Second Harvest

"Just penny-bets, gentlemen. And go easy on the young man."

"Ah Roy, we're just funnin' with the lad."

Sara started to protest, but Roy guided her away from the table. "Let him be, they'll behave themselves. Besides, Abe is having fun being a man."

As Roy and Sara moved through the crowd, several people stopped Roy.

"You should become the new sheriff."

"That's for sure."

"An' probably do a better job than that thief Buddy."

Roy politely declined. When they arrived at an empty table, they sat down and two root beers instantly appeared.

"On the house, my friend. Ma'am."

"Why, thank you, Tom."

Tom had one of Maude's girls on his arm. "My pleasure. Margaret here is about to make a fool of me on the dance floor." The couple turned and walked to the crowd that was dancing.

"Hello, Roy Folsom."

Roy immediately recognized the voice. It was deeper and older sounding, but one he had not heard in a long time. When Roy glanced up at the portly man dressed in an elegant suit, Roy thought he recognized the baldheaded man standing at the table, but he was much larger than Roy remembered.

"Franklin?"

Removing a pipe from his mouth Franklin stuck out his hand toward Roy. "Senator Franklin Dobbs, from the great state of Ohio."

Roy felt reluctant but shook hands anyway. "What are you doing back here in the Arizona territory?" Standing behind Franklin was a slender but tallish man with a dour expression and wearing a three-piece gray flannel suit. His high forehead and hair combed back gave the man an air of importance. The man had his hands clasped behind his back and seemed to grimace a bit as he observed the room. It was if he was dining on sour lemons.

"Roy, let me congratulate you on your marriage to a fine woman." Franklin turned his attention to Sara and shook hands.

"This is Sara Johansson, I mean Sara Folsom, my wife," Roy stammered.

"What an absolute delight my dear. You two make a beautiful couple." Franklin turned and pulled the other gentleman around to the table. "Let me introduce our President, Mr. Calvin Coolidge."

Roy's eyes bugged out. "Mr. President, what an honor." Roy pumped the arm of the man who then responded with a sour smile.

"Are you enjoying our Arizona hospitality?"

"Yes," was the man's brief answer followed by a rather uncomfortable pause.

Franklin leaned toward Roy. "He's here visiting the area because they're building a dam in his name, not far from here."

"I see. So will you be staying long sir?"

"No." The man answered, but he seemed uncomfortable and kept scanning the room.