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It was in the

year 1935. This was in the period of the great depression as this story begins in

one of the southern parts of the USA, Bonanza, Arkansas. It had one little grocery

& supply store, a saloon, a hole in the wall liquor store and a western union post as

a bank and money transfers and one old barber shop that was the watering hole for

most, even when there was no business. Ethnically there were 60 percent whites

and the rest were blacks. The area was a small rural section that crops and live

animals were raised for profit.

In this little town, the man in charge was the Mayor. He was also a judge, he ran

the little jail, he was sometimes even a sheriff and he often played the piano in the

saloon for all the dancing girls and beer drinkers. He was Mister Andrew S.

Samuelson. Because of his gong-ho ways and his rough approach to solve issues,

some people called him many names apart from what his initials spelt out. It was

not surprising that he put many blacks in jail but then the town folks started to

complain that they needed those same individuals that to work the fields. And with

the economy the way it is, he had no choice but to give them a short room and board stay. Then he would grumble and mutter obscenity as he unlock the jail door to let out 6-black individuals that should have only fit two persons in that jail cell. On this occasion, he had Elija. He was an ornery young 22 year old black worker.
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“Why tank yah sah, is mighty kind of yah! It was mighty nice to be free again.”

“Boy, my name is not “sah”, its Mister Samuelson to you, now geet”, Samuleson said.

“Yees sah, Mister Samuelson”, as he walked out the jail house in a military march.

Elija lived with his grandfather. His parents were deceased. Elija worked in a chicken and pig farm. He only worked there for three to five hours a day at minimum wage. There were times when he would go without work for a week. It was sometimes difficult for him as he had to wake up pretty early in the mornings to start, being at the farm at four and five am to look after the animals was not an easy task for young Elija. His boss was Mister Thomas Fry. He was a decent individual and had good moral standards. Mister Fry had a wife, Anna May. However, Elija thought that the real boss was Anna May. Sometimes she would yell across the yard (some 50 yards away) and he would be running in her direction. She was a very fussy domineering person; it’s her way or no way. She would say, “Thomas Albert, you gonna take me to town this moment, I have some shopping to do, just send those boys home and take care of me.” Without question, “Of course my dear, right away”, he replies. Elija and his workmates would laugh and comment on the scene.
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Darnell, who is about Elija’s age jokingly said, “he gats to be nice to her, else he ‘aint gonna get nothing tonight”.

“You right about that, even a fool like you can figure that out”, Elia laughing.

Then the older worker, JayCee chimed in.

“Don’t you call mah nephew a fool, even though e’s fool.”

“If he’s a fool and you related to him, then you ain’t far off,” Elia responded.

JayCee than looked at Elija, “Boy, I am not that ‘ol I can’t wop your a**.”

Elija bent over laughing to mock him.

“Now now let’s be serious, old man”, Elija said, “I gots more moves than a fleeting butterfly but I can come on you like a locomotive”.

Darnell then began to stutter like he usually does when he gets nervous,

“You...you...you...guys don’t fight, Mister Fry won’t like dat, you all be be nice now”.

JayCee, then cooled down, and said, “Don’t worry nephew, I won’t kick his a**, maybe another day”.
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Mister Thomas Fry and his wife Anna May rode into town in a horse driven cart to pick up supplies. She couldn’t help noticing that another building in town was going up. This was a good sign as it helped with jobs. But it bothered Anna May to know what it was; another grocery store, a real bank or just another saloon for more drunks to hang out.

“Thomas”, she said, “You go and find out what building they gonna put up there yonder”.

Thomas didn’t want to get involved to find out and he didn’t even care, he then replied,

“Ah honey, it just another building, we’ll soon find out when it’s done.”

“Thomas, will you please do what I say”, She looked at him sternly.

Reluctantly, he pulled up the horse drawn cart to the stop, close to the supply store.

“You go in the store and see what you can find and I will see what kind of building it is”, he said to her.

Thomas Fry then walked over to the construction site and was just about to ask one of the workers when Mayor Samuelson came out from the side of the building.
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“Thomas, it’s been a while since I haven’t seen you, how are you ‘ol man?”

