Golden Stagecoach

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  On a hot summer night Bessie and Joel were sitting on their front porch talking about their kids; especially Jane Beth. Joel said, "My dear wife, what shall we do with our precocious daughter. She is only 10 years old but thinks she is already a grown woman. Should we send her to a private school where they live in a dorm?"

  "I don't know Joel. The house would feel empty without her. Her teacher at school says all she does is talk and play rather than study or do her work. Would she hate us if we sent her to a strict environment?"

  "It's very difficult to reason with a ten year old kid. I was eight when my father was killed. That was such a shock, I never thought about being rebellious or not doing what I suppose to do. I think maybe it is a good idea we check on some private schools. It's either that or we hire a tutor, but then she has no one to socialize with."

  Bess said, "I'll check on some tomorrow with Marlene. We pray she will see the errors of her ways and become a good girl."

  "Honey, we haven't' been back home in many years. How about we take the kids and go to Denver," said Joel.

  "Wow, I never thought about that. We have almost two months before fall and it's so hot here. Yes, let's go. I'll get Marlene to pack our trunks and bags. You get the tickets and let's pretend we are on our honey moon again," she said coyly. Joel gazed at her. She hadn't changed much in all these years. Her hair was a little shorter, but she was still a fine looking trim woman. If anyone was looking, they would see two people deeply in love. But right now they had a little girl who needed to mind her elders.

  Two days later they were on their way to Denver. Junior had some books on Colorado and Jane Beth had her fairy tale books. By 1890 Pullman cars had sleepers for a family. It was quite comfortable and the food was terrific. Marlene had her own cabin where Jane Beth spent most of her time. The two of them were close. If asked, Jane Beth would say she had two mothers, not just one. Then she would laugh and make a nuisance of herself. However, she was so cheerful; it was hard to discipline her for being mischievous.

  Day two of the cross country trip found Joel and his daughter alone to talk. He thought it was time to tell her his story when he was eight years old. He said, "Jane Beth, it's time I told you about your grandfather and me when I was about your age. When we get to Denver I'll take you to where I was born and to the place where your grandfather was killed by bad men in front of my eyes."

  Joel looked at his daughter and she appeared to be attentive. He continued and said, "My mother had died and we buried her in the back yard. My father, your grandfather worked as a guard for the stagecoach company."

  "Father, what's a stagecoach," asked Jane Beth. Joel went into some detail that it was a wagon with seats and a box to sit in to keep the rain off. Then he said,

  "I was going to your grandmothers in Denver to live. As the stagecoach carried no passengers, only gold, I had to hide in the back. There were bandits hiding in the rocks and tried to steal the gold. All four guards and the driver with his man alongside him were killed. My father took a long time to die. He was shot in the stomach. I sat holding his hand for an hour. Then after he died I took his horse and rode to Denver. I reported the hold up and then I went to live with Aunt Jane."

  By the time he had finished his short story, Jane Beth was crying. She jumped into his lap and wrapped her arms around him telling him how sorry she was for his loss. He said, "I had to live without parents. I worked in the stage office. After I finished the 8th grade I went to Boston to college. Unlike you my darling little girl, I didn't have a mother or father. I was always afraid I would do something wrong and your grandmother or grandfather would throw me out on the street to live.

  "Daddy I'm so sorry for you. I'll try to do better. I want to see where you were born and lived when you were little like me."

  "Jane Beth, you know we are very rich. I want you and Junior to take a part in our business. I want you to get a good schooling and learn a lot. Your mother and I are very happy together. We both went to college. I want you to help me when I get older."

  "I'm not sure about all that daddy, but soon I'll be a big girl." He hugged her and gave her a big cheek kiss. Then he read a story out of one of her books. Before he finished she was sound asleep.

  Joel was reading a newspaper in the club car when his son came in. Joel folded the paper and looked at his son fondly. Junior said, "Sis told me the story of our grandfather and I'd like to hear the same story father."

