Trego, page 16
“Well it makes me happy.” Melinda said. I reached down and took his wallet out of his inside jacket pocket. I counted the money, “Shoot, he’s a hundred dollars short, guess I’ll just have to take his revolver and gun belt for the rest.” I tossed his empty wallet on his unconscious body.
Most bars of this type had what was called a shotgun man. He sat on a high stool with a double barrel shotgun, so he could see everything that was going on. He said, to me, “Hold on there, what do you think you’re doing?”
“Collecting a debt Charlie owed me.” I said, “Do you want to buy into this?” I added.
“Hell no, I know who you are, you’re Trego, I know you could put two slugs in me before I could even swing this shotgun level.”
“You’re wrong about part of that, I could put four slugs right over your heart, before you could pull that trigger. I am going up these stairs with Jeanie and Melinda to get their clothes, tell the owner, whoever he is that they quit.” I said.
“I will as soon as he wakes up, you just put him to sleep.”
As we were walking up the stairs, I handed his gun belt to Jeanie, “Do you know how to use that?” I asked.
“Sure, we both do, you giving this to me?” She said.
“Yep, sure am.” I said, as we reached the door to their room. We went inside, the girls got their valise’s out of the closest. I stood by the door, looking out the space of the almost closed door, I didn’t want anybody to surprise me. I could hear them getting their stuff together, “Are you girls almost ready?” I asked, glancing their way. I shouldn’t of, they had just pulled their fancy saloon girl dresses off. They were naked.
“Hey, didn’t you have any underwear on under those dresses?” I asked.
“We don’t have any, Ma never thought underwear was all that important. Just a nuisance, she always said.” Melinda said. As she reached for a pair of pants. They finished getting dressed, I gave my whole attention to the hallway outside of the door.
Jeanie had buckled Charlie’s gun belt around her hips. She tied the holster down to her leg. She did a few practice draws, she wasn’t all that slow. Melinda had also buckled on an old Colt .45. She looked at me, “This was our Dad’s, we used to share this, but now Jeanie’s got one of her own, so I guess this one is mine.” She wasn’t any slower than Jeanie.
I looked at them both, with their old felt hats on the back of their heads, flannel shirts tucked into their pants, of which the pant legs were stuffed in their boots, to me they looked as cute as two new born calves. I would be proud to have them as my own daughters.
The only thing I would change about them, was they were going to have to start wearing underwear, Brie would see to that.
As we were coming down the stairs the shotgun man was just helping Charlie to his feet. His eyes were still blurry. As we were passing him, I tapped him on the head again. “What did you do that for?” The shotgun man said.
“For these girls, their only fifteen years old.” I said. Janie kicked him in the ribs, just for spite, I guess, as we passed the prone figure. All of this didn’t disturb the business of sin going on about us.
Brie and Jake met us as we came out of the Saloon’s door. “Well now, that’s some better.” Brie said, looking the girls over. Brie was carrying a black leather valise, that she didn’t have before.
“What’s in there?” I asked.
“Money and the claim papers on the mine. It was in the safety deposit box. The Wise River Mine belongs to us, free and clear.” I stepped close and whispered in her ear.
“What? You girls don’t have any underwear?” She said looking at them.
“No, we never did have any.” Melinda said.
“Well, we will correct that. I make panties, there not big and bulky like most women wear. I’m sure you will like them.” Brie said.
The three of them walked toward the Hotel in front of Jake and I. The girls were filling Brie in on how it went. Jake was bouncing along beside me, happy to just be alive…Shouldn’t we all?
Brie stopped at the Desk, she was able to get the room next to ours for the girls. They were chattering so much, they didn’t notice when Jake and I didn’t follow them upstairs. Jake and I walked back outside, we wanted to see more of the town. It had been several years since the last time we were here. It had grew a lot since then.
I was undergoing some what of a let down. We had accomplished what we set out to do; deliver the gold and silver, then changed it to cash. It was about three in the afternoon. Helena was a bustle. It was not only a mining town, but was somewhat of a center for the farms and ranch’s that were popping up everywhere. Jake and I blended right in.
