by Janet
Disclaimer: The characters and
situations of the TV program "Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic
Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are
copyrighted to the author.
Story Synopsis: Jarrod has to escort a girl to the dance and he’s not happy
about it.
Fourteen-year-old Jarrod Barkley was a handsome boy and the girls in the school
just couldn’t take their eyes off of him.
He was approaching six feet tall with dark brown hair and big, bright,
blue eyes. And he was quite smart as well as being quiet. But Jarrod had eyes for one girl in
school. She had just recently moved
into the valley. She was beautiful in his
eyes with long, flowing blond hair and seawater eyes. Her name was Becky Nestler.
And Jarrod knew that he wanted to take her to the Cattlemen’s
Association dance, which was an annual event in Stockton. But unknown to him, another girl had eyes
only for him.
“Papa,” fourteen year old Sally McGowan said after dinner one evening, “I want
Jarrod Barkley to take me to the dance next week in Stockton. He’s such a handsome boy and I’ll be the
envy of every girl there.”
“Sally,” Hank McGowan replied, “I don’t know about that. Tom Barkley hasn’t mentioned that Jarrod is even
going to the dance. And besides I don’t want any daughter of mine going alone
to the dance.”
“He has too,” she told him. “I’ll die
if he doesn’t. I want him father.”
“You’re only fourteen girl,” he said.
“You’re not ready to become involved with a boy.”
“I don’t mean it like that,” she replied.
“I just want him to ask me. He is so handsome and is the envy of every
girl in Stockton. Think of what
everyone will say if he asks me to the dance.”
“Why don’t you ask him?” he suggested.
“Girls don’t ask boys to a dance papa,” she told him. “It’s not proper.”
“All right,” he said giving in to her.
“I’ll talk to Tom at the meeting tomorrow evening and see if we can’t
arrange for Jarrod to take you.”
“Oh thank you papa,” she replied hugging and kissing him. “I am so happy. I can’t believe after all these years I’m
finally going to a dance with Jarrod Barkley.”
“Just wait until I talk to Tom,” he told her, “before you get too excited. He could say no.”
“I hope not,” she said. “He has to say
yes papa.”
Sally hurried to her room. She went to
bed that night dreaming about Jarrod Barkley taking her to the dance.
“Hank,” his wife of fifteen years, Amanda, asked, “what was that all about?”
“Sally wants the oldest Barkley boy to escort her to the dance next week,” he
answered. “I told her I’d talk to Tom
about it.”
“Jarrod is a handsome boy,” she said, “but I don’t know about letting her be
picked up by him. What if he tries to
get fresh with her?”
“He won’t,” he replied. “I’ll make sure
of that. He will be a gentleman around
Sally or he’ll answer to me.”
“All right,” she told him. “It’s hard
to believe that Sally is growing up.
Only yesterday she was just a baby.”
“Yes I know,” he said. “But we’ll be at
the dance and can keep a close eye on her. I don’t like the idea of any boy
hurting my Sally.”
The next day at school, Sally wouldn’t stop looking at Jarrod. Every time he looked up, he noticed her
staring. He was letting it get under
his skin.
“Jarrod,” Matt said looking over at him, “you all right.”
“No,” he replied. “Sally McGowan keeps
looking at me. She just stares. It’s a little unnerving.”
“Don’t let it get next to you,” Matt told him.
“She’s just a girl.”
“You’re right,” he said smiling. “I
have more important things to worry about.”
“We sure do,” Matt replied. “Passing
this next test.”
“Right,” he told Matt.
During recess, Sally ate with two of her close friends, Sarah Purdy and Elise
Roberts. Sally told them about the
dance.
“I’m going with Jarrod Barkley to the dance,” she said. “He is going to pick me
up and everything.”
“You don’t mean it,” Sarah replied.
“How did you swing that?”
“I told papa last night that I wanted him to take me and he’s going to speak to
Jarrod’s father.”
“Sally,” Elise told her, “you’ll be the bell of the ball. Everyone will be envious.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for,” she said smiling. “Then he can start walking me home from school. And I can tell
the world that I’m going to marry a Barkley.”
“Sally,” Sarah replied, “you are the luckiest girl alive.”
“I know,” she told them. “Isn’t it just
wonderful?”
“Yes,” both girls said at the same time.
Jarrod had finally gotten the nerve up to walk over to Becky. He didn’t know
why he was so nervous. Becky was only a
girl but she was the prettiest one he had ever seen.
“Becky,” he asked standing beside her kicking dirt with his boot, “will you go
to the Cattlemen’s Association Dance with me next week? I know it’s short notice and I’ll understand
if you say no.”
“I’d love to go with you Jarrod,” Becky answered. “I was hoping you would ask
me.”
“You were?” he asked very surprised.
“Yes,” she answered. “I’ve heard
nothing but good things about you since we moved here.”
“Well,” he said blushing. “You can’t believe
everything you hear.”
“I only know that you are a very handsome boy,” she replied. “And it would be
an honor to go with you.”
“I’ll pick you up at six,” he told her. “The dance starts at seven. We can go to the hotel for a bite to eat.”
“That will be fine,” she said smiling as he walked away.
When recess was over and the class was back in session, Jarrod kept noticing
that everyone around him was whispering.
When he would look at the different ones that were talking, they would
stop until he stopped looking.
“Matt,” he whispered to his friend sitting behind him, “what’s going on?”
“I’m not sure,” Matt said. “But I think
you are in big trouble.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked louder than he meant.
Mrs. Moore, the teacher looked up.
“Jarrod,” she asked looking at him, “do you have something to say to the
class?”
No,” he answered.
“Then I suggest you do your work,” she said.
“Yes ma’am,” he replied turning his attention to his reading.
That afternoon after school let out, Matt and Frank walked over to him.
“Boy are you in trouble,” Frank said.
“What are you talking about?” Jarrod asked.
“Sally McGowan is going around school saying that you’re taking her to the
dance next week,” Frank answered.
“She’s sadly mistaken,” he said. “I’m
taking Becky Nestler and I wish she would drop dead.”
“What are you going to do about it?” Matt asked.
“Nothing right now,” he answered. “But I won’t take her to the dance.”
That evening at the Cattlemen’s Association meeting, Hank McGowan approached
Tom.
“Tom,” Hank said, “I’m looking forward to the annual dance.”
“So am I,” he replied. “I think it’s
going to be the best one yet.”
“Tom,” Hank told him, “I would like a word with you.”
“All right,” he said walking outside.
“What can I help you with?”
“It’s not me really,” Hank replied.
“It’s Sally.”
“Your daughter,” he told him.
“Yes,” Hank said. “She wants your son,
Jarrod, to escort her to the dance.”
“Oh really,” he replied smiling. “I
didn’t know that he was seeing her.”
“He’s not,” Hank told him. “But Sally
is adamant about him. She wants
Jarrod.”
“I’ll tell you what,” he said. “You
tell Sally that Jarrod would be happy to escort her to the dance.”
“Thanks Tom,” Hank replied. “He can
pick her up at seven.”
“That will be fine,” he told him.
When Tom arrived back at the ranch, Jarrod was in the barn finishing his
chores.
“Get a late start?” he asked as he unsaddled his horse.
“No sir,” Jarrod answered. “I did my
homework first.”
“Well come here a minute,” he said sitting down on a bail of hay. “I want to talk to you.”
“Yes sir,” Jarrod replied coming to sit beside his father.
