Original Work The Stuarts of Texas

Glass stood there looking at the money with a guilt ridden conscience. If I keep the money, then this is not an act of war, but one of robbery and murder. Got myself into a hell of a fix on this one. What to do? He thought.

Standing for a few moments half watching the money, and half watching the Yankees he felt sick at heart. Never had anyone in his family done something like this before. On top of that, if he left with the money, the locals would likely be punished for it. Making up his mind Glass looked up and smiled into the accusing eyes of the green Lt.

“Lt. Bluebelly, If I keep this money for personal use, then I’m no better than some of you, and I just can’t have that. If I leave the money, then these gents might kill you and take the money, blaming it on me and no gain to my part. So, I will have to do something different and innovative. Put all the greenbacks into this bag.”

Lt. Jones did as he was told, but he betrayed his thoughts that Glass was nothing short of a murdering robber. Handing the bag to Glass the Lt. found the courage to say “Here hypocrite! You’re no soldier, you’re just murdering trash taking advantage of the situation.”

While the words stung, Glass had made up his mind so he smiled and made the officer lay down with the rest of his men.

“I’m going to complete this job, and if any one of you scoundrels attempt to interfere you will be shot. Any questions? I thought not.”

With that Glass carried the bag to the nearby fire then returned for the gold. Arriving at the fire he sat the gold on the ground then stirred the fire and added some of the nearby wood and waited for the fire to grow in size. Turning to the Lt. Glass said “I’m gonna give you boys and alibi and keep you out of trouble at the same time. It won’t even cost the tyrants in Washington anything but some paper and ink.”

Keeping an eye on his prisoners, Glass began feeding the greenbacks into the fire. Yells of protest erupted and Glass drew both guns letting the soldiers know he meant business.

“What are you doing that for?!?!” Yelled Jones. Its insane!!!”

“No Lt. I can’t take the money, and I can’t leave it, If I take it, then I’m a criminal, and if I leave it I’m a fool and traitor to the South. I am neither. If I destroy the money, then it is still an act of war, and I can sleep at night. The fire won’t destroy the gold, but will mar it up good and is evidence that your story to your superiors is true. You may get cashiered, but you are still alive, with your honor intact.”

With that, Glass dumped the rest of the bills into the fire and once they were burning well, he added the gold on top..

“Now, put all your firearms into the other fire and that will make a safe night for all concerned, and you won’t be able to follow me unarmed, Once the gold cools down enough to count that will keep at least some of you honest fellows busy.”

Glass mounted his horse, and waited until the firearms began to detonate from the overheated powder charges, then waved and said. “If you’re ever in Missouri, look me up.” Then turned his horse into the darkness and trotted away.

Heading north, Glass left an easy trail in the soft earth for several miles, then feinted a turn back to the east for a while eventually heading back west to the old mans farm.

 

Missouri?

 

Yes, a misdirection since he is an obvious trouble maker that leaves two places, Texas or Missouri. Or maybe out west, but no need to help them at all.