by Alan Black
Roy said, “Maybe I should. Since I am halfway between your school and town, Grandfather said I could go to whichever school I wanted.”
“You’re still going to school? I thought you would be old enough to stay home and help your grandfather.”
Roy nodded. “I am old enough to quit. Grandfather said I could, but he raises chickens and does some gardening. He doesn’t really need my help.”
LillieBeth was mindful of a potential convert to her church. “Well, even if you go to school in Oasis, you should come by and visit our church. I would bet that you would like it if you came by for services.”
Roy grinned, “You betting on it, huh?”
LillieBeth shook her head. “I am not one for betting much. I do not really have anything to put up.”
Roy said, “You have more than you know. I’ll tell you what; we are going to be in the same shooting competition. No matter who is the overall winner, if you beat me I will come to your church tomorrow. If I outshoot you, then you have to give me a big smile.”
LillieBeth shook her head. “I am not much on smiling these days.”
Roy said, “And I am not much on visiting strange churches. So, if you don’t want to give me a smile, you had better outshoot me. Deal?”
LillieBeth nodded. She wondered how she could pass up the gamble. A smile would not really cost her anything, but bringing a new person to the church would surely please God. She probably could not beat a young man who had won other competitions, but she could at least try.
“Well, if you would kindly watch my rifle, I do have a small chore to do before we shoot.”
LillieBeth said, “Oh, is it time? I will certainly keep a watch on your rifle.”
She was surprised to see there were a lot more people around than before. Time must have gone by as she talked to Roy. He seemed nice, but she worried about her own judgment. She had liked the Braunawalls for a long time before she found out how wrong she could be.
Only a moment passed before one of the NRA range judges shouted over the crowd noise. “Twelve to fifteen-year-old shooters to the line.”
She did not know what or where the line was, but she stood. She delayed by dusting off her skirt and looking around for Roy. She picked up their guns with the look of a rabbit checking to see if it was safe to jump out of its burrow.
She saw a group of youngsters about her age, lining up behind the sign at the table, facing the targets, holding their guns, and looking as if they knew they were where they belonged. Roy was not back yet so she carried his rifle with hers. She juggled the two guns and her ammunition, moving to stand in line.
She looked around for Mama and Daddy. It would be nice to have them watch. She knew some youngsters got nervous when their families watched. Billy Hollister almost threw up each time his parents came to school to watch a recital. Pearl would get so nervous she would forget everything she learned. LillieBeth always seemed to do better with Mama and Daddy watching, as she strived to be better, working harder, struggling to improve and to impress her parents.
She looked up and down the line. There were almost twice as many shooters than she had expected. Counting her and Roy, there would be fourteen shooters. Since there were only ten targets, they would have to take turns.
An NRA range judge came down the line, checking every rifle making sure each breech was empty and the safeties were on. Roy slid into line just before the man reached LillieBeth.
He took his rifle back with a grin. “Thank you, LillieBeth. Hey! You are taller than I thought you were when we were sitting down.”
“That is because I am taller standing up than sitting down.” She realized she sounded a bit snotty, but it was out before she could stop her tongue.
She realized she did have to look up at him, as he was half a foot taller than she was. It did not bother her. She was twelve. She would grow some.
The NRA judge shouted over the crowd. “All barrels pointed down range. It doesn’t matter if your rifles are empty or not, point them down range.”
LillieBeth looked sheepish. She had been pointing her rifle at the sky. She glanced down the line and realized he had not been talking to just her. Rifle barrels shifted to point down range from all different directions. One boy had been resting his rifle on his shoulder, the barrel pointing back at the crowd behind him.
The NRA range judge said, “We have fourteen shooters. We will do two groups of seven shooters.” He split the line, sending LillieBeth and Roy over to the side in the second group.”
Roy said, “I was hoping we could go first. I always like to shoot first instead of waiting around.” He grinned at LillieBeth. “That way I could have won our bet quicker.”
LillieBeth did not say anything. She was pleased to be going second. Now she could watch and see how things progressed. Each shooter loaded five rounds into their rifle. At the command to fire, they all blasted away at the targets in front of them.
The targets were only about thirty feet away. She was surprised some of the shooters missed their targets completely on some shots. Everyone hit it a few times; a couple of youngsters hit it every time. She could see one young man’s target had three holes in the bull’s-eye and one very close to it.
She thought this must be a lot harder than it looked. Of course, many of the shooters took so long with aiming that the end of their rifle barrels began to wiggle. One girl held her breath through all five shots and was red in the face by the end of her shooting.
Daddy had taught her safety, but he had also taught her how to shoot, step-by-step, hitting what she aimed at. Of course, Daddy also taught her how to gut and skin everything she shot. She was not sure how Daddy felt about shooting paper targets. It seemed like a waste of ammunition. It would be worth it if it meant possibly adding a new person to their congregation. She was not sure where she was going to dredge up a smile, but she would hold to her end of the deal if she lost.
The first group of young shooters ran to yank down their targets while volunteers hung up new papers. LillieBeth pulled five cartridges from the box and moved to stand on the line, waiting her turn.
The NRA range judge said, “Load five rounds.” When everyone was ready he said, “Fire!”
