BACK FROM THE SIERRAS 4

at every stop the train made j.t. would hustle into the frieght agents office and inquire about his mother and sister. some remembered seeing them. others didnt. in willcox the agent told him they had stayed over night. and his mother had been sick coughing and haveing a hard time breathing. but they wouldnt take his advice and stay on. they reloaded on the train west. j.t. grabbed a sandwich from a lunch bar and got back on the train. he rode the caboose and spent a lot of time standing on the little platform at the end of the car, watching the country as it sailed by. at the cochise station the train barely slowed as it whizzed by. the station there was a two story hotel with just 4 rooms. if there was a reason to stop the flag on the pole was up, but this day it hung limp. the next stop was dragoon. it had a few more people and it was a water stop before the trail turnned west toward tucson. before the train had stopped rolling on the sideing he had stepped off and trotted into the frieght office.. when he asked about his mother and sister the agent became suspicious and asked why he was inquiring. j.t. explained his reason for the chase and search. the agent shook his head slowly and pointed out a window" your mother lays there. when they arrived here it was late. your mother was very sick i put them up in the boarding house. they insisted they move on but it wasnt possible.. your poor mother died in her sleep that night. she is in the cemetary yonder." j.t. turned slowley but stopped" what about my sister? where is she?" "charly foure was in town that day, he set her up with a small house he owned . she takes in sewing and such , does house work. charlie checks on her when he comes to town." the agent told him. " where is that?" j.t. asked. the agent drew him a small map of dragoon. showing him where his sister lived. j.t. went out and unloaded his horse from the train.. when he returned he showed the agent his train ticket. the man looked at it then counted out 1 doller in change for the unused part of the ticket. . j.t. went out side and led his horse over to the cemetary. he tied his horse to a mesquite tree then stepped in side the gate and found his mothers grave. a few weeds were growing along the sides. he took the time to kneal and pull the weeds and brush up the soil that covered his mother. he sat there beside her for a long while then slowley got up." if i can mom ill hang out here and look after sis and you ime back for good." he mounted his horse and turned in the direction the map showed where his sister lived.