Mail Order Marshal

by George H. McVey

  One of the men outside the office spoke up. “All the deputies you have right now, Marshal, were hired by Charles Little. He fired all of us who were deputies before.”

  Alexzander looked at the two men standing behind the desk. “Is that true? Did this man hire you to work for him?”

  “What if he did? Were still deputies.”

  Alexzander shook his head., “No, you aren’t. The people of this town didn’t hire him, and they didn’t hire you. Take those badges off and lay them on the desk.”

  The one who’d been speaking looked at Alexzander with the hardened eyes of a criminal. “And what if we don’t?”

  Alexzander sighed and pointed his pistol at the quiet deputy. “You go open that first cell, leave the key in the lock, and back up to the desk again.”

  The man did as he was told but, like the other, his eyes stayed focused on Alexzander with malicious intent. Alexzander pulled Little to the cell and shoved him in, shutting the cell and locking the door before dropping the cell keys into his varmint pouch.

  “Here’s the deal, fellas; you can take off those badges and put them on the desk and walk out of here, get on the next train and leave town, or I’ll put you both in that cell with Little until after my wedding when I have time to check the wanted posters to see if I have any with your faces on them. Or we can go with the third option and you can attempt to pull your guns, at which point I’ll shoot you both and let the undertaker tote you to the cemetery. Time to decide.”

  The two men looked at each other and then slowly took off the badges and placed them on the desk. “Leave any keys you have to the building as well.”

  They both dropped a key on the desk and walked out. Alexzander turned to the crowd outside the door. “If the man who used to be a deputy for Marshal Hardin is still there, I’d like to speak with him.”

  There was some shuffling and in walked a man who had the look of a seasoned lawman about him. “You were Marshal Hardin’s deputy?”

  The man nodded, “One of them, yes.”

  “How many did he have?”

  “Six, same as Little did.”

  “All of you were let go when Little took over?”

  The man nodded, “Yep. He said he needed men who were loyal to him, not to Ike Hardin, so he fired us all.”

  Alexzander nodded. “Let me tell you what’s going on. The city council and Betsy Pike arranged for me to come here from back east to marry Miss Pike and become the marshal here in town. My first order of business was to be my wedding which is happening in two hours, and then I was to be sworn in as Marshal and arrest that polecat right there,” Alexzander pointed into the cell. “As I was meeting my bride-to-be I had the pleasure of having him place himself right in my hands, so I’ve arrested him. Now I need to go get ready for my wedding. I’d like to reinstate you as deputy if you’ll stay and keep an eye on him and make sure any of his deputies that come by know they are now out of a job. Let them know I’ll be checking the papers for warrants tomorrow, as well. Can you do that? I’ll try to find someone to spell you tonight; tomorrow morning we’ll talk about duties and getting the rest of the deputies back.”

  The other man shook Alexzander’s hand. “I’ll stay and mind the shop. Most of Ike’s deputies have moved on, but Roy Rogers and I went to work at the Bennett Ranch. If you send someone to watch the prisoner tonight, I’ll go out to the ranch and bring Roy back with me tomorrow.”

  Alexzander nodded, "Sounds good to me. What’s your name, deputy?”

  The man smiled, “Yeah, might be best if you could tell the mayor who you left in charge, huh? Name's Eugene Autry; most folks just call me Gene.”

  “I’ll have someone come see you before supper, so you can get on home tonight. If Roy and you both want your badges back permanently, come see me tomorrow but not too early. I’m getting married today, you know.”

  The man laughed. “Yeah, and knowing Miss Pike, she won’t be none too happy if you leave too early.”

  Alexzander reached into his bag and put the cell door keys and both of Charles's guns on the desk. “Get those things put up while you’re here. And thanks again.”

  The other man nodded, and Alexzander headed to the mercantile. As much as he loved his buckskins, he knew he’d need to clean up and look a bit more western in this job. He’d just save his favorite clothes for his time off.

