Over the years I have caught flack about various things.
One of them is about the matter of being early. On occasion my kids and grand kids have ask me "why are you always early?" Well I share this story with them and also for the benefit of the reader.
Wild Bill Hickok was a real character from the days of the wild west-1837-1876. I have done a bit of reading about ole' Bill. I don't think he was quite the picture that my early days of TV watching would have had me believe with him and side kick Jingles. Over the years he wore many hats, a scout, buffalo hunter, served as a lawman,etc.
It seems one of Wild Bill's favorite past-times was hangin' out at the local watering hole and there one might find him doin' a bit of gambling. It is said he loved to play poker in this one saloon in Deadwood, South Dakota.
He had his favorite table, his favorite chair and his favorite place to sit. One day he did not get to sit in his favorite location or chair. Seems on that day Billy was runnin' a bit late. That was not good for Bill. For you see unfortunately for Wild Bill on this day he lost his life.
Seems Hickok always sat with his back to the wall but as said on this day he was late and someone else had gotten his favorite sittin' place. On this day he was not sitting with his back to the wall so he could see who was comin' thru the swinging doors (that also is a song that Merle Haggard used to sing) Bang, bang, you got it on this day Jack McCall shot him. Shot him in the back of the head. Shot him dead. Turned out the lights for Mr.Bill.
Now see what can happen when one is late. Had Bill showed up on time for a bit of card playin' things might had been quite different. So to my detractors I say "don't be late, being early has it benefits."
By the way I have shown my proper respects to the dead. I have visited his grave in Deadwood, SD. I wanted to tell him, "see what happens when you are late."
The first week of this coming June my wife and I will be in that area of the world.....possibly we will once again stop by and pay our respects to Mr.Bill.
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October 22, 2016
Keep on,
Larry Adamson