Diamond Buckow by A. J. Arnold

Author:A. J. Arnold
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781590773437
Publisher: M. Evans & Company

Chapter Fifteen

Diamond sighed deeply as he recalled the words and ideas he’d shared with Nancy Blough. His earlier sense of foreboding was now warmed away like the sun’s burning off a dawn fog. A strong wind blew through his brain. It left his mind clean of all the old cobwebs that were encrusted with his past mistakes.

He knew what he was going to do. For the first time in months, Diamond’s lips puckered to form a whistling tune. He walked toward the land office, where for a small fee he was able to file on the quarter section. When it came time for his signature he boldly wrote, “B. Diamond.”

Next time it would be Diamond Buckow. Soon, he hoped. But at least he knew that in his head. Maybe B. Diamond would always be just as good, for everybody else.

He looked the agent in the eye. “I understand you also keep the brand book for this section?”

“That’s right, I do. But if you want to register a brand, it’ll take more time than filing on a government claim. If you want it recognized by the other ranchers, that is. ’Course, plenty of brands are being used that aren’t registered. Can’t say as I know what a court of law would decide about them.”

“I don’t have any cattle right now,” Diamond stated. “But I aim to have a legal brand for them when I get some.”

“Give you a suggestion? Decide on your mark and then show it to me. I know ’most all the brands for quite aways around. All you really need is the approval of the committee. If it doesn’t conflict with anything I know of, I’ll enter it on the books as a request. Meanwhile, you can be looking up your cattle. Might save you some time.”

“Fine.” Diamond nodded quickly. “It’ll be a series of diamonds connected at the side points to make a string. I’ll call it the Running Diamond. Here, let me draw you a picture.”

As he sketched, the man looked over his shoulder. “I believe you’re safe. I’ve not seen any mark at all like that.”

Diamond left the land office feeling nine feet tall. His own ranch! The quarter section gave him grazing rights on the adjoining range, and he had a brand. The cattle would have to wait.

He thought to get some supplies to take back with him, and spent most of the day in stores seeking the best buys for his limited funds. It was late afternoon when he came to Dobbins’s Hardware to finish his purchases.

The bald proprietor greeted him with a big smile. “Did you take that chestnut to the smith for shoes?”

“Yeah, left him there mid-morning. I’m on my way to get him when I leave here.”

“Good, good.” Tom Dobbins grinned again, then his face turned questioning.

“I’ve got a kind of proposition for you if you’re interested. I think it’ll make both of us some money.”

Diamond considered. “I’ll sure listen to any good ideas. But why should you offer me a money-making proposal? You don’t know me, you just met me yesterday.

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