The Broken Badge III: The Final Chapter

By D. F. Sparks

Samuel Cooper, a former Texas Ranger turned United States Marshall, a highly religious man and a firm believer in reincarnation, the afterlife, heaven, hell, the devil, and most of all, "God", had dedicated his life to upholding the law and defending the innocent when his parents were killed by a gang of marauders. He set out on a personal journ

• Language: English
• Publisher: Go To Publish
• Release date: Jul 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9781647497293

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The Broken Badge III

The Final Chapter

Copyright © 2022 by D. F. Sparks

ISBN-ePub: 978-1-64749-729-3

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher or author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within.

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Contents

Prelude

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Prelude

Matt let his mind go back in time to the day that he first met Trudeau. Then as he let the memories run through his mind he seen just how much that his life had changed in the last two years. He now had a wife, he had family, and he had a whole bunch of real good friends that he could d epend on.

In his mind’s eye Matt could see no danger in his future, mainly because he knew Sam Cooper was covering his back, but there was still something bothering Matt. He knew that being a Marshall there was always going to be danger. What worried him the most was if Vivian and the rest of his family became subjects that might be harmed by the dangers that he encountered everyday.

Matt knew that danger would come, he just didn’t know when, or how bad it would be. So he told himself that he had to stay alert every woken minute.

Matt was about to find out just how prepared he was, because danger would be coming at him from almost all sides. Whether he lived or died would depend on how prepared he actually was. This could be the day of reckoning for Matthew Rivers.

Chapter 1

It had taken a long time for the sMatt western Kansas town Ulysses to calm down and settle back in after the town’s confrontation with the Klein gang. There had been many graves dug, and many funerals performed, but today there was a joyous mood and atmosphere in town. For today, the marshall is to take a wife. Matt and Vivian are finally going to tie the knot, which to most of the people in the community has been long overdue.

The wedding was not going to happen until 3 o’clock in the afternoon, but right now as for Matt, it was business as usual. There were wanted posters to go through, there were telegrams from the surrounding Sheriffs offices that needed to be answered, the only thing that didn’t have to be done was feeding prisoners, there were none.

The judge had made sure that there would be no prisoners in the jail. He wanted nothing to interfere with this wedding, so anyone that was locked up for getting drunk or fighting was put on probation for 30 days. And during those 30 days, they were to perform menial jobs in town such as sweeping off boardwalks, picking up and disposing of any garbage or trash in the streets, and removing all horse droppings from the street. This seemed to hurt these men worse than being locked up in jail. The judge seemed to like this kind of punishment for hardheaded cowboys.

Matt was sitting at his desk going through some posters when Trudeau walked in, he looking as if he had been running because he was out of breath and sweating. He closed the door and looked out the window as if someone was following him. Matt looked at him and smiled then said, What’s after you Millard? Must be a bobcat or something!

Wish it was a wildcat, it’s Miss Lucy. With all of this wedding talk going on she’s got a bee in her bonnet. She keeps asking me if I’d like to make it a double wedding. I wish you and Vivian all the luck in the world, and I wish you a dozen kids, but not me, no Sir, by gum!

He looked at Matt and ask, Do you think Chuck could handle my job for three or four days? If so, I need to get out of town for a while. But Millard you’re supposed to be my best man, you just can’t leave me! Matt said. Why don’t you set down and talk? Miss Lucy seems a reasonable woman.

Not every woman in this world is as levelheaded as Vivian, Trudeau said while shaking his finger at Matt. You’ve got a good one there son! I’ll make a deal with you Matt, I’ll act as your best man if after the wedding you let Chuck handle the office for three or four days and allow me to get out of town. I think it’s time I made the rounds of the ranches and spent some time with each one of them. What do you think?

Trudeau, I would have sworn that you weren’t afraid of nothing, but it seems that I have been wrong for the past six months. I really thought that no matter what, you would stand your ground against anything. Come to find out you’re more afraid of Miss Lucy than you are of a bullet. Shame on you, you big coward!

You can call me anything you want to, Matt. I’m not the marrying kind. I’m too old and too set in my ways.

