The Man from Pickle Street

By David W. Bailey

After three years of conducting a vengeance trail against the Sioux and Cheyenne when his parents were killed up on the Medicine Bow, Lin Allan Cooper finally came back to the place he now calls home, North Ridge, New Mexico only to find the ranch that he and his best friend, Frank Shimmer had built from the ground up had been bought by another party who paid past due tax debts, as well as, an overdue mortgage. 
Stage holdups, murder, and a personal vendetta against Coop, as he was called was carried out. 
Will the sheriff of North Ridge, county of Malone stop the stage holdups? Or, will the Army who the governor had called in to intervene stop the stage holdups? '
Only time will tell.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Outlaws Publishing LLC
• Release date: May 10, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224821044

David W. Bailey

David W. Bailey was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia on February 3 1951. He has traveled across the U.S and back with his family. He is a Navy Vietnam veteran and proudly so.  He now lives in Bakersfield, California with his wife of 40 years He is the middle son of three boys. At an early age, he and his family traveled the U.S., from Parkersburg, West Virginia to Bowie Maryland down to Tampa, Florida. From Wellsville, Ohio west to Casper, Wyoming and all points in between. When his family landed in California in the mid-60s, they set roots in Ventura County. David is a Navy Vietnam veteran. Six years after his discharge, he joined the Army, spending six years with a total of twelve years military service. He and his wife, Sandy, married on July 4, 1981 in Casitas Springs, California and now lives in Bakersfield, California. They have three grown children and three grandchildren. His favorite quotation is, "I'm here 'cause I'm not all there."  

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THE MAN FROM PICKLE STREET

DAVID W. BAILEY

Copyright © 2021 by David W. Bailey

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are a product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is purely coincidental.

This book may contain views, premises, depictions, and statements by the author that are not necessarily shared or endorsed by Outlaws Publishing LLC.

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Cover design by Outlaws Publishing LLC

Published by Outlaws Publishing LLC

May 2024

10987654321

CHAPTER ONE

W ell, Shimmer, watcha think?

A man was smiling as he stood staring at a long ago friend.

I think I’m lookin’ at a dead man, Coop. I heard tell you gave up the ghost sometime back.

"Oh? What makes ya say that?

Aww, ya know. Word of mouth. Rumor mostly.

Well, the rumor was wrong, Shimmer. As you can see, I’m standin’ upright and breathin’.

I can see that, [chuckling] but I heard a Sioux lance, or a Cheyenne arrow took ya up on the Medicine Bow.

Shuffling his foot in the sand, Pert near, Shimmer. Pert near, but the only thing that Cheyenne brave did was trade his arrow for one of my bullets. I took his arrow in the side shor’ ‘nough, but he won’t be shootin’ any more arrows.

So, what brought ya back, Coop? I mean, you been gone now for, I think what, three years now?

I’ve come home, Shimmer. Been gone too long. It’ll be good to git back to the ranch, and...

Shimmer hung his head as Coop stared at him curiously.

Seems you have news to tell me, Shimmer. What is it?

Lifting his head as he cleared his throat, I, uh, I do have news for ya, Coop. The ranch is no longer your ranch.

Oh?

News came you was dead up on the Medicine Bow, and well, you had back taxes and a mortgage due...

And, someone paid the taxes and paid off the mortgage. Is that what you’re sayin’?

’Fraid so, Coop. You have no more claim to it, accordin’ to law.

Who owns my ranch now, Shimmer? Aww, I reckon it don’t matter none. It’s rightfully their ranch now.

They’re good people, Coop. Nice and friendly. God fearin’, too, I think.

Well, since everbody thought I was dead, and someone paid the taxes and the mortgage, it’s their ranch now. I’m just sorry it took so long to get back, but it’s too late to worry ‘bout that now.

Coop turned, putting his foot in the stirrup as Shimmer spoke.

You’re goin’ out there, ain’t ya?

I thought I might drop by. There are personal items I’d like to git back.

Mind if I tag along? I was goin’ out there later today, but seein’ as how you’re goin’ out there now...

