Written for the Friday Fictioneers. A story, about old age and treachery overcoming youth and energy, begins after the photo.
Genre: Alternative History/Humor
Photo by: Mary Shipman
Steady Hand
The murderers hunkered in a beaten-down shack in the woods. “I feel these are our last hours together,” said Joshua.
“Don’t you worry none,” said Tommy-Joe. “Sheriff Hunt’s boys are all old Civil War vets. If’n you ever seen ’em, not one’s got a steady hand no more!”
“C’mon out! You’re surrounded.” called Sheriff Hunt. “Let’s end this.”
“You’ll never take us alive!” screamed Tommy-Joe.”
“Well alright, then!”
***
Hunt’s deputy said, “What’ll we do Sheriff? None of us got a steady hand these days.”
“I know,” said Hunt. He patted a Civil War cannon. “But ol’ Betsy here does.”
____________________________
Author’s Notes:
Henry Jackson Hunt, Civil War Artillery General: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Jackson_Hunt
Each week, the Friday Fictioneers join forces to combat the forces of…uh…not enough stories. From a photo prompt, the FF gang writes up to 100 words of flash fiction. Find more awesome stories and the original prompt right here: http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2014/06/18/18-june-2014-summer-rerun/
EagleAye
Momus News 
Always best to bring out the big guns. I loved the accents in this story, I could really hear the guys talking.
Claire
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Oh yes. It’s best to brings things to a swift conclusion, especially when someone won’t, “be taken alive.” Glad you enjoyed the accents. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! 🙂
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It’s not easy to chase a band of murderers through the woods while dragging a Civil War-era cannon. Maybe their hands aren’t steady, but their feet definitely are.
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No it wouldn’t. I think it showed up after they had them trapped. And actually, it was the horses that had steady feet. 🙂
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alternative history.. ha I like that.
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Thank you! It’s my first foray into it. 🙂
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You really brought life to this with the unique dialect. This is a scene I’d really like to see played out. Wonderful writing!
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Cool. Thank you! I’m glad hear to the dialect did the work I wanted it to. Thanks so much for sharing your impressions.:)
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Ha! Loved the deputies line. Wow… from Deep in Outer Space or Steam Punk fiction to the Wild West… what a guy!
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Hehe. My imagination knows no bounds. Thanks for boosting up my ego, Ted. You’re making my day. 🙂
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I can just see it…
Tommy-Joe: “We got guns in here sheriff!”
Sheriff Hunt: “Those ain’t guns; this is a gun!”
BOOOOM!!!
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My gosh, you’re inside my head! That’s pretty much how the sordid affair ends. There wasn’t a whole lot left of the crooks to bury, but I don’t think Hunt will worry about that too much. Thanks for the funny comment, Lyn!
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Never take a knife to a gun fight. Never take a gun to a cannon fight! Great job!
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Haha! Excellent advice. That’s a lesson Tommy-Joe and Joshua won’t have a second chance to learn. Such is life. Thanks so much for stopping in!
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Great dialogue! And I love a story in which the old people are victorious. We cranky old curmudgeons still have our strength of character 🙂
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There you go. As they say, “Old age and treachery…” If you checked the link, Hunt was one of the best cannon generals in the civil war. Though old by the time of the story, he still knew how to aim a cannon. Thanks much for the visit!
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ALWAYS! watch what you say. This made me laugh right out loud.
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Haha! Exactly. A cannon has a way of putting a very large exclamation point on that piece of wisdom. Thanks much for stopping by!
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Eric, That sounded like something from an old John Wayne, Henry Fonda, or Jimmy Stewart movie. I could just see one of them standing behind that cannon. Those outlaws didn’t know their man. The dialogue was great. I bet something like that would have gone down in history. Well written. 🙂 —Susan
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Ha! It’s almost like you looked into my imagination. I was thinking Henry Fonda as Hunt, Ernest Borgnine as his deputy, and Bruce Dern as Tommy-Joe, the classic lineup for the old westerns. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the story. I kinda wonder if something like this actually happened. It’s possible, I think. Thanks for stopping by, Susan!
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Oh dear, they hadn’t counted on ol’ Betsy! I really enjoyed this 🙂
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Yup. When Betsy speaks, people listen. Thanks for stopping in!
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Great story! Betsy or a gun? I think Betsy will win every time! Awesome story – thanks for the chuckle! Nan 🙂
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Chuckles are what I’m aiming for (pun intended). 😉 Glad you got a laugh, and thanks for visiting!
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They didn’t see that coming! Well told and enjoyable story 🙂
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I’ll bet they didn’t! Glad you liked it. Thanks much Siobhan!
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Very, very nice. Loved it.
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Thanks much, Indira! 🙂
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Dear Eric,
Why did I think of the Dukes of Hazard or the Andy Griffith show? Great dialogue.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Haha! I suppose there are elements of both in there, though I never thought about them. I suppose we are all products of our environment. Thanks much, Rochelle!
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