Tombstone.
This evening I talked with Payton and she said, “Been really quiet today so I went to the mine to hang out.”
“I found something cool there. I been reading it.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Uh huh. It’s a book written by some guy who worked in the mine. Like a bunch of years ago.”
“Wow!”
“Did you know it gets real hot in the mine? Like that place where bad people go, the guy says.”
“Well it was pretty warm taday in there. An you mean… hell…?” she lowered her voice.
“I don’t wanna say the word,” I nodded. “But that’s what the writer man said.”
“Yeah. I might slip back there and camp out… see if they have ghosts.”
“Maybe. It scary there though. I just read in the tree. At Miss Trin’s house by the water.”
“Yeah.. but I don think it will be too bad,” Payton nodded.
“I just dun want to get in trouble.”
“Saloons must Go.. For God, and Home and Native Land,” a woman started to chant nearby. “We shall overcome!! No more alcohol destroy our man and families.”
“Yeah know what you mean.. Miss Angi at the orphanage would have my hide if she found out I was trying ta camp out,” Payton said.
“So would Miss Trin. She don’t want me to go there. I told her about the journal and that I weren’t gonna go back,” I told her. “I’ll just pretend I’m the miner man and learn about it from far away.”
“I wouldn’t want ya to get inta trouble,” she nodded again. “Yeah… might be a good thin ta do.”
“I’m doing my bit to educate on the dangers of drinking,” said the lady who’d been chanting.
“Sides... The way this man talks about it I don’t want to go in there again anyway,” I told Payton.
“I might go one more time.”
“Educate, is that it…?” Miss Paisley asked the lady. “A sign educate?”
“Did you know they work so long and don’t get paid much?” I asked Payton.
“Really? Didn’t know that at all… That’s not good. Bet some had families ta feed and stuff.”
“There are too many wifes and children who go without food cause their husband and daddys are spending their hard earned money on boose,” the woman shouted.
“Uh uh it was perty bad,” I said.
“I think I’ll test your theory, Ma’am. Excuse me…” Mr. Chris said and walked into Kate’s.
“I think that words and books are better education than a sign,” Miss Paisley said. “The time and energy it took you to make that sign could have been spent talking to a person.”
“I wouldn’t want to work there,” I said to Payton.
“I know I wouldn’t… even though I don’t think females do that kinda work anyway.. but if I was with a man I know he wouldn’t be doin that kinda work.”
“Even men didn’t like doin’ it,” I shook my head.
“The cost of those materials- a book for a child and you begrudge a man or woman a drink,” Miss Paisley said to the lady.
“IF WE PURIFY AMERICA FROM THE ILLS OF DRIKING WE BRING A BIT OF THE KINGDOME OF GOD TO AMERICA!” the lady yelled and I frowned hearing her.
“Uh huh,” I nodded to Payton.
“‘Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more!’” Mr. Chris quoted and I recognized the saying from the Bible, in Proverbs 31:6 and 7.
I giggled hearing him and said, “He knows the Bible that man.”
“Amen sister!” he said and poured another shot.
“Lady.... Jesus made wine,” I pointed out. “Out of water. C’ain’t be that bad then huh? If even Jesus drank it?” I looked at Mister Chris for approval and he grinned at me with a wink.
“Baylinda, time and energy on this needs spending approaching it from a different angle,” Miss Paisley said. “Tony had suggested a small tax. Having that tax help educate the children of this community. That makes more sense than this. It gets collected and given to the town.”
“Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, Isaiah 5:22!” Miss Baylinda shouted.
“The town uses it for the benefit of education. Town continues and all are happy. No division within,” Miss Paisley said.
“Ecclesiastes 9:7... ‘Drink your wine with a merry heart,’” Mr. Chris quoted.
“You will not stop those who want to drink Baylinda,” Miss Baylinda.
“Miss Lady.... how come in the Bible Jesus serves wine and bread?” I asked her again.
“We must stop the overindulgence and the negative impact on our nation!” she shouted.
“There are all kinds of over indulgence Baylinda,” Miss Paisley said. “You wish to stop all those as well?”
“Alcohol is the most dangerous,” Miss Baylinda said.
