Scar and the Double D Ranch

by Jim Cox

  “Please don’t leave, Virginia. Hear me out.”

  With piercing eyes, she turned back to face Thomas and said, “My answer is final. I won’t be going back to Colorado with you, Tom. I told you fifteen years ago, and I’m telling you again…I never want to lay eyes on you again.” She slammed the door.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  The next morning, Thomas had started eating his breakfast when the hotel owner walked up and joined him. “My investigator tells me you’ve located your family, Thomas, but he says you won’t be leaving until you get some matters straightened out.”

  “I found ’em all right, but it doesn’t look like they’ll be going back to Colorado with me.”

  “Why not? What’s the problem?”

  “She still has the same bad attitude about me as she had when she left me fifteen years ago and won’t take me back,” Thomas said, his eyes toward the floor.

  “Did you tell her you haven’t had a drink in years?”

  “I told her, but it didn’t seem to make a difference.”

  Walt looked thoughtful. “Do you think it would do any good if I made a visit, telling her how you’ve straightened up and are a respected man these days?”

  “It might be helpful, but let’s wait a few days. I wanna try to convince her myself.” Walt nodded his understanding. “What’s your plan, Thomas? What have you got going that might change her mind?”

  “I don’t know, Walt. Maybe the children will help me out. That is if they’ll speak to me.” Words became scarce. The men sat drinking their coffee.

  “My investigator says they’re as poor as church mice. Maybe you can entice them with money,” Walt interjected. Thomas’ eyes brightened. That has possibilities.

  Minutes later, the men rose and shook hands. “Be sure and call on me if I can be of help, Thomas. I’ll do whatever is needed.” Thomas was halfway across the room, walking at a fast pace when he turned and said, “Thanks, Walt.” Then he hurried to the telegraph office.

  April 16, 1879

  To. Herb Douglas

  Found my family. Need money. Send $5,000 to Baltimore’s Mid-Town Hotel. Should be home soon for the roundup. Thomas

  At six-thirty that evening, Thomas swung down from Dancer in front of the Harlem Street Boarding House. He was hopeful Virginia and the children would be home. After tying his horse and entering the front door, he climbed the three flights of stairs and knocked on 303. Mary answered with a surprised expression.

  “You’re the cowboy I waited on at the tavern a couple nights ago. I believe your friends were calling you Jug.” Thomas’ heart skipped a beat.

  “That’s a nickname people use to call me. My Christian name is Thomas. May I come in?”

  Her mother heard the conversation and came hurrying to the door, pushing Mary aside. “What are you doing here, Tom? I told you I didn’t want to see you.”

  “But Virginia,” he said, “can’t we at least talk about…” Mary cut him short.

  “Who is he, Mamma?”

  “It’s no one for you to be concerned with, Mary.” Virginia turned and faced her once-upon-a-time husband. “Please leave, Tom, and never come back.”

  She had nearly pushed the door closed when Thomas wedged his boot toe between the door and the door facing. “I’m Thomas Albright,” he called out in a loud voice. “I’m your pa, Mary.”

  The door slowly reopened, and Thomas stood face to face with Virginia and Mary. A few seconds later, when the shock had worn off, Mary asked, “Is that true, Mamma? Is he my father?”

  Virginia hung her head as she wiped tears and said in a low, soft voice, “Yes, sweetheart. He’s your father.”

  “But, you told me he’d become a bum, a drunkard who treated us terrible. That he was worthless. You said he never tried to contact you and was probably dead.”

  “Your mother told you the truth, Mary, except for me being dead. I’m ashamed how I treated your mother and you kids and will do anything I can to help make up for it…if only you’ll give me a chance.”

  “Let him in, Mamma. I want to hear what he has to say.”

  Virginia grudgingly opened the door for Thomas. The only communication between Thomas and his wife was the glare. Finally, she said, “You might as well have a cup of coffee while you talk. You won’t be here long.”

  “That would be nice, Virginia, if it’s not too much bother.” She led him to the kitchen table where he took a chair beside Mary. Virginia was pouring his coffee when he asked, “Where’s Tommy?” The women glanced at each other but remained silent. Thomas could tell his question had made them uncomfortable, so he asked about his son again, “I suppose he’s at work. What time will he be home?”