Thomas Fry was slightly shocked to see the mayor within the depths of the construction building.

“I am fine and living Mayor Samuelson, I am just curious on what kind of building this is.”

Mayor Samuelson then looked at Thomas Fry a bit more seriously.

“I am expanding the jail, making my court room larger and I think the saloon needs an upgrading if I am going to do piano playing there. We will be doing renovations to better Bonanza.”

Thomas Fry then was speechless for a couple of seconds, then said, “A bigger court room, an upgrade on the saloon, and of course Uncle Sam gives you all of this money and he didn’t even asked you what you will be totally doing with it?”

The Mayor then paused but replied gently, “Off the record, you are right but don’t tell anyone that, I even keep a little bonus for myself, but you haven’t heard that from me.”

Then Thomas final words to him was, “I can understand why you are the politician and that’s why I chose to deal with pigs and chickens instead.”
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Thomas Fry was a morally structured individual and if it was someone other than the Mayor making those statements he would be more boldly outspoken. But he realized and knew from a long time that Samuelson was not the person for their little town. His conclusive feelings was the thought that the populous fools voted for him, it’s one their heads and guilt, and as he thought within himself, “I wash my hands in those affairs.”

Thomas then calmly walked to the store where his wife was. He approached his beloved wife and told her that Samuelson is just building an extension to the jail. She then nodded and continued to shop as he watched her calling the worker in the store to load up the wagon cart outside. Coming out of the store Thomas notice someone at the corner of the building store. Anna May then told Thomas it was an Indian and he’s a beggar, and that he shouldn’t give “the savage” anything. Thomas was curious about the Indian and when she turned her back to go back into the store; he went over to see the Indian at the side of the building.

“Hi, are you ok”, he said approaching the Indian.
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“Can you give me a quarter, I am hungry mister”.

Thomas looked at him closer in his torn cloths.

“I can do better, here is five dollars, get yourself a meal and a place to stay for the night”.

“Are you sure you want to give me five dollars... thank you thank you anyway. By the way my name is Frank, that’s my white name you know.”

Thomas Fry then wondered about the Indian so he told him if he wanted a job he should come his farm. He wrote on a piece of paper the name of the place and drew a little map. After that Thomas Fry then immediately walked away before his wife came back around and found him talking with the Indian.

Now Mister Fry’s farm neighbor was Sam Farensworth, his specialty was sheep. Farensworth wanted to expand his land since his sheep heard was growing but Thomas Fry was not going to give that up. They often had bitter words with each other. This of course was going on for years. He also didn’t like any of his employees after all Mister Fry had black workers. Mister Fry didn’t care what Farensworth thought about him anyway and was not going to be controlled or even threatened. Darrel was one of the workers for Mister Fry and often walked by Farnsworth’s farm on the way to work. He would sometimes stop and look at the sheep, make odd sounds as he would try to imitate them.
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Mister Farensworth often grew tired of his imitation of his “Baah, baah”. Mister Farensworth would shout at him, and even call him that “n” word that ended up with Darrel stuttering and trying to cuss Farensworth.

“One day ‘am gonna take one of your sheep”, Darrel then said.

“You just try it, I got this Winchester Rifle here boy says you can’t!”, Farensworth responded.

Darrell would leave with the hope he will do it one day. Darrell told Elja about what he wanted to do to Farensworth but Elija thought that Darrel was just mad at him when he said it and it wasn’t going to develop to anything.

Now at the pig and chicken farm, Mister Fry then made his presence and said, “I have an announcement to make. We have a new worker. His name is Frank”. Frank the Indian then walked in, “Hi man, just want to work and mind my own business”. Elija then commented, “That’s ok too, but you might want to talk to us now and then so we can show you what to do.” Mister Fry continued, “Actually Frank, you will be trained by JayCee; he knows this work even better than I do.” Frank then nodded in approval and followed JayCee to the other side of the farm to begin his training. Despite Frank’s tough exterior, Darrel, Elija and JayCee found out that he was a good cook. Frank even knew how to cook
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Cajun foods. Many times they would enjoy lunch time when Frank would start with an open fire pit; meat or chicken, coupled with sauces and a combination of other foods that made it so delicious. Mister Fry let them indulge in their big lunch; the lunches were even more festive on Fridays. However, Mister Fry was worried at times after they had lunch for their performance sometimes grew less. Nevertheless, Mister Fry even got involved with the taste of Frank’s cooking. His wife who didn’t take too kindly to Indians soon came around and got used to Frank’s presence and what he offered.