Removing his foot from the stirrup, Mind? Why should I mind? I’d like the company, and like you said, it’s been three years. You still partial to Apple Jack brandy, are ya?

When I can afford it I am, but since I was booted off the ranch it’s been kind a tough these last two years, and with you gone, let’s just say I’m open for gainful employment.

I’m into Mule Skinners myself. *(A cactus wine-made with whiskey and Blackberry liquor). Straight whiskey doesn’t sit too well with me these days. Not good for my constitution, ya might say.

That’s some sort of wine, ain’t it?

Some say it is. I don’t rightly care what it is. It sits well with me.

Chuckling, That arrow could’ve caused that disposition.

It caused me to lose my ranch is what it did. Took me a couple weeks, or better to recover from being stuck with it. I have the money for the taxes and the mortgage, but with me bein’ gone so long I never thought I could lose my, well, our ranch.

I’m real sorry it turned out the way it did, Coop, but it was the law, and there was nothin’ I could say a’gin it. Well, Let me git saddled up so’s we can git to goin’.

Coop just nodded his head as Shimmer headed for the Livery. Coop is his nick name, and generally what people call him, but his full name is, Lin Allan Cooper. As he sat his horse waiting on Shimmer, a pretty, well dressed lady in eastern finery walked down the boardwalk. She stopped, stood staring at Coop in astonishment. She walked near to him on the boardwalk.

Why, Lin Cooper! What a surprise! I heard you was dead up on the Medicine Bow.

I’ve heard that. [smiling] Hello, Eileen. You look well. Is it still Dupree, or did some lucky gentleman...

Thank you, I am well, and yes, it’s still Dupree. When did you get back?

He stepped down from the saddle, then moved towards her.

Just a few minutes ago. I’m waitin’ on Shimmer so’s we can go out to the ranch.

As Coop walked up to her, Uh, about your ranch, Lin...

Yeah, I know. Shimmer told me already.

I’m sorry you lost your ranch. That’s a shame. You stayin’, or movin’ on?

I’m here to stay, Eileen. Just where, though is the question.

Well, I’m sure you’ll find somewhere. You’ve been gone far too long. It’s good to see you’re still alive. Stop by sometime. Dad would love to see you.

Thanks for the invitation. I might do that sometime.

You’re always welcome, Lin, you know that. Don’t be a stranger. Stop by and have a drink with Dad and chat a while. He would enjoy that so much.

Your dad is a kindly old gentleman. I will do that, and soon.

Just don’t take too long. [chuckling], Dad will have a fit if you do.

I can just imagine that. [chuckling], Tell Wirt I said hello, and I’ll see him soon.

I’ll do that. When he knows you’re alive and in town, he’ll be expecting you to come see him. Sooner than later.

I’ll make it soon, Eileen. I promise.

Well, see that you do, Lin. It ain’t proper to keep a body waitin’. Well, I best be goin’. We’re havin’ my fried chicken for supper. As she walked away, she turned a little, and in a sweet southern accent, said, Don’t be too long, ya hear?

I promise it won’t be long.

Smiling, Eileen turned and continued to walk away leaving Coop to watch after her. As he pushed his hat back on his head, a voice broke his attention away from Eileen.

A man can git in a whole lot a trouble from what you’re thinkin’, Coop.

Shimmer had come riding up to near where Eileen and Coop were standing on the boardwalk, and during their conversation, they had not heard, nor seen Shimmer ride up.

But, it ain’t hard to imagine such things, is it, Coop?

That Lousiana lingo. [turning to Shimmer] You ready?

I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.

After Coop had mounted, they headed south out of the town of North Ridge, New Mexico. As they passed the sheriff’s office, a deputy opened the door just as they rode by. The deputy followed them with his eyes, then turned his head as they rode down the street. He turned back to the sheriff, who was sitting at his desk.

I swear I just saw Lin Cooper and Shimmer ride down the street just now.