  “He won’t be coming home. He’s in jail,” Virginia said.

  “In jail?” Thomas blurted out. “What did he do?”

  Virginia hung back from answering, but Mary took over. “He’s been hanging out with a bunch of thugs who rob businesses and break into people’s homes. The police caught him and four other boys breaking into a store two weeks ago and threw them all in the lockup. He goes before a judge in a few days to determine his sentence.”

  “Do you have any idea how long he’ll be locked up?” Thomas asked.

  “My boss at the chicken plant says he’ll probably get three to five years.”

  Thomas was outraged. How could a son of mine become a thief? Before the answer came, he thought to himself. He hasn’t had a father his entire life or money for enjoyment. I’ve not been around to discipline him and give him guidance.

  “Is there anything we can do to get him out? Can I be of any help?”

  “You can help by leaving us alone. You’ll only make things worse,” Virginia said, wiping her eyes.

  “That’s not fair, Mamma. We need to welcome any help offered.”

  Thomas thought, Mary is softening a little. Maybe Tommy’s thievery is a blessing and can help change their attitudes toward me.

  “Thank you for the offer, Mister…”

  Thomas could tell Mary was having a problem of what to call him, so he said, “You can call me Pa, or Father, or Mr. Albright, Mary. Any name you select will be fine with me.” She smiled and nodded.

  Mary rose and said, “I’ve got to get ready for work. I’ll be late if I don’t hurry.”

  “Do you have to work at that place, Mary? Can’t you find work where the surroundings are more decent?”

  Virginia broke in with a gruff, scolding tone, “She works there because there is no other choice. We need the money to exist, Tom.” He could tell Virginia was still in an ugly mood. She hasn’t softened any, he thought. I might as well leave and come back tomorrow.

  “I can walk with you, Mary. Will it be all right if I come back tomorrow at the same time?” he asked his wife.

  Virginia started to say something, but Mary jumped in. “That’ll be fine, Mr. Albright. We’ll look forward to seeing you tomorrow night.” Virginia’s glare at her daughter was penetrating.

  It was close to eight o’clock by the time Thomas had taken Dancer to the livery and got to the hotel. As he walked past the reception desk, the clerk called to him. “I have an envelope for you, Mr. Albright. It’s from the bank.” Thomas stood by the desk and opened the envelope. It was the five-thousand-dollar check he was expecting from the Double D.

  He started to leave but turned back with a puzzled face. “Didn’t the bank need my signature before leaving the envelope? There was a check inside it.”

  “Normally they would, but Mr. Smith was here and signed for it. He owns the bank, you know.”

  Thomas turned for the dining room as a thought came. Walt must be an important man in this city. He’s always dressed fit-to-kill. It seems he has a great deal of influence, and now I find out he owns a bank.

  By the time he got to the dining room, it was well past his supper time. He was starving. After eating a large steak with mashed potatoes, green beans, and cornbread, he sat back thinking of the various ways he could sw
ing Virginia and the kids his way. He was certain Tommy’s jail sentence would play a part in his plan. I’ll speak with Walt in the morning to get his ideas on the matter.

  Thomas was at his table drinking coffee the next morning when he saw Walt enter. He waved him over. “Have a seat, Walt. I need your advice.” Thomas explained what he had learned about his family the past couple of days, leaving nothing out. He put emphasis on his son descending to thievery and being locked up in jail while he waited for the judge to sentence him.

  There was complete silence while the men ate. When the table was cleared and the cups refilled, Walt leaned back with a smile on his face. “What is it, Walt? Why are you smiling?” Thomas asked.

  “I believe I have the solution to the whole matter. If I’m correct in my thinking, you and your family will be heading back to Colorado within a few days.”

  “What’s the plan, Walt? Don’t keep me in the dark.”

