Hangtown Creek: A Tale of the California Gold Rush (A Tom Marsh Adventure Book 1)

by John Rose Putnam

  “You really mean it, sir? I mean, do you really mean it?”

  “You bet I do. Wimmer spoke real high of you, says Mrs. Wimmer thinks the world of you, and if that woman likes you, it’s good enough for me.” He stuck his hand out across the table. “We got a deal, Tom?”

  Tom took his hand and shook it vigorously. He broke into a bright grin. He had a job. He had sealed the deal with a handshake. He really was a man. “Yes, sir. We got a deal.”

  “That’s just great. Why don’t you finish up that pie and we’ll head out of here. Got a long ride back over the hill before sundown.”

  “Did you say the Old Dry Diggin’s, sir?”

  “Yeah, the Old Dry Diggin’s.”

  “Sort of a funny name for a town, ain’t it?”

  “Yeah, I reckon it is. Let’s get your stuff.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  It was close to sundown, and Tom was still excited. This wasn’t like the job at the Golden Nugget. First off, he liked Eban a lot. After Mr. Alberts, that seemed pretty important. Then Eban said he would have a place to sleep, a place inside where it was warm. And best of all, he would have food. He would eat every day now. He felt like he wanted to dance all the way across California.

  The wagon picked up speed as it rolled downhill. Eban pulled on the brake to keep it from going faster than the mules. Through the trees Tom could see buildings. It wouldn’t be long now.

  At the bottom of the hill they splashed across a stream, then Eban turned left towards a town. “Well, this is it. The Old Dry Diggin’s.”

  Tom’s eyes were wide. “Wow, everything’s so new here. Just like Coloma.”

  A second road wound up the far hill. “That’s the new road to Sacramento City. When the Mormons left for the Great Salt Lake, they built a road all the way through the Sierra. Folks say it’s a lot better route, and when the wagon trains from the east get here they’ll take it. Where this road meets the Mormon road there’s a place with good water and room for a lot of wagons to stop and rest. It’s called Diamond Springs. After the trip out here, folks will be low on supplies. I figure we’ll be making a lot of runs to Diamond Springs real soon.”

  The wagon rolled into the town. Tom saw a grocer and a dry goods store. Up the street a smith pounded on his anvil under a white canvas tarp next to a large oak tree. Then came a hay barn and next a butcher shop with a small corral next door.

  “Whoa, mules. Whoa now.” Eban pulled the wagon to the right, in front of an empty space along the street. “This is where the new hotel’s going to be. Let’s get this lumber unloaded.”

  “Yes, sir.” He hopped to the ground and joined Eban at the rear of the wagon. Four men came up to help, and together they made quick work of the lumber.

  “The stable is up the road. After the mules are taken care of we’ll see about supper.”

  “My pa always said a man’s got to take care of his animals first.”

  Eban smiled at him as he cracked the reins to start the wagon. “Your pa was a real smart man.”

  “Yeah, I miss him a lot.” They passed a fancy building on the right. It was a saloon, he was sure. He was pretty good at spotting saloons now. There were two more ahead in large, round tents. Men came out looking like they had been chasing the cow. Pa said he would see it all over the gold country. Pa was right.

  “Eban’s coming in,” Joshua heard Maggie call through the open front door.

  He put his pen down on the desk, welcoming the break from the paperwork of the freight company, and walked to the porch beside her.

  “Looks like he’s got somebody with him. Better put another place on for supper.” He gave her a hug as he spoke. She pecked his cheek.

  “He’s got real good timing, that’s for sure. The roast is probably done, and the cobbler is already cool.” She went inside to finish the dinner preparations. He stayed on the porch and watched as the wagon stopped in front of the new stables. Both men hopped off to take the mules in for the night. He settled into a rocker and lit a cigar.

  Eban had been right about the freight line. It had taken off from the day he brought the wagon back, full of fresh food, from Deer Creek Slough. Now craftsmen who set up shop in the new town were able to sell their products as far away as Sacramento City. That meant that the wagon could leave with a paying load then pick up another for the return trip.

