Needy Folk

By Rae1013

NEW MEXICO

"How much money do you have, Heyes?"

Heyes sighed. Without looking he said "$8.54. Which is the same amount I had the last time you asked ten miles ago. You think if you keep asking, by some miracle it's going to grow? Well do you, Kid?"

Heyes stopped when he realized his partner was no longer by his side. Kid had stopped his horse, dismounted and was staring at something partially hidden under a pinon tree.

"What you got there?"

"Not sure…" Kid said, taking the toe of his boot and kicking some of the loamy soil away. "Looks like…" He bent to get a closer look. It was a pair of weathered saddlebags that had seen better days. He got a grip on them and pulled them free, shaking the excess dirt off.

"I think you're wasting your time…and mine, '' Heyes said, looking around impatiently. "Now I know you are. Look at what's stamped on them bags…C.S.A...Confederate States of America."

Kid continued to ignore his partner as he busied himself, carefully going through the contents of the bags. He pulled a handful of tattered papers free, and slowly examined them front and back. He tossed the papers aside and dug his hand deeper until he hit the bottom. His breath quickened. Something felt very familiar.

"Well Heyes I'm saying you're wrong about the meaning of them letters C.S.A. " Kid said without turning. "How about Clinton Samuel Anderson…and Heyes, one thing I know about this Anderson fella…" Kid drew his hand out of the bag and jumped up with a whoop. "He was RICH!"

Heyes was next to his partner in a split second. His eyes were glued to the stack of money clutched in Kid's hand, staring at it in disbelief. His head bobbed up and down, transfixed on it as Kid waved it in the air. They both dropped to their knees in front of the saddlebags. Kid swatted Heyes' hand away as he reached for them.

"Nope…you were the one that said I was wasting my time. No wait…your…time."

"Kid…now…I was just…"

Kid rolled his eyes and tossed the stack of money to Heyes, who deftly caught it with one hand. "Make yourself useful and start counting."

xxxxxxxxxx

They both sat cross legged staring at the pile of money sitting between them.

"So how much money do we have now Heyes?"

Heyes beamed, “Twenty thousand eight dollars and fifty four cents to be exact."

"And what are we going to do with twenty thousand eight dollars and fifty four cents?"

Heyes' smile grew, "Whatever we want!"

xxxxxxxxxx

PROSPERITY, NEW MEXICO

Heyes chuckled at the name of the town. If they hadn't been so hungry and thirsty they would have passed right through. It had definitely seen better days. The few businesses that were still open were sandwiched between others that had been boarded up and long abandoned. The owners had done their best to try to infuse some holiday cheer with wreaths and red and green ribbon wrapping the outside posts.

Kid and Heyes quickly surveyed the town. They had what they needed - a saloon, cafe, hotel and a livery…plus twenty thousand dollars. Life was good.

They dropped the horses at the livery and headed to the saloon, both with their saddle bags thrown over their shoulders and big smiles on their faces.

"Don't normally see folks coming in so happy," the bartender said, "Leastwise not around here. You feeling the holiday spirit or…"

"Working on feeling the holiday spirit with your help," Heyes said with a laugh "We'll start with two beers."

xxxxxxxxxx

Heyes wiped the foam off his lips. "You by chance know a fella named Anderson? I think his first name was Clinton."

The bartender's hand froze in midair, as his friendly demeanor quickly evaporated.

"You don't want to say that name too loud, Mister. Folks in town ain't forgot what he done."

"And what did he do?" Heyes asked cautiously.

"He a friend?" The bartender asked as he leaned closer. His voice, cold and unfriendly.

"No! No friend." Heyes said, raising his hands and shaking his head. "Just heard someone say something about him…Now I don't remember who mind you."

"Banker. Stole money from everyone like the blackhearted robber he was. Worst was the church fund we had for down on their luck folks and a new school. Probably passed that building on your way into town. Or the start of it…never did find him and the money. Local folks ain't got money to finish it, so there it sits and rots. Shameful how people ain't what they seem to be or who they say they are."

Heyes and Kid looked at each other and nodded.

