The brothers Adam and Joe Cartwright had been days on the way without that they had an opportunity to have a bath. But now they had arrived in Townville to rest a bit.
After the reservation at the hotel Adam went as 1st to the bath house while went to the saloon.
“Joe, I thought that you first would have a bath?”, asked Adam.
“That was actually my plan too but my desire for a beer is bigger than for a bath. I see you, older brother”, answered the youngest Cartwright brother.
“Fine, younger brother”, said Adam.
They walked respectively to the bath house and the saloon.
The bath house got run by an old but sprightly lady who listened to the name of Dina Walker.
Adam came in and asked, “The name is Adam Cartwright. Would it be possible to be able to have a bath?”
“Of course Mr Cartwright. Just come along”, said Dina.
She made the water hot while Adam was brought to a bath room.
“A bath costs 50 cent. For a dollar extra I wash your clothes today as well. You have been in the saddle for days, haven’t you?”, asked Dina.
Adam looked at his clothes and answered, “That’s right. My younger brother Joe will come by later on too for a bath. His clothes can use a wash too.”
Dina answered, “The saloon only serves colored water with some pigment in it. Beer isn’t allowed to be poured there anymore.”
“Why not?”, Adam wanted to know.
“Because the bartender is the best customer himself. The sheriff made sure himself that it wasn’t allowed anymore”, Dina said while she poured the hot water into the bath tub.
Behind a screen Adam got undressed and he gave Dina his dirty clothes. She left the room and Adam enjoyed his well deserved bath.
As good as Adam had it, so badly was it set with Joe. The saloon was as good as deserted and behind the bar stood a very moody fellow who looked gruff out of his eyes.
Joe looked around and asked, “Is the beer so bad that you chase everyone away?”
“Keep your brutal mouth shut, brat! I may not serve beer or alcohol including drinks of the sheriff. I do have water for you”, said Dave Parker.
He was the bartender.
“Sorry. Just give me a glass of water then. Why don’t you sell it as council beer?”, Joe suggested.
Dave poured in a glass of water and said, “That is a good idea of yours. That is then 2 dollar.”
“Two dollar fort such a little glass of water? Swindler that you are”, reacted Joe.
“Now it’s 3 dollar!”, said Dave.
Joe paid the 3 dollar and drunk up the water. He left at once. He looked around but didn’t see any other saloon to quench his thirst. Finally Joe too went to the bath house where his brother was wearing already clean clothes.
When leaving the bath house Adam paid for the double wash turn.
“Do you have a rubber bath duck??”, asked Adam.
“No, unfortunately not. Why?”, Dina asked on her turn.
“It was meant for my brother Joe. Up till his 6th he played with a rubber duck in the bath. That’s why I asked for it”, Adam explained.
Dina nodded understanding and asked, “How many years are thee between you?”
“He is 12 years younger”, said Adam.
They kept silent when Joe came in.
“Mrs Walker, Now this is my brother Joe. Joe, this is Mrs Walker. She runs this bath house. Have fun”, said Adam.
Of course Joe didn’t trust it at all anymore.
“For you also a double wash turn?”, asked Dina.
“That is good”, Joe said sighing.
Again the bath ritual got repeated.
When Joe sat in the bath he began to sing. It sounded so false that Adam came to have a look.
“Joe, with your cat wining you chase away all the rubber ducks”, Adam said teasing.
“Shut up!”, Joe said fierce.
“I’m going to reserve a table for us. After your bath we go to eat something”, said Adam.
“Deal”, was the answer of his brother.
Adam went away while Joe continued with bathing.
Sometime later the brothers were eating at the restaurant of the hotel.
“The bath house and the food here are up till now the only 2 good things in this hamlet. Let’s hope the beds are good too”, said Joe.
“We pay more than enough for it”, reacted Adam.
His brother nodded.
As good as the food and the bath was, so bad were the beds. Though the brothers decided to stay. Even though it was just the way to sleep in a normal way. But they would never forget Dina Walker.