“Jarrod,” he told his son, “I want you to escort Sally McGowan to the dance
next week.”
Jarrod just sat there looking at his father.
“Did you hear what I said?” he asked.
“Yes sir,” Jarrod answered. “I can’t.”
“What do you mean you can’t?” he asked.
“I’m going alone,” Jarrod answered not wanting to tell his father about Becky
right now.
“Oh yes you are,” he said. “And you’re going
to take Sally.”
“No!” Jarrod replied loudly.
“Yes!” he told his son just as loudly.
“Now you’re going to take Sally and that’s final.”
Jarrod stood up and stalked off toward the house. Tom decided to let him calm down before bringing up the subject
again. He walked into the house a few
minutes later.
“Tom,” she asked as she met him at the door, “what’s wrong with Jarrod? He stomped up the stairs and slammed his
bedroom door.”
“I just told him that he is going to escort Sally McGowan to the dance next
week,” he answered.
“You didn’t,” she said. “He’s probably mad because you interfered in his life.”
“Hank told me that Sally had begged him to get me to agree for Jarrod to take
her,” he replied. “I didn’t see any
problem with agreeing.”
“You could have asked him first,” she told him. “Jarrod is not interested in Sally just yet. And now you have told him he has to take her
to the dance.”
“I don’t care,” he said. “He’s taking
Sally and that’s that.”
“I hope you can convince him,” she replied. “He’s not going to like being
forced.”
“I don’t care what he likes or don’t like,” he told her. “He’s taking Sally and that’s final.”
Tom walked up to Jarrod’s room and opened the door, walking in.
“Jarrod,” he said, “I want a word with you.”
“If you’ve come here to tell me that I have to take her to that dance, you can
save your breath,” Jarrod replied. “I’d
rather die first.”
“You listen to me young man,” he told his son.
“You are going and that’s final.”
“No it isn’t,” Jarrod said standing up.
“I don’t like her.”
“That’s beside the point,” he replied.
“I told her father you would take her and you’re going to.”
“Her father!” Jarrod yelled. “That’s
just great. Now, I’m the laughing stock
of Stockton.”
“I don’t think that’s a fair statement,” he told him. “You will pick her up at seven, escort her to the dance and take
her home. Is that understood?”
“Yes sir,” Jarrod said but he wasn’t happy about it. “You didn’t stop to think about my feelings did you? You just said, yeah he’ll take her. Well, I may have to but I won’t do anything
with her.”
“Yes you will,” he replied. “You’re
treading in dangerous water with that attitude. I advise you change it or else.”
“What are you going to do?” Jarrod asked.
“Whip me?”
“If I have to,” he answered.
“Don’t even try it,” Jarrod said.
Tom reluctantly left Jarrod’s room after seeing that he was getting no where
with his son. Besides, he needed to calm down himself. Getting angry wasn’t going to solve
anything. It would just make it worse.
He couldn’t understand why Jarrod was being so stubborn. As Tom walked down the
stairs, Victoria met him.
“How did it go?” she asked.
“He didn’t want to go but I told him that he has to,” he answered.
“Tom,” she said, “you’re going to drive a wedge into your relationship with him
if you don’t stop promising things for him.
He’s old enough to make his own decisions.”
“I don’t know about that,” he replied.
“He’s going and that’s the end of it.”
Later that evening, Victoria went to Jarrod’s room to tell him goodnight.
“Honey,” she said as she walked into Jarrod’s room, “don’t let your father get
to you. He loves you.”
“Why does he insist that I take Sally to the dance?” he asked lying in bed. “I
don’t like her and she’s such a bore.”
“She wanted you to take her,” she answered.
“I think the least you can do is to take the girl and satisfy
everyone."
“Except myself,” he said. “No one thinks about my feelings. I have feelings mother.”
“Jarrod,” she replied, “I know you have feelings. But this is something that you have to settle with your
father. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight mother,” he told her as she left.
In her mind she also realized that Jarrod wasn’t going to take Sally without a
fuss. There was no reasoning with him about this.
Sometime during the night, Jarrod began to dream.
He was sitting in his room listening to
his parents arguing about him downstairs.
“Tom,” she said getting angry, “I’m taking my son and leaving. You are
continually telling him that he has to do this or that. I’m not going to stand by and let you ruin
his life. You and your son can stay
here.”
“All right,” he replied. “Take
him. He’s just a mama’s boy. My boy
Nick and I will be just fine and good riddance.”
Jarrod hurried downstairs.
“Jarrod,” she said, “we’re leaving.
Pack your bag.”
“No!” he cried.
“You heard me,” she replied. “Your
father and Nick are staying here.”
“No!” he cried again. “Not Nick! I love him.”
“I’m sorry,” she told him.
“No!” he kept crying.
Tom heard his son crying out and ran to his room. He hurried to the bed and shook Jarrod’s
shoulders.
“Son,” he said, “wake up. You’re
dreaming.”
Jarrod didn’t respond at first but finally his eyes opened. He was drenched in sweat.
When he saw his father he drew away.
“You’re going to take Nick away,” he cried.
“I can’t live without him.”
“I’m not taking Nick anywhere,” Tom said very calmly. “You were dreaming.”
“It seemed so real,” he replied beginning to calm down.
“Why on earth would I take Nick?” Tom asked.
“You and mother had a fight over me,” he answered. “Mother said we were leaving.
Nick was staying with you.”
“We haven’t had a fight,” he said.
Victoria walked into his room followed by Nick.
“Jarrod’s had a terrible nightmare,” he said looking at her. “He dreamed that we had a fight and we were
splitting the boys up.”
“Honey,” she replied, “where did you get an idea like that from?”
“I don’t know,” he told her. “But it seemed so real.”
“Well,” she said, “it’s not true. See
here’s Nick.”
When Jarrod saw Nick he visibly relaxed.
Tom caught him and eased him down onto the pillows.
“Are you all right?” he asked concerned.
“Yes,” Jarrod answered but it was just a whisper.
“I want you to try to get some sleep,” he said.
“But what about the dream?” Jarrod asked.
“I don’t think it will bother you any longer,” he answered.
“Will you stay until I fall asleep?” he asked both of his parents.
“Sure we will,” she answered sitting down on the other side of the bed.
Nick went back to bed after he was sure that Jarrod was going to be all right.
“Is Jarrod going to be all right?” he asked.
“Yes,” she answered. “He just had a
nightmare. You go on back to bed.”
“Night,” he said as he left the room.
Jarrod’s tired eyes closed and he drifted off.
Tom and Victoria went back to their bed and laid there wide-awake. Both were worried about Jarrod.
“What made him dream a dream like that?” she asked.
“What makes anyone dream?” he wanted to know.
“I hope he can get some rest,” she said.
“He’s had a big day.”
“He’ll be all right,” he replied but he was still worried.
The next morning, both Tom and Victoria were up early. They waited anxiously for Jarrod to come
down for breakfast. They wanted to
satisfy themselves that he was all right after that dream.
“Morning mother,” Jarrod said as he walked into the dining room. “Father.”
“How are you this morning?” she asked. “I was worried after that dream you had
last night."
“Fine,” he answered. “I’m sorry about
waking both of you up in the middle of the night. I don’t know what caused that dream.”
“As long as you’re all right,” she said.
“I’m fine,” he replied sitting down at the table to eat his breakfast.
“Jarrod,” Tom told him, “about last night.”
