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Sheriff for Ariel’s Town “Ezra R. Bean - Sheriff;” that was the name currently on the door. Less than ten years ago it had read, “Ezra Lee Jacobs”. The joke around town was that Bean had been elected sheriff to replace him because the town wanted to save money on the new signage by electing someone also named Ezra. The truth was that Ezra Bean had been the only candidate for the sheriff’s job, because Ezra Jacobs had quit without warning and followed the rush to one of the big gold strikes in Nevada territory. In all the years he’d been sheriff, Ezra Bean had killed only three men; all three had died in stand-up gunfights after being given a chance to surrender. Bean regretted only one of those shootings. Even if a jury had found Billy Tilg guilty he would only have been sentenced to several years in prison, not a hanging. But Billy had been a young man with a chip on his shoulder and an overinflated ego, and it had killed him. Now Ezra Bean stood on the boardwalk, rolling

Catbird (Bobcat) By: E.Conen 17Jul2022 – 10Dec2022 The Indian squatted next to a small, almost smokeless campfire. He watched as his coffee slowly reached boiling temperature, while at the same time keeping his eyes and ears open to any sight or sound that did not seem quite right. The clear, soft-flowing creek nearby provided his water needs, and the grove of trees all around him provided concealment. He could hear his horse contentedly pulling grass in the small clearing also nearby. Catbird, for that was the Indian’s name, was content. He had traveled far, following the trail of his prey, and felt now that he was near the end of his journey. Vengeance would be served, and he could get on with his life. Catbird was unsure what kind of life he would have without his murdered wife and child, but they could at last sleep in peace. A sound came to Catbird and he quickly faded back into the trees. A horse was approaching, a small one from the sound of it, with a light step.

Peter Remani (use variant spelling of "Peter"?) was one of the top concert pianists in Europe. He was also a composer of some repute and a sought-after instructor. He had managed to make himself fairly wealthy (or "comfortably well-off"?) by the time he was 30 years old and was considered to be quite a 'catch' by the ladies. Peter's career only faltered once, briefly, before the lady of his heart caught him and steadied him. He had developed a problem with gambling, encouraged by the people who sought out his company. They invited him to their social gatherings and insisted he join their little visits to the local casinos. Between their backslapping encouragement, aided by too much alcohol, Peter developed a habit for gambling. His skill with music, however, did not translate over into skill at the tables, but neither he nor his 'friends' took notice. After all, Peter was rich, wasn't he? Luckily, Peter had better luck in picking a bride and the lovely Leonora, third