Part 3:
“Why is there a filthy, muddy safe on my clean carpet?" Rick howled.
My brother did not look happy.
“I told you we were bringing it to your place." I said.
“Yes, but you couldn't put down plastic? Or leave it outside? We respect carpet in this family, right?"
“Good call."
Rick had brought home a hammer and a crow bar from the store.
And as it turned out, the safe wasn't all that hard to crack.
We smashed the door open.
And inside?
Well, I've already spoiled it.
The guns.
The missing guns had been found!
But there was so much more.
Including the badge that Temperance wore as protector of Abilond.
My brother did not look happy.
“I told you we were bringing it to your place." I said.
“Yes, but you couldn't put down plastic? Or leave it outside? We respect carpet in this family, right?"
“Good call."
Rick had brought home a hammer and a crow bar from the store.
And as it turned out, the safe wasn't all that hard to crack.
We smashed the door open.
And inside?
Well, I've already spoiled it.
The guns.
The missing guns had been found!
But there was so much more.
Including the badge that Temperance wore as protector of Abilond.
Yet the guns and star were not the true treasures.
At least not to me.
For there was also a collection of books.
Eight in all.
Small, identical books. Her journals!
Detailing Temperance's life from age 14 until the end.
The guns were not mine to keep. Neither was the badge.
We arranged to have them anonymously donated to the Town Worth Historical Society.
The journals I kept for myself.
At least not to me.
For there was also a collection of books.
Eight in all.
Small, identical books. Her journals!
Detailing Temperance's life from age 14 until the end.
The guns were not mine to keep. Neither was the badge.
We arranged to have them anonymously donated to the Town Worth Historical Society.
The journals I kept for myself.
People have sought The Checkerboard Kid's gun for over a hundred years.
And I found them.
In one day.
Me.
Why?
Because they all overlooked Temperance.
For 16 years. And probably forever after. She pretended to be a man.
But she did not have to pretend to be a Marshal.
For that role was real and authentic and undisputed.
Dale and I made one return trip to Kansas.
To say goodbye.
Or was it hello?
We were able to locate the graveyard in which she was buried.
But it was so old. The markers little more than posts.
The property manager tried to help, but even he wasn't sure.
We stood silently at the one thought to be hers.
I laid down the flowers we'd brought.
And then suddenly stared crying!
“You OK?" Dale asked softly.
“Why am I crying?"
“Maybe she's a friend. That you never got to meet. And ... you miss her."
I laughed and then started crying even harder.
And I found them.
In one day.
Me.
Why?
Because they all overlooked Temperance.
For 16 years. And probably forever after. She pretended to be a man.
But she did not have to pretend to be a Marshal.
For that role was real and authentic and undisputed.
Dale and I made one return trip to Kansas.
To say goodbye.
Or was it hello?
We were able to locate the graveyard in which she was buried.
But it was so old. The markers little more than posts.
The property manager tried to help, but even he wasn't sure.
We stood silently at the one thought to be hers.
I laid down the flowers we'd brought.
And then suddenly stared crying!
“You OK?" Dale asked softly.
“Why am I crying?"
“Maybe she's a friend. That you never got to meet. And ... you miss her."
I laughed and then started crying even harder.
Town Worth is planning a big festival.
To celebrate the discovery of the guns.
To honor the legend and memory of The Checkerboard Kid!
And that's great.
I will definitely be there.
But The Checkerboard Kid is not the only legend in the family.
At least he shouldn't be.
One of these days, the world will learn the full story of Temperance Eckerson.
She never robbed anyone.
She patrolled her city faithfully for 16 years!
All during an era that was much less ... accepting ... than our own.
Heroes don't always get their just due.
But the tales of Rance Canady shall return.
Just as sure as a small moth in a big mitten.
*********************************
After visiting the gravesite, we made our way to the Steam Engine Train Museum.
It only seemed right.
The trains were awesome!
I told the staff that Dale was there as my service dog.
And no one batted an eye.
For some reason, I felt Temperance would have liked this necessary and obvious deception.
Just a hunch, maybe.
Yee-haw now, and go get your giddy-up on.
To celebrate the discovery of the guns.
To honor the legend and memory of The Checkerboard Kid!
And that's great.
I will definitely be there.
But The Checkerboard Kid is not the only legend in the family.
At least he shouldn't be.
One of these days, the world will learn the full story of Temperance Eckerson.
She never robbed anyone.
She patrolled her city faithfully for 16 years!
All during an era that was much less ... accepting ... than our own.
Heroes don't always get their just due.
But the tales of Rance Canady shall return.
Just as sure as a small moth in a big mitten.
*********************************
After visiting the gravesite, we made our way to the Steam Engine Train Museum.
It only seemed right.
The trains were awesome!
I told the staff that Dale was there as my service dog.
And no one batted an eye.
For some reason, I felt Temperance would have liked this necessary and obvious deception.
Just a hunch, maybe.
Yee-haw now, and go get your giddy-up on.