Story Grace, Mercy and Blessings
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
If he finally reads the memo on his true worth in and to the new community
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#287
Chuck and Wyatt started out at a slow walk, coaxing the mares and young colts and fillies to follow. Mamas settled right in, but the frisky foals caused problems by zooming back and forth and circling the now nervous mamas trying to keep close track of their young'ins.
It took all day to make not many miles, but colts learned the hard way not to expend all their energy in a early morning frisk. The second day was better, and by the third day, colts walked docilly beside mama and behaved.
"How far do you think we have to go to reach St. Louis?"
"I'm guessing at least a hundred, a hundred and fifty miles. As far as I'm concerned, we may travel a few more miles by circumventing a lot of towns and staying off the beaten track; but I believe we are more likely to make it to St. Louis with our cargo." Chuck gave his opinion and Wyatt agreed.
"You just keep that Sheriff's star pinned on your shirt where all can see, and that may prevent any excess problems." Chuck favored the sheriff with a cheeky smile.
"You do know that it's worthless down here," Wyatt chuckled briefly. "I can't even impress Tess with my prowess as a lawman."
"Then be yourself and stop trying to be a big shot; look at it this way, she must like you, or she'd have told you to get lost a long time ago."
Wyatt was silent for a long time, pondering what Chuck had said. It made sense.
Not that he wanted to listen or take any advise concerning Tess, but he surely seemed to always have his foot in his mouth concerning her. Maybe he would listen, no body said he was hide bound to take the advise.
Chuck and Wyatt started out at a slow walk, coaxing the mares and young colts and fillies to follow. Mamas settled right in, but the frisky foals caused problems by zooming back and forth and circling the now nervous mamas trying to keep close track of their young'ins.
It took all day to make not many miles, but colts learned the hard way not to expend all their energy in a early morning frisk. The second day was better, and by the third day, colts walked docilly beside mama and behaved.
"How far do you think we have to go to reach St. Louis?"
"I'm guessing at least a hundred, a hundred and fifty miles. As far as I'm concerned, we may travel a few more miles by circumventing a lot of towns and staying off the beaten track; but I believe we are more likely to make it to St. Louis with our cargo." Chuck gave his opinion and Wyatt agreed.
"You just keep that Sheriff's star pinned on your shirt where all can see, and that may prevent any excess problems." Chuck favored the sheriff with a cheeky smile.
"You do know that it's worthless down here," Wyatt chuckled briefly. "I can't even impress Tess with my prowess as a lawman."
"Then be yourself and stop trying to be a big shot; look at it this way, she must like you, or she'd have told you to get lost a long time ago."
Wyatt was silent for a long time, pondering what Chuck had said. It made sense.
Not that he wanted to listen or take any advise concerning Tess, but he surely seemed to always have his foot in his mouth concerning her. Maybe he would listen, no body said he was hide bound to take the advise.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Chuck said that?!!? And there was a glimmer of cognition in Wyatt's skull!??!
Does that mean there's hope for Gary, the other reprobate too?!!?
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Big thank you Pac.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#288
Abby had been keeping trackof Donny and his healing or lack of healing, as she thought of it. He was frequently gently rubbing and scratching his chest, and rotating his shoulders back.
That night when they stopped, Abby questioned the young man and learned he was having trouble with the scars and scabs drying out and pulling.
The only thing she had to use for a softening agent was the lard pail. so she gave him a banty egg sized lump and had him coat his chest.
"I'll be on the look out for a sheep farm, chances are they will have lanolin salve, and you may smell like a sheep, but it's excellent for softening the skin." Abby promised.
The next time Donny got Jerry alone, he complained about 'sheep anything' and was met with Jerry's smirk and low laughter.
"Hey, if you don't want it, ... you tell her." Jerry was enjoying the discomfort plastered all over Donny's face.
"I can't." Donny mumbled, "she scares me."
Jerry laughed louder. "That's Ok. she scares me too. The older she gets, the more like Clora she acts; so between them and Tess and then Honey and Rennie, I don't believe we have a prayer of a chance."
"I'd laugh, but I'm sure you're right," Donny rubbed the front of his shirt lightly. "It's feeling some better."