“I don’t blame you,” he said. “The
reason I told you no about the dance is because I’ve already asked a girl. Her name is Becky Nestler and she just moved
here from Sacramento. How am I going to
take Sally when I’ve already promised Becky.”
“You’ll have to tell Becky you can’t escort her,” Tom replied. “I promised Hank McGowan that you would take
Sally.”
“But father,” he told his father, “I don’t like Sally. She’s a snob.”
“Jarrod,” she said looking at him, “I don’t want to hear you calling anyone
names.”
“Yes mother,” he replied. “But I really
like Becky. She’s beautiful.”
“I’ve already told Hank that you will take Sally,” Tom told him. “And you’re going to.”
“Yes sir,” he said but he wasn’t very happy.”
After Jarrod left for school, Tom was still sitting at the table.
“You better get a move on yourself,” she said.
“That name that Jarrod used,” he replied.
“It’s sounds so familiar.”
“What name?” she asked.
“Nestler,” he answered. “I’ve heard
that name before but I can’t remember where.”
“Maybe it will come to you,” she said.
“I hope so,” he replied rising from the table.
When Jarrod arrived at school, he went to find Becky.
“Becky,” Jarrod said as he walked up to her, “I need to speak to you a minute.”
“All right,” she replied walking away from several girls she was talking
to. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t take you to the dance next week,” he told her. “My father promised that I would take Sally
McGowan to the dance.”
“Is that what you want?” she asked. “Do you like Sally more than you do me?”
“No,” he answered. “I want to go with
you.”
“Are you going to let your father run your life?” she asked.
“No I’m not,” he answered. “I’ll pick
you up at six.”
“Fine,” she said smiling.
When Jarrod walked into the house that afternoon, he went in search of his
father. He found Tom working at his
desk in the study.
“Father,” he said as he stood in front of the desk, “I’m taking Becky to the
dance. I’m sorry about Sally.”
“Jarrod,” Tom replied, “we went through this last night and this morning. Nothing has changed. You are going to escort Sally and that’s
that.”
“But...” he started to say.
“You go over to the Nestlers and tell Becky that you will be unable to escort
her to the dance,” Tom told him.
“Yes sir,” he said leaving the room.
After Jarrod left the study, Tom sat there thinking.
“Where have I heard that name before?” he asked himself.
Jarrod rode over to the Nestler ranch. Becky had told him that they lived close
to the old Emory Davis property. He knocked on the door. A very tall man opened it and looked at
him. He was a little older than
Jarrod’s father was and he was thinner but he was smiling.
“Yeah,” he said.
“My name is Jarrod Barkley sir and I would like to speak to Becky,” Jarrod
replied.
“Just a minute,” he told the boy.
The man closed the door. He turned and
walked into his daughter’s room.
“Becky,” he said, “Jarrod Barkley is outside.”
“I bet he’s here to tell me he can’t take me to the dance,” she replied.
“We need him to take you,” he told her.
“I know that,” she said standing. “You
don’t understand. He has to take
another girl. It can still work out. I’ll get him to dance with me and then we’ll
go outside. Everything should be set up
by then.”
“All right,” he replied.
Becky finally walked outside.
“Becky,” Jarrod said, “I can’t take you to the dance. I have to take Sally.”
“I understand,” she replied. “You will
dance with me?”
“Of course,” he told her. “I’d be
honored.”
“Good,” she said. “I’ll see you
tomorrow.”
“All right,” he replied leaving. “And thanks for understanding.”
“No problem,” she told him.
When Becky walked back into the house, her father was waiting on her.
“It’s all set,” she said. “We don’t have
anything to worry about.”
“Good,” he replied smiling.
The night of the dance, Jarrod was trying to get dressed. He was still angry
about having to take Sally. And he was all thumbs. He appeared a few minutes
later at the top of the stairs.
“Father,” he asked, “will you help me with my tie?”
“Sure,” Tom answered walking upstairs. “It’s normal to be nervous about your
first dance.”
“I’m not nervous as much as I am mad,” he said. “I wanted to take Becky but at least she is going to dance with
me.”
“You make sure that you dance with Sally,” Tom replied. “It wouldn’t be proper to escort a young
lady to a dance and not dance with her.”
“I will,” he told his father.
Quickly, Tom helped Jarrod tie his tie and then looked at his son.
“Boy you look handsome,” he said smiling.
“Sally is going to have a fit when she sees you.”
“Please father,” Jarrod replied. “I’ve
already heard enough about Sally. I
want to go and try to have a good time.”
“You will son,” he told him.
When Jarrod walked downstairs, his mother met him. She smiled when she saw him.
His blue eyes were so clear with the blue suit he was wearing.
“Honey,” she said, “you look very handsome.”
“Thanks mother,” he replied.
Jarrod left the house first. Tom and
Victoria would arrive a short time later. Jarrod picked up Sally.
“Jarrod,” she said as he met her at the door, “you look very handsome in your
blue suit. It makes your eyes stand
out.”
“Thanks,” he replied helping her into the buggy. “You look nice too.”
They headed for the livery stable in Stockton where the dance was taking place.
When they arrived, Jarrod helped her down and then looked to see if he saw
Becky. He finally saw her and waved.
“I’ll be back,” he said walking toward Becky.
Sally just stood there watching him go.
She was definitely not happy that Jarrod had left her for another girl.
Sally’s father also noticed that Jarrod left Sally standing in the barn all
alone.
“Where’s Jarrod?” Sarah asked as she walked over.
“He’s with Becky,” she answered still angry.
“Already dumped you?” Elise asked.
“No,” she answered. “I promise you I’ll
have him.”
The statement surprised both girls but they went in search of boys to dance
with. When Jarrod was in front of Becky, he smiled.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked as he held out his hand to her.
“Certainly,” she answered taking his offered hand.
They danced and when the music was finished, Becky sat down.
“Jarrod,” she asked, “would you bring me a cup of punch?”
“Sure,” he answered walking to the punch bowl.
Becky walked outside where she saw her father waiting behind one of the other
buildings. She smiled at him. Jarrod joined her a few minutes later.
“It was so hot inside,” she said. “I
came out here to get a breath of fresh air.”
“I understand,” he replied handing her the glass.
A short time later, there was a shout from outside. Becky appeared in the doorway, her dress torn and her hair a
mess. She was covered in dirt and
crying. When Jarrod didn’t follow her,
Tom got worried. He and Victoria had arrived while Becky and Jarrod were
outside.
“Becky,” he asked walking over to her, “where is Jarrod? Someone told me he was outside with you.”
“Don’t speak that name to me,” she answered.
“He tried to assault me.”
“He what?” Tom asked not believing what he was hearing. “Are you serious? My son.”
“He tried to attack me,” she answered.
“I had to fight him off. He
should be arrested.”
Tom ran outside and he couldn’t believe what that girl was saying about his
oldest son.
“Jarrod!” he called. “Jarrod!”
A few minutes later he heard a moan coming from the alley behind the
livery. He hurried to it and spotted
Jarrod sitting on the ground. He
hurried over to his son.
“Are you all right?” he asked helping him to his feet.
“I don’t know,” Jarrod answered. “I
have a headache.”
Tom took a good look at Jarrod. His
clothes were dirty. His jacket was
gone. His shirttail was out and his shirt was ripped. His face had been scratched. He helped Jarrod to walk back
inside. When they walked inside,
Becky’s father met them.
“Why you little whelp,” he said advancing on Jarrod. “You should be locked up.