The sheriff, nursing his pipe replied, Aww, you’re seein’ things. Lin Cooper is dead up on the Medicine Bow. [a quizzical expression crossed his face] Least ways, that’s what we’ve been led to believe.

If it wasn’t him, then he has a twin, ‘cause I swear I just saw him with Shimmer.

The sheriff skidded his chair back, then stood from his desk, and hurriedly went to the door.

It couldn’t be, could it?

The deputy didn’t reply as Coop and Shimmer rounded a corner.

The sheriff, then said, I’d better let Judge Henley know in case that was him. Coop may have questions, or he may cause trouble over the Angstrom family taking possession of his ranch.

If I know Del Angstrom, he won’t stand for any shenanigans from Lin Cooper, or anybody else for that matter. He’ll defend his property.

That’s what bothers me, Les. There could be shootin’.

You want I should follow just in case there is any shootin’?

That’s a good idea. Get mounted. I believe they’re headed for his, I mean, the Angstrom ranch, but don’t get involved unless there’s trouble. Understand?

Yeah. I understand, Webb.

Well, I’m off to see Judge Henley.

As Les mounted his horse, Webb grabbed his hat, and closed the door to his office. He, then headed for Judge Henley’s office as Les rode down the street after Coop and Shimmer. Sheriff Webb Whitlow didn’t actually see Lin Cooper, but he did believe his deputy, Lester Dunn. He knew what he would do with Lin Cooper, but he wanted to know what Judge Henley’s suggestion would be, and to see if they had the same idea on how to handle Lin Cooper. He knew Coop was a reasonable man at times, but he also had a temper that could easily turn to gunplay if he felt he had been wronged. In Webb’s eyes, the only reason for Coop to go out to his formerly owned ranch was to get his ranch back from the Angstrom’s, even at the point of a gun. Of course Coop would ask questions at first, but if he didn’t like the answers, he would take matters into his own hand. When Webb got to Judge Henley’s office door, he hesitated. He wondered if he should have gone with Les after Coop, and Shimmer if trouble should happen. He knew Les was a capable deputy, and he could take care of himself in a bad situation, but it’s just the idea that, well...

As Coop and Shimmer crested a ridge, they heard the gunfire thundering from his old ranch, now belonging to the Angstrom’s. They kicked their horses into a full gallop and rode quickly to the ranch. By the time they got there, the gunfire had stopped. When they approached the yard of the ranch, a shot was fired, landing in front of them kicking the dirt up. Coop and Shimmer short reigned their horses to a halt in sudden surprise.

Shimmer yelled out, Del Angstrom, you crazy ol’ coot. Have you gone loco? It’s me, Shimmer! Don’t shoot no more, ya dang fool!

Del yelled back, Who’s that feller with ya?

He’s a friend of mine, Del! He used to own this place, and...

What does he want? [butting in], He don’t own it now! I do!

He knows that, Del, but he left some personal things here! He’d like to get those things back!

We didn’t find nothin’ here that belongs to him, Shimmer!

Coop, then said, They’re well hidden, Shimmer. They couldn’t find them.

Del, he says his things are well hidden! You couldn’t find them if you tried! Only he knows where they are!

There was silence as Coop and Shimmer waited warily for Del to invite them to approach the house. They sat waiting for an answer.

Shimmer, then asked, Well? What do you say, Del? Can we approach the house?

Then, the front door opened. Del came to stand on the front porch. He leveled his rifle towards them.

You can come a head on, Shimmer, but if he makes one wrong move, I’ll drop him!

Shimmer and Coop looked at each other, sighing a heavy sigh of relief. They rode slowly to the house.

As they approached, We heard shootin, Del! Doin’ a little target practicin’, are ya?

Just keep a comin’, Shimmer!

When they had reached the house, If this feller is your friend, Shimmer, what’s his name?

I have the use of my tongue, mister. The name’s Lin Cooper.

Humph! Heard you was dead up on the Medicine Bow, but I see I heard wrong, if you really are that feller, Lin Cooper.

That’s who he is alright, Del. I’ve known him for years. [nodding his head towards the barn and corral] I helped him build that barn there, and put up the corral.