  They were already looking for another wagon and planning on hiring a driver. They would soon need even more wagons and men. Prices on everything went up almost daily, but there was gold everywhere. People were getting rich. It was a good time for anyone in business.

  Tom helped Eban unharness the animals and lead them inside. It felt good to be in the stable. It was a lot like the barn at the farm. It had the same musty, earthy smell, the same noises from the animals. It reminded him of the good days.

  As he got the last of the mules fed and squared away in a stall, he realized that there was another mule in the next stall. He peeked over the gate. The mule inside let out a loud honk and started bucking and kicking in a fury.

  Tom jumped back. “Darn it!” He looked around. Several bags of oats were by the next post. He drug an open bag to the gate, grabbed a handful, and peered back into the stall. The mule was calmer, but still letting out occasional snorts and kicks. He climbed up on the lowest board of the gate so he could stick the hand with the oats in it over the top. The mule brayed again and let out a wallop against the wall.

  “Easy, girl. Easy now. I ain’t going to hurt you. Honest I ain’t. Look, I got you some supper. You’re hungry, I bet. Come on. You can have some.” He spoke softly and gently. Pa always said that if you got a spooked animal, you got to be cool and in control.

  The mule snorted and stared him right in the eyes. “That’s a good girl. Come on and have some oats. You like oats. I know you do.” Her tail swished. It was a good sign.

  He grabbed a pinch of the oats and dropped them back into his hand slowly, so she could see them. “Yeah, you want some. I know you do. Come on over and help yourself. Come on now.”

  The tail swished again. The mule took a cautious step forward, and then another. She sniffed at the handful of oats, then, with a wary eye on Tom, she gobbled them up.

  “That’s a good girl, yeah.” He reached down to the bag and grabbed another handful. The mule chomped them down quickly, so he got another, and another, and another. At last the mule snorted and shook her head. She’d had enough.

  He rubbed her nose and scratched her ears. “That wasn’t so bad, was it, girl? We’re going to be friends now, aren’t we?” She bobbed her head and he gave her a final, long, nose rub then hopped down.

  When he turned to go he saw Eban framed in the light of the open doors. Oops, he thought, he had spent too much time feeding this mule by hand. Alberts always yelled at him if he spent time with Pa or talking to Mr. Memphis. He was probably in trouble.

  “Her name’s Clara, Son, and she’s the meanest, nastiest, stubbornest animal I ever seen. She follows Maggie around like a puppy dog, but ain’t nobody else been able to deal with her till you showed up. You got a real good way with animals. I think you’re going to be a big help around here. Now how about some supper?”

  Tom let out a relieved sigh. He wasn’t in trouble. “Yes, sir, I’m real hungry.” He ran after Eban. This new job was going to be great. He was sure. As they passed the wagon he pulled out his bag of gear.

  They crossed a log bridge over the same creek they had forded coming into town. At the top of a small hill beside a ravine stood a log cabin. To Tom it looked a lot like the cabin on the farm except it was bigger. It seemed like there were rooms upstairs in the attic too.

  A man wearing an army hat sat in a rocking chair on the long porch in front. He stood as they mounted the stairs on the right side.

  Eban had his hand on his shoulder. It made Tom feel some better. He didn’t want to do anything to ruin his three meals a day. “Evening, Joshua. This here’s Tom Marsh. He’s going to help us out wit
h the freight operation a good deal, I’m sure.”

  “I’m pleased to meet you, Tom. I’m Joshua Stone, Eban’s partner.” Joshua held out his hand.

  Tom shook the hand. “How do you do, Mr. Stone?”

  “Joshua will do fine. We’re not very formal here.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  A woman came out of the door. She wore a calico dress and had red hair. She was real pretty. He had a funny feeling that he knew her. He smiled.

  She broke into a broad grin. “Tom, I’m so glad you’re here. I’m Maggie, Joshua’s wife. Did I just hear you are going to work for the freight line?”

  He looked down shyly. “Well, yes, ma’am. I guess I am.”

  Eban patted his back. “I’ll say he’s going to work for us. Why, he had that ornery old mule of yours eating out of his hand. He’s as good with her as you are, Maggie.”

