Authentic Tales of the West: Part 15
A Debt Unpaid
Arnold Ashford’s Journal Entry #15
No doctor on God’s green Earth could’ve saved Rusty; the lead tore through the bottom of his neck, just below the collarbone. He died painfully, but it was at least mercifully quick. And he died saving my life. It is an impossible feeling to explain, knowing that I am alive because another man died in my place. Knowing that I will never be able to even so much as say “Thank you.” Gratitude is too light of a word. I feel a debt, a burden; one that I will not get to repay.
Well, the breadth of my gratitude seemed to be matched by the volume of the Rancher’s anger. Even though we all knew that Rusty couldn’t have been recovered, the Rancher used the outrage at the loss of the town’s beloved Lawman to fuel the completion of the Doctor’s Office. He had already secured a commitment from a young man to come out and take up the work; he just needed the facility to be completed.
And within a week of Rusty’s death, completed it was. Just two days later the young doctor arrived in town and began to get his new office arranged and make introductions. I eagerly introduced myself and explained that while I trade in writing, I would like to help in any way that I could. Curious as to my ardency for his work, the young Dr. Teller Blythe questioned me about my zeal. I recounted the moments that led to the death of our esteemed Lawman; he seemed to understand.
As I was told shortly after moving here to Abilene, Rusty Cobb may have been half the man, but he did indeed have twice the heart. I feel that some of the delight that he felt from living, just living another day, had seemed to infect me. It wasn’t the fear of that coward Bret Beauville that made the lasting impact after that shot rang out, no, no. It is love of life, love of activity and drive, love of seeing and sharing in others’ success, love for the hardness that can be overcome.
As I write these words, I realize I am not the same man that arrived here. Abilene, Texas changed me forever.
— Check back next week for a new entry in Ashford’s journal —