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FORT WORTH
 

(SEQUEL TO LOREN’S RANCH)

(3rd OF A SERIES)

 

BY LOREN MOORE & CLARA WERSTERFER

LOREN WRITES;

AFTER HESITATING A MINUTE LOREN TURNED TO CLARA AND ASKED, “CLARA DO YOU WANT TO GO FOR A TRAIN RIDE?”

CLARA JUMPED UP OUT OF HER ROCKING CHAIR AND RAN OVER TO LOREN AND HUGGED HIS NECK. “OH YES LOREN, I WANT TO GO SEE THE ELEPHANT!”

SO LOREN, CLARA AND JUAN WENT TO SAN ANTONIO AND BOARDED THE TRAIN FOR FORT WORTH. IT TOOK SIX HOURS FOR THE TRAIN RIDE BUT CLARA WAS SO ENGROSSED IN LOOKING AT THE SCENERY AS IT FLEW BY THE WIDOW SHE DIDN’T NOTICE.

WHEN THE TRAIN PULLED INTO THE STATION LOREN, CLARA AND JUAN GOT OFF AND STOOD THERE ON THE PLATFORM. THEY WERE LOOKING AT ALL THE PEOPLE. LOREN NOTICED THE TRAIN TRACKS STOPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF WHERE THE ENGINE STOPPED.

AFTER A LITTLE WHILE LOREN SPIED A SIGN ON A BUILDING A BLOCK AWAY FROM THE STATION. THE SIGN SAID, “CATTLEMAN’S REST” AND WAS APPARENTLY A HOTEL. THE HOTEL HAD FOUR FLOORS.

LOREN GRABBED CLARA’S HAND AND THE THREE OF THEM WALKED DOWN THE BOARD WALK TO THE HOTEL. LOREN TOLD THE CLERK HE WANTED THREE ROOMS ON THE FOURTH FLOOR FOR A WEEK AND HE WANTED THEM AS CLOSE TOGETHER AS THE HOTEL COULD GET THEM.

THE CLERK TURN AND LOOKED AT A BOARD THAT HAD KEYS HANGING ON IT AND PICKED OFF THREE KEYS. THEN HE HIT A LITTLE BELL SETTING ON HIS COUNTER AND A YOUNG MAN IN SOME KIND OF UNIFORM CAME TO THE COUNTER. THE CLERK HANDED HIM THE KEYS AND TOLD THE BELL HOP TO SHOW THESE FOLKS TO THEIR ROOMS.

AS THE BELL HOP LED LOREN, CLARA AND JUAN TO A LITTLE BOX IN THE WALL, JUAN WAS THINKING HE KNEW WHY THE YOUNG MAN WAS CALLED A BELL HOP. WHEN THE CLERK HAD RANG THAT BELL, THE BOY HAD HOPPED TO THE COUNTER IN A HURRY.

WHEN THE GROUP GOT TO THE BOX IN THE WALL THE BELL HOP STOOD ASIDE AND WAVED THEM IN. LOREN AND CLARA STEPPED IN BUT JUAN SHIED LIKE A SKITTISH HORSE. “SIR” SAID THE BELL HOP, “IT IS JUST AN ELEVATOR. IT WILL SAVE YOU FROM HAVING TO WALK UP THREE FLIGHTS OF STAIRS.”

“I JUAN AM NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING. HAVEN’T I FACED WILD INDIANS, OUTLAW HORSES AND MEXICAN BANDITOS?” HE SAID AS HE HIT HIS CHEST WITH HIS FIST. JUAN SLOWLY WALKED INTO THE LITTLE BOX BUT WHEN THE BELL HOP PULLED A GATE ACROSS THE MOUTH OF THIS LITTLE SIX SQUARE FOOT BOX. JUAN ALMOST PANICKED

AS THE BELL HOP LED LOREN, CLARA AND JUAN DOWN THE HALL HE TOLD LOREN THAT THE THREE ROOMS HAD TWO NEXT TO EACH OTHER ON THE FRONT OF THE HOTEL WITH WINDOWS OVER LOOKING THE STREET. HE SAID THE THIRD ROOM WAS RIGHT ACROSS THE HALL FROM THEM.

