August 27, 1915

“It’s her third divorce that I know of,” Gus said as he unconsciously wiped the bar top.

“You were married to her for a while,” I replied.

“Almost nine years. I rarely get to see my little girl. I married Nellie, not to be confused with your Cajun friend, a month after her breakup with the guy before. That marriage lasted five months. She is suing for repeated cruelty. That’s a joke. She’s the malicious one and wants the money.”

“Love is compromised by money,” du Bois stated, then looked at me. “Don’t you think so Mr. Godfather?”

“Corina constituted the title; she will honor her contract with Madame and I’m feeling like the soon-to-be sacrificed pawn.”

“Get used to it,” Gus interjected.

“I’m not her husband.”

“But she wants you to be her lover, cri de coeur.”

I looked at du Bois saying, “Fine, you can call it a cry from the heart, but nothing good is going to come from this situation.”

A Post Office Chat

August 30, 1915

Clay Monson sorted letters and stuffed them in postal boxes. “Anything for me?” I asked.

“No Julius, but there is one from Hawaii for Anthony du Bois. Do you want to take it to him?”

“Of course. I’m sure it is Captain Reynolds continuing to seduce him to Honolulu.”

“Nice place I’ve read. Good place for a snowbird to spend the winter. Robert Lewis Stevenson, Treasure Island.”

“That, maybe, takes place in the Caribbean.”

“Doesn’t matter, great stuff.” He stuffed two postcards and a small package in a higher file box full of correspondence, “I’ve got to get some of this unclaimed mail delivered before I leave. I advertised the names in the paper this week.”

“I saw your ad, and I’m sorry you have resigned as postmaster. I’ve enjoyed our conversations over the counter.”

“There is a counter at Hugus Mercantile too. It’s a good deal for me with my brother leaving to ranch more. I’ve enjoyed our conversations too.”

“I pick up mail with more frequency than buying clothes.”

“Folks chit-chat without buying anything, you can too. What do you think of the Berries being shut out from the league championship?

“It’s not fair play. The only games left for them on the schedule are teams from towns voted out for forfeits. They can’t win a game by not playing. They protested in vain but had only one vote.”

“It’s sad. I guess we’re looking at next season, although mathematically they could tie for first place.”

“Not much chance of that.”

“True, I’ll still watch some games. I’m a fan.” Monson lifted a large parcel and placed it in a bin with several others. “I heard Fred Williams left the Cabin Café to barber again.”

“Yes, he purchased the Central shop from Mr. Lockhart. I’ll miss him at the hotel. I’m looking for a new barber, it probably will be him.”

“Tough luck with Burchfield’s place. Hope he had fire insurance.”

“The Mutual Theater too. My Uncle liked the shows there.” I slid du Bois’s letter in my pocket and turned to walk out.

Clay Monson, in the mood to chat, continued, “The City of Denver is doing an end around on the State Supreme Court by proposing to build the James Peak Tunnel and leasing it to the Moffat Road.”

“The train ride over Corona Pass is long and more than thrilling for me. A tunnel will speed up the travel time to the Capital City, especially in the winter. More and more tourists are driving Moffat Highway during the summer.”

“The frost-covered winter train windows gave me the willies up there. Are you going to buy an auto, Julius?”

“Maybe.”

“I hear you’re working as a midwife.”

“Wrong place, right time, but she needed help.”

“How did you..” he paused mid-sentence when employees, Miss Laura Monson and Van Gooding came from the back of the post office with questions. I tipped my hat to her and bid, “Good day,” to the gentleman and continued my errands.