No girl is safe from the likes of you.”
“Listen,” Tom replied trying to protect Jarrod, “leave him alone. He’s had a rough evening.”
“I’m going to get you for this boy,” he told him. “You can count on that.”
“I’m sure this can be worked out,” Tom said calmly. “It was probably some kind
of a misunderstanding. After some time,
things will simmer down.”
“Your son tried to assault my daughter,” he replied. “What is there to work out?”
“The reasons behind what happened,” Tom told him. “Were you out there? Did you see what happened?”
“Sir,” Jarrod said looking at the man, “I’m sorry. But I didn’t do anything to your daughter. I just walked out and gave her some punch.
We sat and talked but nothing happened.”
“Why don’t you tell the truth?” he asked trying to reach out and grab hold of
Jarrod. “Look, my girl’s dress is dirty
and ripped. She’s in shambles.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Jarrod said again.
“Son,” Tom replied, “let’s go home.”
“This ain’t over Barkley,” he told them as they left.
Victoria hurried over to Jarrod. She
looked at his face.
“Are you all right honey?” she asked.
“Father,” Jarrod replied, “I don’t feel well.
I’m dizzy and my head hurts.”
“I’m taking you to Dr. Merrar’s,” he told him.
“I don’t need to go to the doctor’s,” Jarrod said. “I want to go home.”
“Son,” he replied, “we’re going.”
“Yes sir,” Jarrod told him.
The family made their way over to the doctor’s. He came out of the back when he heard the bell hanging near the
door tingle.
“Tom,” he said, “Victoria, I thought you would be at the dance. I was going but Mrs. Murphy decided to have
her baby tonight. I just got back.”
“Doc,” Tom replied, “Jarrod is dizzy and he has a headache. Would you check him?”
“Sure,” he told them.
When he got a good look at Jarrod’s clothes, he was confused.
“What happened to him?” he asked.
Tom explained what he knew.
“You’re kidding,” he said. “Jarrod
assault a girl. Impossible.”
“That’s why I want you to check him,” Tom replied.
The doctor led Jarrod to the examination room.
He helped the boy up on the table.
After he examined Jarrod thoroughly, he looked over at Tom and Victoria.
“He’s got a fair sized lump on the back of his head,” he said. “That’s what is causing the dizziness and
the headache.”
“What caused it?” she asked speaking for the first time.
“Looks to me as if someone hit him,” he answered. “I’m going to give him something for the dizziness and the
headache. Take him home and put him to
bed. I’ll come out tomorrow and see how
he is.”
“Who would hit him and why?” Tom asked.
“I don’t have an answer for you,” he answered.
“I’m not sure Jarrod can either.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Tom asked.
“That lump has caused a slight concussion,” he answered. “He may not be able to remember for several
days.”
“Great,” Tom said. “Now what do we do?”
“We’re going to take Jarrod home,” she replied. “Then in the morning we’ll see how he is and if he is up to
discussing the events that took place outside.”
“I guess you’re right,” Tom told her.
The doctor gave Jarrod some medicine.
Then he handed a bottle to Victoria.
“Give him a spoonful of this every four hours as needed,” he said. “Put him to bed and then see how he is in
the morning.”
“All right,” Tom replied helping Jarrod down.
The family went home. During the ride
back to the ranch, Jarrod fell asleep.
“Tom,” she asked, “what is going on?”
“I don’t know,” he answered. “But I’m
going to find out. I’ve seen that man before.”
“I don’t believe that he could have attacked that girl,” she said. “He’s not that kind of boy. What man?”
“I know that,” he replied. “But how do
we prove it? Becky’s father, but I can’t place where I’ve seen him.”
“I don’t know,” she told him. “Maybe
Jarrod can shed some light on the situation in the morning.”
“I hope so,” he said looking at his sleeping son. “This could get serious.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“I mean that he could press charges against Jarrod,” he answered. “I know I’ve
seen him somewhere before but where?”
“You don’t think he would?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” he answered. “He sure
was mad enough to.”
They arrived at the ranch. Victoria
gently shook her son.
“Jarrod,” she said very softly, “we’re home now. Wake up.”
Jarrod raised his head and opened his eyes.
He was still dizzy so Tom helped him in the house and upstairs.
“Can you get ready for bed by yourself?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” Jarrod answered. “I’m
so dizzy and a little bit sick.”
“You sit down here on the bed and I’ll help you,” he said helping Jarrod sit
down.
“Father,” Jarrod replied, “I didn’t do anything to her. I swear I didn’t. I can’t remember much of
what happened but I know I didn’t hurt her.”
“I know that,” he told his son. “Number
one, you’re not that kind of boy. It’s
all some kind of mistake. Number two, there’s something else going on that
we’re not aware of.”
“Are you sure?” Jarrod asked.
“Yes,” he answered. “Now you try to get
some sleep and we’ll deal with it in the morning.”
“All right,” Jarrod said lying down and closing his eyes.
The next morning, which was Saturday, dawned for the Barkleys. Tom and Victoria were trying to figure out
what happened the night before at the Cattlemen’s Association Dance.
“I don’t understand what happened,” he said at the table. “Why would Jarrod attack that girl?”
“He’s the only one who can answer that question,” she replied. “Did you try asking him what happened
outside?”
“No not really,” he told her. “He was
so dizzy that I didn’t want to bother him about the details.”
“We need to know,” she said. “If her
father presses charges, how will we defend him?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “Maybe
Jarrod can shed some light on the situation.”
“I hope so,” she told him.
Jarrod was up in his room trying to dress.
He was still very confused about the events of the night before. He sat down on his bed trying to remember.
He had followed Becky outside carrying two glasses of punch. When he found her, she asked him a favor.
“Jarrod,” she asked pointing, “would you
go to my buggy right over there and bring me my shawl. I’m a little chilly.”
“Sure,” he answered handing her a glass of punch and then setting his glass
down beside of her.
When he came back with the shawl, he helped drape it over Becky’s shoulders.
“You better drink your punch,” she said handing him the glass.
When he swallowed it, it tasted a little bit bitter. He didn’t think much about it as he kept looking at her. He heard a noise from the alley.
“What was that?” she asked frightened.
“Probably an alley cat,” he answered.
“You want me to take a look?”
“Yes,” she said.
Jarrod walked into the alley and that was the last thing he could remember
until his father was standing over him.
“What happened in that alley?” he asked himself. “I can’t remember.”
When Jarrod finally walked downstairs, his head was busting. Tom hurried over to him and helped him to a
chair.
“Son,” he asked, “what’s wrong?”
“My head,” Jarrod answered. “It’s
busting.”
“I’ll get that medicine,” she said rising from the table.
“Father,” Jarrod replied, “I tried to remember what happened last night. I remember part of it but not all.”
“Tell me what you remember,” he told his son.
“I remember going outside after Becky,” he began and told his father what he
remembered. “I can’t remember anything
else.”
“You said the punch was bitter,” he said.
“Yes sir,” Jarrod replied.
Victoria walked in with the medicine, which she gave to Jarrod. He relaxed.
“He’s told me some of what happened last night,” he said. “Did you hear any voices while you and Becky
were outside?”
“Voices,” Jarrod replied. “Yes, come to
think of it. I did. A man’s voice.”
“A man,” he told his son. “Nestler, now
I remember.”
“You remember what Tom,” she said not understanding.
“It was a long time ago,” he replied.
“Almost ten years.”
“What?” she asked.
