Henry S. Guyer II

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1. 

   Do the Right Thing

   22 minutes ago

   Addy's nose wrinkled up -- she hated change, but she knew he was right -- then she nodded.  "Yer right.  I got change given ta me, an' I'm grateful ta be able ta help th' boy, an' ta do that, we'd need a proper home."
   
   “Yep, a proper home’s all any of us needs, Addy.” He looked up from the spoon load of stew, “Sometimes that need changes, because things change.” H smiled ,and just before he took that spoonful he added, “Things changed.”
    
   Didn't need to be big, just two bedrooms, besides the kitchen and common room.  "He'd be thrilled, I think, ta have his own place.  Might be th' first time he's had somethin' like that, I don't allow as he ever had a proper house with his Ma."  Yeah, she could get more comfortable with the idea looking at it from that angle, and honestly, it might be nice to have more than one room, and room to move around.  "I'd appreciate yer help on that.  Thank ya, Speed, this ain't been easy."
   
   “I know it ain’t, things of that sort ain’t never easy, ‘course, now, that’s what they say about responsibility too, it ain’t easy.” He smiled at her across the table. “You make your runs, earn your pay, there’s folks in town well aware of what you’ve done for that boy, and finding you the right place, they’ll all help. Might outta eat up, we got work ahead of us both.”
    
   
2. 

   Do the Right Thing

   Saturday at 02:29 PM

   “Well Addy, you get ready to make a move, and there’ll plenty of help to get it done.” Speed responded. “And I agree, the boy needs his own room, so we’ll need to locate a place, with two bedrooms, close to the stables. If you don’t mind some help with finding a place like that.”
    
   It was a good move for both of them. It would allow them to almost start over, which might be a good move. And there were some vacant properties that he knew of. I fact, Lowell Parmeter and his brood increased in size by a set of twins, and the place suddenly got too small right fast, so there was that one and it was just a block from the stables. It was two bedrooms, a sitting room, and a kitchen. Might just be perfect.
    
   @Bongo
    
   
3. 

   Do the Right Thing

   Wednesday at 02:41 PM

   Addy took a breath and nodded.  "Didn't never wonder much 'bout th' specifics, just that this little waif come loiterin' 'round th' barn, needin' some food an' a kind word."  She smiled fondly.  "He's always been a good lad...that's one thing his Ma did right.  He kept comin' back, stayin' when he said his Ma was 'in a way'..."
   
   “Yes, I’d have to agree, for the most part, he’s a good boy, not often involved in the pranks and such the other boys get themselves into. And yes, I’d agree about his raising, between the two of you, he’s been raise right.” He agreed.
    
   Well, Speed could figure out the rest.  "Only met his ma a couple'a times, she was pretty much soused one time, but not so bad when she wasn't lost to th' likker."
   
   “Drink has a way with some folks that it don’t have with most others. A dark possession of them, where drink is the only thing they seem to care about. I know that she most likely loved her boy, but the drink stole her away from all that was normal for a woman with a child.” He had seen it often on the streets of New York as well as in his travels across the country, most places having a town drunk.
    
   Addy had even sent food and some salvaged clothing home with Weedy on occasion, even if she wanted to throttle the woman for the way she treated her son.
    
   "So, reckon we can ask some'a th' older folks in town?  I'm not even sure that Weedy was born here.  Maybe look inta records?"  She wasn't sure if that would be the courthouse or maybe a church?
   
   “I can look into it at the courthouse, it’s just upstairs from the office.” He offered, knowing the clerk would oblige him by searching the records. “I’d wager if such records were available in Whitefish, they were lost in the disaster, but yes, asking around with the survivors, some might know.”
    
   "Problem in..." she looked Speed in the eye, "can't say as I want ta know."
   
   “I’d have to agree with you, can’t say I’d want to know either. I do know the boy is safe and sound in your care.” Speed assured her. “And, finding a place for the two of you should be fairly easy. Be my pleasure to help look.”
    
   @Bongo
   
4. 

   Let's Dance !