"Just don't you go using up all our lard, I like biscuits better than I like you," Jerry teased and they both finished the horse chores for the night.
Gary untied his charge, but kept a lead rope on the young man. "Get in there and scrub up, then wash your clothes, you stink." he ordered.
"I can't do that," Ricky protested, "I ain't got clothes to wear if I get these wet. Ain't got no towel, nor a wash cloth. Ma never packed me one."
"You whine like a bottle calf," Gary snorted in contempt. "No one here cares if yer naked, no one around, so get busy."
It felt good to Gary to get clean, and he was humming around as he started a fire to cook supper. He had been fortunate to shoot a rabbit, and although it was summer time, the weather was cool enough that he judged the rabbit edible and free from warbles.
Down by the bathhouse, Ricky had his back turned to Gary, as he tried to loosen the knot and rope around his waist. Gary let him try, and then he yanked the knot tight and grinned when Ricky howled in frustration.
"Shut up!" Gary yelled and jerked the rope once again, "You big lump of a bawl baby."
Abby had been keeping trackof Donny and his healing or lack of healing, as she thought of it. He was frequently gently rubbing and scratching his chest, and rotating his shoulders back.
That night when they stopped, Abby questioned the young man and learned he was having trouble with the scars and scabs drying out and pulling.
The only thing she had to use for a softening agent was the lard pail. so she gave him a banty egg sized lump and had him coat his chest.
"I'll be on the look out for a sheep farm, chances are they will have lanolin salve, and you may smell like a sheep, but it's excellent for softening the skin." Abby promised.
The next time Donny got Jerry alone, he complained about 'sheep anything' and was met with Jerry's smirk and low laughter.
"Hey, if you don't want it, ... you tell her." Jerry was enjoying the discomfort plastered all over Donny's face.
"I can't." Donny mumbled, "she scares me."
Jerry laughed louder. "That's Ok. she scares me too. The older she gets, the more like Clora she acts; so between them and Tess and then Honey and Rennie, I don't believe we have a prayer of a chance."
"I'd laugh, but I'm sure you're right," Donny rubbed the front of his shirt lightly. "It's feeling some better."
"Just don't you go using up all our lard, I like biscuits better than I like you," Jerry teased and they both finished the horse chores for the night.
Gary untied his charge, but kept a lead rope on the young man. "Get in there and scrub up, then wash your clothes, you stink." he ordered.
"I can't do that," Ricky protested, "I ain't got clothes to wear if I get these wet. Ain't got no towel, nor a wash cloth. Ma never packed me one."
"You whine like a bottle calf," Gary snorted in contempt. "No one here cares if yer naked, no one around, so get busy."
It felt good to Gary to get clean, and he was humming around as he started a fire to cook supper. He had been fortunate to shoot a rabbit, and although it was summer time, the weather was cool enough that he judged the rabbit edible and free from warbles.
Down by the bathhouse, Ricky had his back turned to Gary, as he tried to loosen the knot and rope around his waist. Gary let him try, and then he yanked the knot tight and grinned when Ricky howled in frustration.
"Shut up!" Gary yelled and jerked the rope once again, "You big lump of a bawl baby."
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you, enjoyed it.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#289
Milo's catfish fry was a rousing success. They had to eat in shifts, the young ones first as they only had lard enough for Clora's prized Griswold. Outside in the cool air, the smell of frying fish had the whole clan gathered close to the fire pit, anxiously waiting their turn.
Both Honey and Rennie made cornbread, huge pans of steaming hot yellow goodness. Eaten with fingers that had to be blown on, to keep the heat at bay.
Oh it was fine, they all complimented Milo and the cooks. No one was slighted in the quantity department, and there was leftover cornbread, if you were still hungry. The coffee was hot, the water cool, and all were satisfied.
"We need a refill of fish. " Toby teased. "I think you should take me next time, so I know where this fishing hole is located."
"Sure thing," Milo promised, "Tomorrow would be a good time, as I want to go hog hunting the next day."
"I'm in with ya," Milo returned easily, "I want to take a team and low wagon, three or four hogs would be just fine."
All agreed, and people went to their houses to plan for a bounty of hog meat.
