The Blacksmith

by Bryan A. Salisbury

  “Hmm,” Blake said and finished his beer. “Well, Dan, it has been a pleasure. I’m going to turn in.” Blake stood and shook his hand.

  Dan smiled, “Staying at the hotel?”

  “Yup.”

  “Pleasant little snake at the desk over there, isn’t he?”

  “He reminded me more of a weasel,” Blake replied. They both laughed and Blake left.

  Chapter 4

  Blake slept peacefully that night and woke early as the ssun was causing the night sky to turn gray with streaks of yellow. It promised to be another fine warm day. He rose and went over to the basin. After washing the sleep out his eyes, he dressed, buckled on his gun belt and headed downstairs. The air was cool and refreshing. Blake yawned and started over for Chrissy’s. People were starting to come out and go about their day. Josh Dooley was sweeping off the boardwalk in front of his store and gave Blake a wave, “Morning,” he called out. Blake waved and called back, “Morning, Josh.”

  He was just about to the café and was wondering if Hap and Avery were going to show, when the two of them rounded the corner from the livery. Blake had serious doubts if they would come or if they had took off for the tall and uncut. “Morning, boys,” he said as they got closer. “How’d you sleep?”

  “Weren’t no featherbed like the hotel, but I’m guessin’ it were alright,” Avery grumbled.

  “You shore snored enough for it bein’ jest alright,” Hap chimed in. “Dreamt I was bein’ et by a bear.”

  Blake smiled and said, “How about some breakfast?”

  “Can’t speak for ol’ sourpuss here, but I’d be obliged,” Hap said grinning.

  “Suppose vittles won’t hurt none,” Avery grumbled some more.

  “All right, then,” Blake said and they went in the diner.

  Chrissy was there looking fresh and prettier than ever. She gave Blake a slight smile which made her more attractive. “Sit where you like, boys. Coffee?” she asked.

  “Please,” Blake said and they took the same seats they had yesterday.

  “Three coffees, Bonnie,” she called out. The same young woman came out quickly with the cups and a large pot. Again she would not look at them. Blake got a slightly better glance at her this time. Through the long hair he could see blue eyes and a thin tight mouth. What he noticed this time was a thin scar that ran down the side of her face from the corner of her eye almost to her lip. He felt something bad had happened, he didn’t know what, but it didn’t look like an accident.

  “Thank you,” Blake said as she poured.

  “Welcome,” she replied in a whisper and hurried back to the kitchen.

  “What can I get you?” Chrissy asked in her usual curt tone. “The special this morning is hotcakes with eggs and bacon.”

  “That sounds fine.” Blake had a big smile on. He was trying to get Chrissy to cock her eyebrow at him. He didn’t know why but it amused him.

  It worked. She strutted back into the kitchen and returned with plates piled high with scrambled eggs, hotcakes and bacon, all piping hot and smelling delicious. The three of them dug into the food and, again, Hap and Avery ate like they had been starving for weeks.

  “I could get used to this,” Avery said around a mouthful of eggs.

  “Umm hmm,” Hap agreed.

  “Well, gentlemen, that brings me to why I asked you here. I don’t think you two are bad men, I think you got on the wrong trail because of some bad ideas,” Blake said, looking directly at Avery. “I arranged for work for both of you. What you have is a chance to make something of yourselves. Either that or we can go down to the jail and talk to the sheriff. It’s your choice.” They both stopped eating and looked at each other.

  “Jobs,” Avery said almost choking. “I ain’t never really had no payin’ job before. I ain’t so sure I cotton to it all that much.”

  “At the rate you two were going, you were going to end up in jail or worse. I’m giving you a chance. Take it or leave it,” Blake said matter-of-factly.

  “Mr. Thorton, I’ll be takin’ you up on it. I’m clean and fed for the first time in a long while. I plumb forgot how good that felt,” Hap said firmly. “I don’ got no idea why you’re doin’ this but I ain’t gonna look a gift horse in the mouth. I’m in and ifn’ my dimwit brother had the sense God give a goose, he would, too.”

  “Damn, Hap, work?” Avery looked like he had been gut shot.

