{"id":35190,"date":"2020-12-25T00:12:18","date_gmt":"2020-12-25T05:12:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35190"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:38:53","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:38:53","slug":"the-adventure-of-the-antique-opera-glasses-by-belle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35190","title":{"rendered":"The Adventure of the Antique Opera Glasses (by Belle)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bonanza
\n~*~*~ Advent Calendar\u00a0~*~*~
\n* Day 12*<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Summary:\u00a0 Clem receives a gift that leads to something more and provides inspiration.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 G 2,845 words<\/p>\n

This story was written for the Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar, originated in the Forums.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Adventure of the Antique Opera Glasses<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDeputy! Open up, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clem reluctantly set his meal aside and left the comfortable chair he\u2019d just settled into.\u00a0\u00a0Of course, a sheriff (or acting sheriff since Roy was visiting family over the holidays) was always at the beck and call of the citizens.\u00a0\u00a0But . . . for crying out loud, couldn\u2019t a man eat his dinner in peace once in a while?<\/p>\n

The citizen currently becking and calling gave up on hollering and took up on pounding on the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cHang on out there.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m comin\u2019 \u2013 just give me a minute.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Clem reached for the door after taking care to brace himself.\u00a0\u00a0Comstock winds were a force to reckon with, and he didn\u2019t want to be thumped by the door (again).<\/p>\n

He\u2019d been right to be cautious. The citizen in distress was nearly blown into the jailhouse.\u00a0\u00a0Snow, dust, and assorted debris blew into the room as well.\u00a0\u00a0Oh well, Clem had planned on sweeping up again, anyway.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what\u2019s the problem?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0The man standing before him was young Artie, an English lad who\u2019d been visiting Virginia City as part of his Grand Tour.\u00a0\u00a0Apparently, Artie\u2019s travel guide had failed to properly emphasize the importance of moving along to the coast before the snow started to fly.<\/p>\n

Artie stood shivering from the cold. His scarf had been looped over his hat and tied under his chin. His coat was buttoned tightly over what Clem presumed to be a few extra layers of shirts.\u00a0\u00a0Thick gloves protected his hands. Very sensible, considering the weather.\u00a0\u00a0He also held a preposterously large turkey carcass clutched to his chest and battered opera glasses tucked between his chin and chest.<\/p>\n

Oh, my, this promised to be a good story.<\/p>\n

Clem made his surprise guest as welcome as possible.\u00a0\u00a0He brushed the snow from the poor boy\u2019s suit, placed the bird on a nearby table, and ushered Artie into the seat by the fire. It didn\u2019t take too much coaxing for Artie to begin his tale.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a half an hour ago, I was returning to my boarding house after enjoying my midday repast.\u00a0\u00a0It was tough going, as I am sure you are familiar.\u00a0\u00a0This municipality is cursed by the most appalling gales, wouldn\u2019t you agree?\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon it can\u2019t all be silver nuggets and gold dust.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose not. As I labored, I saw two women, bundled from top to toe in as many clothing articles they could layer upon themselves struggling against the wind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo ladies walking together?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not together, but within my vicinity.\u00a0\u00a0As they neared the confluence of C Street and Taylor, a particularly fierce gust caught the ladies\u2019 clothing as if they were ships\u2019 sails, toppling the damsels and sending them rolling down the mountain\u2019s side, dropping parcels and personal effects as they spun through the roiling snow\u00a0\u00a0. . . out of sight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood heavens, man!\u2019 They might be hurt.\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s head out and see if we can help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI tried!\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t you think I would have tried?\u00a0\u00a0But, the ladies were gone, no doubt they\u2019d already rescued themselves and made their way to their homes.\u00a0\u00a0But, I did discover these two items, the turkey and the opera glasses. Naturally, I brought them to you so that these things could be returned to their rightful owners.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clem hid the smile that tugged at the corners of this mouth. It had been clear in the short time the deputy had known Artie that the young man had a kind and honest soul. Trust Artie to think that Clem could solve this mystery with so little to go on.\u00a0\u00a0Well, no point in disappointing the lad.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s take a look at this stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two men studied the opera glasses.\u00a0\u00a0Mother of pearl, a bit yellowed and cracked with age decorated the set.\u00a0\u00a0No initials marked the gilt edging, and no name was attached the leather strap.\u00a0\u00a0Clem didn\u2019t go to the theater much, and he didn\u2019t remember ever seeing this geegaw.\u00a0\u00a0But, he did have an idea of who to ask.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn your feet, Artie. We\u2019re goin\u2019 to see Widow Hawkins.\u00a0\u00a0This set of glasses looks like something she would own.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShall I bring the turkey?\u201d Clem nodded. He saw no point in struggling back up to the jail house to fetch it, and then back down to Widow Hawkins\u2019 place in case the bird turned out to be hers as well.<\/p>\n

