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Brother Claw’s Christmas

 

by

Grandpa West

I am a grandpa now and have lived a long life traips-en along as a One Jack Prospector and have heard many a story. This here story is my favorite about a man who loved Christmas, people and some of Jesus’ favorite critters, jackasses.

Many years ago, when I was up prospect-en in the Panamint Mountains, that’s over Death Valley way. Well, I heard tell of a story of how Christmas came to the wildest boom town in the west, Skidoo. Yes sir, that there mine-en town was so wild they had a hang Hooch Simpson three time for kill-en one Barkeep and when the work-en girls from Beaty came to fetch his body home, they lost it in a sand storm. But that worn’t no Christmas story. No sir ye bob it ain’t .

Well, there was this old widower, his name was Matt as I recall, he owned a freight outfit, run-en mule strings up from Independence and Beaty out to the miners of the Panamint Mountains. You see that feller’s daughter back east had died leave-en his grand daughter alone and that little gal was only eight or nine. Deborah, was named after her momma. So, Matt had that gal shipped on the first train west to Independence.

Matt had found this here young feller that was look-en for pack-en work but he was kinda short so no one would hirer em, so Matt gave that boy a pack string of burros to match his size to pick up his grand daughter. Most of them critters was Jesus Jennies to be exact, cause-en they had black crosses on their gray backs except for this here one that was a black and white, piebald, that’s what folk back east call a paint: That there burro was gone-a be a special gift for Deborah. Well sir, that young feller was 12 years old and was a bright boy. Now what was that there boy’s name???… Now don’t tell me.!.. Dylan yes sir it was Dylan.

Yep, I tell you it was a good thing that durn boy had his string snubbed up tight to the hitch rail, cause-en, that durn donk named Pie thought that Dylan was goin-a to feed em to that fire breath-en beast: when that there train engine came a beller-en into town and Old Pie was have-en none of it. He was a sit-en back on his lead rope eyes bulge-en out liken they would pop out of his head, neck and body stretched out so fer you would thought he was try-en to stretch his-self into one of them there African giraffes. But he calmed down quick, when Pie and that there boy, saw Deborah get off that train and old Dylan melted Deborah was a little blond that stood four feet six in Eastern ride-en togs and was hold-en one of them there English ride-en saddle. Well, I’ll tell you old Dylan thought she was cute as a button.

Well sir, that little gal had brought enough freight to load all six of them durn pack burros and then some. Which was go-en to be a bother and meant Dylan had to pack his own ride-en saddle which meant he was gonna have to walk all the way back to Skidoo. Well sir, Dylan packed up those lop eared beasts licked tee split. But it was Deborah’s postage stamp saddle which was the strangest piece of horse tack old Dylan had ever seen. There worn’t even no horn to dally a rope off to tow a string of burros and that cursed little cinch without britchen was gonna slip.

Well them kids lit out bright and early but Dylan’s string was travel-en slow cause every time they went down hill: that durn English saddle of Debora’s slipped and would have durn near dropped Deborah on her head if-en Pie hadn’t stopped dead every time. Yes sir, Dylan had to stop and reset that infernal flat land saddle over and over again.

To say Dylan’s mood was a get-ten dark was an understatement. And once they got to the Surprise Canyon narrows and it’s fast move-en creek, things went from bad to worse. And who was the cause of all them there problems? You guessed it, Pie. To get to Skidoo them kids had to cross that fast move-en water that worn’t no six inches deep. Well you see burros ain’t much for swim-en be-en desert folk an all. Shoot, I had a burro once named Beef that refused to get his feet wet so, he would jump over tar fill cracks on the road, so, I commence to a call-em there cracks, tar snakes.

Dylan’s had Pie and Deborah lead-en his string and well sir, Pie was true to his breed-en and he worn’t go-en over that creek and get-en his feet wet. Well, I’ll tell you what: in a test of wills a donk will mostly win that why lots of people hate a jackass. And so old Dylan was stand-en in the middle of that there stream and was teach-en that old burro some new words like, you Cursed , Blasted, Infernal, Worthless, No-account, Good-for-nothen, Bloody, lop eared Jackass. While Pie was sit-en back on Dylan’s lead rope do-en his best giraffe impression.

Well sir, our poor little blond haired gal was sit-en on a rock hold-en them there pack burros wait-en for Pie to cross over and was about ready to burst into tears on account of Pie. Then she looked up in horror to see a great hairy bear like beast come-en up behind Dylan. Well sir, Deborah did what all little gals are known for: she commence to a scream-em. Which startled Pie into a burst of energy pull-en the lead rope from old Dylan’s startled hand. Where that boy promptly sat back into the cold stream with a huge splash. Well sir, Dylan’s string of burros pulled loose in the confusion from little old Deborah and came apart like a string of glass beads, scatter-en boxes, bags and colorful what not up and down that there canyon.

That there hairy beast just came on a come-em and reach down with a great claw like paw pick-en old Dylan up by the nape of the neck and that time was Dylan’s turn to start a scream-en. Then that great beast turned Dylan around in mid-air to face em. Well Dylan’s face turned from shear terror to utter relief. “Brother Claw”. And at that there old Pie started to bell-er-en like a drunk-en politician.

Well sir, when Dylan was safe on shore he commence to tell-en how worthless that there burro was and what a predicament he was in and how Pie was the most useless critter on the planet and what he would do if-en he had a gun. At that Brother Claw pulled back his bear eared hood of his great Grizzly bear coat to reveal a smile-en old man with snow white beard and hair with a gold tooth. And looked over to Pie and said “ Calm down son.”

Then that there old man walked over to Deborah with a friendly smile “ well Miss Dee Bee what are we go-en to do with this piebald? “ Well Deborah was still a little frightened from his appearance and looked up at the white haired old man, “Do I know you sir?” Brother Claw looked puzzled for a moment and asked “ Ever been to Pikes Peak?” Deborah shook her head. “ Alaska?” she was at a loss. “Australia then? “ No with a hesitant shake of her head. “Nope I can’t say that I have ever meet you.” Well sir all those questions were like a burr under that young gal’s saddle and she stomped her foot like her momma used to do and demanded. “How do you know my named?” That old man just turned and pointed to the English ride-en saddle on Pies back and the letters D and B tooled into the cantel leather of the saddle. Deborah eyes saddened “It was my mamma’s.”

Reach-en into his great coat he pulled out a chocolate bar, “ I heard tell of an English gal her name was Velvet and she had herself this here jump-en horse, Pie and that there horse was a piebald, paint just like this here burro. Velvet and her Piebald horse won an important jump-en race back over the Pond. You know she used to give her horse some of her chocolate, before they went a jump-en.” Break-en the bar in half, and look-en at Pie and hand-en the broken bar to Deborah. “You think that piebald burro would like some?” Pie smelled the candy and came over to Deborah. “just a little at a time. I’ll go help the boy”

Feed-en Pie a little of the candy Deborah asked the burro, “ I don’t know why that silly old man thinks you should get a reward for being so bad Pie?” Smile-en she broke off another piece of the chocolate bar for the little burro. Pie sniffed and daintily took the candy from the palm of her hand.

A few minutes later Dylan and that old man had all of them there burros packed up and across the stream leave-en just Deborah and Pie on the fer side of the creek. That old man left Dylan on the bank and went to get Dee Bee. Pie was nuzzle-en Deborah expectantly. Brother Claw took the bridle and saddle off Pie and while hold-en the tack in his arm. “Well girl you ready?” as he scooped her up in his other arm to cross the stream. Deborah could smell Apple spice tobacco, peppermint candy and the smell of a working man. When they reached the other side Brother Claw call out to Dylan, “Let’s go boy” and Dylan commenced to lead the other burros up the trail.

Deborah looked across the stream to see Pie was a pace-en back and forth.”What about him we can’t just leave Pie?” Then that old man just reached into his pocket of his great coat and with a sad shake of his head. “No Missy we can’t and pulled out his last candy bar and said,” You know I love chocolate, but, I think that paint of yours loves it more.” and handed Deborah the candy. “That he does” Deborah said with a big smile like-en she just got the joke as she took a small bite and waved the rest of that candy at the pace-en burro. “Pie I’ve got candy” and turned to walk up the trail with a flounce .

Like I said burros hate get-en their feet wet and Pie was go-en to do his best to keep his dry. So he went back a little and got his self a good head of steam and made a jump that would have made his fence jump-en name sake, proud. That durn burro came a fly-en and nearly jumped that creek plumb across. But, his front hooves came down just a foot short of the bank with a splash that drenched Brother Claw and Deborah with water ten feet away and then Pie came a trot-en for his Chocolate. Brother Claw said a smile-en, “ You know Dee Bee if-en a burro trust you he will follow you anywhere-s, But, burros take the Ninth Commandment real serious,… Lie to em and you’ll pack his load home.

