A Man for Temperance (Wagon Wheel)

by Gilbert, Morris

  Benny quickly cleared off the desk, and Temperance began to unload the basket. “You go ahead and start,” she said. “You have some glasses we can put this cider in?”

  “Shore do.” Benny eagerly found two mismatched glasses and sat down. At once he began eating the chicken, and Temperance sat down and began to eat rather daintily. She was not hungry, but she was pleased to see that Benny washed the chicken down with huge swallows of the cider.

  “This cider is good. Got kind of a different taste to it.”

  “It was my father’s secret remedy. You better be careful or you can get too much of that and—”

  “Can’t get too much of a good thing, I always say.”

  Temperance was highly nervous; she had no idea who might come in the door at any minute. She could still hear the tinny sound of the piano, but she saw with satisfaction that Benny had drunk at least half of the quart of cider. She herself pretended to drink out of a glass but merely sipped at it. It made her shudder as the tiny swallow hit her stomach. She could not imagine what it was doing to the jailer’s! She felt bad about this, but she had been unable to think of any other way to do what God was leading her to do.

  Benny was slowing down. His speech was becoming slurred. He was digging at the potato salad with a spoon and his eyelids drooped as he said, “Best . . . meal . . .” He tried to finish the sentence and said, “Don’t know what’s . . . the matter. Doggone . . . I’m sleepy!”

  “You probably missed a lot of sleep, Benny.”

  Suddenly she heard Timmy crying out in the wagon. “Oh, there’s the baby crying. You go ahead and finish. I’ll go get him and bring him in.”

  “Can’t hardly . . .”

  Quickly Temperance ran out and lifted Timmy from the box. Turning, she went back inside, and when she stepped through the door, she saw with a mixture of relief and fear that Benny was slumped in the chair, his head back and his mouth open. She was afraid she may have killed him, but when she got closer, she saw the rise and fall of his chest, and he was muttering something in his sleep.

  Holding Timmy with one arm, she plucked the key off from one nail. She had seen Benny do the same thing on a previous visit. Opening the door, she stepped inside the corridor. It was so dark she could hardly see, but a candle burning at one end threw its pale, feeble light.

  “Brennan, are you awake?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ve got the key here.” She had trouble fitting the key in as dark as it was and trying to hold the baby with one hand. Finally she found the keyhole and turned the key. To her relief the door swung open at once.

  “What did you do to Benny, stab him?”

  “No, I fed him drugged liquor. Come on. We’ve got to get out of here. Somebody could come at any minute.”

  The two stepped back into the office, and Brennan took one look at Benny. He leaned over and said, “He’s dead drunk.”

  “We’d better take all this back. We don’t want to leave any of the food or my basket. Somebody might recognize it.”

  They gathered everything together, and she reached down into the bottom of the basket. “Here’s an empty whiskey bottle. I thought we’d leave it. They’ll think he drank himself into a drunken state.”

  Brennan was moving around behind the desk. He opened the lower drawer and pulled out his gun belt. He checked the loads and strapped it on.

  “We’ve got to leave,” Temperance said.

  “You go on back to the house.”

  She stared at him. “Aren’t you coming with me?”

  “I’m not leaving without Judas. That’s the best horse I’ve ever had. Besides, if he’s gone, they’ll think I’ve taken off for the coast or else back over the trail.”

  “How will they think you got out?”

  “Benny came back and played checkers and practiced his guitar in my cell. Everybody knew that.” He stared at her and shook his head. “I didn’t think you could do it. I’ve got to hide for a few days. You sure you want to do this, Temperance?”

  “Yes. God told me so.”

  “All right. You go on home. I’ll come in later and we’ll figure out how to do it.”

  * * *

  TEMPERANCE LOOKED UP, AND when she saw Marshal Joe Meek coming on his iron gray stallion, fear touched her. She covered it quickly, however, and when he stopped, she smiled and said, “Why, Marshal Meek, what are you doing out so early this morning?”

  Meek was disturbed, she could see. His face was trapped in a scowl. “I’m out chasing a man.”

