Chapter 12: Better Angels Crack! Reuben slung the bat behind him and dashed for first base. He looked up to see the direction of the ball as he ran. It was fair, but flying high. As it started on its downward trajectory, the man on third base ran towards it. His bare handsContinue reading “Part II: War”
Tag Archives: History
Chapter 11: Wanted Man
Two years after leaving Kansas, Reuben was in the field checking the growth of his corn when a well-dressed man drove up to his Iowa farm in a buggy. He looked official. Was he trouble? Reuben peered at the stranger from the cover of the field. The man got out of the rig and knocked.Continue reading “Chapter 11: Wanted Man”
Melancholia
Reuben sat on the bench reflecting on the War, his marriage, his family, his sorrow, and his guilt. Beside him sat his revolver, cold, hard, loaded. Next to the gun was a crock of rye whiskey. He twisted the cork off, cradled it in the crook of his arm, and took a long swig.Continue reading “Melancholia”
Chapter 10: Mayhem
Reuben was surprised to see his friend James Mongomery brushing past the crowd gathered in front of the Barnes General Store, which served as the Post Office and Polling Place for the brand-new hamlet of Sugar Mound. Had Mongomery changed his mind about boycotting the vote on the Lecompton Constitution, he wondered. Election day wasContinue reading “Chapter 10: Mayhem”
Chapter 9: 1857
“This court is now in session. Would the defendants please rise?” The three men looked around as if seeking allies in the crowd. Two of them slowly began to stand. “Git yer sorry ass up!” demanded the farmer serving as both guard and bailiff. He nudged the reluctant man with the butt of his SharpsContinue reading “Chapter 9: 1857”
Surviving Fascism
The dark clouds of Fascism are once again engulfing the world. History tells us that, once Fascism is in place, it will not leave willingly. Mussolini lasted over 20 years before being strung up by Partisans at a gas station in Milan. Hitler’s Thousand-Year Reich ended in violence and destruction. Making aggressive war doomed bothContinue reading “Surviving Fascism”
Chapter 6: Retribution
Kapow! Kapow! Kapow! Reuben had just settled down for a good night’s sleep when he heard the three shots. There was trouble, but where? The gunfire obviously came from one of his Sugar Creek neighbors. Reuben scanned the night as he exited his canvas shelter. A red glow came from Mace Johnson’sContinue reading “Chapter 6: Retribution”
Chapter 4: Squatter
Chapter 4: Squatter Kablam! The man had jumped into the road from behind a bush. The first shot from his pistol was a warning, aimed over Reuben’s head. Now the gun was leveled at him. Before he could even think about grabbing the musket by his side, two more men emerged from theContinue reading “Chapter 4: Squatter”
Chapter 3: Montgomery
“Hold up there!” called someone from behind. Startled out of the monotony of the trail, Reuben looked back. A rider was approaching. He looked like a rough, crude frontiersman; shaggy beard and all. Reuben brought the wagon to a halt and waited. “Hello friend,” said the man as he approached Reuben’s perch onContinue reading “Chapter 3: Montgomery”
Damn Yankee
“Git offa mah property you damn Yankee som beech!” commanded the little man with the tobacco-stained teeth. “And stay away from mah Niggah, you heah?” Reuben’s first encounter with the residents of Linn County had rapidly gone south. He could tell the little man meant business because his hand had moved to theContinue reading “Damn Yankee”
Outlaws, Outrages and Outright Lies 