“Very well.” Lawrence rose from his seat and retrieved a scroll from behind him. He unrolled what she now recognized as a crudely sketched map. Several notes with names had been written along lines drawn in all directions. He studied the map in silence, rubbing the stubble on his pointy chin. “Most of the routes have been filled.”
Mayme’s heart sank as she stared wordlessly at the map.
“However,” he said, running his finger over the parchment. “There’s a route to Oro Fino Creek that needs a rider. A man named Pierce discovered gold up there and now there’s enough settlers up there for a mail delivery.”
“I’ll take it,” Mayme said quickly.
Lawrence inspected her over his spectacles. “Hold on there, son. This here route runs through some pretty rough country.” Mayme just kept her steady gaze on him. “And it’s a year round job you know. Snow gets deep up there. It may be more of a job for a man.”
Mayme shrugged and said in a firm voice, “I can handle it. When can I start?”
Lawrence acknowledged her acceptance by sliding a piece of paper and pencil in her direction. “Do you know how to read and write?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Then write your name and who to contact in case something happens to you.”
Mayme had excelled in and was quite proud of her penmanship. However she knew she had to tone it down quite a bit so it wouldn’t look so feminine. So she chose to use rudimentary letters instead of cursive. On a whim she used Adams as her last name. It didn’t take much thought to write Mr. Smart down as her contact.
Lawrence nodded as she returned the paper and pencil.
“Very good.” He handed her another paper. “Raise your right hand and read this aloud. It’s an oath to hold you to your responsibilities.”
Mayme picked it up, raised her right hand, and began. “I, Nathan Adams, do hereby swear before the Great and Living God, that while I am an employee of the United States Post, I will under no circumstances use profane language, that I will refrain from consuming any intoxicating drinks, that I will not quarrel or fight with any other employee of the United States Post, and that in every respect, I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties, and so direct all my acts as to win the confidence of my employer, so help me God.”
“So help you, God,” he repeated. “Excellent. Now come back tomorrow. I’ll give you a map of your route. If you’re lucky you’ll be riding by next week.”
Mayme’s heart beat fast. A lightness spread through her chest as reality took hold. “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” She turned on her heel and barely managed to walk out without a yell of triumph, although her walk became a fast-paced strut once her feet hit the dirt.
She couldn’t wait to tell Iris and Mr. Smart. Then she remembered there were a few other people who might not be as excited when she shared the news.
THE CLOSER SHE got to home, the less eager she became in regards to facing Mrs. Randall. She wondered if Iris had mentioned anything to her. In a way she wouldn’t have at all minded. Then she might not have had to deal Mrs. Randall’s imminent disapproval. But no, she decided, she’d have to be mature enough to face her on her own.
The house was quiet as she walked through the front door. This came as no surprise as it was only mid-afternoon. She peeked into the parlor on her way past, but the room was vacant.
Quiet voices came down the hall from the kitchen. The delectable smell of a roast wafted throughout. Her mouth watered and her stomach clenched in hunger. Until now her nerves and excitement had dampened her appetite.
She walked through the kitchen entrance, and Mrs. Randall stopped speaking in mid-sentence. Annie’s giggle came to an abrupt halt and the smile melted from her face. They both openly stared at her with their mouths hanging open.
“You’ll catch flies like that,” Mayme jokingly said with Nathan’s voice.
Mrs. Randall gaped once and swallowed hard. “Annie, leave us.”
Annie remained frozen to the spot, holding a spoon over a pot of peeled potatoes.
“Annie. At once.”
Mrs. Randall’s voice was steely enough to motivate Annie to spring into action. She dropped the spoon and continued to stare at Mayme as she sidestepped to the door. She took one last look at her before fleeing down the hall. Mayme guessed she’d spend the next hour or so searching in vain for a housemate to tell. She felt safe in knowing Annie didn’t know anyone outside the home. Iris would make sure her secret stayed within the walls of the house.
If not for the cold expression on Mrs. Randall’s face, Mayme would’ve thought the situation comical. But sadly, it was anything but.