Okay, you got a deal. You stick around and be my best man and I’ll set it up so that you can get out of town for a while, but sooner or later Millard, you’re going to have to face that lady.

Matt leaned back in his chair and motioned for Trudeau to sit down. There was a look on Matt’s face that disturbed Trudeau so he asked. What’s on your mind? Are you worried about something?

Reluctantly, Matt answered, Have you ever had the feeling that you just can’t shake? I’ve had this feeling for a week or so that something bad is going to happen and it’s got me worried. Wedding jitters, that’s all it is, was the reply that Matt got from Trudeau.

No it’s more than that. There are times when I get a cold chill on the back of my neck. It’s as if somebody has dropped a piece of ice down my shirt collar. Do you believe in ghost or premonitions?

I thought I was the only one that believed in guardian angels, ghosts, or foreseeing the future. Yes, I believe there are things that pure logic cannot explain. I thought better about bringing this up, but now that you have Matt, I knew someone was coming to save me after I was ambushed, I just didn’t know who!

Millard, I got the feeling that you and I were brought together for a reason. I believe that this badge that I am wearing is the reason. Ever since I put this badge on, I have dreamed things, I have seen things, that I knew weren’t there. What was this man’s name that used to wear this badge?

Cooper. Samuel Cooper. That was his name and he was one of the finest lawmen that ever rode a horse. He used to say that there were things on this earth that normal people couldn’t see. That only a few in this world were picked to see these things and he was one of them!

Matt just sat there with a troubled look on his face then, he sat up straight and looked Trudeau directly in the eye and asked, Do you think that his belief in the hereafter has attached itself to whoever wears this badge?

I don’t know Matt, but I knew him well enough to know that he believed every word that he said. You see, even told me that he would die violent death, but that the power of this badge would live on by being pinned to the chest of an honest man. Looks like that man is you Matt.

What you’re saying is crazy, things like that just don’t happen Millard. And up until a week or so ago I would’ve had a doctor look at you, but now I just don’t know. Too many things has happened that I can’t explain. I thought maybe it was due to all the stress that I have been under since getting mixed up with Klein. I believe now that your Samuel Cooper is standing beside me, protecting me. I know it sounds crazy but I honestly can’t get this feeling out of my head.

Don’t fight it son. Whatever that is supposed to happen will happen, and there’s nothing on this earth that you can do to change that. You just have to believe in yourself and roll with whatever comes your way.

Well, I don’t know about you and I know I’m not supposed to do this, but I could sure use a beer! How about you joining me? Just to make sure that I don’t have too many beers.

I really don’t think that Miss Lucy will follow me into the saloon, but then again as wound up as she is you just don’t know. I guess in a way Matt, you and I are tied together at the hips from the conversation that we just had. So what the hell, let’s go get a beer! Trudeau said as he headed for the door.

The first thing that the two men seen when they walked into the saloon was the doctor, the judge, and Chuck. They immediately motioned for the two men to come and join them. On the way back to the table Trudeau told the bartender, Two beers, no whiskey, even if we asked for it, no whiskey!

The first thing out of the judge’s mouth was, Have you got the wedding jitters?

Matt said jokingly, Judge, I’m beginning to think that I was born with the jitters. My biggest worry is being the husband that Vivian deserves.

The bartender brought over two big mugs of beer, sat them down and said, I reckon you know that the town is having a reception for you and Miss Vivian here after the wedding, and everything has already been paid for by the townspeople. All of the food and the cake is being furnished by Miss Lucy. Looks like it’s going to be one humdinger of a day. Congratulations, Marshall. I hope, everything that’s good comes to you and Miss Vivian.

Thanks, Matt said. Then he picked up the beer and took a long drink. The doctor reached over and touched Matt’s arm and said, Do you know the old Wilson Place at the north end of Main Street?

Yeah I do, Matt said. What about it?

The fact is, the town owns that house, and the people of the community voted last night that the town to sign that house over to you and Vivian as a wedding present, and it was the first time that I can remember the town Council not objecting. I just wanted to prepare you because there must be at least a dozen ladies down there, hanging new curtains, and making sure the place is spotless. And, oh yes, the place is completely furnished with all of the furniture that you will ever need. It’s just the way the Wilson’s left it.

