The Railroad War by Wesley Ellis Page A

Folders jammed to bursting with sheets of paper filled the case. The old captain sighed and began lifting them out and handing them to Jessie. She skimmed rapidly through the papers, finished the file, put it aside, and picked up the next one.
    â€œI’m sorry I can’t help you more, Jessie,” Captain Tinker apologized. “Even when I put on my spectacles, I can’t see the way I used to.”
    â€œI don’t mind that, but this job would be easier if whoever packed these files away had just kept the different kinds of records separate,” Jessie remarked. “They’re all mixed up—deeds, court cases, expense vouchers for the different offices, payroll lists, sheriff’s warrants, tax rolls. It’s going to take a long time to go through all of them.”
    â€œIt’s been a long day,” Tinker agreed. “Suppose we just stop right now and start again tomorrow?” He hauled a thick, silver-cased watch from his pocket and flipped its cover open. “Five o‘clock. By the time we get home, Martha’s going to have supper on the table.”
    â€œThat’s the best idea I’ve heard since noon,” Jessie said. “I’m sure all these boxes will still be here tomorrow.”
    â€œAnd I guess we will too,” the Captain said, blowing out the lamp.
    â€œUnless Ki uncovers something that will send us in another direction,” Jessie replied, standing aside to let the old man start up the stairs ahead of her.
    When Jessie and the Captain reached his house, Bobby and his mother were waiting on the porch. Sitting with them was a young man wearing jeans and a denim jacket.
    â€œYou haven’t had time to meet all my kin,” the Captain said to Jessie as he reined in. “The young fellow’s my nephew, Martha’s brother’s boy. Jed Clemson’s his name. He works down south on the Abel ranch, when he’s not busy on the home place.”
    Bobby came running out to the buggy. “I’ll drive around to the barn and unhitch, Grandpa,” he said. “Jed’s going to stay for supper. He says he’s got something to tell you.”
    Introductions were made on the veranda, and when the formalities had been completed, Jed Clemson said, “Clegg told me you was here, Miss Starbuck. He’s the one talked to you when you stopped yesterday at the south pass. I’d sure like it if you’d tell me about your Circle Star ranch down in Texas. I guess I’ve heard Uncle Bob mention it a thousand times.”
    â€œYou won’t have to ask me twice to talk about the Circle Star,” Jessie smiled. “It’s my favorite place.”
    â€œJessie can tell you what it’s really like, too,” Tinker said. “All I told you was second-hand, things I heard about from her father.”
    Watching Jed as he listened to the Captain, Jessie put his age at within year or so of her own. He spoke softly, but his voice had a hint of the authority it might one day carry. His features were regular, he was neither handsome nor ugly. He stood tall and was well-muscled, with the capable hands and bronzed complexion of one who works hard outdoors. Jed Clemson was, she thought, the kind of man Bobby would grow into.
    When they’d moved indoors to the parlor, the Captain said, “Jed, I hear you’ve got something on your mind. Bobby told me you did, anyhow.”
    â€œNow don’t get started on a lot of long-winded talking,” Martha broke in before Jed could reply. “Supper’s ready to dish up, soon as Ki gets here. You can do your talking later, Captain.”
    â€œWe don’t have to wait for Ki,” Jessie said. “He might not be here for another hour. I’m sure the Captain and Bobby and Mr. Clemson are hungry, and to tell the truth, so am I.”
    â€œWhy don’t we go ahead, then, Martha?” the Captain said. “If Jessie’s sure Ki won’t