One day, Darrel was passing by Farensworth’s farm and he started his thing again, “Baah, baah” goes Darrel.

“You better geet before I shoot you in the a** boy!!”, Farensworth yells.

“Am gonna get me a that fat black one you got there…one day, Farensworth, I’m gonna steal it and have me some sheep..ooh yeah!.”

“You better shut up, you black b*****d, you come near my sheep and ‘am gonna pack you with lead”, Farensworth yells again.
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“I gonna get one..I gonna ge ge get one, you wait and see”. Darrel then went away laughing,

The next day, Sam Farensworth went to Mayor Samuelson and told him the situation with Darrel. But Mayor Samuelson told Farensworth that he can’t put Darrel in jail if he hasn’t done the crime. All he can do is to throw him in jail for the day on harassment but he would have to spend more money in room on board for him which is a waste of time and money.

“Besides that Sam, Thomas Fry needs all the help, and putting Darrel in jail is not good for me right now. I am due for elections next year.” Farensworth then left cussing.

Mayor Samuelson had announced to all the town folks that there will be a celebration in two weeks for his grand opening of his new building and such. Being the fact that Bonanza was a small community, everyone was informed to pitch in on the festivities. However, there was another celebration about to take place. The following Sunday was grandfather Joe’s birthday;Elija’s grandpa. Darrel and Frank brought the food but it was Frank that cooked it, while JayCee made sure there were enough soft drinks and a little booze mixed in for the occasion, while Elija, well he just brought himself. Grandpa Joe was turning 88 but a well looker for his age. He commented, “You don’t get to my age by not eating right and a little wisdom goes a long way with that too.
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” Oh yes, it was sure festive and many of Grandpa Joe’s friends attended, some of Elija’s younger friends were there too, just because it was a party. Even Mister Fry attended the festivities while Farensworth was seen passing by giving mean looks which was normal anyway. Grandpa Joe commented in pity, “That’s one unhappy man somebody needs to introduce him to our almighty god.”

Once again, next day Farensworth was seen racing to town with his black horse like he was a knight on a special mission for the queen. He suddenly pulled up at the mayor’s office, and ran in with total excitement and anger.

“That b*****d stole my sheep, that black b*****d stole it, it was my favorite.”

The mayor was just about to lock up when he heard the commotion.

Mayor Samuelson looked and him and ordered him to calm down.

“Now now, what this story of your sheep being stolen.”

“Yes..yes he did it! I should rope him up a tree, Darrel is the one that stole it.”

The mayor again looked at him quaintly but with one eye quivered brighter.
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“Really, you saw Darrel take your sheep.”

“No I didn’t see him steal my sheep, but he said he was going to do it and it’s missing”, Farensworth said without inhaling.

“You could be wrong Farensworth, that is a serious accusation without proof and you know Darrel works for Mister Fry, you could be in even bigger trouble, so think what you are saying, maybe your sheep is just lost.”

Farensworth then cooled down a bit to adjust to his breathing.

“This is not fair, Darrel told me he would steal my best fatted sheep one day, and I think he did it, even though I have no witness, this is all bull, and you know it too mayor.”

The mayor looked at him seriously as if Farensworth had indicated that he didn’t know what he was talking about.

“Look here Farensworth, you got no proof, you need to keep a better eye on your livestock, it’s nobody’s problem but yours, case closed.”

Farensworth knew that even if he was to go and find Darrel there would be no sheep to be found. Farensworth left with the same speed he came in with. The word got around, so Elija then asked Darrel.
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“Did you steal Farensworth sheep?” Darrel smiled and looked at Elija in a manner that Elija was the one that was stupid. Darrell stuttered.

