The Stone of Blood Read Online Free Page A

times and over many, many years! Some believe the cat may be the witch herself, disguised in a feline form!
     
    My Grandpa told me stories about how witches can turn themselves into cats! They can probably turn themselves into all kinds of other animals too!
     
    In a town so chalked full of real life history and stories, you’d think it would’ve been more than enough to have filled a kid’s imaginations, right up and until he was all the way fully growed!
     
    But as times were, when I was a kid, I still pretended an awful lot!
     
    Pretendin’ wasn’t “ the same as being real ” my mama told me. She said that I could “ pretend all I wanted to about stuff like jumping off the roof of our house and flying or about playing cars right out there in the middle of the street! ” But she said that “ in real life that just wasn’t ever gonna happen! ”
     
    So there you go! And so I pretended alot!
     
    In the recesses of my mind, imagination and real life often found themselves intertwined. And I guess dependin’ upon how you looked at it that was okay!
     
    ***
     
    June 1864
     
    It was just shy of sundown the day Jessie James rode into town. He made his way through the city streets, tipping his hat to the ladies as he passed them along his way. He didn’t hide his face here, there was no reason to. Bardstown was his second home. He was a local hero.
     
    After the Liberty bank robbery in Missouri , his partners Thomas Edward “Bud” and Alexander Doniphan “Donnie” Pence fled to Kentucky . Donnie became the Nelson County sheriff and the brothers homes located at Samuels Depot became safe houses for both Frank and Jesse James.
     
    Frank and Jesse had relatives in the area and their mom had gone to a nearby school. One of their cousins had also married the local county jailer! So it was common knowledge that whenever federal marshals were nearby, the James brothers would be made aware of it far enough in advance to make use one of the many caves or safe houses in the area to lay low or to escape!
     
    Jesse James rode his horse straight up to the Nelson County jailhouse; dismounted and met with the local Sheriff who’d come out to greet him.
     
    “Your room’s all set at the tavern Jessie. Arrangements made with the Inn keeper; paid in full.”
     
    “Much obliged Donnie. It’s been a long ride and I could use some sleep.”
     
    “I’ll get your horse to the stables. She’ll be fully rested by morning.”
     
    “I’ll be leaving out pretty early. The law’s been on me hard, and someone’s tracking me.”
     
    “Yeah, they’ve put the word out!”
     
    “I’ve got to be at Stone House by nine, a matter of importance. And then I’ll have need of fresh supplies if you got em’?” Jessie said. “And Donnie, I’ll be headed back to Logan County before I make the trip to Missouri if you want to ride.”
     
    “My place is here now Jesse, but we gotcha covered. Bud’s riding in from the depot. We’ll have you ready by first light.”
     
    While officials from the northern government called Jesse James ‘ outlaw ’, alot of those in the south called him ‘ hero ’. Alot also depended upon the point of view of the press. If the writer supported the North, the Confederate armies would be called guerillas and bandits . But if those same reporters supported the South, they would be called freedom fighters and heroes .
     
    After a few drinks to quench his thirst at the bar, Jesse checked into his room. The room had been paid for, prearranged with the Inn keeper as suggested be done; and under an assumed name. Jesse hung up his hat; sat down on the bed and emptied the contents of his saddlebags. Loot taken from a stagecoach robbery just this side of Jefferson : watches, rings and jewelry, golden coins along with a finely carved wooden box aligned with gold, silver and pearl inlay; holding a single blood red jewel within its chamber, a Blood Stone.
     
    A Blood Stone is a gem that is