Tumbleweeds

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chuck j
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Posts: 1983
Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 12:44 pm

Re: Tumbleweeds

Post by chuck j »

They ate and Wade took Steve , Zeke and the freighters to Lucy's house showing the way . She stayed at the Staley's . Mrs Staley said ...We made you two dresses to pick from for your wedding . It is so exciting ! Lets go upstairs and you can try them on in case they need altering but I think they will fit perfect !


Her and Willow Mae followed Mrs Staley upstairs to the spare bedroom . Mrs Staley said ...Willow Mae is already settled in so you just make yourself at home and I'll get the dresses ! Willow Mae and her talked ...there was so much to tell an ask . Mrs Staley brought in the dresses and laid them on a bed saying ...Try them on ! They were beautiful ! One was really fancy with puff sleeves and lace . The other was simple but very pretty . They were both blue and ankle length .


Willow Mae said ...The sewing is perfect and their both lovely ! Try them on baby ! Lets see how they look ! She tried them both on and thought a lot . She finally said ...I will wear the more simple one . It's so hard to choose . Willow Mae and Mrs Staley both said ...You are so pretty ! The simple dress shows you off better ! You don't need a fancy dress !


Mrs Staley said ...OH ! You , Wade , Zeke and Willow Mae will have supper here this evening ! Wear the fancy dress to supper and let them see you in it ! It will be fun to see Wade when you walk in ! Willow Mae said …You should ! You must ! She looked at the dresses and hugged Mrs Staley thanking her .

This was like a dream to her . Finding Zeke's mother who would live with them . Getting married , getting beautiful dresses . Being in a town and meeting the people Wade told of . Moving Lucy to the ranch to live . The crossing . Going to Fort Graham to get the license , see Ranger Headquarters , talk to the preacher . Getting to room with Willow Mae upstairs overlooking Eliasville . Wearing a fancy dress to supper !


This whole trip was unbelievable !
chuck j
Senior Member
Posts: 1983
Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 12:44 pm

Re: Tumbleweeds

Post by chuck j »

Don had split Mason and Joe up . He put Mason helping John with the beds and Joe helped with the bedroom . They were making good progress on the bedroom . They were use too working together and little was said , everyone just fell in and worked together .

Claud and Ray were able to sit at the table in the cabin now with some help getting them there . Juan was watching them good and spoiling them doing things for them . Juan had hauled another load of cattails in to dry and felt more confident with Claud watching him cook . Things were working out ! He still was worried sick about Ed .
chuck j
Senior Member
Posts: 1983
Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 12:44 pm

Re: Tumbleweeds

Post by chuck j »

Mrs Staley had to help Ed in the store . Her and Willow Mae spent the time talking . She described the ranch and people . It being a Ranger outpost , how everyone had come together . She told of the crossing and remoteness of the ranch and how everyone worked together . She told of the outlaws , the big fight at the river , how she had met Zeke and much more .

Willow Mae was totally amazed ! Willow asked ...How can I fit in there ? I will not just be kept up ! I have to work but I'm seventy four years old and can't do the hard work anymore . She asked Willow ...Zeke said your an excellent seamstress , can you make clothes and do sewing ! Willow said ...Oh Yes and I can cook and clean ! She laughed and told Willow ...Then you will have more than you can do ! Don't worry about fitting in .

Willow Mae asked ...Do you like a garden ? She said ...I love to garden and Zeke wants one real bad too ! When we get to the ranch we will plant one ! The spot is dug up and ready .


Willow Mae asked ...You accept Zeke as a father ? She said ...YES ! I haven't told him but I want him to give me away at the wedding . Willow Mae said ...Then that makes me your Grandmother ! She said ...I hadn't thought of that ! And your Nates Great Grandmother ! You are already part of the family .
chuck j
Senior Member
Posts: 1983
Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 12:44 pm

Re: Tumbleweeds

Post by chuck j »

Blue had traveled about five miles west on the road . He was hungry and moving slower . Then he caught a familiar scent on the road , it was the black mule ! He kept his nose on the ground smelling hard moving faster ! He started passing houses and people out working but the scent got stronger as he went .


It lead him behind a big building to a horse pen and the black mule was in it ! The ranch wagons and cart were there but his people were not there . He would stay with the black mule and wait .
chuck j
Senior Member
Posts: 1983
Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 12:44 pm

Re: Tumbleweeds

Post by chuck j »

Wade came in from Lucy's place and tied his horse in front of the store going in . Ed said ...Welcome back ! Did you get the men settled in at Lucy's ? Wade said ...Yea Ed they are settled in . We didn't tell you with all that was happening but Lucy is moving to the ranch . Ed said ...Really ! I knew she would love the trip and excitement but didn't think her to move there ! We will miss Lucy , she is kind of a strange one but works like a horse and is dependable . She ain't near as mean as she puts on . Wade said ...We love her Ed , she is a force unto herself and keeps the men on their toes ! Ed laughed and said ...I bet she does !


