The Goldsmith and the Stone Pg. 12

Up before the crack of dawn, the excited crew had their belongings
packed and out the door! For breakfast today, Mammy pulled out her special,
pancakes, waffles, omelets, and bacon crackling to the sound of the merry
chatter. “Coffee was on the house!” Mammy declared, and the locals
tipped her generously. Back to their claimed spots they went and so the
new day was rewarded with the sun displaying a classic painting of a sky
full of color.
Outside the village the news had already spread to the local cities and
everyday, more and more people came to claim their fortune. Without any
places to stay, a construction crew came to town and began to build,
Mammy had to expand her kitchen, and hire the local cooks who were
delighted to find themselves with money in their pockets, something they
had never dreamed of before.
With all the hustle and bustle the village was changing with new faces
and personalities. Someone wanted to start a stage and musicians arrived
looking for a fresh start.
Comforts the locals had never seen previously kept arriving and so did a
very distinguished looking tall figure, heading into the side of the
hardware store, which also lent itself to the Mayors office.
The Mayor, slash, owner of Bob’s Hardware store had just finished his
coffee and stepped out to greet the stranger. “Good day to you! May I
help you?” the Mayor said in a now friendly voice. The strangers face
was stern and his coat smelled of cigars. He bellowed in a husky voice,
“I see you all have found my claim. I own this side of the river, and
the mine too! Now you get all those pesky locals off my land!” The Mayor
was stunned, his head began spinning as the blood seemed to drain to his
feet. “I beg your pardon, sir…I …ah…ah..” was all he could come up
with. The stranger came in with more force in his voice, “I mean NOW!”
“Yes sir” was all the Mayor could say as he didn’t know what else to say
as he had never really had to do much in the line of work in the small
village.
The two of them marched down to the where the locals were working
hardily, the Mayor put his hands together and whistled for all to gather
around. One by one, deep into their findings they all reluctantly came
over to the side of the river to hear the devastating news.
One could see the crowds demeanor slipping into a slump, like a balloon
now deflating. Picking up their great findings for the day, and tools,
stuffing them in odd places so as no one would notice. And sadly heading
home.