Echoes of the Heart: Poems by Carole Bergman Read Free Book Online Page A

bit
snobbish.   They worked hard for their
money and remained down-to-earth people.   But they enjoyed the increase in social functions in town, which also
helped all the businesses when extensive groups assembled.
    “I hear the hotel
will be adding rooms next year.   Any
truth to the rumor?”   Watts
moved back toward the gray horse as he spoke, lifting another hoof onto his
knee.
                “Bill
mentioned they would be adding on soon.   The town is growing so fast, he needs more accommodations.   I’m going to see the mayor this afternoon
about adding another deputy marshal to the payroll.   Many seamy characters ride into town when
they bring the herds to the train station.   We really need to stay atop of matters.”   Cash had been anxious for some time to add another man as deputy.   Now he only had to convince the mayor to
contribute to the funds already promised by the Federal Marshall’s office.
    Cash removed his
hat and wiped beads from his forehead with the sleeve of his shirt.   “Angie has problems but she sure likes the
business they bring in.   She says it just
goes with the territory.”    Tiny
particles of dust swirled in the sun when Cash smacked his hat across his pant
leg.   “I’m also concerned with all the
extra money the banks keep on hand, it’s an invitation for trouble.”
    Watts
began filing the hoof resting on his knee.   “Guess you have your work cut out for you, Marshal.”   
    After thanking Watts,
Cash strode out of the livery and headed toward the general store.           
    Cash could not
help but marvel at all the new homes along the town’s main street.   Many had flower gardens in front behind short
white fencing while others had specially cut stones to form a walkway from the
front gates to the porches.
    Several homes had
porch swings attached to the overhangs with brightly colored cushions on the
seats.   He watched several small children
play in the street beside one of the new homes as he continued with extended strides
toward the general store.
                The
new storefront façade, painted white, looked nothing like the old worn face of
his youth.   A new sign hung outside the
upper story, reading Chamberlain General Store in crisp green
letters.   The new expansion, almost complete,
still needed to be painted and the roof finished.   Extra storage would be a welcome addition for
Mike and Diane since the increase in demands.
    He entered taking
off his hat, his boots sounding his arrival on the wooden floor of the
store.   Seeing no one, he called
out.   “Hey, Mills.”
                “Over
here.   I’m sweeping up after the builders
before they begin again later today.   Looks pretty good, huh?”   Cash
noticed Mill’s back had become somewhat stooped as he leaned over the broom for
support.   His aged face showed his years,
but his hazel eyes still sparkled with life.
                “Guess
the Adams’ will be pleased when they come home with all
the new merchandise they are bringing in from St. Louis.   I went to check on the wagons to make sure we
can haul it all from the train station when they arrive in a few days.”
                Mills
continued to sweep.   “Lots of cowboys
coming in I noticed.   The stockyards are
filling up fast, and the flies are driving me nuts.   Sure, hope they put some extra livestock cars
on the train.”   Mills stilled the broom
while he ran his shirtsleeve across his brow.   “They will have big shipments this month and it would be real nice if
they could take them all at once.   I can
hardly believe it’s the same town.   Seems
like yesterday when I worked for your father out on the ranch.”
                Cash
remembered well the days when the old man worked at the ranch.   It seemed to him, Mills had always been old,
even though he could work cattle and horses with the best of them.   When the time came, Cash