“Do do you see me with a sheep, di di did you ever see a sheep at my place?”

Elija would shake his head side to side in a hopeless quest to get a straight answer from Darrell. After Darrel left, Frank came by to bring back a saw he borrowed from Elija’s grandfather.

Frank had enjoyed his grandfather’s party and commented that party he had for grandfather was great, even the sheep turned out be a good thing, it fed everyone.

Elija was now wondering about that comment, now thinking there was a connection.

“Who brought the sheep”, Elija asked. “

Oh, it was Darrel, he said it was a steal, I guess it was cheap.”

Elija then shooked his head from side to side again.

“What’s wrong, did I say something wrong”, Frank inquired.

“No no Frank, you are fine, it just that I was thinking something else”.
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Frank then left with a feeling that something was not totally right.

Darrel would then still pass by Farensworth place on his way to Mister Fry’s farm. Farensworth who was frustrated with the whole affair then shouts to Darrel, “You are nothing but a thief, you stole my god dam sheep and got away with it.”

“I don don don’t know what you talking about Mister Farensworth”.

“Don’t act innocent with me, you stole my sheep”, Farensworth yells.

“Well, I did tell you I would Mister Faresnworth, you may call me a thief but I was honest to let you know.”

Faresnworth thought about that.

“Well let’s see you try it again, just you try it again, and I got me a guard dog and this new rifle, am dying to try this twenty-two caliber out, especially on you.”

Darrel eyes lit up.

“Don’t temp me, or I will”.

Farensworth was bolder this time.

“Yes I am telling you to try it again, and I got something for you boy when you do!” Darrel just walked away without saying anything.
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The following week the mayor had festivities in the town and had expected everyone to attend. Indeed, everyone had attend, everyone except Farensworth. Everyone contributed something from their farm and talent and other things that made it a festive occasion. The only type of food that was missing was sheep. They were depending on Farensworth for that contribution. It was not long after that Darrel and JayCee would drive up with their truck and addressed the Mayor on it.

“We gots what you wanted to make this celebration a worthwhile one Mister Mayor”, JayCee replied.

The mayor didn’t care and didn’t asked questions, but they brought not one but two bar-b-que sheep, southern style, with Frank the cook to finalize it for the festivities.

Frank smiled, “Mister Mayor, I gonna put me my special ingredients to this one, ya’all will love it”.

The celebration was a hit; it was a great treat for everyone. But the man that missed it all rode back in town to see Mayor Samuleson again the next day.

“He stole my sheep again he took two this time, that Darrel, he did it to me again”.
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The mayor didn’t want to hear this.

“Farensworth, this is becoming a pain, I presume you now got witnesses this time”, the mayor growled as he responded from the celebration-fatigue attitude he had the day before and now had to respond to an early morning issue from Farensworth.

“No, but he said he would steal my sheep”, Farensworth said.

“Oh really”, the mayor replied, “He told you to your face that he will steal your sheep again, and what did you say after that?”

“I told him to go ahead and steal them, I got a new rifle and am dying to try it out.”

The mayor then looked at him as he was crazy.

“Farensworth, you are a fool, you told him to go ahead and steal your sheep, you wanted to kill him if you saw him do it, but you lost, you didn’t kill him which would have got you more in trouble otherwise, but since you told him to steal your sheep, you gave him permission, what you have here is an honest thief”.

Farensworth, then responded in a confused manner.
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“But...but...but he stole my sheep, aren’t you going to do something about it?”

“Nope”, Mayor Samuelson said, “But I can give you a bit of advice, first you

need to be a little more nicer to people and then, you need to be more of a player in

our little town, if not, you life will be much harder than the missing of a few sheep,

think about it.”

Farensworth realized what he had done. He had his hand on his head in disgust,

but without anger this time. He rode back to his far pondering with what

the mayor told him. Then he thought to himself after awhile, “An honest thief, what

was that, he’s an honest thief!!”

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