Well, then I reckon ya are who Shimmer says ya are. So, what is it you’re after? Like I said, we haven’t found nothin’ that belongs to ya.

There’s a loose brick on the right side of the fireplace near the top. I doubt you ever noticed it.

I must admit, we never did. Never had the reason to, I reckon.

You mind if I come in and get what I came after?

Come ahead on.

Hesitating, You won’t shoot me, will ya?

If I wanted to, I would a done it long before now.

Good point.

Both men stepped down, went through the wooden gate and stepped up on the porch.

You have two sons, Del. Kirby and Carl. Where are they?

Carl has you covered from the hayloft, and Kirby is standing behind you at the corner of the house.

Both Coop and Shimmer turned to see Kirby holding his rifle in the crook of his arm.

Hey, Shimmer.

Hey, Kirby.

Del said, Kirby, go tell Carl it’s okay. He can come down, and come on in the house.

Okay, Pa.

Well, come ahead you two.

As Kirby ran to the barn, Del opened the door, saying, Pay no mind for its condition. We had trouble before you showed up, but we run those waddies off.

When they had entered the house, they were met with the woman of the house. She stood in the middle of the room holding a rifle herself. Both Shimmer and Coop looked at each other.

Del said, Shimmer, you know the missus.

Hello, Reba.

Shimmer. I hope you’re well.

I am, thanks. This feller here came to get...

I heard. [butting in, turning to the fireplace], Loose brick he says.

Coop walked over to the fireplace.

Yes, ma’am.

Coop reached up to a brick, and shook it loose. Both Reba and Del looked on in disbelief. Just then, Carl and Burl came into the house.

Troubled, Carl asked, What’s he doin’, Pa?

Either one a you know that brick was loose?

Kirby replied, Nuh, uh. Never had a reason to think so.

Coop reached in and grabbed a small leather bag, and a small dust covered box. After he retrieved those items, he replaced the brick.

Thank you. You can permanently seal that brick in place.

Naww. It’s probably a good thing that brick is loose. Could come in handy.

You mind tellin’ me what you got there, Coop? After bein’ dang near shot...

It’s better I show ya, than tell ya.

Coop stepped over to a small end table, untied the leather bag, then emptied its contents. Six twenty dollar gold pieces fell from the bag landing on the table. Shimmer gave a sheer whistle while the Angstrom family looked on in pure amazement.

Then, Coop took the lid off the small dust covered box, and reaching in he brought out a very beautiful diamond studded ring. Four diamonds in all.

Now, you know why I came for these things.

Well, I’ll be jiggered. [chuckling] Right under our noses, and we never even thought...

Reba walked over to Coop, My, my, what a beautiful ring. May I see it, please?

Coop handed her the ring, It was to be my wife’s wedding ring as soon as one said she would be my wife. I’ve kept it for a good while. The stones are worth a hefty amount, but it has more sentimental value to it than anything else. You understand, don’t ya?

Admiring the ring, Of course I do. Of course I do. It is such a gorgeous ring. Any woman would be real proud to wear it.

I was hopin’ she would be pleased with it.

Is that all that’s in there?

That’s all there is, mister Angstrom, and I thank you for letting me get these things back.

It’s only right, seein’ as how they belong to you.

Coop put the coins back in the bag, and the ring back in the small box.

Shimmer asked, What kind a trouble did you have, Del? We heard the shootin’ and come a runnin’, but it was over before we got here.

Oh it t’weren’t much. A little disagreement as to pay for the couple hands I fired earlier for stealin’. They demanded more pay than what they had comin’. The boys had a fight with ‘em, and they run off, but they come back and riddled the place. I told the boys no killin’, just warnin’ shots. They took off like scalded hounds when we did that.

Ya mean Buell Stoddard, and Digger Riggs?

Uh, huh, but like I said, they turnt tail and run.

Coop, then said, I’m glad you folks is alright. I’d have a hard time explainin’ why you’re not and me on the property. The sheriff might git the notion I had something to do with that.