Milo's catfish fry was a rousing success. They had to eat in shifts, the young ones first as they only had lard enough for Clora's prized Griswold. Outside in the cool air, the smell of frying fish had the whole clan gathered close to the fire pit, anxiously waiting their turn.
Both Honey and Rennie made cornbread, huge pans of steaming hot yellow goodness. Eaten with fingers that had to be blown on, to keep the heat at bay.
Oh it was fine, they all complimented Milo and the cooks. No one was slighted in the quantity department, and there was leftover cornbread, if you were still hungry. The coffee was hot, the water cool, and all were satisfied.
"We need a refill of fish. " Toby teased. "I think you should take me next time, so I know where this fishing hole is located."
"Sure thing," Milo promised, "Tomorrow would be a good time, as I want to go hog hunting the next day."
"I'm in with ya," Milo returned easily, "I want to take a team and low wagon, three or four hogs would be just fine."
All agreed, and people went to their houses to plan for a bounty of hog meat.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Nope; I'm old but not that old
Both my parent's families had stories though ..... mostly unpleasant but they mostly all survived and generally, thrived.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#290
"We're making good time," Abby approved the next morning. "As long as we aren't stressing the horses."
"No, that's the beauty of having a six horse hitch, they all work, but it's not overworking them. I'm sorry we have had to lighten the load down to the bare bones, but it feels like we are really cruising right along. As far as I can tell by the land marks, we should reach the ford at Beardstown in about two days. We should get to Rushville by tonight. and then on to the river the next day."
Abby cleared her throat "these river crossings are plain scary, I sure don't like them at all"
"If I've planned right, this should be the last big crossing. When we get across the Illinois, we should be 65 to 70 miles above St. Louis." Jerry never let his concentration waver from the team, but he enjoyed talking to Abby.
Donny was ranging further and further out ahead of them as he scouted for game. They were definitely on the track less traveled, and that suited the men just fine.
Donny was having a better time finding rabbits and grouse. His horse wasn't shying as much, as they flushed birds hiding in the tall grass. Reverting back to his younger days, Donny hunted with his old 22, his skill at blowing the heads off the birds earning him praise from the grateful couple, as the birds cooked in the evening fire.
"I wonder how much the charge will be to cross the river?" was the oft mentioned question. All kinds of theories were talked about, and Jerry just nodded, as he listened.
Jerry knew the cost, and it was steep. However if you were willing to take the risk, and the water was down, you could swim your team and wagon across for free. That's what he intended to try.
"We're making good time," Abby approved the next morning. "As long as we aren't stressing the horses."
"No, that's the beauty of having a six horse hitch, they all work, but it's not overworking them. I'm sorry we have had to lighten the load down to the bare bones, but it feels like we are really cruising right along. As far as I can tell by the land marks, we should reach the ford at Beardstown in about two days. We should get to Rushville by tonight. and then on to the river the next day."
Abby cleared her throat "these river crossings are plain scary, I sure don't like them at all"
"If I've planned right, this should be the last big crossing. When we get across the Illinois, we should be 65 to 70 miles above St. Louis." Jerry never let his concentration waver from the team, but he enjoyed talking to Abby.
Donny was ranging further and further out ahead of them as he scouted for game. They were definitely on the track less traveled, and that suited the men just fine.
Donny was having a better time finding rabbits and grouse. His horse wasn't shying as much, as they flushed birds hiding in the tall grass. Reverting back to his younger days, Donny hunted with his old 22, his skill at blowing the heads off the birds earning him praise from the grateful couple, as the birds cooked in the evening fire.
"I wonder how much the charge will be to cross the river?" was the oft mentioned question. All kinds of theories were talked about, and Jerry just nodded, as he listened.
Jerry knew the cost, and it was steep. However if you were willing to take the risk, and the water was down, you could swim your team and wagon across for free. That's what he intended to try.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Another good find this morning.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#291
Priss and Tilly set camp for the night and passed the word that Bruce was available to doctor small problems.
"Ain't gonna do it," he stressed firmly. Bruce almost added ..and you can't make me, and got the words shut off at the very last second.
"You will if you want to eat and sleep tonight," Priss threatened without skipping a beat. "You are going to get off your skinny butt and help us gather up food and money to cross the river that everyone keeps talking about. It's time Dr. Bruce for you to start slow and build up your constitution."