  “I’ve got something to eat if you’re hungry.”

  “I’m so hungry I could eat a skunk.”

  “Come on in,” Temperance said. She led him inside the house, and he glanced over to where Timmy was lying in his box and on the other side of the room Rose and Billy were playing with the blocks. “You still got the younguns.”

  “Yes, I have. Here, sit down.” She put out meat, a huge cut of roast, potatoes, and fresh bread and filled his coffee cup. He looked at her oddly and said, “You hear about Brennan?”

  “What about him? The last I heard he was in jail.”

  “He broke out last night.”

  “Broke out!” She managed to assume an astonished look. “How could he do that?”

  Meek shrugged. There was a look of disgust as he took a big bite of the pork roast. “Benny ain’t much. He got drunk, and he was always careless about leaving the cell doors open.” He chewed thoughtfully and said, “He had a terrible hangover this morning. He thought you was at the jail last night.”

  “Me? Why would I be there? I have three children to take care of.”

  Meek drank a huge draft of coffee. “Well, Benny was pretty drunk. I thought you might have been there earlier to visit.”

  “In the middle of the night?”

  Meek looked embarrassed and finished his meal. Finally he said, “I had to let Benny go. Now I got to run Brennan down. I want to look at the room he stayed in, Miss Peabody.”

  “Why, of course, Marshal. It’s out in the barn. I can’t go with you for I can’t leave the children.”

  “I’ll find it.”

  “It’s right in the back.”

  Temperance went over and picked up Timmy, walking the floor to conceal her nervousness. She sang a little song to him, but Meek was back almost at once. “Nothing in there to tell where he might have gone. He didn’t have much.”

  “No, he didn’t.”

  Meek grabbed his hat and jammed it on his head. “I’m thinking he took off for Portland, hoping to get a ship out. That’s where a lot of fugitives run to. Thanks for the meal, Miss Temperance.”

  “You’re welcome, Marshal.” Temperance watched the big man mount his horse and leave at a dead run. She should have felt easy, but she did not. She had expected Brennan to come in last night after she had gotten him out of jail, but he had not appeared, and now it was getting late in the afternoon. Doubt took her, but she said aloud, “He swore he would help me. I’ve got to believe it!”

  * * *

  A THIN SLICE OF the moon was high in the sky, and Temperance watched as a small cloud drifted toward it. She tried to guess whether it would hit or miss the moon. Finally it missed the moon, and the silver crescent seemed to shine even brighter.

  “Well, I’m back.”

  Temperance gave a huge start for she had not heard a sound. She jumped out of the chair and saw Brennan standing beside her on the porch. Her heart was beating fast, and she said, “I didn’t hear you.”

  “You weren’t supposed to. I need something to eat.”

  “I’ve left stuff to warm on the stove. Come inside.” She led him inside and he sat at the table. She took the coffeepot off and watched him as he drank two cups while she heated the food. She put part of the pot roast on the table, the same Meek had shared, and she mentioned that to him. “Marshal Meek was by here looking for you.”

  “Did he suspect you?”

  “Benny said something about my being there, but I th
ink the marshal thought he was just drunk. Where have you been?”

  “I had to stake Judas in the deep woods. I found a good spot. People know that hoss, and if they see him, we’re dead.” He threw himself into the meal, and she sat down and watched him sip from a coffee cup. When he was through, he pushed the plate back, and she asked, “When can we leave, Thaddeus?”

  “I’ve been thinking about that. You’re going to have to buy some oxen and a good wagon.”

  “Won’t our wagon do?”

  “No. We’ve got to have a Conestoga wagon in order to make the trail.”

  “I don’t even know what that is nor how to buy oxen.”

  He leaned forward and studied her. “I want you to wait two or three days. By that time the noise about my escape will die down some. Then you go to that preacher and some of the rest of the men that have been trying to get these kids back East. You tell them that you’ve located a man to take you back.”

  “Well, they’ll want to know who it is.”

