Personal Narrative-The Death Of Abilene

The Death of Abilene I was eight the first time I saw a man shot. Somehow, it didn’t even make me flinch. Standing just inside the doorway, I saw the two men face to face in the street. They were both frozen solid. All of a sudden, clouds of smoke filled the air….one man fell to the ground. I don’t think I ever knew why those men were shooting at each other, just that the one who drew the fastest was the one who was still standing. Gunfights were common especially over something like cheating at cards. Shots were something I heard even from my cradle. My folks had come west long before I was born so it was all I had ever known. Ma had been afraid to raise a family in the west but father promised her he would make sure his children would

My father’s legacy would live on. The first person that walked through the door was Charlie. “Can I lend a hand Miss Sarah?” he asked. “I’m just fine Charlie, been part of these walls all my life.” I answered. Never the less Charlie didn’t leave until the after the last customer retired for the night. He came and tried to look after me night after night. Out of guilt I suppose. Martha was soon forgotten. He didn’t even stop by the general store her family owned anymore. Charlie had become obsessed with doing right by me for killing my father. One night, as I was sweeping up the last bit of cowboy dust off the floor, Charlie approached me. “Miss Sarah, I’ve been thinking. It ain’t right you being on your own and all. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” No sooner than the words came out of his mouth, I looked up and saw Martha standing in the doorway of the saloon. If pain had a face it was hers. Charlie didn’t know she was there. She turned and ran. “Charlie, you don’t owe me anything” I said “and you already proposed marriage to that sweet Martha. She’s the one you really love.” I don’t know if the look on his face was disappointment or relief but he nodded, turned and