  "I think that's a good idea son. It helps to know where we come from and what the family did throughout the years. Unfortunately, I don't know our family history that much. But I'll tell you what I do know." Joel went on to tell his son the very same story he told his daughter. His son sat there with his mouth open.

  After he was finished telling the story, he said, "Son I'll show you where all of this happened when we get to Denver. I think it's time for you to learn to ride a horse. I think your mother and I will retire out in the Denver area. I'd like you to take over the business. If you decide that you want to do something else, that is fine too. You choose what you want to do son. I will give you some advice though. You can't make a real intelligent decision unless you have an education."

  "I know that father. I'm thinking about being a lawyer and learning how to run a business as well. I hope you'll give me your advice often. You know Harvard is the best school in America for lawyers. I want to go there if you think that is a good idea."

  "Yes, I like that idea son. Harvard is a very good school."

  "Like you, I want to finish at the top of my class. Mom told me," he said shyly."

  Joel laughed. He reached out and squeezed his son's arm. He said, "Son you're still young yet and so am I. I know you think 39 is old, but another thirty years isn't unreasonable to think I'll be around. Another piece of advice is don't be in a hurry. Let it flow naturally. Most people are in a hurry and run right past things they should have seen. The good Lord gave us two eyes and not just one in the middle of our face. He also gave us two ears so as not to miss hearing anything on either side of us. Take advantage of what you have and use it to better yourself."

  "Father I will remember what you said. I can see out the window we are traveling across land where few if anyone lives. I never realized how big our country is. Some of the land looks very fertile and some looks like a desert. What does Denver look like?"

  "Well, Denver is very high at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. It's cold there most of the year with a lot of snow in the winter time. Mostly cattle and horse ranches are seen there. The city itself is growing and I plan to invest heavily in property this trip. Apparently your Aunt Beth wants to sell her ranch and we intend to buy it from her. She wants to travel to Europe. Let's see what else can I tell you. I think big is a good word. You can see for miles. Gold and silver were big, but not so much nowadays. Another thing nice about the area is the air is pure and clean along with the water. You'll see what I mean when we get there."

  "Father, tell me a little about my grandmother and grandfather."

  "Your grandfather is a big time banker and owns some prime property in Denver. Your grandmother keeps the house running and is now involved in community work as I understand it. They raised me since I was eight years old. When I was fifteen I moved out and lived in a room over the stage office. My friend, the Old Man, has been like a second father to me. He is not well these days. We must look after him the best we can. I own the property where the stage office and sheriff's office is. Wells Fargo runs the stage line now and has an office elsewhere. Oh, back to your grandfather. He's a nice guy, but a little high minded. I think you'll like the both of them very well."

  "Thanks father. I'll go read now. I'm supposed to find something for my spoiled sister to eat, but she can come find what she wants."

  Joel watched him leave and noticed how tall and stout Junior was becoming. He reached up to his hair to remind him that his hair was becoming thinner by the year.

  Bessie and the kids were very excited to arrive in
Denver. Being cooped up in a train for days on end; indeed made them all a little grouchy. Now the train came to a halt at the new train station in Denver. Marlene was holding Jane Beth's hand while Bessie was waving her arms off at her mother and father. Beth was standing alongside waving a white handkerchief while the other hand held a parasol. Joel thought that the older the twins got the more beautiful they were.

  Hugs and handshakes were the order. Junior was just as tall as his grandfather and shook his hand like a man. The plan after one day staying at the grandparent's house was to transfer out to the ranch with Beth. But for now a local beef had been butchered for steaks. A party with selected folks was going to take place that evening.

  A large buggy carried the two families to their new home. Their new house sat on a corner taking up a large portion of the corner block. Even to Joel it looked rather ostentatious. The only occupants were the grandparents and Louise the cook. She no longer did the housekeeping as a small staff kept the place spotless.