“Would you like to explain yourself, young lady?”
“Yes, ma’am. I got a job as a post rider for the postal service. But I had to disguise myself as a boy in order to get it.”
Mrs. Randall clamped her jaw. “I see,” she said through set teeth. She cleared her throat, pulled a chair out from the table and sat down. “First of all, do you realize how ridiculous you look? Honestly, Mayme, you look like an unschooled ranch hand. What have you done to your beautiful hair?”
“Iris cut—”
“You involved my daughter in this mockery? I thought I made myself clear that you were to act like a sensible young woman. You’re a disgrace, Miss Watson. I cannot allow you to set such a hideous example for the other girls, most of all Iris. I most definitely do not want her getting ideas in her head that reflect anything equally as absurd and outrageous.”
For just an instant, Mayme felt herself folding under the stern discipline. It was an ingrained habit and she couldn’t help herself, but something deep within her rebelled. It was her life, her decision. Gone were the days when she was forced to seek approval from an adult or maintain an air of wealth and act like a lady.
“I appreciate your concern. Maybe if I were Iris’s mother, I’d share the same apprehension. But in the end I would hope I’d encourage my daughter to be who and what she wants and not try to hold her back.”
Mrs. Randall’s eyes bored into her own. Her continued agitation was evident by the constant drumming of her fingers on the table.
“I’m going to ride and deliver mail. I’ve already taken the oath and signed the papers.”
“I obviously can’t stop you. It’s plain you’re too hard headed to see any reason. But I will not allow you, under any circumstances to have contact with the other girls.”
“Are you kicking me out?” Mayme’s mind raced as a strand of uncertainty tried to take hold.
“I wouldn’t be held as so cruel. You will take your meals separately. You will leave this house in the morning before anyone rises and upon your return stay confined to your room until the others retire. I will make sure an evening meal is set outside your door. Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Mayme silently prayed she’d be in the saddle sooner than what she’d been told. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to cope living under the prison-like conditions Mrs Randall was enforcing.
LATER THAT EVENING, as Mayme lay in bed, she fought to not feel sorry for herself. It was difficult not being able to share her news with the others. And she missed Iris. They’d grown closer while conspiring. Iris was the sister she’d never had.
A light scratching preceded the door opening a crack.
“Are you awake?” Iris said in quiet whisper.
“Yes.” Mayme sat up and straightened her covers.
Iris disappeared for a moment and then slipped through the door. She gave Mayme a devilish smile and joined her on bed.
“You shouldn’t be in here. What if your mom catches you?”
“It’ll be okay. She’s asleep. I saw her sneak some whiskey into her tea tonight after she told us we were supposed to stay away from you for a while. She said you had some contagious disease and we weren’t supposed to tell anyone. Annie had a stupid grin on her face the whole night.”
Mayme shook her head. “I’m sure she did. She was i
n the kitchen with your mom when I came home, so she knows what I look like.” She gasped. “I can’t believe your mom lied outright like that.”
“I know. She’s a proud woman and sometimes it gets the better of her.” Iris bounced up and down and her eyes got big. “Tell me. Did Mr. Smart recognize you? And oh! You got the job, right?”
“Yeah, he recognized me all right. He wasn’t happy at first, but it all turned out okay. Getting the route was pretty easy, actually. The man bought my act, hook, line, and sinker.”
“When do you start?” Iris’ excitement was contagious.
Mayme leaned forward and grasped Iris’ arm. “Hopefully next week. But I have a lot to do before then. I need to get a horse and saddle and stuff.”
“I guess it’s just your luck that a herd of horses came into the sale lot this afternoon. I don’t know a lot about horses, but there sure are some pretty ones there.”
Mayme chuckled. “Pretty doesn’t get you far if they don’t have good legs. I’ll see if Mr. Smart will come with me to have a look at them tomorrow.”
“I have to go, in case Mom gets up to use the outhouse. I’ll come back tomorrow night.”