Isn’t that the house that has the white picket fence around it and two large trees in the front yard? Matt asked. It sure is, and it’s a sound little house, warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. It sets at an angle that you can set in your living room and look out the window and you got a full view of Main Street.

Does Vivian know about this? No, Chuck said, and I suggest that nobody tell her until after the wedding. It’s going to be the only real home that she has had since we left Virginia 10 years ago. I believe that today, Miss Lucy is not going to be mad at you for making her cry, because cry she will. You have made a big change in her life Matt and I don’t believe that she will in any way ever regret marrying you!

It was getting close to 1 o’clock so Matt said, I got to go to the bathhouse and get cleaned up and put some good smelling stuff on, then go to the Taylor’s and pick up my suit. By the way Trudeau, you got to do the same and besides it should take at least an hour and a half to get you presentable.

With that the two men headed for the bathhouse. Matt could tell that Trudeau was wanting to take off on the run, so that’s why Matt stayed behind him in case he bolted, Matt could catch him. As they walked across the street, a strange thought crossed Matt’s mind. Maybe, just maybe, it might be a good idea for Trudeau to think about marriage. It could get him to finally put down some roots. The only thing was, he had to find a woman that would have him, and then hogtie him and get him in front of a preacher which would be no easy task.

After spending 45 minutes in a big tub full of hot soapy water, Matt told the bathhouse owner that he was ready to rinse off. This meant Matt had to stand up and let the man pour a large bucket of water over his head slowly so he could rinse off all of the soap that was on him. Just as Matt had finished being rinsed off, Chuck came through the door carrying his suit and said, I couldn’t see any sense in you taking a good long healthy bath and then putting back on the same dirty clothes. So I thought I’d give you a hand, hope you don’t mind. I don’t want anything at all to happen to this wedding.

Matt knew how much Vivian meant to Chuck, there was no doubt in his mind that Chuck would without any hesitation lay down his life for his sister.

Matt said, Just hang the suit on the hook by the door and I’ll take care of the rest. I would appreciate it though if you would tell the barber that I’ll be there after I get dressed to get a shave.

Chuck shook his head yes, turned around and went back out the door. It seemed that everyone in town was bound and determined that this wedding would go off without a hitch. Even the preacher had been practicing reading the marriage ceremony.

It had been Vivian who made the choice whether it would be the preacher or the judge that would perform the ceremony. She picked the preacher, the judge was disappointed but he understood completely. Vivian wanted the church to be a big part of her marriage, and her future life as a wife, and even a mother. She wanted the feeling that beyond the shadow of a doubt she had roots, strong roots!

There was still over an hour until the wedding was supposed to start as Matt walked into the barbershop. The barber looked at him, smiled and said, I’ll try really hard Marshall not to bring any blood, so don’t sneeze or absolutely don’t cough! Then he laughed.

Matt sat down in the barber’s chair. He leaned the chair back all of the way. The barber tucked a bar towel under Matt’s shirt collar, then he put shaving leather on Matt’s face. He then covered Matt’s face with a hot tile. This was supposed to soften his beard. All this time Matt had his eyes closed, but he could still see Vivian in a glowing white dress and more beautiful than ever.

The barber had finished with Matt’s shave and as Matt sat up in the barber’s chair, he looked in the mirror and said, It’s a damn good thing that I only plan to do this once. Trying to be nice and neat and well groomed is hard work!

Trudeau spoke up, If you think what you’re going through is bad, you should some time or another tell Vivian that you’re going to take her out to supper and then to a dance. Then you can see what she has to go through, every hair has to be in place, there can be no wrinkles in her dress, and her makeup has to absolutely be immaculate. Although I really don’t think Vivian will ever need any makeup.

That was the one thing that Trudeau had said so far today that Matt agreed with wholeheartedly.

Matt stood up out of the barber’s chair and the barber proceeded to brush his jacket, then told him to hold out his hands and he put a good amount of bay rum in his hands and Matt splashed it on his face and then rubbed the excess from his hands onto his jacket. Looking in the mirror, he decided that his hair needed combed. He