Part 2

Skidoo

Well sir it worn’t no time at-all that them three had that there string of pack burros sashay-en into old Skidoo. And when all them shops and saloons started to empty-en out into the street and come-en towards them? Well Miss Deborah, thought that folks was a come-en to welcome her and she was the Queen of the Parade. That was until a group of rough miners saddled past her to Brother Claw. Yes sir ye bob there worn’t much entertainment in them there mine-en camps for the folk and when a famous storyteller like old Brother Claw came to town. Well sir, it was like.?….. The 4^th of July and Election Day rolled into one. Yep, Brother Claw was what folks used to call a Circuit Rider, a Preacher that rode to the same bunch of towns over and over again but no one had ever seen Brother Claw a horse back.

Then about ten men commenced to a come up to that old man with claps on his backs and a hand pump-en like-en he was a long lost relative. Yes sir! It seem like everyone thought the world of that old man. Partly cause he worn’t like them mealy mouthed preachers back East, no sir! Brother Claw was a “MAN” of the the West like them. Cause they had heard tell how he had let a big old drunken lumberjack hit em two time knock-en out one of Brother Claw’s teeth and then the lumberjack commenced his third swing that old man blocked it like-en it was sort of natural and lay-ed that giant out with one punch: which kept that boy down till the next morn-en. That there Preacher had “turned his other cheek” but he said Jesus told em, “ You did good, but, now it your turn Son.” Yep, that was when Brother Claw got his-self that there gold tooth, that there lumberjack had bought it fer em. Yep, there were so many tales about that Old man like how he killed that grizzly bear: whose hide he was a wear-en. Yes sir, that there old preacher was “a man to ride the river with.”

One of the men in the crowd called out you gone-an have your meet-en at O’Shawn-acys. Be-fer, that Preacher man could answer. Jason came a roll-en up “Nope Brother Claw’s meet-en will be at my place, Argonauts’ Saloon?” With a golden tooth smile Brother Claw said “You heard the man”. Back then have-an a beer or a glass of wine and talk-en about God worn’t like it is today: Shoot, I hear tell that Jesus even liked to share a “Cup of wine.”

Speak-en of drink-en when old Jason came back to his saloon there was a young feller there, that most folk just called “Nick”. Mostly cause that what people out west used-ta call bad luck and the devil. That there handle seemed to suit Nick just fine. Walk-en over to the bar he pulled out his old Navy revolver and spun the cylinder, “Whiskey“ he said as he shucked out a bullet from his gun and set it on to the bar. Take-en the bullet, Jason filled Nick’s shot glass. Drink up Nick we’re closed tomorrow for Brother Claw’s meet-en. Nick look down at his empty glass and shucked out a second bullet and placed it onto the bar, “I should smile” and Jason filled his glass and when old Nick tossed the drink back he gave a grimacing smile when the fiery liquor went down. “Sure is cold” Nick said as he rubbed the sleeves of his thin coat. “Have another Nick, it will warm ya.” the barman said with a sly smile.

Well the next morning Deborah had settled in at her grandpa’s freight office and had commenced to play-en school with three of her dolls and had them sit-en on a wooden bench with slates and chalk in front of them. Then in a rush a young bare footed black girl came a bursting into the office with a young Indian in tow, and when she saw miss Deborah she came uncorked like a bottle of beer that had just fell off a freight wagon. “Oowee ain’t you the pretty one, my mammy told me you was a come-en, is you have-en school? I truly wish I could go to school, read-en, cypher-en and learn-en to write my own name, Jemima, that there is Bible name fer old Job’s most beautiful daughter. Oh, this here is Zach he’s got some infernal, Indian name I can’t pronounce so I just call em Zach.” Well I tell ya that there gal had that all said in half the time it took me to tell it. And our Miss Deborah was just as quick, she had them two sit-en down a learn-en their A.B.C. and it worn’t no time at all before she had Shanghai-ed that old Dylan and had all three of them do-en cyphers.

Yep, Miss Deborah was gone-a be a good teacher someday cause she could tell when them kids was a lose-en their love for learn-en. So she shifted tack and pulled out her favorite book the one her momma had given her last Christmas, Twas the Night Before Christmas it was one of them there fancy illustrated books. Old Miss Deborah had had her momma read it to her so many times she had that there book memorized. But when Deborah got to the part “He was dressed all in fur” show-en the picture. But that there old book did not show Santa in red like them new fangaled Coca Cola Santa you’ve seen at the mall. That there Santa had more of the look of an Eskimo.

Jemima jumped up to get a closer look at the book, be-en new at this school-en, she didn’t know interrupt-en the storytell-en was rude. “ Well I’ll be, that sure do sound like Reverend Claw, dressed all in fur and such give-en presents and all. That there man in your book is Brother Claw, get up here Zach and look at this here picture. Ain’t that hisself. “ Well sir old Zack popped up with Dylan not far behind to get a better look at that there book. And to tell you the truth that there picture did look a lot like that there Preacher man. “Well I’ll be.” said Dylan, “So that’s how he done it. Miss Deborah? You saw how that old man made that there burro, Pie, fly by given em that there ‘ Magic Candy’ I ain’t never seen a donk act like that.“

Just then there was Brother Claw hisself waltz-en in through the door bear skin coat and all. With a smile that would have lite up that office even on the darkest of nights. Well them there kids just stared in shock at that old man. “Good morn-in Miss Dee Bee. You a school mom already?” Them children looked at there book then at Brother Claw then back at that book again. “Wheres your Grandpa girl?” Deborah look up from the book with a puzzled look. “Grandpa is down at Sarah’s boarding house have-en coffee“ Deborah stammered, “You can find him there.” Brother Claw smelled his coat. “Good I could use one of her copper tubs before the meet-en to night” Deborah looked at the book again but when she looked up Brother Claw was gone. “Dressed all in fur?”

Well that there boarding house was run by pretty little gal named Sarah. And I do mean little, she was so short that she had walkways around them tables in the eat-en hall so she could look people in the eye when she served them. Yep when you was hungry when you was in Skidoo you went to Sarah’s. Well, when Matt saw Brother Claw he flagged em over. When old Sarah heard Brother Claw’s name she came a sashay-en over like one of them runway models with a pot of coffee. Her mind was on Brother Claw, so she passed by a old man in a mangy old fur coat that was hold-en his cup out for a refill. And that gal walked up and looked Brother Claw in the eye with a look that would have melted January as she filled his cup. “ Nicholas, Jemima’s momma has bake up a treat I know you will love, it’s the newest thing, Boston Cream Pie, it’s a cake really, white cake with vanilla cream custard in the middle with chocolate on, the top.” Brother Claw smiled big and said “Yes Miss Sarah that what I’ll have a little black and white Pie.” then that there old man in the mangy coat piped up “Yep. Sarah that’s what I’ll have too.” Sarah look at the old man and nodded.

When she got to the kitchen to find that black and white pie, there was just a little over half that dessert left so she cut it in two pieces. One that was very much larger and one that was much smaller. Well Sarah dropped off the smaller wedge to the Old Man who looked at the larger piece that was in Sarah’s other hand and just shook his head. Sarah placed the large dessert before Brother Claw, and he broke into a big smile. “ I surely do love chocolate and cream, Pie.”

At that Matt, got down to business, “ Reverend, I know that you have a circuit of towns you need to get to but, you get to Beaty in half the time it takes my Packers to get there, and their horse back. Well sir, there are times I need things in a hurry. Little things that are fragile. Things you can pick up on your way. And seens how Goldfield, Independence and Panament City have their own full time preachers now and I hear tell that Death Valley Junction will have one next month. I thought that you might have a little more time on your hands so you could help me out. Brother Claw smiled “What might those fragile things be?”

Matt looked down at his coffee, “You know? Panes of glass, egg, and Giant once in a while.” Be-ens how most of you folk are to young to remember “Giant” is what us prospectors call the explosive, Nitroglycerin back in “The Day.” Brother Claw smiled, “ Matt, the way I go is kind-of tight I don’t think a mule could fit and I’m too old to start pack-en things on my back.” Matt thought for a minute, then smiled. “ That durn burro of Deborah’s is small, and he need some more ‘time in the saddle‘ before I will let Deborah go a ride-en by herself. Could you use em?”Brother Claw smiled “If-en Dee Bee don’t mind? Yep I’ll pack your Giant fer ya”.

Sometimes school can be as exciting as standing in a corner. So Miss Deborah took her charges on what she called a “Field trip”. As they was a traipsing around the town of Skidoo, they walked past Miss Sarah’s Bath House and heard some singing. “I saw three ships come a sailing in come sailing in on Christmas day on Christmas day I saw three ships come a sailing on Christmas Day in the morning.” Well Indian folk are the curious kind, so old Zach walk around the corner and found hisself a popped knot hole. Well there was old Brother Claw in a big bright copper tub sing-en his heart out. Well each of them kids took a look and Miss Deborah thought that Brother Claw was the hairiest man she ever saw. “Dressed all in fur. “ she said to herself. Just then the old man in the mangy old coat came around the corner. “Hey what are you kids do-en?” I tell you Santa’s reindeer could not have moved so fast. Once them kids was out of sight the there old man took his-self a peek and turned around just shaken his head.