  Jane Beth was all eyes and very quiet. She kept looking at her grandparents. Grandmother smiled warmly, but grandfather was talking a mile a minute to Joel. Jane Beth observed her grandmother was dressed very nicely; like ladies in New York. Then she looked around as they rode through town and she didn't see anyone dressed like her grandmother. Also she had a big ring on her finger that sparkled from the warm sun of the afternoon. It was that necklace with white rocks looking things hanging down between her two mounds that looked funny to her.

  Her gaze turned to her grandfather. He was a very nice looking man with silver white hair. He too was dressed like men she saw in New York, but didn't see here. Mostly she saw plane dark colored suits on men walking on the streets. Also there were lots of kids running up and down the board walks chasing each other. It looked like they were having fun. She wanted to run with them. Being stuck on that train made her want to run and then run some more.

  She heard her grandfather say, "Joel my boy, I've a sweet deal for you. My friend Ralph is coming over this evening and he has some nice property for you to look at."

  Her father said, "I'm here to look and see what is what Carl. Let's first get the family situated and then we can do some looking around. I want to take the kids to Golden for a two day excursion. Also, I've very concerned about the Old Man at the stage office. I hear he is not well."

  "I checked on him before you arrived Joel. I knew you would want to know his latest condition. He has a nurse with him every day and at night too. He has breathing problems and is kind of grey looking. The doctor said it's not consumption but another lung disease. I'm sorry Joel; he won't last much longer they say." Joel didn't respond as he sat there thinking about how much he liked that Old Man.

  Joel remembered the day the Old Man said, "Sonny, you're what now, fifteen? I think it's time you moved out of the girl's house. I've a room upstairs where you can live. It's not much, but it's a roof over your head. All you have to do is sweep the office here out and dust a bit and then we'll call it even." Joel smiled as they approached their destination.

  The back yard was impressive with shrubs as a fence around the whole back and side area. A concrete patio with two large wood picnic tables sat on each side of the patio area. At the back of the patio sat a BBQ big enough for half a beef. Today two hindquarters were being slowly turned by the yard man. Numerous chairs, the latest from back east, made a guest want to sit down. Side tables to hold drinks and ash trays were partners of each set of two chairs. Next to the back door a bar was available for whatever whets your mouth.

  Joel and Carl, with Junior listening, talked business. They talked about the price of cattle, horses and ranch land. Then the talk moved to Denver city. Carl said, "Joel, the population now is over 100,000. When you came here it was around 2,000. Silver is the mineral of choice these days. Property prices are rising quickly. My business friend Ralph Mosely will be her soon. He will fill you in on the market.

  Sometime later the twins came down and Jane Beth held her grandmother's hand. Mable still did the cooking, but had lots of help these days. As the family sat down, the talk went to the ranch and Beth. Joel asked, Beth what are your plans?"

  "Believe it or not, I'm going to Europe and find me a husband. First I want to go to Greece, the Italy and on to Spain and Portugal. After that I've no idea," she said and broke out laughing. Her gaiety was catching. Soon they were all laughing and having a good time. Joel was little sad when the gaiety ceased with the arrival of a stoic Ralph Mosely. He was tall, very tall with a big nose. Jane Beth held her grandmother's hand in a death grip. This man scared her. Joel shook hands with him and noted he was not weak. He never smiled but his eyes were warm and friendly. Joel did notice he liked whisky as did Carl. The two were obviously friends and business partners. After the small talk, Ralph said, "I know you just arrived Joel. Let's wait a day or two and then let me show you some prime property. Carl here is always anxious to put a deal together, but we have lots of time. Let's eat, drink and be merry as the saying goes."

  Joel was feeling more comfortable with Ralph and Jane Beth warmed up a little. They feasted on prime beef, potatoes and fresh vegetables that struggled to grown at over a mile high. Even in the summer as the sun went to bed in the west, it grew chilly. All decided to call it an early night and went to bed.

  Joel and Bessie had their own spacious room with a bathroom equipped with the latest in toilets. In the basement a wood heater made the bath water nice and hot. Bessie soaked in the tub while Joel wrote out some wires to send the next day.

