THE PHILOSOPHY OF STRUGGLE
  • Blog
  • Chrysalis
  • TNFM
  • Music

The Philosophy
​of Struggle

The Valley (a lyrical short)

2/12/2013

1 Comment

 
Against his better judgment, Joe thumbed back the hammer, let the ball fly and watched the young preacher die.
Then he saddled his pony and rode into the sun and that's how this chase was begun. Little Joe Talley, yer wanted for killing the last Baptist preacher in Apache Territory, the last decent clergy in the whole damn valley.

The lawman was absent when the town came unraveled. Marshal Mulhaney had a thing for the ladies. He was high on the mescal down on the border, courting his Mexican lovers. Marshal Mulhaney, yer shirking yer duty. Yer the last armed sentry in Apache Territory, last constabulary in the whole damn valley. 

Allison Bentley was the town schoolteacher. She and this preacher were brother and sister. When the news had found her what Joe Talley had done, she stole her a horse and a gun. Allison Bentley, have you gone bloody crazy? Yer just a lowly schoolteacher in Apache Territory and the last pretty lady in the whole damn valley.

The next day in town, half blind and hungover, Marshal Mulhaney assembled his posse. He meant to kill Talley and catch Allison. You see, both he and Joe loved that woman. Marshal Mulhaney, yer King Bastard of many, abusing yer title in Apache Territory to kill yer last known rival in the whole damn valley.

They met under the desert moon in the mountains. Just like Joe planned it, they'd live lives of bandits. The preacher had sworn to tear them asunder. That's why Joe murdered her brother. Joe Talley, yer dreamin if yer thinkin yer leavin without a heap more killin in Apache Territory, it's yer last quiet evenin in the whole damn valley.

Marshal Mulhaney found their trail in the foothills. His Apache myrmidon knew just where they'd gone. Mulhaney took the shot from a lofty crop of rock. Joe slumped in his saddle and dropped. Allison Bentley, yer feelin so guilty, lost the last of yer family in Apache Territory, he's yer last loving memory of the whole damn valley.

Little Joe Talley sat bravely bleeding in the shadows of sunset, counting his bullets. She cried and she left him as he made her a promise, "Mulhaney won't live through this." Little Joe Talley, you come to yer ending, yer last act of vengeance on Apache Territory, yer last "good riddance" to the whole damn valley.

Allison Bentley had done what Joe told her. She rode for a mile dragging plunger and wire. When she saw through the glass both lawman and lover, she unleashed the dynamite's thunder. Marshal Mulhaney, yer pieces are many, on every promontory in Apache Territory. Joe, these mountains and hills are yer crematory... 

This is the last love story from the whole damn valley.

Picture
1 Comment
tooley
4/14/2013 10:45:04 pm

Always one of my favorites of yours.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    August 2021
    March 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    May 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    November 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012

    Picture
    Chrysalis, a growing collection of very short fiction. 

    Picture
    That Night Filled Mountain
    ​episodes post daily. Paperback editions are available.




    My newest novel River of Blood is available on Amazon or Apple Books.

    Picture
    Unless noted, all pics credited to Skitz O'Fuel.

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Blog
  • Chrysalis
  • TNFM
  • Music