A while later Brother Claw came around the corner and seen where them kids had been stand-en and saw their foot prints, but he took a little time a measuring the set of bare foot prints that belonged to Miss Jemima.

Part 3

The Eye of the Needle

Well sir, That night the town of old Skidoo was quiet, five of her saloons was locked up tighter than a bank and was as dark as a black cat at midnight. Except-en the Argonaut: yep, Jason’s place was bright and clean. And old Nick had found his self some work clean-en. A job that he was happy to get cause the pay was in whiskey. Yep he had swept-ed up and put clean hay on the floor and rows of wooden plank benches.

I’ll tell you what, that there place had never smelled so clean since the day Jason opened that there saloon. And all the gals was a sitting up front, Sarah and Miss Deborah on the isle then Miss Jemima and her mammy and then all the work-en girls. But Nick had found his-self a place right up front on the isle.

Brother Claw had started off with a hymn, Bring-en in the Sheaves and I’ll tell you there worn’t many angelic voices in that there bunch, but, they made up fer it with enthusiasm. Well, that old man commenced thumping his little copper clad bible and preach-en a hell fire and brimstone sermon on the Ten Commandments show-en how not a one of them had no right to go to heaven. Then he pick up a rope and a big old darning needle. “Back in Jesus’ day they made rope like this here horse hair rope from camel hair and Jesus said it was easier for a rich man that was seem-enly loved by God to get to heaven, than put-en this here rope though this here needle. Then what of the rest of us.”

At that Nick jumped up pull-en is old Navy revolver and said “You old durn fool it can’t be done! And I am tired of you lie-en to folks and I’m put-en an end to this foolishness here and now!” Point-en his big gun towards Brother Claw. Well sir that whole placed got real quite and you could hear a pen drop, but this time it was Brother Claw’s needle. “Put that cannon down son and I’ll show you how it can be done.” You guessed it. That just made old Nick all the madder and he pulled back the hammer on that old navy with a loud click. “You lie-en old fool “ But Brother Claw just kept come-en closer with his hand extended for Nick’s gun. Old Nick smiled as he pulled the trigger and that hammer came down with a click. That stunned Nick but quick as a flash he pulled the hammer back again and pulled the trigger. “Click” Well sir thing started a happen-en so fast after that: Brother Claw grabbed that gun and at the same time little Miss Sarah had her purse come-en down on Nick’s head which dropped em like an anvil.

Now you and I and Brother Claw know why old Nick’s gun when click rather than “BANG”! So did Jason the bar keep, but he worn’t going to tell nobody, that Brother Claw could seen into Nick’s revolver’s cylinder and it were empty. Cause Nick had spent his last shots for whiskey that morning. But, the excitement worn’t over yet. One of Nick’s drink-en buddies stood up and pulled his gun. Well sir, that saloon was alive with clicks of hammers being pulled back and they was all pointing at that durn fool. That there boy turned around real slow to look behind then smiled and handed Brother Claw his gun and sat down as pretty as you please.

“Gosh durn it where did that needle go?” asked Brother Claw. At that Sarah reached into her purse and pulled out a black jack, the leather bag filled with lead that she used to drop Nick. And in the side of that Black Jack was a darning needle. “I use it for darning socks” and handed the Black jack and needle to Brother Claw. Well sir Brother Claw took the needle and the Black Jack. “Thank you Miss Sarah” and the whole room broke into laughter as Brother Claw looked at the Black Jack then back at Sarah.

Get-en back on keel Brother Claw walked over behind the bar and picked up Jason’s assay balance scale, and dropped Miss Sarah’s Black Jack on one of the two pans on the end of the balance beam. Then Brother Claw picked up that horse hair rope . “This here is all the good things you have done and some not so good. “ Brother Claw brought it up to Sarah’s needle liken he was gone-a try to push it through. “Like I said this here rope would be mighty hard to get it through this here needle”. There was a chorus of “Amen.” “But, Jesus said it can be done.”

Then he stopped and pulled one of the horse hairs out. Then that old man took up that needle and pushed that hair clean through, then he done it three more times. Placing them hairs and then that durn rope on the scale trying to even the scale but Sarah’s Black Jack was far too heavy.

“ Yep even look-en careful like at all the good you think you have done. This here is your sins” Pointing at Sarah’s Black Jack. “ You have been weighed in the balance and found want-en.” Then Brother Claw walked over to his coat and pulled out an old wooden Cross and hooked the balance beam of the scale so that that Cross balanced that there scale. “Yes sir. You have two choices seen yourself as what you are a sinner and even with all the good you think you’ve done you still ain’t good enough and you need help. Jesus went to the cross to balance the scale. But you still need to do the best you can be so you can lessen the load that your Captain is a take-en for ye” Brother Claw called his Lord, Captain. Look-en down at Nick “Or you can be Bull headed and wind up in Hell for your trouble”.

Well sir, old Brother Claw was bring-en Matt’s fragile loads quite regular that December. But, he worn’t alone. That there Nick had started to a track-en em. Well sir, Brother Claw had been on the main trail heading back from Beaty: when em and that burro, Pie, all of a sudden took a mountain sheep trail right up the side of that there canyon, with his load of Giant and all . Now any durn fool knows a Mountain sheep trail don’t go no wheres and is just as likely to end at the edge of a cliff. But, that Old man took that track just the same. Old Nick gave that preacher a wide birth partly cause he didn’t want to be near when that old man fell off the wall with a load of Nitroglycerin and partly be cause of what happened at the Argonaut.

Well just before dark Nick came up to a solid wall of rock, but that there sheep trail when right up to a crack and disappeared. Only that trail didn’t disappear it went plumb through. That there crack is what old Brother Claw called the Eye of the Needle. That there paint burro was just stand-en there look-en at that crack You see that there crack was a cave tunnel that went clear through that there mountain: taken two days off the trip back from Beaty. And Brother Claw had packed his load of giant through and just then popped out to that burro’s relief. Then old Brother Claw and that there donk went through that crack with the help of some chocolate candy cause Pie didn’t like that crack no better than cross-en water. Old Nick’s mind started to a perculate-en like coffee left too long on the fire.

On the other side of that there Eye of the Needle was the prettiest little meadow you ever want to see bright green grass, big old poplar trees and a little creek that bubble it’s sweet song as it disappeared down canyon. And right there is where Brother Claw had his camp. And that old burro man had a fire and was a make-en Flap Jacks: that there is a corn meal pancake. Well sir, old Pie was ready cause it seemed to em that Claw always burnt the first one. And that meant that there one was his. After supper that old man always like to look up at the stars. His favorite this time of year was Orion. While he was a star gaze-en that burro had pulled Brother Claw blankets out and was a lay-en on them warm-en up Brother Claw bed.

A while later Brother Claw was a snore-en so loud that you should have been able to hear em in Skidoo. Well that burro came a sneak-en up and lay-ed down next to Brother Claw and pulled them blankets off that old man and over him self. A few minutes later Brother Claw woke up with a chill and pulled the blankets back over hisself. Well Pie just walked off kinda insulted like.

Well sir the next morn-en Pie worn’t there for his Flap Jack, so Brother Claw went a look-en for em. That old man was good at track-en but it still took most of the day to find old Pie and he weren’t in a good place at all. Yep he was in the middle of a Paiute village and it looked like them injuns was hanker-en for his burrito for dinner. Well that there camp was where old Zack lived and his uncle had brought Pie in that morning. You see Nick had made a deal with em for that there burro’s hide so he could have em-self a new coat.

Well that old man came a walz-en into that camp and said in Paiute, that he thanked them for find-en that there burro and wondered what he owed them for their help. Well sir Zach’s uncle was not amused.

That there injun picked up his bow and notched his self an arrow and pointed that there arrow right at Brother Claw’s chest. Old Zack came a run-en “No Brother Claw Big Medicine” but that there arrow was already head-en for that old mans heart. Well Zack’s uncle was a good hunter and he worn’t one to miss a shot. Well sir he hit what he was a aiming at. That there arrow hit that Preacher square in the chest with a thump. Well them Injuns was surprised to see that old man just pull that arrow out and look at that black stone point that was shattered. Cause-en that there arrow had hit Brother Claw copper clad Bible. Well Brother Claw weren’t to happy “ you durn fool look what you did to my coat .“ Put-en his finger through the hole.

Yep! That there story was told around a many a camp fire and saloon that winter. But, that hunting trip had put that burro man behind schedule; just like old Nick knew it would. So it was two days later Brother Claw came a walz-en into Matt’s freight office. Where Miss Deborah was a hold-en school when that old man came in. Well them kids look at him like-en he was a ghost. “Brother Claw, Nick told us you were dead.” Miss Deborah said almost in tears. He said “The Indians killed you.” Well, just about then old Matt walked through the door, “ Nicklaus you have more lives than a cat.” . Then Matt commenced to tell Brother Claw that Nick had convinced him that he was dead and the he could get the Giant shipments to Skidoo just as fast as Brother Claw could. So Matt determine to let him have a go at it.