The citizen and lawman clothed themselves to for the storm. The opera glasses were tucked safely inside Clem\u2019s jacket pocket, and Artie\u2019s hat was once more tied securely to his head. Clem fiddled with writing a note for anyone who might visit the jail in his absence when he was interrupted by a squawk of surprise from his companion.<\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t turkeys sometimes referred to as \u2018gobblers\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep. They make a noise that sorta sounds like \u2018gobble-gobble.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be because they \u2018gobble\u2019 up strange items. Would it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you on about?\u201d<\/p>\n

Artie held the turkey around its floppy neck in one hand, and in the other hand, a pile of gold coins glowed in the dim light.<\/p>\n

\u201cI chanced to grasp the bird around its neck as I lifted when the most amazing thing happened\u2014a small leather pouch was spewed up and out of the mouth. These coins were inside the pouch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clem had never seen anything like it before. Upon close inspection, it was clear that someone had indeed shoved the pouch as deep into the turkey\u2019s craw as they could manage.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho could have done such a thing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGonna need more information before I can figure that out. I can\u2019t make bricks without clay, ya know.\u00a0\u00a0Leave the turkey here.\u00a0\u00a0We goin\u2019 to see the Widow.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, deputy! Yes, those are my glasses.\u00a0\u00a0Well, I say they\u2019re mine, but I have an entire box of opera glasses left from my time in the theater. And who is this handsome young man?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArtie Doyle at your service.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCor! Someone from my corner of the world.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s so nice to hear a voice that sounds like home. You will have to come for tea soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clem felt he needed to step in before the investigation was hopelessly sidetracked.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe opera glasses. How did you come to lose them, ma\u2019am?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was carrying them in my coat pocket. I like to use them now and then when I am out and about. I was just returning from the butcher where I\u2019d placed an order for a Christmas turkey, and I was carrying it home.\u00a0\u00a0The wind knocked me right off my feet!\u00a0\u00a0But, I have my priorities, and I held on to that turkey. We rolled right down the hill, practically into my yard.\u00a0\u00a0If it weren\u2019t for the bruises, I\u2019d say it was a pretty good way to get home quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Widow Hawkins sure could say load of words before needing to take breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry you were hurt, Miz Hawkins.\u00a0\u00a0How\u2019d the turkey hold up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, just fine.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s already been cleaned, and it\u2019s about to go into the oven.\u00a0\u00a0Of course, it\u2019s not a goose, but you can\u2019t have everything, can you? Not even at Christmas time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clem sighed.\u00a0\u00a0Clearly, the turkey and gold coins in the jail house didn\u2019t belong to Widow Hawkins.\u00a0\u00a0He gestured to Artie, and they prepared to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeputy, please take these opera glasses with you.\u00a0\u00a0They\u2019re my gift to you.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0She pressed the glasses into Clem\u2019s palm.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s very nice of you, but I hardly ever go to the theater.\u201d Clem knew he didn\u2019t have a chance of leaving the widow\u2019s house without the opera glasses, but that didn\u2019t mean he wouldn\u2019t try.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, you must take them. There ever so handy for all sorts of things. Please, for me? Merry Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

After many utterances of farewell as well as a handful of cookies for each of them, Clem and Artie left the widow\u2019s house to pursue the next part of their investigation.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, what do we do?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Artie was only a hairsbreadth from whining, despite the three cookies he had just consumed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow,\u201d Clem said, pulling at Artie\u2019s elbow to get him started trudging up the hill, \u201cwe go to the butcher to see who else picked up their Christmas turkey. And while we walk, you can describe the other woman you saw.\u201d<\/p>\n

Artie thought hard. \u201cMmmmm, she was a woman, and she was wearing a dress and a coat . . .\u00a0\u00a0and a knit hat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat all you got?\u201d Artie nodded.<\/p>\n

