Judson Law - Nothing But Death And Misery

By John J. Law

It had been a long ride and when Judson Law saw the small frontier town on the horizon, his spirits lifted. He was exhausted from riding for so long, and a small room with a bed would be very welcome for him. It had only been less than a week since Judson made good on a bounty and earned a decent sum. The money he had earned would be enough for a bed, and a drink. If he were lucky at cards, perhaps the amount could be stretched a good bit.
"Ain't that town a lovely sight for my sore eyes. Might as well ride on towards it, and make myself at home."

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.C. Hulsey Books
• Release date: Dec 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223783572

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Putting the Old Dog Down

Jedd Neumann walked into the room with a long smile on his face. He was smiling from ear to ear and for good reason.

I'm rich, darlin'. I'm going to be filthy rich!

He spoke with the unshakable confidence of a man who could back up his claims. He pulled Lesley Murray closer to him. Lesley was an attractive sort with generous curves that could spark instant lust from any man. Her face was as attractive as a daisy in full bloom, and she wore her flaming red hair like a queen's crown on her head.

He spoke right in Lesley's face. She immediately caught the whiff of alcohol and burnt cigarettes from his breath. He was spewing the stuff out of his mouth, like a dragon breathing fire. When he pulled her close, she felt his sizable belly pressed upon her chest. It felt as if she were pressing against a large, flesh-like pillow. Neumann had developed a sizable belly, no doubt from all the beer and alcohol he had ingested. He needed a lot of alcohol to drink himself to sleep, or just to keep himself sane and motivated. Mining and prospecting was after all, tough and tedious work. For Jedd Neumann, this was just part of his much-deserved reward.

Come on closer, darling! Come to Papa Jedd!

Lesley swallowed hard and feigned attraction and desire for Jedd.

Neumann was easily past fifty years old. He had already lived much longer than he should have. Many better men had died younger than him, and Lesley would not feel any guilt about what she was about to do next. For Lesley, it was nothing special, and she was probably going to do the old man a favor. It would be like putting an old dog out of its misery.

Mmm, hmmm. You're a mighty handsome man, Jedd Neumann.

Lesley held back the urge to throw up. She didn’t mean a single word that she had just said. He was the farthest thing from a handsome man, but she had to stroke his ego for what was to come next.

Ya know that's exactly what they all said about me. Pretty boy Neumann, that's what they called me. You’re a very handsome dame yourself, Lesley. A handsome dame indeed!

Heh. Your reputation as a pretty boy is well-deserved. You're a strong, capable and pretty man.

Neumann smiled. He took in all of Lesley's flattery like a thirsty man in the desert. You bet I am! If I wasn't everything you described, I would never have struck it rich. I'm rich, Lesley. Filthy rich! My life's going to change!

Really now? Tell me about it.

He pulled out several coins from the pocket of his pants. They were a lot of coins and had been burdening him. The weight of the coins only added to his already sizable girth. He showed the coins to Lesley, pride swelling