Robbery at Holliday Creek (17)

When Fairness Is Not Just.

© Robert Faulkender

The experienced eye of Doc Madden inspected Danny’s foot. The child had obviously broken the two outside toes on his left foot. Someone had aligned the toes and bound them in place. The cuts, swelling, and bruising made things look bad, but the fact was; it would be fine –just take a while to heal. Doc redressed the bandages.  He looked the kid in the eye. “You’re a brave little colored. That must really hurt.” Danny nodded.

     Ted was up at first light. He arranged for Clara Maud to bring breakfast to the children, and then he headed for the general store to explain things to the mayor.

     Samuelson had a busy day ahead, but that was soon forgotten when the sheriff explained the last twenty-four hours. What to do was a debate that went on for hours. Jim Samuelson was of a particular mindset: as far as he was concerned the children were guilty of theft. Regardless of any mitigating circumstances, they must be tried and sentenced with fines. They could pay off their fines as indentured workers to the locals who can hire them cheap. Samuelson thought this was a good way to keep affordable labor in the county, and deal with the freed slaves who didn’t really fit into society.

     It troubled Ted. “You’ll just be putting them back into slavery with no chance at ever saving any money or improving their life—much less get an education.”

     “You sound like one of them carpetbaggers. These people are unskilled farm laborers and the economic base of rural Texas. We fine these children for their crimes, and then hire them out to work off the fines. We will have found them a home, put cash in the town treasury, and re built traditional southern life.” 

     Samuelson was clearly pleased with himself.  “The Bannister’s will take the older boy. They can always use another cowhand. And the Hightower farm would take the middle boy. Hell, they got three daughters. They’d love to have a good field hand. Chances are the girl child could go to the cafe.”

   It didn’t sound good to Ted. His father’s death came to mind.