  “Just tell them you got a man that was well recommended to you, but that he won’t be here for a few days.”

  “I don’t want to lie.”

  “I don’t want to go over that trail back East with a bunch of kids either, but I’m doing it, ain’t I?”

  “All right. I think I can convince them.”

  “They’ll be glad to help you. They all have been worried about getting those kids back. They might even help pay for it. Be sure you get four of the best animals that can be bought and a first-class wagon.”

  “All right, Thaddeus, I’ll do it.”

  He sat there for a time holding the coffee cup in his big hand. She studied him carefully, for this was the man in whose hands she had put her life and the lives of the babies she wanted to get to their relatives. He was a man roughly thrown together, like a machine, it occurred to her. There was no fineness or smoothness about him. His mouth was wide and was expressive only when he smiled, and his heavy nose swelled somewhat to accommodate wide nostrils. His hair was black and rough, and his eyes were a strange shade of blue-gray she had not noticed before. He looked up and saw her studying him and said, “What’s the matter?”

  “Nothing, Thaddeus. I’m just anxious to get started.”

  “Don’t you realize we could all get killed on this trip?”

  “No, we won’t.”

  “God tell you that, did He?”

  “In a way. He wouldn’t lead me into all this just to get me killed.”

  “Well, I’m proud you’ve got God for a friend. We’re gonna need a friend like that on the way.” He got up and pulled his hat down squarely. “I’ll come in tomorrow night.”

  * * *

  TEMPERANCE WAITED THREE DAYS, and during that time she was aware the excitement over the jailbreak had faded. Jailbreaks were not uncommon. As soon as she sent word to the pastor that she wanted to see him, Blevins came by, and she said, “I found a man, Pastor.”

  “You mean somebody to take the children?”

  “Well, I’ll have to go with him to take care of the children.”

  “Who is he?”

  “Just a man I heard about. He’s on another job right now, but he comes well recommended.”

  “Has he ever been on the trail? What do you know about him?”

  “Like I say, he comes well recommended. Yes, he’s been over the trail several times.” Quickly, to take the preacher’s mind off the mysterious man, she said, “He asked me to get the men in the community to help buy good oxen and a Conestoga wagon.”

  “Why, that won’t be any trouble at all. There’s always travelers who leave their wagons and animals here and go by raft. I’ll get the men together, and, Temperance, I think I could even raise some of the money for the outfit.”

  “That would be fine, Pastor.”

  “Are you sure you want to make this trip? It’s rough.”

  “It was rough coming here, but God has told me to get Timmy to his relatives, and I’ve got to do it.”

  As soon as Blevins left, Temperance stood there for a moment. Finally she muttered, “Well, Lord, I guess that was as close to a lie as I can come without actually lying, but You’ll have to forgive me for it.”

  * * *

  ONLY TWO DAYS HAD passed since Temperance had talked to Blevins, but the men had gotten together and bought six of the finest oxen she had ever seen and a sturdy Conestoga wagon. Blevins and some of the other men brought them to her house. The pastor had been pleased beyond measure. “We’ve got it all stocked up with food. Everything you need for the trail. Silas wouldn’t take any money for it. He says this trip’s on him.”

  “I could never thank you enough.”

  “When do you leave? When is this man coming? I’d like to meet him.”

  “I’m not exactly sure, but we’ll have to leave quickly. I want to get this trip over with.”

  “Well, bring him by when he comes. And don’t worry about your place. I talked to the oldest Henderson boy, Todd. He’s only seventeen, but he’s responsible. He’ll come and stay here until you get back. I’ll see to it that your crop is made. You try not to worry.”

  Although she had no intention of worrying, Temperance said, “I’ll try, Pastor.”

  That night Brennan came in and saw the stock. He went over the oxen in the moonlight and lantern light and looked at the wagon.

  “Why, those fellows have done right noble,” he said. “Fine a stock as I’ve ever seen. And I’ve gone over the wagon. It’s just full of food and everything you’d need.”

  “Come in the house. There’s something I want to tell you.”

