COCHISE STATION 24

jeb took his wagon to a empty lot close to the commercial general store and unhooked his team. a livery was close so he checked the team into it and made sure they were well fed. jeb was moveing like he was under water. the things the outlaw had said preyed on his mind. he had put revenge out of his mind and was building a new life but now the past came roaring back. he knew he should forgive the man and let him die in peace. but on the other hand the urge to smother the man for his part in the murder of his wife kept forceing its way to the fore. jeb was walking back to the willcox hotel and passing in front of the doctors house when the doctor called out to him. he stopped for a few seconds then turned up the walk way to the door.the doctor opened the door for him . "i dont know how this poor soul has hung on this long but he wants to talk to you." for a few more seconds jeb stood rooted in place but finally nodded and followed the doctor into a adjoining room. the man lay under a sheet, his eyes sunk back into his skull, his skin a pale pasty color. his breathing labored.at jebs approach he slowley turned his head to look at jeb. " listen, alvord put us up to the train robbery. he told us how to do it and how much was in the safe. we were all going to mexico after we got the money. i want to go with everything off my chest. i dont want to carry it with me." " look i understand, and if it helps i for..for.. forgive you." jeb didnt know how he found the words or why he all of a sudden expressed what he did. but a weight lifted from him that he didnt expect. the outlaw nodded and whispered "thank you" he closed his eyes and relaxed. jeb turnned and started out the door the doctor following "that was a damn decent thing to do jeb" the doctor stated. jeb nodded and walked on down the side walk toward the hotel. he had to tell slaughter about alvord. but his step was a bit lighter. maybe he had done the right thing for the outlaw as well as for him self. at the hotel he met slaughter in the lobby and told him what the outlaw had told him. slaughter gritted his teeth and set his jaw in a hard line.picking up his ever present shotgun he started out the door. "do you need me to come with you sherrif?"jeb asked. slaughter only shook his head as he marched out the door. "i wouldnt want to be alvord right now" came mrs. slaughters voice from a corner where she was sitting. jeb turnned and looked at her. "i dont know what would be worse, a peppering of that shot gun or a scalding of dobie dollers!" jeb stated.