Wade told him they were going to move all her things when they went back and Lucy wanted him to sell the house . Ed said ...Of coarse ! I'd be glad to help her anyway I can . I'll talk to her and get it figured out , she has a nice place and it should sell quick . Wade said I have a lot of things to order Ed . We are growing fast at the ranch and things are falling into place . Ed said ...Yes sir ! I just knew the ranch would take off in a big way . Now that I have met Zeke and her I see why ! You people are workers ! You are going to do good Wade , I'd put money on that !


Wade said ...I want one hundred more rolls of barbed wire , steeples and twenty rolls of soft wire . We are going to do one heck of a lot of fencing in the near future . There will be more items ordered to go back but I have to see if there is any room left after loading all of Lucy's things . Ed said ...You got money on the books Wade ...No problem ! Wade told him ...I insist you charge us to room with you and we will pay to keep the stock and feed them here . Ed said indignantly ...I'll not have it ! All of you are a blessing to us ! My wife would have a fit over it ! NO ! NO! You are our friends Wade , we enjoy your visits and hope all of you come often . We have loved having Willow Mae till you got here . If anything arises in the ranch's name to benefit you I will handle it in your favor !

They shook hands .
chuck j
Senior Member
Posts: 1983
Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 12:44 pm

Re: Tumbleweeds

Post by chuck j »

Wade went to put Bud up at the lot . When he got there Blue was standing by the black mule ! He looked terrible , he looked gaunt was limping and his fur full of burrs and beggars lice ! He took care of Bud quickly and carried Blue to the back door of the kitchen . Mrs Staley , Willow Mae and her were talking and cooking supper . Wade walked in carrying Blue and she had a fit saying ...How did he get here ! Look at him ..he is filthy and sick ! Wade said ...I don't know how he made it on his own but he made the crossing alone !


Mrs Staley said ...I will get a wash tub and we will clean him up on the back porch , Willow Mae can you finish supper ? Willow said ...Of coarse ! Take care of him , there is plenty of time till supper .


They bathed him and pulled all the stickers out of his feet . They fed him and gave him a bowl of milk . He looked and felt better . They were amazed he survived the crossing by himself and found them !
chuck j
Senior Member
Posts: 1983
Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 12:44 pm

Re: Tumbleweeds

Post by chuck j »

At supper Wade told the Staleys and Willow Mae That they were going in the morning to Fort Graham and talk to the preacher , get a marriage license , report to Ranger Headquarters and check on getting some windmills . Zeke had come from Lucy's to eat with them . Wade told Zeke he was going too ! He wanted his advice and approval on the windmill deal .

They sat at the table waiting for her to come join them before they started eating . Wade said ...I'll go get her ! Willow cut her eys at Mrs Staley and said ...No ! There is no hurry . Give her time , you'll be glad you did .


In a few seconds the kitchen door opened and it was her in her new dress ! Wade said ...OH HECK ! Look at her ! Zeke said ...Land sakes alive ! You are pretty ! Mr . Staley just sat big eyed and stared saying ...You are beautiful ma'am !

Wade stood up and pulled her chair out for her and kissed her head when she sat down . Willow Mae snickered and Mrs Staley smiled and said ...Do ya'll think she looks nice ? They all started talking at once ! She sat red faced embarrassed . Wade said ...I can't believe you will be mine in a few days ! Zeke said ...I don't have anything but pretty daughters !


Mr, Staley just stared at her till his wife said ...Ed !...ED ! Quit staring Ed !
chuck j
Senior Member
Posts: 1983
Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 12:44 pm

Re: Tumbleweeds

Post by chuck j »

They talked about going to Fort Graham early in the morning . Wade told Zeke ...You go with us ! I want both of you to see the working windmill at the store that sells them . I have my heart set to buy two of them for the ranch . We would put one at the livestock pens and another in the pasture we are going to fence off first on the prairie behind the cabins . If they work well then we start fencing more prairie adjoining the river where we will not need windmills . We will pay to have the first two put in and learn how it's done then we can put them up ourselves ,

Wade asked Ed ...I know you sell or trade some cattle .We want cattle on pasture by next spring , we need good stocker cows and bulls . I will not settle for any culls . It would take us a long time to go down south to find , buy , hire hands and drive them to the ranch . Do you know any ranchers or brokers that are honest and would deliver five hundred head ?
Ed said ...I know two brokers in Fort Worth , let me contact them ..I believe they would be honest .