That was the first time anyone had ever seen that old man up set. “You let that durn fool go and get that GIANT…. “ Matt just nodded “When” Claw said in controlled rage. “Nick said he would be back tomorrow with the nitroglycerin.” Matt muttered like-en he was a scolded school boy.

I heard tell that you ain’t never gonna ever see and old man move so fast as Brother Claw. And when Pie saw em a run-en. Well sir I hear tell that that old donk sailed over a three rail fence and only broke the top rail as he went over.

Yep old Nick had made good time and was already at the Eye of the Needle. Mainly cause he was a horse back. Yep he was a ride-en a little gentle old mare named Bell. Cause-en she was indeed Matt’s Bell Mare. You see horses are herd folk they like have a mare that know-en how things is done. And cause of that, if-en you knew where your bell mare was. Well sir you knew the rest of the critters weren’t to far from her. To make things even worse that there mule Nick had that Giant on was her colt.

Well Nick had that colt tied to a dead branch. Which is one of the Top Ten No NOs of pack-en mules. Then when that colt saw Bell disappear into the side of the mountain he commenced to get-en lonesome, then nervous, and then just plumb crazy with fear. There was no way that any old packers hemp rope was gone-a hold him and that branch snapped off like it was a cannon shot, and that colt came a run-en to find his Bell. The problem was them there packs of his was a full of nitroglycerin that was a foot wider than that crack in the mountain. So when them pack boxes hit the Eye of the Needle the whole mountain trembled with the blast that rattled the glass in Skidoo. All Nick knew is that there was a flash of light and then em and Bell was a fly-en out the other end of that there tunnel in a ball of flame like they was shot out of a cannon.

Brother Claw had just got to the edge of the meadow when that colt had hit the side of the tunnel. And the blast that came out of that crack knocked em down like-en he was a feather. Well he popped up like a Jack in the Box and commenced to run-en again only to find Nick under Bell’s tattered body. That there mare had saved old Nick’s life cause she took most of the blast and debris thrown out of the Eye of the Needle. But Nick worn’t go-en to be dance-en any time soon neither.

Yep Nick was in no shape to be sashaying into town in fact that boy weren’t even a breath-en and was a turn-en blue. Well old Brother Claw didn’t know what to do. But that old Bible just then decided to fall out open to 2nd Kings 4:34 “And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.“ That old man prayed “Captain you did it for Elisha: I ask you to do it for me.” Yep that preacher started given that boy CPR .

Part Four

Christmas Blizzard

Yep, Nick was in no shape to sashay into Skidoo. And when he woke up he was staring into the face of the old mangy coated man and he was in one of Sarah’s boarding house rooms. “Well son you is alive after all. When Brother Claw brought you in we thought that you were gone-a have to stay in Sarah’s smoke house till Spring so we could plant you proper.

Well sir, a brush with death can change a man and old Nick was plumb in for a change in his life. But, the first question he had was, “ Where is Brother Claw?” The Old Man just looked out the window glass at the snow softly fall-en on the ground of Skidoo. “On his way back from Independence…. I hope!”

Well sir, old Brother Claw ran into a friend of his as he was a come-en out of the General Store in Independence. Yep there was this long legged black bearded ombray . “Edwards you still live over Plumb Creek way?” “Yes Sir Brother Claw and I proved up on my farm last fall.” “Good for you Edwards, does Ingals still live out that way? Him and his wife has two girls Laura and Mary as I recall.” “Yep” Brother and they is have-in me for Christmas dinner” Brother Claw smiled “Seem like the main course will be a little chewy!” Then not skip-en a beat. “ Well bless your heart can you do me a favor? I have a few things for them girls” Go-en to Pie’s packs he pulled out two shiny tin cups, two oranges and two peppermint sticks. “ Thank ye Edwards.” Then Brother Claw disappeared into the fall-en snow head-en back to Skidoo.

Well that worn’t completely true, he had some stops to make. Well sir, Jemima and her mammy lived just out side of Skidoo on the trail that leads to Zach’s village, well sir the snow was kinda bad but he decided to stop by on the way to the Paiute village. He could hear them laugh-en and sing-en all spun up about the Christmas party they was a go-en to. So that old man just left two boxes by the door, one smelled of bacon the other of new shoe leather. Then he just disappeared into the fall-en snow. So when them two gals stepped out to go to the Christmas party and found them boxes. Well, Jemima started jump-en around in them Felt booties her mammy had made for her with a joy most people only see at Christmas.

That there snow just came on a come-en, folks for years called that storm the Christmas Blizzard. Eight men were lost in that storm and worn’t found till the next Spring. But when old Brother Claw’s mind was set, there was no way a little snow was gone-a stop that old man. He had a plan he knew were an old buck deer would hold up in the storm, so, he slipped in on that critter, cause fresh meat is always needed in the winter in an Injun camp. When he got to the camp every thing was covered in snow even them camp dogs. So him and Pie left the dressed deer at the door of the hut and slipped away in the storm.

Well sir Old Brother Claw and Pie had been a walk-en steady since they started back from Independence and em and that burro was plumb wore out. And like I said burros is desert folk and they worn’t made for snow. The two of them had bucked snow for as long as they could. Snow and the night was make-en it hard to see and finally that snow was too much for old Pie and he just folded up under his pack.

About the same time that night back at Sarah’s boarding house the eat-en hall was full of miners and prospectors who were wait-en out the storm, the place was full of the smells of whiskey, bubble-en beans and the smoke that crept out of the great fireplace. And as Deborah crept around the corner, by the Christmas tree over to one side was that old man with the mangy fer coat, but it worn’t so dirty or mangy as Deborah had remembered it. That old man was hold-en a big old package the was addressed to Nick. Well sir kids can be quite when they want so Miss Deborah just kind-a slipped up on that old man. “Hello” she said and that there old man nearly jumped out of that there fer coat. Turning around, “What are you do-en out of bed?”

Well sir that little gal just looked at em and said, “ I’ve been think-en about Brother Claw and the snow and all.” The old man looked thoughtful, “Yep but from the look of his beard this ain’t is first winter.” “Yeah, but, it’s Christmas and all” she said. “Well Missy it’s Christmas for that there man every day. Yep, I wish I could be more like em myself.” as the old man looked down at the package in his hands. Deborah, smiled “ You know we can’t all be Santa.” Then that old man smiled so bright you would have thought that the sun had come up. “No! Missy we can’t.” The old man placed a old lumpy darned lady’s sock beside the tree with a label that said Miss Sarah . Then em and Deborah look at the tree a little longer. Then that old man went out the door into the snow.

Well sir, the next morn-en Sarah’s place was a buzz with children squeel-en and by the look of it them old single men was happier then they had been all year. Little Miss Jemima was a dance-en around in them new shoes to a Irish reel. But Miss Sarah was the only one that was gloomy. Brother Claw worn’t back yet. But, she had found that one of her stockings was full of coal. And she was just push-en them around like a six year old pushes the last of her peas on her plate.

A mile out side town there was a snow drift that started to move-en. Then a big old lump covered with canvas popped out of the snow. Then you could see them black and white legs of Pie’s under that canvas. And all of that snow that had been on that tarp kind-a dumped on old Brother Claw. Well he woke up quick. Yep Pie must have laid next to that old man and pull that tarp over both of them. Shaken the snow off. “Pie I have heard of a cold night be-en call a three dog night but a fat ass night?”

It worn’t long before they was move-en toward Skidoo when they meet a search party who was a come-en look-en for them. Well every one at Sarah’s as as happy as? … Christmas except-en Old Miss Sarah, but, she bright-en when old Brother Claw came in. But, She was still sit-en where she had been push-en them lumps of coal around. Brother Claw sat next to her, “What’s a matter girl?” as he pick up one of the pieces of coal. Old Miss Sarah just looked gloomy. “Sarah you know what diamonds is made of?” Sarah looked at Brother Claw puzzled. “ Coal, Girl Coal. But these here ones ain’t done yet” Reach-en into his coat he pulled out a little blue box. Then he opened that there box and inside was a bright and shiny gold band with a large bright diamond. Maybe you’d like this one better.

Well sir that was some Christmas, but, the the surprises worn’t over yet no not by a long shot. Yep that old man in the mangy coat pulled old Nick aside and gave em that there big box. Inside was the thickest fer coat ya ever saw. “Its fer ya Nick. Let’s step out side, I need to talk to ya.” Well sir out side was a eight up hitch of caribou (that’s Injun for reindeer ) snugged up to a red sleigh. Well that old man got right to it. “Well Nick I was out here look-en for a new partner. You see I got this place up north and I was need-en some help. So I came to Skidoo to hire Brother Claw. Well as you can see he’s got his-self a new partner. Well the job’s your if-en you want it.” Well Nick just stared like-en he was in a dream. “ Come on son! I ain’t got all day, Christmas is a come-en. As them two was a load-en up, them kids and Brother Claw was come-en out the door as a gust of wind and snow went past and them two old boys was gone. Well, that how my grandma Deborah told the story to me when I was your age.