  “Hell yeah,” Hap stated.

  “How long does we have to do this?” Hap asked, still unsure.

  “You’re set up for one month. Come to work sober every day, and no stealing,” Blake said. “If you work hard and keep your noses clean, maybe they will hire you on permanent. No promises. After that you’re on your own. What’ll it be?”

  “I’ll not bring you any shame. I’m in,” Hap said. “Well, Avery, what you thinkin’?”

  “Well seen’ as you’re the leader now,” Avery said in a mocking tone, “I guess I can do it for a month.”

  “It’s settled then,” Blake said. “I will set you up with a tab at Chrissy’s so you can use your money to find a better place to stay and get yourself some more clothes. Just don’t get too fat eating her cooking,” Blake said with a chuckle in his voice.

  “Boy, howdy, ain’t that the truth,” Hap said smiling.

  After they finished breakfast, they got up to leave. “Wait for me outside,” Blake said. He made his way over to the counter where Chrissy was refilling coffee for some other customers. “Need a minute of your time, ma’am,” Blake said politely.

  “What can I do for you?” Chrissy asked with the same terse tone she always seemed to have.

  There was something about this woman that intrigued Blake. He wondered if this was just her makeup or if she wore an attitude like a shield. “Have I done something to offend you? Because normally someone needs to know me better before I piss them off so bad,” Blake said smiling. One of the cowboys at the counter choked on his coffee and laughed.

  “No sir, she’s always pissed off,” he said laughing.

  Chrissy’s face turned a bright red and her eyes flashed with anger. “Perhaps,” she said with a slight growl in her voice that quelled any laughter. “If you would take that smart-aleck smirk off your face, you could see that I am very busy and I have no time for shenanigans or flirtations.”

  “Damn, I like her,” Blake thought. The look in her eyes and color in her cheeks made her all the more appealing. “Well then, I will try to be more serious, ma’am,” Blake said. He was still smiling a little but he couldn’t help it. “I have a business proposition for you.”

  “And that would be…?” she growled back.

  “Those two men I have brought in here a couple times, I would like to run a tab for their meals. Or I can pay up front, whatever you want.”

  “Tabs are not the way I like to do business, people can get forgetful and I suffer. Seeing as how I just met you and don’t know if you are trustworthy, I think I would prefer payment up front.” She had a good point, Blake thought.

  “But how can I be sure I can trust you?” Blake asked still with a devilish smile.

  “Because you approached me,” she said not wavering.

  “Fair enough. How much?”

  “How long?” she shot back.

  “One month.”

  “They seem to have hearty appetites, I’ll probably lose money,” she said. “Sixty dollars.”

  “Fifty,” Blake said. “They might not eat every meal here.”

  “Then I will keep track of each meal until that money runs out. Sixty,” she said firmly.

  “Seeing as you are willing to go to the trouble to do that, I’m agreeable,” Blake said taking out three twenty dollar gold pieces and gave them to her. “It has certainly been a pleasure doing business with you.” Once again Blake smiled, the smile that got under her skin, and he tipped his hat and headed for the door. When he reached the door he turned to look at her once m
ore. She was looking back at him with her eyebrow cocked. He laughed to himself and joined up with Hap and Avery.

  ******

  Blake’s plan was to set up Hap to work at the mercantile with Josh Dooley and his family, and Avery over at the livery. He thought by splitting them up they might do better. He wasn’t sure and still thought his odds were about fifty/fifty that they might find a better way to live. He knew that it could be a difficult thing to change but these two had hit rock bottom with no prospects. Maybe this would help, maybe not. It was up to them now; Blake had done all he could. He didn’t know why he did things like this, maybe he was atoning for some of his own past sins, or maybe it was the fact he had hit rock bottom himself and knew what it was to be hungry, dirty and cold. He remembered how lonely that was. How he felt shame. Most of all, how hard it had been to pull himself up and be a man. He had accepted the kindness of strangers before and knew that to honor what they had done for him could only be repaid by passing the same kindness to others.