  After grabbing a couple of pairs of jeans and western shirts, a pair of good boots and a Stetson hat, he picked up a pair of dress pants, a white shirt, and a brown leather vest. After thanking the mercantile owner for directions to the barber, Alexzander headed there to get cleaned up. He’d get a shave and haircut for his wedding and then rush back to the hotel for a quick bath. He’d gotten himself a down right gorgeous bride and he wanted to make her eyes sparkle with desire when she saw him, too. He’d never thought he’d give up his mountain man ways for a woman, but he guessed his stepfather had been right after all. It just took the right woman. Betsy Pike, soon to be Betsy Sewell, had stolen his heart the moment she’d told him she was his bride. When she pulled him back into that second kiss, he knew he was a goner. She had him, heart and soul.

  Six

  Betsy stood in the parlor of the parsonage pacing back and forth waiting for time to cross to the church and walk down the aisle. Her best friend Maude. who lived with the two spinster sisters at their home for single women. watched her closely. “Betsy, come sit down; your making me dizzy with all that back and forth.”

  “I can’t sit; it will ruin my dress.”

  Maude shook her head. “I’ve never seen you this worked up, Betsy. What has gotten into you?”

  Betsy looked at her. “What if he decides not to marry me?”

  “Why would he decide that?”

  “He’s already caught Mr. Little and put him in jail. The town council will make him Marshal whether he marries me or not.”

  Betsy’s friend stood in front of her and took her by the shoulders. “What is really wrong? I know you don’t for a second believe your mail order groom is going to jilt you at the altar, so why are you so discombobulated?”

  Betsy sighed, “He kissed me!”

  “Okay. So? I mean he’s about to marry you, I think he’s going to do more than kiss you.”

  “No, you don’t understand!”

  “What? He's a bad kisser?”

  Betsy shook her head. “No, that’s the problem. It was the best kiss of my entire life.”

  Maude laughed, “Well, honey, I think that’s a good thing, not a bad one.”

  Betsy hung her head and whispered. “It was so much better than Ike’s kisses.”

  “Ah! Now I understand. You feel guilty because he makes you feel things Ike didn’t.”

  Betsy nodded.

  “I hate to break it to you, Betsy, but Ike’s dead. He’s never going to be your husband.”

  Betsy’s head snapped up and fire burned in her eyes. “Don’t you think I know that, Maude?”

  Maude smiled. “I don’t know that you do, Betsy Pike. You act like you’re expecting him to come back at any moment and take you to task for giving your heart to another. But that’s not going to happen. You felt something when your new fiancé kissed you, something you’ve never felt with anyone, including Ike Hardin, but that’s good since you’re about to marry this guy. Ike would want you to be happy Betsy. He’d want you to fall in love again. So, stop feeling like you did something wrong.”

  Just then there was a knock on the door and Betsy’s dad stuck his head in the door. “Why look at you, my Sweet Betsy Pike! You’re as lovely as yer ma was on our weddin’ day.”

  “Thank you, Papa.”

  “Well, your groom’s standing up in front of the church aside Reverend Bates, so let’s get you hitched. What do ya say?”

  Betsy took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

  Her father gave her his arm and Maude lifted her dress train and they walked over to the church. Once inside, Maude quickly walked down the aisle to the
front where she would stand with Betsy. Fannie Pearl began to play the wedding march. As Betsy started down the aisle, she looked up where her groom stood and gasped. Her father looked at her funny. “What’s wrong?”

  “He shaved!”

  Zeke frowned “Who shaved?”

  "Alexzander, my groom. He looked like a trapper when he came by the house earlier. Now he’s shaved.”

  Zeke smiled. “Maybe he wanted to impress you on your wedding day.”

  “But how did he have time with capturing Charles and putting him in jail? He got all cleaned up.”

  “That’s what men do for the right woman, darlin’, they clean up. Now stop talking and smile pretty for that husband of yers.”

