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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 1883417" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Fifty-two, “Helen Barker and Cornelius Van Horne”, January 7th, 1882:Tom waves Jake over to the bar and says "Jake, we were waiting for another one of Job's regular players to arrive but he doesn't appear to be coming. Why don't you get started, Neil here is a little anxious."   Jake and Neil Cassidy head over to the table.Before he sits down he says, "Good evening folks, thanks for coming tonight. My name is Jake Cook and I'll be sitting in for Job Kane tonight. We expect Job to be able to come back to his regular table soon, in the mean time we'll keep his table warm. Shall we?" Jake takes his seat to collect the names of those he has not already met. Neil Cassidy mutters “It’s about time.” The man in the bow tie says, “Please calm down Mr. Cassidy. I heard you took in close to $ 300 last night. Don’t be in such a rush to win all our money tonight.” Brower laughs and says “Well Eddie, maybe you’ll be the big winner this time around. You did take the pot that one time around a year ago.” The man immediately corrects him, stating “No, it wasn’t a year. I won on the final pot of the night on March 26th. That was 287 days ago, which is only 78.6% of a year.”   The man then looks up at Jake and says “Thank you Sir for filling in for Job while he is unavailable. Now, where is it that are you staying Mr. Cook?”  I am temporarily staying at the El Parador, but I'll be sure to let you know when I relocate to a more permanent location in town." Jake says to put the Postmaster at ease. He scans the players quickly for any reaction. The man thanks Jake for the information and introduces himself as Edward Palmer. Brower tells Jake, “I’d like to apologize for playing with Tony last night instead of you. I hope you don’t take it personally, I think you’re a fine dealer. It was that Evan Adair who I was trying to avoid. He hates all of his competitors. You saw how badly he treated the Whipples; well he’s the same way with me since I’m a part owner of the Comique. I did not feel like sitting through an entire evening of his jabs and insults about how great his Saloon is compared to mine. I tell you, I really got a big kick out of seeing Neil here beat the pants off of him.” Jake’s attention wanders to the pair of ranchers. The one who Jake concluded was the more influential of the two introduces himself as Tempel Morand of the Rocking-H Ranch, ten miles southwest of the town and the largest ranch in Cochise County. The other man introduces himself as Bart Hoople and says that he works at the Rocking-H.   Jake now gets a closer look at the woman, still not being able to fully identify the odd smell coming from her. He also now detects another scent, a faint cigar smell coming from her clothing and now sees the tops of two cigar stubs protruding from a pocket in her vest. She smiles and tells him “Hello Jake, I’m Helen. Let’s play cards.” He shuffles the cards, offers a cut and says with a smile, "Five card draw." and begins dealing. Ninety minutes pass at the poker table. During that time everybody has won at least one hand except for the cowboy Bart Hoople. Jake quickly deduces that Helen is the best player currently at the table, possibly even better than he is. At this point Jake is $ 17 ahead of where he began. He estimates that Helen is $ 25 ahead; the rancher Morand is $ 8 ahead; Bower is even; Palmer is also even but just because he's folded with every hand; Cassidy is down $ 20; and Hoople is down $ 30.   Ruby sang one of songs during that time. During her performance Stanley Barker sat alone at a table beside the stage, taking in her every note with a happy and relaxed look on his face. Adam and Hoss Cartwright joined Little Joe and the three sat attentively during Ruby's performance and gave her a standing ovation when she was done. They settled down after that but were then cornered by Parker Baxter. The men spoke to him for around ten minutes. Parker then excused himself to go use the outhouse and while he was gone the three said their good-byes to Katherine and Ruby and left before the newspaperman returned.   Katherine was pleased to note that Tom Whipple hasn't been staring at her this evening and thinks, "Maybe it was just the dramatic change in my clothing that he was looking at."Ruby noticed Baxter from the stage and decided she would have a little chat with him about the day’s events when he came back in. As soon as she sees him she walks right up.   ‘Mr. Baxter, so nice to see you again. What are you doing here? I was wondering about the commotion with the shooting today and Wyatt Earp. I’m sure an informed man such as yourself knows the details of what went on…” He appears to be far more sober than prior times when she saw him. He replies "Ah yes, Mrs. Cookie, so nice to see you again. Perchance did you happen to see where the three cattlemen I was talking to went off to? No? Today, Oh, you mean the commotion over at the Trail Dust Saloon. Just a minor misunderstanding. You can read all about it in my paper. I should have a special edition out tomorrow. You may have to look to the third or fourth page to find it though, a much bigger story has come up."  He then finishes his drink as well as half of one that Adam Cartwright left behind and rushes out the door.“Oh boy,” thinks Ruby. “Well at least they don’t think it was us…I guess I should go now and find out about the stagecoach.” She looks around the room at who could answer some questions for her. She couldn’t ask Maggie or Tom, it could get back to Katherine. And then there was Stanley. After all, he was sitting there all alone. Ruby walks over to him. “Hello, Mr. Barker. Lovely playing earlier. I’m sure my friend Katherine really enjoyed it too. I didn’t really get a chance to talk with you earlier. I noticed that Maggie says you have a photography studio around here. I was hoping that you could answer a question for me, as I am new around here. Could you tell me where the office is for the Coach that goes to Tombstone? I’m thinking of taking a trip there and need some information.” Helen's winning streak comes to an abrupt end immediately after Ruby approaches and speaks to the man who played the piano earlier. Helen loses $ 14 in that hand and declares "Time for a break!" She then gets up and marches directly towards the table by the stage. Morand wins that hand picking up a $ 40 pot, most coming from Cassidy. Hoople declares "I'm broke and out." Jake is another $ 8 ahead, now up to $ 25 more than he began the night. Bower is also now slightly ahead. Palmer bet on only one hand all evening, losing $ 5.  Jake declares, "Well gentlemen, the lady says it's time for a break. I think we have enough to continue in about fifteen minutes? Perhaps we can even entice an additional player or two." Jake tries not to make it too obvious that he is watching what is about to happen between Helen and Ruby. But he moves closer just in case he needs to break something up.Before Stanley can even get an answer out to Ruby's questions a female voice sounds from behind Ruby saying, "Dear, we're on a break. Why don't you entertain the house again."  A smile covers his face and he says "Wonderful idea. Oh, this is the singer Ruby West, she has some business questions you might be able to answer."  He then heads back to the piano and places out a book filled with sheet music. Ruby notes the title of the book "Songs and Ballads of Sir Arthur Sullivan".  Stanley opens the book to the popular Sullivan song "Sweethearts" and then launches into the lyrics (written by Sullivan's frequent collaborator W.S. Gilbert). He has a beautiful tenor voice and as he sings looks up into Helen's eyes.Ruby turns around slowly to see Helen standing there.   “Oh, I don’t think I caught your name earlier Miss…” Ruby extends her hand to the woman. "It's MRS. Mrs. Stanley Barker." "Excuse me, Mrs. Barker, I didn't know you were married to Mr. Barker here. I was just commenting on how wonderful Mr. Barker's playing was. And asking him if he knew where I could find the stagecoach office. Is there a problem?" No, no problem. Just needed to clarify," she states. She then says "The stagecoach office won't be open until tomorrow but I believe that the drivers spend Saturday nights over at the Drover's Saloon." While this is going on a large well dressed man enters the room. He stands around six-foot-three and is a good 300 pounds. He is wearing an off-white finely tailored three-piece suit the color of which matches the ivory of the piano keys. He has a high-collared white starched shirt and a white bow tie, both of which appear to be made of silk. Large shoes made of tan suede adorn his feet that exactly match his belt. The suit is open and gold chains can be seen dangling from three of the six vest pockets. A small wooden case, most likely for eyeglasses, sits in another vest pocket. He has a round face with a white goatee, mustache, bushy eyebrows and a full head of white hair parted to the right with a white silk hat above it. Jake guesses his age to be late sixties or early seventies. In his right hand is a wooden cane with a gold