Brother Claw’s Christmas

 

by

Grandpa West

I am a grandpa now and have lived a long life traips-en along as a One Jack Prospector and have heard many a story. This here story is my favorite about a man who loved Christmas, people and some of Jesus’ favorite critters, jackasses.

Many years ago, when I was up prospect-en in the Panamint Mountains, that’s over Death Valley way. Well, I heard tell of a story of how Christmas came to the wildest boom town in the west, Skidoo. Yes sir, that there mine-en town was so wild they had a hang Hooch Simpson three time for kill-en one Barkeep and when the work-en girls from Beaty came to fetch his body home, they lost it in a sand storm. But that worn’t no Christmas story. No sir ye bob it ain’t .

Well, there was this old widower, his name was Matt as I recall, he owned a freight outfit, run-en mule strings up from Independence and Beaty out to the miners of the Panamint Mountains. You see that feller’s daughter back east had died leave-en his grand daughter alone and that little gal was only eight or nine. Deborah, was named after her momma. So, Matt had that gal shipped on the first train west to Independence.

Matt had found this here young feller that was look-en for pack-en work but he was kinda short so no one would hirer em, so Matt gave that boy a pack string of burros to match his size to pick up his grand daughter. Most of them critters was Jesus Jennies to be exact, cause-en they had black crosses on their gray backs except for this here one that was a black and white, piebald, that’s what folk back east call a paint: That there burro was gone-a be a special gift for Deborah. Well sir, that young feller was 12 years old and was a bright boy. Now what was that there boy’s name???… Now don’t tell me.!.. Dylan yes sir it was Dylan.

Yep, I tell you it was a good thing that durn boy had his string snubbed up tight to the hitch rail, cause-en, that durn donk named Pie thought that Dylan was goin-a to feed em to that fire breath-en beast: when that there train engine came a beller-en into town and Old Pie was have-en none of it. He was a sit-en back on his lead rope eyes bulge-en out liken they would pop out of his head, neck and body stretched out so fer you would thought he was try-en to stretch his-self into one of them there African giraffes. But he calmed down quick, when Pie and that there boy, saw Deborah get off that train and old Dylan melted Deborah was a little blond that stood four feet six in Eastern ride-en togs and was hold-en one of them there English ride-en saddle. Well, I’ll tell you old Dylan thought she was cute as a button.

Well sir, that little gal had brought enough freight to load all six of them durn pack burros and then some. Which was go-en to be a bother and meant Dylan had to pack his own ride-en saddle which meant he was gonna have to walk all the way back to Skidoo. Well sir, Dylan packed up those lop eared beasts licked tee split. But it was Deborah’s postage stamp saddle which was the strangest piece of horse tack old Dylan had ever seen. There worn’t even no horn to dally a rope off to tow a string of burros and that cursed little cinch without britchen was gonna slip.

Well them kids lit out bright and early but Dylan’s string was travel-en slow cause every time they went down hill: that durn English saddle of Debora’s slipped and would have durn near dropped Deborah on her head if-en Pie hadn’t stopped dead every time. Yes sir, Dylan had to stop and reset that infernal flat land saddle over and over again.

To say Dylan’s mood was a get-ten dark was an understatement. And once they got to the Surprise Canyon narrows and it’s fast move-en creek, things went from bad to worse. And who was the cause of all them there problems? You guessed it, Pie. To get to Skidoo them kids had to cross that fast move-en water that worn’t no six inches deep. Well you see burros ain’t much for swim-en be-en desert folk an all. Shoot, I had a burro once named Beef that refused to get his feet wet so, he would jump over tar fill cracks on the road, so, I commence to a call-em there cracks, tar snakes.

Dylan’s had Pie and Deborah lead-en his string and well sir, Pie was true to his breed-en and he worn’t go-en over that creek and get-en his feet wet. Well, I’ll tell you what: in a test of wills a donk will mostly win that why lots of people hate a jackass. And so old Dylan was stand-en in the middle of that there stream and was teach-en that old burro some new words like, you Cursed , Blasted, Infernal, Worthless, No-account, Good-for-nothen, Bloody, lop eared Jackass. While Pie was sit-en back on Dylan’s lead rope do-en his best giraffe impression.

Well sir, our poor little blond haired gal was sit-en on a rock hold-en them there pack burros wait-en for Pie to cross over and was about ready to burst into tears on account of Pie. Then she looked up in horror to see a great hairy bear like beast come-en up behind Dylan. Well sir, Deborah did what all little gals are known for: she commence to a scream-em. Which startled Pie into a burst of energy pull-en the lead rope from old Dylan’s startled hand. Where that boy promptly sat back into the cold stream with a huge splash. Well sir, Dylan’s string of burros pulled loose in the confusion from little old Deborah and came apart like a string of glass beads, scatter-en boxes, bags and colorful what not up and down that there canyon.

That there hairy beast just came on a come-em and reach down with a great claw like paw pick-en old Dylan up by the nape of the neck and that time was Dylan’s turn to start a scream-en. Then that great beast turned Dylan around in mid-air to face em. Well Dylan’s face turned from shear terror to utter relief. “Brother Claw”. And at that there old Pie started to bell-er-en like a drunk-en politician.

Well sir, when Dylan was safe on shore he commence to tell-en how worthless that there burro was and what a predicament he was in and how Pie was the most useless critter on the planet and what he would do if-en he had a gun. At that Brother Claw pulled back his bear eared hood of his great Grizzly bear coat to reveal a smile-en old man with snow white beard and hair with a gold tooth. And looked over to Pie and said “ Calm down son.”

Then that there old man walked over to Deborah with a friendly smile “ well Miss Dee Bee what are we go-en to do with this piebald? “ Well Deborah was still a little frightened from his appearance and looked up at the white haired old man, “Do I know you sir?” Brother Claw looked puzzled for a moment and asked “ Ever been to Pikes Peak?” Deborah shook her head. “ Alaska?” she was at a loss. “Australia then? “ No with a hesitant shake of her head. “Nope I can’t say that I have ever meet you.” Well sir all those questions were like a burr under that young gal’s saddle and she stomped her foot like her momma used to do and demanded. “How do you know my named?” That old man just turned and pointed to the English ride-en saddle on Pies back and the letters D and B tooled into the cantel leather of the saddle. Deborah eyes saddened “It was my mamma’s.”

Reach-en into his great coat he pulled out a chocolate bar, “ I heard tell of an English gal her name was Velvet and she had herself this here jump-en horse, Pie and that there horse was a piebald, paint just like this here burro. Velvet and her Piebald horse won an important jump-en race back over the Pond. You know she used to give her horse some of her chocolate, before they went a jump-en.” Break-en the bar in half, and look-en at Pie and hand-en the broken bar to Deborah. “You think that piebald burro would like some?” Pie smelled the candy and came over to Deborah. “just a little at a time. I’ll go help the boy”

Feed-en Pie a little of the candy Deborah asked the burro, “ I don’t know why that silly old man thinks you should get a reward for being so bad Pie?” Smile-en she broke off another piece of the chocolate bar for the little burro. Pie sniffed and daintily took the candy from the palm of her hand.

A few minutes later Dylan and that old man had all of them there burros packed up and across the stream leave-en just Deborah and Pie on the fer side of the creek. That old man left Dylan on the bank and went to get Dee Bee. Pie was nuzzle-en Deborah expectantly. Brother Claw took the bridle and saddle off Pie and while hold-en the tack in his arm. “Well girl you ready?” as he scooped her up in his other arm to cross the stream. Deborah could smell Apple spice tobacco, peppermint candy and the smell of a working man. When they reached the other side Brother Claw call out to Dylan, “Let’s go boy” and Dylan commenced to lead the other burros up the trail.

Deborah looked across the stream to see Pie was a pace-en back and forth.”What about him we can’t just leave Pie?” Then that old man just reached into his pocket of his great coat and with a sad shake of his head. “No Missy we can’t and pulled out his last candy bar and said,” You know I love chocolate, but, I think that paint of yours loves it more.” and handed Deborah the candy. “That he does” Deborah said with a big smile like-en she just got the joke as she took a small bite and waved the rest of that candy at the pace-en burro. “Pie I’ve got candy” and turned to walk up the trail with a flounce .

Like I said burros hate get-en their feet wet and Pie was go-en to do his best to keep his dry. So he went back a little and got his self a good head of steam and made a jump that would have made his fence jump-en name sake, proud. That durn burro came a fly-en and nearly jumped that creek plumb across. But, his front hooves came down just a foot short of the bank with a splash that drenched Brother Claw and Deborah with water ten feet away and then Pie came a trot-en for his Chocolate. Brother Claw said a smile-en, “ You know Dee Bee if-en a burro trust you he will follow you anywhere-s, But, burros take the Ninth Commandment real serious,… Lie to em and you’ll pack his load home.

