Tennessee's Partner

“Tennessee’s Partner” was a great piece. I could definitely see the influence on the whole western genre, both novels and movies. I was a little surprised at the tale of the wife, and her following indiscretions with Tennessee, et al, especially considering the date of the story. Trouble is as trouble does they say, and Tennessee gets into trouble when he attempts to rob someone. When Tennessee is at his trial before his peers, Tennessee’s Partner burst in with a bag of Tennessee’s Partner seems like a simple man, quiet and uncomplicated, and his partner, Tennessee seems like a trouble-maker.
Trouble is a trouble does, as they say, and when Tennessee attempts to rob someone, he hunted down and hauled before a jury of his peers. Tennessee’s Partner interrupts the proceeding with a simple declaration, “It ain’t for me to say anything agin’ him”. I think he was hurt that his partner tried to rob someone rather than come to him for help, but he was not willing to see him die for it. He had forgiven him for the wife incident, and he already stated that they didn’t always agree, but he was willing to put down all the money he had to free his partner. In his mind, the justice system had acted just like Tennessee- they hunted him and caught him, just as he did his victim; in Tennessee’ Partner’s eyes, they should be equal, and the money would everything over the top. He did not understand that gold and money were not acceptable in such an offense, and it was actually seen as a bribe- it hurt his friend’s chances.
There was much care taken to prepare the coffin for Tennessee, and Tennessee’s Partner wanted others to share in the funeral experience, even if he didn’t exactly shout it. He was a simple man, and it was probably difficult for him to bury his friend and contemplate life without him. The end was sad, but fitting, as they were “partners” once again, meeting together on their journey.