  “I’ll tell you about it in a day or two. I’ve got some IOU’s to collect first.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  “Come in, Mr. Albright; we’ve been expecting you.” Thomas took off his hat and followed Mary to the table. Virginia was filling cups. He took an end chair, reached for his coffee, and took a long swallow. “Thanks, Virginia. Your coffee is made the way I like it, hot and strong. It tastes the same as what you used to made in Flat Peaks.

  “Thank you, Tom,” Virginia said in an unconvincing tone. Thomas was caught a little off guard. Until two days ago, I hadn’t been called Tom since Virginia called me Tom fifteen years ago. He inwardly grinned. He had also noticed Virginia’s eyes brightened a little when he gave her the coffee compliment. I believe her attitude is much better today than it was yesterday.

  “Have you had any news concerning Tommy?” he asked.

  Mary spoke up. “I just returned from talking with him. Nothing has changed. He’s still waiting for the judge’s decision.” After a pause, she said, “It doesn’t look good. I don’t see how he’ll get out of serving a lengthy sentence.”

  The next few minutes were occupied with small talk. The conversation has stalled a mite, Thomas thought. I might as well chance it and venture into our confrontation. “Have you thought about going back to Flat Peaks with me, Virginia?” Her head jerked up. She glared at him for a long minute. However, it seemed to Thomas that as the seconds passed, her eyes softened, and her facial expression became more pleasant.

  “Even if I did want to go back with you, I couldn’t leave as long as Tommy is in prison.”

  “Then you and the children would return with me if Tommy was freed?” Thomas asked.

  “I didn’t mean to put it that way, Tom, and you know it. I was simply pointing out to you another obstacle had developed.”

  “Where would we live…what would we do if we did go back with you, Mr. Albright?” Mary asked.

  “That’s a good question. We’d live in the main house at the Double D ranch until we build our own house.”

  Mary butted in. “Is the house large enough for all of us?”

  “Yes it is, Mary. Let me give you a description of the Double D ranch. First off, after purchasing the Ross Ranch a year ago, we have forty-three thousand acres of land that carries over four thousand cows and their offspring, plus two hundred horses. The main house has four bedrooms upstairs. The downstairs has a kitchen, a dining room, a sitting room, and an office. There are nine people in the clan, those we consider family, and up to a dozen hired men during the roundup times.”

  Mary interrupted her father again, “What do you do, Mr. Albright? What’s your job?”

  “I’m the ranch foreman. I’m responsible for the success of the ranch. I make all of the plans and give out the orders. Everyone is under me, except for the owners, Herb and Alice Douglas.”

  “Wow,” said Mary. “That’s quite a responsibility.”

  “Yes, it is. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas are good Christian people who maintain high standards and expect everyone to pull their weight, including me.”

  “It’s time I’m getting ready for work,” Mary said. She started to rise, but Thomas reached for her hand and pulled her back. “I have something for you,” he said looking from one to the other. With their eyes on him, he removed an envelope from his vest pocket. “Here’s something for you. It may help out a little,” he said, as he passed the envelope to his wife.

  “What is it, Tom?”

  “Please open it, Virginia.”

  Time passed slowly as Virginia sat looking at the five-thousand-dollar check. “I…I…I can’t accept this, Tom,” she said through tears.

  He reached across the table for her hands. “Yes, you can. I want you to have it.” Their eyes stayed fixed on one another for a long time. She had thankful eyes. His were eyes asking for forgiveness. As Virginia wiped the tears away, she handed the check to their daughter.

  Mary couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Finally, she raised her head and faced Thomas. “Thank you, Mr. Al…” She stopped. “Thank you, sir.” Thomas reached for his handkerchief.

  Thomas had finished breakfast the next morning and had gone to the lobby to read the newspaper. “Good morning, Thomas. Is there any good news this morning?” Thomas looked up; it was Walt. He folded the paper and waved toward a nearby chair.

  “Is there anything going on with your boy, Thomas?”

  “There’s nothing new I’ve heard of. Maybe I’ll hear something when I visit Virginia this evening.”

  “I went to the courthouse yesterday afternoon and bumped into the judge who is handling your son’s case. He told me he’s served notice for your son to be in his chambers at two o’clock this afternoon. His verdict will be handed out at that time. If I was you, I’d attend the sentencing. You have the right, you know. The boy is your son, and he’s underage.” Thomas noticed a twinkle in Walt’s eyes.

