The Hobo

Copyright © 2021 by J.G. Tee.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 07/26/2021

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 WHO’S HELPING ME

CHAPTER 2 WELL WAS HE RIGHT

CHAPTER 3 I HAVE A GUARDIAN ANGEL

CHAPTER 4 BETH’S QUEST

CHAPTER 5 COLT, THUNDER AND BETH

CHAPTER 6 CARL’S FIRST DAY

CHAPTER 7 OH! WHAT A SURPRISE

CHAPTER 8 HE DID NOT COMMIT SUICIDE

CHAPTER 9 TRAINING A DEPUTY

CHAPTER 10 INDIANS KILLED HIM

CHAPTER 11 I KNOW WHO KILLED HIM

CHAPTER 12 I’LL WASH YOUR BACK

CHAPTER 1

WHO’S HELPING ME

IN THE DARKNESS of the night, the town streets were illuminated only by the usual light coming from various windows also from the occasional business buildings that sported a lantern hanging outside there premises, the clear sky covered with glowing star’s and a crescent moon gave a beautiful cover to the quiet peaceful town, the only premises open at this time were the towns two saloons.

The man calmly, strolling along the dark dusty street knew that the two saloons will shut shortly as the last customers left the premises, which means the end of a busy day then going home.

I like it like this, so peaceful the man said to himself.

Like a lot of men who often worked alone there was a tendency to talk to themselves, even though the man happened to be well thought of and totally respected for doing his job, you are still sometimes lonely, like men who are leaders normally are.

As he ambled along the street of the town checking the doors of all the shops and offices, it is the job of the sheriff to do his rounds checking the security of the sleeping town.

Sheriff John Coleman neared the end of his nightly rounds the time would be about midnight his normal routine is to complete his rounds, fill in his log listing anything that caught his attention, any observation, any minor detail could lead to some incident later, on a day like today when they did not accommodate any prisoners the sheriff would check everything had been stowed away, drawers locked, the rifle rack chain was on and padlocked, all doors and windows secured before he proceeded home, when there is prisoners he would be required to sleep in one of the cells because at this time he did not have a deputy, John had been advertising for a deputy for a month and has interviewed quite a few applicants but none of them came up to expectations, none of them were suitable for the job.

At the end of the day John always stops at the saloon for a beer and a chat with Eddy the barman at the Lucky Chance Saloon, some nights Eddy has no customers but keeps open until John has been in, before John goes home to his daughter Beth. (John’s wife unfortunately died about a year ago due to cancer), at this present time John was happy it was the end of the day and it had been a quiet night.

Sheriff John Coleman now in his forty third year had now been the sheriff in the town of Brady for the last ten years, before settling down, he did the job of deputy in quite a few places until deciding to remain in Brady as a deputy, progressing to the job of sheriff as his former boss retired, standing six feet one inch in height in his boots his hair is mainly dark but if you look closer you could see a few strands of grey, with smiling brown eyes, a thick dark moustache adorned his upper lip partly covering a mouth that turned upwards, his jaw looked strong and showed a square type chin.

John dressed like most westerners do, a white shirt, dark blue jeans, a black low crowned Stetson, a pair of black leather boots with the legs of his jeans hanging over them, a black leather trouser belt with a large buckle held up the jeans, a black leather gunbelt stretched across his body from his left hip to his right leg, the holster held a point three six Navy colt, the holster had a cord tied around the leg for two reasons, one it felt more comfortable and two to stop the pistol from snagging therefore making the draw more easier, also there was a thong on the hammer of the gun, this thong allowed John to do what is required, without worrying about the gun falling out of the holster and discharging itself. The last item of clothing the sheriff wore is a black leather vest (waistcoat) with the silver star of the sheriff’s office attached to it.

Being the sheriff, it was sometimes possible, that he may have a reason to use his gun, John knew his limitations and did not have what you would call a fast draw, but could draw better than most men, he new some men were faster than him.

The people of the town still had faith in him, they showed how happy they were with him by the way they kept electing him, over the previous years he had done a good job for the town, but lately has done an exceptional job this is due to the help he received from an unknown source, (a mysterious benefactor) a stranger not known to him is supplying him with certain information, he has therefore told no one about the help being supplied to him except his daughter Beth, so far the information received has been correct. John sat at his desk with a mug of coffee remembering how it all started a few months ago.

It all started with the time the bank kept on losing money, no one could figure out who and how it was being done, the manager of Brady First Bank knew someone on his staff has been helping themselves to a few dollars regularly, Mr. Tomkins the manager has been very vigilant, and also enlisted his assistant manager Mr. Williams to help him they still could not understand how anyone was stealing under there noses (how is it being done) Mr. Tomkins thought.

