Kid Lay Page 3

Lay Kid’? That’s got a nice ring to it.

  Unduly impressed with his new nickname, he replied “How am supposed to leave town without my horse?”

  Counting out three dollars, he handed it to the kid saying, “I don’t really care, but it seems I done told you, Gus will buy your saddle and riggings for ten dollars that pays your fine. You still got thirteen dollars in your pocket.”

  “What about a saddle a man can’t ride without a saddle?”

  “Appears to me you didn’t think about the finances of gun fighting before you hit the trail. When you go get your mount, tell Gus to give you an old saddle blanket. I don’t care about you, but I do the horse. Now Mr. Three-Toe Lay Kid, do us both a favor and get out of my town.”

  “You’re a tough man, Sheriff.”

  “No, it’s a tough land, and the tough trail your traveling will get you killed, and it’s not goin’ to be in my town!”

  The Kid slowly turned, his swollen, bandaged foot raising little puffs of dust in the street as he limped toward the livery, muttering to himself, “I sure hope pa can use some more help on the farm, because I sure ain’t cut out to be a gunfighter.”

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  About the author

  I am a retired design engineer who worked for an Ophthalmic manufacturing company. I also retired from the US Army Reserve as a Master Sergeant (MSG). My wife and I have two children. Both young men are currently in the military. (US Army). One, a Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) currently on deployment in Afghanistan, the other; a Sergeant First Class (SFC) stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado after returning from his third deployment in Iraq. We also have five grandchildren.

  My wife retired from federal service and is currently at home with me. We enjoy traveling. We currently have three rescue pug dogs to keep us company.

  I hope you enjoy this story as I plan to submit several more in the near future.

  To paraphrase, “If you enjoyed the story, tell your friends, it not, tell me.” I can be reached via e-mail at Kuguar@sbcglobal.net.