Bohanin's Last Days Read Online Free PDF Page A

horse.
    â€œShe’ll need grain and a good grooming. You might grease the axles and check out the buggy. I’ve got a fair distance yet to go,” Bohanin said.
    â€œNice rig. New isn’t it?” the attendant asked.
    â€œNot nearly as new as a week ago,” Bohanin answered. “I need a bath and a shave, and a place to spend the night.”
    â€œThe tub and the shave can be had at Merle Anderson’s just down the street. I’d advise that you stay at Netty Johnson’s boarding house down by the schoolhouse yonder. She runs a good clean place and the food’s damned good,” the attendant said.
    â€œI need to know your rate. I’ll pay in advance,” Bohanin said as he lifted his rifle and suitcase from the buggy.
    â€œHow long you staying?”
    â€œA day or so. I reckon the mare could use the rest. I know I can.”
    â€œTwo bits ought to cover it. If you decide to leave early, I’ll refund the difference.”
    â€œGood enough, the name’s Captain L.J. Bohanin.”
    â€œWell, Captain L.J. Bohanin, my name is Groves and I run this place. I’ll take good care of your mare.”
    Bohanin nodded wearily and started down the street. It was easy to spot the barber pole in front of Merle Anderson’s shop and he made straight for it.
    Anderson, a thin man with a fancy waxed mustache, was standing at the window, watching the street. The barber opened the door for Bohanin when it became evident that he intended to give the merchant some trade. The shop was a one-chair affair with a nice new mirror and vanity across from a few leather-covered waiting chairs. The room smelled of hair tonic and shaving lotion. A row of personal shaving mugs was situated on either side of the vanity.
    â€œI need a place to get a bath and a shave. The livery man told me this was the place,” Bohanin said as he handed his rifle and suitcase to the barber.
    â€œSince I’m the only barber in town, I think he gave you solid advice. I can brush your suit for you while you clean up,” Anderson said.
    â€œI’d appreciate that. She’s getting a little trail weary,” Bohanin said.
    â€œIf you’ll have a seat, I’ll start some water heating for your bath. I can give you a shave during the meantime.”
    Bohanin removed his hat and hung it on the coat tree by the door. He removed his coat and hung it next to his hat. He heard the barber talking from the back room as he prepared Bohanin’s water.
    â€œYou been traveling quite a distance?”
    Bohanin sat in a waiting chair and watched a pair of women pass by the window carrying dry goods from shopping. “Yes, I started from Fort Larned, Kansas. On my way to California.”
    â€œDidn’t take the train?” the barber asked as he entered the main room.
    â€œNo. I’m in no hurry and I wanted to do some sightseeing along the way.”
    The barber offered Bohanin his barber chair.
    â€œThat’s a fair piece to travel in a buggy,” he said as he draped a cloth about Bohanin’s shoulders and adjusted the chair with one stroke of the pump.
    â€œI’m in no particular hurry and I wanted to see the countryside on my trip out,” Bohanin said.
    â€œYou’ve no pressing business, then?”
    â€œNo, I’m retired.”
    â€œI’ll bet you were a military man.”
    Bohanin smiled. “How’d you know that?”
    â€œThe way you carried yourself, mainly, I guess. You want a trim of the hair as well?”
    â€œYes, that would be fine,” Bohanin answered, quite comfortable with Anderson’s manner.
    â€œI was in the service myself. That’s where I learned barbering. Served with the 2nd Colorado Cavalry,” Anderson said as he prepared Bohanin for his haircut and shave.
    â€œServe any time back East?” Bohanin asked.
    â€œNo, I pulled all of my duty out here. How about you?”
    â€œI was with the Army