“You remember the year Nick was born,” he answered.
“Of course,” she said. “We almost lost
Jarrod to pneumonia and those business losses you had.”
“I had quite a few business ventures that went sour,” he replied. “One was with Graham Nestler. Now I know where I’ve seen him. He was the investor that caused me to lose a
great deal of money.”
“You mean that scheme about the water,” she told him.
“Yeah,” he said. “That man lost a great
deal of money too. Why not blame me?”
“And take it out on your son,” she replied.
“Why?”
“To ruin me,” he told her. “By setting
Jarrod up, he was going to humiliate me and I would lose my standing in this
town.”
“I see,” she said. “How do we fix it?”
“We get evidence,” he replied.
“How?” she asked.
“I don’t know right now,” he answered.
“I’ll have to come up with something.”
Jarrod rested most of the day and by Sunday morning he was feeling better. He still had the headaches but the dizziness
was now gone.
“Jarrod,” Tom called from downstairs, “get a move on son. We’ll be late for church.”
“Coming,” he said and appeared a few minutes later.
“Your mother and brother are already in the buggy,” Tom replied.
“I couldn’t find my blue suit coat so I had to change into my brown suit,” he
told him.
“What do you mean your suit coat is missing?” Tom asked.
“It wasn’t hanging in my closet,” he answered.
“I don’t know where it is.”
Tom let the discussion stop about the coat.
They could find it after church. The family rode to Stockton to the
small church at the end of town. As
they walked inside, some of the townspeople just stuck their nose up at
them. It began to bother Jarrod.
“Why are they doing this?” he asked. “I
didn’t hurt that girl. I didn’t.”
“It doesn’t matter what they do,” Tom answered. “We are going to hold our heads up and not let it bother us.”
“But it does bother me father,” he said.
“Some of these people are my friends.”
“Come on Jarrod,” Tom replied putting his arm around Jarrod and guiding him
inside.
When they sat down, whispers started.
Jarrod kept his head down. Nick
sat beside of him and began to get mad as he heard some of the remarks.
“Nick,” Tom said looking at his younger son, “don’t you dare say anything.”
“But father,” he replied, “they are lies.”
“We know they are,” Tom told him. “Just
sit there and be calm.”
“That’s easy to say but they’re talking about my brother,” he said.
“Sweetheart,” she replied, “your father is right. Those that really know us won’t believe these vicious lies.”
The reverend walked in and stood behind the pulpit. He looked at his congregation.
He noticed Jarrod with his head down.
“Before we start this morning,” he said, “I would like to address an issue that
has this town talking. Friday night at
the Cattlemen’s Association Dance, an incident happened. From my perspective, I believe that this
town is judging a young man unfairly.
No charges have been filed and I have known this boy all his life. He comes from a good family and is very
polite to everyone he meets. But these
vicious comments that I have heard aimed at him and his family will stop. I would like to know if Jarrod Barkley would
like to say anything to this congregation.”
Jarrod looked up and then at his father.
Tom nodded and Jarrod stood up walking to the pulpit. He shook hands with the reverend. Then he looked at the people gathered there.
“I know some of you think I’m a bad boy,” he said very nervous. “That’s not true. I never hurt Becky. I
don’t remember everything that happened.
But what I do remember shows me that someone set me up. I want to apologize to one girl in
particular. Sally, I’m sorry for
running off. I should have been more of
a gentleman. I hope you can find it in
your heart to forgive me. I have to
live in this town and it’s hard when people are going behind your back calling
you names and saying that you assaulted someone. I’m innocent.”
Jarrod started to walk back to his seat but the reverend clasped his arm.
“Jarrod,” he said looking into the boy’s face, “the Lord knows that you are
innocent. He is the one that we have to
make amends to. The rest will come
around. I’m sure of that. But you will realize that you’re not alone
in this. He is with you and will help
guide you through this difficult period in your life.”
“Yes sir,” Jarrod replied dropping to his knees. “I ask him to forgive me of any wrongdoing on my part.”
Both Tom and Victoria rose joining their son at the altar. They bowed their heads.
“I haven’t been the best father,” Tom said putting an arm around his son, “but
I try. I have taught both of my boys to
be respectful of others. Jarrod is my
son and I love him. He didn’t do what
he’s been accused of.”
“Tom is right,” she replied also putting an arm around Jarrod. “Our boys are good boys and they would never
deliberately hurt anyone.”
Nick also joined the family and kneeled next to his brother.
“My brother is my best friend,” he said.
“And I know that he would never hurt a girl.”
“Father,” the reverend replied, “please help this family to recover from what’s
happened to them and go on with their lives.
In your name Amen.”
When the family left the church, most of the townspeople spoke a few words to
them. They were very encouraging
words. Jarrod actually smiled for the
first time since the dance.
“Thanks reverend,” Tom said as they left the church. “You’ve made it much easier on Jarrod.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” he replied.
At the Nestler ranch, Becky and her father were very unhappy.
“After that show of support in church this morning maybe we better leave town,”
she said.
“No,” he replied. “I came here to
humiliate Tom Barkley and I’m going to do it.
I’m going to swear out a complaint against that boy.”
“But father,” she told him.
“No butts,” he said smiling.
Harry was sitting in his office when Graham Nestler walked in.
“Sheriff,” he said, “I want to file a complaint against Jarrod Barkley for
assaulting my daughter at the dance.”
“Are you serious?” Harry asked.
“Everyone who knows that boy including me knows he’s innocent.”
“Are you going to do your job or do I have to go to a federal marshal?” he
asked.
“I’ll do my job,” Harry answered. “Go
ahead and I’ll take the complaint.”
“Are you going to arrest him?” he asked.
“No,” Harry answered. “He’s still a boy
and nothing has been proved.”
“You keep that boy away from my daughter or I’ll have to take things into my
own hands,” he said.
“If you harm that boy, I’ll come after you,” Harry replied.
“Do what you have to,” he told him.
Nestler signed the complaint and then left.
Harry sat there a few minutes and then left his office heading for the
Barkley Ranch.
“Harry,” Tom asked as he opened the door to reveal the sheriff, “what brings
you out this way?”
“I wanted to talk to you,” he answered.
“Sure,” Tom said. “Come in.”
“I need to speak to both of you,” he replied walking inside.
“Victoria is in the study,” Tom told him walking that way with Harry behind
him.
“Harry,” she said as they walked in.
“I wanted you to know that Graham Nestler filed a complaint a short time ago,”
he replied.
“Against Jarrod?” she asked.
“Yes,” he answered. “He’s wants him
behind bars but there isn’t enough evidence.”
“Jarrod is innocent,” Tom said.
“I know that,” he replied. “But he also
said that if Jarrod came near Becky he’d hurt him.”
“Oh Tom,” she told him. “What are we
going to do?”
“Keep him here at the ranch until Nestler calms down,” Tom said.
“Good,” Harry replied and left.
Jarrod walked down the stairs as Harry walked out the door.
“Father,” he asked, “what did Harry want?”
“Becky’s father has filed a complaint against you,” Tom answered.
“What does that mean?” he asked.
“It means that he doesn’t want you anywhere near his daughter,” Tom
answered. “I don’t want it either.”
“I’m not going near her,” he said.
“Good,” Tom replied.
The next day at school all Becky did was stare at Jarrod. He tried to concentrate on his work but her
continued staring started to unnerve him.
Finally, he had taken all he could.