We went by the livery to check on the horses. I never paid too much attention to the man who ran it, before that is. But since Melinda had told me he wanted to take their stable fee’s out in trade, I gave him the once over. He was middle aged with a paunch. Most times I would have of dismissed him with a glance. But now, I noticed he had close set eyes, with a porcine expression to them.
I made sure our horses had plenty of water and feed. Jim wanted to go with us. But I told him to just relax for a couple of more days. The man came over, “How long do you plan on staying?” he asked.
I turned to face him, “Oh, a few more days, I suspect.” I told him, then added, “Why?”
“Well, that team of yours eats a lot, I’m going to have to charge you more for them.” He said.
“Well, you do what you have to. Melinda and Janie said that their horses were here and that they owed you for their keep, how much is it?”
“How do you know them?” he asked.
“Their my nieces, I’m their Uncle on their mother’s side.” I said. I could see his gray matter working hard behind those pig eyes. His eyes glanced down to my tied down guns. One thing I would give him, he may not be too smart, but he had enough horse sense to keep on living.
“Ten bucks, is all.”
“Alright, you put them on my bill. Also oil up their saddles and tack, would you, I’ll pay you extra.” He smiled at that.
Back in the street, Jake and I stood there looking both ways. I told you I was feeling a little low. And when I got to feeling that way, I usually got a little mean. The last time I felt that way was in Fort Benton, when that gang of thieves gave me some grief. I ended up killing all of them. Of course it wasn’t my fault, they started it. It might be that if I was a drinking man it would be different. But I wasn’t….
Jake and I were walking in front of a saloon, when two drunks tumbled through the door, they both lit in the mud in the street. When I say tumbled, it was more like they were thrown out. Two big bruiser’s came out after them.
“You two were told to stay out of here, we don’t serve your kind.” The biggest one said. I glanced at the two in the street, what kind were they? One thing I was mistaken about, they weren’t drunk. They stood up, brushing themselves off. One of the bouncers was holding a shotgun.
One of the two in the street said, “What do you mean our kind?”
“You be Irish, don’t ya? And squaw men to boot.” That rankled them somewhat. I could see that they had fight in them, they were getting ready to pull their guns, when I said.
“Whoa there, boys. I can see that you’re brave enough, but you’re letting your anger dig your grave for you. I suppose you can hit something with those pistols, but that there man has a double barrel eight gage leveled at the two of you, he can cut you both in half with just a little squeeze of his finger.”
They looked at me, the anger slowing fading in their eyes. “Come on boys, I know of a little saloon on down a ways, that would be more than glad to serve our kind. Or at least it used to be there a few years ago.” I put my arm around their shoulders and headed them away from there.
“Boys,” I said, “you never want to fight a stacked deck, there will always be another day.”
We entered the Vaquero’s Rest. As you may have guessed the proprietor was Mexican. We bellied up to the bar, I ordered a bottle of Tequila with beer chasers. The owners name was Mendoza Valdez. He recognized me. He was setting at a table in the corner when we walked in. He came over, “Senor Trego, it has been a little while since you were here, what brings you to Helena?”
“Valdez, it is good to see you Compadre, how is the Senora?” I said, giving him a hug.
“My wife, she is fine. And you my good friend, how are you?”
“As you see, I am alive and well. And I too have a wife now. We are in town on business, she is the owner of the Wise Rive Mine over at Coolidge.” With that I introduced my two young hot heads. I explained to him their problem. He told them that they were always welcome at the Vaquero’s Rest.
We finished our drinks and I sent the boy’s on their way, didn’t want them to get drunk and do something stupid. Valdez and I were on our fifth drink, when I felt a hand on my shoulder, it was Valdez’s youngest child, she had been only ten the last time I had seen her, now she was at least fifteen, and had the attributes to prove it.
“Senor Trego, do you remember me?” She said, as I turned.
