When I read, The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky, my mind could not help but wonder to the TV show Gunsmoke. Like Matt Dillon, Jack Potter is a strong man, who’s only family is the town. Obviously, the town thinks the world of him and holds him in the highest regard. Otherwise, he would not have felt so guilty about not telling the town that he had gotten married. The train ride back to Yellow Sky must have been a lot longer for Jack than his bride. With the thought of how he had betrayed his town, his family by taken a bride and not so much as a telegram to let them know of this wonderful occasion.
On the other hand, Jack was the marshal and it is his job to keep peace in the town. Scratchy Wilson is a character that I can associate with. During my childhood and into my adult life, I have run into some friends and neighbors that I would not trade for the world while they are sober. Although, it only happens on occasion, their minds get the better of them and they start to drink. Once one has taken that first drink it is easier to take a second than to deal with whatever is plaguing the mind. After one becomes drunk they let it all hang out so to speak. Scratchy is this sort of man. When he is not drunk he is the best neighbor any one can ask for. Scratchy knows that Jack will keep him in line, will not allow him to hurt anyone or himself that is why he went to Jack’s house looking for him.
When he comes face to face with Jack I thought the bride would be the one to get shot. I should have known that Jack would not have felt the need to carry a gun. He was going to get a bride not going to a gun fight. Yet, I was surprised as was Scratchy to learn he did not have a gun on him. When Jack told Scratchy that he was married it seems to sober him up, as if his feelings had been hurt at the thought that Jack was married without him known it. Perhaps, this is the shock that Jack was afraid of.
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