A few shots banged off real quick next to her. LillieBeth was startled but drew a deep breath. It was not a timed competition, so speed did not matter. She made sure which target was hers. She stared at it, fixing it firmly in her mind and let her breath out in a long sigh.
She snapped the rifle up. Pulling the butt tight into her shoulder, she pumped a round into the chamber. She aligned the front sight into the back notch directly on the center of the bull’s-eye. Keeping both eyes on the target, she took another deep breath. She exhaled slowly and at the bottom of her breath she squeezed the trigger. She kept the rifle pulled tight into her shoulder and firmly fixed on the center of the target. She pumped in another cartridge; arranging the front sight into the back notch and took a second deep breath. At the bottom of the breath, she squeezed the trigger. Pump-check-aim-breath-squeeze, pump-check-breath-aim-squeeze, and finally pump-check-breath-aim-squeeze.
All too soon, she was done. She wanted to look, but she was too nervous. A few more shots popped off up and down the line. She kept her rifle barrel pointed at the target, but she still refused to look. She glanced at Roy. He winked back.
When the line judge called “All clear!” she walked down with the other shooters and pulled her target down. Volunteers put up new ones just as quick. She still did not want to look.
Roy said, “Are you ready to give me a smile? I got five out of five in the center.”
She sighed and looked down at five bull-eyes. She showed him the target and walked up to the judge.
The NRA range judge shouted, “We are tied with two shooters hitting five bulls-eyes each. Thomas Windom of Blue Eye will take third prize. Elizabeth Hazkit and Roy Turner to the shooting line to try again for first place.”
Roy grinned at her, “Not much of a shoot
er, huh? You were just funning me, weren’t you?”
“I did not say I could not shoot. I said I have never shot in a match before.”
They loaded five more. They shot five more. LillieBeth looked at her target. She looked at Roy’s target. She nodded in satisfaction.
She said, “My five to your four. I will see you in church tomorrow, Mr. Turner.” She was satisfied, but even this did not erase her worries.
Roy laughed, unworried about anything. “It will be my pleasure.”
LillieBeth watched as the third place shooter got $1.75 in prize money. Roy received $3.50.
She was surprised when they hung a red ribbon and a shooting metal around her neck. The man handed her seven dollars in cash prize.
She had more riches. She did the quick tally in her head. She and Mama had recovered five dollars from the Braunawalls, but she had already given that to Mama. Frank Nitti had given her a hundred and twenty. She had spent two on ammunition and the entrance fee. Now she had seven more. She totaled $125.00 more to give to Daddy.
The NRA range judge asked, “What are you going to do with your prize money, little lady?”
“I am going to give it to my Daddy and Mama.”
The man laughed, “Why, I would have thought a pretty young woman like you would have wanted to buy a new dress or get some hair ribbons.”
LillieBeth said, “You asked what I was going to do with it, not what I wanted to do.” She walked away with the crowd applauding her. Many folks clapped her on the back, congratulating her for her perfect scores. Many people she did not know called out her name and waved at her.
She walked across the festival grounds, waving back at strangers, accepting congratulations, speaking politely when spoken to and always making progress toward their wagon. She had not been to many festivals, but she decided to go to more if they were all as profitable as this one.
“Hi, scamp,” she heard Daddy shout.
“Hello, Daddy,” she replied.
Mama laughed and fanned herself. It was not that warm, but Mama looked like she had been working hard.
Daddy said, “Your Mama and I have been dancing up a storm. From what I can see, you have become the belle of the ball with everybody waving and talking to you. What have you been up to?” He spotted the ribbon with the medal around her neck. “Glory be, Mama. Look at this. Your daughter took first place in a shooting contest.” He grabbed LillieBeth and spun her around.
“Daddy!” she shouted. “I am a young lady.”
Daddy laughed and set her feet on the ground, “So you are, but even your Mama likes it when I spin her around.”
Mama laughed, “Yes I do. Your Daddy always makes my head spin.”
“Oh you two,” LillieBeth said. “Wait.”
She had stuffed the shooting contest prize money into the box of cartridges. She set the rifle under the front seat of the wagon and dug the box open. She flattened the bills and handed them to her father.
“Here, Daddy. This was cash money they gave me for winning the twelve to fifteen year old shooting contest.”
Daddy looked surprise, but he laughed “Seven dollars. I have to work almost two days to make that much. Maybe you should become a professional shooter like Annie Oakley and then I can just quit work.” Daddy laughed again, but his laugh ended with a deep, wet cough.
Mama said, “That is enough dancing for you, Art Hazkit. That old cave is damp and not doing your lungs any good.”
Daddy nodded as he caught his breath. “Whew, it was fun while it lasted, wasn’t it?”
Mama leaned over and gave him a kiss. “Best time I had in a long time. But, we best give this baby a rest, too.” She patted her stomach.
LillieBeth said, “Any luck on finding a new home?” She sat on the grass and pulled off her boot.
Daddy shook his head. “Too many people and not enough buildings. I think Clayton Grissom has a tent that he will let us use until we can find a place.”
LillieBeth finally dug the roll of bills from her boot. “Here Daddy. I have got this too.”