“Why yes, Chiquita, I do. But my, you have grown.” Yeah, she had, and they were straining to get out of the white peasant blouse she was wearing. Valdez’s attention was drawn away to some kind of ruckus going on at a poker table. Chiquita pressed closer to me, her nipples were like daggers against my arm.
“Chiquita, I just told your Father that now I too was married. Her name is Brie. You would like her.” I said, trying to back up, but the bar wouldn’t let me.
“No, I wouldn’t. You told me that you would wait for me.” She said, with a little pout on her full lips.
“Ah yes, perhaps I did. But what would you want with an old man like me?”
“Oh, I would find something to do with you!” She said.
“Yes, perhaps, but not as many times as you would like.” I said, with a smile.
I was saved by the Senora, she came up and said, “Chiquita, leave Trego alone, you know you are just teasing him. Be a good girl and go help in the kitchen.” Before she left, she gave my crotch a squeeze. I jumped. The Senora smacked her on her butt, she turned and with a female sway to her walk, she left. I gave a sigh of relief.
“My she’s quite the grown up little lady, isn’t she?” I said.
“I’m afraid more grown up, than a lady. We have to watch her all of the time.” The Senora said, as she took Chiquita’s place, I was saved only by the return of Valdez. I finished my drink and got my butt out of there. Jake was waiting by the door for me.
I’m afraid I had exceeded my two drink limit and I could feel it. Alcohol never did succeed in elevating my mood. I got to thinking about that other saloon who didn’t like Indians. I was getting more pissed by the step.
I had reached the saloon and was about to go in, when I felt a hand take hold of my belt and pull me to a stop. “And just where to do you think you are going?” Brie said.
“Uh, in here.”
“No you’re not. I’ve been looking all over for you. I turned my back and you weren’t there. I thought you were following us upstairs?”
“Well, it didn’t look like you wanted me along, so I took a walk.” I said.
“Yes, and I can see that you have been doing more than just walking, haven’t you?”
“I’ve had a few with an old friend, Mendoza Valdez, at his place the Vaquero’s Rest.” I didn’t tell her about Chiquita and the Senora. I hadn’t had that much to drink… “So then, what were you going in here for, you don’t need anymore to drink.”
“I wasn’t going in to drink, they don’t like Indians in here. I was just going in to kill a few people.”
“Oh, you were, were you? Come on, we’re going back to the Hotel, you need some coffee.” Brie grabbed my right hand, Jake took my left hand in his mouth. They pulled me away. I looked at Jake and said, “Monkey see, monkey do, huh?”
“When did you ever see a Monkey?” Brie said.
“I haven’t. I’ve read about them in books, they imitate what people do, the book said.” As we went down the street, people were staring at us. Jake dropped my hand, he was shy. Or so my alcohol fumed brain thought.
I finally noticed that Brie had changed out of her town clothes to her pants and guns. Maybe it was her they were staring at, yeah of course, it must be her….
I woke to the song of birds outside of our window. The morning sun was shinning brightly across our bed. Brie was still asleep, she was laying there, half covered up. Her breasts were rising and falling with her breathing. I leaned over and kissed the closest one. Her eyes opened, she said, “Don’t play unless you mean it.” I meant it…..
We laid there hugging each other. “Boy, I must have drank more yesterday than I thought. I usually only drink two, but I’m sure I never had more than five.” I said.
“What were you drinking?” Brie asked.
“Tequila.”
“Was that all?”
“Well, chasing it with beer. But that wouldn’t have done all of that damage, would it?” I said.
“Yes, that would do it. Like you said, you never drink more than two. In fact you had ten drinks. You have to count the chaser’s also.” Brie said. “Why were you drinking anyway?”
“I don’t know, I was feeling sort of low. Melancholy I guess they call it.”
“Do you remember where you were when I found you?” Brie said.
“Not so much, where was I?”
“You were going in the “Banker’s Club, it’s a saloon the big wigs of Helena frequent. You said you were going in to kill a few people, because they didn’t like Indians.”