“Okay. Be careful.” Mayme gave Iris a quick hug and then she was gone.
Iris’s visit had instilled some joy in an otherwise bleak evening. And tomorrow she might be buying a horse. I sure hope there’s some good ones there.
Chapter Thirteen
MAYME AND MR. Smart rested their arms across the top railing of the holding pen. The forty horses stood lazily in the early morning sun. Their heads dripped low. A couple swished their tails in agitation as a bay yearling colt trotted by and faked a buck as he passed. His eyes were alert and had a mischievous gleam in them.
“He looks like he’d be a handful,” Mayme said.
“My guess is he’s not gelded yet.” Mr. Smart shoved his hat farther down on his head to block the sun on his face.
A wagon on which a pile of hay sat precariously, rattled up alongside the fence. It was pulled by a flea-bitten grey. Mayme assumed this was a normal job as he ignored the horses in the paddock. Armed with a pitchfork, the man speared the hay and threw it over the fence in separate piles. The horses hurried in a sudden surge to get their share.
“Hi, Fred. Looking for some new blood to put in your herd?”
“Good morning, Tom. I’m not, but my friend here is. Sh-He’ll be riding for the post, so we’re looking for a horse that’s hardy and can do the miles.”
“Ah, right. Well, there’s a couple of them in there that might meet his needs. That black one with the white blaze is nice. My first pick would be the chestnut with the four white socks, but it looks like she bowed a tendon sometime in the past.”
“What about that blue roan?” Mayme climbed higher onto the fence and pointed. “She looks solid as they come.” She looked down at Mr. Smart. “Can we go look at her?”
“Hey, Tom. You mind if we check out that roan in there?”
“Have at it. She’s a nice one and broke good. I don’t know if she’s been bred or not. My guess is no. I think that’s the one Madison said wouldn’t let the stud near her. So she was no good to him.”
Mayme climbed over the fence and dropped to the ground before the man had finished talking.
The mare seemed to notice Mayme’s approach immediately. Strands of hay hung out both sides of her mouth. She chewed methodically and flared her nostrils to gain Mayme’s scent.
The horse remained alert but calm as Mayme came to stand at her side. Her ears twitched forward and the one on the nearest side twisted toward her. Mayme put her hand on the muscled neck. The mare didn’t flinch other than to bring her head lower and watch Mayme with a kind liquid-brown eye. Mayme knew this as a good sign.
She stood back and assessed the mare’s condition. Her ribs were covered with a thin layer of fat, but were visible when she took a deep breath. Her nicely shaped neck blended into strong shoulders, which led to a short back and toward powerful haunches.
Her conformation was correct. So much so that Mayme knew she’d be a comfortable ride. She ran her hands down the mare’s legs. Everything seemed perfect. Until she came to her feet. All four striped hooves were overgrown and ragged around the edges.
“Looks like she has some Appaloosa in her.” Mr Smart crouched down beside Mayme. “Those cracks are only cosmetic. If you end up buying her, we’ll get some shoes put on her and she’ll be fine. Appaloosas have notoriously good feet. Having been in a big herd, these just haven’t been cared for properly.”
The mare sniffed Mayme’s neck and nudged her gently.
“I think she’s taken a liking to you.” Mr. Smart stood up and ran his hands over her back. “She’s strong. A good brushing would do her good.” He lifted the mare’s top lip and examined her teeth. “She looks to be about five or six years old. Heck, May-Nathan, if you don’t buy her, I will.”
Mayme got up and went to the horse’s head. She stroked the mare’s face from her forehead down to her jowls. There was something maternal about this horse. When she looked into the mare’s eyes and saw brown softness she made her mind up. She wanted her.
“How much do you suppose she is?”
“No idea. I’ll go ask Tom and see what they’re asking.” He patted her on the shoulder. “I don’t think I’d worry much about you on the trail aboard this one. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Neither Mayme nor the mare paid any attention as Mr. Smart walked away.
