Soul of a Gunslinger

by Jim Cox

  Lefty stopped ten feet from Frank and took in the man from head to toe. His eyes looked wild, and even though the day was cool and a strong breeze blew down the street, Frank had beads of sweat on his forehead, and his shirt’s armpits were wet. His hands were shaking. Lefty took a couple more steps and now stood face-to-face with Frank. After glaring into Frank’s eyes for a long minute, Lefty slapped the man two times. Once with his right hand and once with his left. Then he turned and walked away from Frank.

  Frank felt bewildered and knew he’d just been marked a coward, a man who’d carry the reputation of being afraid to stand up against his enemies for the rest of his life. A life he was unwilling to live.

  “Watch out!” someone from the crowd called out. “He’s going for his gun.” Lefty quickly turned, drawing his gun at the same time and fired. Lefty felt a sting on his right shoulder as he watched Frank fall to the ground.

  As he was walking toward the fallen man, Lefty heard a shot coming from the saloon. By then, Suzan was running toward him. “What was that shot all about?” he asked.

  “Joe took his gun away from Hide and was coming out here to shoot you after you shot his brother, but Hide shot and killed him.” Suzan was about to say something more when she saw blood on Lefty’s right shoulder. “You’ve been shot, Lefty. Let me look at it.”

  “It ain’t nothing; only a little flesh wound,” he said. “Come with me, Suzan. I want to see if Frank is dead.” There was a bullet hole in the middle of the dead man’s forehead.

  The crowd had mostly left by the time Lefty and Suzan reached the saloon’s boardwalk where Hide and Louise were standing. “You’re finally rid of those Ellis brothers,” Hide said. “You can get on with your life now without being dogged.”

  “It’s a shame they had to get killed,” Lefty said. “They were good men; just got a revenge stuck in their craw.”

  Lefty thought on the whole episode that had taken place and then turned to his friend, “Thanks, Hide. I’d be a goner if it hadn’t been for you. I owe you one.”

  “I ain’t even close to paying you back for all the things you’ve done for me.” Lefty nodded.

  “That’s your first, Hide. How does it feel to know you’ve blotted out a man’s life?”

  Hide shook his head. “It ain’t very pleasant. Does it get any easier when you’ve killed ten?” Lefty’s head lowered.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Other than Lefty and Hide staying low and letting the gossip die down that was circulating concerning them killing the Ellis brothers, the Louise household was staying busy and enjoying themselves. Bakery sales had remained good, keeping the clan occupied making and selling the pastries in the mornings, but the afternoons and evenings were free for unscheduled events. The evenings normally started with one of Suzan’s delicious meals, and after the dishes were washed, they played cards or did some other form of entertainment; the men normally paired up against the women. Pie and coffee were served before they went to bed; Louise and Suzan going to the bedroom and the men going to half-beds in the sitting area.

  December came and with it came the hustle and bustle of Christmas, keeping the women extra busy. Many times, after the morning customer rush, Louise and Suzan went shopping along Bay Street to purchase presents and a sundry of items to make decorations with, some for the business area and some for their private quarters.

  Christmas day was exceptional. The morning pastries and coffee were free to all customers which brought smiles and expressions of appreciation for the gesture. After closing at noon, the women placed snacks and bottles of wine on a sideboard by the kitchen table before sitting down with cards in hand. Between hands, platters of snacks and the wine bottle were passed for refills, especially taken by the men. When darkness came, and lanterns were lite, the card game was paused while Suzan brought out the delicious meal she had previously prepared. Louise said a Christmas time blessing and the food was passed. After eating and the dirty dishes were removed, coffee was poured, and presents were handed out. They weren’t extravagant presents, but they were treasured.

  Pastry sales had been extremely good during the season, but afterward, it fell off considerably, giving the household time to do extra things. Hide and Lefty took rides to keep their horses limbered up, and they visited saloons for a swig or two and listened to the latest gossip concerning the spring’s rush to the mountains. The women spent their spare time in the stores and once while they were in the material section of the mercantile, Suzan picked up a bolt of material and asked Louise, “Do you think this would make a pretty dress?”