Bruce shuddered and opened his mouth to protest, when Tilly sidled up behind him and whispered, "Doc, there's two pieces of jerky left, and neither one of them has your name on it. If you're hungry, get to work."
Bruce sighed hard. He picked up his doctor bag, and it made him think of Tricia. She had always kept both of their bags stocked and tidy, and now he didn't have a clue what was available in his carrier. Memories are small consolation, he decided, and stepped around the wagon to face a small line of waiting patients.
Bruce saw 10 patients with various ailments and that was worth a bubbling dutch oven of pretty good smelling stew.
"Thanks Doc. we appreciate your efforts." Tilly said, as she ladled out a good sized bowl of stew for Bruce, and placed a spoon in his hand. "Now eat," she ordered, "you need to keep you're strength up."
Tilly wasn't kidding about her ability to cook. Bruce dug into the stew with an hunger he hadn't had in a long time.
"I think 10 patients is about the right amount for a night's work." Pricilla was counting the small amount of bills and change that had been the 'fee' for Doc's services. "We'll plan on doing the same tomorrow night."
Tilly nodded her agreement and the both women stared hard at Bruce until he also agreed.
Priss and Tilly set camp for the night and passed the word that Bruce was available to doctor small problems.
"Ain't gonna do it," he stressed firmly. Bruce almost added ..and you can't make me, and got the words shut off at the very last second.
"You will if you want to eat and sleep tonight," Priss threatened without skipping a beat. "You are going to get off your skinny butt and help us gather up food and money to cross the river that everyone keeps talking about. It's time Dr. Bruce for you to start slow and build up your constitution."
Bruce shuddered and opened his mouth to protest, when Tilly sidled up behind him and whispered, "Doc, there's two pieces of jerky left, and neither one of them has your name on it. If you're hungry, get to work."
Bruce sighed hard. He picked up his doctor bag, and it made him think of Tricia. She had always kept both of their bags stocked and tidy, and now he didn't have a clue what was available in his carrier. Memories are small consolation, he decided, and stepped around the wagon to face a small line of waiting patients.
Bruce saw 10 patients with various ailments and that was worth a bubbling dutch oven of pretty good smelling stew.
"Thanks Doc. we appreciate your efforts." Tilly said, as she ladled out a good sized bowl of stew for Bruce, and placed a spoon in his hand. "Now eat," she ordered, "you need to keep you're strength up."
Tilly wasn't kidding about her ability to cook. Bruce dug into the stew with an hunger he hadn't had in a long time.
"I think 10 patients is about the right amount for a night's work." Pricilla was counting the small amount of bills and change that had been the 'fee' for Doc's services. "We'll plan on doing the same tomorrow night."
Tilly nodded her agreement and the both women stared hard at Bruce until he also agreed.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Very good, thank you.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#292
Bruce was really surprised how good he felt after his bowl of stew; in fact he was thinking of having a second helping, but Pricilla nixed that in a hurry.
"No can do," she lifted the Dutchy off the small fire, "We need food for tomorrow night; we may not be as lucky as we were tonight. I'm pleased that you're interested in eating, that will certainly help you get stronger in a hurry."
Bruce thought about issuing a demand, and then reconsidered. The bowl of stew had been generous sized, and they really were trying to take care of him, and he hadn't been a helpful person through it all.
His stomach had certainly shrunk, and the more he thought about it, the fuller he felt. Full and now sleepy. It didn't take long for the good doctor to retreat to his corner of the wagon and burrow into his blankets to get warm. Slowly coming to sleep, Bruce thought about the world and it's unusual coolness, and it didn't matter right at the moment.
Chuck and Wyatt were making good time in their horse wrangling jaunt. Slow and steady, they spent long hours in the saddle and started drifting Southeast so as to find the raft crossing on the Mississippi.
As far out on the prairie as they were, the route was getting crowded. Hundreds of people were flooding South, and the debris left behind marred the grass, the land and the water.
By visiting with the people camped near by, they had it figured they were a week away from the crossing at St. Louis. "Is there a way to go East, after we cross and get away from all this?" Wyatt questioned Chuck.
