Mary's work at St. Peter's wasn't without its dangers, either. One time the ex-slave woman held back a pack of wolves. It happened during a night run to Great Falls, Montana for supplies. Somehow, Mary's wagon overturned and she, as well as the supplies, were dumped onto the prairie. Mary managed to get out of that situation, but it's still a wonder why another hired hand at St. Peter's complained about Mary being paid the grand sum of $2.00 a month more in pay than he was getting. This fellow insisted to know why Mary thought she was worth more than he was. After all, the man, known as Yu Lum Duck, pointed out that Mary was just some old uppity colored woman.
Mr. Duck was so perturbed over the situation that he went a bit further than insult Mary to her face. Duck made his opinions about Mary known in a public place that was one of Fields' favorite watering holes--that is, a local saloon. After spouting his grievances publicly, and using a bit of unmentionable descriptions of Fields, Yu Lum presented a watered-down version of the situation to Bishop Filbus N. E. Berwanger.
Now Mary, getting wind of Mr. Duck quacking to the good Bishop, had her feathers ruffled but good. Biding her time, she waited until the next time Duck was cleaning out the latrine. While Duck was absorbed with his smelly situation Mary pulled her pistol and fired. Her aim was to sink a slug somewhere in her oppressor, perhaps hoping to make a dead duck out of Yu Lum. And if her pistol served its true purpose what better location to dispose of the body than in the deep, dark depths beneath the outhouse.
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