The Bank Robber
Bentley stood in the grassy field and chomped upon the grass. His companion, Barkley, rested under a nearby willow tree.
“You better not eat too much grass this time, Bentley!” Farmer Z called out.
Farmer Z was a great older man of African American decent. Against all the moaning and complaining from fellow ranchers, Farmer Z had taken to owning an entire ranch by himself. The other ranchers were all white and owned slaves in the past, (Now they have hired workers, but they get paid very little) but Farmer Z mostly relied on his spectacular animals. They seemed to have a way of communicating and working together. Ah, but Farmer Z had two favorites, Bentley, the stubborn mule, and Barkley, the loyal golden retriever.
Despite Bentley’s tendency to munch down a good portion of the grass, the grass grew back rather quickly even under the hot southwestern sun.
Farmer Z had five sons and all of them were grown enough and out at war. Farmer Z would have gone too, but he just wasn’t physically capable enough anymore. He had a daughter, but she got ill and passed away just a few years back. Farmer Z’s gorgeous sassy wife who was by far the prettiest around was pregnant again and Farmer Z was hoping for another daughter.
This story isn’t about the amazing Farmer Z, however, it is about his nearly unstoppable duo of Barkley and Bentley.
“Barkley, keep an eye on Bentley. I’m going to the market to sale these eggs. They’re the best eggs I’ve gotten all year and I’d be surprised if nobody wanted them!” Farmer Z said.
Farmer Z carried a basket of eggs with him to a horse drawn carriage. Some people around had cars, but not many. The dusty red roads were best traveled by carriage. As soon as Farmer Z left, Bentley lifted his long ears into the air and signaled for Barkley to approach. Barkley got up, stretched, and walked over to Bentley.
“Any news?” Barkley asked.
“Yeah, I predict a bank robbery will occur soon… Are you up for a ride?” Bentley asked.
Barkley nodded and climbed onto a rock and then onto the mule’s back.
“Please don’t dig your nails into my skin,” Bentley said before taking off running.
Barkley balanced atop Bentley’s back as they rushed down the red dirt road to a nearby town. Just as Bentley predicted, a tall man came barging out of the town bank as the alarms blared. The man wore a long black robe made from very expensive material and had a very expensive watch on his wrist surrounded by shiny diamonds.
Barkley leaped off of Bentley’s back and ran at the man. Bentley followed, his large muscular legs made it easy for him to catch up with the agile dog.
“BACK! YOU MANGEY ANIMALS! BEFORE I TURN YOU INTO TROPHIES FOR MY WALL!” the man yelled.
Barkley pounced on the man and bit him. Bentley came around the back and kicked the man in the butt. He yelped and accidentally dropped his bag of loot. Barkley grabbed the loot bags and Bentley held the criminal down until the sheriff showed up.
“My oh my, if it isn’t the famous Barkley and Bentley!” the sheriff said when she arrived.
Barkley dropped the bag of loot at the sheriff’s feet and smiled up at her.
“Thank you for catching this guy, I’ll be taking him now,” the sheriff said.
Bentley stepped off of the man and the sheriff took hold of him.
“CURSE YOU, BEASTS! THIS WILL NOT BE THE LAST YOU HEAR OF THE NIGHT PUMPER! I SWEAR! I WILL HAVE YOUR HEADS ON MY WALL ONE DAY SOON!” the man with the expensive watch cried out as he was dragged away to jail.
“Great job, Bentley!” Barkley said.
“You too, Barkley… I just fear that this “Night Pumper” guy might be coming back to get us one day…” Bentley said.
“Well… We’ll just beat him again… I wonder why he’s not at war like Farmer Z’s sons…” Barkley said.
“Yeah, that’s kind of weird…” Bentley said.
It was unknown to the animals, but the Night Pumper had paid his way out of having to go to war as he had tons of money to spare. Not many people at this time had that kind of money.
Barkley and Bentley returned home to the ranch before Farmer Z did.