“Psalms 104... God gives wine ‘that makes glad the heart of men’,” Mr. Chris quoted.
“All this is gonna drive me ta drink when I get old enough,” Payton whispered beside me and I chuckled.
“I see bullets as the biggest. Let’s get rid of those,” Miss Paisley stated.
“I agree Miss Paisley. Booze isn’t the problem,” Chris stated.
“Jimmy!” I ran over to Jimmy and hugged him tightly.
“Hey Natalie, wha goin on?” he asked, looking at me. Payton smiled slightly and then headed back to the orphanage.
“They fightin’ bout drinkin,” I told Jimmy.
“You are barking up the wrong tree Baylinda,” Miss Paisley said.
“There will always be a minority that abuses privilages. Is that a reason to punish all? Not very Christian if you ask me…” Mr. Chris said.
“But Jesus makes wine in tha Bible and in the um... supper thing…” I pointed out.
“That’s right, Natalie.”
“So then why it wrong?”
“Because a select few are saying it is,” Miss Paisley said.
“Fightin bou drinkin...but drinkin don make em fight, meen es make em fight,” Jimmy said.
“Uh huh Jimmy,” I nodded to him.
“Correct,” Mr. Chris smiled.
“That does not make it wrong,” Miss Paisley said.
“OVERINDULGENCE OF ALCOHOL.. WHISKY IS CAUSING MANY PAINS TO WOMAN AND CHILDREN AS THE FATHER ARE OUT CAROUSING AND DRINKING THE EARNED MONEY AWAY .. THIS IS FACT!” Miss Baylinda shouted loudly.
“HALLELUJIAH! We having Church out here!” Mr. Chris shouted and I giggled. “What about woman overindulging in fashion? Perfumes and such? Overindulgence is the problem…”
“What does overinldougening mean?” I asked curiously.
“I guess I overindulge in perfume. NO MORE! I am done,” Miss Paisley mocked. “How does that sound, Baylinda? I will no linger need any perfume from you.”
“Too much of a good thing, Natalie,” Mr. Chris answered me.
“But… That don’t make no sense. If it’s a good thing why it gotta stop? I confused,” I looked at Jimmy.
“YOU MOCK AND MAKE LIGHT OF THE DANGER OF ALCOHOL.. WHICH DOE NOT COMPARE TO PURFUME USE.. BUT THERE WILL BE A TIME WHEN ALL WILL SEE .. HOW IT IMPACTS ON HEALTH AND LIFE!” Miss Baylinda shouted.
“Since I over indulge in it, I will break my remaining bottles,” Miss Paisley said.
“God OPEN THEIR EYES!” Miss Baylinda waved her Bible.
“I stop reading?” I asked.
“I over induge candy, but I ain quitin...maybe quitin bath, that indugence,” Jimmy chuckled.
“No, It is an overindulgence. I must learn moderation,” Miss Paisley said.
“You, Ma’am, are overindulging your right to free speech,” Mr. Chris gave her a sarcastic grin.
“Mr Chris what that mean?” I asked.
“Means she talks too much…” Mr. Chris whispered to me.
“Lord, when will they learn?” Miss Baylinda looked up at the sky.
“Hey Jimmy you know what I read today. The mines... they were as hot as that place where bad people go. That’s what miner Teddy said.”
“Well.. this matter will not end.. CHANGE IS COMING….!" Miss Baylinda shouted.
“Well, I apologize Ma’am. If the good Lord can speak through a burning bush and a jackass, I guess He can speak through you,” Mr. Chris said.
“It was real awful work. They worked real long and didn’t get much paid,” I continued to tell Jimmy as miss Baylinda marched off singing.
“Huh? Hot...yah, I swettin in der yeserday, I bet devil make it!” Jimmy said.
“Uh huh!” I said.
“And if I see you on the porch at Annie’s with that thing….” Miss Paisley called after miss Baylinda.
“Teddy was real unhappy about workin there but he had wife and kids,” I told Jimmy. “He had to pay for them even though it weren’t much.”
“How God work through a donkey? Misser Chris?” Jimmy asked.
