Keith Engle

The Adventures of Slim & Friends

Episode VI

Grandpa bought the parts we needed for the tractor, and a couple things we didn’t necessarily need.  My sister and I jumped up in the cab of the truck, unwrapping the candy Grandpa bought us.  He fired up the truck, and just like that we were heading back to the farm. 

            “With the Brooks Clan in the clink, Slim, Jake, and Sherriff Hank were heroes of Clearwater,” Grandpa continued.  “They talked Slim into waiting around for the U.S. Marshals to show up and take ‘em away.  That meant an extra week in town for Slim and Pearl.  Of course it helped that he had met Molly.  Slim couldn’t wait to spend more time with her.

            Slim saddled up Pearl and headed to the ranch where the new cattle awaited.  He told them he’d be back in a week to herd the cattle back to Iowa.  Then Slim headed back to Clearwater to send a telegraph to Soap Creek Acres, so the folks back home wouldn’t worry about him being gone an extra week.

Since he had time on his hands, Slim helped out at the Lone Wolf Saloon, since Ernest the bartender had been injured.  He mostly stuck to moving heavy crates and kegs of beer.  Slim also repaired the destruction the Brooks boys caused.  He had to watch where he left his hammer and nails, so Miss Molly didn’t trip or get hurt.  Once everything was repaired, Slim added a fresh coat of paint to the place.  In no time at all, the saloon was looking good as new.

As the week drew to an end, Slim and Molly had grown closer, which meant a difficult goodbye was in sight.  Slim had enjoyed his time in Clearwater and meeting some real fine folks.  He wished he didn’t have to leave, but he had eight head of cattle waiting on him. 

The U.S. Marshals finally arrived and awarded the three heroes and hauled off the two crooks.  Slim was feeling several emotions at once.  He was proud of capturing the Brooks Clan, heartbreak for having to leave Molly behind, and sad to be leaving his home away from home.  Sherriff Hank shook Slim’s hand and offered him well wishes on the journey home.  And like that, with a tear in his eye, Slim drove the cattle out of Clearwater.”

Just then, we pulled in the driveway of the farm.  My sister and I helped Grandpa unload the parts from the back of the truck and carried them to the barn.  Since we had a couple hours before supper, we hurried through our chores so we could listen to more of the story as Grandpa fixed his worn tractor.