That’s when Mr Tomkins decided to inform John about the situation, John also tried everything to find the thieves, checking the premises, finding out what he could about the staff, he then interviewed each members of staff the bank employed, he staked out the bank keeping watch when he could, as John had no deputies at this moment it was impossible to keep watch all of the time, unfortunately John found nothing.

A few days later as John rose from his office chair and walked towards the office door to go home, a hand came through the door and threw a folded note onto the office floor, automatically picking up the note he pulled open the door quickly but found no one there, walking back to the desk he sat down opened and studied the note, It was now late, evening rounds had been completed, he secured and left the office, thinking about the message which puzzled him as he walked home. Beth heard her father approaching, as usual she poured him a cup of coffee, straight away she spotted the puzzled look on his face.

You have a problem Dad? Beth asked.

I’m a little uncertain about this John gave Beth the note. So, what’s the problem? she asked.

Is the message true, can I believe it, if it’s true that will be OK, who left the note and how does he know about the bank, if I tell the manager about this note and it turns out to be someone’s idea of a joke, I will be a laughing stock, clutching at straws I’ll be thought of as a fool John explained.

Don’t tell them about the note, go to the bank manager tell him you think you know how it is being done, and you thought he might like to be there, I bet the manager will jump at the chance Beth explained.

Your right John replied.

Beth being a school teacher, therefore looked at the note as a school teacher, she came to the conclusion the person who wrote it was a good writer and intelligent the note said.

Sheriff.

If you wish to apprehend the man who is stealing from the bank, wait in hiding at the rear of the bank in the dark, you will see a man enter the bank, let the culprit do so, catch him when leaving, have a witness or two with you, the man concerned robs the bank every Thursday night between eleven pm and midnight.

A. Friend.

As tomorrow is Thursday, I will arrange a trap John told her. If you want, I will come along as a witness Beth volunteered.

No, you are family, thank you for volunteering, I will get the bank manager and Pete from the saloon to go with me the sheriff said.

The sheriff did not want to put his daughter in danger. That’s OK Dad Beth replied with a knowing smile.

Don’t tell anyone about the note, I don’t intend to tell anyone John said.

The next day John started to make his plans at about five pm but did not put his plan into action until ten pm that evening, his first stop was the Lucky Chance Saloon when after walking to the bar spoke to Eddy.

Eddy have you seen Pete around? John asked.

Sure, sheriff he is over there at the corner table Eddy pointed out. Thanks John replied.

The sheriff went to the table where he enlisted the help of Pete, proceeding to the bank managers house, John explained to Mr. Tomkins his theories and plan to catch the thief and would the manager be interested in being there, needless to say the manager grabbed his coat excitedly, in fact he became very excited about the whole thing.

From a point well back from the bank rear exit the three men waited, they were in place to see a shadowy figure slip into the back door of the bank, the three waiting men moved in closer but still stayed out of sight, John waited until the man came out and locked the door before giving out his challenge.

Hold it there, raise your hands in the air, this is the law the sheriff ordered. The robber caught in the act carried out the sheriff’s demands, and raised his hands turned to face the three approaching men, on seeing the mans face the manager exclaimed.

Williams

Mr. Tomkins Williams was taken back seeing his boss. Place your hands on the wall now the sheriff ordered, OK came the reply

Pete keep him covered the sheriff said, Sure sheriff Pete replied.

The sheriff searched William’s for any weapons and found him to be clean (He carried no weapons), after being happy that William’s did not carry any weapons, he frisked him again and retrieved a bulky envelope from inside William’s shirt, which proved to be the stolen money quite a sum in small bills, John returned the money to the manager, John and Pete locked Williams in a cell.

That was an excellent job sheriff how did you figure it out? the manager asked Oh! It was logical, remember the information you gave me about the banks income, well I showed it to Beth my daughter she found out that the books showed a loss every Friday, after a bit of a talking we realised the only time it could have been done was on the Thursday night, we all kept a look out but because you trusted Williams we had discounted him John pointed out.

That’s great deduction Pete said.

Yes, that was well done sheriff, the manager congratulated him.

The sheriff still drinking his coffee could not help suppressing a smile as his thoughts went back to the incident, the notes kept coming giving the sheriff information on things that happened around town. It became a mystery how these notes were delivered to the office, nobody has seen how and who delivered them, some of the information was of serious matters, there was also a lot of general information that a sheriff should know like the time Jack Martin arrived in town.

You would be excused if you said (who is Jack Martin) but if you were a lawman or anyone who knows about guns and gunmen, Jack Martin is well known for his prowess as a gunslinger which means he is good and fast with a gun.