   November 16

   Speed & Leah
    
   As the first dance ended, Speed should have been amazed at how Leah seemed to glide though the movements of the waltz, how easily she followed his lead, but he wasn't. A veteran of many balls in the east before and after the war he felt he was an accomplished dancer, yet, he could not remember a woman who was as fluid in her movements as Miss Steelgrave. He was glad he had thought to ask her to the dance.
   
   While he held some admiration for the daughter of a man that was held in disdain but most everyone in town, there was nothing to suggest any further interest in her. As he had said, he thought her presence might actually give her a chance to discuss her plans with some who would be able to back her idea and support her exchange proposal.
   
   He walked her toward where the punch bowl sat “Care for a glass of punch?” He asked already dreading that some well meaning person had already spiked it, as often happened at such events, and would eventually happen at that one.
   
   “Delighted. May I call you Henry?” She responded in question.
   
   As he filled her cup he smiled, “Speed, please. It’s what everyone calls me, and Marshal is just to formal.”
   
   “Well, Speed, you are a very fine dancer, my toes remain in tact. Seriously, thank you. I needed to get away, if only for the evening.”
   
   “My pleasure, and I am glad you accepted. There are people here whose backing could be instrumental for the success you plans. Even if it’s not discussed, your presence invites discussion, I believe it shows that you are available for such.” He explained. “Yet it also provides us both some relaxation and entertainment, I should think we both need, at least I know I do.”
   
   Leah laughed, something few had witnessed with her. “And the two men outside? What of their entertainment?” She asked coyly.
   
   “I appreciate their devotion on your behalf, whether anyone else does or not. And they are welcome to come in, if they like. I would suppose they would be asked the shuck their guns, and I would also suppose they would return to their vigil.”
    
   Leah merely smiled. “You don’t miss much do you, Speed?” She asked.
   
   “Well, I try not to.”
   
    
   @ Any
   
5. 

   Do the Right Thing

   November 16

   Addy grinned and nodded to Speed as he sat across from her.  "Nope, no Mexico...Canada, maybe!  Closer an' cooler!"  She shrugged and sighed.  "He's doin' as good as can be expected, I reckon.  At least he hasn't run off again, so that's somethin'."
   
   “Yes, that is something. I know that the boy can feel lost, but I also know that you keep him grounded by that care you provide for him.” Speed said.
    
   Emeline came by and took their order, then she continued with what she had managed to find out.
    
   "So, boy's real name is Porter James, we know that, an' his ma was Chloe James...just not sure if that was a maiden name or married, an' I don't know that he'd know...didn't ask."
   
   “Probably just as well.” Speed observed. “No need to add to what he’s dealing with already.”
    
   Understandably, she didn't want the boy to think that his ma and pa hadn't been married.
    
   "Says his pa's name was Daniel, his ma told him he was killed by Injuns...that was when he was 'little'."  She shrugged again.  Poor guy was little now, so there was no question that he didn't know details.
   
   “Now that could be. Indians raid on and off, whether they’re on the warpath or not. They see an easy target, they’re just as likely to take it as not.” He observed, one never really knew what the red man was liable to do.
    
   "Reckon maybe we can talk ta some'a th' folks from Whitefish, see if maybe someone remembers Weedy's ma bein' there?"  It might help to know what she was doing there when the storm hit.
   
   “Maybe some might know of her being there and why. Would answer some questions, at least about her, it’s Daniel I’d like to find out about, if in fact there is, or was, a Daniel Porter.” He added, “worth a shot anyways.”
    
   @Bongo
   
6. 

   Do the Right Thing

   November 13

   Supper @ The Lickskillet
    
   She understood, and even though she had had a couple months to ponder this over, she felt at a loss, and was grateful for Speed's help, and she'd talk to Jay about it tomorrow, once she had a few more details.
    
   Now, she was sitting at a table at the Lickskillet, waiting on Speed, muddling and fretting over all the possibilities.
    
   Speed came thru the door of the Café where he spent most mornings ahead of he duties at the office and then at the Marshal’s office. His company was coming right along, growing slowly staff wise, but growing none the less.
   
   This meeting with Addy was certainly not about anything but young Weedy and what if anything, was to become of him based on what they could do about it.
   
   “Hello Addy, well, seems we need to come up with some sort of plan that doesn’t include your running off to Mexico.” He greeted. “How’s the boy doing?”
    
