Bounty Hunters, Map Makers Gold Miners | Page 5

due. I'll tell you what. $50,000 seems fair for saving the city what would have turned into millions of dollars of thievery and who knows how many dead folks. Don't you think?"
"But Eureka can't afford $50,000."
"It's just another $25,000. And you can spread it out over the next 25 years like before."
"I ... guess ... we could handle that."
"And another $30,000 should more than cover saving a thousand head of prime Midwestern beef."
"Thirty thousand?"
"Uh huh. The way I see it, if Eureka just doubles how long it makes its payments, then it will work out even steven."
"Double?"
"Well, isn't $50,000 fair for saving the city half a million dollars?"
"I suppose."
"And isn't $30,000 fair for saving a thousand head of cattle?"
"I reckon it is."
"Well, there you have it then. This is really just making adjustments for inflation and bringing the rewards in line with the benefit I provided."
"I guess I could bring it up at the town meeting next month."
"Thank you, Mayor. I would appreciate that."
A week later, Mayor Maddox received a campaign contribution from Isaac Preston along with a note saying "Eureka wouldn't be the same without you as Mayor."
At the next town meeting, Mayor Maddox brought up an item concerning "inflation adjustment for bounties" and suggested that bounties need to be adjusted for inflation by doubling how long they make the payments. The townsfolk scratched their heads but figured the Mayor must know what he was talking about, and on his recommendation, they approved the measure.
Eureka continued to grow and prosper. The crime per capita continued to drop. But there were enough crimes that Preston and his company kept a brisk business of bringing in bad guys. The number of employees increased. Preston brought in his son, Irving, to work the business. Garrett, who had always worked alone as a bounty hunter, became a duo when he started showing his son, Galen, the ropes of the bounty hunter business. Even Maddox passed the torch to his son when Mitchell became the new Mayor of Eureka. Everyone was happy.
For a while, at least.
'Twas a sad day indeed when Preston and Garrett were both killed in a shootout while trying to round up the Kirby twins who had kidnapped one of Eureka's daughters. IP Inc and Garrett's son were there when it happened. The Kirby twins died in the shootout as well. The kidnapped girl was rescued, but it was the only good thing to come of that otherwise dark day.
A week later, Irving approached the Mayor.
"It's a sad day, Mayor Mitchell."
"Yes, truly it is."
"My pa is in the ground, and his works will follow soon after."
"What's that?"
"Well, all the good things that my pa did for Eureka, and his rewards are gonna dry up soon."
"You mean the bounties the city has been paying him?"
"Sure. And it just don't see right to me that he gave his life but will so soon be forgotten."
"Forgotten? We're planning on erecting a statue in his honor. And another one for Garrett too."
"But to give his life and to have his rewards end so soon after his death. It just doesn't seem fair."
"Well, your pa and Garrett both knew the risks involved in trying to collect the bounty and they decided it was worth the risk."
"Yes, but how can you put a price on a man's life?"
"Well, I'm not saying..."
"My pa devoted his life to helping Eureka. Don't you think it only fair that Eureka give him his due?"
"His due?"
"Yes, his due. He spent 50 years of his life making Eureka a better place. He should be rewarded for 50 years."
"Your pa has gone to meet his maker. He don't care about no earthly reward. Besides, how would he collect?"
"But a man who gave his life for us should be allowed his legacy."
"Well, like I said, the statue..."
"It don't pay for a man's life."
"Well, I reckon it don't." The mayor seemed stumped. "What did you have in mind?"
"50 years of a life dedicated to making Eureka a better place should be rewarded for 50 years after his death. I think it only fair that Eureka extend all its bounty payments to my father's estate for 50 years after his death."
"That seems like an awful lot of money, Irving. I don't know if Eureka could afford it."
"My pa gave 50 years of his life to this city, and all you can think of is the money?"
"I'm sorry, Irving, I didn't mean to be selfish." The mayor pondered it for a moment. "I'm sure we can figure out a way to pay your father's estate."
"Thank you mayor."
A week later, Mayor Mitchell received a campaign contribution from Irving along with a bounty hunter's badge and a certificate that proclaimed Mayor Mitchell an honorary bounty hunter.
Mayor Mitchell called a special town meeting and gave an emotional speech about the sacrifices