A fictional story by Junior Johnson

 

After Captain John Winston and the other prisoners had been led away to their jail cells, Judge Robert Porter invited everyone to join him for supper at his home.  It was late in the evening and Abslom had already decided they would take rooms for the night and return to CoCo Bed the next morning.

Judge Porter knew the proceedings in court would be lengthy and had told his lovely wife Shirley to make arrangements for a big meal of venison steaks for everyone.  Shirley was known in the area to be an excellent cook and to be invited to have one of her meals was a treat.

Judge Porter had another reason for having Abslom Johnson and Levy Lodrigue at his home.  Since the two men were respected in the area the Judge wanted their opinion for what he had in mind.

The Sheriff of Natchitoches was Erik Eliasson.  He was one of the best lawmen that Judge Porter had ever worked with but was wanting to step down as Sheriff so that he could work with his sister Annica Karlis who ran the local newspaper.  Annica had taken over the failing enterprise a couple of years before and had built it up to where it was a very successful business.  Erik wanted to work with his sister and make it a family business.

Sheriff Jones had family members who lived in the Isle Brevelle community and Judge Porter hoped he could convince Jones to take the job when Erik stepped down.  He knew that Natchitoches would still have a top notch lawman to replace Eliasson, and perhaps with Abslom and Levy’s encouragement he could make it happen.

When everyone arrived at the Judge’s house he wasted no time getting the men together.  Sheriff Eliasson was already at the courtroom and he accompanied everyone to the Porter home.

After Judge Porter laid out his plans to Sheriff Jones it took no persuasion for him to accept the offer.  Erik was relieved because he did not want to step down until there was a qualified replacement for him.  He could not wait to inform his sister Annica Karlis that he would soon be able to join her with the newspaper.

By the time business was completed in Judge Porter’s drawing room, his wife Shirley had already begun getting her guests seated around the large table in her dining room which was piled with delicious venison steaks and pastries, and gallons of iced tea.

After their meal was devoured Judge Porter’s guests retired to their hotel rooms for a good night’s rest.  It had been a long and stressful day.  Judge Robert had already told Sheriff Eliasson and Sheriff Jones to meet him the next morning in his chambers where he would swear in the new Sheriff of Natchitoches.

It had been a good day for all, except the evil Captain John Winston and his thugs.  Their fates had been sealed and they would face the hangman’s noose in three days.