The Schoolmarm and the Preacher

by Susan Thomas

  On the other side of the road a woman was walking with two young children in tow. At first the visitor did not notice her but when he did he went very still. He turned to the old timer sitting nearby, "Fine looking woman over there. Who is her man?"

  "Oh, she's a widow woman... Mrs. McWilliams. She's our schoolmarm. Them's her childer. She's a marryin' our preacher in two months."

  What he would have said or done next is unknown, for at that point Henry Flight, the sheriff, arrived and in blunt language told him to leave town. Henry had expected argument but to his surprise he got none. The man just smiled, spat and left. The incident was so insignificant it was quickly forgotten, which was a shame for the consequences were, in fact, far-reaching.

  ---oOo---

  Harold McWilliams, Annie's son, although younger, became friends with Arthur Spencer and Timmy Hancock. All three boys were smart, lively and daring. Climbing, wrestling and anything with a spice of danger was meat and drink to them. They were all good lads, obedient to their parents and polite to all, but like all such boys their mothers worried about them. Tree climbing was one of their favorite activities. The taller, more difficult the tree, the more they were determined to conquer it. In childhood, a few years' difference in age is a major feature. A seven-year-old is not as strong as a ten-year-old nor as tall or as experienced, especially when it comes to tree climbing. Arthur and Timmy were good to Harold, and like older brothers, but Harold was determined to do the same as his two friends.

  One day, after school, the three boys were climbing a particularly tricky tree near Harold's house. The next hand hold, while easy enough for Arthur and Timmy, was a big stretch for Harold and he was unable to reach. In trying he slipped and fell. Luckily, he was able to break his fall on the way down by clutching at branches and stripping skin from his hands. Unluckily he couldn't stop altogether. He landed with a bone crunching thump and his arm underneath him at an awkward angle. He screamed with pain although after that initial reaction was very brave. The older boys hurried back down and took him to his mother.

  Annie wasted no time but hurried him around to Dr. Davies who was so calm it calmed the worried mother.

  "Now look, you've been lucky my boy. You're also young, so your bones aren't so set, but it could have been your neck or your skull. Now I'm going to stretch this arm out and push it back into shape so to speak. Then I'm going to bind it up so it keeps nice and still to allow you to heal. It's going to hurt. Are you brave?"

  Harold nodded.

  "Right, here goes." With that he got to work. Harold went white but not a sound escaped him and soon he was sucking on a candy cane (as a reward) while Dr. Davies apologized that he had so little of the latest equipment. "There are better ways of immobilizing his arm but I have to make do as yet. Still it will serve." He used small wooden laths and bandages to make sure Harold couldn't do further damage. "Now you must come back to me to have that checked, and when I take it off you will still be banned from tree climbing until I say otherwise. Understood?"

  "Yes sir, Dr. Davies."

  Annie might have overreacted and banned Harold from all sorts of play forever, except for the fact that James was firm with her.

  "Boys will play and do things that make our blood run cold. It is no use to trying to protect him from it all. Just encourage him to take as much care as possible."

  In a private conversation with Harold, James warned him that if he tried any tree climbing before Dr. Davies cleared it, then Harold's rear end would discover just how hard the hand of a preacher could be. James' reward was his first ever smile from Harold with a promise that he would wait for Dr. Davies' permission.

  ---oOo---

  The Kirkham Patriot rushed out a special edition. In doing that the Patriot was no different to all other newspapers in a huge three state area. The headline got everyone talking because the news was that Andrew Becker had escaped from the state penitentiary. He had said he would, and he did. The evidence was that he had bribed a guard and, in typical Becker fashion, before finally going over the wall he had murdered the very guard he had bribed. He had a huge reward on his head... $10,000 offered for his capture in order to stand trial. The state wanted to have him hanged.

  Charles Flight did very well out of that edition too and another in which he simply rewrote everything about the Becker gang, its destruction and the subsequent trial of Andrew Becker. He did somewhat sensationalize Becker's claim from the dock that he would not serve much time in jail. He even speculated that well before the trial's end, Becker had been laying his plans and bribing those that he needed to help him. Charles then wrote a bold editorial prophesying that Becker would be recaptured in no time. His gang were gone, he could have no money for what he did have had been used in bribes, and every man's hand was turned against him. Charles was wrong. Weeks went by without recapture and the talk in the saloons and drawing rooms of Kirkham was that Becker would finally turn up in Canada or Mexico. Gradually the talk died down and Becker was all but forgotten.

  All talk was reignited again when news came that Becker had narrowly evaded recapture (after killing three men) in a town only a hundred miles away. The townsfolk were in disbelief. What on earth was Becker doing? Surely he would not want to risk recapture unless... unless he had buried his loot somewhere. Well, he'd never been near Kirkham so it couldn't be buried here. Everyone hoped he had now retrieved it and was away out of the United States.

