Robbery at Holliday Creek (18)

New Beginning.

© Robert Faulkender

 When Ted arrived back at his office, sounds of laughter came from the cell in the rear. He could see Clara Maud through the doorway sitting on one of the cell cots; the children gathered around her, all laughing-- in jail. 

     Clara Maud looked up. “Sheriff Skillman, you’re back. I certainly hope you have solved the problem of getting these dear children to Kansas. They told me all about it.”

     “Well, maybe not all in one step, but we need to talk about the next step. Clara, I really appreciate your running meals up to the office, and looking in on my charges.” Ted walked her to the door.

     “You’re welcome, sheriff. It’s all part of the arrangement between my boss and the mayor: serve three squares to the inmates, bill the town treasury.”  

   He returned to the cells and sat down before the sober faces. As he outlined the possibilities for their future, Sarah and Danny came to tears. Joseph was smoldering. 

     Ted spoke. “I know what I said, son. But you can’t take what you need and pay with what you want. Trade doesn’t work like that. You want something from someone; he decides what you pay, or you dicker until you both agree. It’s called free trade.”  

    What the sheriff said made little difference. The children were desperate to stay as a family and to go to Kansas. They had done their best with what they had. And, done it honorably , if not lawfully.

      In the short run, Ted thought, the Samuelson solution may be a winner for everyone and serve the local law. But in the long run, it’s a broken family and a move back to people being property—not justice, not freedom.

     Sheriff Skillman sat up straight, taking a deep breath. “First thing, kids; understand that getting to Kansas is a long way down the pike. You need to get healthy, and grow up some if you’re going to make a responsible life on a homestead.” 

     The Sheriff stood. “Here’s what we’re going to do.” He walked over to the desk and pulled out the town by –laws. “I’m taking you to a special family where you can stay as long as you need, but you have to earn your keep.”

     He fanned through the pamphlet. “If you apply yourselves, the Missus will teach you to read and write, and Sarah how to sew. The old man will teach you boys everything he knows about homesteading.” 

     Ted centered the by-laws on the desk. “They have two lads near Danny’s age. You will be filling an empty space in the family, so I’m sure you’ll be welcome.”

     The children watched his every move.  He couldn’t read their faces, but at least they weren’t angry, fearful, or crying. He unpinned his star, fingered it gently a moment; he wasn’t upholding the law exactly, was he? The Sheriff lingered a moment longer, and then laid the star on top of the pamphlet. 

     Ted Skillman walked to the door. “I’m headed down to the livery for a couple of horses. While I’m gone, see to it this office is cleaned up so it looks like we were never here. We’ll leave as soon as I come back. Be ready. You children are about to join the Tarbutton family.”