“Yes, I remember now. They threw a couple of young guys out, cause they were what is called, by them, not me, Squaw Men. In other words they were married to Indian women. I calmed those young men down and took them to Valdez’s place. I didn’t want them to get hurt.”
“Ah, I figured you must have had a good reason to want to kill some people. But at the same time it was so out of character for you.”
“Yeah, I guess that is what liquor does, it turns me into a mean drunk.”
“But I can understand why you were so mad. Being that your father was white and your mother Blackfoot. And then throw alcohol into the mix. It was a good thing I found you.”
“Yes, but I pride myself on my self control. That’s it, I’m not drinking any liquor anymore.” I said, as I sat up in bed. Just then Melinda and Janie came in, without knocking. They got a surprise, cause I didn’t have anything on. That didn’t bother them, they just stood there looking. I took my time in pulling the blanket over me…
“What can we do for you girls?” Brie asked them.
“We wanted to know if you were going down to breakfast with us?”
“Sure,” Brie said, as she got out of bed and got her underclothes from the chair. The girls watched her also. I couldn’t understand, till the thought hit me, they were raised in a one room cabin. Nudity was not out of the ordinary for them. With that thought I got up and got dressed.
Brie had told the girls to go down and order all of us some breakfast, we would be right down. She looked at me, “How is it, that we seem to gather girls by the two’s?”
“Huh? What do you mean?” I said.
“Well, first their was Brona and Caitie, then Jane and Mary the Blackfoot twins, now it’s Janie and Melinda, who happen to be twins also. How come it’s always girls and no boys?”
“Hmm, I hadn’t thought on it. But maybe because, boy’s are more self-sufficient than girls and don’t need help?” I said.
“Well, I think girls just seem to gravitate to you, like a magnet.” Brie said.
“Why would they? I’m nothing special.” I said.
“You are to me sweetheart. But I don’t think it is a sexual thing, I think they look at us more as parents. You especially as a father figure. And oh yeah, on what you said about boy’s being more self-reliant than girls, I don’t buy that, in fact I believe its just the opposite.”
I thought about that as we went downstairs to breakfast. She could be right, I know I depended on her as a helpmate, in everything. I think everything being equal—We were.
The girls had ordered breakfast, Steak, Potatoes, Beans, Flapjacks with Chokecherry syrup. With Milk and Coffee to drink. They put it away like the growing kids they were. Of course Brie and I ate our share. And yeah, Jake got his share.
We were just finishing up, when I seen a man with a badge on his vest, coming across the room toward us. I had wondered how long it would take for them to take notice of us. He was medium tall, with a neat trimmed moustache, perhaps fifty years old. He had a humorous twinkle in his eye.
His badge said, SHERIFF in big bold letters. As he came up, I told Jake, “Jake, get down and give the Sheriff your chair.” Jake jumped down. The Sheriff bowed slightly toward my wife. “Mrs. Shelby,” he said, then looking at me, he held his hand out, I stood up and took the proffered hand.
“Set down Sheriff, I see that you’ve done your homework.” I said.
“Yes, wouldn’t you Marshal?” He said, as he settled into Jake’s warmed up chair.
“Well Trego, you’ve been here the best part of two days and you have people talking. Not only that, but Charlie Kitchen came by my office and wanted to swear out a warrant for your arrest. He say’s that you assaulted him, is that right?”
“Yeah, I guess technically it would be right. I did bend my gun barrel over his head, that is after he went to draw on me.” I said.
“Alright, he also said that you stole money and his gun, is that right?”
“Nope, not quite, I simply took money that he owed me, he was a little short on cash, so I took his gun and belt. I gave them to Janie. And Oh yeah, he was trying to turn these underage girls into prostitutes. He ought to be glad that I didn’t perforate him.”
“Well, I can see that your actions were justified,” he said, while looking the women over. As well he might, they were the only women here dressed in pants with tied down guns. “Your women ought to be glad that you are so protective, but I hardly think it would be necessary, they seem quite capable of taking care of themselves.”