   @Bongo
   
7. 

   Do the Right Thing

   November 8

   Slowly, they walked back toward town, and when they got to the barn that Addy called home, she turned to Speed.  "Reckon I'm gonna hafta look fer a proper place now."  After all, Weedy couldn't continue to live with her in the small room at the back of the barn.  "Thank ya fer th' help, Speed," she murmured, "we truly do appreciate it.  Will ya meet us fer supper at th' Lickskillet?"
    
   “Yes Ma’am, that sounds just fine to me.” Speed said accepting her offer. I understand there’s a small place, plenty big enough for two over on Third Street. Nice place saw it the other day as the Jackson’s found a place to farm on.”
    
   Hopefully, in a few hours, Weedy would be recovered enough to give them some more definitive information on his family.
    
   Speed looked to the boy knowing he’d be alright. Losing family was never easy, and there would be times when Weedy would let out some of that anger that would be inside. He’d need not just a strong hand, but an understanding one, and that would be Addy.
    
   @Bongo
   
8. 

   Let's Dance !

   November 7

   Speed, Leah & Phinias
    
   “Then the ladies have had an effect upon their opposites. This is good.” Leah remarked as they passed through the barn doors and paused. “I would agree, sir, most elegant.”
   
   “Right busy on the dance foor, not uncommon though.” He remarked as they entered. “Has the flavor of a ball, I’d say, rather than stomp, or shin-dig like some are.”
   
   Leah smiled at his reference to the rowdier dances that were often held where cowboys from miles around would attend mingling with the town folks, usually set in large barn on a ranch or in town, lasting until daybreak, and not infrequently for two or three days.* “Yes, somewhat of a relief, I’d say.” Most all the gowns were quite fashionable even if they were somewhat out of style for the bigger cities. “Actually, it’s marvelous! Something the town needed. A chance to socialize with their neighbors and business folks they deal with everyday. Whoever put this on needs to be commended.”
   
   “Commended indeed!” It was Phinias McVay, editor of the Union. “And I certainly will put that in the next edition. A pleasure to see you Miss Steelgrave, we must chat at some point about your project, but not this evening.” He looked to Speed. “Marshal. I see you have everything under control.”
   
   “We will, Mister McVay, and soon.” Leah responded with a smile.
   
   “Control? That will be a disputed matter before the night is over.” Speed answered.
   
   At that moment, Leah spotted Jonah with an Officer and Matilda Devereau.
   
   TBC
   * From Cowboy Lingo by Ramon F. Adams
   
9. 

   Do the Right Thing

   November 6

   "I told her I love her," he murmured, "last time I saw her."  And then the tears started, in earnest, and he reached for Speed, holding the man tightly.
    
   Speed put his arms about the boy, drawing him in, letting cry. “It’s alright Weedy, you’re no alone. Yes, you lost your Ma, but there are a whole lot of folks that care about you. And there’s Miss Addy, she’s worried sick about you, so just know that you’re loved by lots of folks.”
    
   It was not an easy thing for Speed to witness the boys pain, he’d had so much of his own, the loss of his parents, the men under his command, all of that death he had not only witnessed but participated in during war years. He patted Weedys back gently as he cried.
    
   He looked up and caught sight of Addy waiting above, so he nodded for her to come on down.
   @Bongo
   
10. 

    Let's Dance !

    November 5

    Speed & Leah
     
    Speed had hired a buggy in the hopes that she would agree to attend the dance. It was not as if he held in interest in Leah, not in that way, but he did believe that she needed to get more involved locally. He was convinced that if people had the chance to get to know this woman they would see as he had, she was not her father, and what she had planned was no threat to the town.
    
    They arrived, he parked the buggy, dropped the weight the keep the animal where he stood and went around to let her down. “And why might I ask have you no companion for this soiree, or should I say, stomp or perhaps, shindig?”
    
    “No,” He began as they started toward the door, “Soiree is probably a more appropriate title for what will transpire here. The ladies are dressed as one would expect, and the men have on their Sunday best, for the most part. Quite elegant.”
    
    “Then the ladies have had an effect upon their opposites. This is good.” Leah remarked as they passed through the barn doors and paused. “I would agree, sir, most elegant.”
    
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