Free The Iron Wagon by Al Lacy Page A

There will be an article about it on the front page in tomorrow’s edition of the
News
telling exactly what happened here.”
    Two county deputy sheriffs arrived to help get the two British men to the jail. George Clive, now conscious, struggled to stand. The crowd watched as the two Britons were taken toward the county jail at gunpoint by the two deputy sheriffs and the four husky volunteers.
    March in Colorado could be one of its snowiest months, and that was proving true in 1889. That next evening the Brockmanfamily gathered around the supper table as the wind howled outside and fiercely blowing snow fell from the sky.
    After John led the family in prayer, they passed the food around the table. A powerful gust of wind slapped the side of the house and set the kitchen windows to rattling.
    Paul glanced at the snow beating against the kitchen window. “Boy, this is one bad storm.” Before taking his first bite of food, he continued. “Mama … Ginny … Meggie … I guess none of you have looked at today’s edition of the
Rocky Mountain News.”
    “Guess we haven’t, son,” Breanna replied. “None of us have had time. Why? Something special in the paper?”
    Paul nodded, glanced at his father, then looked back at his mother. He could feel his sisters’ eyes on him as he said, “Before my teacher started math class this morning, he said to me in front of the whole class, ‘Paul, you must be very proud of your father for what he did yesterday.’ I didn’t know what he meant, but he was holding today’s issue of the
Rocky Mountain News
in his hand.”
    Everyone at the table noticed that John was blushing.
    Paul gave his mother and sisters the whole story that was in the article. Breanna and the girls were astonished.
    “Honey, why haven’t you told us about it?” Breanna asked.
    John’s face was still flushed with embarrassment as he replied, “Well, I was sure that you and the children would hear about the incident, but if I had been the one to tell you, it would appear that I was bragging, since one of them is a contender forthe heavyweight championship of England. So I refrained from telling any of you.”
    A smile spread over Breanna’s lovely face. “Darling, you are something else. Most men would have been bragging all over town of the notable deed you accomplished. But you take it all in stride and give God the glory for the great strength and outstanding ability you have with your fists.”
    “That’s right, Papa!” said Paul. “Mama’s got it right!” Both girls verbally agreed.
    Smiling shyly, John ran his gaze over the faces of his dear ones. “It is by God’s grace that I’m even still alive after the life I have lived and the characters I’ve met and had to deal with. He alone is my Protector, my wisdom, and my strength.”
    “You always know exactly what to say, my love.” Breanna squeezed his hand. “Thank you for letting the Lord lead in your life, as you then lead our lives as husband and father.”
    After a few seconds of silence, Paul said, “Papa, I commend you for knocking out both of those British bullies. I sure hope that by the time I become one of your deputy U.S. marshals, I’ll be as tough and as good with my fists as
you
are.”
    “I hope so too, big brother.” Ginny smiled at Paul.
    “Me too!” Meggie squealed.
    John chuckled. “Oh, you’ll be
tougher
and
better
with your fists than I am, Paul.”
    The next day, Judge Dexter sentenced the two British bullies to six months in the county jail for what they had done to Truman Richardson.

    Two weeks later, the area high school boxing championship matches took place in the Denver High School gymnasium.
    In his final fight of the season, Paul Brockman’s opponent was Bret Watson, a senior from Golden High School in Golden, Colorado. The rugged-looking Bret outweighed Paul by almost thirty pounds.
    Paul’s parents and sisters were there, as well as Pastor and Mary Bayless and Whip and Annabeth Langford.
    The