The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser

Author:Nancy Moser
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: The Journey of Josephine Cain
ISBN: 9780824934279
Publisher: Guideposts
Published: 2013-08-12T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

“Let’s go around, Miss Cain,” Hudson said, trying to steer her to a side street.

“But isn’t the general store straight ahead?”

“Yes, but your father asked me to keep you away from the bad parts of town.”

“Oh pooh,” she said. “I have already seen a man shot in front of me. Take me the shortest route, Mr. Maguire—and one that avoids as much mud as possible.”

If Josephine thought she gained appreciative attention walking among the workers in the rail yard, within the boundaries of Cheyenne, she was treated like a pariah.

The men setting up the saloon for the day eyed her, hat to shoe. “Care for a drink, Miss Cain?”

She ignored them but whispered to Frieda and Hudson, “They know my name?”

“Word spreads,” Hudson said.

“It’s rather unnerving.”

“Not much you can do about it.”

She passed the brothel. The women’s blouses were open low, revealing their corsets and more bosom than Josephine thought possible. One stopped and gawked. “What’re you doing out of your cage, girlie?”

Cage?

Hudson pointed a finger at them. “Behave yourselves.”

They made disparaging motions at him.

“Sorry about that,” he said, moving to Josephine’s other side to put himself between her and the prostitutes.

“Not much you can do about it,” she mimicked. But she pulled Frieda along ever faster.

They entered the general store. Seeing them, the proprietor ran a hand over his oily hair. “Ladies.”

Hudson stepped forward. “Mr. Benton, I would like you to meet Miss Cain, the general’s daughter, and her cousin, Mrs. Schultz.”

He made a little bow. “Pleasure to meet you. Fred Benton, at your service.” Then he stopped. “Hey now. I recognize you. You came in here yesterday and took away a towel and bandages. Without paying.”

Josephine was shocked. “Thank you for asking after the shooting victim, Mr. Benton. He is recovering nicely.”

The man reddened. “Is there something you need? Specifically, I mean?”

“Not specifically. We simply thought it was time we checked your wares.”

He stepped back to showcase the few shelves that were stocked. “A little of everything and a lot of nothing, I’m afraid. I stock up when a stagecoach comes through, or a shipment on the train, but it’s slow going, and what I do get in gets snatched up pretty fast.”

She perused the shelves. “Why don’t you have more items that women would like to purchase?”

He made a harrumph sound. “Not enough women around to matter.”

She pointed in the direction of the pioneers. “What about the pioneer women? I just talked to them, and I know they would appreciate some products to make their lives easier.”

He moved to a counter of bowls and spoons. “I got kitchen stuff.”

She shook her head. “Your vision is too narrow, Mr. Benton.”

A little girl of about ten or eleven slipped into the store. At first Josephine wondered if one of the Mormon children had followed them here, but judging by her dirty appearance, Josephine guessed she wasn’t one of theirs. Was she Benton’s daughter?

Benton ignored the child and strode toward a china cup and saucer. “Perhaps this would interest you? It’s hand-painted in London.

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