I would especially like to thank my good friend Wayne Cox for his help and encouragement in bringing this book into existence. And my Native American friend Two Feathers for his technical assistance in dealing with American Indian Culture. Then there are numerous friends at Golden Hills Adult School who consented to preview my manuscript. Some gave me suggestions to improve on my text. It is not possible to mention all of them, for I am sure to miss someone. Thus I will just say thanks guys. Your suggestions, your input, and your criticisms are greatly appreciated.

Thanks again to one and all.

PREFACE

Down through the years many people have an effect on our lives. Because of our interaction with them we are changed for the better. There have been many such people in my life, and I am indebted to them.

Knowing that such debts can never be paid in full I have decided to honor a few of them. This is being accomplished by giving their names to some of the characters in this my first attempt at writing a novel. Perhaps you will recognize some of them, while others have no fame this side of heaven, but are well known to the Father.

Bear in mind the characters themselves are fictitious. They are by no means a reflection or indication of the lives of the persons they have borrowed their names from.

Johannesburg, the home town of Stud and Miss Sally is borrowed from a small mining town In California’s Rand Mining District where my wife and I pastored a small country church. The mining district is also home to the Silver Dollar Saloon, as well as the Silver Queen Mine. Both are located in Red Mountain, California.

I am well acquainted with the mining district, having lived in Johannesburg for three years while pastoring the Rand District Foursquare Gospel Church. Debbie, the youngest of our three daughters and a bicentennial baby, was born while we lived there. I also served for one term as Town Representative on the board of The Rand Improvement Organization better know as TRIO.

The years my family and I lived in Johannesburg and participated in the activities of the Rand Mining District were a time of great blessing and fellowship. That doesn’t mean all of our experiences were perfect, but each one helped to build character. I certainly would not trade those days for any other.

Often my fingers would ache as I initially wrote and rewrote my manuscript first by hand on yellow legal pads and then with a manual typewriter, and finally on the computer given to me by my daughter Cheri. All in all it was not only a challenge but a blessing. I trust as you read this volume you will enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed bringing it all together.

A REUNION

There are many, many tales of the Wild West to be told. Some are of heroes and great adventures, while some are of scoundrels and tragedy. Yet all speak of exciting times needing to be told.

Such is the tale of the diamond studded gentleman. He wore fancy cufflinks of gold with diamonds inset into their ouches. The diamond stickpin in his tie was nearly as big as a peach seed. At least it seemed that way as it sparkled in the sun. Some said his alluring desire for the fanciful would be his downfall. Only time would tell.

This diamond studded gentleman, known by many as Stud, was a striking figure as he rode into town upon his black stallion. He sat tall in the saddle, and caught many a lady’s eye. The men folk were also awed by his presence.

One particular sweltering summer day found Stud riding into Johannesburg, a dusty obscure little town near Abilene, Texas. Other than his presence it was just an ordinary day in this one horse town. He dismounted his mighty steed and led him up Main Street, nodding his head to gentlemen and tipping his hat to the ladies. Some turned their heads to get a sustained glimpse of Stud in his imported silk suit.

Many a woman was taken aback by his striking presence. While the men folk were more concerned as to what business brought Stud to their insignificant little town. Musta been something special, they thought.

Sheriff Tom Billings was particularly interested as he recognized Stud for who he was, and the events that took place when he had last seen him in Dallas several years back. Seems everywhere Stud shows up there is some unsolved mystery that takes place. The sheriff was deeply concerned for his town, and was wondering what tragedy might lie ahead.

Miss Sally Anderson was also concerned. She did not know if Stud still remembered her or not, but how could he forget, she wondered. Surely he couldn’t forget his tryst with such a beautiful woman as she. True, she was just a young girl of seventeen at the time, while he was eight years her senior. But now she was quite obviously a full-grown woman.

Stud strode right past Miss Sally as she stood at the entrance to the Golden Nugget Saloon, parasol in hand. She smiled as he passed, and sweet memories flooded into her consciousness. He had best not forget her if he knew what was good for him. She wasn’t the kiss and tell type, but she could surely kiss in such a way as to jolt one’s memory, and what memories these two had. She could write a rather juicy book, and often was tempted to do so. It would be no dime store novel either. It would be rather juicy.

Later that evening Stud entered the Golden Nugget just as Miss Sally was ending her first set of the evening. He had heard her angelic voice as he was passing by and was compelled to enter the smoke filled room to get a glance at her. He had indeed remembered her. He just wanted to look at her, not to touch her, nor even to speak with her. He was hesitant to pick up where they had left off.

Taking a seat, he ordered a drink from the waiter who was passing by. Bring me some of your best rye, and make sure it isn’t watered down. It had best burn my throat as it goes down and warm me to my toes! He may have been a genteel man, but he loved his whiskey, and was very particular about the quality he drank.

