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DUST continued. That night it was very quiet in the bunkhouse and, after supper, I sat with my head in my hands, thinking of Miss Millie's beauty. I realized then that I was in love with her and she hinted, that I was something special to her, but what about Jim? How were we going to show up at the dance together? The rustlers were getting braver now, they set fire to the barn and the bunkhouse, and they even threw fire-torches at the main house, as they rode by, but Jim was ready for them. He had us practice a bucket-brigade; he had us place all the buckets that we would need to put out a fire, by the watering trough. We put out the fires in a few minutes and they did no harm to the buildings,. A few of the men chased the rustlers into the night, but it was too dark to see them, so they turned back. We all went into the undamaged bunkhouse, and laughed at those foolish rustlers and raiders for thinking they could burn down the 4d Ranch. "We scared the hell out of them!" said Lloyd, one of the wranglers. The next day was Friday, there was only one more day before the dance and I spent the whole day thinking it was me, that was gonna take miss Millie to the dance. At last it was Saturday and I spent the whole day trying to keep from sweating. Oh sure, I was going to take a bath for the dance, but I didn't want any lingering odours coming from me. I just sat in my saddle and enjoyed the warm sun on my back. When night began to fall, I went into the bunkhouse and heated the water to take a bath. "Whoo! You smell like a French whore", Lloyd said to me when I finished my bath. Then it was time for me to go to the ranch house, to get Miss Millie, so I hurried up the stairs to the porch, and knocked on the door. I had never seen a prettier picture in my life than Miss Millie. Her hair was brushed to below her shoulders and she wore a gingham dress that fitted her perfectly. I don't know why, but I turned and saw Floyd standing there, with the Sunday go-to-meeting rig in hand. We walked down the steps and, while Floyd held the team of horses, I helped Miss Millie into the carriage. Floyd told me he knew all of the time that I was taking Miss Millie to the dance, but Miss Millie made him promise to keep it a secret, Lloyd gave me a thumbs-up sign as I sat next to the prettiest woman in the territory. Our bodies touched, she felt oh-so- warm in the chilly night air. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but I thought she moved even closer to me. Lloyd gave me the thumbs up sign again as I clucked to the horses; even the horses seemed like they wanted to go to the dance! We got to the old barn dance in time and there was a boy that took care of the horses, as we went in. Old lady Oriely was playing her fiddle, and Mrs. Jones was playing the piano while Mr Jones banged away on the tambourine. The band was playing ‘Turkey in the straw' while the dancers did the polka. A person did not have to look twice, to see that everyone was having fun. Girls were dancing with girls while the young fellers were standing against the wall, laughing and joking. Every now and then, one of the young men would cast an eye at a girl who would turn red and look at him back; it was never long before he went over and asked her to dance. Then Jim showed up and later Millie's brother came in. Everyone could tell he was drunk. "Wassa matter Jim, somebody got your gal?" Jim didn't answer but went to the refreshment counter, and ordered some apple cider. "Are you going to drink that straight?" asked Ben. Jim is seething but still he does nothing. Ben, disliked Jim, ever since his father made Jim the ramrod of the 4d ranch. He felt it should have been him that his father chose. "Are you scared of that guy Jim?" That did it! Jim gave Ben one punch, sending him crashing to the floor. Ben, still laying on the floor, took out his gun and shot Jim in the head. People came to Jim's aid but it was too late. Jim was dead! Ben was hung for murder that year and I was made ramrod of the 4d Ranch. Zeke told the rustlers to stop, the 4d Ranch grew to be the biggest ranch in Wyoming and Millie and I were married the following year. The boss died and left everything to Millie and me. I just wish that great old man could have lived long enough to have met his three grandkids. Copyrights reserved by the author. If in doubt, please click on 'Copyrights' for details. |
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The author can be contacted at: thorobred240@cs.com |