grip and gold stopper on the bottom.Jake decides that the worst that is likely to happen now is a little edged banter so goes over to get a drink. and to watch the new well dressed stranger from the bar. While they are having this conversation Stanley finishes the song and launches immediately into another one. His wonderful voice sings out the words: All the dreaming is broken through, Both what is done and undone I rue. Nothing is steadfast, nothing is true, But your love for me, and my love for you, My dearest, dearest heart! When the winds are loud, when the winds are low; When the roses come, when the roses go, One thought, one feeling is all I know, My dearest, dearest heart! The time is weary, the year is old, And the light of the lily burns close to the mould: The grave is cruel, the grave is cold, But the other side is the city of gold, My dearest heart! My darling, darling, my darling heart! Hearing the lyrics to Judge Lacey's favorite song suddenly reminds Ruby that she had made a lunch date with him for the next day, for when she is now planning to be in Tombstone with Jake. While this is going on the large man walks by Jake’s table and goes straight to the bar. Jake hears the man exclaim in a deep baritone voice with a strong southern accent “Mr. Whipple, May I please inquire as to the whereabouts of Mr. Kane this evening?” Tom replies, “Why yes Mr. Van Horne, he’s currently indisposed.” "Good evening Mr. Van Horne, allow me to introduce myself. I am Jake Cook. Mr. Kane has asked me to keep his table running while he is away. There is a chair available if you are so inclined. And if you'd prefer to come another time when Mr. Kane is back, I would understand."  The man turns his head slightly in Jake's direction without fully looking at him, then turns back towards Tom Whipple and asks "Kane isn't here? Is he sick?” Tom Whipple replies, “On Thursday night he and a customer had a disagreement and Marshall Earp decided to settle it by locking them both up in jail. He should be back next week. In the meanwhile I’ve hired a Mr. Cook here as new dealer for this evening. He played last night with your friend Mr. Adair and I'm sure you will find him acceptable. We also have a new singer, this young lady Miss Ruby West, whose talents I believe you will really enjoy.” Van Horne answers, “I am always thankful for the entertainment of a lady, but I’m not really in the mood this evening for a new poker partner. If there’s room at Mr. Lucia’s table I’ll take a seat there.” Tom replies, “Yes, he has two seats open and I’ve gotten that bottle that you asked requested. I’ll bring it right over to you.”  Van Horne replies “Much obliged. And if Maggie could mix up some good old-fashioned southern friend chicken that would be really appreciated.”Ruby slides up next to Jake at the bar and asks him "How's your game going?"  Jake makes no facial expression bad I think the mix just changed though. You rattled that lady good though."   Ruby says, "Listen, I figured the coach's office would be closed but lovely Mrs. Baxter over there informed me that the drivers are at another Saloon. I"m not sure I can get in and out on my break. I'm also not sure I should be doing that alone..."  He replies, "Ok, Ruby. I'll run over right now but keep piano boy playing and you singing and don't lose my players while I'm out!"Ruby reaches out her hand, since she is standing right there. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Van Horne."  He turns in her direction with his back to Jake and praises her singing voice and beauty, offering to buy her a drink. Rather than being offended, Jake tries not to laugh. "Since I am invisible anyway," he whispers to Ruby, "I'll go now." With a broad smile on his face he walks slowly out the front doors into the darkness and then hurries to Drover's Saloon in search of a coach driver or two.Meanwhile, within sight of Promise City….the prospectors saw the lights of Promise City up ahead. They had circumnavigated around to the north of the town and now approached from the northwest, planning to reach the stamping mill and smelter without being seen by any of the townspeople. The mill sat atop a hill on the western end of town. The road up to the mill was on the side of the hill facing the town, and the men heard the sounds of the town having a lively Saturday night. The mistrustful prospectors wanted to continue to remain unnoticed so they decided not to use that road but to instead go up the short hill to the stamping mill from the direction from which they were travelling.</blockquote>

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