Boswell's Luck Read Online Free

be had, but hardly at a wage to feed four growing youngsters, much less provide shoes or britches. Georgiana lacked the aptitude for dealing cards, and she didn’t have the easy manner or shapely figure of a saloon girl.
    In desperation she sent out frantic telegrams, hoping some friend or relative might come to her aid. In truth, there was pitiful little family left after the war against the North and the Comanche raids that had killed her own two brothers. Finally an answer came from her mother’s sister down in Austin.
    â€œGood news?” Erastus asked as her mother scanned the sparse words.
    â€œPartly,” Georgiana answered with a frown. “Alex, Juliana, Marcus, you three hurry along a minute. Look after the hens. I’ve got words to share with your brother.”
    â€œCan’t we know, too?” Juliana complained. “He always gets to know first.”
    â€œHush!” Georgiana scolded. “Now off with you.”
    Alex took his little brother and sister by the hand and pulled them outside. Once the children had gone, Georgiana motioned Erastus to her side.
    â€œIs it about me?” he asked.
    â€œAbout all of us,” his mother explained. “Aunt Cordelia has a rooming house in Austin. Two of her grandchildren live there with her, but they’re young. She’s offered to take me on as cook. Juliana can help, and Marcus is the same age as her little grandson Crane.”
    â€œWhat about me and Alex?” Erastus asked.
    â€œShe’s found a place for Alex to work. He’ll be looking after horses at a nearby stable, and he’ll take his meals and pass his nights with us.”
    â€œAnd me?”
    â€œCordelia says,” Georgiana began. She paused to swallow a tear, then scanned the telegram again. “Cordelia feels you’re old enough to find your own way.”
    â€œI promised Pa I’d look out for you,” Erastus objected. “I swore I would.”
    â€œWe’ll be just fine, Rastus.”
    â€œThen why’re you cryin’?”
    â€œBecause I don’t like to think what’s in store for you. I was on my own at fifteen, and it wrinkles a body so you think he’s twenty goin’ on forty. Makes for an early grave, son.”
    â€œI’ll get by.”
    â€œI’m of a mind to tell Cordelia no,” Georgiana said, clasping her eldest son’s hand. “It’s a hard thing, comin’ o’ age with no father to lean on. Alex and Marcus’ll need you. Juliana, too, in a different way.”
    â€œAnd you?”
    â€œYes, me, too. If only there was some other other way … “
    â€œIsn’t, though, is there?” he asked, “I heard Miz Cathcart talkin’ how we’re sure to be taken into an orphan’s home. Or else split up and sent off to this farm or that. Aunt Cordelia’d keep Juliana and Marcus with you, and Alex … well, he wouldn’t be far.”
    â€œYou would.”
    â€œI might could find work in Austin.”
    â€œI wouldn’t think that likely, Rastus. If there was anything handy, Cordelia’d found it.”
    â€œMaybe Mr. Hanks’d take me on the drive?”
    â€œI asked already,” Georgiana said, pulling him closer. “I guess I’ve spoken to near every farmer or rancher for twenty miles.”
    â€œI’m fourteen, Ma!”
    â€œAnd better’n nigh any full-grown man I know. But they all say you’re thin. And smallish, after my people. I tell ’em how you work, but they all ask why Orville Hanks doesn’t take you in then.”
    â€œWonder so myself.”
    â€œThere’s one man’d take you in,” she said nervously.
    â€œThe Morrises? Wouldn’t be so bad livin’ with Mitch. He’s close to a brother.”
    â€œOtto Plank,” she muttered.
    â€œOle man Plank?” Erastus asked, feeling his legs wobble. “He beats his horses, and his boys, too,