"It's real painful this time of the year…Being close to the holidays and all and the school was suppose to be finished by the new year. That was years ago. Now it's just a painful reminder that darkens what should be a happy time for folks. I'll never understand the evil hearts of some…," he shook his head sadly. "Get you another beer?"

"Something stronger," said Kid.

He grabbed the bottle and headed for an empty table. Once seated, Heyes studied his partner's face. He could see what the bartender said running through his head.

Heyes leaned close and whispered. "Now Kid…remember we are 'needy' folk too."

Kid gave his partner a chilly look, before pouring a shot of whiskey.

xxxxxxxxxx

The little boy couldn't have been more than six years old, if that. He wore overalls that had been patched so many times, the patches had patches. Around him was a thin threadbare coat, he clutched closed with one hand and the other dragged a ratty broom.

"You're early Eli," the bartender said with a smile. He took the little boy's coat and hung it on a hook for him. "You let me know when you're done and I'll get that coat for you."

The bartender reached a gentle hand out and tousled the little boy's thick dark hair.

"Where's your brother?"

"Livery. Helping Mister Riley get the horses settled in for the night," Eli said as he began sweeping the saloon floors with the broom that was way too big for him.

Heyes tried to pull Kid’s attention away from the boy, "Better get some food or we will be stumbling our way to the cafe. Come on…Thaddeus."

Kid reluctantly let Heyes take him by the arm and guide him towards the door.

xxxxxxxxxx

Heyes stared at his partner as he chewed his food. He looked around the cafe before leaning forward, "I know what you're thinking. I've been around you long enough to know how your brain works. And when it starts thinking about needy folks it becomes mush. Don't do it Kid. Why can't you just sit back and enjoy the money?" Still not getting through to his partner, he added in desperation, "You know it's God's will."

Kid almost choked on his food, "God's will?! Heyes, when have you ever thought about God or even religion?"

"Now now Kid…I've thought about religion on more than one occasion. Remember when Lucas Garner had that gun to my head and it jammed? At that moment, I don't think there was anyone more religious than me."

"It's my money and I can do what I darn well please.”

"Go ahead," Heyes said, throwing up his hands. "But I ain't sharing mine. And you know if you run out of money there is only one answer. Work."

Heyes did get the intended reaction, but it quickly passed.

Heyes and Kid were still quietly arguing over dessert, when the little boy from the saloon came in dragging his broom.

"Hi Eli," the owner of the cafe said as she made her way to Heyes and Kid carrying a fresh pot of coffee.

"Poor boy," she said quietly, "His ma just had a new baby sister…"

"Don't tell me….and his pa died…" Heyes said, looking over his cup of coffee at his partner.

"Yes he did. How did you know?"

"Just a guess."

Heyes closed his eyes. He didn't have a prayer of winning this battle.

xxxxxxxxxx

HOTEL

"All I'm asking is you sleep on it Heyes."

"But Kid there is always someone out there needier than us, so are we suppose to keep giving all our money away?"

"Well it ain't exactly like we worked hard for it."

"But we could share. No need to give it all away. You know…keep some like a finder's fee."

"It ain't ours to keep. None of it."

"You didn't feel that way when we was robbing and thieving. I miss the outlaw side of you Kid. Much more practical."

"I'm going to bed Heyes. You sleep on it. But you know I'm right."

xxxxxxxxxx

"Heyes! Heyes! Where's the money?!"

Kid held the empty saddlebags in front of his partner, who was still in bed. Heyes pulled back the covers and revealed what else he was laying on besides the mattress.

"Really? When I said sleep on it I didn't mean that you actually sleep on it!"

"I just wanted to spend my last night together," Heyes said with a sigh. "You know Kid sometimes I really hate you. Now if you could leave me and my Ulysses Grants alone, I'd like to spend a little more time with them."

xxxxxxxxxx

The horses were saddled and tied down from the saloon. They had taken a pillowcase from the hotel and put all the money into it with a note explaining where and how they found the money. They took a seat on a bench and waited.

It wasn't too long before two young boys made their way up the street. Kid stopped them as they started to pass.

"You boys want to make some money? Fifty cents each."

"Sure Mister!" Both exclaimed.

"It's easy. All you have to do is take this into the saloon and give it to the owner."

