Thursday, June 27, 2024

Final Post for Cumberland Saga


Canina could hear the Sheriff’s sarcasm in his response to her report. “Natural Causes?” he replied.

“The preacher and I looked at the evidence and we both agree that they died of Natural Causes.” Canina confirmed.

The Sheriff looked at her response for a minute and considered his options. He could drive out there and look at the “stiffs”. Or he could try to find a doctor willing to do that but they would have to hustle to get there before the bodies were buried.

Or, he could let Canina’s judgment stand and have the bodies exhumed at a later date if it became an issue.

“OK” he finally texted back. Sometimes you just have to trust your people.

Frankly, he was pinned down in Dayton. Direction had been issued by the Governor, “Keep the roads open and the traffic flowing”. That meant clear wrecks, keep the gas-stations and convenience stores open and address “bandits” that disrupted traffic on major roads.

He had plenty of other action on his hands as people took advantage of the chaos to settle old, and new, scores. Carlton Marx was no longer a thorn in everybody's side. Somebody had decided that the odds of getting caught were low enough that they had done donuts with their dirt-bikes in his front yard and when he came out to yell at them...they shot him in his head.
 
The county clerk refused to leave her house, such was the anger over the recent elections. There were reports from other counties of clerks being murdered and she wasn't taking any chances.
 
The Sheriff, himself, was being exceptionally careful. He had not shortage of enemies. It came with the job.

***

After Canina returned the supply-truck, it made a trip back to Copperhead Cove with Lliam and Eddie as passengers. They were hailed as returning heroes and everybody was eager to hear the details of the operation and much relieved that nobody had been injured (except for some very sore backs and a banged-up thumb or two).

Plans were made for the return of Miss Shannon and her mother for the next morning and the return of half the men who had taken part in the operation.
 
Even though that was joyous news, it paled compared to the fact that Miss Shannon had received a text from Bob, her husband. He would be back in Tennessee by the end of the week.

After the two women were settled back into their homes, the plan was to have the women who had expressed an interest in being part of the four “guard families” make a tour of the grounds. They would go one-at-a-time and they would tour Miss Shannon’s farm and look at the housing situation, which was to be assigned based on drawing lots.

Sig promised to send the saw-mill and a crew to build housing at Miss Shannon’s as soon as the two units that were being built at Copperhead Cove were sealed-up and weather-tight. But until housing was built, the available housing was a camper, the shed that held dairy-goats, and OLD house that Bob had been using for a storeroom and shop...and a tent.

Gregor and Rosa had already expressed an interest in being one of the four guard-families. Gregor had already asked Samson to fabricate a ring from a silver coin he had been given by his grandfather. If he though “popping the question” was going to surprise anybody, he was very mistaken.

For a shining moment in time, all was right with the world of Copperhead Cove and Miss Shannon's.

***

Thanks for reading.

 -Joe

31 comments:

  1. That was a great tale sir. Thank you for taking the time to write it.

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  2. Enjoyed the story, sorry to see it end.
    You have a gift. Thanks

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  3. Very good, ERJ. I appreciated ate the story. You provided a fine conclusion.

    However, would ERJ be inclined to consider further chapters written by, say five of your readers? The rules would include those submissions from the most diverse perspectives among your readers. Those selected may include a narrow set of new characters, but mostly revolving around characters already introduced in previous episodes. To that end, new responses to the deepening evolution of the declaration of martial law.

    Respectfully submitted/

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    1. I think that is a grand idea. A typical installment is about 1000 words but some are as short as 400 and a few are 1800.

      Give me a bump in comments and I will send you an email address. You will have to tell me how you want the writing attributed so you can claim the copyright.

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  4. Great Job, as always!
    You might consider serializing your short stories into a book? Self-publishing is a thing now, w/ digital print and all.

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  5. A fine story, well written. All good things come to an end and better on a high note.

    You'd be an amazing soul to chat with at an overnight pig roast.

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  6. Very diverting. I looked forward to each installment. Thank you for brightening up my week. Great story.

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  7. Thank you, sir, for the excellent story. "But I want more!!" is always my reaction when reading something well written however it is understandable that an end must come.

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  8. A good tale, well told.
    Thanks

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  9. Thanks for writing

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  10. You invite your readers into the world you have crafted and I am grateful. As a result of your story I am experimenting with "Three Sisters" farming in northern Nebraska. God Bless and thank you.

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  11. Thank you, ERJ. That was a beautiful story. Meanwhile, I'm concerned that Homefield Advantage may be enacted in real life later this year.

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  12. Thanks ERJ. I am sorry to see the series end - but that is always to sign of a good series.

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  13. Enjoyed the saga. Sorry to see it end. Who was Clayton Marx?

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    1. Just a local Richard Head, a Prix of Misery. The only reason they are alive is because the risk of a downside is too high. Remove the downside and they stop breathing.

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    2. Thank you for clarifying. I thought he had a significant run-in with one of the main characters or something.

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  14. What a great story! It's always best to leave 'e in wanting more. Thanks!

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  15. Thank You! Sad to see the Saga end, I have enjoyed it

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  16. NNOOOOooooo...I don't think it's reasonable to end Cumberland Saga, AT ALL. SO, to be fair and reasonable, I think an on going, regular, update would be appropriate and appreciated.
    Thank you for the tale EVEN IF this is the ending...it's not like I have the option of NOT stopping by. I'm not the only one that's happy you like (love?) to write. Thanks again, ANYWAY.

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  17. Thank You ERJ for the great tales and entertainment you have provided me/us with your writings.
    Your blog is one of the really good parts of each day.
    God bless you and yours.

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  18. Long time visitor to this blog. I don't leave many comments, but I must tell you I have enjoyed reading all your short stories and look forward to the next saga. Your blog is on my must read daily list.

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  19. Thank you for an excellent story!

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  20. I will miss reading this. Such a good series!

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  21. Joe, I've enjoyed this series, as I have the rest of the series I've read and re-read in book form. Thank you!

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  22. Another tale excellently told. I hope you'll find some takers from Rick's offer. I also hope you'll take on another when time permits.

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  23. Thank you for all the effort you put in to this series.

    You’ve left all your readers wanting more, the true sign of an engaging writer

    What a varied cast of characters, caught up in choices and actions that have no easy options

    Your Aesops Fables will be providing long lasting value, far beyond the initial engrossing entertainment.

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  24. This has been a great addition to my days. I sure hate to see it go. Thanks much for giving it to us. It has been a pleasure.--ken

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  25. Thanks for the effort. Fantastic food for thought. It would be easy to be selfish and demand more. Roger

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  26. Thank You ERJ. Your blog is a daily must read for me. The serials are icing on the cake.
    Neck

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  27. Thank you Joe! Your fiction is extremely valuable to a lot of us!
    Boat Guy

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Readers who are willing to comment make this a better blog. Civil dialog is a valuable thing.