By the time they reached the butcher, the wind had died down and the number of pedestrians had picked up.\u00a0\u00a0There was quite a crowd of women, and a few men, waiting their turn outside the shop and leaving with a turkey in their arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cArtie, do you see anyone you recognize?\u201d<\/p>\n

The poor kid shrugged. Clem couldn\u2019t really blame him; it was his first case, after all.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook over there.\u00a0\u00a0I think that\u2019s our lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u201d Why? She looks just like everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clem had already started sauntering in said lady\u2019s direction. Artie had to scramble a bit to keep up with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy boy, you see, but you don\u2019t pay attention.\u00a0\u00a0That lady there isn\u2019t in line, she\u2019s kicking into snow drifts, obviously looking for something.\u00a0\u00a0Not only that, the knees of her skirt are soaked with mud, and we know there\u2019s a big mud puddle on the corner of C and Taylor. I\u2019m betting she fell into the mud and lost the grip on her turkey.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss?\u00a0\u00a0Miss\u201d Can I help you find something?\u201d<\/p>\n

The lady, just a bit startled when Clem and Artie approached her, pulled the scarf away from her face to properly greet the gentlemen coming to her aid.<\/p>\n

It took several seconds, and a rather loud clearing of Artie\u2019s throat, before Clem could remember their mission.<\/p>\n

The lady in question, (But, who was Clem kidding? She was more than a lady; she was an angel.) possessed large, dark eyes (Brown or dark blue?\u00a0\u00a0It was difficult to be sure. He needed more time.), framed by delicate wings of brows that set off a complexion so smooth and radiant that Clem\u2019s own complexion blushed furiously in sympathetic warmth.<\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0That voice! A choir of angels could not have been more melodious.<\/p>\n

Who knew how long Clem would have stood, blushing and mouth agape if Artie hadn\u2019t punched him sharply in the back?<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, miss. Actually, it\u2019s Deputy Clem Foster.\u00a0\u00a0I am the acting sheriff, though, at the moment.\u201d Artie employed another punch to the ribs. \u201cAhem. Are you looking for something?\u00a0\u00a0Maybe we can help?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so foolish,\u201d the lady responded with a little catch in her voice and the slightest shine of moisture in her eyes. \u201cI\u2019d purchased a turkey for my employer not long ago. Somehow, I managed to lose my footing on my way back there, and I fell, quite hard.\u00a0\u00a0I was so shocked from the fall and the bitter cold that I made my way home without looking for the turkey. Now, when I\u2019ve come back to retrieve it, it isn\u2019t to be found. I am going to have to explain to my employer, Mr. Gruener, that the turkey is gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clem\u2019s heart seemed to beat even faster with this information.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Miss . . .?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHunter. Violet Hunter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Hunter, your turkey has\u00a0 probably been picked up by someone.\u00a0\u00a0Perhaps, since we\u2019re so close to the butcher, we could get you another?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr . . .\u201d Artie interrupted, \u201cmaybe that turkey the concerned citizen brought in to the jailhouse could belong to Miss Hunter.\u201d\u00a0 Bless his heart.\u00a0Artie had superb instincts for this sort of work.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone found a turkey?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Oh, happy day! At the sight of her smile, Clem felt he could die satisfied.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go see if it\u2019s yours, shall we?\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

They all arrived at the jail house with further incident.\u00a0\u00a0It appeared no one had called during their absence, and the turkey lay on the table, just as they left it.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy turkey!\u201d Miss Hunter exclaimed. She ran to the table and proceeded to handle the carcass in a way that couldn\u2019t quite be described as delicate. It didn\u2019t take long for her jubilation to turn to desolation.\u00a0\u00a0In fact, the poor lady dropped into the chair and covered her face with her hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Hunter, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDeputy Foster, the turkey I carried was . . . special. I\u2019ll just tell you the whole story. I\u2019m completely ridiculous.\u00a0I\u2019ve been working as a governess for Mr. Bernard Gruener\u2019s children for the last six months. It\u2019s a lovely home, I receive a fair wage, and the children are not any worse than any other children.<\/p>\n

But, Mr. Gruener has an awful temper.\u00a0\u00a0Whenever his business affairs go awry, he completely loses control.\u00a0\u00a0He shouts the house down, curses, and throws whatever is close to hand against the walls.\u00a0\u00a0Of course, it upsets the children, and I have no interest in living in such a state of affairs myself.<\/p>\n