“Hey, big girl. What do you think? Want to run through the mountains with me?” Mayme blew softly into her nostrils and was pleased when the mare rubbed her upper lip against her cheek.
Mr. Smart rubbed the back of his neck as he walked back a few minutes later.
“Uh oh. You don’t look like you have good news for me.” Mayme pressed her lips tightly and frowned. A feeling of dread overcame her. She took a deep breath and waited for the disappointment.
“Can you afford twenty dollars?” Mr. Smart squinted painfully.
“That’s all she’s going to cost?”
“Well, Tom said they were looking to get a hundred for her. But he said if I threw in a breeding to Cloud, you could have her for twenty.”
Mayme’s eyes misted. “So she’s nearly mine?”
“Yep. You just have to hand over the twenty note. There is one problem though.”
Mayme scanned the horse, wondering what could possibly be wrong with her. She looked at Mr. Smart with raised eyebrows.
“You don’t have a name for her yet.”
Mayme blew out a breath and rubbed her cheek. “Geez. You scared me. But you’re right.” She took two steps back and scanned the mare’s hide. Her roaning pattern was unlike anything she’d ever seen. Her black-based coat was dusted with little flecks of white. The mingling of the white and black caused a blue sheen to cover her body. Her head and lower legs were black which complemented the silver of her mane and tail.
Mayme smiled and nodded. “Her name is Duster,” she said proudly.
THEY TOOK DUSTER to the livery and arranged to have shoes put on, and rented a stall for her. Mr. Smart had offered to take Duster to his farm, but Mayme wanted her close by so they could get to know each other. She cringed at paying the fifty cents per day, but she knew it was only temporary.
Mayme purchased a saddle and bridle at the livery as well. She didn’t want to leave her newly acquired tack at the stable, nor could she take them home. So she accepted Mr. Smart’s offer to keep it in the back room at the mercantile. That way they wouldn’t be so difficult to carry the short distance to the livery, and it would give her the opportunity to give them a good oiling before she hit the trail.
She left Mr. Smart to run the store. She felt bad that he might have lost some business due to opening late, but she was pleased he’d been with her that morning. If not for the adventures that lie ahead of her, she might’ve been sadder at not working alongside Mr. Smart.
Like the day before, she had
to allow the postmaster to finish waiting on people wishing to send telegraphs or conduct other business. She sat on the step outside and watched the wind build mini twisters with the dust.
“You may come in now, Mr. Adams.”
It took Mayme a second to realize that he was calling for her.
She scrambled to her feet and trotted inside.
“Hello, sir.”
Lawrence nodded and smiled at her briefly. “Since you’ve returned, I’m guessing you still wish to honor the position.”
“Yes, sir. I thought it was a sure thing when I took the oath.”
“Well, lad, you’d be surprised how many fellows come in and do just that. Then they never show up again because their mothers have talked them out of it or they decide they’re not brave enough.”
Lawrence rummaged under the counter and pulled out what looked like a saddlebag with extra leather.
“This is your mochila.” He held it up. “It’s specially designed to carry mail. The hole in the front fits over the saddle horn and the slit fits over the cantle behind you. These boxes, the cantines stay locked at all times as this is where the mail is kept.”
Mayme took the mochila from Lawrence and looked at the small leather boxes. Each was already locked.
“Is there mail in here already?”
“Oddly, yes. Some letters were diverted from yesterday’s train. I’ve already sent off a telegraph to Oro Fino Creek and they’ll be expecting you by the end of next week.” Lawrence handed her a folded parchment. “This is the map to guide you there. Mind you, there is no specific route as of yet. The majority of trails that lead into Oro Fino come from the east, so you’ll have to find your way.”
“Okay.” Mayme felt a moment of indecision. She ran her hands down the front of her trousers. “Well . . .”
“Are you having second thoughts?” Lawrence narrowed his eyes at her.
She inhaled deeply through her nose and exhaled through her mouth. This is what I wanted, what my heart called for. I can do this. And besides, I won’t be alone. I have Duster . . . and my guns.
After a Time Page 11