The Town Council Meeting Read Online Free

batwings opened and the sheriff walked in. He came right to the table.
    â€œHey, Sheriff,” the judge said. “Have a sandwich?”
    â€œDon’t mind if I do.” He bent over, pulled out a sandwich. Turkey.
    â€œSammy?” the judge shouted.
    â€œYeah, Judge.”
    â€œFive beers.”
    â€œComin’ up.”
    â€œThanks, Judge,” the sheriff said.
    â€œDon’t thank me,” the judge said. “Thank Mr. Adams. He’s buyin’ lunch.”
    The sheriff stopped chewing, then shrugged and continued. The bartender came over with the five beers and set them on the table.
    Clint said, “I guess you better start me a tab, Sammy.”
    The bartender looked at the judge, who nodded.
    â€œSure thing,” the barman said and went back to the bar.
    â€œWhat’s on your mind, Sheriff?” the judge asked.
    â€œI, uh, came to talk to Adams.”
    â€œSo, talk,” the judge said. “We can play while you talk.”
    Yatesman looked around the table.
    â€œEverybody here knows what’s goin’ on,” the judge said. “Just consider this a town council meeting.”
    Yatesman thought about it, bit into his sandwich, and said, “Yeah, okay.”

SIX
    â€œThey’re gonna come into town later this afternoon,” the sheriff said.
    â€œWho is?” Clint asked.
    â€œThe men from the Bar K.”
    â€œHow many?”
    â€œAll of ‘em,” Yatesman said. “I ain’t gonna be able to stop twenty men.”
    â€œYou better,” the judge said.
    â€œWhat?”
    The judge looked up at him.
    â€œJoby!” he shouted.
    â€œYeah, Judge.”
    â€œRun to my office and get my gavel.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    The boy ran out.
    â€œJudge—” the sheriff said.
    â€œWait.”
    They played a hand while Joby was gone. The judge won it.
    â€œHey,” he said, raking in the money, “tide’s gonna turn.”
    Joby came in and gave the judge his gavel.
    â€œWait, boy.”
    He slammed the gavel down on the table.
    â€œHere,” he said to Joby, “put it back.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    The judge looked up at the sheriff.
    â€œThis is now an official meeting of the town council, Sheriff,” he said. “It’s your duty to see that we’re not disturbed.”
    â€œAgainst twenty men?” Yatesman asked. “With no deputies?”
    The judge looked around the table.
    â€œAll right, gents, pony up.”
    â€œHuh?” Chambers asked.
    â€œTen dollars each should do it.”
    â€œFor what?” Lawson asked.
    â€œCome on, come on,” the judge said. He took out a ten and put it on the table. The other men followed, placing a ten on top until there were four—and then Clint reached over and laid down a fifth.
    â€œObliged,” the judge said.
    He picked up the fifty dollars and handed it to the sheriff.
    â€œHire yourself some deputies,” he said.
    â€œTemporary one,” Patton added. “Just until this thing is over.”
    â€œDon’t if anybody’s gonna volunteer, when they hear what’s happening.”
    â€œDon’t wait for volunteers,” the judge said. “Now go on.”
    The sheriff picked up his beer, drank half of it, and then left.
    â€œNice move, Judge,” Mayor Patton said. “Now whose deal is it?”
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    A couple of hours later the sheriff returned. The judge had just lost a hand he was sure was his. He’d had as full house, but he lost when Clint dropped his cards on the table, revealing four threes.
    To their credit, as Clint continued to win, these four men never made a comment about cheating. To a man they realized they were being outplayed. They didn’t like it, but they respected it.
    â€œGoddamn, man,” the judge said. “We’re getting’ a lesson today.”
    â€œAnd payin’ for it,” Patton said.
    â€œYou fellas want to call