  Hap seemed to be a good fit for the store. He was humble and polite with the Dooley’s and set right to work. Madeline took charge and led him by the hand to show him where everything was in the store. He was kind and gentle with her and seemed to like children. Avery waited outside while Blake introduced him to the family. “Are we all set then?” Blake asked Josh.

  “Yessir,” Josh replied. “We can’t thank you enough.”

  What Hap and Avery didn’t know is that Blake had fronted Josh and the livery man a month’s wages for the two, with the understanding that it was for one month. No strings attached. If either of the two men didn’t work out then they could let them go and keep the money for the wages. All he asked was for them to be given a chance.

  When Blake left to take Avery down to the livery, Avery asked, “Where you takin’ me then?”

  “To the livery to work for Joe Bergman,” Blake said.

  Avery seemed annoyed. “Why does I have to shovel horseshit while Hap gets a clean store?”

  “Because you and Joe seem to be better suited for each other. Plus I didn’t think you would care for being around kids that much,” Blake said flatly.

  “Maybe you got yourself a point there. Hap never cared for my cussin’ around youngers,” Avery said scratching his chin.

  Joe Bergman was less enthusiastic about taking Avery on, but he needed the help and showed Avery what he wanted him to do. They disappeared into the stable both grumbling under their breath. Blake turned to leave and suddenly heard Joe burst out laughing and said, “Good one, Avery,” then they were both laughing.

  “Maybe this might work,” Blake said to himself.

  Blake rounded the corner up the main street. He checked his pocket watch and saw it was about eight o’clock. “Well, let’s go see if the bank is open,” he said to himself.

  As Blake was walking up the main street to the bank he heard a strange clacking noise coming from an alley between two buildings. What he saw next was a mystery to him, because it appeared to be a young man hitting a dog with a rock, except the dog didn’t appear to be hurt or mind in any way. The dog just sat patiently waiting for the boy to finish. His curiosity getting the better of him, Blake moved closer to get a better look at what going on. As he got within a few feet, the boy suddenly realized he was there and jumped back startled. “Whatcha doing there, son?” Blake asked.

  The boy appeared to be sixteen or maybe seventeen with very dirty blond hair that hung down in his eyes. His clothes were ratty and too small for him. He looked like he hadn’t had a decent meal in quite some time. His fingers were raw from beating two stones together trying to separate a piece of rope that was tied around the dog’s neck. “T-t-t-t-rying t-t-t-o b-b-b-break,” the boy stammered. Obviously the boy had a stuttering problem.

  Blake had heard of this before, and he didn’t want to try to finish his sentence for him, so he asked, “Would you like to borrow a knife?” The boy nodded his head up and down quickly. Blake always carried a smaller knife on his belt on his left hip in front because he found it very useful for quick cutting jobs such as this. Removing the blade with his left hand, he held it out handle first to the boy. “Careful now, it’s pretty sharp,” Blake warned.

  The boy gently took the knife and carefully cut the rope off the dog, who promptly started licking his face. He started to rub the dog’s neck examining where the rope had rubbed a sore on it. He started to hand Blake back the knife, but held it a little longer to admire it. “Th-th-th-thanks,” he said sheepishly.

  As Blake took the knife back and returned it in its sheath, he continued to study the boy. Although he wasn’t much to look at, he seemed polite enough and liked animals, so he couldn’t be all bad. “What’s your name?” Blake asked with a little smile.

  Still not wanting to look Blake in the eyes the boy held his head low and stammered, “C-c-c-c-aleb.”

  “Fine name, son,” Blake said holding out his hand for the boy to shake. With a suspicious look on his face Caleb shook his hand, but it was very timid and weak. Blake smiled, “When you shake a man’s hand let him know you’re there. Don’t be shy about it and look him in the eye.” Caleb grasped his hand a little firmer and briefly looked at Blake. “Well, it’s a start,” Blake mused.

  Then a thought struck Blake. “Don’t you own a knife?” The boy shook his head and stared at the ground. “A man should have a knife,” Blake stated. “Never know when the need will arise.” Blake knelt down on the ground and pulled up his pant leg over his boot. He pulled out a knife in a sheath almost exactly like the one he wore except it had a metal clip to hold it in place. He held it out to Caleb. “Here, you can have my spare,” he said.