“Lord, forgive Miss Baylinda for she knows not what in the hell she’s talking about,” Mr. Chris said then. “All that woman’s gonna accomplish is an increase in alcohol sales around here.”
“I buy ya a drin Misser Chris, but I no big enuff,” Jimmy giggled.
“Me too,” I giggled.
“Howdy Nat and Jimmy,” Miss Paisley greeted us as she walked over. “I got all focused on Baylinda and that sign I did not see you two here.”
“Well, that’s mighty kind of you, pardner. Hee,” he tossed each of us a nickel. “Go get yourselves a lemonade, on me.”
“Oh than you Misser Chris!” Jimmy jumped for joy and caught the nickel.
“Thank you mister Chris!” I giggled and caught the coin.
“You’re more than welcome,” Mr. Chris smiled.
I took Jimmy’s hand and we ran into the saloon to get some lemonade. “I see tha lady earlier..she wan that woman on sine come here...but live off long ways,” Jimmy said and followed me inside. “We allow inhere Natalie?”
“You’ll each have about 3 cents each left, I think,” Mr. Chris walked inside with us.
“They do allow kids in here,” Miss Paisley said.
“I pay for em Natalie...keep yore Nickel!” Jimmy said to me.
“Tank you Jimmy!” I grinned wide.
“What a gentleman,” Chris smiled at Jimmy.
“I never been in saloon bfore,” Jimmy looked around.
“Not many will let kids in, but around here, you can,” Miss Paisley said as we drank our lemonade. “I think the Crystal and Annie’s are only ones that you can not go in.”
“My pa spen lots time in saloon...dat wher he git in truble,” Jimmy said.
“Who’s your Pa, son?” Mr. Chris asked.
“His name was Jimmy too...I a junior,” Jimmy said. “He was in saloon like this when sposed kill man cheetin cards.”
“Mr what your name?” I looked at the man, though I thought I’d heard it somewhere.
“My name is Christopher Louis Lyric, Little Miss. But you can call me Mister Chris.”
“Wha ya do Misser Chris?” Jimmy asked.
“I used to be a lawman, but I’m retired from that mess… Now I’m a trader, more or less…”
“Trader of what mister?” I asked him curiously.
“Anything,” he chuckled.
“I gunna be lawman I git gron, an run all bad guys outta Tomstone,” Jimmy declared proudly.
“I wanna work at the paper,” I giggled. “I good writer. Or work in the library cos I good reader.”
“And you can write about his adventures, Natalie,” Mr. Chris said.
“Uh huH!” I nodded.
“I wan lern reed and rite, so I can see wher I goin,” Jimmy said.
“Mr Chris you ever been in the mines?” I asked him.
“Well, to do that all you really need to do is open your eyes…” Miss Paisley.
“I have, actually, Miss Natalie,” Mr. Chris said. “Scary place!”
“It hot as you know what in der,” I declared. “And I found a book that’s written by a miner named Teddy. It’s his journals and stuff. I reading them.”
“And dark as a blazes!” Mr. Chris said.
“Uh huh.
“Me too Misser Chris, I fine somtin unner the li,” Jimmy said.
“Teddy says that it was real hard. They worked long long hours,” I said. “And not get paid much.”
“Interesting things you find in books,” Miss Paisley said.
“Mr. Chris… Why you no more law?” I asked him.
“Well... I’m married and we have a baby boy now. Too dangerous working law with a family that needs you.”
“You has a baby boy? Where he?” I asked.
“He’s with his nanny,” Mr. Chris smiled.
“Oooh. Jimmy you gonna tell Mr Chris what you found?” I asked Jimmy.
“Misser Chris, I fine sparkly gole dus...I giv Miss Trin so she hav it..but mor wher it come from,” Jimmy looked at me and blinked.
“Tell me more about it soon? I need to be going... I have some business to attend,” Mr. Chris said and rushed out of the saloon.
Mick and Amara came into the saloon then and Jimmy and I stayed close and pointed out that they both had badges on. We wandered over to the orphanage and talked with Jeff and Millard about the stuff I’d been reading about the mines. We talked about the work we do and a lady walked by and snarled at us. I decided to go read some more and ran off.
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