John T. Wesley
U.S. Deputy Marshall
"Never argue with a 45..."
Posts: 9
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Post by John T. Wesley on Oct 1, 2012 21:14:19 GMT -8
JT Arrives in Del Fuego 
As a deputy U.S. marshal for north Texas and the Indian Territories, his job would take him deep into Texas…. Predominantly past the fringes of the state’s border into the Young and Bexar Territories. . This would be where he was nicknamed “Hard Tack Jack” because of his no-nonsense manners. And after all these months of traipsing around the state… His orders had read… “Del Fuego…”
The map had been edited and re-issued since the hostilities between the States had ended and politics had settled down… a bit… and now the man stood over it looking where his new station was. His finger traced over the lines… by his estimation, it was 100 miles due west from Dallas… over 50 miles northeast from Abilene… 15 miles due north from Albany… and over 60 miles due south from Seymour… in between lay a town known as Del Fuego… Spanish for “Of the Fire”… a hellified place in the rolling hills between the West Fork of the Trinity River and Clear Fork of the Brazos River…
That whole area of Texas was a dangerous place as settlers made their way into Texas, conflicting with the Plains Indians who had long called the area their exclusive hunting grounds. When more and more people continued to arrive, the Indian attacks increased across northern Texas, keeping the soldiers busy in what was called the Red River Campaign.
In addition to the honest pioneers who settled the area for legitimate reasons of ranching, agriculture, and commerce, the settlement below the hill was soon bustling with buffalo hunters, businessmen, cowboys, outlaws, gamblers, gunfighters, and "painted ladies,” a town quickly gaining a reputation for lawlessness…. That in turn, attracted inhabitants representing the lowest classes of society… a haven for gamblers, saloonkeepers, prostitutes, con men and fugitives from justice.
JT rode the black andalusian down the main street into the town of Del Fuego… past the market, the general store, the bank and the train station… and he was not surprised that the train had already made it this far west from Dallas… nor what followed the railheads with the number of saloons, gambling houses, prostitute quarters, and the size of the cemetery. But he was surprised to find the sure signs of civilization… a Mayor's Office, a Courthouse, Sheriff's Office, Jail House with Gallows, and even a School House and Church…
Turning the horse toward the rail, he swung his leg over the saddle and stepped down in front of the Sheriff’s Office… Wrapping the reins around the rail, his hands went to his back as he stretched the kinks out of a several day ride.
“Well JT, welcome to Del Fuego… let’s see where Duty gets us in the middle of nowehere…” |
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Post by Evangeline Redwood on Oct 1, 2012 21:17:49 GMT -8
Evangeline hardly minded running her father's errands. It gave her something to do, a reason to get out of the house and away from the dull nothingness that went on there. In a few days, the new stock would be in, close to a hundred head, and she knew that she, the boys, and her newest hire Aaron Anderson would be as busy as ever breaking each one out. She was looking forward to those days, when the hustle and bustle of Redwood Ranch would return.
For now she would simply settle on the little bit of hustle and bustle town had to offer. There were groceries to be bought, a saddle to put an order in for, and various other things to take care of. The list was long, but she was looking forward to the challenge. Anything to keep her mind busy and off of other dark subjects..
She stepped off the carriage with a cough, the dust stirred up around her face nothing to look forward to. One hand came up and fanned it in front of her face to clear some of the red dust before it settled on her rich blue dress or in her thick, chocolate curls. She looked around for a moment, orienting herself before beginning down the street.
"Afternoon. Miss Redwood." She turned upon hearing one of her father's associates, a Mr. Franklin, call from the open window to his store. She smiled her most dazzling smile his way, straight white teeth gleaming from between rosy red lips.
"Afternoon, Mr. Franklin!" She called back in her drawling voice, waving to him before looking back in front of her again. A few more steps and she was on the porch outside of the general store and taking a moment to glance around the town from beneath the shield of a hand wrapped in white gloves. Across the street she could see a man, dressed in head to toe back, riding what appeared to be a black Andalusian down the street. As the owner of a bay Andalusian, Evangeline couldn't help but have a bit of a soft spot for the big black horse that the man rode.