When the waiter brought him his rye he told him, Just leave the bottle, and tossed him a golden eagle, the hard currency of the day.

As he slugged down two fingers of the amber brew he slung his head back so as not to miss a drop. Lowering his head his eyes fell upon a big seven pointed gold star. It was pinned on the chest of Tom Billings, the six foot four ex bar brawler turned sheriff.

Sheriff Billings just stood there staring at Stud. Neither said a word for several seconds. Suddenly Stud spoke up, Why hi there, Tom. You’re the last person I expected to find here in such a desolate town, and sporting a badge. Things sure have changed since we last saw each other. Join me for a drink to wash down the dust?

Don’t think so, Stud! Been on the wagon for quite some time now. Besides this ain’t no social call, responded Billings.

What do you mean, ‘No social call’? was Stud’s quizzical response to Sheriff Billings’ remark. Does that mean I have to call you Sheriff?

It’s this way, Stud, explained the sheriff. Wherever you are there’s always trouble; lots of it too. And we don’t need any trouble just now. This town is a nice quiet place, and I aim to keep it that way. You best oughta help me to do just that.

Awe, Tom! I thought you knew me better than that. You know I’m no troublemaker! Why, I just like having a good time. It’s not my fault most people don’t want me to enjoy myself. I can’t control them; neither can I control what they think.

Well, Stud, this is what I think. As long as your presence is in this town it’s a threat to the peace and safety. So it just might be a good idea if you got back in the saddle and rode off to who cares where as long as it’s not here.

Well… . , Sheriff, I do have a little business to handle. Once I take care of it, rest assured I’ll be on my way. Now how about that drink? Barkeep, bring this man a sarsaparilla? He looks kinda dry.

This is no joke, Stud. You had best take me serious, and move on as quickly as possible. There really isn’t room for you in this town. I don’t expect you to still be here when I make my rounds in the morning. Heed my warning, Stud! Heed my warning! Exclaimed the sheriff as he departed.

Sensing someone behind him, Stud turned and saw Miss Sally standing there with her hands on her hips. She had caught him by surprise, for he had hoped he could leave before she spotted him, but it was too late.

Evening, ma’am, he greeted her. Nice night for a walk, don’t you think? Why don’t we lose this place? Seems my presence is making the law a little nervous, he said with a light chuckle.

It’s been a long time since we saw each other, Miss Sally said. I was beginning to wonder if you would ever recognize me

I must admit, Sal, it’s been a long time, and I didn’t recognize you at first. As you said it has been quite some time since I last saw you, and now you’re all grown up. However I did recognize your voice as I walked by, and couldn’t resist coming in. Time has been good to you I might add.

We were both young, Stud, was Miss Sally’s response. Besides, we both had some growing up to do. How long has it been? Eight or nine years?

Yeah, sighed Stud. It’s been quite a while. Time seems to give a man the opportunity to think. To be truthful, Sal, I’ve done a lot of thinking about you. That is, about you and me. Too bad things didn’t turn out a little different for the two of us. But a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. You know how it is, Sal. Yeah, I’m sure you understand how things were, and just why I had to leave town when I did.

"No, Stud. That’s one thing I never did quite understand. ‘I’ve got business to take care of,’ is all you said. You never explained any further, just got on that stallion of yours and rode off into the sunset.

"I waited for you, Stud. I really did. Day after day, week after week I paused at the gate and looked up and down the road hoping to see your dust trail bringing you back to me. But it never happened. After awhile I just gave up on ever seeing you again. But here you are, in the flesh, after all these years.

I’m really confused, Stud. Part of me wants you to stay, yet part of me asks why in the world did you ever come back? Why didn’t you just keep on riding past this hole in the wall, and take care of business? Now my heart is all aflutter, and my mind is quite confused.

I honestly didn’t expect to see you here, Sal. I just intended to take care of some business and then move on. Now I don’t know. It seems like I’m a little confused myself. You think we just might be able to take that walk now? You know, try and find some answers: answers for the both of us. Come on. Whatcha say?

A walk? I’m afraid not, Stud. I still have two more sets to do. Clint Walker owns this place, and, as you may remember, he’s quite a task master. Sorry!

Oh well, Sal, it was just a thought. Perhaps before I leave town we can get together. You know, talk over old times, the good stuff. That reminds me, Stud mumbled. I’ll be riding up to the Silver Queen come first light.

"The Silver Queen? The mine? Why, that place has been shut down since old Zeb died two years ago. His place is a mess, Stud! Poor old Zeb’s body wasn’t even cold yet when the vultures moved in. They tore his shack down looking for his stash. What was left of his place was hauled away by nesters and used for kindling."