  Bessie called Joel in and soon they were squeezed into the tub together. He said, "Honey, this was a good idea, but let's go find the bed where there's more room to do the things we like when making love. Oh by the way, I do love you."

  Bessie jumped up and took a towel to dry him off. He returned the favor. It didn't take long to turn the lights out and then it was feel your way around time. After all these years, they both knew how to please the other partner. It was never sex, but love in its truest form. That night in Denver a tender bout of lovemaking was experienced. When it was finished, both went to sleep with contentment.

  *******

  The next day they packed up and moved to the Bar - B ranch. Both Joel and Bessie were pleased to see Jane Beth really excited. The opposite was Junior, but he was always the silent one; like his father. His eyes missed nothing. Soon they pulled up in front of the sprawling ranch house. The bunkhouse was attached to the main house making it appear that the ranch house was bigger than it actually was. Regardless, the main house had six bedrooms, a study/library, dining room and a very large kitchen. Bessie found out from her sister than she had a staff of four and ranch hands were ten total.

  Joel left the twins alone and he took the kids, with the ranch boss leading the way. He was to show the new owners the horse stock. Joel saw an orderly ranch with not much clutter around. The horse stables were clean with a new hay smell. Joel told the cowboy, Ringo Moon, that the kids had never ridden a horse before. Ringo said, with a Texas accent, "Never mind Mr. Stanten, we've got what is needed for both of your kids."

  After walking into the stable, Jane Beth said, "My father, this is very nice and it smells so good. How many horses are there Mr. Ringo?"

  "All told," he rubbed his chin and twirled his long - handle moustache, "we have about 40 head. All of our horses are quarter horses. Quarter horses are the quickest of all horses. They're the best for cow work. If you hang around long enough, we'll show you what we mean." Ringo walked down the middle of the stable with horses on both sides of the walkway. Two young boys, about Juniors age were cleaning the stalls and feeding the horses.

  About half way down he stopped at a stall. He opened the door and a young pony stood there staring at Jane Beth. She was an off grey with big brown eyes. Her ears stood straight up and then she pawed the hay under her hooves. Jane Beth was holding onto her father's hand so tightly he thought she might hurt her hand. Then she let go of his hand and slowly walked i
nto the stall. Ringo went with her saying, "Not to worry Mr. Stanten, she is quite safe with this pony."

  Jane Beth held out her hand and the pony bent down and sniffed her hand. Ringo gave Jane Beth a sugar cube and she fed it to what became her horse. In one swift movement, Ringo picked Jane Beth up and sat her on the back of the pony. Joel had never seen her so happy. Ringo showed her where to hold on to the tuff of mane. Then he put a short rope around her neck. After that he led the horse out of the stall, down to the door and gate that led to the arena.

  Joel and Junior both watched Jane Beth go around in circles at a walk. Ringo was talking to both the horse and to the rider at the same time. Jane Beth looked at her father and waved with one hand with a smile that never left her face. Joel wished Bessie was here and his wish was rewarded as she walked up and stuck her arm through his. "My goodness, is that our daughter on the back of that pony," she said loud enough for Jane Beth to hear her.

  "Yes, mommy, it's me on Grey Shadow. She's my horse because Ringo said she was mine if I wanted her. He also told me having a horse is a lot of work. I must brush, feed and water every day. I can do it mommy. Ringo told me this afternoon I get a real cowboy saddle to sit on."

  Joel and Bessie were proud as peacocks. Joel said, "Junior do you want to take riding lesson?"

  "Yes, father I do. I've been reading where real cowboys can rope a steer and put it to the ground to brand it. I think I'm almost big enough to give it a try. What do you think?"

  "I never could rope and be a cowboy. For me it was enough that I could ride. I love to ride horses, but it's kind of hard on the backside after a few hours," he said laughing. I've sent word and you have five horses to choose from when Ringo finishes with your sister."

  Ringo lifted Jane Beth off her horse. She ran to the pole fence and climbed up to hug her parents. She said, "Ringo says I must have cowboy boots to ride mommy?"