Part 2

Skidoo

Well sir it worn’t no time at-all that them three had that there string of pack burros sashay-en into old Skidoo. And when all them shops and saloons started to empty-en out into the street and come-en towards them? Well Miss Deborah, thought that folks was a come-en to welcome her and she was the Queen of the Parade. That was until a group of rough miners saddled past her to Brother Claw. Yes sir ye bob there worn’t much entertainment in them there mine-en camps for the folk and when a famous storyteller like old Brother Claw came to town. Well sir, it was like.?….. The 4^th of July and Election Day rolled into one. Yep, Brother Claw was what folks used to call a Circuit Rider, a Preacher that rode to the same bunch of towns over and over again but no one had ever seen Brother Claw a horse back.

Then about ten men commenced to a come up to that old man with claps on his backs and a hand pump-en like-en he was a long lost relative. Yes sir! It seem like everyone thought the world of that old man. Partly cause he worn’t like them mealy mouthed preachers back East, no sir! Brother Claw was a “MAN” of the the West like them. Cause they had heard tell how he had let a big old drunken lumberjack hit em two time knock-en out one of Brother Claw’s teeth and then the lumberjack commenced his third swing that old man blocked it like-en it was sort of natural and lay-ed that giant out with one punch: which kept that boy down till the next morn-en. That there Preacher had “turned his other cheek” but he said Jesus told em, “ You did good, but, now it your turn Son.” Yep, that was when Brother Claw got his-self that there gold tooth, that there lumberjack had bought it fer em. Yep, there were so many tales about that Old man like how he killed that grizzly bear: whose hide he was a wear-en. Yes sir, that there old preacher was “a man to ride the river with.”

One of the men in the crowd called out you gone-an have your meet-en at O’Shawn-acys. Be-fer, that Preacher man could answer. Jason came a roll-en up “Nope Brother Claw’s meet-en will be at my place, Argonauts’ Saloon?” With a golden tooth smile Brother Claw said “You heard the man”. Back then have-an a beer or a glass of wine and talk-en about God worn’t like it is today: Shoot, I hear tell that Jesus even liked to share a “Cup of wine.”

Speak-en of drink-en when old Jason came back to his saloon there was a young feller there, that most folk just called “Nick”. Mostly cause that what people out west used-ta call bad luck and the devil. That there handle seemed to suit Nick just fine. Walk-en over to the bar he pulled out his old Navy revolver and spun the cylinder, “Whiskey“ he said as he shucked out a bullet from his gun and set it on to the bar. Take-en the bullet, Jason filled Nick’s shot glass. Drink up Nick we’re closed tomorrow for Brother Claw’s meet-en. Nick look down at his empty glass and shucked out a second bullet and placed it onto the bar, “I should smile” and Jason filled his glass and when old Nick tossed the drink back he gave a grimacing smile when the fiery liquor went down. “Sure is cold” Nick said as he rubbed the sleeves of his thin coat. “Have another Nick, it will warm ya.” the barman said with a sly smile.

Well the next morning Deborah had settled in at her grandpa’s freight office and had commenced to play-en school with three of her dolls and had them sit-en on a wooden bench with slates and chalk in front of them. Then in a rush a young bare footed black girl came a bursting into the office with a young Indian in tow, and when she saw miss Deborah she came uncorked like a bottle of beer that had just fell off a freight wagon. “Oowee ain’t you the pretty one, my mammy told me you was a come-en, is you have-en school? I truly wish I could go to school, read-en, cypher-en and learn-en to write my own name, Jemima, that there is Bible name fer old Job’s most beautiful daughter. Oh, this here is Zach he’s got some infernal, Indian name I can’t pronounce so I just call em Zach.” Well I tell ya that there gal had that all said in half the time it took me to tell it. And our Miss Deborah was just as quick, she had them two sit-en down a learn-en their A.B.C. and it worn’t no time at all before she had Shanghai-ed that old Dylan and had all three of them do-en cyphers.

Yep, Miss Deborah was gone-a be a good teacher someday cause she could tell when them kids was a lose-en their love for learn-en. So she shifted tack and pulled out her favorite book the one her momma had given her last Christmas, Twas the Night Before Christmas it was one of them there fancy illustrated books. Old Miss Deborah had had her momma read it to her so many times she had that there book memorized. But when Deborah got to the part “He was dressed all in fur” show-en the picture. But that there old book did not show Santa in red like them new fangaled Coca Cola Santa you’ve seen at the mall. That there Santa had more of the look of an Eskimo.

Jemima jumped up to get a closer look at the book, be-en new at this school-en, she didn’t know interrupt-en the storytell-en was rude. “ Well I’ll be, that sure do sound like Reverend Claw, dressed all in fur and such give-en presents and all. That there man in your book is Brother Claw, get up here Zach and look at this here picture. Ain’t that hisself. “ Well sir old Zack popped up with Dylan not far behind to get a better look at that there book. And to tell you the truth that there picture did look a lot like that there Preacher man. “Well I’ll be.” said Dylan, “So that’s how he done it. Miss Deborah? You saw how that old man made that there burro, Pie, fly by given em that there ‘ Magic Candy’ I ain’t never seen a donk act like that.“

Just then there was Brother Claw hisself waltz-en in through the door bear skin coat and all. With a smile that would have lite up that office even on the darkest of nights. Well them there kids just stared in shock at that old man. “Good morn-in Miss Dee Bee. You a school mom already?” Them children looked at there book then at Brother Claw then back at that book again. “Wheres your Grandpa girl?” Deborah look up from the book with a puzzled look. “Grandpa is down at Sarah’s boarding house have-en coffee“ Deborah stammered, “You can find him there.” Brother Claw smelled his coat. “Good I could use one of her copper tubs before the meet-en to night” Deborah looked at the book again but when she looked up Brother Claw was gone. “Dressed all in fur?”

Well that there boarding house was run by pretty little gal named Sarah. And I do mean little, she was so short that she had walkways around them tables in the eat-en hall so she could look people in the eye when she served them. Yep when you was hungry when you was in Skidoo you went to Sarah’s. Well, when Matt saw Brother Claw he flagged em over. When old Sarah heard Brother Claw’s name she came a sashay-en over like one of them runway models with a pot of coffee. Her mind was on Brother Claw, so she passed by a old man in a mangy old fur coat that was hold-en his cup out for a refill. And that gal walked up and looked Brother Claw in the eye with a look that would have melted January as she filled his cup. “ Nicholas, Jemima’s momma has bake up a treat I know you will love, it’s the newest thing, Boston Cream Pie, it’s a cake really, white cake with vanilla cream custard in the middle with chocolate on, the top.” Brother Claw smiled big and said “Yes Miss Sarah that what I’ll have a little black and white Pie.” then that there old man in the mangy coat piped up “Yep. Sarah that’s what I’ll have too.” Sarah look at the old man and nodded.

When she got to the kitchen to find that black and white pie, there was just a little over half that dessert left so she cut it in two pieces. One that was very much larger and one that was much smaller. Well Sarah dropped off the smaller wedge to the Old Man who looked at the larger piece that was in Sarah’s other hand and just shook his head. Sarah placed the large dessert before Brother Claw, and he broke into a big smile. “ I surely do love chocolate and cream, Pie.”

At that Matt, got down to business, “ Reverend, I know that you have a circuit of towns you need to get to but, you get to Beaty in half the time it takes my Packers to get there, and their horse back. Well sir, there are times I need things in a hurry. Little things that are fragile. Things you can pick up on your way. And seens how Goldfield, Independence and Panament City have their own full time preachers now and I hear tell that Death Valley Junction will have one next month. I thought that you might have a little more time on your hands so you could help me out. Brother Claw smiled “What might those fragile things be?”

Matt looked down at his coffee, “You know? Panes of glass, egg, and Giant once in a while.” Be-ens how most of you folk are to young to remember “Giant” is what us prospectors call the explosive, Nitroglycerin back in “The Day.” Brother Claw smiled, “ Matt, the way I go is kind-of tight I don’t think a mule could fit and I’m too old to start pack-en things on my back.” Matt thought for a minute, then smiled. “ That durn burro of Deborah’s is small, and he need some more ‘time in the saddle‘ before I will let Deborah go a ride-en by herself. Could you use em?”Brother Claw smiled “If-en Dee Bee don’t mind? Yep I’ll pack your Giant fer ya”.

Sometimes school can be as exciting as standing in a corner. So Miss Deborah took her charges on what she called a “Field trip”. As they was a traipsing around the town of Skidoo, they walked past Miss Sarah’s Bath House and heard some singing. “I saw three ships come a sailing in come sailing in on Christmas day on Christmas day I saw three ships come a sailing on Christmas Day in the morning.” Well Indian folk are the curious kind, so old Zach walk around the corner and found hisself a popped knot hole. Well there was old Brother Claw in a big bright copper tub sing-en his heart out. Well each of them kids took a look and Miss Deborah thought that Brother Claw was the hairiest man she ever saw. “Dressed all in fur. “ she said to herself. Just then the old man in the mangy old coat came around the corner. “Hey what are you kids do-en?” I tell you Santa’s reindeer could not have moved so fast. Once them kids was out of sight the there old man took his-self a peek and turned around just shaken his head.

