The Last Gunslinger

By John J. Law

When he rode into the town itself, the changes were a lot more stark and prominent. There were definitely more people in the town now. More places had electricity, and telephones. The old gunslinger couldn't help but gawk a little at the horseless carriages that rolled along the neat, paved main road. He never imagined there would come a time when boxes could run on themselves and not need horses to pull them along. Granted the horseless carriages were not as numerous as people would want. A lot of wagons, buggies and carriages were still being strung along by horses, but those new contraptions were there alongside of them. It would only be a matter of time before those automobiles made horses all but obsolete. A matter of time that the old gunslinger did not have. 
"Sure looks a lot different from when I last came here." he said to himself.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.C. Hulsey Books
• Release date: Dec 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223480693

Book preview

Chapter One: Death Comes For Us All

The old gunslinger rode into the small town one fine morning. The sun was out and the sky was a clear blue. He looked up and avoided the bright glare of the sun. His eyes were not what they used be, and the old gunslinger often strained to see straight. But he made the effort to savor the clear, blue sky today. It was after all, a clear and beautiful day, and there didn't seem to be a single dark cloud in the sky. The old gunslinger took a moment to savor this moment. Something told him that he wouldn't have too many of these moments coming anymore.

A false spring. he said to himself.

Up ahead of the old gunslinger was the small town where his friend, the old doctor lived. The small town looked a lot bigger than when the old gunslinger last swung by. It seemed a little larger, and was more brightly lit. There also seemed to be more people now then there were before.

When he rode into the town itself, the changes were a lot more stark and prominent. There were definitely more people in the town now. More places had electricity, and telephones. The old gunslinger couldn't help but gawk a little at the horseless carriages that rolled along the neat, paved main road. He never imagined there would come a time when boxes could run on themselves and not need horses to pull them along. Granted the horseless carriages were not as numerous as people would want. A lot of wagons, buggies and carriages were still being strung along by horses, but those new contraptions were there alongside of them. It would only be a matter of time before those automobiles made horses all but obsolete. A matter of time that the old gunslinger did not have.

Sure looks a lot different from when I last came here. he said to himself.

He hitched his horse and stepped into the old doctor's office.

Doc Mandell. Been awhile. the old gunslinger said.

Albert Bruce Benjamin! You're definitely a sight for these old sore eyes!

The two men smiled at each other and it was clear that Albert Bruce Benjamin the gunslinger, and Doctor Nicholas Mandell general practitioner, knew each other well. The two men had gone a long way back, since the days of their youth. It was a testament to their friendship that the old gunslinger still considered the old doctor as a friend.

What brings you around these parts? I thought you didn't like doctors like me? Doctor Mandell said.

Heh. You know you were always the exception, Nick.

Doctor Mandell shook his head. I also know that you really wouldn't come here if it something wasn't really bothering you. You once swore you would never see a doctor until you died. Considering the kind of life you live that's a pretty heavy thing to swear by.