A Cry in the Wilderness
Copyright© 2025 by Megumi Kashuahara
Chapter 4
December 1859
After washing up, the men met at the bottom of the stairs sat down in the formal dining. Angus introduced The women folk.
“Charles I’d like ya ta meet ma wife, Sarah. She feeds ever one on the ranch, three squares a day. Dis ‘lil beauty is ma princess Tessa.”
Sarah smiled warmly and curtsied slightly. “Mr. Ridgley, welcome ta our home. I hope yur journey weren’t too tiresome.”
“Not at all, ma’am. The pleasure’s all mine,” Ridgley replied, tipping his head respectfully.
Tessa blushed at her father’s introduction and gave a small curtsy. “Pleased ta meet ya, sir.”
“And this here’s Mrs. Mildred Hall an’ her daughter Rebekah. The Halls’ll be travelin’ west wit us come spring,” Angus continued.
Ridgley nodded to both women. “Ladies, a distinct pleasure.”
As they settled around the table, Sarah and Mildred began serving the roasted calf, along with fresh biscuits, green beans from the root cellar, and sweet potatoes. The conversation flowed easily as Ridgley regaled them with tales from his travels and his experiences in the horse breeding business.
“Angus,” Ridgley said as he carved into the tender meat, “this is some of the finest beef I’ve tasted. You folks sure know how to live well out here.”
“We’s been blessed, that’s fer sure,” Sarah replied, refilling his glass with fresh buttermilk.
As the evening wore on, Ridgley’s questions became more pointed about the business aspects of the ranch. “Tell me, Angus, what kind of annual income does the Lazy Susan generate?”
Angus set down his fork and leaned back. “Well now, Charles, that be dependin’ on the year, but we’s been averagin’ ‘bout eight ta ten thousand a year in profit after all expenses. Course, that don’t count what we keeps fer ourselves in livestock an’ feed.”
Ridgley’s eyebrows raised appreciatively. “That’s a handsome return. And your breeding records?”
“Every animal got papers goin’ back five generations or more. I keeps meticulous books on ever breeding, ever birth, ever sale. Ya’ll see them tomorrow if’n ya like.”
After dinner, the men retired to Angus’s study where they shared a glass of whiskey and continued discussing the particulars of the ranch operation. Ridgley proved to be a shrewd businessman, asking detailed questions about feed costs, veterinary expenses, and the local market for horses and oxen.
“I’ll be honest wit ya, Charles,” Angus said, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Business been droppin’ off some this past year. Folks ‘round here ain’t got the money they once did fer quality breeding stock. That’s one reason we’s lookin’ ta head west - fresh territory, new opportunities.”
“Smart thinking,” Ridgley nodded. “The westward expansion’s creating all kinds of demand for quality livestock out there. You’re getting ahead of the curve.”
The next morning, Ridgley was up before dawn, eager to examine the ranch’s books and breeding records. Angus met him in the study with a cup of strong coffee and ledgers dating back to the ranch’s founding.
“These records are impressive, Angus,” Ridgley said after two hours of careful examination. “You’ve built something special here.”
They spent the morning riding the fence lines, with Ridgley noting the excellent condition of the property. The afternoon was devoted to a thorough inspection of the breeding stock papers and a detailed discussion of which animals would remain with the sale.
“Now, Charles, I’s been thinkin’,” Angus said as they stood in the main barn. “I’d be willin’ ta leave ya the Morgan stud ‘Thunder’ here, along wit four ‘o ma best mares. An’ I’d throw in the Percheron stud ‘Goliath’ wit six ‘o his mares. Fer the oxen, ya’d get both bulls an’ ‘bout thirty head ‘o the finest breedin’ cows in three counties.”
Ridgley stroked his chin thoughtfully. “That’s generous. What about your experienced hands? I notice you have some quality men working here.”
“Well now, Slim an’ Sam been wit me nigh on ten years. They’s good men, but they’s chose ta come west wit us. But Tommy an’ Billy, the two younger boys, they’s local an’ they knows the operation real well. Their folks’ll likely want ‘em ta stay on.”
That evening, after another fine meal prepared by Sarah and Mildred, Ridgley made his intentions clear.
“Angus, I’ll be straight wit ya. I want this place. The Lazy Susan’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. What’s your asking price?”
Angus and Will exchanged glances. “Well, Charles, I’s been hopin’ fer somewhere ‘tween forty an’ fifty thousand, dependin’ on what stock comes wit the deal.”
Ridgley leaned back in his chair, considering. “Given the quality of your operation, the excellent condition of the property, and the breeding stock you’re including, I’ll offer you forty-four thousand five hundred dollars. Cash money.”
The room fell silent. Sarah reached over and squeezed Angus’s hand under the table.
“That’s a fair offer, Charles. Real fair. But I needs ya ta understand - we’d need ta have ever’thing transferred by February tenth. My boy here an’ I needs ta be in Mansfield by then ta fetch our wagons an’ supplies.”
“Not a problem. I can have my son Frederick and his family here, along with a foreman and two hands, by February first if need be. We’ll make the transition smooth as silk.”
Angus stood and extended his hand. “Charles Carnan Ridgley, ya got yaself a deal.”
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