  Betsy closed her mouth and did as her father told her. She didn’t take her eyes off her new husband. He sure cleaned up good. She’d thought him handsome before with the dirt and facial hair. Now in a tight fitted shirt and pants that hugged his hips, with a smooth face and a ready smile, he was the most enticing man she’d ever seen, and he could kiss better than anyone she’d ever kissed. Betsy’s smile grew as she realized that maybe Maude was right; maybe she could fall in love with this perfect specimen of a man.

  She stood beside him now and her father gave Alexzander her hand. When he touched her that tingle of heat raced through her again from the point of contact. All she could think about was Alexzander kissing her again as soon as the Reverend told him too.

  Alexzander’s world shrank to one tiny point of focus, the beautiful woman walking down the aisle towards him. Betsy, on her way to be his wife. He'd never seen a more gorgeous woman. As she looked into his eyes and her smile broadened, he felt himself stand tall and puff his chest out more. In just a few hours, this woman made him want to be more, to do better. For her, he would become a better man, a stronger man, a more capable man. For Betsy, he would give up his wandering ways and settle down. He wanted nothing more than to hold her in his arms and kiss her goodnight before slipping off to sleep and then wake up with her still in his arms and kiss her good morning.

  Soon, she stood in front of him and the reverend began the ceremony. “We are gathered here today to witness the joining of two lives in Holy Matrimony. While this is a marriage made up of necessity and correspondence, I want to stress to both of you today if you follow God’s word it can become something more than that. The Word of God tells us that no greater love has a man than this, he would lay down his life for another. If you put each other's needs and wants first, love can and will grow between you.

  Let the words of First Corinthians Thirteen guide you: ‘Love is patient, love is kind, it isn't jealous, it doesn't brag, it isn't arrogant, it isn't rude, it doesn't seek its own advantage, it isn't irritable, it doesn't keep a record of complaints, it isn't happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things. Love never fails’. Follow these guidelines and you will find a love that surpasses any dream."

  He continued, “Who gives this woman to be wed?”

  Betsy’s father stepped up beside his daughter, “Her father does.”

  The preacher smiled and nodded, and Mr. Pike sat down in the front row.

  “If there be anyone here who can show just cause why these two should not be married, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”

  Not a word was said, and Alexzander thought the reverend waited too long for someone to make a complaint. Finally, he went on.

  “Do you, Alexzander Sewell, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold in sickness and in health, in want and in plenty, for better or worse? Do you vow to comfort her, protect her, and provide for her, forsaking all others till death doth part you?”

  Alexzander smiled and looked into Betsy’s eyes and felt that connection between them burst to life. “I do.”

  The reverend turned to Betsy. “Do you, Betsy Pike, take this man to be your husband? To have and to hold in sickness and in health, in want and in plenty, for better or worse? Do you vow to care for him, to obey him, to cleave to him, forsaking all others till death doth part you?”

  Betsy took a deep breath; he could see the pain in her eyes and knew she was thinking of the love taken from her. With a shaky breath, she said, “I do”

  The preacher looked at Alexzander. “Do you have a ring?”

  Alexzander nodded and reached into his vest pocket and pulled out the ring he’d bought at the mercantile earlier. “Place it on her finger and say, “With this ring, I thee wed".”

  Alexzander slid the simple band made of woven rose gold, yellow gold, and silver onto Betsy’s finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

  “By the authority bestowed on me by God, the church, and the state of Oregon, I now pronounce you man and wife. What God has joined together let no man separate.” The reverend looked at Alexzander and for the first time smiled. "Mister Sewell, you may kiss your bride.”

  Alexzander pulled Betsy into his arms and his lips descended to hers but before he could seal them together, the back door banged open and a man ran in. “There’s been a jail break and Gene Autry and Doctor Hamilton have been shot!”

  Everyone started talking at once. A young woman in the middle of the church, who looked of partial Indian heritage, pushed to the door yelling, “Bring them to the apothecary so I can tend to them.”

  Everyone stopped at the man’s next words. “Miss Hattie, I’m sorry; Doctor Hamilton is dead.”