She asked Willow Mae ...We go to Fort Graham tomorrow , can you watch Nate and Blue . I know the Staleys have work to do and would not burden them . Willow said ...Of coarse ! I'd love to keep Nate and will watch Blue ..Will he try to follow you all to Fort Graham ? She laughed and said ...Not as long as you have Nate ! He will guard Nate till we return !
chuck j
Senior Member
Posts: 1983
Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 12:44 pm

Re: Tumbleweeds

Post by chuck j »

Juan hauled another load of cattails , they were running out of room to spread them in the shed so he spread them in the new bunkhouse to dry . John had made all ten beds , they waited for mattresses . With more Rangers the shed was getting crowded with straw beds on the ground .

The bedroom walls were nearly up and half the floor in , they were getting the cabin building down pat ! Everyone wanted to surprise Wade and her with they returned . Juan had set out fishing poles and hoped to have catfish for supper . Claud had shown him how to make biscuits and frybread .


Don was satisfied with everything getting done . Mason and Joe were falling in and doing their part , they helped speed up the progress .
chuck j
Senior Member
Posts: 1983
Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 12:44 pm

Re: Tumbleweeds

Post by chuck j »

Ed saddled his Comanche horse as the young Ranger saddled his . Ed slung his saddlebags up full of food Mattie Jones had made for them tying the bags on with the saddle strings . Hank stood watching them as they prepared to leave saying ...You ought to stay and rest another day Ed . I hate to see you traveling so far after all the truck you had with the Comanche . Ed stopped and said ...GOD sent you out there to me Hank , I thank you for coming . I might not have made it if you hadn't . Keep in touch with me , just send a post to Eliasville addressed to The Black Mule Ranch ..I'll get it . If your in that country stop and rest brother .


They shook hands , Ed and the young Ranger mounted and rode east . Ed was going home .
chuck j
Senior Member
Posts: 1983
Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 12:44 pm

Re: Tumbleweeds

Post by chuck j »

Zeke arrived at the store before daylight . He had been told to have breakfast with them before heading to Fort Graham . A light shown from the kitchen in back of the store so he went around back and went in . He hugged Her and Willow Mae who were helping Mrs Staley with cooking . Willow Mae said ...I get to keep Nate ! I'm going to have that boy walking and talking time ya'll get back ! They all laughed .


They would be gone two days . Zeke reported that Lucy was wound up like an eight day clock wanting to get things loaded on the wagons . Zeke laughed and said ...She will work Simon , Steve and the freighters to death today ! I'm glad I'm going to Fort Graham with ya'll !

Zeke harnessed the mule and Wade saddled Bud and put her saddle in the cart in case she needed to ride her mule . They pulled out east before daylight , she had her new dress and things in two flour sacks in the cart . Wade told her laughing ...You will meet Granny Ruth today ! She is really something !


They didn't know where they would sleep tonight . Wade and Zeke could sleep in the Ranger bunkhouse but she couldn't with other men there so they would have to figure it out when they got there .
chuck j
Senior Member
Posts: 1983
Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 12:44 pm

Re: Tumbleweeds

Post by chuck j »

They had the bedroom walls up before lunch time ! They were sawing and fitting roof beams , better than half the floor was finished . Tom and Mason were building gun ports and two doors , they would have a door on the back of the bedroom going outside to the clothesline and outhouse .


Claud and Ray were helped outside on the bench to get them out of the house a while . They were both better , Rays two wounds were healing well . Don planned on starting to log again . They were running out of logs and board material . All the harness was with the wagons but they could stockpile logs downriver and snake them home later . There was still much firewood needed cutting and hay to mow .


They had plenty to do
chuck j
Senior Member
Posts: 1983
Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 12:44 pm

Re: Tumbleweeds

Post by chuck j »

They neared Fort Graham and she had them stop while she went into the shinnery on the side of the road to wipe off with a damp sack and put on her new dress and make a new long ponytail with a pretty blue hair ribbon . They both smiled when she came out of the shinnery . Zeke said ...She's gonna turn a lot of heads Wade ! Wade said ...Yep ! She sure is ! She told them to hush !