“I want you to stop that staring,” he said standing a few feet away from
her. “You’re not going to get me to
attack you.”
“I want you to leave me alone,” she replied.
“You are a sick person Jarrod Barkley.
You pray on young defenseless girls.”
“I do not,” he told her getting angry.
“I’m not a bad boy.”
Frank and Matt pulled him away from her.
They sat him down in his chair.
“Jarrod,” Matt said, “you’ve got to stay away from her. You don’t know what her father might do.”
“I know,” he replied. “Her staring just
made me mad. How do you know about her father?”
“Take it easy,” Frank told him. “It’s all over town that he swore out a
complaint against you.”
“Don’t worry,” he said smiling. “I’m
not going to go near her again.”
Becky noticed that Jarrod was staying clear of her. She knew she had to figure a way to get him close to her so she
could yell for her father. That
afternoon, after school let out, Jarrod was on his way home. He saw something lying in the road a few
feet away. He stopped dismounting from
his horse. When he walked over to the
object he realized it was his blue jacket.
“How did this get way out here?” he asked himself. “The last time I saw it I was wearing it as I went into the
alley.”
He looked around but didn’t see anyone.
He picked up his jacket and that’s when it happened. He didn’t see what was inside the jacket and
before he could react, he felt something strike his hand. He dropped the jacket and that’s when he saw
it. A rattler slithered out of the
coat. Jarrod looked at his hand
noticing the two small marks on the back of it. Quickly, he pulled his knife from his pocket and cut the skin
open at the two marks. He tried to suck
the poison out but he soon realized that some had gotten into his system. He tried to mount up but he fell backwards
to the ground. He knew he would be dead
in a few minutes if help didn’t arrive.
Jarrod tried to crawl but he was having a great deal of trouble
breathing. He passed out on the road.
At the Barkley ranch, Tom noticed that Jarrod had not come home from school
yet.
“Nick,” he asked, “where is Jarrod?”
“I don’t know father,” Nick answered.
“He told me he was coming straight home.”
“We better go look for him,” he said heading out the door.
They rode along the road toward Stockton.
Nick spotted Jarrod’s horse grazing by the side of the road. And that’s when they spotted him. Quickly dismounting, Tom hurried to his son.
“Father,” Nick said as he hurried up, “look at his left hand.”
Tom looked at the boy’s hand seeing the two marks and the swelling.
“He’s been bitten by a snake,” he said gently picking Jarrod up. “We need to get him to town.”
“What kind of snake?” Nick asked.
“Most likely a rattler,” he answered as he carried Jarrod to the waiting
horses.
The two of them quickly mounted up and rode as fast as they could for Stockton.
“Tom,” the doctor said after examining the boy, “you got him here just
in time. I’ve given him the antidote
and bandaged his hand. He’s a lucky
boy.”
“How did he get bitten?” Tom asked.
“I don’t know,” the doctor answered.
“We’ll have to wake until he wakes up.”
At that very moment, Jarrod’s eyes opened.
He looked around somewhat confused.
“Son,” he said, “you’re all right. You
were bitten by a snake.”
“Yes,” Jarrod replied. “As I rode home,
I saw my blue jacket lying in the road.
I stopped and picked it up. I don’t know how it got way out there. I didn’t see or hear the snake until it was
too late. I tried to get the poison out
but I guess I passed out.”
“It’s all right,” he told his son. “You
say it was in your jacket.”
“The one I wore to the dance,” Jarrod said.
“It was missing in the alley.”
“That’s right,” he replied. “You mentioned it yesterday before church. I didn’t think any more about it until now.”
“Who would put a snake in a jacket?” the doctor asked.
“Only one man I can think of,” he answered.
“Graham Nestler.”
“Father,” Jarrod said, “in school today, Becky kept staring at me. I didn’t get close to her. I could tell that she was mad.”
“It fits,” he replied. “I’ll have a
talk with Harry.”
“Please father,” Jarrod told him. “I
don’t want to cause any problems.”
“You’re not causing any,” he said. “I’m
stopping them before they start.”
“We have no proof,” Jarrod replied.
“Your coat is the only proof I need,” he told his son.”
“Tom,” the doctor said, “take him home but don’t let him do anything for the
rest of the day. Keep an eye on that
hand. If the swelling gets any worse,
let me know.”
“I will doc,” he replied helping Jarrod outside to the horses. “You wait here son.”
“Yes sir,” Jarrod told him.
Tom went to Harry’s office. He told
Harry what had happened to Jarrod.
“You really think it was Nestler,” Harry said.
“Yes I do,” he replied. “He’s out to
ruin my family and I’m not going to let it happen.”
“You need to take Jarrod home,” Harry told him. “I’ll talk to Nestler.”
“He’ll just lie Harry,” he said getting mad.
“Tom,” Harry replied looking at his friend, “if you go after him, I’m going to
have to arrest you.”
“I know,” he told Harry. “I’m sorry
Harry.”
“Just take the boy home,” Harry said.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Tom nodded and left the sheriff’s office.
The boys and Tom rode home. Tom
kept a close eye on Jarrod making sure he was all right. When they walked into the house, Victoria
met them.
“Where have you been?” she asked.
“Jarrod was bitten by a rattler on his way home,” he answered. “He’s all right but the doctor wants him to
take it easy the rest of the day.”
“A rattler!” she exclaimed. “How did a
rattler get near Jarrod?”
Tom told her what had happened.
“So you think Graham Nestler was behind it,” she said.
“I do,” he replied. “For one thing,
Jarrod’s jacket mysteriously showing up.”
“Where is the jacket now?” she asked.
“Where we left it,” he answered. “I
didn’t think about picking it up.”
“It may hold a clue,” she said.
“I’ll ride out and get it,” he replied heading out the door.
“You come with me,” she told Jarrod.
Reluctantly, Jarrod followed her upstairs to his room where he changed with a
little help from his mother. He laid
down on the bed.
“Can I get you anything?” she asked.
“No,” he answered. “I’m tired.”
“You rest,” she said, “and we’ll talk later.”
“All right,” he replied closing his eyes.
Tom rode out to the spot where Nick and he had found Jarrod. He looked around but the jacket had
mysteriously vanished.
“I know that jacket was here,” he said.
“I saw it.”
When his search yielded no jacket, he decided to ride back to the ranch. He walked into the house where Victoria met
him.
“Where is it?” she asked.
“It’s gone,” he answered.
“How can it be gone?” she asked.
“I’m telling you that it’s no longer there,” he answered getting angry. “Who would remove it?”
“Maybe the same person, who took it out there,” she suggested.
“Well,” he said, “I’m going to get to the bottom of this.”
“Tom,” she replied, “let Harry handle it.”
“All right,” he told her.
Harry rode out to the Nestler farm.
When he knocked on the front door, Graham Nestler opened it.
“What do you want?” he asked very hatefully.
“I want to know if you put Jarrod Barkley’s jacket in the rode from Stockton to
the Barkley Ranch,” Harry answered.
“No,” he said. “I ain’t seen the coat
or the boy since the dance.”
“Someone put his coat on the road,” Harry replied. “But there is something else.”
“What?” he asked.
“There was a rattler inside of the coat,” Harry answered. “It bit Jarrod on the hand.”
“Is the boy dead?” he asked hopefully.
“No,” Harry answered. “He’s going to be
fine. Now where were you?”
“I was right here working,” he said.
“No I don’t have any witnesses to say I was here.”