  Brennan followed her in, and she turned and took an envelope out of her apron pocket. “I’m going to pay you five hundred dollars to make this trip, Brennan.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I don’t trust you.”

  “Good! You’re learning. Don’t trust anybody.”

  “Like you say, I’m learning to look out for myself.”

  “Well, we’re probably all going to get scalped by Cheyenne anyhow, but I don’t mind a little extra money.”

  “We won’t get scalped,” she said. She looked young and vulnerable, and at that moment he was surprised by the smoothness of her face. She had acquired confidence the hard way, and he could only guess at what cost. No woman could display so much pride without having to suppress great emotions. She kept her lips together, and as he watched her, he got an impression of her spirit. He felt something stir within him in spite of his determination to not like this woman. “Well, I say we leave at dawn. What about your place here?”

  “The men are going to take care of it, watch the stock, until I get back.”

  “That’s good. Well, I’ll go get Judas and we’ll leave at first light.”

  She watched him as he left. Fear came to her, but at the same time a challenge such as she had never known. “I’m going to do Your will, God,” she said aloud, “and You’ll just have to keep us safe.” She looked in the darkness where Brennan had disappeared. “And I pray that You’d save that man’s soul. He needs You bad!”

  For a long moment she stood there peering into the darkness, and then she smiled and turned back to enter the house.

  PART TWO

  Thaddeus

  Chapter Seven

  THE SUN HAD ALREADY begun to etch a fine line on the tops of the Blue Mountains as Temperance drove the team along the road toward the Benton place. She was still upset over the altercation she’d had with Brennan earlier. He had wanted to be on the road before daylight, but there was no way that she could pick up the Overmeyer children any earlier. Her lips tightened as she thought of how profanely he had spoken, and even as she saw the Benton house, she tried to calm herself.

  “What do I care what he says?” she muttered through stiff lips. “He doesn’t care anything about anybody but himself!”

  Glancing over her shoulder, she saw that Billy and Rose were still asleep on the pallet she had made fo
r them. Rose was holding tightly to Timmy, with an overdeveloped maternal instinct. Temperance had suggested that Brennan keep the children while she went for the others, but he had merely glared at her and stomped off without even giving an answer.

  Pulling up in front of the log house, she saw Carl Benton standing outside, waiting for her. She knew him slightly and nodded, “How are you, Mr. Benton?” Carl Benton was a thickset man with blunt red features and a shovel beard that gave him a rather dignified look. He helped her out of the wagon and for just a moment held her hand. “Miss Peabody, I’m going to warn you one more time. This is a foolish thing you are doing.”

  Temperance was not surprised. She had spoken with Benton before, and he had been dead set against her making the trip. She managed a smile despite the turbulence in her breast. “It’s all right, Mr. Benton. I prayed about it, and God will be with us.”

  Benton was a Christian himself but also a man of practical instincts. “There’s such a thing as having faith in God,” he muttered as the two of them walked toward the door of the cabin, “and then there’s such a thing as being mule stubborn. Everybody I know of in the community says you’re crazy for going on this trip.”

  “Well, I’m glad they finally agreed on something.”

  Benton gave her a startled look, then snapped with obvious irritation, “It ain’t nothing to jest about, but I see your mind’s made up.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  Before they reached the cabin door, Elmus Benton stepped out, herding the three Overmeyer children. She had a harried look of fatigue, and Temperance guessed it was from caring for the children after taking over for the pastor and his wife. The youngest, Bess, was only eleven months old and would be no trouble, but Bent Overmeyer, at the age of six, had the look of wildness about him. He had bright red hair, green eyes, and freckles sprinkled across his face. He was a thickset youngster, not fat, merely firm even at his youthful age. He was staring at Temperance as if she were an enemy of some sort.

  Rena Overmeyer, age twelve, had an even more resentful and rebellious look on her face. She had the same red hair and green eyes as the others, but even at the age of twelve was already maturing. She wore a gray linsey-woolsey dress that was shapeless, tied together with a string around the waist, and there was a look of total defiance on her face.