  Caleb didn’t raise his hand to take it but kept his head down and said quietly, “C-c-c-ccan’t p-p-p-pay.”

  “I didn’t ask for money, boy. It’s a gift. You did a good turn for that dog and now I’m gonna do one for you.” Blake held out the knife and just when he thought Caleb wasn’t going to take it, Caleb slowly raised his hand and gently accepted the gift.

  “W-w-w-what’s y-y-yy-your n-n-name M-m-m-mister?” Caleb stammered.

  “Blake Thorton,” Blake replied, grinning broadly now.

  “T-t-t-thanks,” Caleb said and held out his hand to shake Blake’s. Blake grinned and took his hand. The grip was much firmer this time and Caleb looked him straight in the eye.

  “Well, I best be on my way,” Blake said. “Take care now.” The boy turned and ran down the alley with the dog right on his heels.

  ******

  The bank seemed to be opened because Blake saw people entering and leaving as he approached it. He made his way up the short steps when the door opened and out stepped Tom MacIntyre with the two same men who seemed to follow him around like puppies. Blake and Tom met face to face and just stared at each other.

  “Going in the bank, mister?” Tom asked with a sneer to his voice.

  “Seems like,” Blake said.

  “And what business do you have in there?” challenged Tom.

  “My own,” Blake replied. Blake knew when he was being pushed and felt his anger rise.

  “Now what would a drifter want in our fine bank?” Tom sneered. “You planning on robbing it, are you?”

  “Now that thought never occurred to me,” Blake said. Then he smiled slightly, “But if I was, I sure hope you would be the first one to try to stop me.”

  Tom was taken back a little, but recovered quickly. “I’ve seen you around town. We’re just trying to keep out troublemakers.”

  “I bet. It seems as though this town has all the troublemakers it needs.”

  “I don’t think I like you,” growled Tom.

  “And I damn sure don’t care. Now are you going to let me pass, or should we go see the sheriff and find out why you are being an asshole?”

  They stared at each other for a few seconds. Blake knew he had embarrassed Tom in front of his men and Tom knew there was no backup in Bla
ke. Tom gave Blake an evil grin and slowly stepped aside saying, “I’ll be watching you, boy,” with the emphasis on ‘boy.’

  “I’m ten years your elder, boy,” Blake replied, putting the same tone on ‘boy.’ “You might want to keep that in mind.” Blake gave all three men a hard look and walked by them into the bank. As he went in and had his back to them he listened close to make sure they left. The three of them seemed like the type to jump a man from behind. Blake tried to shake off the anger; he knew Tom MacIntyre and his kind. His type was always strutting around like they were kings. Intimidation was their weapon, and most people cowed to it. He could be dangerous if cornered, because if a man actually stood up to him, he would try to do something to save face. Usually, something stupid.

  Blake eased the look on his face and studied the bank. There were three teller windows, all with bars. Two of them had a man dressed in a pinstriped shirt helping customers. One guard sat in the corner with a shotgun on his lap. He looked like an older gent and appeared to be taking a nap. A large, fat man sat behind a huge desk with stacks of papers on either side. As he scribbled in a ledger book Blake could see his jowls shake over his tie. He was practically bald and wore thick, wire rimmed glasses. Guessing that he must be Weatherby, Blake walked over to his desk.

  “May I help you?” the man asked, looking over his glasses.

  “Hopefully you can. My name is Blake Thorton.” Blake held out his hand. “Would you be Mr. Weatherby?”

  “I am,” he said and gave Blake a sweaty, limp handshake.

  “I understand you hold the keys to the blacksmith shop.”

  “I do,” he said. “Are you answering the advertisement I sent out for opening up the shop we have in town? We surely need one here.”

  “No I’m not, I was just passing through and my horse needs to be reshod. Seeing as no one can help me, I was wondering if I could have use of the forge.”

  “Damn,” Weatherby said throwing his pen on the desk, “I put out that notice six months ago and not even a nibble. Well, the rental fee is five dollars day.”