Despite being a new comer to town, Evangeline had always been a social butterfly, and she prided herself on knowing everyone in town. And this man, well, he was a complete stranger to her. Former plans abandoned, she moved off of the porch once more and back out into the sunlight, making her way across the street to come close to the man who was now stretching what seemed to be sore muscles. When she was within hearing distance, she spoke, thick Southern drawl on her words.
"I pride myself, sir, on knowin' fine animals. And I have to say, that is a hell of an animal." She purred, using her head to gesture to the big black horse he had been riding.
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John T. Wesley
U.S. Deputy Marshall
"Never argue with a 45..."
Posts: 9
|
Post by John T. Wesley on Oct 2, 2012 8:09:38 GMT -8
Dax’s Twilight… Alias, Dax…. Age 5, born in the Fall of ’65… Black Andalusian …. Sire…. Midnight – Andalusian … Dam…. Dax Ira - arabian In the few moments he had been there, JT had tried to open the door of the Sheriff’s Office; oddly enough, it was locked… and he peered into the window and found no one inside… and now he stood on the boardwalk and looked around, wondering if this burg even had a Sheriff, or if his arrival was more beneficial for the law-abidin’ folks than he initially presumed.
Today, possibly like any other, had the town abuzz with both the comings and goings of residents and passers-by; the distinction definitively noticeable of who was who. Of course, Texas… the place the world knew of… either to hide from something or start anew… And it was his job to enforce the law… Right or wrong, he knew his decisions were made in a split-second, and life would hang in the balance… And he had not noticed the young woman crossing the street toward him.
The feminine voice behind him broke his train of thought and wrought him back to reality… He quickly took off his hat in the presence of the lady… holding out his hand in a gentlemanly manner to courteously assist her up the couple of stairs from the street to the wooden walkway, should she prefer… all this occurring in just a matter of seconds…
As she moved to stand before him, he respectfully bowed his head, and held his hat at his waist. Behind her, it was as if the big black knew someone was talking about him… and the broad head dipped, and the nostrils flared… and dust blew up from the air which he expelled when he snorted… that left leg pawed at the ground causing more dust. “Be nice Dax… she ain’t speaking ill of ya…” Then he looked to the lady.
"I pride myself, sir, on knowin' fine animals. And I have to say, that is a hell of an animal."
“Why thank you Ma’am…” He glanced from her to Dax and back, refocusing his attention on her. “He is loyal… an’ a good ride on the trail…” then he broke into a smile… “Of course, sometimes, I think Dax’s too smart fer his own good…” and as he looked upon her, his mind echoed his own thoughts of how well she looked too… “You do know yer horseflesh, ma’am…”
He found proper conversation with a good-looking Lady harder than any conversation with a prisoner, a dancehall girl, or prostitute… those three easier to talk to than any… And unknowingly whether she was married or not, he would continue calling her ma’am unless she introduced herself with a name he could handle… |
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Post by Evangeline Redwood on Oct 4, 2012 19:40:00 GMT -8
Evangeline took the proffered hand, but only because manners dictate she did. A tiny hand, wrapped in a white glove, slipped into his hand for a mere moment as she climbed the steps, before pulling her hand out of his. "The best of horses are often too good for their own good. My Tracker had learned how to let himself out of his stall and into the feed room to help himself to the grain. But he's the best horse under saddle and I wouldn't trade him for any other horse." She agreed, smirking like the pit viper she was.
"I like to think I do. I was raised around 'um. My Papa was always a horse man, until the war. He was immediately enlisted as a General, and my brother Randall joined up as well, so I ran the farm by myself for a few years. After the war, we left Georgia to come here so Papa could pursue his dream of breedin' the ultimate horse. So yes sir, I like to think I know my horses." She smirked a little wider, eyes the color of good whiskey trained on his face.
Evangeline had had her hands on horses since she was but a toddler, but when her father had gone off to war, she had been forced to learn a lot on her own. Not only had her father been a general, a famous one at that, their ranch also supplied some of the best horses to the Confederate Calvary, and almost all of the business deals went through the number-minded Evangeline. They had made more money than Jesus himself with that enterprise. Even after the war was over, it was known all over the south you got the best horses from 'The Gentleman Rebel'.