The interest by lawmen in Jack Martin is the fact that he rarely leaves his home town unless there was a reason to do so (a job, he is a hired gunman) as he made his living with his gun it’s always in the best interest for a lawman to know when a person of his reputation, came to town.

The note that came through the door read;-

Sheriff

Jack Martin is in town, he’s staying at the Grand Hotel room number twenty.

A Friend.

John could tell by now due to previous notes that this note had been written by the same person, the next morning the sheriff proceeded to the Grand Hotel knocked on the door of room number twenty.

Who is it a mans voice called out. The sheriff came the reply.

The door cracked open, a man peeped through the partly open door. How did you know I was here? Martin’s asked.

That is my business, but a man with your rep I like to know about the sheriff told him.

I’ve done nothing wrong, what do you want with me? Martin asked. All I want to know is what you are doing in my town? asked the sheriff.

Nothing, believe it or not sheriff, I’m just passing through Martin replied. Mr. Martin I have nothing against you as far as I know you have not broken the law but because of your reputation I would appreciate it if you would leave town the sheriff explained.

Sheriff my intension is to go down to breakfast, pay my bill and leave, I still have a fairway to go Martin assured John.

OK Make sure you do I will follow you to your horse the sheriff stated. I don’t want any trouble sheriff Martins replied.

John as the sheriff, left the hotel uneasily and deep in thought knowing the longer Jack Martin remains in town there is the possibility of trouble, still the sheriff had to admit, the man has not caused any trouble and he has nothing on the man.

At eleven am precisely Jack Martin walked out of the hotel his saddle bags over the left shoulder, his right hand touched his gun when walking, his slim lithe figure moved along the street and seemed to glide stealthily on the ball of his feet, with the swagger of a confident man, his clothes were clean, his head was adorned with a low crowned wide brimmed Stetson, the white shirt looked good as the dark blue jeans and black bandana contrasted against it, his black highly polished boots shone the tapping boots made a rhythm clacking sound on the boardwalk, he looked like a smart pleasant young man, you would not believe this man has killed nine other men, even though his reputation with a gun was well known this man has not done anything against the law, he has fought the nine dead men fairly, by beating them to the draw, the most impressive part of his dress, it stood out above everything his gunbelt the gun nestled in a holster on the upper right leg his hand level with his gun gave him the best advantage to make a quick draw, looking at the belt and gun you could see the care that had been put into taking care of them, and why not they were the tools of his trade it was to be expected.

Martin’s stroll had not gone unnoticed the sheriff followed at a discreet distance as they headed towards the livery stable. Just when John thought they had managed to achieve the desired destination, the one thing he did not want to happen occurred, a young man called Zeke Rawlings stepped in front of Martin and called him out.

Hey, you Martin, I reckon I am faster than you. Mister I don’t want any trouble Martin told him. Why you yellow the young man prodded.

Mister all I want to do is collect my horse and ride out of here Martin said calmly.

Fill your hand the young man called his hand going for his gun.

Martin had no choice but to go for his gun the movement was smooth and precise the gun seemed to jump into his hand, before anyone realised it, the bark of a pistol being fired could be heard. Rawlings screamed the gun fell from his hand when forced to grip his bleeding shoulder, his arm was useless as blood poured from the open wound, Rawlings gun had just cleared the holster, even though the young man had moved first Martins gun barked first. John walked over to Martin.

I didn’t want this Sheriff Martin explained.

I know but your reputation dictates the problem and you know it, you are free to carry on Mr. Martin I saw what happened you did not start it the sheriff told him.

Jack Martin once more headed for the livery stable where saddling his horse rode north out of town, no one saw Johns admiring look.

Why didn’t you arrest that man for shooting Zeke an angry citizen demanded. Because the man did nothing wrong, Zeke called the man out the sheriff explained.

But that man’s a killer the man yelled.

If you yell at me once more, I will put you in a cell for abusing the law, that young man has built a reputation as a killer because of his magic with a gun, but there is no way that young man is a killer, or we would be burying Zeke wouldn’t we the sheriff stated.

This statement from the sheriff took the wind out of the man’s sails, which caused him to back down grudgingly, the sheriff on the other hand had found out, you cannot tell a book by it’s cover. (people labelled with a title is not always right) by realising that Martin was not the cold blooded killer everyone thought he was,

In the time young Zeke had drawn his gun, Martin could have put three bullets into the young man, and John did not think it was by accident or luck that Martin had shot Zeke in the arm, the body is a much bigger target, if he wanted to kill it could easily have been done, with these thoughts on his mind the sheriff dozed of to sleep in the big comfortable armchair, which is where Beth found him the next morning.