A while later Brother Claw came around the corner and seen where them kids had been stand-en and saw their foot prints, but he took a little time a measuring the set of bare foot prints that belonged to Miss Jemima.

Part 3

The Eye of the Needle

Well sir, That night the town of old Skidoo was quiet, five of her saloons was locked up tighter than a bank and was as dark as a black cat at midnight. Except-en the Argonaut: yep, Jason’s place was bright and clean. And old Nick had found his self some work clean-en. A job that he was happy to get cause the pay was in whiskey. Yep he had swept-ed up and put clean hay on the floor and rows of wooden plank benches.

I’ll tell you what, that there place had never smelled so clean since the day Jason opened that there saloon. And all the gals was a sitting up front, Sarah and Miss Deborah on the isle then Miss Jemima and her mammy and then all the work-en girls. But Nick had found his-self a place right up front on the isle.

Brother Claw had started off with a hymn, Bring-en in the Sheaves and I’ll tell you there worn’t many angelic voices in that there bunch, but, they made up fer it with enthusiasm. Well, that old man commenced thumping his little copper clad bible and preach-en a hell fire and brimstone sermon on the Ten Commandments show-en how not a one of them had no right to go to heaven. Then he pick up a rope and a big old darning needle. “Back in Jesus’ day they made rope like this here horse hair rope from camel hair and Jesus said it was easier for a rich man that was seem-enly loved by God to get to heaven, than put-en this here rope though this here needle. Then what of the rest of us.”

At that Nick jumped up pull-en is old Navy revolver and said “You old durn fool it can’t be done! And I am tired of you lie-en to folks and I’m put-en an end to this foolishness here and now!” Point-en his big gun towards Brother Claw. Well sir that whole placed got real quite and you could hear a pen drop, but this time it was Brother Claw’s needle. “Put that cannon down son and I’ll show you how it can be done.” You guessed it. That just made old Nick all the madder and he pulled back the hammer on that old navy with a loud click. “You lie-en old fool “ But Brother Claw just kept come-en closer with his hand extended for Nick’s gun. Old Nick smiled as he pulled the trigger and that hammer came down with a click. That stunned Nick but quick as a flash he pulled the hammer back again and pulled the trigger. “Click” Well sir thing started a happen-en so fast after that: Brother Claw grabbed that gun and at the same time little Miss Sarah had her purse come-en down on Nick’s head which dropped em like an anvil.

Now you and I and Brother Claw know why old Nick’s gun when click rather than “BANG”! So did Jason the bar keep, but he worn’t going to tell nobody, that Brother Claw could seen into Nick’s revolver’s cylinder and it were empty. Cause Nick had spent his last shots for whiskey that morning. But, the excitement worn’t over yet. One of Nick’s drink-en buddies stood up and pulled his gun. Well sir, that saloon was alive with clicks of hammers being pulled back and they was all pointing at that durn fool. That there boy turned around real slow to look behind then smiled and handed Brother Claw his gun and sat down as pretty as you please.

“Gosh durn it where did that needle go?” asked Brother Claw. At that Sarah reached into her purse and pulled out a black jack, the leather bag filled with lead that she used to drop Nick. And in the side of that Black Jack was a darning needle. “I use it for darning socks” and handed the Black jack and needle to Brother Claw. Well sir Brother Claw took the needle and the Black Jack. “Thank you Miss Sarah” and the whole room broke into laughter as Brother Claw looked at the Black Jack then back at Sarah.

Get-en back on keel Brother Claw walked over behind the bar and picked up Jason’s assay balance scale, and dropped Miss Sarah’s Black Jack on one of the two pans on the end of the balance beam. Then Brother Claw picked up that horse hair rope . “This here is all the good things you have done and some not so good. “ Brother Claw brought it up to Sarah’s needle liken he was gone-a try to push it through. “Like I said this here rope would be mighty hard to get it through this here needle”. There was a chorus of “Amen.” “But, Jesus said it can be done.”

Then he stopped and pulled one of the horse hairs out. Then that old man took up that needle and pushed that hair clean through, then he done it three more times. Placing them hairs and then that durn rope on the scale trying to even the scale but Sarah’s Black Jack was far too heavy.

“ Yep even look-en careful like at all the good you think you have done. This here is your sins” Pointing at Sarah’s Black Jack. “ You have been weighed in the balance and found want-en.” Then Brother Claw walked over to his coat and pulled out an old wooden Cross and hooked the balance beam of the scale so that that Cross balanced that there scale. “Yes sir. You have two choices seen yourself as what you are a sinner and even with all the good you think you’ve done you still ain’t good enough and you need help. Jesus went to the cross to balance the scale. But you still need to do the best you can be so you can lessen the load that your Captain is a take-en for ye” Brother Claw called his Lord, Captain. Look-en down at Nick “Or you can be Bull headed and wind up in Hell for your trouble”.

Well sir, old Brother Claw was bring-en Matt’s fragile loads quite regular that December. But, he worn’t alone. That there Nick had started to a track-en em. Well sir, Brother Claw had been on the main trail heading back from Beaty: when em and that burro, Pie, all of a sudden took a mountain sheep trail right up the side of that there canyon, with his load of Giant and all . Now any durn fool knows a Mountain sheep trail don’t go no wheres and is just as likely to end at the edge of a cliff. But, that Old man took that track just the same. Old Nick gave that preacher a wide birth partly cause he didn’t want to be near when that old man fell off the wall with a load of Nitroglycerin and partly be cause of what happened at the Argonaut.

Well just before dark Nick came up to a solid wall of rock, but that there sheep trail when right up to a crack and disappeared. Only that trail didn’t disappear it went plumb through. That there crack is what old Brother Claw called the Eye of the Needle. That there paint burro was just stand-en there look-en at that crack You see that there crack was a cave tunnel that went clear through that there mountain: taken two days off the trip back from Beaty. And Brother Claw had packed his load of giant through and just then popped out to that burro’s relief. Then old Brother Claw and that there donk went through that crack with the help of some chocolate candy cause Pie didn’t like that crack no better than cross-en water. Old Nick’s mind started to a perculate-en like coffee left too long on the fire.

On the other side of that there Eye of the Needle was the prettiest little meadow you ever want to see bright green grass, big old poplar trees and a little creek that bubble it’s sweet song as it disappeared down canyon. And right there is where Brother Claw had his camp. And that old burro man had a fire and was a make-en Flap Jacks: that there is a corn meal pancake. Well sir, old Pie was ready cause it seemed to em that Claw always burnt the first one. And that meant that there one was his. After supper that old man always like to look up at the stars. His favorite this time of year was Orion. While he was a star gaze-en that burro had pulled Brother Claw blankets out and was a lay-en on them warm-en up Brother Claw bed.

A while later Brother Claw was a snore-en so loud that you should have been able to hear em in Skidoo. Well that burro came a sneak-en up and lay-ed down next to Brother Claw and pulled them blankets off that old man and over him self. A few minutes later Brother Claw woke up with a chill and pulled the blankets back over hisself. Well Pie just walked off kinda insulted like.

Well sir the next morn-en Pie worn’t there for his Flap Jack, so Brother Claw went a look-en for em. That old man was good at track-en but it still took most of the day to find old Pie and he weren’t in a good place at all. Yep he was in the middle of a Paiute village and it looked like them injuns was hanker-en for his burrito for dinner. Well that there camp was where old Zack lived and his uncle had brought Pie in that morning. You see Nick had made a deal with em for that there burro’s hide so he could have em-self a new coat.

Well that old man came a walz-en into that camp and said in Paiute, that he thanked them for find-en that there burro and wondered what he owed them for their help. Well sir Zach’s uncle was not amused.

That there injun picked up his bow and notched his self an arrow and pointed that there arrow right at Brother Claw’s chest. Old Zack came a run-en “No Brother Claw Big Medicine” but that there arrow was already head-en for that old mans heart. Well Zack’s uncle was a good hunter and he worn’t one to miss a shot. Well sir he hit what he was a aiming at. That there arrow hit that Preacher square in the chest with a thump. Well them Injuns was surprised to see that old man just pull that arrow out and look at that black stone point that was shattered. Cause-en that there arrow had hit Brother Claw copper clad Bible. Well Brother Claw weren’t to happy “ you durn fool look what you did to my coat .“ Put-en his finger through the hole.

Yep! That there story was told around a many a camp fire and saloon that winter. But, that hunting trip had put that burro man behind schedule; just like old Nick knew it would. So it was two days later Brother Claw came a walz-en into Matt’s freight office. Where Miss Deborah was a hold-en school when that old man came in. Well them kids look at him like-en he was a ghost. “Brother Claw, Nick told us you were dead.” Miss Deborah said almost in tears. He said “The Indians killed you.” Well, just about then old Matt walked through the door, “ Nicklaus you have more lives than a cat.” . Then Matt commenced to tell Brother Claw that Nick had convinced him that he was dead and the he could get the Giant shipments to Skidoo just as fast as Brother Claw could. So Matt determine to let him have a go at it.