Only then did Evangeline notice that he was still calling her 'ma'am', and she had not given him her name yet. She forced a ladylike blush, putting a hand over her heart. "Where are my manners today? I swear, this Texas heat is turnin' me into some kind of a heathen." She then offered her hand to him once more, meant for a handshake, "I'm Evangeline Redwood,"
She glanced over him quickly, spotting the badge on his chest and the gun on his hip. "and accordin' to those, you're someone important." Her voice was playful, nothing short of coy, and perhaps a bit flirtatious. She meant nothing by it, it was just her way. The society she had grown up in had taught her that flirtation and flattery got you a lot further than sweet smiles and shy glances, at least in most cases.
"Well may I be the first to welcome you to the town of Del Fuego, if you want to call it a town and invite you to a fine meal at my ranch tonight. Papa and Randall are out of town, and the hands aren't much of a company. I could do with a little bit of conversation."
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John T. Wesley
U.S. Deputy Marshall
"Never argue with a 45..."
Posts: 9
|
Post by John T. Wesley on Oct 5, 2012 8:49:37 GMT -8
His hand had gripped the white gloved hand just right, not too hard, and none too loose and as she stood next to him, he offered her a smile that pushed the mustache up and to the side. Her accent was delicious, and though he was born and raised a northerner, he always did like the “southern belles” … but unfortunately, the War Between the States… or the War of Southern Succession, as they called it… put a bad taste for northerners in every Southerner’s mouth for many years.
Georgia…? General? damnation… was the first thing to pop silently into his mind… the first person to welcome him, and such a fine woman too… the daughter of a Rebel general… His first experience with confederates were the Border Ruffian from Missouri… Being in Lawrence in those years were too comforting. After the burning of Lawrence, and for most of the war years, JT did his duty for the Union, though he did not join the Army. He had been a civilian scout and wagon master. And after the war, he continued as a scout for General Philip Sheridan and Winfield Scott Hancock as well as a guide for hunting parties. He even scouted for Custer when Custer was a mere Lieutenant at Fort Riley, Kansas. “Yes Ma’am… I got Dax from a Missouri trader working in Fort Leavenworth… and he has been a good ole plug since…” and the big black snorted again as if rebelling from JT’s teasing.
JT held the hat in from of him and fidgeted with the edge of the brim. Texas Heat? Now July and all the way into mid August had been hot… but September had been right nice with only a few days to make a man sweat… but of course, she was a southern belle, all dolled up frilly and such; and he did like the ways her form fitted the dress. "Yessiree, a fine lookin’ woman…" his mind wandered a bit as his hand took her hand… this time a bit more snuggled grip; but none too tight. “I am John… John Wesley… but JT will do Miss Redwood…” His mind rolled “Evi” over and over again… but that was too intimate… so he’d stick with Miss Redwood until he had permission for the other version. “… It’s a pleasure ta meet ya.” He finished his sentence.
Moving the hat aside, he looked down at what she gazed at… and a bit of a reddish tint tainted his cheeks as he looked back at her. “Uhhh, yes’um… they might indicate that, but I ain’t… I am here to do a job… come hell or high water… and that job is to make Texas a right good place to live…” Now that was a BIG task… one that took hundreds of marshals, and a thousand or so Rangers, if they ever get their chyt together all across the million square miles of Texas. He smiled again… “I am sure the Sheriff of Del Fuego does a right good job… I am basically here to support the Sheriff, by going after criminals that escape his jurisdiction and head out into the Indian lands… I simply represent the federal government’s law enforcement presence.”
This is the most he has talked in months… and he didn’t mind talking to such a good-looking woman… he just had to watch “how” he talked around proper women. In his line of work, he did not get much conversation with “proper” women. She was flirty… and he’d heard southern belles like to flirt, though many never backed up the flirty words. “Miss Redwood, I surely appreciate the reception… and the offer to supper… but...” Papa and brother out of town…?? He shook his head slightly… “… I’m afraid I will have to ask if I can have a rain check… I got ta get settled in first.” Nope, he didn’t want to get wrapped up in that hornet’s nest… alone with her?... though he’d sure like to… "damnation JT, she’s a lady." He thought.
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