THE GRAVE 14

THINGS HAD GOTTEN SO BORING AROUND TOWN SHUG FELT GUILTY IF HE TOOK A NAP IN HIS OFFICE DUREING THE DAY. IT WAS WARM AND THE BAD ELEMENT OF TOWN HAD LEFT. THE GROUP OF DRUNKS THAT FOLLOWED CARRIE HAD DROPPED FROM SITE. twice a day , early then later in the afternoon shug would take a walk around town just for something to do. late in the day some local cowboys or miners would frequent the local bar but were never a problem. john slaughter came by every couple of weeks to check on things then went on to willcox the other side of the dragoon moumntains. he had used his deputy s pay to rent a room in a boarding house. he no longer slept in the jail. his horses grew fat and restless at the stable. he would twice a week saddle his good horse and make a circle out side of town just to burn off some energy. shug told him self ig he got any fatter he would be worthless. one day as he left the grave yard he noticed a older man waitting for him just outside the gate, it was uncle billy foure. as shug approached he said."i been waitting for you shug, the damned ole lions are eating me out of house and home! when you comming to trap my out fit?" " the sherriff drafted me into being deputy here. i have responsabilities here. i cant leave. ime sorry about the lions , ill loan you my traps if you want." shug was apologetic. foure took his hat off and turnned in a circle. " but you know how thats the difference. i can set the traps but will just get my own foot in it.i need you!" " things are quiet here, let me talk to slaughter and see if i cant get a week or so away. thats the best i can do." shug explained. but while talking to billy foure he could see a lone horse man rideing into town from the south. neil had stood up at the hotel porch. " billy i gotta go ill think on it."shug pushed past billy foure and got on his own horse. he spun him back down the hill toward center of town. neil was crossing the street as the rider went into the saloon. shug hit a fast lope into town.