When Roy turned sixteen, Thaddeus purchased a horse for his son. One day Roy decided to visit the Riddle home so he and Stanley could go for a ride. Thaddeus caught his son's shoulder while Roy saddled the horse.
"Son, do me a favor and go into town. The list of things I need and some silver are sitting on the table inside."
"Pop, I was going to visit Stanley," Roy protested.
Thaddeus smiled. "I know you are, but take Stanley with you into town and get the things on my list. Can you do that for me, son?"
"Sure Pop. For a minute there, I thought you were going to stop me from visiting with Stanley."
"Not a chance, Roy. You two are like brothers. Plus, I always feel better when you two are looking out for each other. I'm going hunting a few miles west from here. I saw a herd of antelope grazing that direction this morning. So, don't wait for me at supper, I'll be home late if I'm lucky, or by tomorrow if not lucky."
Torn between the two opportunities, Roy faced a difficult choice. Meeting up with Stanley, and riding horses sounded like fun, but missing a chance to go hunting with his pop was something else altogether. He wanted to do both. Roy ran into the log home and gathered the list of items, silver, and his canteen. As Roy walked back, Thaddeus could read his son's thoughts.
"Roy, you and I will go hunting another day, I promise. Now go have fun with Stanley. Oh, and don't let me hear any wild tales from Sheriff Dawson, about the two of you getting into more trouble." Thaddeus winked.
Roy could see his pop was teasing. "I won't Pop. By the way, thank you again for getting me this horse." Roy hopped into his saddle and patted the horse's neck.
Thaddeus held the bridle in one hand while stroking the neck of the horse. "I'm real proud of you Roy. You're becoming a great man. I know you're not too happy about it, but I appreciate you teaching your old man how to read and write."
Roy shifted his cowboy hat to protect his eyes from the sun and smiled down at his father. "You're welcome, Pop." Pulling the reins, Roy set off toward the Riddle property, and Thaddeus patted the hind quarters of the horse as Roy rode away.
Once Roy arrived at Stanley's farm, he was met by Mrs. Riddle showering the two boys with caution and instructions. They hurriedly saddled Stanley's horse and set off for the town. Glancing over their shoulders, they could see Mrs. Riddle wiping her hands on her apron, wearing a worried look on her face.