LOREN TOLD CLARA TO TAKE THE ONE ACROSS THE HALL. IT WOULD BE QUIETER AND SHE COULD REST BETTER. LOREN AND JUAN TOOK THE TWO ROOMS OVER LOOKING THE STREET. AS LOREN LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW, HE COULD SEE THAT THE STREET MADE A CURVE TO THE LEFT AND HE COULDN’T SEE THE STOCK YARDS.

“YOU REST WHILE JUAN AND I TAKE A WALK AND SEE IF WE CAN FIND THE CATTLE PENS” LOREN TOLD CLARA. “WE’LL MEET YOU IN THE LOBBY AT SIX O’CLOCK AND FIND A PLACE TO EAT SUPPER.” WITH THAT LOREN AND JUAN WENT OUT OF THE HOTEL ONTO THE BOARDWALK. THEY STARTED WALKING DOWN THE STREET.

THE FIRST BUILDING LOREN AND JUAN CAME TO WAS A SADDLE SHOP. THE NEXT BUILDING WAS A LARGE MERCANTILE BUILDING WITH A LARGE SIGN THAT SAID, “LEONARD BROTHERS” HANGING OVER THE BOARDWALK. THEN THERE WERE TWO VACANT LOTS. AFTER THE VACANT LOTS WAS A BUILDING THAT STOOD OFF TO ITS SELF. IT’S SIGN PROCLAIMED IT WAS THE “WHITE ELEPHANT SALOON.”

LOREN AND JUAN HAD COME FAR ENOUGH AROUND THE CURVE IN THE STREET TO SEE STOCK PENS IN THE DISTANCE. LOREN WANTED A CLOSER LOOK SO THEY CONTINUED THEIR WALK. JUST AS THEY GOT TO THE WHITE ELEPHANT SALOON JUAN ASK LOREN IF THEY MIGHT GO IN AND WET THEIR WHISTLE.

LOREN WAS JUST ABOUT TO AGREE WHEN THERE WERE TWO PISTOL SHOTS FROM INSIDE. THEY DUCKED AND RAN ON DOWN THE BOARDWALK TO A BUILDING THAT HAD A SIGN PAINTED ON THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING. THE SIGN SAID THIS WAS THE CATTLEMAN’S ASSOCIATION. THERE WAS A MAN STANDING AT THE DOOR LOOKING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SALOON.

“ARE YOU THE MAN THAT RUNS THE CATTLEMAN’S ASSOCIATION?” LOREN WANTED TO KNEW.

“NO SIR, I’M JUST A CLERK. THE MAN YOU WANT TO SEE IS MR. GRIFFEN. HE’S IN THAT OFFICE ON THE RIGHT, DOWN THE HALL.”

JUAN HAD STAYED AT THE DOOR WITH THE CLERK. THE CLERK SAID, “WELL I SEE THAT SHERIFF STAGHORN HAS RID FORT WORTH OF ANOTHER BAD HOMBRE. THAT’S THE THIRD ONE THIS WEEK.” AS JUAN AND THE CLERK WATCHED A WAGON PULLED UP IN FRONT OF THE SALOON AND TWO MEN CARRIED A BODY OUT AND DUMPED IT IN THE WAGON.

CLARA WRITES;

Back at the hotel, Clara was enchanted with the beautiful furnishings.  She walked from one lamp to the other one,  pulling the little chain that turned the lamps on and off. Clara laid on the soft bed and was soon fast asleep. She awoke refreshed, but in need of the bathroom. She left the room and walked down the long hall to the bathroom, admiring the paintings on the pretty wallpapered walls. 

It was almost too good to be true.  Clara had never seen such a pretty building.  After the visit to the bathroom, she decided to go down to the lobby and sit a while, watching the people pass on the street. 