  No one seriously thought Becker would turn up in their small, remote town until Arthur Spencer and Timmy Hancock burst in the sheriff's office, screaming. They had been high up in a tree overlooking the Mrs. McWilliams' house when a wagon had driven up. A man they didn't know had gone in and when he had come out Mrs. McWilliams had her hands tied and he had the hands of both Harold and Amelia gripped in one of his while holding a revolver in the other. Both boys had the good sense not to call out but wait until the wagon had driven off. When it had gone, the boys hurried down the tree and ran straight for Henry Flight.

  Chapter 7

  At first the boys were not believed. It was thought that they had misunderstood something, but a quick check of the house revealed an upturned chair, a jug of milk spilt and evidence to show that Annie and the children had left abruptly. There were indeed the tracks of a wagon, and the boys were examined for a description of the man. Henry Flight got his wife Beth to do that for she knew both boys well. Soon her anxious face was giving a very clear description of a man sounding suspiciously like Andrew Becker. Henry was disbelieving. Why on earth would Becker come to Kirkham? He sat down with Beth and they quizzed the boys again. Soon even Henry could tell it wasn't childish imagination (fuelled by Charles' newspaper) but a genuine description. He fired off telegrams and soon got the discomforting news that it was indeed possible Becker was in their area.

  There was a furor in town: it was soon generally accepted that Andrew Becker, the outlaw renowned for his cruelty, had been in their town. Why the man should have escaped prison and then headed here instead of leaving the USA was anyone's guess. Perhaps he had intended to gather a new gang together again and hide out in badlands, riding out to raid and pillage. The mystery to the people of Kirkham was why he should abduct their schoolmarm and her children. The idea they might be hostages didn't work. Why burden himself with a woman and two young children when he would be so much faster without?

  Henry Flight had no difficulty recruiting a posse to give chase, for, no matter how terrifying Becker's reputation, Becker was one man and they were many. He no longer had his gang but he had their schoolmarm and that was not to be endured. The general wisdom was he would flee the state and so the posse took the most likely route to do that. James Daffern held back and did not follow. He couldn't tell anyone the reason why but he thought it unlikely Andy Becker would leave the state. He knew the man and the way he thought; it was likely he'd still be nearby, holed up, and enjoying the thought of the chase going so far astray.

  James sat down to think. Further up in
the hills was an empty farmhouse. When old Hamish McKendrik died, his widow had gone to live with a son a good way distant. The farm itself was up for sale but so far had no takers, and in the meanwhile the farmhouse itself stood empty. That was exactly the sort of place Andy Becker would choose. James knew it was up to him to rescue Annie and the children for he could never claim to be her husband if he left it to others to do. He wasn't sure why Becker took her but he guessed it was because they had some prior connection. Annie had been careful not to say much about her past life but something had happened and Amelia still had nightmares. Becker gave him nightmares so it was no surprise a five-year-old would suffer.

  He had a gun but he would not take it for he was a man of God now and would not compromise his beliefs. He would fight the man without problem but he would not kill, so, collecting his horse from the livery stable, he began the ride out to McKendrik's farm. The signs that someone was in the house were clear some distance away, and when he arrived he could see the small barn door was open and there was a wagon just inside. It was a mark of Becker's arrogance that he made no attempt to hide. He had judged, correctly as it happened, that the chase would be off in the distance while he was here all the time. James tied his horse to a tree at some distance and approached the house by a circumspect route.

  He stood outside the door listening and felt chilled once again at Becker's voice.

  "Annie, I want to know what you did with my money. You wouldn't want me hurting one of the children but I'm quite willing to do it. Why let them suffer when you can just tell me. Then we can all sit tight for a bit and when the hunt dies off, we'll be on our way."

  James chose that moment to walk in. Andrew Becker went for a gun, but when he saw who it was he stopped and smiled. "Why, if it isn't my old friend Bobby Stride."

  "I'm no longer Robert Stride. I am now James Daffern and I'm pastor of the church here in Kirkham."

  "Masquerading as a preacher. That's a good one, Bobby boy."

  "Not masquerading Andy. I went to Bible college. I'm an ordained minister."

  "Got religion did you, Bobby boy? Well, you always were soft. So what do you want now... pray for my immortal soul is it? Get me singing hymns and doing good works?" He began laughing. "You always did amuse me, Bobby."

  "No, if I thought there was any chance of saving you I'd try, but I know you too well. I've come for Annie and the children. I'll take them back with me. That'll give you plenty of time to get on your way."

  James had been observing the situation as they talked. The room had a few bits of old furniture left including a chair to which Annie was tied; it was clear she had not gone with him willingly and looked very unhappy and scared. He ached to comfort her but first he had to deal with Andrew. Harold and Amelia were sitting on the floor in a corner by the cold range cooker looking very scared and cowed. Harold was leaning against an old pile of wood which must have been fuel for the range; Amelia was cuddled up against him and he had an arm protectively around her. Her thumb was in her mouth. This was no situation for children and he feared for them. He had heard what Andy said and had no doubts that if Annie did not give him what he wanted he'd torture the children. He turned his mind back to Becker who was talking.

  "Now that, Bobby, is not right... not right at all. She's my woman and a fine woman she is too... or she will be again once I've dealt with her for running off like that."

