The Old Ranger

Other Characters by this Player

Recent Posts

1. 

   Pleasant Company

   Yesterday at 04:04 AM

   "My God." Brendan's mouth dropped open. "You're crazy, Greer. She's a girl. You don't shoot girls!"
    
   "Why do you think I knocked his aim off ?  We didn't come out here to shoot anyone let alone a girl," Billy was of the same opinion on this issue as Brendan.
    
   Greer suddenly felt like they were ganging up on him and he didn't like it.
    
   "Don't you all act holier than thou with me!" he snapped.
    
   He then added, "It's all just a matter of time anyhow. Mr. Steelgrave is gonna want their farm and he is gonna send some men out to wipe out that whole family and bury them so no one finds their graves. I was just getting a jump on it."
    
   "Dammit, Billy, you know how this is gonna end and lissen here Connelly, you better get used to it because if Mr. Steelgrave gives you an order, you better obey if you know what's good for ya."
    
    
   
2. 

   Pleasant Company

   Tuesday at 05:32 PM

   "Yeah, well, my hide is still in one piece, no thanks to y'all. What in hell were you thinkin', sendin' me down there?"
    
   Billy shrugged, "Like I said, we didn't think she was dangerous. I probably should have said she was a bit feisty."
    
   Their new hand turned his anger on Greer then, "And who shot that damn rifle? You could'a hit me instead of her!" 
    
   "Who do you think shot it?" grinned Billy.
    
   Greer was not amused though, "Damn right I did! I was trying to save your life too. And I woulda if goddamn Billy here hadn't pushed me. I would have blown her head off, I woulda."
    
    
   
3. 

   Pleasant Company

   Monday at 02:16 PM

   As Brendan crested the ridge amidst the treeline, there were his two fellow ranch hands waiting for him. Both were dismounted, their horses tied to a nearby branch. The looks on their faces fully mirrored their diverse personalities too. Billy was grinning away but Greer was glaring in that surly manner of his. He held a rifle in one hand but was merely grasping it in the middle, in no way attempting to wield it.
    
   Billy let out a whoop, "Whoa there! That was quite something, pard. I had no idea she'd try to shoot ya. When we met her previous like, she didn't have no gun in her hand. Glad ta see you ain't got no bullet holes in ya."
   
    
   Greer seemed much more tense and said nothing.          
   
4. 

   Annual Spring Dance (Preparations)

   Sunday at 04:14 PM

   Mature Content: No
   Author: Wide Open
   With: Whoever posts
   Location: Kalispell
   When: April 1876
   Time of Day: Varies
    
   
   
   Excitement was building in the small frontier community. April meant winter was finally over and summer lay ahead. For farmers it was time to prepare the fields for planting. For ranchers their herds could now fatten on pasture land buried by snow during the winter. People could move around more, travel more now that the roads were not blocked by snow. And April also meant the annual Spring Dance where the town gathered for socializing  in a festive setting. Besides dancing there was plenty of food and drinks for all.
    
   But it did not happen without some organizing to set this whole affair up. A committee was formed each year to handle the myriad details of preparation. Many local citizens pitched in to help in whatever way they could. Donations of all sorts of foodstuffs were promised, usually a local ranch or two provided a cow for the meat. Individuals would bring in bakery goods and many side dishes. Local musicians gathered for practices - though many had performed at prior dances and were well accustomed to each other. The Stardust Saloon was providing a few barrels of free beer and pitching a small tent where hard liquor could be purchased.
    
   The actual locale of the dance that evening would be Mr. Horace Simkin's large barn, normally used for hay and other feed storage but blessed with a strong wood floor unlike most barns. It was located just outside of town proper and Simkins was proud to have his place host such festivities (and he always said as much to anyone who would listen).
    
   
   Townsfolk could easily walk there, those who needed to come further had hitching posts and a corral for horses plus plenty of open space to park buggies and wagons. A large fire pit out back of the barn was where the butchered beef was roasted on spit.
    
   All of this was the material side to this grand event, but there was far more to the Spring Dance than just that. The weeks then days prior to that glorious Saturday evening, people were making their own arrangements as to just who was going and of course who were they going with!  Nervous or maybe confident males were formally requesting the ladies of the community for them to accompany them that night. Shirts, trousers, dresses were washed, shoes polished. Everyone wanted to look their best.
    
   Yes sirree, it was going to be a hot time in the old barn that night come April 22nd.
    
   
5. 

   Your Services are Required

   September 1

   Mature Content: No
   Author: Wayfarer playing an NPC
   With: MacIntosh, Ke-Ni-Tay, Pvt. Shaw
   Location: Fort Somer
   When:  Late April 1876
   Time of Day: Late morning
    
   
    
   
    
   Private James 'Jamie' Shaw's worn boots crunched upon the dry soil of the fort's ground as he steadily approached a pair of figures sitting upon a porch. It was the older man he wanted, well was ordered, to speak with. He was the white civilian scout MacIntosh. Shaw didn't know the Injun's name and he didn't care either. He had lost friends to Injuns and he pretty much hated all these murdering redskins for even existing. But duty was duty.
    