Reba spoke, saying, You have Shimmer here to say otherwise.

Well, that’s true, but just the same, I’m glad you folks is alright.

Shimmer, then said, Is that all, Coop?

Yeah, that’s all, but didn’t you say somethin’ ‘bout comin’ out here later? You never said why, though.

You were? How come?

Oh, it weren’t nothin’, Del. It had been a while since I’d seen ya, so I thought I’d come out and see how you was gittin along, is all.

Reba spoke, saying, That was kind of ya, Shimmer. You have a kind heart.

Don’t be lettin’ that git ‘round, Reba. I have a reputation to keep.

Coop asked, You think you’ll have more trouble from those two fellas?

Del replied, Don’t know, but we can handle that trouble, I think.

Maybe you should let the sheriff know, and let him track these fellas down, and put ‘em jail for attempted murder.

We handle our own trouble, mister Cooper. The sheriff has a lot to worry ‘bout without us addin’ to his trouble. We’ll be fine.

Well, Shimmer, unless there’s something more.

Nope. I’m ready when you are, Coop.

As they walked to the front door with Reba and Del, Reba said, It was good of you to come by to visit, Shimmer. Maybe you’ll come back when you’re not pressed for time?

I’ll be back in a few days, Reba if I’m offered a cup of coffee.

The whole pot will be yours.

Well, now, I don’t know ‘bout that, Reba. I’d like some of that myself, but I’d be happy to share, though. Might even have a shot a brandy as we sit easy.

Sounds real good, Del. Like I said, I’ll stop back by in a few days.

Coop, and Shimmer mounted their horses.

Reba said, You take care now, ya hear?

With that said, Coop and Shimmer rode away from the ranch, headed for Alta Vista Real. Unbeknownst to Coop and Shimmer, Deputy Sheriff, Lester Dunn, slipped from his hiding place on the nearby hill, overlooking the Angstrom house. He mounted, headed back to town. Seemingly in no hurry, Coop and Shimmer rode back to town slow and easy.

I told ya they was good people, didn’t I?

He did shoot at us, Shimmer.

Yeah, well, he was not shor’ who you were. He could’ve shot you out a your saddle, but he didn’t. You was just lucky you had me along with ya.

So far, Shimmer, you’ve been good luck for me. We’ll just see how far that luck holds.

It seems I’m your lucky rabbits foot, Coop.

It didn’t bring the rabbit any luck, now did it?

No, it shor’ didn’t, did it?

Both men chuckled as they rode. Silence between them for a short while, then.....

You got a gal, Shimmer?

A gal?

Yeah. You know, a female. A fella with your good looks shouldn’t be sashayin’ ‘round without a purdy gal. You need to rope some gal, and settle down.

Well, there is one purdy gal I git along with, but I don’t know if we should get hitched.

What’s her name? Could be I know her.

Yeah? It could be ya do, Coop.

Well, spill it out, Shimmer. What’s her name? He smiled.

Marlene Duley?

Marlene sounds familiar, but Duley? No.

Maybe this last name will sound familiar to ya. Bonnette.

Coop short reigned his horse to a halt, looking at Shimmer in amazement. As Shimmer turned his horse to Coop.

Marlene Bonnette?

That’s the one, but her last name is Duley now. We’ve been keepin’ company on a regular basis, but I haven’t had the nerve to ask her to git hitched. Jobs are hard to come by now a days. I can’t git hitched to a woman without havin’ some kind of security. A home. Money. As it is, I’m barely able to take care of myself at the moment.

Well, Shimmer, if she’s already married.

Well, she ain’t. Not no more, she ain’t. She lost her husband in a stage holdup sometime back, so she’s free as a bird. We’ve been, well, we have an understandin’ of each other. Now, do you git my meanin’?

Yes, I do, Shimmer, but keep a stiff upper lip. Somethin’ will come along.

I hope somethin’ comes along real soon. I’m gittin’ tired of eatin’ my own cookin’.