She went back to her room first, to make sure her hair was all in place and to lock the door.  As she passed the magic box, it stopped and a lady and gentleman stepped out. The man tipped his hat to her and the lady nodded and smiled.  Clara wanted to talk to them, but didn't know how to start the conversation.  There wasn't anyone except Mae,  Loren, her parents and the hands at the ranch, leaving Clara hungry for someone new to talk to.

When Clara arrived at the lobby, (after walking down the stairs) there were several people sitting around talking and laughing.  She took a seat on the small green sofa and listened intently to what the others were talking about.  They were discussing something called picture shows which Clara found fascinating.  She would have to talk about this to Loren.

Just then Loren and Juan came thru the doors.  Clara jumped up so suddenly she caught her toe on the leg of the sofa and literally fell into Loren's arms.  "I knew you'd be glad to see me, but I never expected you to fall into my arms." said Loren, while Juan stood there smiling.

LOREN WRITES;

“OH LOREN, HOW EMBARRASSING, I TRIPPED OVER THE LEG OF THE SOFA.”

“NEVER MIND CLARA, I KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING TO EAT SUPPER. MR. GRIFFEN, AT THE CATTLEMAN’S ASSOCIATION TOLD ME ABOUT IT WHILE I WAS TALKING TO HIM. BY THE WAY, HE MADE ME AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE MR. LEDBETTER, THE PRESIDENT OF THE SWIFT MEAT PACKING COMPANY, IN THE MORNING AT TEN. JUST LET JUAN AND I RUN UP TO OUR ROOMS AND … ER … POWDER OUR NOSE.

“LOREN”, BEGAN JUAN “THE CATTLE MAN’S STEAK HOUSE SOUNDS LIKE SOME PLACE I WOULD NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE. YOU AND CLARA GO ON WITHOUT ME. I WILL FIND SOME WHERE ELSE TO EAT.”

SO AFTER POWDERING HIS NOSE, LOREN AND CLARE WENT ACROSS THE STREET TO THE STEAK HOUSE. JUST AS SOON AS THEY WERE OUT OF SIGHT JUAN HOTFOOTED IT DOWN TO THE WHITE ELEPHANT SALOON. HE WAS INTERESTED IN SEEING THIS FAMOUS GUNFIGHTER SHERIFF STAGHORN.

WHEN LOREN AND CLARA FINISHED EATING, THEY WALKED BACK TO THE HOTEL. THEY SAT IN THE LOBBY FOR A WHILE LOOKING OUT INTO THE STREET. THEY SAW LOTS OF PEOPLE WALKING UP AND DOWN THE BOARDWALK. THERE WERE PEOPLE RIDING HORSES UP AND DOWN THE STREET AND AT ONE TIME TWO COWBOYS HERDED A SMALL BUNCH OF COWS DOWN THE STREET TOWARD THE STOCK PENS.

EVENTUALLY LOREN TOLD CLARA HE WAS GOING TO BED. HE HAD THAT APPOINTMENT WITH MR. LEDBETTER IN THE MORNING AND HE WANTED TO BE WELL RESTED FOR THAT. CLARA SAID SHE WAS READY TO GO UP ALSO.

THE NEXT MORNING AFTER BREAKFAST, LOREN AND JUAN WALKED TO THE SWIFT MEAT PACKING BUILDING. THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF PENS BESIDE THE BUILDING AND A RAIL TRACK RUNNING UP BESIDE THEM.

“LOREN WHILE YOU GO IN TO TALK TO THIS LEDBETTER ABOUT SELLING YOUR CATTLE TO HIM, I THINK I WILL LOOK OVER THE PENS.”

TWO HOURS LATER WHEN LOREN CAME BACK OUT OF THE SWIFT BUILDING. HE FOUND JUAN SITTING ON THE TOP RAIL OF A PEN WATCHING A BUNCH OF CATTLE BEING UNLOADED FROM A BOX CAR.