They went down the main street . Going to Headquarters was first on their list . Wade would turn in his log copies and report to Tom to receive news or orders . They tied up out back at the lot and all went in . Tom was in his office and told them to come in , he was surprised ! Wade introduced Zeke and her explaining all they were doing by coming from the ranch . Tom picked up a dispatch telegraph message and handed it to Wade .


It told of the Comanche camp in the Canyon and was signed ...Ed Rawlins ! Ed was alive ! They were excited and glad but he was still far from home . Wade told Tom him and her were going to be married . Tom shook both their hands and said ...you are a lucky man to catch as pretty a girl as her !.


Tom asked if he could speak to Wade of Ranger business and Zeke with her went and sat on the cart in the shade . Two young Rangers working in the horse lot saw her and walked over asking if they could help her . Zeke smiled big . She said ...No thank you ! I'm waiting for my husband Captain Wade . They took off like scalded cats . Her and Zeke laughed a long time .
chuck j
Senior Member
Posts: 1983
Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 12:44 pm

Re: Tumbleweeds

Post by chuck j »

At noon Ed pulled three small lard buckets from his saddle bags and sat them on the ground and opened them . He laid a handful of jerky on one of the lids . There was cornbread , cookies , sweet tea and jerky . They sat on the ground eating and resting the horses . The Comanche horse was doing good , his horse looked a lot better but Ed would not ride him . a horse like him was beyond price .

The young Ranger said ...You don't talk much do you ? Ed said ...No . In a bit the ranger said ...Where are we going ? Ed said ...Heaven or Hell . Depends on our choices . In a bit the Ranger asked ...Why am I riding with you ? Ed said ...Because I made that choice . The Ranger said ...You ain't makin sense !


Ed said ...Your the one that makes no sense ! Who is GOD ! The young Ranger shut up for two reasons . He was afraid of Ed and he didn't know who GOD was .


Ed put the food up and mounted , the young Ranger did the same and they continued east to Midland .
chuck j
Senior Member
Posts: 1983
Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 12:44 pm

Re: Tumbleweeds

Post by chuck j »

Wade came out of Headquarters . Tom had informed him of everything he knew . The Army was mobilizing from Texas and Fort Sill in the Indian Territories heading for the Palo Duro . All Rangers that could be reached were headed to meet up with the cavalry taking Apache and Lipan scouts . There was an all out effort to hit the Comanche in the canyon . Captain Tom assured Wade Rangers would be traveling all over North and West Texas . That he should be prepared to do anything he considered necessary concerning the men and situation .

Wade was worried he wasn't at the ranch but it would have taken days for him to have received this much information anyway . They would proceed with their currant plans and get back home as soon as possible .


Next they stopped at the courthouse and got their marriage license ! It didn't take any time at all . Next they stopped at the store with the windmill . Wade went in and brought out the owner who remembered Wade's name . Wade had the owner tell and show Zeke and her how the windmill worked . He pulled an L shaped handle down on the leg and in a second the blades started turning as he explained how it pumped up the water . In a short bit water started pouring out of a pipe into the metal water trough ! Then they went inside to his wall poster and explained farther .

Wade asked them ...So what do you think ? Zeke and her both said they needed to buy two to try them out ! They all made a deal for the two windmills and a crew to set them up . She paid in cash . They were all excited when they left .

Next they went to the Methodist church to find the preacher . There was no one there and it didn't seem to have a parsonage . It was evening and time to eat and they might find where the preacher lived so they went to Granny Ruth's Café . Wade warned her and Zeke that Granny was 'different' .

When they went in the place was about full . Granny didn't have any help it looked like . They sat at a table and the whole place got quiet . Everyone was looking at her and Zeke . A man called out ...That black man is carrying a gun ! He'll get out of here if he knows what's good for him ! Granny looked up from cooking and saw Wade , Zeke and her . She grabbed her shotgun off the wall and headed straight for them . Wade thought ...Oh no ! He had Zeke and her to protect .


Granny looked mad as heck ! She kept coming ! Wade stood up to try and talk to her but she walked right by him and swung the shotgun barrel knocking the man that had said it on the floor ! She pointed it at him and said ...GET OUT OR I"LL BLOW YOUR FILTHY HEAD OFF ! The man managed to get up and stumble out the door .


Granny turned to Zeke , Wade and her and said ...What are ya'll havin this evening ? They couldn't talk and she said ...Enchiladas , beans and rice ? They shook their head yes . Granny started back to the kitchen and said ...Any man that keeps looking at that nice pretty gal I'll whip you ! They all quit looking at her .

She said ...She is different isn't she ! Wade had his hand over his mouth laughing looking down at the table .
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