Yancy's Luck by Terrell Bowers

Author:Terrell Bowers [Bowers, Terrell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hale Books
Published: 2018-02-27T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Hilton paced the room and stopped to confront Slone. They were alone in the marshal's office. 'Then you don't think we have the votes to carry the election?'

'I can't buy or scare some of the men around town. A good many of them fought in the war between the Union and the Confederacy. If they get their hackles up, we might end up with a fight we can't win.'

'What about the women? Wyoming has always allowed for women to vote. Do you think there's any way we can use their numbers to our advantage?'

'Most women will vote with their husbands. That doubles the odds against us.'

'Then we've got to change the odds.'

Slone frowned, obviously not understanding his train of thought. 'How do we manage that?'

'We should warn the women that violence and blood-shed might erupt if our side should lose the election. Some of them will want to protect their men from harm.'

'I don't think we can count on Chaw for something like that. He works for the high wages you pay, but he balks at crossing over the line and breaking any laws. We might have to send him packing.'

'His gun adds to our weight. How about we offer him more money?'

'The man has his own code of ethics,' Slone replied. 'I don't know how far he'll go if this gets nasty.'

'How about the others?'

'Zip and Leroy can speak privately to some of the wives and other eligible women. They will do whatever we tell them to do. What else have you got in mind?'

'Bring in a half-dozen parlor girls and some new dealers and such to work at the King's Full Saloon. Hire a few extra workers for the mine or to help with work around town. Get as many new people as you can. We'll keep them on long enough to get through the election. We need the votes.'

Slone blinked in surprise. 'You think that will work?'

'The tavern burnt down. That means there are customers out there to be taken care of – especially the soldiers from the fort. We'll hurt Wade's saloon with the new girls too. Get the best you can find in Cheyenne or wherever -- promise them top dollar.'

'Where do we get the money for all of this?'

'We'll use the funds we have saved up for the railroad. The saloon should pay back a sizable portion of dividends on our investment. With a few gals to dance and drink with, the soldiers will be more than happy to part with their money.'

'I thought Flora was against dance-hall gals?'

'She knows the price of failure in my bid for this election. If we lose the office of mayor, you and I will be broke.'

'John and the others won't stand still over this. They'll know what we're doing.'

'Makes no difference. There's nothing anyone can do about it.'

“Doesn't a person have to be a resident before they can vote?'

'As mayor, I can state that anyone who earns a living in Pine Junction is allowed the privilege of voting.

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