  "She may have been your woman but she's not now. She left you and has begun a new life. I'm courting her and we will be married."

  Andrew Becker laughed long and hard. "Well, well, Bobby, not content with betraying me, you've gotta try and take my woman; were you planning to take my kids too?"

  James was surprised. He'd guessed that Annie must have had some sort of connection to Becker, or he would not have abducted her, for he never took hostages. That she was once his woman had been a little surprise, but that Harold and Amelia were his children was indeed surprising. No wonder Amelia had nightmares and Harold often wet the bed.

  The calmness of his own voice surprised him. "Yes Andy, I'm taking Annie and the children. You are an escaped prisoner; how you weren't hanged for murder is beyond me but now, if you're caught, you will be. You killed a guard and they'll not rest until they catch you."

  "Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, you are just as amusing as you always were. How are you going to take them from me Bobby? You gonna fight me? You can't do it, Bobby, you know you can't. I always was the better man."

  "If I must fight you, I will, but I am taking them home with me."

  Becker began laughing again and James decided more talk was pointless and abruptly launched himself at Becker. He reached him in two quick strides and surprised Becker with a savage punch that sent the man sprawling. Becker laughed some more as he stood up.

  "Why Bobby, being a mealy-mouthed preacher hasn't blunted those fists of yours. You always were a handy man in a fight except... oh dear Bobby, except when it came to fighting me. You know you can't do it. You know I am the better man, and look what you're trying to do. You're trying to take my woman and my children. Even if I gave you my woman as a present, I can't let you have my kids. Why that Harold can be my deputy when he gets older and Amelia now... well she'll have her uses I'm sure."

  James felt Becker's words begin to work on him... to do what they had always done and suck the fight out of him. He launched himself at Becker and the two men grappled but James could feel his strength ebbing away and Becker gaining the upper hand. Suddenly James found himself hurled against the wall of the house and fell down to the floor. It was happening again. Becker was beating him. Maybe the man was right. Annie was his woman; the children were his and perhaps they should be with their father. They were scared now because he was here. Doubts flooded into his head in legions.

  "See Bobby," Becker was saying in that same casually mocking way he always used with him, "I'm in the right here. You can't take my woman and my children from me. Now you've become a nuisance, Bobby. You were never a nuisance before but you are now and I'm going to kill you. I expect a preacher boy like you will want to say your prayers, so start saying them Bobby boy, because you don't have long."

  James slumped against the wall feeling all will and strength drain from him. Suddenly he heard Annie screech, "Leave him alone you bastard. He's everything you're not."

  Becker hated that and whirled around to strike her across her face. In the diversion created, Harold leapt up and grabbed a length of wood from the pile he'd been leaning against. He threw it towards James who caught it left handed in surprise. The meaning was clear. Harold wanted him not his real father. The falsity of Becker's words fled his mind and he realized in that moment just how Becker had always undermined his confidence. Well no more. He was fighting for his family: for Annie, for Harold, and for Amelia. They chose him. It was his family and no one, least of all Andrew Becker, would come between him and his family.

  He came off the floor so fast that Becker was startled; with one savage blow from the firewood, James knocked the gun from his hand and won a cry of pain from the man. He shouted in the man's face, "My family Andy. It's my family. Hear me... it's my family." Each time he shouted 'family' he accompanied it by a powerful punch to Becker's face. Each punch made Becker stagger back; he continued shouting and punching the man's face, driving him back until Becker came up against the wall. By now he was trying to shield his face but James just plucked him off the wall, whirled him around, and began to batter him back towards the opposite wall. When Becker arrived with a thump at that wall, James would have turned him and begun again, but Becker simply slid down and lay on the floor, all fight gone, his face a terrible mess. James realized that his own fists were bruised and bleeding; Becker was beaten.

  James didn't hesitate. He removed a knife from Becker and began cutting Annie free of her bonds. As he did so he looked at Harold, "Is there any more rope?"

  "In the wagon."

  "Quick, get it before he recovers."

  The boy was ba
ck quickly and James wasted no time in binding Becker's hands and legs. Then, with difficulty, he hoisted him up, grunting at the effort required to do so. James slung the man over his shoulder and, staggering slightly under the weight, took him out to the wagon. Once he had him in the wagon, James tied his arms to his feet and both to the side of the wagon. Becker was a very resourceful man and he was taking no chances. James barely noticed the labor of harnessing the horses to the wagon or bringing it around to the farmhouse. He retrieved his own horse and hitched her to the rear of the wagon. He was elated that at last he broken free of the mental power that Becker had over him.

  It was only then that he could embrace Annie and the children. He gravely thanked Harold for his quick and clear thinking and praised him for taking care of his sister. He hoisted them all up on the seat and they began the drive back to Kirkham.

  "So," he said to Annie, "now you know the truth about what and who I was, do you still want me?"

  "I do, but now you know about me. I was a wicked woman. Not married, but having children. Do you still want me?"

  "I do. However, I think we'll have to leave Kirkham. They're good folks, but there are limits. We'll have to start again elsewhere."