She gathered her skirts and ran lightly down the steps in the Long Branch Saloon, sliding her hand down the polished oak banister. Miss Kitty was waiting for Melanie at the bar. The lovely young girl in the yellow dress had met a young cowboy the night before who promised to take her for a surrey ride through the country-side outside of Dodge City.
Melanie dressed carefully, her only good dress a yellow muslin gown with long sleeves, a full skirt and a high collar. Tiny lace trim ruffled the edges of collar and cuff. But she worried as she got dressed. She was trying to dress like a lady, but had no hat, only her white, lace trimmed gloves. Melanie's quiet sobs were interrupted by a knock on the door.
Miss Kitty. What could she want? But Miss Kitty had come to her rescue. As Miss Kitty had passed the young girl’s door, she had heard muffled sobs and remembered her own young life.
Melanie had always thought that Miss Kitty looked like such a stern and tough woman, pleasant to customers but so very stern. And here this intimidating woman had gone into her own selection of hats and bonnets just for her. Miss Kitty had given the young woman a miniature yellow top hat with yellow plumes gracing the black satin band. Melanie perched it saucily atop her glossy brunette curls, admiring the effect in the mirror.
As she passed through the saloon, Miss Kitty nodded and winked. “You young folks have a good afternoon, y’hear? Cook put a picnic basket in the surrey. Your young fella is waitin’ outside.”
On the long wooden verandah of the Long Branch, Melanie gathered up her skirts again. The young cowboy took one white gloved hand in his and helped her from the steps into the surrey. The ‘young folks’ drove off into the countryside for a lovely afternoon.
“Kindness is tenderness. Kindness is love, but perhaps greater than love.
Kindness is good will. Kindness says, I want you to be happy.”
~ Randolph Ray
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