Episode 15
Episode 15
Episode 15: Early September, 1875
Scene 1: A path through the forest on the mountain, mid-morning, a few days later. Nick and Tess, riding down together on Sherman.
Tess: I wish you could have found something for us to eat.
Nick: You said that already.
Tess: I know, but I was having a good time. I thought you knew how to hunt.
Nick: I do know how to hunt. You do not, that was the problem. You scared everything away. Splashing in the stream, screaming in the woods.
Tess: I was bathing in the stream and I saw a rat in the woods. I hate rats.
Nick: Evidently.
Tess: Will we be going to our new house right away?
Nick: If you want. It should all be finished now, but our animals won't be there.
Tess: That's all right. Will we have food?
Nick: Don't think so. We could eat at home.
Tess: Our home has no food.
Nick: Quite right. We could eat at my former home. Or have some food brought to us.
Tess: I like the second idea.
As they broke through the trees, they were startled by a horseman pointing a gun at them. Upon seeing them, the horseman quickly put his gun away and removed his hat. It was Stuart MacKenzie
Stuart: I'm so sorry. I heard a noise and thought it was a bear.
Nick: Quite all right. Mr. MacKenzie, wasn't it?
Stuart: Yes, well, I prefer Stuart. We expected the two of you wouldn't return for another week.
Tess: Nick couldn't find us any food and we had to come back.
Nick: What are you doing out here?
Stuart: One of your horses jumped the fence and ran off.
Nick: Which one?
Stuart: Brutus.
Nick: He'll come back in his own time. Come, ride with us. They begin riding across a field. Has my father been treating you well?
Stuart: Yes, of course. Your sister has been showing me how things work. She a remarkable girl.
Nick: Grace, yeah, she is. But don't even think about trying anything on her.
Stuart: Chuckles. She already warned me of that. She's very competitive. I've never met anyone as quick with the horses and cattle as she. She tries her damnedest, 'scuse me ma'am, to do everything I do an inch faster. Beats me sometimes, too. Keeps me on my toes.
Nick: So she's finally got some competition. Has she scheduled a shooting match yet?
Stuart: Already had one. She beat me at rifling, so I'm teaching her how to shoot the six-shooters. She seems very eager to become accurate.
Tess: I think she's guilty for not killing Leroy when she had the chance. I'm glad she didn't, now that everything's turned out all right. That's nothing you want weighing on your conscience when you're fourteen.
Nick: I agree. Now, Stuart, are you going to come work for me now? I'm sorry we couldn't speak before, but, well...
Stuart: I understand. And, yes, I was hoping to work for you. I've always preferred working with horses.
Nick: Well, good. I think we'll get along just fine. And I already have something for you to do. Can you go back to Belleterre and tell everyone that Tess and I have returned early? Then start bringing whatever's left to bring up to our new house. And some food. My father knows what's to come.
Stuart: Will do. I'll see you later today.
Stuart tips his hat to Tess, then takes off toward one end of the field. Nick urges Sherman faster, going straight across. A short time later, they reach their new house on the hill. Tess is pleased with the cozy little bungalow, painted yellow with white trim. The small, red barn behind is small, just large enough for a few cows and horses. There is a small paddock, a chicken coop, and freshly planted flower garden. Nick swings off Sherman and lifts Tess down.
Tess: Oh, I love it. It was worth the wait. I don't even want to move into a larger one later.
Nick: That cannot be avoided. This house has only two bedrooms. Did you not say you wanted ten children?
Tess: I may have been exaggerating a little. Six sounds nice. Are we going inside?
Nick: Yes, of course.
Nick led Tess up the few steps to the small, covered porch. He pulled back the screen and pushed open the front door, allowing Tess to walk inside. They are immediately placed in a large, informal parlor with a stone fireplace and many chairs. There is a hallway leading back from the center of the parlor, but Nick leads Tess through a door to the right of the hall. A dining room is found, and a simple table with eight chairs. Through a far door, the kitchen. Tess is shown the large stove, the pantry, and the cellar. The first bedroom is next, the one closest to the parlor. It contains a desk, a chest of drawers, and a small bed. A door from this room leads directly to a slightly larger bedroom. Most of the furnishings and decorations have been brought from Tess's cabin. Nick is especially eager to show Tess one more door.
Nick: This was going to be part of the kitchen, but Georgie insisted that you have one so we had to change it. He opens another door revealing a large, walk-in closet.
Tess: Examines some of the dresses Most of these are new! When did she find the time?
Nick: So, do you like our house?
Tess: Gives him a hug and kiss. I love it, thank you.
Scene 2: Tess and Nick's house, mid-afternoon. Tess is sitting alone in the parlor, Nick is not in. Tess is surrounded by various crates, and Queenie is sleeping on a chair. Tess has finally gotten the chance to read Georgie's letter. She is smiling, a tear running down her cheek. A knock on the door startles her.
Tess: Oh, Stuart! I didn't even hear you ride up!
Stuart: Whatever you're reading must be mighty important to you. Those chickens were making an awful lot of noise.
Tess: It's a letter from my friend. Georgie, the one you saved. She wrote it when I first told her I was getting married, and she intended to give it to me on my wedding day. As you know, she was distracted. Was that your last trip?
Stuart: Yes, that was it. Nick told me to tell you that he was checking over his horses and that he would be back by supper.
Tess: Well, thank you for all your help today. Would you like to come in? You could be my first guest.
Stuart: I'd be delighted, ma'am.
Tess: Please, don't call me ma'am. That was for my students. Tess stands. Come into the kitchen. What would you like?