“Don’t plan on leaving town,” Harry replied.
“I’ll probably want to talk to you again.”
When Harry was gone, Nestler walked back into the house.
“What did the sheriff want?” Becky asked as she left her room.
“Somebody put a rattler in Barkley’s coat,” he answered. “It bit the boy.”
“Is he dead?” she asked.
“Nope,” he answered.
“I don’t even remember Jarrod having a coat,” she said.
“He did,” he replied. “I took it off
when I hit him in the alley.”
“What did you do with it?” she asked.
“I threw it behind some crates,” he answered.
“So anyone could have picked it up,” she said.
“Yeah I suppose,” he replied.
Harry rode out to the Barkley Ranch.
“Harry,” Tom asked as the sheriff walked into the house, “did he confess?”
“No,” he answered. “He said he didn’t
even know that Jarrod had a jacket.”
“He’s lying,” Tom said.
“Maybe so,” he replied. “But I can’t
lock him up without evidence.”
“I’ll get you evidence,” Tom told him.
“Tom,” he said, “be careful. I don’t
want to lock you up.”
“I will,” Tom replied, “and you won’t.”
Jarrod stayed in bed the rest of the evening and that night. By the next morning he was feeling some
better but his hand was still swelled and it was hurting. He tried to get dressed by himself but he
couldn’t use that hand at all. Finally,
he gave up and threw his shirt down on the bed. Tom walked in.
“What’s wrong son?” he asked as he walked over to his son.
“I can’t do anything with my hand,” Jarrod answered. “I can’t even get dressed.”
“Let’s see it,” he said.
Jarrod showed him his left hand.
“It’s still swelled,” he said as he looked at it. “Does it hurt?”
Jarrod didn’t answer.
“I asked you if it hurt,” he said again.
“Yes sir,” Jarrod finally admitted.
“How long?” he asked.
“Since I woke up,” Jarrod answered.
“I don’t want you going to school today,” he said. “I want the doctor to look at that hand.”
“But father,” Jarrod replied.
“No butts Jarrod,” he told his son. “I
want to make sure there are no problems with that hand.”
“All right,” Jarrod said giving in.
“Good,” he replied. “Now you crawl back
in bed until the doctor comes. I’ll
have Silas fix you a tray.”
“Yes sir,” Jarrod told him getting back in bed.
Victoria met Tom as he descended the stairs.
“Where’s Jarrod?” she asked.
“His hand is still swelled and I want the doctor to look at it before he goes
back to school,” he answered. “I made
him go back to bed.”
“Is he having any problems with it?” she asked.
“He said it was hurting,” he answered.
“All right,” she said. “I’ll have Silas
take a tray up.”
“Mother,” Nick asked as he came down the stairs, “where’s Jarrod?”
“He’s still in bed sweetheart,” she answered.
“He’s not going to school today.”
“Is his hand worse?” Nick asked concerned.
“It’s still swelled and Jarrod was complaining of pain coming from it,” his
father answered. “I thought it would be
best if he stayed home today.”
“I’ll get his work and bring it home,” Nick said as he headed out the door.
“Tell Mrs. Moore what happened,” she replied.
“I will,” he hollered back.
“Are you going to ride into town?” she asked.
“Not yet,” he answered. “The doctor
talked like he would come here some time today.”
“All right,” she said. “I’ll check on
Jarrod.”
Victoria walked up to her oldest son’s room.
When she entered, she noticed him sitting up in the bed.
“Your father told me that your hand was bothering you,” she said.
“Yeah,” he replied. “I still could have
gone to school.”
“Well,” she told him. “It’s better to
be on the safe side.”
“Mother,” he asked, “how did my coat get out on that road?”
“I would say someone put it there with the snake in it or the snake crawled in
it after it was left,” she answered.
“Father thinks it was Becky’s father,” he said.
“Yes he does,” she replied. “He has a
grudge against you.”
“I don’t know that he would try to kill me,” he told her.
“Try not to let it bother you,” she said.
“I can’t help it,” he replied. “Someone
tried to hurt me.”
“Yes,” she told him. “But fortunately
you’re all right.”
“I guess so,” he said.
“You had a guardian angel looking out for you,” she replied. “Or you could have easily ended up
dead. Nick is going to get your lessons
for today.”
“Great,” he told her but he wasn’t happy.
“What’s wrong honey?” she asked.
“This whole situation,” he answered. “I
don’t understand.”
“I’m sure your father can explain what happened ten years ago,” she said.
“I’m not talking about that,” he replied.
“I was talking about Becky.”
“She’s part of it,” she told him. “Her
father has her helping him. Anyway, you
rest and I’ll bring you a tray.”
She left the room and Jarrod laid there looking at the ceiling.
When the doctor walked in the front door, Tom told him about Jarrod.
“He’s complaining of his hand still hurting and it’s still very swelled,” Tom
said. “I didn’t want him going to
school until you could check it.”
“All right,” he replied. “Let’s have a
look.”
The doctor walked into Jarrod’s room. He saw the boy lying on the bed. As he got closer he could see the hand.
“I believe there’s still venom in there,” he said. “That swelling should have come down some.”
He examined Jarrod thoroughly.
“I was right,” he said. “The boy is
running a slight fever from the venom.
I’m going to give him something to help get rid of it. It’s not a whole lot but even a little can
make him very uncomfortable. I want him
kept quiet today and then we’ll see about tomorrow.”
“But I have things to do,” Jarrod replied.
“I can’t sit around in bed all day.”
“Son,” Tom told him, “you will do what the doctor says or else.”
“Yes sir,” Jarrod said but he wasn’t happy.
The doctor gave him some medicine and Jarrod’s eyes closed.
“I’ve given him something to help him rest,” he said. “He’s too uptight to rest.”
“All right doc,” Tom replied as the doctor left.
Later that day, Jarrod woke up. He got
up out of bed, dressed and sneaked out of the house. Once outside, he went in search of his blue jacket. He stopped at the spot where he had been
bitten but the jacket was gone. As he
was about to mount up, he heard a horse’s hooves. Turning he saw a rider coming toward him.
“Jarrod,” Hank McGowan said as he rode up beside of him. “I need to talk to you.”
“What about sir?” he asked. “I’m kind of in a hurry.”
“I need you to come with me,” Hank answered.
“It’s very important.”
“All right,” he said mounting up.
The two of them rode toward the McGowan farm but a mile before they got there,
Hank turned off onto a seldom-used road.
“It’s only a little further,” Hank said.
They stopped at a mill that had been abandoned for years. Dismounting, Hank led Jarrod inside. Once inside, he pulled his revolver and
pointed it at Jarrod.
“What’s going on?” Jarrod asked confused.
“I’m going to make you pay boy,” he answered.
“No one treats my daughter the way you did and gets away with it.”
“I didn’t do anything to Sally,” Jarrod said.
“She was fine.”
“You left her standing,” he replied. “No one does that to her.”
“I didn’t mean to,” Jarrod told him. “I
wanted to speak to Becky Nestler.”
“You’re going to pay,” he said.
“You’re the one who put the snake in my coat,” Jarrod replied realizing who the
guilty party was.
“Yep,” he told the boy. “I only wish it
had taken care of you. Now I have to.”
“What are you going to do?” Jarrod asked.
“Leave you here,” he answered. “Get
over there.”
He motioned for Jarrod to move to two old grist stones used for grinding
corn. He tied Jarrod by his hands to
those stones and wedged his right leg in between those stones. Then Hank turned the wheel that moved the
stones. Jarrod cried out as those
stones were crushing his leg.