That was the first time anyone had ever seen that old man up set. “You let that durn fool go and get that GIANT…. “ Matt just nodded “When” Claw said in controlled rage. “Nick said he would be back tomorrow with the nitroglycerin.” Matt muttered like-en he was a scolded school boy.

I heard tell that you ain’t never gonna ever see and old man move so fast as Brother Claw. And when Pie saw em a run-en. Well sir I hear tell that that old donk sailed over a three rail fence and only broke the top rail as he went over.

Yep old Nick had made good time and was already at the Eye of the Needle. Mainly cause he was a horse back. Yep he was a ride-en a little gentle old mare named Bell. Cause-en she was indeed Matt’s Bell Mare. You see horses are herd folk they like have a mare that know-en how things is done. And cause of that, if-en you knew where your bell mare was. Well sir you knew the rest of the critters weren’t to far from her. To make things even worse that there mule Nick had that Giant on was her colt.

Well Nick had that colt tied to a dead branch. Which is one of the Top Ten No NOs of pack-en mules. Then when that colt saw Bell disappear into the side of the mountain he commenced to get-en lonesome, then nervous, and then just plumb crazy with fear. There was no way that any old packers hemp rope was gone-a hold him and that branch snapped off like it was a cannon shot, and that colt came a run-en to find his Bell. The problem was them there packs of his was a full of nitroglycerin that was a foot wider than that crack in the mountain. So when them pack boxes hit the Eye of the Needle the whole mountain trembled with the blast that rattled the glass in Skidoo. All Nick knew is that there was a flash of light and then em and Bell was a fly-en out the other end of that there tunnel in a ball of flame like they was shot out of a cannon.

Brother Claw had just got to the edge of the meadow when that colt had hit the side of the tunnel. And the blast that came out of that crack knocked em down like-en he was a feather. Well he popped up like a Jack in the Box and commenced to run-en again only to find Nick under Bell’s tattered body. That there mare had saved old Nick’s life cause she took most of the blast and debris thrown out of the Eye of the Needle. But Nick worn’t go-en to be dance-en any time soon neither.

Yep Nick was in no shape to be sashaying into town in fact that boy weren’t even a breath-en and was a turn-en blue. Well old Brother Claw didn’t know what to do. But that old Bible just then decided to fall out open to 2nd Kings 4:34 “And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.“ That old man prayed “Captain you did it for Elisha: I ask you to do it for me.” Yep that preacher started given that boy CPR .

Part Four

Christmas Blizzard

Yep, Nick was in no shape to sashay into Skidoo. And when he woke up he was staring into the face of the old mangy coated man and he was in one of Sarah’s boarding house rooms. “Well son you is alive after all. When Brother Claw brought you in we thought that you were gone-a have to stay in Sarah’s smoke house till Spring so we could plant you proper.

Well sir, a brush with death can change a man and old Nick was plumb in for a change in his life. But, the first question he had was, “ Where is Brother Claw?” The Old Man just looked out the window glass at the snow softly fall-en on the ground of Skidoo. “On his way back from Independence…. I hope!”

Well sir, old Brother Claw ran into a friend of his as he was a come-en out of the General Store in Independence. Yep there was this long legged black bearded ombray . “Edwards you still live over Plumb Creek way?” “Yes Sir Brother Claw and I proved up on my farm last fall.” “Good for you Edwards, does Ingals still live out that way? Him and his wife has two girls Laura and Mary as I recall.” “Yep” Brother and they is have-in me for Christmas dinner” Brother Claw smiled “Seem like the main course will be a little chewy!” Then not skip-en a beat. “ Well bless your heart can you do me a favor? I have a few things for them girls” Go-en to Pie’s packs he pulled out two shiny tin cups, two oranges and two peppermint sticks. “ Thank ye Edwards.” Then Brother Claw disappeared into the fall-en snow head-en back to Skidoo.

Well that worn’t completely true, he had some stops to make. Well sir, Jemima and her mammy lived just out side of Skidoo on the trail that leads to Zach’s village, well sir the snow was kinda bad but he decided to stop by on the way to the Paiute village. He could hear them laugh-en and sing-en all spun up about the Christmas party they was a go-en to. So that old man just left two boxes by the door, one smelled of bacon the other of new shoe leather. Then he just disappeared into the fall-en snow. So when them two gals stepped out to go to the Christmas party and found them boxes. Well, Jemima started jump-en around in them Felt booties her mammy had made for her with a joy most people only see at Christmas.

That there snow just came on a come-en, folks for years called that storm the Christmas Blizzard. Eight men were lost in that storm and worn’t found till the next Spring. But when old Brother Claw’s mind was set, there was no way a little snow was gone-a stop that old man. He had a plan he knew were an old buck deer would hold up in the storm, so, he slipped in on that critter, cause fresh meat is always needed in the winter in an Injun camp. When he got to the camp every thing was covered in snow even them camp dogs. So him and Pie left the dressed deer at the door of the hut and slipped away in the storm.

Well sir Old Brother Claw and Pie had been a walk-en steady since they started back from Independence and em and that burro was plumb wore out. And like I said burros is desert folk and they worn’t made for snow. The two of them had bucked snow for as long as they could. Snow and the night was make-en it hard to see and finally that snow was too much for old Pie and he just folded up under his pack.

About the same time that night back at Sarah’s boarding house the eat-en hall was full of miners and prospectors who were wait-en out the storm, the place was full of the smells of whiskey, bubble-en beans and the smoke that crept out of the great fireplace. And as Deborah crept around the corner, by the Christmas tree over to one side was that old man with the mangy fer coat, but it worn’t so dirty or mangy as Deborah had remembered it. That old man was hold-en a big old package the was addressed to Nick. Well sir kids can be quite when they want so Miss Deborah just kind-a slipped up on that old man. “Hello” she said and that there old man nearly jumped out of that there fer coat. Turning around, “What are you do-en out of bed?”

Well sir that little gal just looked at em and said, “ I’ve been think-en about Brother Claw and the snow and all.” The old man looked thoughtful, “Yep but from the look of his beard this ain’t is first winter.” “Yeah, but, it’s Christmas and all” she said. “Well Missy it’s Christmas for that there man every day. Yep, I wish I could be more like em myself.” as the old man looked down at the package in his hands. Deborah, smiled “ You know we can’t all be Santa.” Then that old man smiled so bright you would have thought that the sun had come up. “No! Missy we can’t.” The old man placed a old lumpy darned lady’s sock beside the tree with a label that said Miss Sarah . Then em and Deborah look at the tree a little longer. Then that old man went out the door into the snow.

Well sir, the next morn-en Sarah’s place was a buzz with children squeel-en and by the look of it them old single men was happier then they had been all year. Little Miss Jemima was a dance-en around in them new shoes to a Irish reel. But Miss Sarah was the only one that was gloomy. Brother Claw worn’t back yet. But, she had found that one of her stockings was full of coal. And she was just push-en them around like a six year old pushes the last of her peas on her plate.

A mile out side town there was a snow drift that started to move-en. Then a big old lump covered with canvas popped out of the snow. Then you could see them black and white legs of Pie’s under that canvas. And all of that snow that had been on that tarp kind-a dumped on old Brother Claw. Well he woke up quick. Yep Pie must have laid next to that old man and pull that tarp over both of them. Shaken the snow off. “Pie I have heard of a cold night be-en call a three dog night but a fat ass night?”

It worn’t long before they was move-en toward Skidoo when they meet a search party who was a come-en look-en for them. Well every one at Sarah’s as as happy as? … Christmas except-en Old Miss Sarah, but, she bright-en when old Brother Claw came in. But, She was still sit-en where she had been push-en them lumps of coal around. Brother Claw sat next to her, “What’s a matter girl?” as he pick up one of the pieces of coal. Old Miss Sarah just looked gloomy. “Sarah you know what diamonds is made of?” Sarah looked at Brother Claw puzzled. “ Coal, Girl Coal. But these here ones ain’t done yet” Reach-en into his coat he pulled out a little blue box. Then he opened that there box and inside was a bright and shiny gold band with a large bright diamond. Maybe you’d like this one better.

Well sir that was some Christmas, but, the the surprises worn’t over yet no not by a long shot. Yep that old man in the mangy coat pulled old Nick aside and gave em that there big box. Inside was the thickest fer coat ya ever saw. “Its fer ya Nick. Let’s step out side, I need to talk to ya.” Well sir out side was a eight up hitch of caribou (that’s Injun for reindeer ) snugged up to a red sleigh. Well that old man got right to it. “Well Nick I was out here look-en for a new partner. You see I got this place up north and I was need-en some help. So I came to Skidoo to hire Brother Claw. Well as you can see he’s got his-self a new partner. Well the job’s your if-en you want it.” Well Nick just stared like-en he was in a dream. “ Come on son! I ain’t got all day, Christmas is a come-en. As them two was a load-en up, them kids and Brother Claw was come-en out the door as a gust of wind and snow went past and them two old boys was gone. Well, that how my grandma Deborah told the story to me when I was your age.