She had a sister, didn’t she? Twin sister. Charlene I think it was.

Yeah, but Charlene passed away sometime back. Cholera took her. Marlene took it rather hard. She gits sad, and quiet when she’s mentioned. It’s the same way with her sister, Sheila.

Oh? She have Cholera, too?

Nu, uh. No, she and her husband was killed by injuns up in the Texas panhandle some years back. Apache she thinks. ‘Course with Comanche, Arapaho, Pawnee, and Apache from time to time travelin’ that area, she don’t actual know who done it. Marlene was notified by Army courier after the remains were known. They gave their heartfelt sympathies.

That’s too bad. There shor’ was a brood of ‘em wasn’t there?

She also has other sisters. Pat, and Darlene. The Bonnette’s never was shy about addin’ to the population, that’s for dang shor’. Not to mention the boys in the family.

Silence fell between them. Then...

I know I asked this before, Coop, but where you from? I don’t remember.

I come from Pickle Street, West Virginia.

Pickle Street?

If my mem’ry serves me right, Shimmer, you had that same reaction the last time I gave you the answer.

You’re serious, ain’t ya? Pickle Street?

Shor’ I’m serious. People don’t believe me when I tell ‘em that, but it’s the God’s honest truth.

And, it got its name from people sellin’ pickles on the street, I suppose?

To tell the truth no one really knows how the name came ‘bout. There are a few ideas on the matter, but the one I glom onto is this one.

And, that is?

Well, it’s been said that when folks come to Pickle Street they ask for pickles, but everbody in Pickle Street knows they’re lookin’ for somethin’ other than pickles.

Smiling, And, that is?

Pickles is a code for whiskey in Pickle Street, and they do a lot of business selling pickles.

Both men chuckled as on they rode.

Chapter Two

Deputy Sheriff, Lester Dunn came into town first. He rode hard back to town. He reined in at the sheriff’s office. As he stepped down, and tethered his horse, Webb came out of the sheriff’s office.

Well, Les, any trouble?

Hardly no trouble a’tall, Webb. Coop, and Shimmer was even invited into the house. After a while, they left friendly. They should be comin’ in most anytime now.

Well, at least there was no trouble. We can rest easy for that.

What did Judge Ward Henley have to say?

He said there was nothin’ we can do unless Coop broke the law, and from what you just said he hasn’t, so there’s nothin’ we can do.

Both men went into the sheriff’s office.

Give it time, Webb. He’ll do somethin’, then we’ll have him.

Still holdin’ a grudge, I see. as he closed the door.

Yes, I am. I can’t hold with a beat down in front of my girl, Webb, you know that. It took a few days to recover from that.

If I remember right, you started that fight because he asked your girl for a dance.

"Well, what would you have done if you didn’t like the man, and he asked your girl for a dance?"

Well, I shor’ wouldn’t’ve started a fight with him. After all, it was only a dance. It wasn’t like she was gonna run away with him.

Yeah, well. I’ll hate that man as long as I live.

Over what? It wasn’t too long after that she ran out on you, so in my view your hatred for Coop is completely unfounded. Think it over, Les. You’ll see I’m right ‘bout this.

It was because of him and that fight that caused her to look on me as less of a man. I’ll never forgive him for that. Never.

You may not want to hear what I have to say ‘bout that, but...

You’re right, Webb. I don’t.

With that said, Les left the sheriff’s office, leaving Webb shaking his head as the door slammed shut. Webb watched through the window as Les passed by the window. Then, he went back to his desk and began sorting through the new wanted posters that had just arrived.

About that time, Coop and Shimmer rode into town. They rode up to the saloon, stepped down, and tethered their horses in front. They met on the boardwalk. Coop Looked up and down the street.

Hasn’t changed much, has it?

Shimmer looked around, Not really, no. [pausing], Were you expecting a flood of people to come rushing into town?

I reckon not. How ‘bout a drink?

You buyin’?

Coop gave Shimmer a questioning look.

Forgit I asked. [as they stepped though the batwings], "I hope they haven’t run out of Apple