  “It would make a very pretty dress, Suzan. Do you want some new dresses? Maybe, some made in the style we western women wear?”

  “Could I find someone to sew one or two for me if I bought the material? Maybe, Lefty would loan me enough money to buy a few yards.” Louise laughed.

  “Don’t worry about the money or finding someone to make it for you. I’ll teach you to sew. In fact, I need a new dress or two myself; we can make dresses together.” Suzan had a wide grin. It wasn’t many days afterward when both women were modeling their dresses to the men. Louise had made two and Suzan three. Of course, the men bragged on their workmanship and how pretty the dresses looked on them.

  In late January, Louise and Susanna were looking at material for new dresses when a clerk approached Suzan and asked, “Would you happen to be Miss Suzan Dempsey?”

  “Yes, I am,” she answered. “Is there something I can do for you?”

  “Our mercantile is the mail center for this area, and I have a letter for you. It came here from Boston on the Ocean to Ocean Express Mail Service and is to be forwarded to the Sacramento Trunk Lines, but since you’re here, I thought I should give it to you. Apparently, the sender thought you were located somewhere in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.” Suzan thanked the clerk and opened the letter. It was dated August 23, 1849, which was five months ago.

  August 23, 1849

  Greetings to Miss Suzan Dempsey,

  It saddens me to inform you that your beloved grandfather died on July 14, 1849, of an apparent heart attack. I have been his legal advisor for most of his business life and have been given the duty to execute his Will to the proper people under due legal procedures and timetables.

  As you know, your grandfather was a very wealthy man. His estate has been valued at over twenty million dollars by a reputable accounting firm, and you have inherited forty percent of this estate which will exceed eight million dollars. Because his wife is deceased and your mother is his only child, she will inherit the majority of his estate, or the remaining sixty percent, and will become the acting Chairman of the Board of Directors for the company.

  However, there are stipulations concerning your part of the inheritance. First, you must return to Boston by August 31, 1850, to sign the appropriate documents. Secondly, you must live with your mother full time for a minimum of two years. Thirdly, you must assume an active role in the business.

  I am to be the determining judge of you fulfilling these conditions before any part of the potential inheritance is transferred to you. If by chance you do not fulfill these requirements, your forty percent ownership will be withdrawn and given to your mother.

  Executor of the estate,

  Lawyer: John H. Calhoun

  “What’s wrong, Suzan?” Louise asked. “You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.” Suzan handed her the letter. After reading it twice, Louise commented, “I’m sorry to learn of your grandfather’s death, Suzan, and I’m sorry you’ll be leaving us. Hide and I will miss you terribly, but Lefty is going to be devastated. You mean the world to him, and it’s been evident during the past few months you have feelings for him, too.”

  “Do you really think Lefty has feelings for me? He sure doesn’t show it. I don’t know of a time he’s offered any affection toward me, except being a friend.”

  “Then you’re blind, Suzan, without any woman’s intuition about men. It’s as plain as the nose on your
face he’s in love with you.”

  “Then why doesn’t he show it?”

  “Because he thinks you’re above him. That with your upbringing and sophistication, not to mention your beauty, you’d have no interest in a man like him whatsoever. He believes your eyes are set for a man close to your demeanor.”

  “That’s ridiculous,” Suzan blurted out. “He’s worthy of any young woman, especially when you become well acquainted with him.” Louise smiled and reached for her friend’s hands. Minutes passed as both women wiped tears.

  When they had gotten control of their emotions, Louise squeezed Suzan hands and said, “Don’t be disappointed with this development… Lefty will understand. He feels you want to go back home and your grandfather’s inheritance only adds to your desires. The money you’re inheriting is great; you’ll be financially independent for the rest of your life.”