“WELL I HOPE YOU’RE LEARNING SOMETHING BECAUSE NEXT WEEK YOU’RE GOING TO BE WATCHING MY CATTLE BEING UNLOADED HERE. I JUST SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH MR. LEDBETTER TO DELIVER 100 HEAD OF CATTLE A MONTH FOR AS LONG AS HE WOULD BUY THEM. I’M GETTING FOUR TIMES AS MUCH FOR THEM AS I WAS WHEN I SOLD THEM IN SAN ANTONIO. YOU’LL BE LIVING HERE IN FORT WORTH AND ACTING AS MY AGENT.”

MEAN WHILE BACK AT THE HOTEL CLARA WAS TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH HER DAY.

CLARA WRITES;

It wasn't hard for Clara to decide what to do today. With shops up and down both sides of the street, she was sure to find lots of things to see.  Back in her room she selected one of her prettiest dresses to wear, one she had made just for this trip, so she wouldn't look like a country bumpkin.  She then chose a pair of comfortable shoes and she was ready to go. 

After a brief stop in the hotel dining room for a cup of tea and a small cake, she felt fortified to face anything.

Her first stop was a ladies ready to wear shop.  An hour later she emerged with a package containing new under wear, although she had tried on three dresses, none of them suited her. Next door was a small boutique that specialized in wedding dresses.  Clara stopped and looked in the window. Should I go in and just look? she thought to herself.  When I do get married, I don't want to sew my own gown.  I want one with yards of material and bows and ribbons all over it. 

Finally she timidly opened the door and entered.  An elderly lady came forward to assist her, smiling and making her welcome. After a few minutes talk about the weather, she asked Clara when was the wedding date.  Clara looked at the toe of her shoe and replied that the date wasn't set yet, but she was hoping it would be soon.  The two ladies walked about the shop looking at the different dresses, when Clara spied one she thought would be perfect. Would you like to try this one on? asked the saleslady. Not right now, replied Clara, taking her leave right away.

Out on the boardwalk once more, Clara thought What am I thinking about?  He hasn't even asked me much less set a date.  It would be ideal to just get married while we are here in Fort Worth and have a celebration when we get home. How am I going to talk to Loren about this?  He is so wrapped up in this cattle thing he will not want to be bothered  to get married. I wonder when the right time would be.

Clara had walked quite a way, when she stopped to get her bearings, she was in front of a jewelry store. This is fate, she thought as she walked in the shop.

LOREN WRITES;

LOREN WALKED BACK TO THE HOTEL TO TELL CLARA THE GOOD NEWS. WHEN HE GOT THERE CLARA WAS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND. SO HE WENT TO THE HOTEL TELEPHONE AND CALLED HIS ATTORNEY, MR. GEOHAGAN, IN SAN ANTONIO AND HAD HIM SEND A RIDER OUT TO THE RANCH TO TELL RAMON TO START SHIPPING THE CATTLE.

BY THAT TIME JUAN HAD COME INTO THE HOTEL AND LOREN AND JUAN WENT TO LOCAL BANK AND OPENED AN ACCOUNT IN THE NAME OF MOORE’S CATTLE COMPANY. JUAN WAS AUTHORIZED TO DRAW MONEY FROM THE ACCOUNT. LOREN ALSO MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SWIFT TO DEPOSIT THEIR PAYMENTS FOR THE CATTLE STRAIGHT INTO THIS ACCOUNT.

LOREN TOLD JUAN TO GO TO THE CATTLEMAN’S ASSOCIATION BUILDING AND RENT A ROOM FOR AN OFFICE FOR HIS COMPANY. THEN LOREN WENT BACK TO THE HOTEL WHERE HE FOUND CLARA SITTING IN THE LOBBY.

“CLARA LET’S GO IN THE HOTEL DINING ROOM AND HAVE LUNCH AND I’LL TELL YOU WHAT I’VE ACCOMPLISHED.”

