Read Online Echoes of the Heart: Poems by Carole Bergman - Free Book Online

cringed
while looking away from his stare.   “If
the harsh weather in the winter had not helped them stay secluded, they would
already be wiped out for the fact most white men can’t make it out there for
any length of time has probably saved them thus far.
    “I get furious
thinking our government will be sending soldiers into the hills next spring to
drag them off their land.   It looks
pretty hopeless but you can bet if I thought being governor would do any good,
I would take the position gladly.”   His
face burned hot while his jaw continued to pulse.
                “Just
think about it will you?   There is no
real hurry but I feel the Cheyenne
could use you on their side.   You know
those of us who have been around a while, have no problem with them, it has
only been the Apache who have caused any problems.   We can talk again.”   He lightly slapped Cash on the back as they
walked to the door.
                “Okay,
Mayor.   I will think about it, but don’t hold
your breath.”
                He
stepped outside into the brisk night air, walking slowly to allow his rage to
cool while making his way toward the office to check with John before going to
the hotel to sleep—or at least go through the motions.  
    He had left a
bottle of whiskey at the office to take with him to his room at the hotel but
expecting another sleepless night ahead, he thought a visit Angie would help
soothe his hostility.   Right now, he
could use a hospitable woman.

 
    Seven

 
 
                Along
with her aunt and uncle, Raeden boarded the massive train.   Its engine towered above them belching black
smoke and ashes while passengers said their farewells.   Blood surged through her veins thinking about
the new adventure lying ahead.  
    Workers closed
screeching doors on metal rollers on cattle and baggage cars before slamming
them shut, vibrating through the passenger sections, and Pullmans
then made last minute checks.   The train
chugged slowly from the station jerking and clanking as the forward momentum
caused tension on the steel connectors between cars when they grabbed hold
moving toward a new phase in her life.
    She waved until
her family could no longer be seen then settled in for the ride beside
Diane.   Since the train trip would take
several days, they had sleeper accommodations in a luxurious stateroom and ate
their meals in the dining car.
    Checking on Arte’s
care, Mike went to the stock car holding the horse whenever they stopped for
fuel and water. Raeden stayed glued to the window during the day so she could
see the passing country.   Mile upon mile
of rangeland broken only by occasional trees and rock formations passed while
Raeden stayed in her seat not wanting to miss anything.  
    She observed herds
of antelope and deer and coveys of upland game birds—quail, chucker and
ring-necked pheasant sporting multi-colored tails over two feet in length.
    At one point, she
spotted a vast herd of buffalo grazing on the prairie, black dots in the
distance not allowing a closer look.   Her
uncle had explained how the buffalo hunters slaughtered thousands of the wild
burly beasts to starve out the Indians.   Soon there would be no buffalo left.   The sinful waste of such majestic animals would surely leave a scar on
the earth, which could never heal.
    Raeden brought
along copies of Tolstoy’s War & Pe ace
and Dickens’s Our Mutual Friend to
read along with her sketchbook to help pass the time, and she talked for hours
with her aunt and uncle about the store and the town where they resided.  
    With each passing
day, her anticipation grew and she believed her destiny of divine intervention
when Diane and Mike mentioned she could help in the store and set up a space
for sewing.   She would dress all the
ladies of Chamberlain in her own designs and maybe send some of her sketches to
fashion houses in New York City.   Filled with ideas for her gowns,