After these fits of temper, he is very remorseful.\u00a0\u00a0He brings home an armload of gifts for the children and hands me a gold coin for weathering his storms. I have been tucking these guilt offerings into a small pouch I usually wear around my neck.<\/p>\n

A few days ago, his wife returned from her visit to relatives on the Continent. The entire family is agog with delight. They asked me to fetch the holiday turkey from the butcher today. It seems the lady will be taking over the care of her household again, and I can see the writing on the wall.\u00a0\u00a0They won\u2019t be needing a governess for much longer.<\/p>\n

Usually, I wear the pouch of coins around my neck. Today, I noticed a small group of rough boys hanging about the butcher shop.\u00a0\u00a0I was afraid of being accosted and robbed.\u00a0\u00a0So, I did a very foolish thing. I shoved the pouch of coins down the turkey\u2019s throat thinking I was being clever.<\/p>\n

Instead, I have lost my stake.\u00a0\u00a0Those coins were going to allow me to set up a small seamstress shop where I would never have to be concerned about anyone\u2019s temper than my own.\u201d<\/p>\n

The poor young lady began to cry bitterly.<\/p>\n

Clem\u2019s heart went out to the poor woman.\u00a0\u00a0It tore him up to think what some ladies had to endure to make ends meet.\u00a0\u00a0It also pleased him no end that he was about to be the bearer of glad tidings.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Hunter, stop. Don\u2019t cry.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m sorry you\u2019re upset, but I had to find out the story behind this special turkey here.\u00a0\u00a0Artie found this turkey, and he found your pouch of coins.\u00a0\u00a0Show her, Artie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Well, at the sight of her golden grub stake. Violet Hunter lost all sense of propriety.\u00a0\u00a0She threw her arms first around Artie\u2019s neck, and then grabbed Clem by the shoulder and planted a warm kiss on his cheek.\u201d<\/p>\n

It took a few minutes for all of them to settle down from the commotion.\u00a0\u00a0When all was quiet again, they knew it was time to part ways.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood afternoon, Miss Hunter,\u201d Artie bowed over the lady\u2019s hand. \u201cI wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. This will be a good adventure to write in my journal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Doyle, I would not have had a future without your sense of integrity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Artie clasped Clem\u2019s hand in farewell, and the pair watched from the jail house door as the young man ambled down the street toward one the town\u2019s plentiful drinking establishments.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, Miss Hunter,\u201d Clem said. \u201cWhat do you say to me toting this bird back to the Gruener\u2019s house for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d say, \u2018Thank you very much.\u2019 But, you must promise to call me Violet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be pleased, and you can call me, Clem.\u201d<\/p>\n

The weather was decidedly more pleasant as the couple walked slowly to the Gruener residence.\u00a0\u00a0Clem followed Violet into the kitchen long enough to deposit the special turkey on the kitchen table. He had no excuse for lingering. He\u2019d done his duties as sheriff for the day.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Violet,\u201d he said, \u201cit\u2019s been a pleasure to meet you.\u201d Shoving his hand into his pocket, he nudged the opera glasses he\u2019d tucked away.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel the same way, Clem. I hope to see you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was very promising. Clem took a leap of faith.\u00a0\u00a0He pulled the opera glasses out of his pocket.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got these opera glasses today as a gift from the Widow Hawkins. I don\u2019t go the theater much, but I\u2019d love to try these glasses out if you\u2019ll come with me to the Winter Pageant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would be delighted to go with you, deputy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clem figured the soft kiss on the cheek had to be the greatest Christmas gift he\u2019d ever gotten.<\/p>\n

He was going to owe Artie one helluva of a New Year\u2019s gift.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Character: Clem Foster<\/i><\/p>\n

Gift: Opera Glasses<\/i><\/p>\n

Link to Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar – Day 13 – Upon a Knight of Olde by sklamb<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 Clem receives a gift that leads to something more and provides inspiration.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 G 2,845 words<\/p>\n

This story was written for the Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar, originated in the Forums.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":5835,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,40],"tags":[1062],"class_list":["post-35190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-challenges","tag-advent-calendar","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-40-id"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35190","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=35190"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35190\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5835"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=35190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=35190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=35190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}