  “I suppose you’re right,” she said between sobs. “But it means I’ll have to be leaving within a few days and will never see you or the men again.” Tears started streaming down her cheeks again, and between her sobs, she asked, “Where will I get the money for transportation and someone to travel with me.”

  “Don’t worry about that. I’m sure Lefty will give you the travel money, and find someone to travel back east with you. We’ll get you back home someway.”

  Five days later, Louise, Hide and Lefty were standing on the pier watching Suzan walk up the ship’s boarding ramp, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey, a couple Lefty had arranged to accompany her. It was a cold morning with a brisk wind as all February days are in San Francisco. The sky was clear with a few pillow clouds floating east, and the sun was beaming down its rays.

  After all the passengers were boarded, the shipmates removed the boarding ramp and untied the ship-lines from the dock. When the sails were raised, the huge canvases were filled with the strong wind, causing the ship to start moving. As it gained speed and exited the harbor, passengers lined the rails offering their goodbye waves. Seeing Suzan waving as she sailed out of sight brought thoughts to Lefty. That’s the last time I’ll ever see her, but I’ll never forget her.

  When the last glimmer of the ship’s tall sails was gone, Lefty wiped tears and started off. “Where are you going, Lefty?” Hide called out.

  “To the saloon,” he answered. “Don’t wait up for me.”

  Chapter Thirty

  The days following Suzan’s departure were depressing. A new routine had to be established to incorporate her duties. Both Hide and Lefty became more helpful in the pastry cooking area while Louise took-over customer sales. She also cooked the household’s meals and did most of the house cleaning. Evenings were long and boring; no card games, no evening snacks, and laughter was mostly missing.

  During one of these depressed days, when Hide and Lefty were at the livery checking on their horses, Hide poured two cup of coffee and pointed to two chairs close to the stove. “Let’s sit for a spell,” he said. Lefty took one of the cups and sat down, knowing his friend had something on his mind. Hide squirmed a bit, took a long guzzle, cleared his throat, and then asked, “What’s your plan for going after the gold, Lefty?”

  Lefty looked sternly at his friend, knowing something serious was on his mind for him to have asked the question. “I ain’t got it all figured out yet, but I’m thinking we should start out the first or second week in June, depending on the weather; the mountain valleys should be clear of snow by then. We’ll need to hire six, maybe eight, trustworthy men, who knows how to handle a gun, to help us get the gold down. I figure we’ll need ten pack mules and a couple extra horses in case ours get lame or injured in some way. There’s other plans that need to be made, but I ain’t got to ‘em yet.” Lefty paused for a mite and then said, “You’ve got something on your mind, Hide; go ahead and spit it out.”

  Hide hung his head and said in an apologetic tone, “Louise says she’ll never marry me if I break my promise to her and go after the gold with you.”

  “I figured that might be the problem,” Lefty said. “You ain’t thinking about giving up all your gold because of Louise’s threat, are ‘ya?” Hide took on a funny look but didn’t answer. After a long pause, Lefty continued, “We’ve been to hell and back chasing after our dreams of finding gold, Hide. We both nearly died in the desert several times, we’ve gone hungry, we’ve been nearly robbed, and we’ve been in gunfights. We could have been killed, and now that we’ve found our fortune you want to back out.” Lefty paused, thinking on the matter. “A woman shouldn’t ask a man to give up his dreams for marriage…not if she loves him.”

  “I know,” Hide said, “but…”

  “No buts about it,” Lefty said. “Are you going with me or are you getting hitched?”

  “I ain’t sure what I should do, Lefty. What would you do?”

  Lefty took a couple of gulps of coffee to calm himself and then went to get the livery’s coffee pot on the stove for refills. After thinking for another few seconds and taking another swallow, he answered his friend’s question with a question, “Is she worth a million dollars, Hide?”

  “Huh, what kind of a question is that?” Hide said.

  “I know it ain’t a doable question, but that’s what your share of the gold is probably worth, and I want to make a point,” Lefty said. “Let me put it this way, and I want you to give my question some thought before you answer it. If you were already married to Louise, and someone offered you a million dollars for her. Would you sell her?”