  “That’s wonderful. I’m so glad. I’ll bet you’re hungry aren’t you, Tom?” She had a sparkling lilt in her voice. Tom liked her right off.

  “Yes, ma’am. I guess I could eat a bit.” He could smell the aroma of a hot meal from inside. It smelled so good his mouth watered.

  “We’re having pot roast and peach cobbler. Is that all right with you?”

  “Yes, ma’am. That’s great.” He couldn’t hide the excitement in his voice.

  “It’s almost ready. Could you come inside and help me out for a few minutes? I’m sure Eban and Joshua have things they need to talk about, and I would like to get to know you.”

  Tom was unsure what he should do. He looked up to Eban for his approval. “You go ahead, Son. We’ll be in directly.” Eban gave him a little push on his shoulder.

  He followed Maggie inside. It was nice in here, a lot nicer than the farm. By the door there was a table with a lamp on it. Stuffed chairs and rockers faced a stone fireplace on the right wall of the main room, and in the back right corner was a roll top desk. A narrow staircase of half round logs rose steeply from the left corner and up toward the center of the room. Underneath were knotty pine shelves above cabinets with oak doors. Just past the shelves under the stairs, the kitchen door was open. Inside he could see an iron stove, a pot steaming on the top.

  “Wow, this place is real nice, Maggie.” He felt comfortable here, like he had on the farm.

  Maggie walked to the back of the room where the stairs started and opened a door. “Why don’t you put your bag in here, Tom?”

  He looked through the door into a small room. A quilt-covered bed nestled against the kitchen wall. A table and chair were under the rear window, and a dresser with a mirror above it sat opposite the door.

  “Just put your things anywhere. I’ll help you get them straightened away tomorrow.”

  “Ma’am?” He looked up at Maggie. What did she mean by getting his things straightened away? Her bright red lips smiled. Her green eyes sparkled. She reminded him of Ma, back when he was still a boy.

  “It’s your room, Tom. Don’t you like it?”

  “My room? Wow! I ain’t never had a room of my own before, much less a nice room like this. It’s great!”

  “I’m glad you like it. Now I’m hungry. Come on, let’s eat.” She waved for him to follow her then left the room.

  He tossed the gear by the bed and took another look around. Wow! Mr. Memphis was right. Luck really was a lady and he sure felt lucky today. He hurried to catch up with Maggie in the kitchen.

  Joshua stood on the porch and enjoyed the cool of the early evening as he waited for Maggie to put her kitchen back in order after another great supper. When she came out the door, he grinned at her.

  “That was another fine meal, honey. Getting you a stove was the best thing that ever happened to me. I mean, besides meeting you in the first place.” He winked.

  She smiled at Joshua’s compliment. “Eban and Tom must have been tired. They went to bed right after dinner. He’s such a good boy. Why did Eban bring him here?”

  “Eban says Tom’s had a real hard time since his father drank himself to death. Maybe Eban figured we owe him, but he was very impressed with the way Tom handled Clara. Do you like him?”

  “Oh, yes, I like him a lot.”

  “I just want to know if having Tom around is going to cause you problems. If it hurts you to have him here, we’ll find another place for him so he won’t remind you of Jack.”

  “No, I want him to stay. I need him to stay.” She put her hands on the porch rail and stared into the darkness toward the trail from Coloma. Waiting, Joshua knew, for Jack to ride down that road after her. She began to shiver, even though the night was not cold. He put his arm around her and she snuggled into him.

  “Come on, honey. Let’s get to bed.”

  “I still have a few things to do in the kitchen. How about some brandy? You sit down and I’ll bring it to you.”

  “Yes, I could use a little brandy about now. Thank you.” He ushered her inside then walked to the back of the room.

  He pulled out a cigar from a drawer in the roll top desk and lit it on the lamp, then settled back to relax in a stuffed chair. He put his left leg up on the ottoman and rubbed it. The place where it had broken always seemed to act up when the weather was about to change.

  He felt so comfortable here in this snug and tidy cabin. It was his home, not like the house in Philadelphia where he was raised. That was his parents’ house, and while it was equally as warm and homey as this one, it didn’t have the same emotional core that this rough cabin did.