   Once he got to within easy hearing range, he halted, cleared his throat - not to let them know of his approach, they damn well knew that already - but for speaking.
    
   "Mornin' Mr. MacIntosh, I been sent to inform you that there is gonna be a patrol goin' out today and your presence is expected. They'll be leaving an hour from now and Captain Barlow will be in command. If you could kindly pack what you need and tend to your mounts, the Captain said he will explain the details of all this on the way out. "
    
   He gave a quick side glance toward the Indian, "Him too."
    
   Now personally he didn't trust that Injun but apparently they were a package deal and the captain had said he wanted both the available scouts. You don't argue with officers, he learned that early in his service experience.
   
6. 

   Returning From Helena

   August 13

   The knock on the door came as a surprise to Josiah Boone. Being new to town, and in the dead of winter, visitors were scarce, including his former patients. Though most had found semi or permanent housing.
    
   The lad was there on an errand from Doctor Jonah Danforth and Leah Steelgrave, a name he knew all too well, not her in particular, but the Steelgrave name, and all it represented, which was trouble he could well do without. But the boy had mentioned a hospital, and that peaked the man’s interest, so he followed the lad to Danforth’s office.
    
   Once inside, the fire and it’s warmth caused Josiah to remove his heavy top coat and gloves. He looked the pair, smiling, as there was no reason not to
    
   “Well Danforth, what’s this about a hospital.” Leah smiled at the directness and decided that Jonah should answer, and she could fill in the details.
   
   Tag @Bongo
   
7. 

   Christmas Eve 1875

   July 24

   That would be the end of the Christmas Eve thread...
   
8. 

   Pleasant Company

   July 21

   "Well you got me why Mr. Steelgrave don't do somethin' about it," Greer meant the squatting, "But he's the boss and he don't explain nothin' to people like us."
    
   They were almost within sight of the farm now, Billy was feeling a might nervous  but answered Brendan's question, "Not rightly sure. Seems they bought the place from a couple around close to a year ago.  That's just what I heard in town once though. Maybe you can ask 'em when you meet 'em?"
    
   The three riders pulled up on a low rise and sure enough, there was the farm. A smallish farmhouse, a barn, some fields, and the beginnings of a fence. A closer look and one could make out a chicken coop and an outhouse. There was a figure hanging up washing on a line at one side of the farmhouse.  Billy knew who that was alright and smiled.
    
   "Well, there it be. Not much really but home sweet home for those folks, right?" he remarked as he leaned on his saddle horn.
    
   "See that gal there hanging out the wash? We met her  before, right friendly too. In fact some might say a little too friendly if ya know what I mean? She practically threw herself at me one day in town. Who knows, a handsome buck like yerself, she'll probably take a quick fancy to you too. If you're in a mind for it, you might just get lucky."
    
   Greer didn't get it at first but then it clicked and he shut up and let Billy set their new hand up. This could be real fun to watch - at a safe distance of course.
    
   "Go on then, introduce yourself so that she knows yer part of the Evergreen crew and not one of those troublemakers from the Lost Lake spread. Oh and mention swimmin' too, that filly loves swimming. She's a regular fish in the water that one," Billy grinned.
    
   
    
    
   
9. 

   A Little Touch Of Larceny

   July 20

   Ben turned to look at the newcomer.  He had met Pike a while back and found him to an amiable sort of fellow.  "No, you're fine.  I only dropped by for a brief visit as I have to go and see the other members of the town council to decide on a date for this election. Hopefully, we should have it worked out by the end of the week.  It will be no later than mid-April."
    
   He held out his hand to Speed, "Thanks for your time, marshal.  I'll drop by later in the week."
    
   On his way out, Ben acknowledged Pike, "Nice to see you again.  We can have a chat the next time I go over to the Lick Skillet for one of Mrs. Blakesley pies."
    
   As he opened the door, he gave a quick wave, "Have a good day, gentlemen."
    
   @Flip
   
10. 

    A Little Touch Of Larceny

    July 18

    Ben nodded, "Yes, the family is a mess and as for Mrs. Steelgrave, I have been hearing rumours about town as to why she left.  Some of them are very nasty and in my opinion, no woman should be talked about in that way, even if she is a Steelgrave."
     
    He paused before continuing, "As for Miss Steelgrave, you may not see a threat but there are others that will.  It goes hand in hand with being a Steelgrave.  There are people in this town who have been or know someone who was the victim of Elias Steelgrave's brand of justice or business tactics.  Miss Steelgrave will have to prove that she is not her father's daughter and that is a battle I do not envy her."
     
    @Flip