AS THEY SAT THERE EATING LOREN TOLD HER EVERYTHING THAT HAD HAPPENED THAT MORNING.. AS THEY WERE ABOUT THROUGH WITH THEIR MEAL JUAN WALKED UP TO THEIR TABLE.

“OH JUAN ISN’T IT WONDERFUL THE WAY EVERYTHING IS WORKING OUT. OH PLEASE DO, SIT DOWN AND HAVE SOME LUNCH.” CLARA WAS BEAMING.

“BUT CLARA, I HAVE ALREADY HAD LUNCH AND IT ONLY COST 10 CENTS” JUAN BRAGGED.

“JUAN, WHERE COULD YOU EAT LUNCH FOR 10 CENTS?” CLARA WANTED TO KNOW.

WITH A SHY GRIN AND A QUICK GLANCE AT LOREN JUAN TOLD CLARA THAT HE HAD GONE TO THE WHITE ELEPHANT SALOON AND BOUGHT TWO MUGS OF BEER FOR 5 CENTS A MUG AND THE SALOON HAD A SPREAD OF CHEESE, COLD CUTS AND CRACKERS THAT WAS FREE TO ANYONE DRINKING BEER OR WHISKEY.

JUAN TOLD LOREN HE HAD TO GET BACK TO THE ASSOCIATION BUILDING TO SUPERVISE THE PAINTING OF A SIGN ON THE DOOR OF THEIR NEW OFFICE.

THAT AFTERNOON, WHILE CARA WAS RESTING IN HER ROOM, LOREN WALKED DOWN TO SEE HIS NEW OFFICE. WHEN HE SAW THE SIGN ON THE DOOR, HE SMILED AND WENT IN. JUAN HAD PUT A DESK AND SEVERAL CHAIRS IN THE OFFICE AND THERE WAS ANOTHER DOOR IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM. IT WAS OPEN AND LOREN WENT THROUGH IT AND FOUND JUAN HAD MADE A BED ROOM OUT OF IT. THERE WAS ANOTHER DOOR IN THE BACK WALL OF THIS ROOM AND IT STOOD OPEN.

LOREN WENT TO THE OPEN DOOR AND SAW IT OPENED ONTO A BACK ALLEY. JUAN WAS STANDING THERE SMOKING A CIGARETTE. JUAN EXPLAINED WHEN HE RENTED THE FRONT ROOM FOR AN OFFICE, BECAUSE THE SECOND ROOM DIDN’T HAVE AN OUTLET INTO THE HALL, MR. GRIFFEN HAD THROWN IT IN FOR NO ADDITIONAL RENT. JUAN HAD DECIDED TO MAKE IT HIS BED ROOM SO HE WOULDN’T HAVE TO PAY FOR A HOTEL ROOM.

THAT NIGHT LOREN AND CLARA HAD SUPPER IN THE HOTEL DINING ROOM AND LOREN TOLD CLARA THEY WOULD BE LEAVING IN THE MORNING. CLARA SAID SHE WOULD BE READY AND WHEN SHE SAID GOOD NIGHT WENT UP TO HER ROOM AND PACKED HER THINGS.

THE NEXT MORNING AFTER BREAKFAST, LOREN TOLD CLARA TO WAIT IN THE LOBBY WHILE HE WENT TO THE TRAIN STATION TO BUY THEIR TICKETS. WHEN LOREN RETURNED HE HAD A SMUG LOOK ON HIS FACE.

“LOREN I WILL BE SO HAPPY TO GET BACK TO THE RANCH. DID YOU GET THE TICKETS?”

LOREN PATTED HIS VEST POCKET AND SAID, “YES CLARA I GOT OUR TICKETS BUT WE’RE NOT GOING BACK TO THE RANCH. AT LEAST NOT NOW, THESE TICKETS SAY NEW ORLEANS!”

 

 

  BY LOREN MOORE

COPYRIGHT 2005

 

LOREN

 SEE YA

 

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