"There was when we came up two years ago; but what are we going to find today, I haven't a clue." Chuck was as honest as he could be. "The fact that we only have two mares with Stud colts, may not be a sufficient enough value to get us across on the ferry. I think we need to rate the mares and be prepared to throw in a mare apiece to sweeten the deal."
"I nominate the stubborn old dark bay that I have to tow. I'm so tired of having to keep constant pressure on her lead rope, that makes my arm ache clear down to my toes." Wyatt complained.
"I must be towing her sister," Chuck laughed, "well that certainly was a quick enough decision."
"I'm curious about Mark," Wyatt started a new conversation. "Do you think a mare and colt will be enough of a buy in for us to be accepted in the group?"
"I can't answer that, you probably yes because Tess fancies you. Me, who knows. Mark has had a real skepticism about me from the getgo; and if he is entrenched in his home place; he may send me down the road. That's not entirely a bad thing; the closeness they seem to enjoy gets on my nerves after a while and I have to get away." Chuck replied.
"I'm glad you said that, I have been my own man for so long, I don't exactly fancy taking orders from a potential father in law. I thought I was ungrateful for feeling that way, but I do and that's going to be a problem between Miss Tess and myself."
Chuck didn't say anything, there was the truth and that was it.
Bruce was really surprised how good he felt after his bowl of stew; in fact he was thinking of having a second helping, but Pricilla nixed that in a hurry.
"No can do," she lifted the Dutchy off the small fire, "We need food for tomorrow night; we may not be as lucky as we were tonight. I'm pleased that you're interested in eating, that will certainly help you get stronger in a hurry."
Bruce thought about issuing a demand, and then reconsidered. The bowl of stew had been generous sized, and they really were trying to take care of him, and he hadn't been a helpful person through it all.
His stomach had certainly shrunk, and the more he thought about it, the fuller he felt. Full and now sleepy. It didn't take long for the good doctor to retreat to his corner of the wagon and burrow into his blankets to get warm. Slowly coming to sleep, Bruce thought about the world and it's unusual coolness, and it didn't matter right at the moment.
Chuck and Wyatt were making good time in their horse wrangling jaunt. Slow and steady, they spent long hours in the saddle and started drifting Southeast so as to find the raft crossing on the Mississippi.
As far out on the prairie as they were, the route was getting crowded. Hundreds of people were flooding South, and the debris left behind marred the grass, the land and the water.
By visiting with the people camped near by, they had it figured they were a week away from the crossing at St. Louis. "Is there a way to go East, after we cross and get away from all this?" Wyatt questioned Chuck.
"There was when we came up two years ago; but what are we going to find today, I haven't a clue." Chuck was as honest as he could be. "The fact that we only have two mares with Stud colts, may not be a sufficient enough value to get us across on the ferry. I think we need to rate the mares and be prepared to throw in a mare apiece to sweeten the deal."
"I nominate the stubborn old dark bay that I have to tow. I'm so tired of having to keep constant pressure on her lead rope, that makes my arm ache clear down to my toes." Wyatt complained.
"I must be towing her sister," Chuck laughed, "well that certainly was a quick enough decision."
"I'm curious about Mark," Wyatt started a new conversation. "Do you think a mare and colt will be enough of a buy in for us to be accepted in the group?"
"I can't answer that, you probably yes because Tess fancies you. Me, who knows. Mark has had a real skepticism about me from the getgo; and if he is entrenched in his home place; he may send me down the road. That's not entirely a bad thing; the closeness they seem to enjoy gets on my nerves after a while and I have to get away." Chuck replied.
"I'm glad you said that, I have been my own man for so long, I don't exactly fancy taking orders from a potential father in law. I thought I was ungrateful for feeling that way, but I do and that's going to be a problem between Miss Tess and myself."
Chuck didn't say anything, there was the truth and that was it.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#293
Toby and Milo took off early the next morning to check the fish traps. The kids wanted to go, but the men had planned a quick hard trip to qc
Toby and Milo took off early the next morning to check the fish traps. The kids wanted to go, but the men had planned a quick hard trip to qc
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Sorry folks, having eye trouble, Be back Monday,
Lake Lili
Veteran Member
Mrs. @PacNorWest please take care... and take the time you need.
Thanks again for all your stories.
Lili
Thanks again for all your stories.
Lili