The Reformation of Calliope (Henry)
from the Collection «Heart of the West»
Calliope Catesby was a man known for his violent outbursts in the town of Quicksand. One day, he went on a rampage, shooting at anything and everything in his path.
The city marshal, Buck Patterson, and his posse decided that it was time to put an end to Calliope's reign of terror.
They engaged in a shootout with Calliope, who managed to take refuge in a small railroad station.
Calliope, especially, was wont to express his ennui according to his lights.
As Buck Patterson attempted to apprehend Calliope, a train arrived carrying Calliope's elderly mother, who had come to visit her son.
Unaware of her son's true nature, she believed him to be a respectable city marshal. Calliope, not wanting to disappoint his mother, switched places with the injured Buck Patterson, pretending to be the marshal while Buck played the role of the criminal.
I just couldn't help it, Buck. I seen her through the window a-comin' in.
Buck, touched by Calliope's devotion to his mother, agreed to keep up the charade for the duration of her visit. He also urged Calliope to take his mother's advice to heart and turn his life around. Calliope agreed, and the two men vowed to become better people for the sake of Calliope's mother.