Preface

This story was inspired by the words of the immortal Johnny Cash:

I found him by the railroad tracks this morning
I could see that he was nearly dead
I knelt down beside him and I listened
Just to hear the words the dying fella said

He said they let me out of prison out in Frisco
For ten long years I've paid for what I've done
I was trying to get back to Louisiana
To see my Rose and get to know my son

Give my love to Rose please won't you mister
Take her all my money; tell her buy some pretty clothes
Tell my boy that daddy's so proud of him
And don't forget to give my love to Rose

Won't you tell 'em I said thanks for waiting for me
Tell my boy to help his mom at home
Tell my Rose to try to find another
'Cause it ain't right that she should live alone

Mister, here's the bag with all my money
It won't last them long the way it goes
God bless you for finding me this morning
Now don't forget to give my love to Rose

Give my love to Rose please won't you mister
Take her all my money; tell her buy some pretty clothes
Tell my boy that daddy's so proud of him
And don't forget to give my love to Rose

How many questions does that leave you with? Who is he? Why was he in prison? Why are his wife and son in Louisiana? And so on. I had those questions the last time I listened to the song and this story is the result!