  “It ain’t legal for a man to sell his wife in this country. Besides, she wouldn’t go along with being sold even if I wanted too.”

  “I know that,” Lefty said, “but let’s just say it was legal and she would go along with you selling her; would you do it?”

  Hide gave considerable thought to the question and then took on a wide grin. “Not even for two million,” he answered.

  Lefty shook his head and sighed, “You’ve just answered your question about staying here and marrying Louise. I hope you have a happy marriage and never have any regrets.”

  “I’m sorry I let you down, Lefty. Maybe, I can make it up to you someday.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ll get by.” After a pause, he said with a grin, “Hopefully, someday I’ll find a woman who’ll hornswoggle me like Louise has you.”

  “I thought Suzan had already done that to you, Lefty.” When Lefty didn’t respond, Hide continued with a question, “Would you have sold Suzan for a million dollars if you were married to her?”

  “It don’t make no-never-mind in my case, Hide. My marriage ain’t on the line.” Several seconds passed as coffee was being drunk, Lefty finished answering Hide’s question, “Not even for eight million dollars.”

  Work schedules were starting to fall into place and lives were returning to normal as the days passed. When Hide told Louise he’d not be going after the gold, it made matters even better; at least for Louise and Hide. They set February twenty-third for the marriage date, which was only two weeks away, and got busy making plans and doing whatever folks do after a marriage date has been set. Lefty, on the other hand, started making detailed plans to go after his gold.

  His trip had to be kept secret. Otherwise, he’d have the entire Barbary Coast after his gold, and the men he hired had to be kept in the dark as to what their employment was all about. Lefty started to ask the smithy at the livery for advice but decided against it because he wasn’t sure of his trust. He was unsure what to do, so he decided to snoop around at businesses that purchased gold to see if he could learn something.

  He was at the third business watching the clerk weigh two bags of gold for an Argonaut standing by when he heard the man say, “It’s too bad those big shots with all of that-there fancy equipment and money are coming in and taking over the gold fields.” Lefty ears perked up.

  “Yaw,” the clerk said. “They’ll most likely put me out of business. Those big companies don’t need someone like me to sell their gold to; they can sell
it direct to the eastern buyers.”

  “Have you ever been in the mountains and seen ‘em getting the gold with their big equipment?” the miner asked.

  “I ain’t seen it, but a few weeks back, the bank president explained to me how it worked,” the clerk said. “He said pipes shoots out water with a lot of force into the side of a mountain, cutting rocks and gravel away that goes into a sluice where the gold is separated. He said one of these setups can get the gold from several acres every day.”

  “What in tarnation does the bank have to do with it?” the miner asked.

  “I ain’t for sure, but I’m figuring they own part of the mining company, or in cahoots with ‘em in some way.” Lefty got his first lead; he’d go talk with the banker.

  “Please have a seat, Mr. Newman,” the man said as he and Lefty shook hands inside his private office. Lefty sat down, and the man continued, “Have we met before, Mr. Newman? Your name rings a bell.”

  “We haven’t met before, but some folks call me Lefty Newman. Maybe that’s where you’ve heard my name.”

  “Yes, that’s it. You’re Lefty Newman, the gunslinger,” the banker said becoming a bit more formal with raised eyebrows. “My name is William Stroud, and I’m the bank president. What can I do for you?”

  “I’ve heard your bank might be involved in buying gold claims from miners for the big mining companies coming into the area.”

  The banker gave a slight nod and said, “That’s right, Mr. Newman. We do help them from time-to-time, but what does it have to do with you?”

  “If I were to tell you I’ve claimed a site where I’ve dug a considerable amount of gold; would you or your investment companies be interested in buying the site from me?”

  “It would have to be a sizeable find,” he answered. “We’d have to inspect the site ourselves and determine if it was worthwhile to us. If it was, we’d gladly make an offer.”