“Please,” he begged, “let me go.”
“No way boy,” Hank said. “You’re going
to spend a long time here. After a few days if you’re still alive maybe I’ll
turn you loose.”
“You’re crazy,” he replied.
“Maybe so,” Hank told him. “But this is
the way it’s going to be.”
That said, Hank left. Jarrod tried to
get his leg free but he couldn’t. It
was stuck very tightly and the more he struggled the more his leg was being
crushed. His hands were tied and there
was no way he could free himself. If
only his parents knew where he was.
Tom and Victoria walked upstairs to check on Jarrod. When they entered his room, they both realized he was gone.
“Tom,” she said, “he’s gone. Where
could he be?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “But I’ll
search.”
“Find him,” she told him as he left.
Tom found Nick in the barn.
“Son,” he asked, “have you seen Jarrod?”
“No father,” Nick answered. “Why?”
“He’s gone,” he said. “I’ve got to find
him. He’s got no business out running around.”
“I bet he went to see if he could find his coat,” Nick replied. “He told me that if he could find his jacket
he could find out who put the snake in it.”
“Do you have any idea where he is?” he asked.
“Maybe,” Nick answered. “I can try.”
“Let’s go,” he said as the two mounted up and rode off.
The harder Nick tried to locate Jarrod the more frustrated he became. Tom could see that Nick wasn’t going to be
much help in finding Jarrod.
“Son,” he said, “we’ll ride to town and get a posse together to find Jarrod.”
“I know he’s out there father,” Nick replied.
“I just don’t know where.”
“I understand,” he told his son.
They headed for Stockton. Along the way
Nick suddenly stopped.
“What is it?” Tom asked.
“I feel something,” he answered. “It’s
Jarrod. I know where he is.”
“Let’s go,” Tom said and the two of them headed off.
Nick led Tom toward the McGowan farm.
“Jarrod wouldn’t be anywhere around here,” he said. “This is the McGowan farm.”
“He is father,” Nick replied riding on.
They turned off on the seldom-used road and rode up to the gristmill. Tom saw his son’s horse. Jumping from his own, he raced toward the
door. Smashing it open with his
shoulder he ran inside and that’s when he saw Jarrod.
“Son,” he said as he came to a stop in front of Jarrod, “what’s going on?”
“It was Mr. McGowan that put the snake in my coat,” Jarrod replied grimacing in
pain from his leg. “He put me
here. My leg is trapped and I can’t get
it loose.”
“Hold on son,” he told his son. “I’ll
get you out of here. Nick!”
Nick hurried into the mill and ran over to Jarrod. Tom was trying to free Jarrod.
“Nick,” he said, “ride back to the ranch and bring Sam Williams and McColl here
at once.”
Nick flew out the door. Tom kept trying
to free Jarrod but it was no use.
Jarrod’s leg was trapped.
“Sam and McColl will help me get you out,” he said. “We need to see if we can
loosen one of those stones or break one in to.”
“I hope so,” Jarrod replied. “It’s
starting to really hurt.”
When Nick rode back to the ranch, Victoria rushed out to him.
“Did you find Jarrod?” she asked.
“Yes,” he answered. “He’s at an old
mill near the McGowan farm. His leg is
pinned between two stones and father needs help freeing him.”
“I’ll get the buggy,” she said. “I’m
going with you.”
“I have to get McColl and Sam,” he replied heading off to the bunkhouse.
When the three of them were ready they headed for the old mill.
When they arrived at the mill, Victoria rushed inside. The sight of her son trapped shocked
her. She hurried over to him.
“Jarrod,” she asked, “are you all right?”
“I guess other than my leg,” he answered. “It was Mr. McGowan mother. He’s the
one that put the snake in my coat.”
“But why?” she asked.
“He said it was because of Sally,” he answered. “I tried to tell him that I didn’t mean to hurt Sally.”
“Let’s not worry about that now,” she said.
“Let’s get you out of here.”
“Sam,” Tom said, “McColl, get over here and let’s see if we can either break a
stone or loosen one.”
The three men worked for the next hour trying to free Jarrod. Finally, one of the stones loosened and Tom
was able to free Jarrod.
“Thanks boys,” he said as he helped Jarrod to the buggy.
“You better get him to town,” Sam replied.
“That leg looks bad.”
“I will,” he told them.
“Father,” Jarrod said, “it’s really hurting now.”
“The circulation is returning,” he replied.
“We’ll get you to town and see what the doc says.”
After they got him loaded into the buggy, the family headed for town. Sam and
McColl rode back to the ranch.
“Come on Jarrod,” Tom said when they pulled up in front of Dr. Merrar’s. “Let’s get you inside.”
It took both Tom and Nick to help Jarrod inside.
“Nothing broken,” he said after he examined Jarrod’s leg. “But it’s cut and bruised. I don’t want you walking on it for a couple
of days.”
“Yes sir,” Jarrod replied after the doctor had wrapped it. “I thought I was
going to die in that mill.”
“Tom,” he told them, “take him home.
Keep him off of that leg and give him a spoonful of this liquid every
four hours for pain.”
“Right,” Tom said helping Jarrod back to the buggy. “You wait here. I have to
see Harry.”
Tom walked over to Harry’s office.
“Tom,” he said, “I was just coming to see you.”
“Well,” Tom replied. “I saved you the
trouble. I know who was responsible for
the snake because he nearly cost Jarrod his leg.”
“What are you talking about?” he asked.
“Jarrod sneaked out of the house...” Tom answered explaining what had
transpired over the past few hours.
“So it was Hank McGowan,” he said.
“I’ll pick him up.”
Tom and the family rode home. They got
Jarrod settled in bed and sat down.
“Did he give Jarrod a reason?” she asked.
“Yes,” he answered. “It was because of
Sally.”
“All this over a girl,” she said. “It’s
so hard to believe.”
“I’m sure that Jarrod would just as soon forget girls for a while,” he replied.
“I hope he won’t get disillusioned about girls,” she told him. “He’ll have to deal with them for the rest
of his life.”
A few days later, Jarrod was able to walk and came downstairs for the first
time.
“Honey,” she asked, “how’s your leg?”
“Almost as good as new,” he answered.
“I hope you won’t let this bad experience spoil your outlook toward girls,” she
said.
“It won’t,” he replied. “I learned
something mother. I’m starting to
really like girls now. And the next
dance we have, I’m going to ask Sally if she will go with me.”
“What about what happened with her father?” Tom asked.
“It wasn’t her fault,” he answered. “He
was trying to protect her and just got carried away.”
“I’m proud of you son,” Tom said.
“Thanks father,” he replied.
Hank McGowan pleaded guilty to putting the rattlesnake in Jarrod’s coat and for
almost maiming his right leg. He spent
a month in jail and a year trying to make it up to his daughter who was so
angry with him.
“Papa,” she said, “how could you? I’ll
never be able to go to school or anything else because of you.”
“I did it all for you,” he replied.
“You almost killed Jarrod,” she told him.
“He probably won’t even speak to me.”
“I’m sure it can be worked out,” he said.
“I’m sorry for what I did. I
guess I got a little carried away.”
Jarrod and Sally remained friends for the next few years until Jarrod left
Stockton for Washington, D.C. where he would spend the next four years during
the Civil War. Sally finally moved away
and married a rich banker.
THE END