Beth came into the room in her dressing gown to stoke up the stove then put a large and a small pot’s of water on it, she took her fathers cup and plate into the kitchen, retired back to her room to dress, she threw her dressing gown and night dress onto the bed she looked at the naked figure in the mirror. Beth is a beautiful girl she had long dark hair, a lovely face, dark blue smouldering eyes, a pair of lips you would be dying to be kiss, her body was perfect the rounded breasts with nipples that were proud, a tapered waist, rounded hips, the smooth skin of her tummy ended at the forest of dark pubic hair between a pair of beautiful shapely legs. Beth washed climbed into a smart gray suit that hid her charms, she brushed her hair back then tied it into a bun, it was a weekday and Beth is a school teacher.

Beth entered the kitchen, she tested the water in the large pot found it warm enough to wash up so put it aside, in the small pot the water boiled so Beth made some coffee, she replaced the pot with a skillet, as she poured a cup of coffee.

Dad Beth said as she shook him. Hello darling he replied.

Coffee dad, I’m making breakfast, it will be ready soon Beth called. OK darling her dad returned.

The sheriff took a couple of big slurps of coffee, and sighed, rose from his chair and walked to his room to freshen up after a wash and shave he returned to have his breakfast

Dad what kept you awake this time? Beth asked,

Trying to figure out. Who’s helping me? the sheriff asked

Dad stop worrying, this man will either disappear or eventually will make himself known Beth said logically.

Maybe you are right, but I still want to know who my helper is her dad told her. You must have patience and wait, I know you do not have much patience, but you will just have to wait Beth told him.

This man has helped me at leased six times, and I still cannot find out who it is that is informing me the sheriff explained.

I’m going to wash, the dishes, get out to school, see you later Beth said. OK see you later the sheriff replied.

The sheriff locked the doors and left, after a call at the office proceeded with the morning rounds of the town the normal start of another day.

Jimmy Jones who is generally known as the town HOBO, has now been living in Brady for the last six months, when arriving as a Hobo, he wore old clothes, had a long straggly beard, long mop of uncombed hair, his eyes were dark and hollow and he carried a knapsack on his back with all of his worldly goods in it. Jimmy when first arriving in town scrounged and begged to live, anytime someone threw something out Jimmy would check it to see if it could be put to any use.

During the first month in Brady, Jimmy built up a routine began to get to know the people of the town who were kind to him like Hannah who ran the town cafe called (HANNAH’S HOUSE) Jimmy would do jobs for her like taking things to the town disposal site, in return Hannah would give him a good meal, the sheriff would put him in a cell to sleep once or twice a week, after a while more people in the town gave him jobs and paid him in kind, slowly bit by bit Jimmy built up a system and reputation, one day Tom Ashton the man in charge of the livery stable gave Jimmy the job of cleaning a stall, after doing such a good job, Tom employed Jimmy to clean up the stable twice a week, as he did a good job which required him to tidy up the hay loft, tidy stalls, clean all saddles and bridles belonging to the stable, clean tools and keep them in good condition, because of this job it kept him out of the cells and the sheriff’s reach as he was given permission to sleep in the loft enabling him to keep his eye’s on the premises.

Mac Stiles the wagon master also gave Jimmy part time work, the name wagon master speaks for itself, Mac Stiles owned what would be called the local Haulage company and owned quite a few vehicles the selection went from small buggies to large wagons for hire, Mac had contracts from the towns people like collecting goods to be delivered to the general store, or beer for the saloons, the wagons after each job often came back dirty, Mac then gave Jimmy the job to clean these wagons Jimmy is not paid much but gets perks and enough to live on.

Even though Jimmy is no longer a vagrant, he is still known as the hobo, the people of the town mostly said in a nice way with few words of decent, the children of the town used to rag him and take the micky out of him, but that eventually stopped as they got to know him, the dogs of the town would bark at him, now the dogs of the town are his friends, because of the time spent by himself Jimmy had time to wander around, and before long found every nook and cranny of the town from the main streets to the smallest back street. Jimmy had been in town now for six months but little was known about him. One day the sheriff sent word to Jimmy, telling him of his desire to see him, Jimmy answered the call.

Hi! Jimmy the sheriff greeted.

Hello sheriff you wanted to see me? Jimmy asked.

Are you doing anything at this moment the sheriff asked him. No came the quick reply.

Would you consider doing my daughter Beth a favour? the sheriff asked. Yes sheriff he said calmly (Beth she is lovely he thought).

Go down to the school and ask for Beth, she has a lot of rubbish to get rid of, could you do it for her, you could build a fire at the rear of the school and burn the rubbish as I understand it is mainly paper and wood, Beth will tell you what is required the sheriff told him.

"Yes!