Stuart: I've always enjoyed a good cup of tea, but I haven't had any in a long time. I'd love some if you have it now.
Tess: You're in luck.
Some time later, sitting across from each other at a small table in the kitchen, Stuart and Tess share tea and small talk.
Tess: Do you have a sweetheart back home?
Stuart: Don't have a home, really. Not anymore. I couldn't keep the ranch going after my father died. I had a sweetheart for a while there, when I was running the ranch, but nothing came of it after I lost the place. I was only, my, seventeen at the time. No one since, not really.
Tess: Perhaps you'll find the right girl here.
Stuart: No, I prefer being on my own. I like my freedom.
Tess: My new sisters tell me that Nick said just that before he proposed.
Stuart: The two of you were lucky to find each other. Considering the circumstances leading up to your meeting, it must've been fate that led you together.
Tess: Exactly. And fate will soon lead you to your special lady.
Stuart: That I highly doubt. Stuart stands. Thank you for tea, and for the chat. It was nice to sit down and converse with someone for a change. I should be going. There are some things I still have to take care of.
Tess: And it was nice talking to you. Come by for tea any time. Nick and I would love to have supper with you sometime, too. She follows him outside and stands on the porch as he walks down the steps.
Stuart: I just might take you up on that offer.
Scene 3: Belleterre stables, the same time. Nick is returning one of his horses to its stall, John Henry is leading his saddled horse toward the door.
John Henry: I haven't the faintest idea why you're still here, son.
Nick: I'm checking on my horses.
John Henry: You haven't been married two weeks, Nick. I'm sure you can find people to do these things for you.
Nick: I think Tess wanted me out of her hair for a time, anyway. Where are you off to?
John Henry: Judge Carrol has retired and he's moving in to the old Sanderson place with his wife today.
Nick: That old coot?! The man is insane!
John Henry: He is not. Just eccentric... and senile. He chuckles. Go back to your wife.
John Henry leaves. Nick begins brushing his horse. It isn't long before a man approaches him.
Man: 'Scuse me?
Nick: Yes?
Man: I'm looking for Nick Marshall.
Nick: Yes?
Man: Slightly perturbed. I was told by someone back at the house that I could find him here.
Nick: You have, sir. I am Nick Marshall.
Man: No you ain't.
Nick: I'm not?
Man: The Nick Marshall I'm looking for looks like you, but he's skinnier with blue eyes and shorter hair.
Nick: Sounds like my brother, Robert, you're looking for.
Man: That right? Where can I find him?
Nick: Thinks Hmm... Somewhere between here and Boston. Why? Is there something I can help you with.
Man: I'm workin' for the Gold Dust Saloon over in Smithson. Your brother has run off without payin' what he owes Mr. Corcoran.
Nick: That wasn't very responsible of him, was it? I didn't even know he went over that way.
Man: He spent quite some time in Mr. Corcoran's saloon durin' the first part o' August.
Nick: Well, how much does he owe?
Man: Forty-four dollars.
Nick: Reaches into his pocket. Forty-four! He'll have something to say for himself, I can tell you.
Man: He's lucky he's got a brother like you to take care o' his debts. He takes the money, counts it, and puts it in his own pocket. Thank you, sir.
Nick: Mumbles. My pleasure.
Scene 4: Liberty Creek, a short time later. John Henry waits on a bench outside the small stagecoach office. After another look down the empty road, he lights a cigar. The stage soon approaches. He butts out his cigar and steps to the edge of the boardwalk.
The driver jumps to the ground and opens the door. An impeccably groomed poodle jumps to the ground, shakes itself off, and begins walking roaming down the edge of the boardwalk. John Henry stifles a laugh as a short, white-haired man in his seventies emerges, followed by a tall woman of the same age.
Old Man: Princess! Come. The dog obeys, the man extends his hand to John Henry. John, it's good to see you again.
John Henry: Likewise, Lazarus. I'm glad you've decided to move to our little town.
Lazarus: We got sick and tired of all those crazy murderers and thieves in the city. Liberty Creek's supposed to be the safest town in the Territory. You remember Danielle.
John Henry: From Quebec. Elizabeth will be glad to have someone to talk with. He shakes her hand as Princess noses up and licks his free one; he pats her head. Hello, there.
Danielle: Princess likes men. She glances sideways to her husband. I am only sorry I allowed the Judge to give her that ridiculous name.
John Henry: Wherever did you find her in Boise?
Lazarus: Man from New York came into town with his wife, opened up a store. One night he got himself drunk, threw his wife down a flight of stairs and killed her. I hung him and kept the dog. No one else wanted it her. Never found out her name, though. I think the name suits her.
John Henry: It certainly does. Can I walk you down to your house? I had all your furniture moved in, rather than have it sit in the storage room for a few weeks.
Lazarus: You didn't have to do that, John.
John Henry: Sure I did. I did not want the notorious hanging judge as a house guest. I'd be afraid to make a move.
Lazarus: Gives John Henry a dirty look, then speaks to the driver Can you have someone bring our things to our house?
Driver: I'll do it myself, Judge.
Lazarus: Thank you. He, his wife, and John Henry begin walking down the street. Did this man Sanderson really build fountains?
John Henry: Sure he did! I told you. The one at your house has been neglected and does not flow any longer, but we have two at Belleterre.
Lazarus: I thought you were joking when you said the house had a fountain.
John Henry: That is the sort of thing that happens when you buy something site-unseen. You should know that.
Lazarus: Watch what you say, Marshall. You wouldn't want the wrong people to discover that you vote in federal elections even though you're not a citizen.
© 1998, all rights reserved.
Get your own Free Home
Page