The older boy was more cautious, "Mister…the saloon is right there. How come you want to spend a dollar when you could do it yourselves?"

Heyes smiled. A thinker.

"Because it's a surprise…like an early Christmas present." Kid said, smiling. "And you make sure that pillow case gets back to the hotel. Don't want anyone thinking we're thieves."

Kid fished out some coins and handed them to each boy.

"If you could wait until we ride out of town…we'd appreciate it."

xxxxxxxxxx

Heyes had his head bent, counting the little bit of money they had by the campfire. He stood up and reached into his pockets turning them inside out to make sure he had gotten all of it. Pushing the small handful of change back into them, he plopped down next to his partner.

"Don't even ask." Heyes was sadly shaking his head.

xxxxxxxxxx

EPILOGUE

With winter approaching, Heyes and Kid had taken to moving south like migratory birds.

"Well, will you look at that. Didn't realize we were so close." Heyes said pointing out the sign for Prosperity.

"How many years has it been?" Kid asked.

"I can tell you exactly...the number of years, months and days…"Heyes said. "Since it was the first and hopefully last time we gave away…"

Kid's look stopped him.

Resigned, Heyes. "I guess you could call us phil…a phila…

"What are you trying to say? You ain't making no sense."

Flustered and angry, Heyes said, "It was on the tip of my tongue. You know one of them folks that has lots of money and gives it away."

"Like us?"

"No, not like us…cuz they are smart enough not to give it all away. I think we're what you call idiots.”

xxxxxxxxxx

The bartender was wiping the bar when he stopped to address the two men that stepped up to the bar.

"What can I get you gen..", A big smile crossed his face as he instantly recognized the two cowboys. "Your money's no good here." He said as he quickly poured two beers and pushed them towards the two men. Suddenly his brow knit with concern, "I hope you didn't come back for the money."

Kid smiled, "We told you before...wasn't ours to keep." He ran a quick hand across his mouth.

"Well now…funny thing. After we tallied up all the money that Anderson stole, it only come to around $13,000…$12,768.32 to be exact. Not twenty thousand that was in the pillow case."

"Huh?" Heyes stammered, choking on his beer. His eyes were wide, as his mouth dropped open.

Heyes was blinking, staring at the bartender.

"Weren't sure where that…"

Heyes mouthed the words silently as the bartender spoke them out loud, "Seven thousand dollars…" Heyes groaned. "...come from," the bartender continued.

Kid steeled himself for Heyes' sharp elbow to be driven into his side. He could feel Heyes' eyes boring into him and imagined his look of disgust and anger on his face.

"So we just figured you were overcome by the Christmas spirit and well we can't thank you enough. You never did tell me your names. We would have named the school after you two. Don't know if you noticed, but because of the money the school got finished and it gave this town a new life. People are awful appreciative."

"I'd rather not be reminded," Heyes said softly. He thought he was going to be sick.

"No need," Kid said, speaking up, "Prefer to remain anonymous. We can tell it was just what this town needed. Looks like you're living up to your name now…Prosperity."

"And we got you boys to thank. Anything you want. As I said…your money is no good here."

"What money?" Heyes grumbled, under his breath.

He grunted as Kid elbowed him.

xxxxxxxxxx

Kid lay stretched out on the bed, his hands locked behind his head.. A content smile was on his face.

"That was one of the best steaks I ever ate."

Heyes stopped pacing around the hotel room to stare out ofis partner, "You mean our seven thousand dollar steaks. Seven thousand dollars," Heyes said as he shook his head in disbelief.

"Heyes it's Christmas…," Kid sat up and reached for his saddlebags. "Look on the bright side…," Kid said as he pulled out the whiskey bottle and two cups. "We can have anything in this town, but more importantly...We have each other."

He filled the cups and held one out to his partner. Heyes stared at it for a long moment, before taking the cup from Kid's hand and slowly taking a seat next to Kid.

A slow smile crossed Heyes' face. "You know…Kid…sometimes you are right. I ain't going to admit it to nobody but you. I just wish when you are, it don't cost us so much money."

"Merry Christmas Heyes." Kid said, tapping his partner's cup.

"Merry Christmas Partner."

xxxxxxxxx