  “You have something up your sleeve, don’t you, Walt. What is it?”

  “Some things are better off unsaid, Thomas. Just make sure you’re at the courthouse this afternoon.”

  “What are you doing here, Tom?” Virginia called out when she saw Thomas walking toward Mary and her in the courthouse. It was ten minutes before court was scheduled to start.

  “I came to give you support, Virginia. Have you checked in with the judge’s secretary?” She nodded.

  “You shouldn’t be here, Tom. It’ll confuse Tommy and get him frustrated. He doesn’t know who you are.”

  Before Thomas could respond to her statement, the secretary called them into the chamber. Tommy was sitting across the desk from the judge with his head bent down. The three newcomers sat down.

  “Let’s get this hearing started,” the judge said. “It’s a simple case. I’ve read all of the documents very thoroughly and have come to a decision.” Everyone became attentive as the sentence was about to be given.

  “Would you stand up, young man?” Tommy rose. He had watery eyes.

  Thomas quickly took in the boy. He was of normal height for a sixteen-year-old, a couple of inches short of six foot. Stoutly built but not fat, with unruly brown hair. A shadow of light whiskers showed on his chin. Thomas couldn’t see the boy’s face, but he imagined his eyes were brown, like his mother’s. The judge started speaking.

  “For the crime of stealing from a store, in which you were caught, and other suspicions where you were not caught, I sentence you, Thomas Albright, Junior, to five years in Maryland’s Juvenile Correction Center.” After a long pause, the judge asked. “Do you have anything to say, young man?”

  With tears, Tommy responded, “I ain’t got nothing to say except, I’m sorry…what I’ve done is wrong.”

  The judge eyed Tommy for over a minute and then continued. “However, if there is someone who would be willing to be your guardian and take you completely away from the state of Maryland, say to Colorado or some other western state, I’d be willing to remove your sentence, setting you free. Do you have such a person, young man?”

  “No, si
r, I don’t.” There was a long pause before the boy said, “I’ll just have to serve my time, Your Honor.” Thomas quickly stood and said, “Your Honor, he does have someone who’ll be his guardian and take him to Colorado to live.”

  “And who might that be?” the judge asked.

  “It’s me, Your Honor. I’m his father.”

  The room became deathly quiet. Finally, the judge nodded and said, “So be it. You’re free to go with your father, young man.” Tommy quickly looked at his mother. “Is that true, Ma? Is that man my father?” Virginia couldn’t speak. She only nodded.

  The judge rose, excused Tommy, and left the chamber.

  Virginia, Mary, and Tommy hurriedly swarmed together and gave each other hugs and kisses. Thomas was left standing in the background. Seconds later, Mary turned to him. “Thank you, Mr. Albright…Dad,” she said, as she hugged him.

  Tommy was standing close by. When Mary stepped back, he stepped forward and said, “Thank you, sir, for saving my neck. I guess I’m in your keeping now.” The boy extended his hand for a handshake, but Thomas didn’t take his hand. Instead, he pulled his son to him and held him for a long minute.

  Virginia was slow coming to Thomas, but she came. She had a smile with tears of joy running down her cheeks. “Thank you, Tom. I don’t know how you pulled this off, but I know you’re responsible for getting our son set free.” And with that, she kissed Thomas’ check. Then she slid back and looked at him with a smile.

  When she parted and went to Tommy, Thomas thought, That wasn’t just a friendly peck on the cheek kiss. I think I’ve got her back.

  Suddenly, Virginia said. “I’ve got to get to the chicken plant. They only allowed me two hours off for the hearing.”

  “I’ll take Tommy home, Mamma. You’ll be home by the time I go to the tavern.”

  “Neither of you are going anywhere except to my hotel,” Thomas commanded. “Tommy can stay in my room. You two can stay in a nearby room. And another thing, you won’t be working at those jobs anymore. That’s a thing of the past.”

  “But,” Virginia started; Thomas cut her short.