Here's (I think) my first historical fiction. I've gone through
painstaking measures to be sure that it is accurate. Let me know if you
find any mistakes.
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, no $, forget it.
Archivers: Be my guest!
Summary: Jonny wants to join the Pony Express, and will soon learn the
dangers involved.
So, without further ado, I bring you...
"To Risk Death Daily"
--Dark Sentinel
Writer Of Jonny's Innermost Thoughts
Member #1 of the ANJTL
darksentinel@geocities.com
http://questors.home.ml.org
THE REAL ADVENTURES OF JONNY QUEST
“To Risk Death Daily”
Part I
written by Dark Sentinel
Jonny wandered along the dusty streets. He passed several shops and waved
to the store-owners who knew him. He was off to purchase some butter,
since his housekeeper was making a pound cake for dinner. The blonde
entered the room and was immediately enveloped in a delightful array of
smells. Bolts of cloth, bags of flour, and jars of spices cluttered a few
shelves, and the rest were overflowing with miscellaneous odds and ends for
sale.
“Hello, Jonny!” Mr. Nyeson called from behind the mahogany counter. “How
are you?”
“Good, I guess.”
“Well, I’ve got some exciting news for you!”
Jonny’s eyes lit up. “What?”
“Didn’t you hear? Next Saturday the Pony Express is coming to town! Will
Russell’s recruiting new Express riders.”
Jonny froze. “Do you think Pa would...”
“Why, go on and ask him!”
“Yes, sir, I think I will!” With a whoop the sixteen-year old jumped off
the step and sprinted towards his salt-box style house on the outskirts of
town.
Mrs. Evans, the housekeeper, heard Jonny’s excited shout in the yard and
emerged from the back door. “Jonny! Where’s the butter?”
“Not now, Mrs. Evans! The Pony Express is in town! I want to meet Mr.
Russell, and sign up!”
Jonny bounded into the kitchen, leaving Mrs. Evans gaping at him. Before
he could ask his father, she grabbed his arm and managed to restrain him.
“Jonny, stop talking nonsense. You know how dangerous it is to be an
Express rider! Besides, your father would NEVER let you run off when
you’re barely even a man yet.”
Jonny wormed from her grasp. “But I qualify! Haven’t you seen those
signs?”
Mrs. Evans looked at him grimly.
“I’m thin, I’m brave, and I’m a damn good rider!”
“Watch your mouth!”
“Besides, I can make twenty-five bucks per week! This can be my job. I
can finally prove to Pa that I’m no kid anymore.”
“Jonny, don’t get all high and mighty now. You’re still only sixteen.
Your father needs you here.”
“Well, I think I’ll let HIM be the judge of that.” With those words,
Jonny flounced off to his room.
“What are we going to do with him?” Mrs. Evans wondered aloud to no one in
particular. Bandit, their white bulldog, only yapped a response.
“Pa!” Jonny cried as he burst into Dr. Quest’s study. “Look ‘a here!
This is what I want to do!”
Dr. Quest looked up from his studies at the document that his son was
brandishing excitedly. “What do you have there?”
“It’s the Pony Express, Pa! And I want to sign up. I just need a letter
stating that you grant permission and-“
”Whoa, hold up a minute there.” Dr. Quest stood. “You want to join the
Pony Express?”
“Yes sir, I could bring home wages, I get twenty-five dollars per week,
and it would be fun! My first job!”
“Well, I don’t know.” He looked over the paper. “It says here that you
must be willing to risk death daily. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“Oh, but I’ll be careful!”
Dr. Quest ran his hand through his dark gray hair. Jonny noted with
disappointment that his expression was stubborn.
“Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease,” he wheedled.
“I’ll think about it. Now, go run along and water the donkeys. It’s
mighty hot out.”
Jonny left the library and shut the door quietly behind him. He looked
over the document once more, licking his lips in anticipation.
WANTED
YOUNG, SKINNY, WIRY FELLOWS
NOT OVER EIGHTEEN. MUST BE
WILLING TO RISK DEATH DAILY.
ORPHANS PREFERRED.
WAGES: $25 PER WEEK.
And as the boy toted water buckets to the donkeys’ corral, he knew that
“I’ll think about it” meant “Yes”.
Please let me know what you think. Remember, comments are what keep us
fanfic writers going! (Although I should practice what I preach, so I
guess I'll shut up...)
--D.S.
(
geocities.com/televisioncity)