  The woman paled then nodded her head. “Then bring Gene as quick as you can. I’ll do what I can.”

  Alexzander placed a quick kiss on Betsy’s lips and then strode up on the platform and whistled loud and long causing everyone to turn to him. “I’m going to need three things right away. First, I need a member of the Town Council to swear me in right now. Second, I need a revolver and holster. Finally, I need ten men who can ride well, shoot straight, and follow orders, to meet me at the jail to form a posse.”

  A man came forward carrying a rolled-up gun rig with a Colt Peacemaker in the holster. “I’m John Gilham, the gunsmith. Take this rig; if you want to keep it, pay me later. If you want to give it back, bring it to the gun shop.”

  Alexzander took the rig and put it on settling it. He wished he had time to go home and change. “Someone, go to the livery and tell the owner I need my horse saddled and ready to ride. It’s the big black one he took in this morning.”

  A young teen nodded and took off running. A gray-haired man approached him, “Welcome to town, Marshal Sewell. Sorry this happened on your wedding day. I’m Mayor Rhyan.”

  Alexander nodded. “Mayor, can you swear me in and quickly? I don’t want that pond scum to get away.”

  “Of course. Do you swear to uphold the law of the city of Silverpines and protect to the best of your ability it’s citizens?”

  “I do.”

  “Go get him.”

  Alexzander stepped back down to where Betsy was still standing, pulled her into his arms and placed a soul searing kiss on her lips. “I have a room at the hotel. Check in there so I know you’re safe.”

  She shook her head. “I’ll go home with Papa.”

  He shook his head. “No, Betsy. Little will expect you to go there. I need you safe. Go to the hotel. I’ll be back as soon as we catch him.”

  Then he ran out of the church, all the way to the livery stable. That’s the last time I go anywhere without my fighting gear, he thought. As he came to the stable, the clerk from the hotel was standing there holding his buckskins and gear. “I thought you might need these, Marshal.”

  Thank you. My wife will need to be let into our room. Please don’t let anyone know where she is staying till I return.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Alexander stepped into a stall and quickly shucked out of his church clothes and into his buckskins. He put on the holster, settled his knife and tomahawk on the other side, then picked up his rifle and stepped into the saddle. Time to tr
ack a killer and bring him in dead or alive.

  Seven

  Betsy was livid. Who did he think he was telling her what to do? There was no way she was going to go sit in an empty hotel room while he chased a killer across the countryside. She lifted the train of her wedding dress and stormed over to the parsonage where she quickly changed. Packing everything up, Betsy headed back to the house. She was no more than half a block down the street when her father came up beside her. “Where you headed, Betsy girl?”

  She glared at him. “I’m headed home.”

  Her father reached out and took hold of her arm, stopping her. “No yer not. Yer gonna do exactly what yer husband told ya to do and go to the hotel.”

  She turned to face him, showing the fire of her anger in her eyes. "No, I’m not. I’m going home; that man has no right to tell me what to do. I refuse to go hide in that hotel just because he said to.”

  Her father’s grip tightened. “Betsy Pike Sewell, you will do as yer husband has said. Not an hour ago ya stood in front of our friends, in the house of God and made a sacred vow before God hisself to obey yer husband. Did ya not?”

  “Yes, Papa, but that’s not what this is about.”

  Her father looked her in the eye. “Yes, it is what it’s about. Yer mad because he told ya to do something ya don’t want to do. However, he’s right and he has yer best interest at heart. Did ya ever stop ta think that Little did all this so that yer new husband would be forced to put together a posse on yer wedding day? That you’d go home, and he’d know where to find ya? Cause sure as shootin’ that husband ya sent fer did. So y’all go to the hotel and y’all will stay there ’til yer man comes back fer ya. I talked to the sisters and they’ve agreed to let Maude stay with ya. She’s at the house right now packing a bag fer ya. So, you get yer tail over to that hotel and stay. And while yer there stop and think about why yer so all fired ready to break yer weddin’ vows only an hour after taking them.”