Leroy thought Bugger’s name was appropriate because all that yapping began to bug him. Not only did he talk a lot, but he talked so loudly others besides Leroy could hear him clearly even from a distance. Finally, Leroy asked, “Whatcha gonna do in Jackson?”
“Whata my gonna do? Let me tell you, I’m a gambler, and I know cards. I’m gonna sit at those high falootin’ tables and make me a killin’. I’ve got my stake that I’ve saved up for two years, and those Mississippi gamblers won’t know what hit ‘em when I sit down at the poker table.”
That surprised Leroy. “Why, yore just a kid. How did you learn how to play poker?”
Bugger was somewhat offended, but relished the conversation as he bragged about his uncle Charlie who had taught him all the ins and outs of poker, including some sly tricks that were sure to make him rich at the tables. Then he casually asked, “When we bed down fur the night, how’s about a little game of brag. I’ll teach it to you. I got cards with the Tiger on ‘em. You might have beginner’s luck and win my money, but I doubt it. So, do you happen to have any coin with you that you wouldn’t mind riskin’? Win or lose, it’s lotsa fun, fur shore!”
“I’ll thank about it.”
“Well, don’t thank too long. There’s other folks along this trail that would be happy to be dealt in. Come to thank on it, that’s a great idee. I bet I can get several of those guys over yonder with them wagons to play a little brag with us. Wait here.”
Leroy felt for the twenty-dollar gold piece in his shoe. He wasn’t about to let that go, but he thought maybe it wouldn’t hurt to watch the game. However, he remembered his maw’s admonition that cards were of the devil and he’d better never pick one up.
Sure enough Bugger had managed to get three guys to sit down and play. Two of them were merely boys and knew just enough to get into trouble. But the third guy was older and soon showed Bugger he knew a few tricks himself. They all tried to get Leroy to buy in, but the stakes were two quarters, and he begged off sayin’ he didn’t have any quarters.
It didn’t take long until the young guys lost their quarters and headed back to their campsite, but the older dude, Marvin Brooks, kept feeding the pot, and Bugger had a twinkle in his eye and dealt the cards with a sure hand. Bugger’s wry smile told Leroy he had this greenhorn right where he wanted him, and sure enough Leroy could see Bugger had two aces and a lady. Even Leroy knew that two aces would beat just about anything. When the gent called, Bugger brandished his hand with a grin and looked to rake in all 12 quarters, but Marvin smiled right back, and said, “Not so fast,” and laid down three 5s. The greenhorn picked up the quarters and walked back to his wagon whistling a happy tune.
Bugger was devastated and began to cuss and spoke with derision, “I knowed that dude cheated, but I ain’t shore jest how.”
Leroy doubted that, but then again he knew very little about all the ins and outs of poker. Just then he smelled something tantalizing that made his mouth water, so he made an excuse that he was going to relieve himself, which he did, but then he wandered closer to the wagon where a woman was stirring a pot while her two little boys gathered more firewood to keep things boiling.“Shore smells good,” he offered.
The woman looked up, smiled, and asked, “You hongry?” She had a kind face and a welcoming smile.
“Shore am. I’ve had mostly nothing’ since this morning, and my belly is tellin’ me it’s near empty.”
“Well, I ‘spect we can spare a bowl of stew.” Then she hollered, “Cora, find us another bowl. We’s got another mouth to feed.”
Leroy looked toward the covered wagon and saw a girl close to his age push back the curtain on their wagon carrying bowls for him and their family. Leroy jumped to his feet to help her down, and she thanked him with a nod and a steady gaze.
Suddenly, Leroy felt totally tongue-tied, and when the girl’s mother asked his name, he managed to stutter “L-L-Leroy.” Then Cora smiled really big, and he couldn’t help but stare in wonder at the softness of her face, a sprinkling of freckles across her nose and wisps of blonde curls that escaped her braids. She was wearing a simple calico print dress and a loosely woven pale blue shawl about her shoulders. She was just a few inches shorter than he was and not quite as skinny.
“Well, this here’s Cora, and I’m Misses Willett. My husband’s talkin’ with some of the men in the lead wagon. He shot us a deer last night, and that’s the venison that’s makin’ yore mouth water.”
“Indeed it is. Thanks, ma’am,” Leroy managed to mutter and then turned his gaze toward Cora as he accepted the bowl she handed him. He sat on the ground and waited for the stew, but he kept sneaking quick glances at the lovely Cora who would catch his eye each time.
She then walked straight toward him, plopped down and scooted closer. Leroy took a deep breath and held it when she turned to face him and asked, “What’d you say yore name was?”
Again, Leroy found it difficult to talk and for just a minute couldn’t remember his own name. As she continued to stare at him with a questioning expression, he finally spoke, “Leroy,” but in the middle of the syllables, his voice betrayed him and decided to jump up an octave.
Cora smiled and said, “Oh, Leeroy. That’s a nice name.”
Leroy hated to be called “Leeroy.” He much preferred the pronunciation “Laroy,” but coming from her it sounded like an endearment so he didn’t correct her.
The family, which included Cora and her two younger brothers, Ben, six, and Tom, four, all bowed their heads as their maw said grace. Leroy bowed his head but did not close his eyes. As Misses Willett waxed eloquently, Leroy turned his head just slightly, and there was Cora with her big blue eyes wide open looking straight at him. Leroy quickly shut his eyes tight and felt a wave of heat and cold sweep over him all together.
Misses ladled out the stew and asked, “So, where exactly are you headed?”
“Texas, ma’am – Fort Worth, to be exact.” Leroy devoured the stew and turned the bowl up to get the last few drops, then wiped his mouth with his sleeve. He then nodded at Misses Willett, and sputtered, “Thank ye kindly. That shore was good. I best be gittin’ back to my mule.” He picked up his hat, and as he did, Cora’s hand brushed against his. That sent shivers down his spine. He struggled to stand up, but his knees were so weak he nearly sat back down. He turned to Misses Willett and said, “I reckon I’ll be seein’ you on the trail,” and then he looked at Cora one last time as he turned to go.
Leroy let out a long, deep breath and wiped his brow as he walked back toward Bugger and Molly. He said under his breath, “What’s wrong with me? I darn-near fainted.”
When Leroy got close to his camp, Bugger looked up as he gnawed on some hard tack and asked, “Where ya been? That shore took a long time. Did everthang come out okay?” Bugger chuckled loudly.
Leroy ignored the crass remark and began preparing for bed.
Then Bugger offered, “So you want a piece of my hardtack?”
Leroy shook his head and said, “No thanks. I ain’t hongry.” Then he tended to Molly, got his bedroll out, read a verse from the Bible and dropped off to sleep in no time.
5
A
