Tom Moore · Blooming Grove · DiggyDog

Grinsmoke, Episode Two · first printed here

Grinsmoke: The Posse

By Tom Moore, writing as Mark Twaing

The peaceful citizens of Budge City got a good nights sleep after Marshall Mellon tricked Big Bad Bareknuckle Bart into leaving town. The roosters are just beginning to crow and Doc Alzheimer has stopped by the jailhouse for a cup of coffee....

"That sure is some fine coffee, Pester!"

"Why thanks Doc, you see it's all in the secret ingredients!"

"You mean you put something in it besides coffee?"

"Of course I do, Doc! Have you ever tasted coffee this good?"

"No, can't say as I have Pester, but just what did you put in it?"

"Well you see Doc.."

Pester and Doc's conversation is stopped short when Marshall Mellon walks in...

"Good morning, Doc. How's your memory today?"

"My memory is just fine, Phatt! Sharp as a Bowie knife!"

"Well then Doc, can you tell me what old Grumpy said before he croaked?"

"Of course I can Phatt, did you think I come over just to drink Pesters mystery coffee and listen to his lies?"

"What lies, Doc! I ain't never lied to you!"

"Well you never told the truth neither, that's for sure!"

"Doc, step back here in the back for a minute and tell me everything before you forget!"

"Before I forget what?"

* * *

"Are you sure that's what he said, Doc?"

"Yes Phatt, it was plain as day!"

"Well, I never would have suspected Dan Cooley!"

"Who would, Phatt? He's been a respected banker here since the cows left home!"

* * *

Later that afternoon...

"Pester!"

"What is it, Mr. Mellon?"

"I want you to round up a posse! It was Dan Cooley that robbed the stage!"

"Dan Cooley the banker?"

"Yes Dan Cooley the banker! How many Dan Cooleys do you know?"

"Just the one, Marshall Mellon."

"Pester, hurry up with that posse! Cooley and the gang got a pretty big head start on us!"

* * *

Early next morning...

"Pester, what took you so long?"

"Marshall Mellon, I've been looking all night!"

"Well, where are they?"

"Who?"

"The posse!"

"Well, Marshall Mellon, I was a tryin' to tell you.."

"What have you got in that sack, Pester?"

"Well they only come out at night, that's why it took me so long! Here he is Marshall Mellon, but watch out, he bit me something fierce!"

"Pester that's a possum!"

"Beats me why you want a possum, Marshall Mellon, but there he is!"

"Goshdarn it Pester! Go and get a bunch of men with horses and guns and bring 'em back here!"

"What if they don't want to come, Marshall Mellon?"

"Just tell 'em we're going hunting... for a banker!"

"Everybody in the county will want in on that!"

"And take this possum with you!"

* * *

Later that afternoon..

"OK Pester, you're in charge here in Budge City til I get back."

"Marshall Mellon, you can count on me! I'll make sure the law don't get broke here none at all!"

"Pester, if I don't get back before the start of the cattle drive, you will have your hands full! You may have to deputize a few townsfolk to help you out."

"Marshall Mellon, them cowboys can get awful mean at the start of a drive! I sure hope you catch the Cooley gang and get back here before all them cowboys get tanked up on sarsparilla!"

"Well Pester, if I don't make it back, try to go easy on the cowboys. Remember, they are going to be on the trail a long time, and half the time they will be outside of Texas!"

"I guess anybody who is forced to leave Texas for even a few minutes in order to make a living is entitled to be in a bad mood!"

"That's right Pester, so if there's a little gunplay, don't worry about it! But just make sure they don't tear up the Wrongbranch!"

"I think you're a bit sweet on Miss Litter, aren't you, Marshall Mellon?"

"Just mind your own business Pester, and take care of Budge City til I get back!"

* * *

And so it was that Marshall Mellon found himself at the head of a procession that stretched for miles. In addition to the more than 300 deputies, there were merchants and peddlers of all sorts. There were also more than a few bad men, and women, in that crowd. And only Marshall Phatt Mellon to keep them all in line...