Her parents looked in amazement at the roll of cash.
Daddy said, “How many shooting matches did you win?”
LillieBeth shook her head. She explained about Frank Nitti, who he was and about the horse race. She said, “Mr. Nitti said it was my vinegar commission.”
“Vigorish?” Daddy asked.
“Oh! That is what he said. He said I earned it. He stuffed it in my boot and walked away. It is only $118.00 dollars. Will it help us get a place?”
NEXT SUNDAY - MORNING
This was the first Sunday LillieBeth could even remember where she was not looking forward to church. Ruth and Naomi were just pulling into the glade and LillieBeth was still ready to bolt and head for home. She had Miss Harbowe’s broach and the pin from Pearl’s mother burning a hole through the cloth in her hands.
She had sounded confident when telling her mother she could face both of her friends and return their goods. She was not as certain with herself. She still felt drained of tears. She wanted to cry and probably would if Miss Harbowe started to cry.
She was very anxious about telling Daddy and Sheriff Grissom about the Braunawalls. She knew she could tell them about the attack on her. She was just as positive she could keep Miss Harbowe’s secret. She was not sure she could tell of their attack on Mama without choking up with anger.
LillieBeth was also ready to make another visit to Fletcher Hoffman. She did not want him to think she had forgotten about him. Daddy promised she could ride Naomi over after church. She had not found another small, egg-shaped brown Jasper stone with a white ring around it. She had looked, but she was not worried. There were enough stones around, she knew she would not be disappointed in her search.
Daddy and Mama were sure they would find a nice place to live. Daddy said the money LillieBeth had ‘earned’ would be enough to help get as nice a house as the place they had, but with twice the land. Good land went for around a hundred dollars an acre. The money they had would be enough for a down payment on a small square of property.
They might be able to afford a plot that needed rocks and trees cleared. Farming and grazing land went for a premium. Most of the Ozark Mountains had a covering of second growth scrub trees only shading the rock with a minimum of dirt for planting. But, it was alright to start with less than ideal property, because it was the land, the place, the acreage that was important.
She was still worried, as the end of the month was coming soon and their best prospect was to live in a borrowed tent. Even scrubland was only for sale when someone was willing to sell it.
She also had all but forgotten about her scripture recitation. She tried to memorize it on the way to church, but her head was jammed with too many things. She would just have to stand up and admit she had not done her duty. She also had not shot any philistines or threw stones at evil doers on the way to church.
She saw a car parked in the glade. It was the same car from the road near Hoffman’s lane. It seemed like such a long time ago, but it was just Wednesday.
“Daddy, that maroon four-door car is the one owned by those men from Chicago. I do not see any of them except the bald fellow near the car. That is Fletcher Hoffman’s cousin.”
Daddy said, “Do you see your friend, Frank Nitti?”
“No Daddy, but look over there. That is Fern and Magnolia Schmitt with their two new beaus.”
“Them? Yeah, I did meet them yesterday. Steve and John Bucker if I remember right. John seems to be cozying up fast.”
Fern waved at them, but Magnolia’s hands were busy holding John’s hands. Steve, obviously avoiding looking in Fern’s direction, was talking to Roy Turner. LillieBeth did not feel sorry for Fern if the girl had not been as lucky in her choice of beau as her sister Magnolia. Fern, as the older sister and the bossy one, probably had taken her choice of boyfriends on the first day they came courting.
LillieBeth waved at Roy Turner, but still did not return hi
s smile. She was glad to see he had honored his bet to come to church. She knew she would have to talk to him soon. He was, after all was said and done, at their Sunday service on her invitation.
Daddy pulled the mules into a sunny spot. It was not hot yet, but the mules and the cart would be in the shade by the time the sermon was finished.
LillieBeth jumped off the cart before it came to a complete halt. Heedless of her new young lady status, she raced across the glade. She flung herself into Pearl’s arms.
“I missed you so much this week,” she said.
Pearl hugged her back. “I missed you too. Maybe we can do another sleepover at your house next weekend. I am sure Daddy would not mind.”
LillieBeth shook her head, “We cannot. We have to move.”
“Move? Where to?” Pearl’s face clouded up. “Are you moving far away? Will I ever see you again?”
“I do not know. Daddy and Mama are trying to find a new place nearby.” She grabbed Pearl’s hand and pulled her far off to the side, where no one would hear. She opened the small cloth bundle she had been clenching in her hand since home. She slipped out the pin.
“I found this pin at the edge of the trees, under some leaves. Mama said she recognized it as something your mother wore. Here, it belongs to you now.”
Pearl gawked at the pin. “I remember this. Mommy…mommy wore it to church…all the…” She broke down in tears, hugging LillieBeth. “Thank you so much. It is like having a little bit of my mother back.”
LillieBeth said, “Good. Can we sit together after church? I have so much I want to tell you. But I have to go see Miss Harbowe before church starts.” She raced off without waiting for an answer.
She found Mama standing with Daddy. He was talking to some men about property. It did not seem anyone knew of anything in the area at any price. She pulled her Mama away.
“Mama, we need to find Susanne Harbowe, please? I want to talk to her before church starts.”
