Chapter 23

I slowed my horse to a trot as I came into view of a small bustling town. I looked in amazement at the small settlement as I slowly rode through. There was a stable and livery next to a blacksmith shop, a general store with quite a selection of goods in the display window, a quilt shop with several handmade quilts and stacks of fabric and a small cafe. I reigned my horse to a stop and saw at one end of the town a small church and at the other end of town a sheriff's office and a jail. I had never in all my thoughts considered that there might be a small town up here, not that he and Maisy had ever discussed it.

As I was looking around trying to decide which direction to go, a tall gangly fellow with a tin star pinned to his vest walked towards me. I assumed he was the local sheriff and got down from my horse and brushed the dirt from my clothes. "Kin I help ya?" he asked. I held out my hand and introduced myself, "My names is James McAllister, I am the doctor from town. I heard there was a problem and that Maisy has sent for me." The local lawman looked at my outstretched hand for a brief moment, unhooked his thumbs from his suspenders and shook my hand. "I am Bernie Fiddle, local constable 'round these parts. I guess you are here to help up to the Shoemaker place," he said as he let go of my hand and rummaged around in his back pocket and came out with a piece of rope chew. He pulled his pocket knife out with the other end and cut him off a piece and put in in his mouth. "Want a chaw?" he asked. I politely shook my head no, "Can you give me directions to the farm and a idea what is going on?" I asked.

"Well," said Bernie, "Seems like most of the folks in around that area has some kind of pox. They is quiet folks and keep to themselves, only come to town ever so often to get some supplies. If you don't mind the company I will just ride on up with you, it's been a couple of days since I been up there and I guess I need to know what goin' on." "That's fine with me," I replied, "Can you be ready soon, I really need to get some supplies to Maisy," I said to the lawman. "You just water your horse there and take a bit of a look around while I go let my deputy know where I'm going. I'll be back in 2 shakes of cats tail," he said he headed off towards the jail at a brisk pace.

I tied my horse to the nearest watering trough and walked towards the general store. I removed my hat as I opened the door and stepped in. The shopkeeper had his head bent down over a ledger book and hollered, "Be with ya, in a minute." I told him to take his time, that I was just looking around. I stared in amazement at the small dry goods store I had stepped into. Each row was lined up according to item; there were food items, material, clothing of all sizes, hardware items and personal grooming items. Behind the wooden counter were 2 wooden shelves with rows of bottles of different tinctures, potions and powders. Small sacks of flour, salt and sugar were standing next to scales for weighing, and glass jars held candies and sweets. I turned around as I heard steps coming towards me. A short, balding man with an apron over his work clothes approached, "My name's George Adams, I am the proprietor of the store, can I help you?" he asked as he positioned his spectacles onto the bridge of his nose. I again introduced myself and explained my arrival in the area. "You have quite a set-up here," I said to the storekeeper as I looked around. "Yes, my wife and I own the place. We rode up here one day to visit her cousin and decided that Mountain Top would be a good place to open a business. We figure they will be putting the turnpike through here soon and with the mining that's planned we knew workers would be needing supplies. My wife, Beatrice, is a seamstress and also does some hand-quilting. The little cafe attached to the building belongs to my wife's cousin. Her husband died in a hunting accident and she didn't want to be living out in the woods with her boys. So her and the boys live in the lodgings over the cafe." About that time the bell over the door rang as someone entered, "Nice meeting you doc," George replied, "Don't be a stranger," he said as he shook my hand and went to greet the customer. I headed towards the entrance of the store to see if I could find the constable, the hour was getting late and I wanted to get started.

I tipped my hat to the women I passed in the store on my way out. As I stepped out to the door, I looked left and right up the wide dusty street, but saw no sign on the constable. I decided to stroll up to the jail to see if I could locate him. Just as I reached the small, wooden building the door swung open and Bernie Fiddle stepped out adjusting his hat and yelling back over his shoulder, "I don't give a good damn why you stole that horse Hank, I just know you stole it and you'll have to stay here until the circuit judge comes around." He slammed the door shut and walked towards me shaking his head. "I swear if I had a silver dollar every time Hank Ferrell made an excuse for breaking the law I would build me a 2 story house out of brick." I grinned, know I was going to like this man and would appreciate his company on the ride.

"Just let me get my horse from the livery and we will be on our way."