  With a lot of help from Eban’s California experience and his own engineering background at the military academy, the construction had gone well. The log walls sat on a study rock foundation. There was a broad, stone fireplace along the east wall of the main room, and the roof was covered with hand-cut cedar shakes from the ravine up the creek.

  Somewhere Eban had found glass windows, and the largest now graced the front wall of the main room while another was on the south wall. A third window was on the front wall of the kitchen just above the dining table, and the smallest of the four was on the back wall of Tom’s new bedroom. Upstairs there was one in the dormer for both bedrooms.

  The saw mill wasn’t yet in full operation, so all the planks for the floors, doors and windows had been hand sawn. The new mules had supplied the power to drag the logs to the site as well as raise them into place. Yes, he was very proud of his new home, his first home, really.

  She came in from the kitchen, sat on the edge of the ottoman, and put her hand on his leg. “Does your leg hurt you now?”

  “No, not really. I can tell when the seasons change by it, though.”

  She gave his leg a small squeeze before she stood. “Oh, you and those cigars. You’re just like my dad.”

  “And your dad must have been a wonderful man too, my dear.” He quipped.

  “Yes, he was, but not nearly so wonderful as you.” She kissed him quickly on the cheek as she handed him the brandy. Then she returned to the kitchen.

  He took a long sniff from the glass before he took a small sip of the brandy. While he was proud of all he had done in building the cabin, he knew that it was his wife’s contributions that had turned this simple dwelling into a home.

  They had been married at the ranch house of Sheldon and Daylor. It had been a small affair, presided over by a traveling preacher from Sacramento City. The two ranchers ended their mining operation in the valley shortly before the ceremony. With the help of their Miwok workers, they had found an incredible amount of gold along the creek and were set for the rest of their lives.

  Sarah and Catherine, however, as most wives will, decided that some of that newly found wealth was to be spent on refurbishing their home. The adobe house they all shared had been completely redone, and as a wedding present Maggie was given any of their old furnishings she wanted. Maggie was delighted. She couldn’t have asked for a better present.

  She chose the chair he was in as well as the desk and several straight back chairs and rockers. There were side
tables with lamps to go with them and a very nice breakfront along the rear wall. The large sideboard with the tin-covered counter that was perfect for bread making especially thrilled her. And Maggie loved to bake bread. Even though she still had no dishes or glassware, she fell in love with the china cabinet with leaded glass windows, and it had gone into Eban’s freight wagon with the rest.

  He smiled as he remembered her expression when the Wimmers offered her their present next. She saw the two large wooden crates, each with a red bow tied around it, but of course she didn’t know what was inside. Fortunately Eban just happened to have a pry bar handy, and he helped her remove the tops to the boxes. Inside the first was a complete set of chinaware.

  That each plate was decorated with a nautical theme and carried the name of the ship where it must have once adorned the officer’s mess made no difference to Maggie. To her it was a service fit for royalty. Inside the second box she found the silverware from the same vessel as well as all the glassware she would need. Joshua had never seen her happier than she was that day. It was a wonderful wedding.

  She had spent the next few weeks making curtains and doilies, and generally turning the cabin into the warm, comfortable home it now was. Then she had started cooking in earnest. The iron stove had been Eban’s present, although Joshua strongly suspected he had had a hand somehow in all the other wedding presents.

  It was the only stove in the valley, and Maggie was in love with it. She could now bake bread and pies. And Maggie could make an incredible pie. Yes, it had been her wonderful, loving touch that had turned this raw, log structure into a home.

  He took the last swallow from the glass just as his wife came from the kitchen. She walked by him without speaking, but as she began to climb the steep, narrow stairs she turned toward him and winked boldly. He put the glass down and followed her to their featherbed in the attic bedroom.

  19 Smiling Jack’s Return

  Bill looked up to the clouds swirling across the sky from the northwest. “First winter rain’ll be here soon.” The early morning chill foretold the change in the seasons that would bring those rains. Already night fell noticeably sooner and the sun was slower to rise from the mountains to the east.