Letters From Dockery

At the turn of the century, J.H. Akins and Louise Cresap Akins arrive in Lewistown, Montana by way of Humansville, Missouri.  They have their two year old daughter, Bohnda in tow.  They would soon prosper in the rich civic life of Lewistown.

Dockery steals a friend's car and gets it stuck in a snowbank.  He wonders if Bohnda will respond to his outburst in his previous letter. 

Dockery did not know he was the jealous type.  But when he receives Bohnda's letter about two other men plying her for sympathy, he erupts in concern.   

Dockery is at work on a Sunday morning, as he may have a client. . .

Something has happened between Bohnda and her mother, and Dockery offers his support and advice.  Dockery has his first client, and makes plans to go to Fort Benton.  It's not time, we learn, "to spill the beans."

Dockery hears that Miles City is "a wide open town," and worries his sweetheart is staying there.  

Dockery considers a friend's request to be "used" to help him with a homestead claim.

Dockery responds to a letter, which he liked so much but also hurt so much.